The Ultimate in Customer Service

Believe it or not, it was from a chain! Outback Steakhouse! Obviously I was so impressed I felt compelled to tell you about it!

My son chose Outback for his high school graduation dinner celebration and since most of the attendees were family I footed the bill which I figured would be about $150 for everyone. So, being the frugal person I am :) I bought (3) $50 gift cards to get the special offer of $10 for each $50 gift card you purchased because $30 is basically a free meal for us. When I purchased them I asked if I could use all 3 at one time and they assured me I could. In the meantime I gleaned a $5 coupon that was in the paper and ended up with $5 left on one of the $50 gift cards giving us a whopping total of $40 which would cover 90% of the meal. The only caveat was the $10 gift cards/coupons had to be used by July 15th. So while we were at the beach it was the perfect time to have an inexpensive but what I consider a consistent or reliable meal.

As I have learned, nothing is easy or goes as planned. We got there and I immediately whipped out everything I had, even before we even placed our drink order and asked our waiter, Jason Q, if I could used the three $10 cards all at once (because it did state on them, only 1 card per visit). He said he would ask the owner (not the manager, apparently the actual owner of that restaurant was there) Unfortunately he came back saying, "No, you could only use one" This severely disappointed me because I was banking on the fact that most of this meal was going to be paid for and left me with the dilemma of using the other 2 within 3 more days. I did not take out my grief/anger/disappointment/general pissoffedness at the waiter. But God Bless his pea pickin' little soul, he came back to me and told me to give him one of them and he would sell it to one of the other waiters and give me $10 cash which he promptly did. Then he did the same with the other 2 and told me he had to do that or my $5 coupon wouldn't take either. So he enabled us to use all three $10 cards and the $5 coupon. But the great customer service doesn't stop there. My son and I ordered our steaks medium and his girlfriend ordered hers medium rare. Ours came out medium well and hers medium. So when Jason asked us how are meal was we showed him and of course he offered to bring us new ones but if you have ever done that by the time the new ones come out, everyone else is done with their meal and my salad & bread have settled and I'm not hungry anymore so we told him we were fine. They were still juicy and edible. He took it upon himself to tell the owner who came over and once again offered us new ones where we told him the same thing. We were good with what we had. So he then asked if he could give us complimentary desserts instead. That one we snapped up! We actually only got 2 desserts and shared them and we still couldn't finish them.

The bill ended up being $9 for everything with all my discounts. Jason Q got an awesome tip and we were all very happy. I super appreciated him thinking "outside of the box" (get it, blog name, outside of the box ...) and making everything work. So if you end up at the Outback Steakhouse in Myrtle Beach, ask for Jason Q - he rocks!

Roxy's is a rockin'

You all know how much I loooove 131 Main. Well Roxy's is owned by them and they did not disappoint.

Roxy's is located next to 131 in Cornelius. They tout themselves as a wine shoppe, coffee shoppe, sandwich shoppe & soda shoppe  - just wondering if the "e" makes it more "especial" :)

I think this was one of their first "Fabulous Friday" wine tasting. It looked at first that they were a bit disorganized but they recouped quickly. It was $10 and included the tasting of about 6 different wines from all over the country. My bad for not saving the "cheat sheet"  We ended up buying a bottle of the "Malvasia Dolce" from, wait for it . . . Italy (of course) This is a very sweet, slightly bubbly wine, very remnicent of moscato but slightly sweeter. A little pricey at $15 for the bottle, especially at a wine tasting. I always feel compelled to buy a bottle because I feel it is the polite thing to do. Unless of course I truly don't like any of the wines which has happened to me only twice. One I was FORCED to buy a bottle and the other I really, really liked the vineyard but the only bottle I liked was $59 and that was a negatory. That's why we pretty much stick to muscadine wineries because I know I'm going to like the wine there.

They also had some light apps which were very, very tasty which I figured they would be coming from 131 Main. It wasn't anything they normally have on their menu which was actually nice because we got to try a couple of different things. One was a fabulous crab dip. Then hummus. Served with these very tasty, light, buttery crustinis. They also had a wonderful chicken salad wrap. Assorted fruit & cheeses. Perfect for a tasting and great for us because Friday is usually appetizer night at our house.

They also boast daily wine or beer specials along with daily coffee/pastry and even ice cream specials. Live music Friday and Saturday nights from 7-10, which by the way, they had at the tasting and they were great. She rocked a couple of Adele songs that I would never even attempt to try in the shower and did a fine job with them!

A really fun, cute place. A nice, slightly different twist on the typical coffee shop or should I say "shoppe"?

I don't think they have their own website. I am on 131's mailing list so that is how I have been getting my information for Roxy's. They do have a Facebook page. The link to that is:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Roxys-Coffee-and-Wine/402911346392827

Dishing on Dish

One of our favorite channels that we recently have discovered is the Food Network. Our favorite show is "Chopped" We also like "Restaurant Impossible" and "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives" (Even though I think it is disgusting to watch Guy Fieri constantly talk with his mouth full, yuck!I just turn away when he starts tasting the food) It is this last show where "Dish" was featured. When it was on I mentioned I had never eaten there and my husband said, "Well, we need to fix that!" So we went last week and I have a bit of a mixed review for all you die hard Dish fans. We only ordered appetizers so I definitely feel we need to go again and have one of their down home "Southern Comfort" meals to give them a fair assessment. The salmon patties, chicken & dumplings & meatloaf were featured on the show so those are on the agenda for the next trip.

We had 5 appetizers. I will start with our favorite. The Collard Dip. Only $4.55. As the menu states, "If you like collards you'll love the dip" We love collards and this dip was a great twist on the traditional spinach dip. It's topped with diced tomatoes and served hot with your choice of toasted pita wedges or tortilla chips. It is one of those dishes where you say, "We have to go to Dish and have the Collard Dip!"

Our 2nd favorite was the Deviled Eggs 3 for $1.25 or $6 for $2.25(which if you buy an entree you automatically get one) They are made fresh every morning and were delicious!

Of course we had to try the Fried Green Tomatoes $4.95. This is where things go a little hinky for me. You get 6 slices served with a tasty horseradish dill sauce. I thought the tomato was sliced a bit thin and was more breading than tomato. Good flavor and like I just said the dipping sauce was great but I wish there was a little more thickness to the tomato where the breading wasn't so overwhelming.

My least favorite as an appetizer but did spark my interest for trying as entree was the Meatloaf Sliders $7.75. If I thought the portion for the Fried Green Tomatoes was skimpy I did not realize the meaning of skimpy until I got the actual meatloaf on these sliders. The buns were typical "slider" size (small) but the meatloaf was not even sliced to cover the tiny slider bun. Both me and my husband took the top off and ate just one piece of bread but it still overwhelmed the meatloaf portion. Which was a shame because the meatloaf had excellent flavor and is why I feel I need to go back and try the meatloaf entree. But out of the all the appetizers and to be the most expensive I most definitely would not recommend this one.

Our 5th app was on recommendation from the waiter and was overkill for us since the 4 above were plenty to please our palate.

We ordered the Chips & Dip $4.95. Your basic tortilla chips served with homemade salsa, guacamole & Dixie Caviar. Hmmm. Now that I'm reading this we did not get guacamole or "Dixie Caviar" Just some salsa which was good but not my favorite. I'd much rather prefer On the Border's endless and complimentary chips & salsa. We actually took this home and had it Friday night for our app dinner.

Overall I definitely would go back. Hope to do so in the next few weeks and will write an update! As always, would love to hear your experiences!

It makes me "Blue" to write this

I remorsefully have to give an update on one of my favorite restaurants and their bar specials - Blue.

We went there a couple weeks ago and much to my dismay they only offer 4 food selections now and 2 of them are basically pizza. If you read my first blog on this (see older posts) three of the four selections we tried are no longer available on their bar menu including my favorite Flavors of the Mediterranean - Tapenade, Baba Ghanoush, white bean and Parmigiano-Reggiano salad and traditional hummus served with a warm pita, Greek olives, roasted peppers and olive oil. And Jero's favorite Crisp Arrancini - Risotto balls stuffed with pancetta, sweet onions and mozzarella fried crispy and topped with a tomato sauce. We were very disappointed. We ended up getting 2 orders of calamari & 1 order of hummus. Just plain hummus which I really didn't even want to order because, well, it just sounded . . plain boring. But I was hungry & one app wasn't going to do it and I like variety. They did serve a couple of black olives with it that livened it up a bit but not enough. I took some of the fried green olives that came with the calamari and livened it up with that. Then Jero was still hungry and went and ordered the scallop appetizer for $12. It came with 2, yes 2, scallops. They were big scallops but not $12 worth or $6 each. Crazy. Did I mention we were disappointed. They still have their nightly drink specials - $6 martinis & $4 beers which is a good deal. So if you like pizza, calamari and plain hummus you are good to go. As for us, we will be going elsewhere if we want more than pizza :(

Firebird's "Firebar Menu" Totally Underwhelmed Me

OK, I was sooo disappointed with my experience here it has taken me almost a week to even write about it, I have been so traumatized. (Not really but I almost felt it was not worth my time to write about it & I like the drama aspect here)

Good news first . . . enjoyed my company (Miss Miss!) and Miss Miss liked the queso. I was underwhelmed. I always do my "pre" research and picked my 4 items before even getting there. I was under the impression half price apps/starters Monday thru Friday 3-7. I was wrong. I had chosen the Lobster Spinach Queso $10 (would have been $5) Coconut Shrimp (Also would have been $5) Seared Ahi Tuna (Would have been $6.50) and Crab Cakes (Also $6.50) NONE of which were on the "Firebar" menu. What WAS on the "Firebar" menu, to quote my previous blog, "Standard, traditional, greasy bar food" Apparently they have a separate "Firebar" appetizer menu than their regular "Starters" menu! The only items on it, and once again I quote, "standard, traditional, greasy bar food": chicken wings, sliders, bbq sliders, ranch ringers & the queso. Miss Miss had the queso and sliders, which honestly, if I wanted queso I would have gone to On the Border and had their queso, free chips/salsa & $3 margaritas. I was pumped for my 4 choices only to find out, not one of them was on the "Firebar" menu. I ended up getting their Firebirds BLT salad (trying not to eat greasy) which is always excellent but totally misses the point of the good food at a cheap price. So, short story short, if you want standard, traditional, greasy bar food at the Northlake Mall, go to Firebird's. If not, go to Bravo!

Now I feel like I have to go back to one of my faves to instill my confidence again. 131 Main, here I come!

Bar Bites at Mimosa were anything but standard greasy bar food fare

When searching the internet I came across a mention of a bar bites menu at Mimosa Grill in Uptown Charlotte, all items $5 Monday thru Friday 4-7pm in the bar and on the patio. If you are familiar with Mimosa it is in the square where Alive After 5 used to be before the grandiose EpiCentre came to be. Mimosa is a popular lunch and after work drinks spot. Good food, a little pricey for my range. (Hey! I'm all about a $5 lunch which are super hard to find these days. $10 is stretching it and with tax & tip you won't be spending $10 here)

When I went onto their website and clicked on menu, there is a tab for "Bites" but "page is not found" when you click on it. So I called just to make sure the Bar Bites do exist and a youngish girl answered the phone and was very nice & very helpful. I told her the tab didn't work and she said they probably didn't want us to see what was on the bar bites menu because it is so exclusive. Huh? She then tried to remember what was on there and listed onion rings & fries, oh, parmesan fries, beef sliders, pork sliders, then proceeded to say and I quote, "You know, your usual, standard greasy bar foods" I think the manager/owner would have been appalled to hear her say that because the items we ended up getting were anything but! She then offered to go to the bar and got a copy of the menu and read it to me over the phone. They did have the above choices but also have Sea Salt & Tortilla Chips & Dip (guacamole & jalapeno cheddar) Wild Mushroom flatbread (with goat cheese & fresh herbs) We did not try these 2 because we wanted to try different things besides dip & pizza. We had the Mussel Bowl which was outstanding. A huge bowl of Mussels in smoked tomatoes & garlic. Mimosa's Signature Popcorn Shrimp where yes, I was thinking greasy but it is soaked in sweet chili & wasabi aioli sauce. Served in a cute wire "fry" basket and greasy does not describe this dish at all. Tasty yes! We also did try the Cab Beef Sliders with herb aioli & pimento cheese. Just a nicer version of a traditional slider. The Pork Belly Sliders were the best suprise though. I was thinking typical Carolina pulled pork but they consisted of a nice slice of white meat pork with cracked mustard and red dragon cheddar and carrot "slaw" A nice variation on our NC BBQ. Standard, greasy bar food? Far from it! We once again ordered 4 different "bites" and had just enough food. They also have nightly drink specials to complement their bar bites. I also wanted to mention that some of the normal prices on these "bites" are $8 or $10 so you are getting a good savings at $5!

Another good find in Uptown Charlotte at an upscale restaurant!

www.harpersgroup.com/mimosa.asp

New meaning to "Blue" Plate Specials!

I know when I think of Blue Plate Special you think of a diner or a "dive" type of restaurant. I was extremely pleased to find out that one of our favorite "treat ourselves" restaurants had a special bar/late night menu that was super affordable and super delicious.

Blue in Uptown Charlotte has appetizers Two For $10 in the bar Monday thru Friday 5-7 and late night (although if you go on their website, it's a little confusing. Sounds like they serve these specials until 11pm or 12 am) I ordered 4 different ones and it was too much food which is a good thing! Paired with the multitude of martini's my husband and I drank (OK, mostly the Hubster. He couldn't help it. His favorite were on special, Appletini's $6 which yes, I do believe we spent more on drinks than food, whoops!) Which brings me to another great feature to these bar bites - nightly drinks specials featuring a different beer & a specialty martini Monday thru Saturday. YES, including Friday and Saturday! I'm telling you, there are great ways to eat at the nicest restaurants in Charlotte at a really good savings!

The four appetizers we had were:

Number one, Flavors of the Mediterranean - Tapenade, Baba Ghanoush, white bean and Parmigiano-Reggiano salad and traditional hummus served with a warm pita, Greek olives, roasted peppers and olive oil. I could have made a meal out of this one itself. Lots of good variety and plenty to eat. My favorite was the Tapendade, a spread made from greek black olives, capers, anchovies & olive oil. Yum yum!

My second favorite was the Crispy Calamari with Fried Olives and Peppadew Peppers. Chickpea flour crusted with a lemon-harissa dipping sauce. The unusual twist on this that made it stand out from other fried calamari dishes I have had was the fried green olives & peppadew peppers. Great bursts with the calamari.

Third choice was the Duck Sausage and Rapini Flat Bread - Crisp flatbread topped with house made duck sasage, rapini, herb goat cheese and mozzarella. They had 3 choices of pizza and even though this is listed as flatbread, it was pizza. A good twist though with the duck sausage.

Lastly, Jero's favorite of the evening the Crisp Arrancini - Risotto balls stuffed with pancetta, sweet onions and mozzarella fried crispy and topped with a tomato sauce.

Everything was wonderful. Our servers at the bar were great. Had fun sitting there and chatting. The bar area I feel is just as nice as the dining area at Blue.

Check out their entire menu and drink specials at:

www.bluecharlotte.com