Stomping Grounds

The latest pass through my hometown region for my father's funeral involved stops at some of my old stomping grounds. My stomping history in each locale is varied: some a bit, some too much. I have fond memories of each one, for sure.

Kristy and Lydia picked me up at the airport and Lydia took us to lunch at Tidewater Grill at the Charleston Town Center. I used to work at the Chili's restaurant next door and my fellow Chiliheads and I spent an inordinate amount of time hangin' at the Tide. The oyster bar was part of the draw but the food brought me back again and again. Sometimes, it would be for a bucket of steamers or maybe just the fresh Greek salad complete with beets and generous hunks of feta cheese. Blessedly, the Greek salad with beets remains as does it's accompaniment of warm poppy-seed rolls. These rolls with real butter are the real deal. For me, I was thrilled to discover that my favorite dish is still on the menu: once known as Chicken St. Tropez, it is now listed as Fettuccine St. Tropez. Despite Tidewater's rep for fresh seafood(and Lord knows I love me some fresh seafood), this is a chicken dish that had me at first bite: sliced chicken breast marinated in fresh garlic and herbs and a light tomato cream sauce topped with fresh Parmesan....oh my goodness. My fellow Chilihead Ellen Brooks and I used to call it our "fix". It's still deeelicious.....so good to get my fix once again. Looking up at the oyster bar, I still envision Ellen's brother Keith Jackson cracking jokes and slinging drinks......good times.

Keith and I would meet Lydia for lunch again at the Galley in Marietta for lunch later in the week. I've written about the Galley recently and I'm still blown away by their renovations. The new setting for live music is stunning. It was great seeing Pimp Daddy Greg, little Debbie and darlin' Audrey once again. Lunch was a seriously yummy Hot Pastrami sandwich. Of course, time with Lydia is always golden.

Finally, we had Lunch with Sarah Jane to celebrate her birthday. We joined her at the venerable North End Tavern in Parkersburg. Known as the NET to the locals, the tavern first opened its doors in 1899 and today has as fanatical a following as ever. The NET houses a microbrewery now and features various German-American specialties on the menu. It, however, would not have been a traditional visit for me without ordering the famous NETburger. It's a juicy long time favorite and it's as satisfying as ever. We also ordered some onion rings and potato wedges but for me, as always, the NETburger is the thing.

It was a week of comfort food and not least amongst that food were some old faves from some old, beloved haunts.