Pack's Tavern Ashville, NC


December 31st, 2011
Menu: Lunch

Husband Campbell's Rating: 4/5 Soup Cans
Wife Campbell's Rating: 2/5 Soup Cans 
Price Rating: Microwave Singles 


If you are planning to try something appetizing or want more than average service, this is not the place. Overall the ambiance was appropriate for a tavern and would be a great place to go for a drink. However, let’s just say the menu descriptions do not live up to the kitchen staff’s abilities. I felt like I was on an episode of bar rescue where they stare at the food and make the face that says I wouldn’t eat this if I wasn’t getting paid to do so. 

Appetizer: The onion straws were pretty good. I think the parmesan cheese was a pleasant touch but the advertised lemon pepper batter was not noticeable and did not add any flavor.  

Husband's Entrée: The grilled portobello flotilla (flatbread) was very nice. The cucumbers were lightly pickled and the flavors of the hummus, mushroom, red onion, and sprouts melded well together to give a vegetarian sandwich a very filling and meaty texture.  As a side item the grilled asparagus was well seasoned with salt and pepper and grilled to a perfect tenderness. 

Wife's Entrée: Sad to say but the Fish taco’s were sadly one of the worst plates I have ever ordered. First of all, they’re not fish tacos. You see that  ‘s’? That means plural taco. What I had was a wrap, and you can’t even call it a fish wrap cause it was definitely a coleslaw wrap with sprinkles of mahi-mahi that tasted like tilapia. Individually the pico and coleslaw tasted fine by themselves but did not go well together in a wrap with fish and cheddar cheese. Whoever put this on the menu needs a taste bud analysis!! As a side item the sautéed mushrooms were flavorfully marinated in a sweet beef flavored broth. The sweetness was different but I did enjoy this side dish the most out of everything we ordered.  
 
 
Onion Straws
A basket of lemon pepper battered, flash fried sweet Spanish onions, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and served with ranch dressing


Grilled Portobello Flatilla 
Grilled portobello mushroom served in a grilled flatilla with hummus, cucumber, sprouts, tomato and red onion

 
Fish Tacos
Soft flour tortilla wrapped around Aztec spiced grilled and diced mahi-mahi, Baja slaw and a Cheddar-Jack cheese blend. Served with Pico de Gallo

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Buca di Beppo Alpharetta, Ga

 November 11th, 2011
Menu: Dinner


Husband Campbell's Rating: 4/5 Soup Cans
Wife Campbell's Rating: 4/5 Soup Cans

If you are ready for eclectic family style dining you have found the place. The family part is discretionary considering there was a 3 foot poster of a topless woman holding watermelons next to the table. However, bring friends or you will have lots of leftovers. The entrée dishes serve 3-6 people.

Buca di Beppo literally translates to Bob’s Basement. The first timers visitors tour gives that piece of trivia and also takes you throughout the entire restaurant, kitchen, bread room, bar, and pope room. I can’t wait to go back and reserve the single booth that is located in the chef’s kitchen. What a place to enjoy your meal! Although, if you have a large party you could always reserve the private Pope Room that includes a large round table, a painted Sistine Chapel style ceiling and the popes head as a center piece watching you take every sinful bite. 

From the bar we ordered the white sangria’s which were… meh. Paul enjoyed it, but maybe too authentic for my pallet to appreciate. I would have liked a more rounded fruit flavor but it was definitely not lacking in Vodka!

From the kitchen we started with the caprese salad. One of Paul’s Italian must haves. The mozzarella was soft and flavorful and the tomatoes were crisp and fresh.

Next, we enjoyed the stuffed shells with a side of spaghetti and one ginormous meatball. Yes, the meatball could be an entrée by itself especially because of its meatloaf like texture. Not exactly what I expected but still enjoyable. As it being one of their main advertised dishes we had to give it a go. The shells on the other hand were filled with ricotta and spicy Italian sausage. The flavors married well and were very tasty. The imported spaghetti noodles were delicious with a light but chunky marinara sauce.

Overall, the experience is one that I will not forget and would go again for the discussion value of the ambiance and large portions that are reasonably priced giving this basement restaurant a price rating of ‘Microwave Single’.

 Mozzarella Caprese
Vine-ripened tomatoes and fresh mozzarella drizzled with basil olive oil and topped with fresh basil leaves.



 Stuffed Shells 
Pasta shells stuffed with spicy Italian sausage, spinach, ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, crowned with creamy Alfredo sauce on a bed of marinara sauce.  

 Side of Meatball
Their famous half-pound, mouth-watering meatball made with 100% premium ground beef served with marinara sauce. 

Side of Spaghetti Marinara
Homemade marinara sauce served on a bed of imported Italian spaghetti.


Holy cannoli we did it! Hope you enjoy the first post in ages! 

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Back Up And Running With A New Look

So its been awhile since we last posted but have no fear we are back to business with a fresh new template. Including our new look, you can now follow this blog by email and we have included our Foodie Bucket List which are food related things we want to do someday soon.

Thanks for reading and enjoy!!!
The Campbell's 

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