Let's Eat ~ Foster's Place

 

    Foster's Place located at 15244 SH-11, Pickton, TX, is a long standing local restaurant that has seen it's fair share of regular customers and those that stop in for a pint and a burger.  Foster's currently has hours, Saturday 11 a. m. - 10 p. m., Sunday 11 a. m. - 9:30 p. m., and Monday 4 p. m. - 9 p. m.  Bring the whole family or just your friends to enjoy a meal or live music, most weekends on Saturday night.  The spring and summer are get times to visit as well, with their outdoor dining options, and a great stage to see those who come out to play some tunes.

    The core menu at Foster's is made up of pizza, wings and burgers.  You can select your pizza from an option they have put together or build your own.  Same with the burgers, they have three selected options or you can build your own.  All of their beef comes from local butcher, Rail 19 and much of their produce also comes from local growers.  Foster's strives to use, people in the community to provide the freshest ingredients for their customers. 

    Along with the core menu Art has created daily specials that will be a little more creative and fun for your dining experience.  These daily specials are always changing so it makes each visit worth the time.  We had a poblano chicken mac and cheese, which was from the specials menu and it was delicious. You could taste the peppers and the cream sauce on the mac and cheese was just perfect.  

    We also enjoyed Foster's Fries as our starter, that are made from a special cut potato so diners can experience the softness of the potato with a bit of crisp on the end.  Plus the homemade Foster's seasoning on the fries makes them just perfect.  The seasoning can be purchased at Foster's or at Lander's Creek in Sulphur Springs.  You might want to pick some up to place in some stockings for this holiday season. 

    That's not all you can get from Foster's.  If you enjoy craft beer, this is the stop for you.  They regularly do a nightly beer special and they feature a wide variety of choices from around the state.  The fun does not stop there, they can customize a pack to go home with you at the end of the night mix and match the beers you tried or bring  home something new.  Either way you will no be disappointed with your choices in restaurant or at home.  

  Foster's also happens to carry a large variety of whiskey for the whiskey lover in your house.  If you want something a little stronger for your visit and have a designated driver, be sure to try something new when you stop in.  We have sent guests down there for that reason alone, and they enjoyed their entire visit.  Art and his staff are attentive and ready to help answer any questions you might have.  Art loves to visit with his guests and will probably stop by your table when  you stop in for a bite to eat.  Be sure to check their Facebook page for Holiday hours, since the big days this year are on the weekends.  After the holiday's for sure plan your next night out for lunch or dinner to Foster's, or on your next stay while at The Oaks.  

Travel East Texas ~ Greenville

 

    Every downtown is a little different from the next.  From the shops, dining options and other businesses surrounding the area each downtown has something different to offer.  Greenville is among those cities who is continuing to improve their downtown and have realized that this area is a place of growth and could be a draw for visitors who want to get off the freeway and explore more of the local flavor. 

    Our stop this month for "Travel East Texas" is to Greenville to explore a little and get a feel for what there is to do in the downtown area.  Of course if you are looking for "corporate" restaurants and shopping look no further than the highway, but if you want to explore a little more of the local, small business scene then be sure to stop by downtown Greenville. 

    Greenville's downtown is unique in that it is not situated like a typical Texas city downtown with a square, but is rather a long strip, consisting of two main streets, which have a few shops, that are open at various times and a couple of restaurants.   

    Mary of Puddin Hill made the move downtown from off of the freeway, and now has a cute little shop with a wide variety of gifts and Texas themed items.  They feature items from the Sweet Shop in Mt. Pleasant, mini Bundt cakes and monster cookies.  Be sure to stop in and check out all their goodies.

   

     As you make your way around downtown be sure to check out the amazing mural art on the buildings.  It's not quite like Deep Ellum but it sure is making strides to bring art to a location where there is not any.  The murals are each unique and interesting to look at.  I think every downtown should have a few.

    Another unique stop is the Uptown Shopping Forum, where we found Cheesebrough and Campbell Specialty Chocolates.  Each of the amazing chocolate treats from their store are made by hand.  You can find chocolates shaped as tools for Father's Day, purses and heals for Mother's Day, and a few others that can fit that special person on  your list.  Be sure to check out all their offerings, and take a look at the other shops inside the Uptown Forum.

    For lunch we decided to eat home made pizza at Fatto A Mano, located right next door to where the Greenville Farmers Market is located.  They have a varied menu for pizza options.  But if you are not feeling like pizza be sure to check out their pasta and salad selections.  They have indoor and outdoor seating available.  The outside seating is covered and has cute herb gardens located close by so you know when your food has fresh ingredients.  

    Last but not least a great stop downtown is Landon Winery.  Sample a flight, have some antipasto or sit and enjoy a full glass and soak in the space.  Landon also has indoor and outdoor seating for your party.  It's a great spot to venture to with a group or a special date night.  Their staff is very knowledgeable about the wines they offer and are willing to help you find your favorite.  Of course you can join their wine club and have their wine delivered directly to your house, where available, or come to your closest location and pick up your bottles.  

    Of course Greenville, is not just located downtown.  There is more to see else where in town depending on what you are looking for.  Greenville use to boast, that they were the "Cotton Capital of Texas."  In honor of that proclamation they have the Audie Murphy Cotton Museum, which is fun for the whole family.  Step back in time to learn about the cotton industry and see the exhibits on cotton and the military in one location.  Start your day in Greenville at the museum and then wander downtown, for the evening.