Skyland Family Restaurant

This place is in a bad location and will be nearly impossible to find unless you get some word of mouth, stumble upon it, or read Trend Magazine. It is located in a seemingly cloaked shopping plaza along the very busy South Boulevard corridor near the very busy intersection of Woodlawn Road, in South Charlotte, NC. Most of you have probably whizzed right past it many times. I found it last year -- 2008 -- because I have a keen nose for well established local mom and pop eateries, most of whom are Greek owned and operated.

I have ordered take outs from this restaurant several times since and the food is consistently delicious; no matter what I order. On this particular occasion, February 20, 2009, I ordered my absolute favorite fish -- Flounder. I like it both fried and broiled. This time I ordered it fried, along with broccoli soup [Soup of the day], fried squash, cornbread, and yams. The total came to $8.93.

While waiting for my order to be created, I really enjoy looking at the old photographs along the walls which are standard in most Greek eateries. One of the first things that I do also is check the sanitation code. It must be over 90 for me to stay. I did not jot down this restaurant's score, however, you can rest assured that it was over 90 because I stayed. The restroom is always clean as well.

It typically takes about 10 minutes for my order to be created at Skyland, this time was no different. The gentleman that is there each time that I stop through is very business-like and I believe he is the same guy from San Remos on Central Avenue in East Charlotte [Review pending]. One day I will ask him.

As usual, my order was prepared just right and so tempting that I could not wait to get home before starting in on it while stopped at red lights. The flounder was as always lightly crisped on the outside and soft but not gooey on the inside. The fried squash was of the same caliber and goes well with ketchup. In the South, everything is fried! The candied yams were good enough to substitute for dessert, and the broccoli soup was okay -- I have had better. I did not care too much for the tarter sauce because it tasted processed like what you buy from the grocery store.

All in all, this was the usual memorable stop for me and I can not wait until the next experience.

Click here for address, website, and menu!

The Roasting Oven Review

I found this place in the most unlikely of all places -- the mall. This mall is no ordinary mall in that it caters to Latinos and is located in Ft. Mill, SC, near the Carowinds theme park. I had planned to visit this mall for quite sometime -- by word of mouth.

This mall reminds me of the most popular indoor flea markets made famous in my hometown of Miami, Florida. There you can find a bargain on just about anything at any given time. After browsing and carousing this mall I came across one of the many cultural eateries set up for business. It is called The Roasting Oven.

The name caught my attention because I am a connoisseur of rotisserie chicken. I quickly learned that this establishment indeeds lives up to its name in that it does offers delicious roasted chicken. I have also discovered that the Roasting Oven has the best guacamole sauce I have tasted to this date in history.

Their special sauce is so good you can use it to dunk fries, salad, and rotisserie chicken, and who knows what other culinary delights.

If you are going to check out this place, make sure you order the meals as opposed to the a la carte items -- it is much more economical.

Wanna Go? Click Here For Address!

Trend Magazine Online

Alas, we have decided to continuously update Trend Magazine Online with fresh and new content as well as offer FREE listings in our business directory and event calendar. In addition, we will feature reviews by myself and you that lets you know what we like and do not like about the sites and establishments that we cover. So stop on by and check us out -- and if you like what you see and read, take out a FREE subscription!

Black History Month

February is Black History Month and contrary to popular beliefs it was not chosen because it is the shortest month in the year. Does anyone know why it was chosen? I do and I will tell you on this months 11th Annual Charlotte Black/African-American Heritage Tour^sm and Pilgrimage. This tour is a re-creation of a tour I directed back in August of 1998 for a group of interracial, interdenominational, and intercultural Pilgrims that walked, hitchhiked, and sailed from Boston, Massachusetts, to Senegal, West Africa.

Their goal was to pray for racial healing and atonement for the past institution of Slavery here and abroad. While in Charlotte they visited three Slave cemeteries in which they paid homage to and prayed for the souls buried at each location. It was quite the humbling sight to see Buddhist monks chant and beat drums along side Christians and other interfaith followers.

The event was so touching that I decided to offer it each year during the month of February to coincide with Black History Month. Will I chant and beat drums on each tour? Well, you just have to attend to find out! These tours are scheduled at 10 AM and 1:30 PM on Saturday February 14, 21, and 28, 2009.

Each tour lasts 3 hours and are sponsored and presented by Queen City Tours^sm and Trend Magazine Online. LET THE HEALING CONTINUE^tm! Hope to see you there!

Bowling in Uptown Charlotte

Finally, bowling has come to Uptown Charlotte by way of the grand opening of the Strike City Lanes on Friday January 30, 2009. The 12 lanes are located in the new EpicCentre entertainment complex which partially opened in 2008. The center is located at the corner of East Trade Street and South College Street, next to the Light Rail Blue Line and the Time Warner Cable Arena. I will be mystery shopping this site soon and will give you the scoop on whether it's worth the trip out. I will post my update here and at Trend Magazine Online so make sure that you subscribe to my blog to be automatically notified.

Best regards,
Jay
The Tour Guide

New Bowling Lanes Uptown

Finally, Uptown Charlotte is home to entertainment other than clubbing. Us Baby Boomers and younger folk can now bowl a couple of frames with co-workers, friends, and family, at the Strike City Lanes located in the new EpicCentre entertainment complex located at the corner of East Trade Street and South College Street near the Time Warner Cable Arena. I will be checking out this new site myself and posting my review here and at Trend Magazine Online so make sure that are subscribed to my blog for the update.