Lynsie and I had a great trip down to Hillsborough to see Ben Rector play in concert this weekend!
We started our trip with lunch at the Saratoga Grill in Hillsborough with my parents. The broiled seafood platter is my favorite, and their strawberry dressing is the best! Also – the SCONES! If you’re ever passing through Hillsborough, “the Saratog” as we call it is the cutest little southern restaurant.
We stopped into Matthew’s Chocolates for a little dessert!
Lyns and I put our feet up and laid on the couch for 30 minutes (glorious relaxing!) before we drove to Raleigh for the show. We parked and walked around until we found a bar with outdoor seating – Foundation.
Our show was at the Red Hat Amphitheater, and we lucked out that there was an awesome vegetarian restaurant right next door. Fiction Kitchen ended up being awesome!!!
My good high school friend Hugh David lives in Raleigh and joined us for dinner. It was great to catch up. Hard to believe it’s almost been 15 years since we lived near each other!
I ordered a great maple cocktail with Knob Creek maple rye, maple syrup and orange. Loved it!
For dinner I had the tempeh and grits, which was just phenomenal! I especially loved the big mushrooms!
The rest of the table!
Lyns turned me on to Ben Rector last fall when we saw him at the Jefferson. We were so spoiled with an intimate venue and no driving to get there! This time we drove 4 hours only to see him do 45 minutes of music. But it was worth it!!!
After a nice nights sleep we went for a run around Hillsborough so I could show Lynsie around on foot a bit. We toured a friend’s garden where my mom was leading a garden tour. Then we had a nice brunch before hitting the road! Eggs / toast / berries.
Matt, Papa and Mazen had a great time while I was away for the night! The went to Montpelier, Fridays After Five, Three Notch’d, the market, and the park.
Last night we grilled steaks and had Jeff and Monique over for dinner.
I’m off to brunch and then hopefully playing in a soccer game – if it isn’t rained out!
Melissa says
Yum, the maple cocktail looks great! I’m a huge fan of maple syrup, so to be able to have it in a cocktail sounds incredible!
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says
I’m jealous, I love Ben Rector! Sounds like a great weekend!!
Elyse says
As a Canadian, obviously the sounds of a maple cocktail sounds AMAZING! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Wendy says
In the title, it should be Girls. Plural, not possessive. The editor in me…
KathEats says
Yup you’re right!
Wendy says
I have a thing about apostrophes. Can’t help it!
KathEats says
Thanks for pointing it out! Even though I’m well aware of the rules I always want to put them in where they don’t belong. I think it makes the plural stand out more. …or something!
Rachel says
I’m from Saratoga Springs, NY where the Saratoga grill restaurant is based on. So cool! If you ever have the chance to travel to upstate NY, Saratoga is a beautiful place to visit.
Spice Chicken says
Please share info about the treat from Matthew’s Chocolates. Was it a truffle? Are those pistachios? Thanks!
KathEats says
It was spicy!
Lynsie says
It was chili pepper, pumpkin seeds, jalapeno, cocao nibs, sea salt all in dark chocolate. It was amazing! Also really spicy:)
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
I’m crossing my fingers for no rain for you today! What a fun weekend!!
Heather says
What was that yummy (healthier?) looking dessert?! I can’t get all the way to Raleigh… Maybe a copycat recipe?? 🙂
Sagan says
I’m not usually a tempeh fan but that dish looks great! And mushrooms and – is that kale and pea shoots?? – are always a good addition to any meal 😀
Linda @ TheFitty says
Beware, it’s going to be a hot weekend!
Annie B says
LOVE Ben Rector! My husband and I picked one of his songs as our wedding song, and then got to see him perform it live in SF a week after our wedding! He’s such a fun performer and nice guy!
KathEats says
Which one? !
Annie B says
Forever Like That 🙂
KathEats says
Ahhhh one of my favorites!
Sarah says
Looks like a great time!
Flip Flops and Furs
Cassie says
No kidding, I just had tempeh last night at Veggie Grill. BEST vegan protein ever!
Hannah @ eat, drink and save money says
What a fun girls weekend! Glad you had a blast.
Laura says
I love the cocktails at Foundation! My husband and I went there on our first date and had some of our engagement pictures taken in the stairwell there!
Amanda says
OMG that chocolate looks amazing!
Caitlin says
Your dinner and cocktail at Fiction Kitchen look like perfection! Is that a swirly bread from Great Harvest in the last photo of this post? Looks divine.
KathEats says
Pesto Parmesan Swirl!
Kylie @ immaeatthat says
Love Ben Rector! Forever Like That was our wedding song;))
KathEats says
One of my favs!!
Sam says
Sounds like a really fun, delicious weekend!
We were on our way home from Richmond yesterday (loved the children’s museum) and stopped into Cville for a late lunch, only practically everything was closed! Bummer! We tried to find parking at Fry’s Spring Station, but had a toddler who needed to pee and didn’t want to risk getting towed. We ended up at Riverside Lunch. Not exactly what I had planned :), but it wasn’t bad. Next time, we’ll try to time our pit stop for Mon-Sat. 🙂
KathEats says
OH darn. Lots of things are closed on Sundays 🙁
Alana says
He puts on such a rockin’ show. Sorry to hear this one was so short!