Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Chocolate Truffles, Quadrupel & Growlers

Yesterday we splurged on a late lunch in our town of Blairsville to celebrate our 30 year wedding anniversary. We ate at Michael Lee's Italian Life Caffe on the town square. The restaurant was formerly located in Hiawassee and had quite a following in that location.

Gary had the daily special Panini which he said was cooked perfect since most times the bread is overcooked. I had the Greco salad with fruits and candied nuts and a special dressing. I took home a doggie bag as the salad was too large to finish. I confess the salad was better when I got home because it was mixed up. The restaurant served it separated on the plate which made for a nice presentation but not as delectable as it could have been. The portions were generous but we were glad we went for lunch because the prices are higher than we expected.
Their homemade gourmet desserts are considered top notch so I took home a chocolate truffle for dessert. The truffle was good but not the very best I've ever had. The best truffle I've ever had came from Just Desserts in Berkeley, CA but I understand they are now closed. Once you've had the very best I guess nothing else can compare. I did have quite a good truffle at a chocolate shop in Appalachicola, FL.

As we left we were directed downstairs to Illy Espresso Bar which specializes in their desserts and espresso a boutique cafe with various condiments including an olive tasting bar. We didn't partake but if we return would go to the cafe first and then to lunch.

As we left we passed by another new venue for our town, the Bearding Bottle Shop with gourmet beers on tap in a beer garden. Gary had a tasting and since I am gluten free I kept him company. But I learned they have homemade rootbeer on tap and also sell gluten free beers, ginger (true) cider and more. Gary declared all the beers delicious and smooth. Can't recall the name of the best one he had but it was a trappist monastery beer. I think it must be the Quadrupel of Belgium.

Jeff Brown

You can take the gourmet beers home or to local restaurants in glass growlers made in Germany but as a potter I ccouldn't help but think the Bearding Bottle Shop could have partnered with a potter and had ceramic growlers to purchase. They also have a keg service. All in all we had a delightful time yesterday afternoon. All images borrowed from the net. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

20 comments:

  1. Your growler photo is one made by none other than Jeff Brown!
    Happy Anniversary, it looks like you a made a wonderful day of it.

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  2. Hi Michele, thanks, I found it on Pinterest and it didn't say who made it but I thought the texture looked like Jeff's so I chose it, might be an opportunity for you two to connect with the guys at the shop and see if they want to carry some of your growlers ?

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    1. The growler thing gets a little dicey with the micro-brewery places. Many of them don't want their beer leaving in a bottle that doesn't have their name on it. They want everyone to know who made the beer. Most of the people that Jeff has sold them to, are people who brew their own beer at home.

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    2. oh you are right the glass growlers they had had their logo imprinted on them, well they could sell ceramic growlers for those who preferred them since I think they could keep the beer colder than glass.

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  3. Congratulations on 30 years.

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    1. Hi Lori, thanks so much, cant' believe how long it's been, time flys

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  4. I wonder how the name growler came to be. Do you know?

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    1. Hi Joanne, thanks, here is a link about the supposed history of the word

      http://growler-station.com/about/history/

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  5. Happy Anniversary! Sounds like you and Gary had a delightful afternoon.
    The chocolate truffle does look good. I love dark chocolate, but have never had a truffle that I thought was *great*...

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    1. Hi Rian, thanks, I too am partial to the darkest chocolate and I guess it's a real art to making a chocolate truffle

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  6. Happy (belated) anniversary.
    I am prepared to keep looking for the perfect truffle. Looking, and taste-testing...

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    1. Hi Sue, thanks, me too, I will search the world over for them. Ha.

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  7. It sounds like you had a very enjoyable anniversary...good on you both! :)

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    1. Hi Lee, thanks, yes we have to get out of our work a day drudgery every once in a while. ha.

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  8. Happy Anniversary! It sounds like a nice day and a nice way to celebrate thirty years.

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    1. Hi Teresa, thanks, I still can't believe how quickly 30 years has passed by but I am glad they passed by with Gary.

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  9. Me too, I've never eaten a truffle that made me as gaga as a nice smooth dark chocolate, maybe the bit of sea salt in it. Happy anniversary Linda and Gary! Many more years of happiness are wished your way.

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    1. Hi Barbara, thanks, I'll bet there is a good chocolate shop in Asheville, one of these days I hope to get up there and visit you too.

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  10. Happy belated Anniversary you two. Looks like a splendid day and the truffle sounds yummy. I seem to recall from your last years post it is the same day as my hubbys birthday. He turned 61..only 4 more years till Medicare. LOL

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  11. Hi Barbara, thanks, medicare isn't something to be happy about, lol

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