Weekend Highlights: Pumpkin Beer, Clemson Wins, The Bagel Shop

The highlights…

Friday: Exhausted from this week’s workouts, I jumped on the opportunity to take Body Flow for the first time. Body Flow = Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates. Body Flow is supposed leave you feeling “centered and calm.” I don’t know that I’ve ever felt “centered and calm.” It was a nice stretch and and all, but mostly I just left feeling ready to party.

So I did. Boding and I picked up 2 types of beer From Trader Joe’s and met my roommate and her boyfriend back at home. They had just bought a case of Coor’s Light and Jenna suggested we play Circle of Death. What are we, 21? Mentally, I think so.

This was one of the beers we picked up. It was so…um, pumpkiny. Weird. Not a fan.

Circle of Death left us knowing a little too much about each other, as per usual.

Saturday: I met Mariah at Midtown to watch the second half of the Clemson game. Those tigers are undefeated this season! After their 59-39 win against the Tar Heels, they’re now ranked at #5!

They’re kind of making me want to be a tiger (tigress?) for Halloween…

After the game, I met a friend for lunch at The Bagel Shop. This tiny little shop is located downtown on George Street, right outside CofC’s campus, my alma mater. Had it been there when I was in college, I would have made it part of my dining ritual. Along with the expected bagels and breakfast sandwiches, they also have paninis, wraps, salads, and baked goods. If you’re thirsty, stop in at the coffee bar or grab a cup of organic tea. Even better are the heart healthy options like oatmeal, yogurt, and fruit cups.

While I would have loved to grab an everything bagel (my fave!), it was 3 p.m., so my friend and I opted to try two items from the lunch menu.

I have an everlasting love affair with basil, so when I saw the Turkey Panini on the menu, I knew I had to try that.

Turkey Panini: Sliced turkey, pepper jack cheese, and sliced green apple with basil pesto aioli on focaccia

This was my second sandwich this week that had apple slices on it. Lovers of the sweet and salty combo will appreciate this sandwich –- although the green apple is tart, it delicately balances out the spiciness of the pepper jack cheese.

Our second choice had one of my other favorite sandwich elements: avocado!

Grilled shrimp, avocado, mixed greens, tomato and sautéed onions and red peppers with cilantro-lime aioli in a tomato wrap

Obviously, this was requested sans onions. I was impressed with the large chunks of fresh avocado but a little overwhelmed by the amount of tomatoes. I guess it’s never a bad thing to get your daily requirements of lycopene though.

Both items were served with super crunchy pita chips and a pickle spear for around just $8 each. Considering how good lunch was, I’m convinced I’ll have to go back for breakfast. The Bagel Shop claims to serve traditional New York style bagels – dense, chewy, and doughy interior with a crisp exterior. Guess I’ll have to return to find out for sure…or maybe I just want to go back for the blueberry cream cheese.

CofC students and downtown residents: I know you’re reading…you’re soooo close. Go!

The rest of the weekend…to be continued…

Halloween costume ideas: lady tiger or devil? I’ve never been either. The previous few years I’ve been a Greek goddess, a bunny, a nun, and a cop. Any other ideas are welcomed.

Paninis or wraps? Favorite type of bagel?