Restaurant Review – Soby’s

My husband and I found ourselves in an unusual situation recently – alone with nowhere to go! We decided to head to downtown Greenville for dinner and wound up at Soby’s. Located at 207 South Main Street, the building dates back to the late 1800’s and has been a cotton exchange as well as several different types of stores.  Owner Carl Sobocinski took over the property in 1997 and did a beautiful remodel while still keeping the character and old south feel of the building. 

Our server greeted us promptly and after learning it was our first visit, gave us a rundown of the specials and a bit more information regarding the menu. The first four entrees on their menu – meat loaf, BBQ shrimp, crab cakes and pork tenderloin – are signature items that have been serving since they first opened.

We began the night with the calamari appetizer, served with a delicious parmesan creole sauce, and cocktails. For his main course, my husband tried the New Orleans BBQ shrimp with wild Port Royal shrimp, creamy Anson mills grits, roasted sweet pepper relish and crusty bread. I also went with a signature dish and chose the Soby’s Crab Cake Remoulade served with sweet corn maque choux, mashed potatoes, and haricot verts. The portions were more than adequate yet were elegantly plated. We were both extremely happy with our entrees and would have them again. However, the next time we go I think I will start with dessert! The dessert menu not only looks delicious but also is unique including an Arnold Palmer dessert with a lemon tart and sweet tea ice cream on the side (yes, you read that right, sweet tea ice cream!).

We visited Soby’s on a weeknight and the restaurant only had a couple of open tables. The bar, complete with large doors opening onto Main Street, was definitely hopping. The restaurant atmosphere is comfortable and charming without being fussy. Would I take my toddler here? Probably not (at least not for dinner) but isn’t that the point in a date night?

Stephanie’s Tips

• Happy Hour – Don’t miss Happy Hour at Soby’s Monday – Saturday, 5 – 7pm ET, for the month of July!
• Wine – If you are a wine lover, you will find plenty to love at Soby’s with over 5,000 bottles of wine in the cellar.
• Parking – Valet parking is available. There are also several parking garages nearby including one on the corner of Main and Broad Street and on Falls Street adjacent to McBee.
• Miscellaneous – To take a peak at the menu or to make reservations online, visit http://www.sobys.com/.

Greenville Drive – What’s Not to Like?

It’s summertime, the perfect time to take in a ball game. Not convinced? Read on!

The team. The Greenville Drive is a member of the South Atlantic League and an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. 

Location location location. Fluor Field is in downtown Greenville and was named “Ballpark of the Year” for the 2006 season by Baseballparks.com. It is a replica of Fenway Park in Boston complete with it’s own Green Monster. Want to do some shopping or eating before &/or after the game? No need to drive around, just walk outside the stadium and you are greeted by plenty of restaurants and shops. 

Family Friendly. Have little one’s (or big one’s that are young at heart!)? Children 2 and under are FREE. Not sure your kids will sit still for the game? You will find a playground, completely surrounded by netting to protect from foul balls, on the third base side. Reedy Ripit (the mascot) is always milling about to shake hands or give a high five and then of course there is an exciting baseball game to watch! 

Fun Fun Fun. Have you ever been to a sporting event in the heat of the summer and felt like you just couldn’t move because you had a small amount of allotted space and too many people? You won’t find that here! There is plenty of room – take a stroll, sit in your seat or check out the 500 club for a drink or dinner, you will never feel cramped. Between innings, you will be treated with on-field entertainment and after many games they cap the night off with fireworks. Oh, and don’t worry about eating before you come – of course you’ll find your usual hot dogs and hamburgers but here you will also find Chick-fil-a (complete with their sweet tea and milkshakes!).

Bottom line. The Greenville Drive and Fluor Field is everything I love about Greenville – it’s family friendly and just plain fun. What’s not to like?

Stephanie’s Notes

• Parking – you can take the downtown trolley for free right to the ball park. If you drive, park for free at the County Square and a free shuttle will drive you right to the stadium. 
• Tickets – children two and under are free. If you have your heart set on something other than that $5 lawn and deck seats, buy them in advance. Many times (especially on weekends) the $5 tickets are the only one’s available at the gate at game time.
• Heads up – as with any baseball game, keep your eye on the ball, you don’t want a foul ball surprise!
• Schedule & more – check out www.greenvilledrive.com for the latest schedule, promotions and to purchase tickets. You can also follow the team on Twitter (search for GreenvilleDrive) or on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/GreenvilleDrive). 

Day Trip – Holmes Educational Forest

Just a short trip into North Carolina and you can reach the Holmes Educational Forest. Tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Holmes Educational Forest is in the Hendersonville / Flat Rock area about 45-60 minutes from Greenville.

This forest includes several trails (from the easy to the more strenuous), picnic facilities, and group camping. The education can be found in plaques and “talking trees” – posts with buttons that will talk to you about your surroundings. 

Holmes Educational Forest also has a focus on fire prevention which is shown in the fire control exhibit which includes a Duey helicopter and tractor your kids can get up close to.

For more information, check out the Holmes Educational Forest Website. Don’t just sit there, go check it out today!

Carolina First Saturday Market

Have you checked out the Carolina First Saturday Market yet? 
 

When: Every Saturday from the beginning of May to the end of October, 8am – Noon. 

Where: Downtown Greenville, Main Street between McBee Ave. & Court St.

What: Local farmers, craftsmen, bakers and more!

Why: Buy local, quality items, fun time!

Some of my favorites: Geechie Seafood, Native Meats, Rio Bertolini’s Fresh Pasta Company

Check out http://www.saturdaymarketlive.com/ for more info including special events, recipes, and a list of vendors.

So what are you waiting for? Come join in on the fun and support our local economy!

Note: The market WILL be open on July 4th!

Reedy River Nighttime – Last Road Bluegrass

Last night my family and I attended our first Reedy River Nighttime event. For those not familiar with this weekly event, it is held on Wednesday evenings June 3rd through August 25th in the amphitheater at the Peace Center in Downtown Greenville. 

We got a bit of a late start, picked up some picnic food and made it there close to 7:30pm. To my surprise, the place was packed! We were able to find a little bit of grass up front – not a perfect view of the stage but we could hear the music just fine.

The band last night (note: there is a different band each week, check the schedule to see who is playing when) was the Last Road Bluegrass band. The highlight of the evening for us (especially for my 2-year-old) was when one of the band members’ 5-year-old daughter went up on stage to help perform a song she wrote! Bluegrass isn’t the type of music we would normally listen to but we really enjoyed these guys and I have to say, the type of music seemed to fit the type of event very well. 

Notes from Stephanie:

• Get there early, unless you are willing to pay to park in a garage, parking can be a bit of a challenge. 
• If you plan to consume alcohol, you will need to get a $1 wristband when you arrive. 
• Lawn chairs, blankets and picnics are allowed but NO PETS.
• I could have missed them since it was crowded when we arrived but to my knowledge, there were no vendors selling food/drink so be sure to bring with you what you will need and want.

That’s all for now, have fun and be safe Upstate!

Independence Day Events

How will you celebrate Independence Day? The Upstate has several options this year. Below are just a few ideas!

• Downtown Greenville – Red White & Blue – 5:00-10:30pm – On Main Street from Broad to Camperdown 
• Simpsonville – Independence Day at Heritage Park – gates open at 5:00pm
• Easley – City of Easley Celebrate America – 3:00-10:00pm – Downtown Easley

Welcome to the new SC Upstate Blog!

Hey everyone - 

I promise not every post will be about me but since this is the first, I thought it would be a good place to start. I’m Stephanie – I’m a wife, mother, wannabe writer, lover of the internet and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. 

I started this blog not because I’m an Upstate South Carolina expert – far from it – but rather because I felt like there was a gap in information. I’m always on the lookout for the latest Upstate happenings – especially family friendly one’s – and found that I would have to look in the paper, look online, check Facebook & Twitter and well, you get the idea. I wanted to try to create a place where we share everything we know about that is going on in our wonderful area. Whether it is a huge concert or festival, a farmer’s market, a grand opening, or even (my favorite) a giveaway night @ the local Chick-fil-a.

I hope this will be valuable for those of you living in the area as well as those visiting or thinking of moving here. If you know of events I haven’t mentioned, please send me a note!

Thanks for reading & please come back!

Stephanie