BEHIND BARS

Hurricane what

After all of the noise and confusion about whether tropical storm Hanna was going to hit us last weekend, I decided to take a ride around town in the rain and see how many places reacted to absolutely nothing. You would be very surprised just how quiet the entire town was Friday night.

With the exception of police cruisers, I think I was probably the only person on the Market at 10:30 Friday night. Businesses boarded themselves up and simply shut down for the night. It is approximated that the total loss of revenue in bars and restaurants from the wind and rain is upward of $250,000 for the evening. This statistic is coming from the Charleston Restaurant Association. What is more surprising, I think, is that living in a town that is known for its revelry and partying, just how many people stayed in. Now the opposite news is that liquor stores and convenience stores did nearly triple the business as everyone was still partying. They were just doing it at home.

SAMOS

Local restaurateur Andy Fallen's newest restaurant, SAMOS, in Mount Pleasant is located at 819 Coleman Blvd. A few of us stopped in last Saturday night for dinner and were pleasantly surprised with how nicely Fallen had redone the old J. Bistro restaurant's location. The place is authentically Greek and is serving a diverse menu. Their wine selection is out of this world. The place features a whole section of the cocktail menu designed just for Ouzo, which is a Greek-style liquor that tastes very much like licorice. SAMOS most popular cocktail is the Watermelon Ouzo drink. There is a very nice warmth to the aesthetics of the place. However, acoustics are somewhat challenging. It tends to get very loud in the restaurant. The cocktail service was fantastic. However, there are still a few details on food timing that will likely be ironed out in time. Overall if you're looking for a new option, make sure to call ahead as they are quite busy. Their number is 856-5055.

Caviar & Bananas

Caviar & Bananas is located at 51 George St., downtown. Management at the establishment has asked Preview to let everyone know the place will soon start weekly wine tastings. If you haven't been to this store, it is an upscale market that sells everything from imported cheeses, full dinners to high-gravity beers and wine.

For more information on Caviar & Bananas' weekly wine tastings, log onto www.caviarandbananas.com.

Beer Works

Most people assume Charleston Beer Works is another college bar. However, as many have discovered, it is a great place to catch a ball game and enjoy the bar's two-for-one appetizers and $2 draft beers during happy hour, Monday-Friday. Charleston Beer Works is located at 468 King St. For more information, call 577-5885.

Healthy cocktails

This week was one where I really hit the gym hard with my cardio, and I still didn't even lose 1/2 a pound.

I have most certainly hit that wall, and I am looking for you my readers to offer some suggestions to break through to the final 20 pounds that I have decided to lose. I am thinking that I may go stricter on the diet, if that's even possible. If you have some suggestions, drop me a line at lroberts@postandcourier.com. I am going to drop this 20 pounds somehow and someday soon.

This week's healthy cocktail comes from an old family recipe.

Falling Pears Martini

2 oz. vodka

1/2 oz. pear liqueur

2 oz. pear puree or pear nectar (this can be found at either Whole Foods or Harris Teeter)

Combine ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake to mix, and strain into a champagne flute or cocktail glass. Serve garnished with a dash of cinnamon and a fresh pear slice.