Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Culinary nirvana!

Forget Halloween, yo. All those neighborhood candy fiends had to get their fix with my neighbors... I was at the opening of the Red Pepper Squirrel. I'm at home now, and I'm still visualizing the plus-sized serving of heaven that was on my plate tonight. Allow me to give you a brief rundown...

I met my friend Kristi out at the Squirrel for dinner. I'd have loved to have been able to chat with Beth all night, but she was husslin' her tail off in the kitchen, cooking for all the hungry townies. I had a couple of Yuengling drafts, Kristi jumped on a glass of Purple Rain MD 20/20. I wish I'd have had the testicular fortitude to order a glass... I'll work up to it eventually, but right now it brings up too many memories of teenage hangovers, and the less appetizing occurences that generally preceded said hangovers.

Kristi started with the garlicky cheesy spinach artichoke dip (I've had that before at Lil' Mama's, Beth and Seana's other restaurant. Gooood dip.) with toasted pita wedges, and I had the brushetta topped with tomatoes, fresh basil, roasted garlic, parmesan and balsamic vinaigrette. Excellent, excellent, excellent. Beth also brought us out some toast rounds covered in the most delicious pimiento cheese in the world, all melty and hot. For the main dish, I had a spinach and goat cheese ravioli in a fantastic roasted red pepper marinara; Kristi went with a huge steak quesadilla. Man alive, my ravioli got better with every single bite! That marinara had zing! I'm going to have a hard time not ordering it the next time I eat there.. there are so many other things on the menu I'd like to try!

I had such a great time out there... the restaurant is beautiful inside, thanks to the art work of a local graffiti artist. Such a fun, funky place. Congratulations, ladies! You've done a wonderful job with the Squirrel. I'm going to be thinking about tonight's meal for days to come...

Monday, October 30, 2006

Recovery sux.

Monday morning... why couldn't I get better on a Wednesday? I was down for the better part of last week with a bad stomach flu. I know it's not really a flu, but that's what everyone calls it. Aside from the fever, chills, and setting up camp in the bathroom, it wasn't a bad week. Got a lot of reading done. Got my satellite tv fixed. Watched some DVD's. And now, when I'm feeling 110% better and able to really enjoy goofing off, I've got a full week of work to look forward to. Damn the luck. Ah well... at least I have the work.

Last week actually put me pretty far behind on the house I'm working on right now. It's a huge house, waaay out in the country. I was hoping to finish up this week, but it'll be another ten days for sure now. The scenery is amazing... a little spooky, even. The house is on a tidal creek in the marsh, with half-dead live oaks draped in spanish moss all around. Fitting for a Halloween workweek, no?

In other news, tomorrow is opening day for the Red Pepper Squirrel, Beth and Seana's new restaurant in Mt. Pleasant! I'm hoping to be the first one thru the door.. if I can't do that, I'll be the last one out! I'm pretty excited for them. They've closed Lil' Mama's, their gourmet pizzaria out on Folly Beach for a few months.. partly because the traffic drops off so drastically at Folly during the winter, and partly so they can concentrate on getting the Squirrel up and running. Lil' Mama's last night open was Saturday, and I understand it was a very emotional night. Lots of folks, especially regulars, came out to wish them luck and show their support, and quite a few even stayed to help them close up. Such great peeps out on Folly. I've got a feeling these girls are going to take Mt. Pleasant by storm...

Monday, October 23, 2006

What's all the hubbub, bub?

I never seem to know when the neat stuff is going on around town. I'd like to blame it on how much I've been working lately, but the God's honest is that I just don't keep up with things. I generally carry on with normal day-to-day stuff, and rarely look outside of my own little world.. resulting in my missing so many good things that I know I'd enjoy.

Topping the list right now is Once Upon A Midnight Dreary, a dramatization of select Edgar Allan Poe stories that was read at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island, SC, where Poe was stationed for a bit while in the military. There were guided tours of the fort (which I know was spooky... we used to sneak into the fort as teenagers and it was creepy then) and a party held on the grounds by a local pub, Poe's Tavern. I wish, I wish I'd have caught that... I love Poe's works, and I couldn't think of a better time than Halloween month to put this on. I wonder if they were serving absinthe...

There were a few others that I shouldn't have missed out on, two of which Beth was catering for. I've no excuse at all for missing them. Sure, I was working, but a perk of being self employed is being able to rearrange your schedule at will, right? Riiight. We'll keep believing that.

In any case, holidays are coming up, and there are always some good shows going on downtown around this time of year. I'm hoping someone will put on a production of A Christmas Carol, as that's my all time favorite holiday story. I think I'm addicted. Keeping my fingers crossed for that little Christmas fix.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Introductions are in order...

This is the second go round for me in the blogging arena... still trying to get used to all the techy ins and outs. I think I need to borrow someone's inner geek until I get the knack of this.

First, a couple of things about me. My name's Dave, and I live in Charleston, SC. I'm self employed as an interior/exterior paint contractor (right now). I've got a girlfriend who works a LOT, and a dog who sleeps more often than not. I love boats, but I no longer have one. I love classic cars, but I no longer have one of those either. I live in a tiny ghetto hovel. Well, not really very ghetto... and it's not really a hovel. Tiny, it is. My lease is up in December, though, so I may step up from hovel to shanty. We'll see if I can afford it.

I'm not sure how often I'll be posting here, but keep an eye peeled. Also watch for a domain name change... I'm still trying to find adequate hosting for barefootboatnik.com.

Hasta!