The Pee Dee Foodie has a post on Restaurant Week on his site. He tells me that he will be adding more to the site this weekend, so stay tuned!

From the Florence CVB blog:

Restaurant Week will be January 12-22 in Florence.  Visit the blog to find out which restaurants are participating.  Hopefully we will see more participation next year!

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

On New Years Day, @Flossip_Friend and I took our children in search of a traditional New Years Day Meal.  I was not about to NOT eat collards, pork, black eyed peas, and cornbread.  I need all the luck I can get!  I also avoid walking under ladders and putting 13 gallons of gas in my car.  Anyway…

So, back to our meal.  @Flossip_Friend suggested Western Sizzlin.  Hmmm.  I said “No”.  I suggested Fatz, they had a traditional meal for $12.99.  We finally let the kids decide and Western Sizzlin won.

Y’all,  how did I not know about their Sunday Buffet?  All of this time I have been complaining that Carols is gone, and not ONE of you told me about the buffet at Western Sizzlin?  Not only was the food good, the service was excellent.  Of course, it does NOT go along with my New Years Diet, but I allowed myself one more day.

I had ham, black eyed peas, stewed tomatoes over rice, mac and cheese… and… I’m going to hush there.  No reason for you to know how much of a pig I made out of myself.

I can tell you that I wholeheartedly enjoyed the whole experience, and we will most certainly return!

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I don’t usually review chain restaurants, but I am really happy that Florence is growing in a diversity of selections.  Buffalo Wild Wings is loud, a little unruly, tvs are everywhere… and I love it.  I do not choose it when I want to have a really good conversation or pay close attention to a friend that needs to talk.  I choose it when I don’t want anyone to overhear my grumpy children, when I want to watch a game…. and when I want to eat fish tacos.

Mr. Flossip thinks fish tacos are disgusting.  I don’t understand because we usually enjoy the same things.  He is revolted by the MERE IDEA of fish tacos.  I, on the other hand, love them.  Lightly fried fish in a tortilla, lettuce, tomato, and I add ranch dressing.  Yum.  I get a side of nachos with salsa, and it is one of my favorite lunches.  I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this meal.

This is also the first place I have ever had boneless wings… loved them!  I didn’t like wings because the bone just grosses me out.  Problem solved!

Buffalo Wild Wings also has a cool app that you can add to your iPhone.  I earned a free coke zero right at my table.   The app is called “SCVNGR” and there are directions on each table for how to earn points.

All in all, BWW is a win for me.  I enjoy eating there, Mr. Flossip likes it, my kids like it… total win!

2601 David H McLeod Boulevard
Florence, South Carolina 29501
(843) 292-8995

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

Taste of Florence is tomorrow night at the Florence Civic Center.  Just looking at the Vendor list makes me want to go!  This is a very nice event.  I hear the Pee Dee Foodie will be there, and you may spot my blue hat walking around checking out the dining selections!  It looks like most of my favorite places to eat will be there.

The 1st Annual Taste of Florence is a family friendly, community-wide event that will showcase over 40 restaurants and dessert professionals from around the Pee Dee. Enjoy light entertainment and socializing with friends while you sample some of the best cuisine in the area. You’ll want to “Savor Tuesday’s Flavor.” The event takes place at the Florence Civic Center on October 18, 2011 from 5pm to 9pm.

Guest Judges include Nathalie Dupree, author of 11 cookbooks with her most recent being “Southern Biscuits.” WBTW Meteorologist Chris Still and Carolina Live host Cecil Chandler will also judge this year’s participating vendors. A visit from South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is also scheduled so guests will have many opportunities to visit with “famous” faces.

The Taste of Florence is sponsored in part by Adams Outdoor Advertising, Miller Communications with Star 93.7 and Frank FM, and OM Ships International. A live remote broadcast with Star 93.7 will take place during the event at the Florence Civic Center, located at 3300 West Radio Drive, Florence, South Carolina.

Admission tickets for the event may be purchased at Sweet! Gourmet Cupcakes, Bravo! Event and Party Rentals or Locals Grill for $5 in advance or $6 at the door. Students 18 and under are free with a paying adult. Once inside the ballroom guests may purchase food tickets for $1 each. Vendors will offer up to three items each, ranging in price from 1-3 food tickets.

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

(Above picture is from their website)

Is it a coincidence that I have gained three pounds since Sweet opened on Celebration?  I do not believe so…

Sweet is a cupcake store that bakes specialty cupcakes.  In true martyr fashion, I have now tried almost every flavor cupcake so I can give you the MOST accurate review.

I love Sweet, I love their decor, I love the idea, and I love most of the cupcakes.  It is a very peaceful place to sit and relax.   I think they had a very busy first week and if that is the only time you went– you should go again.  In week 1, I did have a dry cupcake and a couple of cupcakes with substandard icing.  For a $3.00 cupcake I want the icing to be perfect, (As it is in the pictures on Pee Dee Foodie’s post)  and the cupcake to be moist throughout.  (Pee Dee Foodie did a very nice review, check it out as well!)

In week 2, that is pretty much how every cupcake has been.  Here are some pictures of the actual product– they did not know me from Adam’s housecat, nor do they have any idea I was doing a review so these are accurate photos.  These are how I got them in the box.

At Sweet, the cupcakes are displayed BEHIND the counter.  The lighting is VERY dim.  I am a highly visual person so I want to be able to look at what I am buying closely.  I don’t want to have to point and gesture and squint to see.  They are also just sitting out… not covered.    I also don’t love the credit card payment on the iPad setup.  Its very cool and all, but I have some security concerns that make me prefer the old fashioned bank provided credit card machine.

I have also sacrificed my waistline and been to “Cupcake” on King Street in Charleston.  I think the two compare very well, but Cupcake only charges $2.75 a cupcake.  They have been doing this longer, so every cupcake is perfection.  I truly believe that Sweet can get there.  The other thing I prefer about Cupcake is that they have a plexiglass display case right at the counter so you can SEE the cupcakes.

This is the way the icing on one of Cupcakes cupcakes (heh) appears:

All that aside, I am going to keep going to Sweet and keep eating cupcakes so that I can be CERTAIN that I can tell you how good each one is.  Here is a list of the flavors.  So far, these are my favorites:

Apple Harvest: Oh.My.Gah.  This didn’t sound all that appealing until I tasted it.  Y’all.  It has little chunks of real apple and pecan in it.  This one is worth you heading out there RIGHT THIS SECOND.

Salted Caramel – (brown sugar cake, caramel center, butter cream topped with caramel and sea salt) This WAS my favorite until I had the Apple Harvest.  It is the PERFECT combination of salty and sweet.

Night and Day – (chocolate cupcake with vanilla butter cream) You just can’t go wrong with a classic, truly.

Overall?  Sweet has the potential to be a great success in Florence.  Remember to shop local and support local merchants– head out to Sweet!  Today!  Tell them you saw it on Flossip, and report back to me what you think!

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

September 26, 2011!!! I just got this email:

Thank you for your support and patronage. I am so excited to announce to you that we have set a tentative date for our opening for Monday, September 26, 2011 for lunch and dinner service. I want to encourage you to check out our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Olde-Europe/282686428412337 and click on the “Like” button so you can keep up with our progress, upcoming events and dinner specials. Please feel free to post your comments, pictures, questions or suggestions on this page and I will do my best to get back to you in a timely manner.
Again, thank you for your support and continued patronage.

(No worries about my patronage! I will be there!)

OLDE EUROPE
804-C LOOP RD. (Huntington Plaza)
FLORENCE, SC 29505

MAIN: 843-661-0707 FAX: 843-661-0708

If you are not sure where – old “Florentine Cafe” location and most recently “Fatburgers” Right next door to Moss Pharmacy!!!

Please feel free to call ahead for reservations. Lunch begins at 11:00am and dinner at 5:00pm Monday – Saturday.

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I got an email that Old Europe will be reopening at the old Cafe Florentine location on Second Loop in Huntington Plaza.  Today I rode by and saw a sign up saying “Coming Soon”!  I was such a fan of Old Europe.  You will most certainly be seeing my blue hat there when they open!  I am working on updating my “Rumors, Openings, and Closings” post now.  There are a lot of good things coming to Florence for the fall.  The summer hibernation is finally coming to an end!

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I am almost ashamed to admit that today is the first time I have ever eaten at Mi Tierra. Almost everyone I know loves it for their Mexican food fix, and I somehow have never been. I almost always choose Corona because of location and at this point I feel like I know the people that work there. However, Mi Tierra is excellent. First of all, it is HUGE! There is room for half of Florence to eat all at the same time.

We were seated promptly, and had excellent service. They brought out both mild and hot salsa at the same time, which is nice. They didn’t give us each our own bowl for salsa– the preferred method in my world.

I had the lunch fajitas and they were very good. They didn’t skimp out on the guacamole or the beef. Everything was cooked perfectly. Mr. Flossip reported that his lunch was very good as well. best part? 2 people, plenty of food–> 17.00. Well under my $10.00 per person lunch rule.

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I wanted to be certain that I got your attention. For years I have lamented that Florence has a serious lack of choices for locally owned restaurants that offer good food– especially if you are budget conscious. Michael’s used to help fill that void, and when it changed ownership and ultimately closed it was a real loss for Florence.

Enter Roberto’s.  I received an email from them alerting me that they were open for business and asking me to check them out.  I am always game for good food, so Mr. Flossip and some of our friends went on Saturday night.   Roberto’s is located at 1261 Celebration Boulevard. They are open for lunch and dinner Monday- Saturday. Their hours are listed on their website.

Because we had a few people with us, I was able to try two appetizers: the bruschetta and the caprese salad. Both were absolutely delicious!

For my meal, I ordered the Spaghetti alle Vongole. (No, I have no clue how to pronounce that.) This is Spaghetti and clams sautéed in a white wine garlic sauce. I will be totally honest with you and tell you that I have actually never ordered anything with clams before. It just sounded good, and I wanted to try something different to tell you about. It was FABULOUS. The clams were cooked perfectly and added exactly the right accent to the pasta. The serving was plentiful, but I didn’t feel overfull. That was a good thing because I had the tiramisu for dessert and it was delicious.

Mr. Flossip had the Fettuccine sautéed in a creamy parmesan sauce with chicken. His was delicious as well and I kept stealing bites off his plate. (Don’t worry– I gave him a clam to try.) We had a lot of fun with our friends, laughed a lot, talked a lot. Every table was full, but we didn’t have to wait when we arrived. I have a suspicious feeling that is going to change really soon. The prices are so reasonable with entrees generally costing under $15.00. The food is really good… so I am hopeful that Roberto’s will need additional space before long!  They do not currently take reservations unless you have 6 or more people.  I am going to recommend that you call ahead on a weekend night to see if there is a wait.

While I have not eaten lunch there, the lunch menu satisfies my belief that lunch should be $10.00 or under, so I know that I will be trying it very soon. I am especially thrilled to see that they are open on Monday. (For some reason, I used to try to go to Cafe Florentine EVERY Monday. I had some strange mental block about that.)

Roberto’s is off and running with their online marketing. In addition to their webpage, they also have a facebook page that you can like that has a lot of useful information. Help them get well over a hundred likes today!   Please let me know if you go and you enjoy it! Also– always remember to tell people that you saw it on the Flossip!

You can also read a review on the Pee Dee Foodie blog.

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I am going to update this post as places open, places close and rumors bounce around and I will update when they become reality (if they become reality). By reality I don’t mean that your mama’s cousin works for the XYZ Company and they know for a FACT that it is a Buffalo Wild Wings. I mean, there is actually a sign on the door, wait staff is hired and I can go in and order a meal. Or buy something. Please comment about any rumors of new businesses you have heard or openings or closings. Don’t just comment about any rumors you have heard– this isn’t that type of website!

OPENINGS

PLANNED OPENINGS

RUMORS

CLOSINGS

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.