sandhillsDig.com - Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Southern Pines - Golf, Events, Restaurants, Shops, Concerts

Today started with a realization that a haircut was long overdue.  Anna very sweetly suggested that I go see Ashley at Studio Elite Hair Gallery in downtown Aberdeen.  After a good time catching up with Ashley while she gave me a stylish and much-needed cut, she suggested that I check out Aberdeen Cafe for lunch.  That's all it took.  I walked a few doors down and ordered a sandwich.

After being welcomed by the friendly staff at Aberdeen Cafe, I chose a seat near the front door looking out onto the sidewalk.  I went with the Carolina Chicken Salad, which the cafe is famous for, on toasted wheat bread.  The tender chicken is mixed with apples, raisins, celery and pecans and garnished with lettuce and tomatoes.  My meal was top notch as was the service and the atmosphere.  I always enjoy downtown Aberdeen and local business seems to be really popping.  

We had a fun lunch the other day at The Bakehouse in downtown Aberdeen and wanted to share our great experience...

Wes had the "Golfer's Burger" which I will definitely try next time (either that or their famous "Barcelona Burger") but it was 90 degrees out and I needed something a little cooler so I had the Mediterranean salad which was hearty enough for lunch, but still on the lighter side. If we smelled like garlic after lunch, it was because we inhaled some bread with a yummy garlic dipping sauce that they bring out to your table. It is so popular, they even sell the dipping sauce for you to take home - the perfect thing to go with a fresh loaf of bakery bread.

It was a rainy Monday night and we decided to get out of the house and try out the newest restaurant in the Sandhills - Hickory Tavern. You've seen it up on the hill in the development along 15-501, next door to a sandhillsDig.com favorite, Pretty N' Bliss. 

When we arrived, we ran into our good friends Lorna & Mike Martin (you've heard Mike on MooreSportsRadio.com) and their precious daughter Mia.  They invited us to sit with them at one of the longest tables I've ever seen.  This giant table is first-come, first-serve seating and the cool thing is you end up sitting with other people - a perfect concept for here in the Sandhills. I'm thinking older couples, singles and people like us who otherwise would eat alone can now share a table with fun (and entertaining) people like little Mia!  Of course there are plenty of other seats too if this just isn't your thing.

Now, on to the dinner menu...there is a wide variety of food and I finally settled on the crab cakes which were great.  My favorite part was the side of sweet potato fries that came with it, drizzled with a delicious, warm honey-butter sauce. Wes had the shrimp and grits and the Martins were kind to let us take photos of their food too - check out that wood-plank grilled salmon.  Talk about tasty omega 3s.  Yum.

It has been a while since the last date night, but the wait was well worth it.   Recently, Wes took me on a date night out in the Sandhills, and our first stop was for some fine American Fusion food from restaurant 195. The meal hailed as one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten in Moore County. I’m serious. The meal (and the date) was so amazing that I forgot to take pictures!!  

The Sly Fox

Yesterday, we lunched on chicken and manchego croquettes with roasted red pepper coulis and shepherd’s pie at what will soon be The Sly Fox in Southern Pines.  sandhillsDig.com was fortunate to be “in the way” as owner, Chef Mark Elliott, Sly Fox Executive Chef Dan Piotrowicz and General Manager Andy Heisinger tested out some of their latest pub fare twists on innocent bystanders (landscapers, construction workers, etc.) But no one complained. We were also able to get some answers to the questions everyone has been asking...

Where is this new restaurant located?

The Sunrise Theater is offering sandhillsDig.com subscribers the opportunity to WIN 4 FREE ENCORE TICKETS good at  at any of the remaining 3 shows listed below.  To be entered to win, all you have to do is subscribe to receive our email updates.  We'll keep you current with what is going on locally in the Sandhills - restaurants, shopping, movies, events & more.

Live in HD Metropolitan Opera Encores:

Hamlet, Wednesday, April 7 at 6 pm

Simon Keenlyside in the title role with Natalie Dessay as Ophelia

It is a good day when your younger brother comes home to visit and treats you to lunch. It's even better when the lunch he treats you to is a warm wedge of yummy goodness. I'll recount for you in photos:

Yep, the name "Wedgies" is a perfect fit considerting the Sandhills' famous pastime.  Not only are the sandwiches and pizzas made from wedges of pita bread, but all of the menu items have clever names too.

Wedgies is conveniently attached to the Exxon gas station next to Dairy Queen and behind the Pinecrest Plaza in Southern Pines.

Here we see Sam Franklin enjoying great conversation and the "Pitching Wedge" with his sister (or he's telling me to put the camera away, I can't remember...)

Last night, we decided on Ten-Ya in the Village of Pinehurst.  Ten-Ya has a new menu so we took our time to see what would catch our eye.  We started by sharing Edamame and for our meal, I went conservative with the authentic Hibachi Chicken and Anna picked out a roll from their new sushi menu which has a motto: "Never Try, Never Know." Our server recommended the Kabuto Roll which was delicious - spicy tuna, white tuna, cream cheese & caviar flash fried with spicy sauce.

Our favorite thing?  Enjoying creative sushi rolls (like a meal you might find in Raleigh or D.C.), and then stepping out the front door into the quaint Village of Pinehurst - home.

Ten-Ya is running a sushi special for the month of November - Buy one, Get one half off.  Enjoy any sushi roll at the regular price and get a second roll of equal or lesser value for half price. 

FYI - Ten-Ya has another location in downtown Southern Pines