Karen and Robin Get The Boot

One of the good things about  being a school bus driver is that you get two weeks off at Christmas. The week before is spent putting up decorations, shopping, and planning the family get together. Combined, all those activities take up all the available time and air in the room. However, the week after, I pay myself back. One of my favorite things to do is go to lunch with my friend, Robin. We usually try somewhere neither one of us has been. 

The Boot at Preserve Village.

On Thursday we tried a new place with the unlikely name of The Boot, which comes from this quote:

"This Boot was a lone house of public entertainment... several people drinking there, and great merriment going on."

-- Charles Dickens, Barnaby Rudge

 

It's a small, neighborhood restaurant, describing itself as "fast casual". You go to a counter to order but they bring it to the table when it's ready. They have sandwiches, burgers, salads and shrimp. Most of the food is locally grown and they serve crafted beer.

When we got there on Thursday, they were working on a large order and asked if we would wait for a few minutes while they filled it. We got soft drinks  and sat at the table in front of the cozy fire place at one end of the dining area. The owner, Mike McCowan stopped by the table and chatted for a few minutes while we waited.

Very cozy.

We had an appetizer of NOLA shrimp, which is barbecued shrimp over grits. It has a sweet/spicy sauce. It's very yummy. 

 

  

 Shrimp NOLA.

Robin ordered a Pecanwood bacon cheeseburger on ciabatta roll. I had a Smokey Pimento Cheeseburger on ciabatta roll. They came with a choice of fries and one side. The fries are a combination of white and sweet potato fries with home made chips. I got the fresh fruit with walnuts and granola. The burger was juicy and cooked medium.

Pecanwood Cheeseburger.

 

 Smokey Pimento Cheeseburger.

We enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. I would like to take Fear Cheoil back for dinner one evening and try some of the craft beers. They have happy hour from 4-6 on Tuesday thru Saturday. There are specials in the evening, some of them are announced on their Facebook page and you can find the daily menu and other information at The Boot at Preserve Village.

These days, chain restaurants and franchises seem to be the most common dining options around. It is very refreshing to find a place that isn't looking to be the next big thing, but is more interested in serving fresh, local food. That describes The Boot at Preserve Village.