I’ll admit, barbecue is not one of my favorite foods. So, if I say it’s good, it probably will be to you, too.
Smoked beef brisket from MOJO Hogtown Bar-B-Q in Gainesville, FL
Beef Brisket from Big Bulls Bang’n BBQ in Columbia, SC
Creole Barbecue Shrimp from Table 31 in Mooresville
What makes a good salad? For me it’s all about the dressing. It *has* to be homemade. I can spot a bottled dressing a mile away. The toppings are also important. Here are some of my favorites:
The Black and Blue Filet Salad from Fresh Chef in Mooresville, NC
Insalata del giorno from Alino’s in Mooresville, NC
Tuscan Caesar at Paramount Grill in Gainesville, FL
The Wedge Salad from Chillfire Grill in Denver, NC
Green salad from The Gamekeeper in Boone, NC
The Palm Beach Salad at Bricktop’s in Charlotte
Garden Salad at Sorrento’s in Statesville, NC
Green Salad with Salmon at Local Roots and Provisions in Lincolnton
Hydroponic Butter Lettuce Salad with Strawberries, whipped goat cheese and Butter Pecan Dressing from Firefly in Panama City Beach, FL
Steak is one of my favorite proteins. The problem for me has always been that my dad and now my son make such good steaks, I find any I have in restaurants to be lacking. Not the case with these picks:
Filet Mignon at Carolina Cafe in Gaffney, SC
Mills Family Farm Ribeye Steak with beef jus from Heirloom in Charlotte, NC
Pan roasted barrel cut Angus filet with roasted portabellos, puff pastry & a white-truffle sherry reduction from Paramount Grill in Gainesville, FL
Steak dinner at Willow Creek Inn in Vale
Ray’s Mixed Grill (The elk was my favorite!) at the Gamekeeper in Boone, NC
Filet Mignon at Safari Miles in Denver, NC
Bone-in Filet at Link and Pin in Huntersville
Filet from Supperland in Charlotte
Beef Tenderloin with Butter Poached Lobster at Capital Grille in Charlotte
Tomahawk Steak from The Crunkleton in Charlotte
Pepper Crusted Stuffed Filet Mignon from Firefly in Panama City Beach, FL
I’m not a big drinker, I’ll normally have one cocktail when I go out with friends for dinner. So, if I say something’s good, you can take it to the bank.
Bourbon Peach Smash at Crafted Southern Speakeasy in Lincolnton, NC
and the Feelin’ Fineapple!
Bloody Beast at Standard Oyster Company in Hickory
L’eveilleur from Aix en Provence in Charlotte
Watermelon Margarita from Margaritaville in Myrtle Beach
D.S.L. from Aria Tuscan Grill
Old York Sour at The Pump House in Rock Hill, SC
Blood Orange Old Fashioned from Paramount Grill in Gainesville, FL
I’ll Have Another at Highland Avenue in Hickory
Bahama Mama at the Buoy Bar on Hilton Head Island
Watermelon Sangria at 158 on Main in Mooresville
Hibiscus Margarita from Supperland in Charlotte
FLOWER IN THE BRAMBLE Cocktail Social House vodka, blackberry, lavender, lemon: from Stoke in Charlotte
Regatta Colada at Mariposa in Charlotte and below is the Aix en Provence
Aviation from The Crunkleton in Charlotte
Supernova and Passion Fraise from La Belle Helene in Charlotte
Pina Colada from Drift in Belmont, NC
barenakedchefsaidso.com 