Last night I got together with two girlfriends for a mid-week girls’ night at Red Rocks Cafe.
Lindsey and Megan are two friends I met through Pure Barre back in June and they’re so much fun! The three of us made plans to meet up for dinner in Birkdale Village, an adorable mixed-use development with shopping, restaurants and apartments, located in Huntersville (about 20 minutes north of Charlotte). It’s a vibrant area with an upbeat, friendly atmosphere.
When Lindsey suggested grabbing food at Red Rocks Cafe, I was more than game. I’ve walked by the restaurant numerous times before (there’s also a location in South Park) and it’s always hoppin’!
The restaurant is locally owned and operated and the menu is full of variety, offering seafood, steak, pasta, salads and burgers.
I wasn’t sure what I was in the mood for when I sat down and ended up getting wrapped up in conversation with Lindsey and Megan. We had to have the waiter come back a few times before we were all ready to order and in the end I decided on a penne pasta dish with marinara, artichokes, scallops and shrimp.
I typically don’t order pasta when I go out to dinner because it’s so easy to make at home and I like to select entrees I do not usually make myself, but the scallops and shrimp in the dish called to me! I wish the scallops would’ve been a little bigger and more plentiful, but overall it was a delicious meal. It was actually quite a bit bigger than it looks in the above picture, so I took some home with me to have with today’s lunch. Woo!
Before it was time to pay the bill, Megan and I were coerced into ordering dessert to go. I had a feeling Ryan would be down to split a slice of the peanut butter pie with me when I got home, so I ordered a piece and did my best to resist digging into it before we could eat it together.
It was worth the wait! Though I am sure it was quite indulgent, it was one of the lightest peanut butter pies I’ve ever tasted. The center reminded me of peanut butter whipped cream and I mean that in the best possible way. It was fantastic!
Oh, and behind me in the above picture you can see a sneak peek of our family room! We cleared most of the boxes out of it last night and moved everything to the sides of the room because our new couch is being delivered today. (I bought the rug for the room on RueLaLa three weeks ago and love it.) We still need a coffee table and some other odds and ends, but I’m hoping it will come together soon. Slowly but surely!
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I’ve always loved a good peanut butter pie! It’s great you’re making friends in your new city. Hope you have an awesome day!
What a fun night! I love meeting ladies that share my interests – new friends and old friends rock!
love the rug too!
Ann
http://annstersdomain.blogspot.com
Mmm peanut butter pie sounds delicious! I love your shirt! Where did you get it?
Thanks! It was in my latest Stitch Fix!
Such a cute top! Totally pinning it in hopes that they put it in my next fix 🙂
Kudos to you for making some g/f’s! How cool that you met doing a class you love! I never meet new girls at the gym/activities I do, boo! It seems to get harder as we get older….. Cheers to girls nights!
I know this may sound crazy but one thing I think really helps is that cell phones are banned inside my favorite Pure Barre studio. That makes people chat with each other a lot more before and after class, I think! At other gyms I’ve been to, people usually aren’t nearly as social and I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that their phones are with them!
I really like that shirt you are wearing! and that street looks so cute and full of little wonders.
Yum!! There is something about penne pasta, it is something that will always look good to me and always want to order!
You’ve always got the cutest clothes!! Love that top!
When I got dinner with my girlfriends a few weeks ago I decided to get Josh a dessert to go. I ended up eating while we stayed at the table talking after we were done with our meals! Whoops!
Peanut butter pie?! Sign me up! Glad you were able to have a fun night out with the ladies! That’s always a fun treat – especially during the week to mix things up!
Next time you to RR, I highly recommend the southwest chicken ravioli. So good! And the chocolate cake there is to die for! I live behind 131 main, so I’m close!
I almost got the chocolate cake!!! It looked amazing!
It is awesome you have met new girlfriends so quickly! Looks like a fun night out. The top is super cute. I am really thinking about trying Stitchfix!
It’s still so weird to not see you blogging about life in Florida! Do you feel like you’ve finally made the transition whole and you’re ready to start your new chapter in NC? Such a fun new adventure for ya’ll, and look at you, making friends already!!!
Cute shirt! Peanut butter pie yum! I’m doing a no sugar thing for a month. It’s funny after a week of no sugar I’m not craving it at all.
Love your top and LOVE the rug! And also I love girls nights! 🙂
Awww so sweet that you brought dessert home to share! I never think to do that for my bf– hahaha does that make me a terrible girlfriend? 🙂
Sounds like so much fun! I was born and raised in NC and moved Midwest about 13 months ago and I still haven’t made any friends or acquaintances. As a pretty introverted person, I find it hard to make friends.
If you ever make it to Chapel Hill, NC please try 411. It’s one of my most favorite restaurants. Their Millionaire Pie is sensational….peanut butter mousse, chocolate and graham cracker. MMMMMM
Mmm… peanut butter pie is one of my favorite desserts! I don’t think I’ve ever made it on my own, so I may have to find a recipe for it soon! I’ll pretty much eat anything with peanut butter in it though…
I’ve been to Charlotte a few times, and I love the area. It has that warm, friendly feel to it, and always feels so welcoming!
Your house looks so cute! Love that rug
Thanks Emily!
That’s a great rug! I love Rue La La! I’ve never bought home goods from them, but I love their clothing deals! I currently have a credit with them, so I’ll definitely look into their home goods selections 🙂
Their home goods are fantastic! Over the past few years I’ve bought everything from throw pillows to blankets to holiday decorations from them!!
P–p—p–…..peanut butter….pie???
WHAT???
That dessert sounds delicious!
It must be exciting to see your house start to come together.
Pb pie sounds amazing!
That peanut butter pie sounds amazing. I’m normally not a HUGE pie person, but if peanut butter and chocolate are involved then I am game!
I’m glad you’re making friends. That’s awesome! Super cute shirt too! I really need to sign up for Stitch Fix now! 🙂
Peanut Butter Whipped Cream sounds delicious …. especially if it was on top of a chocolate martini!
Peanut butter pie?!? I love pie. I love peanut butter. This is so made for me.
Also, I cannot wait to see a recap of the inside of your house. I am guessing it’s beautiful based on all the teeny snapshots you’ve been posting!
Ahhh so nice that you’re making so many great new friends, especially through fitness classes! I also try to order dishes that are more unique, because who knows when I’ll get to try/make it?
Who has two thumbs and loves olive oil? This girl1 Similar to you Julie, appetizers are my jammmm. All of the olive oils on Oliviers look wonderful, but the olive & garlic and olive & basil really call my name.
Happy (almost) Friday!
I keep hearing people rave about pure barre! Would you recommend trying it? Or is it mostly hype?
Julie, your blog is the best! I honestly love waking up and checking to see what your latest adventure is. It inspires my boyfriend and I to go on fun dates and for me to make cute signs for him for different holidays and anniversaries. Congrats on the new house. Can’t wait to see how you decorate! I’ve been a loyal reader since October 2009 ( I can’t believe it’s been that long) when I was in college and really appreciate your constant commitment to this blog.
I love your top!! And congrats on the new house. I’m sure it feels great to finally be in the house and unpacking!
Thank you!!
The area rug is so nice! Looks like your family room is coming along! Can’t wait to see the rest.
I absolutely love Birkdale Village. It is a must every time I visit Charlotte.