Holy Bellini!

In today's world, creative marketing is a must for selling one's wares.  With the economy in the state it's in, now more than ever anyone in sales needs to do different things.  It's time for new, fresh ideas that get the us consumers excited. That's what gets us to come back.  Everyone's money is particularly precious, so if you want us to spend it, it better be worth it.

As you may already know, I am a fan of the Thirsty Fellow.  The Vivver and I went there today with my parents for lunch.  Since I'm addicted to the Philly, I don't have to spend much time reading the menu.  This is good you see, because I am otherwise engaged with the wunderkind when we're in a restaurant (what do you want to order?  are you sure?  put your feet down.  sit on your fanny.  no playing with the knives.)  So, today, I missed the fine print that my mom so deftly picked up on...$5 bellinis.  

Sounds pretty reasonable, right?  It is.  But, it's even better than that.  The fine print that I missed spelled out that this $5 bellini also includes a REFILL.  What?  A grown-up drink with a refill?  This is like the 1970's Golden Age of Happy Hours; two for one drinks.  Or, you can look at this way...it's really a $2.50 bellini with a two-drink minimum!  Either way, I've never seen a restaurant or bar use this tactic.  I think it's fantastic!  It's new.  It's fresh.  It's different.  And this consumer finds that exciting. Even if I weren't addicted to that incredibly delicious sandwich, I'd be going back happily.  This creative marketing is successful.  And what's another name for unsuccessful marketing?  Spitting in the wind.


Cheers to you Thirsty Fellow...whoever you are.

Food Truck Food Court Debut

Columbia is known for several things: we're "famously hot,"  state government is here, the omnipresent USC, and we have a rockin' food scene. No, really.  We do.  I could rattle off a gazillion restaurants that are here in our fair city that you'd expect to find in a larger, more hip, more "metro" city.  But, something we're also becoming known for is food trucks.  Yea!  I don't know if the Food Network's Great Food Truck Race show got the idea rolling here in Columbia, but when I found out we had trucks roving around town, I was ecstatic that this cool concept had found its way to my town.

Yesterday the fine folks at Cromer's hosted the four trucks for a food court in their parking lot.  From 12-3 Columbia's lunchers could sample Bone-In Artisan Barbecue on Wheels,  Alfresco Mobilista,  Pawley's Mobile Eats and 2 Fat 2 Fly all in one spot.  I can't begin to tell you how excited I was when I heard about this event.  I've yet to make it to one of the trucks, so this was my day.  I spread the word to many friends and then reached out to make a new one.  

One of my favorite blogs that I follow is The Hungry Lady.  If you haven't read her work, you simply must check Laura out. She claims she's not a cook, although I have hope for her!  So, she dines out more often than cooking at home (insert sufficient jealousy here) and blogs her little heart out.  If you can't make up your mind about dinner, go to her blog and get some ideas. 

We're ladies, we're hungry and we're fabulous

 

Quality Kitchen Time

Sharing the kitchen with my daughter has been a long-time dream.  She's actually been interested for quite some time, but ever since that hot soup incident when she was 18 months old, I've been very, very careful about allowing her to venture into cooking.  But she's old enough now that I don't have to be a complete paranoid, over-protective micro-manager when we're in the kitchen together.

Whatever it takes to get kids cooking

I love that there are so many groups, organizations and even companies out there now who are teaching and encouraging kids to get in the kitchen.  I saw a poster at a produce market for a kids' cooking summer camp.  Next week, the Young Chef's Academy comes to Vivi's school.  Whatever it takes to get kids in the kitchen, learning about healthy food and how to prepare it for themselves!

I've told y'all before about how Vivi has already expressed interest and loves to help me in the kitchen.  Well, now the wunderkind has taken it to the next level. 

Befestigung auf dem Futtersack

This is the feedbag (futtersack)

Ever wonder why German food isn't more popular and sought-after here in the U.S.?  I do.  It's got so many elements that Americans love:  meat, potatoes, bread, gravy and beer.  Ever since Klaus' place in Irmo burned down years ago, the only other German place in Columbia has been Julia's. Don't misunderstand; I love Julia's (click here).  But, if you live in Irmo, Lexington or Blythewood, journeying over to Jackson Blvd is a bit of a hike.

Recently, Huller's Black Forest entered the scene. It's located on Columbiana Drive in the Harbison area.  The exterior has been upfitted with classic German details.  Inside is decorated with various German flags, cuckoo clocks and dark wood.  I went today for lunch with my mom.  They offer a pretty hefty buffet or you may order from the menu.  We chose the buffet so we could sample several of their dishes.  Here's how it went:

My new favorite club

Just kidding!

Sometimes nothin' beats a good, tall, mayo-y, meaty club sandwich, right?  I've learned over the years that the best club is always made by someone else.  It's an interesting phenomenon really.  Try it. Make a club  at home for yourself.  It'll be ok, but it won't be great.  But, have your husband or your mom or someone make one for you and it's a whole new ballgame.