Help, maybe relocating...

I looked up Grits and Groceries, and well remember Elizabeth's in New Orleans... how cool. I made another post recently, which I don't think posted on the board, so I'm a bit confused as to which things I have responded to. The entire area sounds wonderful compared to this dump. (that's an inside joke; I work at one of the top rated restaurants here, and we all jokingly call it The Dump.) I hope to travel up with transpo that will allow me to visit Raleigh/Durham, Charleston and Charlotte, unless I simply unravel here (noted the word similarity in a typo) and fly by the seat of my pants. What IS shrimp ughee?

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Grits and Groceries
2440 Due West Hwy, Belton, SC 29627

cheshire in Southeast

Help, maybe relocating...

I will certainly look into both Asheville and Durham in my quest.
Last night there was an irritable reply from the moderator asking that chat stay on topic, which is touting specific restaurants. I responded a bit sarcastically, and see that that post didn't make it to the board. I thanked Sue in MP and promised to visit Chucktown, wondered what Shrimp Uggo is, and promised to look into both Durham and Elizabeth. Now Asheville is added to the list. As for Nola, we're a frigging mess and the oil spill hasn't improved anything at all on the Gulf Coast. The kind of thing that occasionally hits fans is weak.

cheshire in Southeast

Help, maybe relocating...

oh and I would love to check out Raleigh as well

cheshire in Southeast

Help, maybe relocating...

Thanks to all y'all that replied. Let me respond to littleman, and cackalackie first; I, coincidentally, researched exactly those towns ( Savannah, Charleston) as well as Charlotte, before making my somewhat arbitrary choice, and was charmed by their cuisine. My fear was that they would be too small for a New Orleans type like myself, whom is always a lady but is also something of a tramp. I love the idea of Charleston, but wouldn't it be small for a vagrant chef from the bayou country? Will they accept a hard drinking, cigar smoking, female chef?
to BDM1, Thanks so much for so much info. I just learned that I can drive a scooter there just as I do a bike here, which expands my territory vastly. I like the idea of the NO-DA area for a first start, but prefer historic districts.... after three horrid years in Miami , I'm willing to settle for almost anything. Sorry to sound glum.

cheshire in Southeast

Help, maybe relocating...

I'm a chef/cook from New Orleans. Displaced by Katrina, I wound up in Miami, which is not a Food town, nor my kinda place. I'd like to visit Charlotte. Are all of the good dining spots close to Uptown? I ride a bike and don't like to commute more than 3 miles. What are the good areas to live in on the cheap? Are there any cool bars frequented by industry folk that I can visit when I do a recon this summer? How are working conditions up there?

cheshire in Southeast

New Neighbor...

I have some time today, so I'm going exploring up in Surfside with a copy of this board...it seems that Surfside is spread out between 71st or thereabouts and 95th?
Speaking of wine, what's the word on W Wine boutique? I signed up for their mailing list a few weeks ago and I've recieved a few e-mails about tastings which, rather off-puttingly, seem to imply that I have to buy a bottle of a certain wine to attend.
I'm looking forward to my exploration, and thanks, I already like my new neighbors! I'll write a little report tomorrow...

cheshire in Florida

New Neighbor...

Thank you, everyone! I'm a little late in responding, sorry for that. I'm looking forward to exploring your reccomendations, next week, if all goes as planned...
I HAVE noticed that the Wild Oats in South Beach is 'weak', by the way. I'm not familiar with the chain. What is up with that?
The only place I've eaten so far in Surfside was mentioned, the Greek restaurant...had a nice gyro with their unusual pink tzasiki (sp?) sauce. Wish I had one right now.

cheshire in Florida