Review: Percy & Willie’s Food and Spirits
(Florence, SC) Today I decided to seek out a needed change of scenery and go out for lunch. The sammies and Crystal Light would just have to wait for another day. It wasn’t difficult to decide where to go this time. It was simple. Since I felt like going somewhere local, quiet and consistent, Percy & Willie’s was locked into my mental GPS.
The Ever-popular Marinated Steak Salad
Upon my arrival , I could see that many other Florentines had the same idea. With a seat near the window on my radar, I was a bit disappointed that I was following the hostess to a seat near the back wall. Optimistically, it hit me that I’d have a great view of the dining room. People watching is interesting, after all, and a hobby of mine. Soon after my server stopped by with a welcome and an offer to share the specials of the day. I’m a “specials” kind of person. I figure that most often the specials are the freshest and most creative. I also tend to listen to the advice of servers. They know the food quality and have the perspective unique to an insider. Specials swimming in my head, she went for my drink and returned a few minutes later.
One of the specials I was considering was the lunch-only Marinated Steak Salad. Honestly, I wasn’t sure about that one. Although I was doubting my own advice, I questioned myself and my instincts. Do I please Mrs. PDF by ordering the salad or go for something more substantial? As usual, Mrs. PDF won that argument, even if it was just in my head. The salad was the choice and a supportive recommendation from my server closed the deal. The hot bacon honey mustard dressing was also a recommendation, but I requested a side of bleu cheese just to hedge my bets. Optimism tempered with realism, I figured.
I sat, read emails and sipped my iced tea for a bit. I took the opportunity to look around at the smiling faces and listen to the muffled conversations nearby. You know, having lunch alone is not a bad thing, though some people find it difficult and even embarrassing. I look forward to it now and again. I sought out a change of scenery and I found it — just what the doctor ordered.
My lunch salad arrived, I thanked my server for the prompt service and then went straight for a bite of the steak. It was cooked to my temp, medium, and the portion was perfect. I could actually see it being made, so I know the plate was fresh — no heat lamp tan on this salad, thankfully. I’ve noted that a busy restaurant can be a good and bad thing. With ample staff, nothing seemed to sit at the pass very long, so today was a good thing. I enjoyed the recommended dressing and the bleu cheese pretty much sat alone like a table top wallflower. As for the rest of the salad, itself, the tomatoes were cold, the lettuce crisp and my glass of iced tea was kept filled. A pet peeve of mine is an empty iced tea glass. No worries today.
Truth be told, while the salad was very good and the setting relaxing and comfortable, my lunchtime respite was a success mostly because of my server. She was attentive and yet considerate of my time. She also shared her recommendations confidently and accepted my order appreciatively. You just can’t buy that type of service. It has to be given as a gift by someone who cares about his or her customer. Given my experience, I believe she really did appreciate my presence today. Sitting near the back wall paid off pretty well.
Until next time, my friends, Have Fun and Eat Well.
Category: Restaurant Reviews
About the Author
Kevin Barron is a husband, father, self-described geek, and enthusiastic founder of PeeDeeFoodie.com. He also hosts its companion podcast, the Pee Dee Food Show, which can be found on iTunes and the blog. Learn more about Kevin under the Contributors tab above.Thanks for reading PeeDeeFoodie.com™
We've eaten here three times and each time we felt that it could have been a little better. I took awhile for the waitress to come to us. The stakes were very good but the rest was just average. Thought the prices were high for Florence.
We've not had that experience, but every restaurant has ups and downs. Your feedback helps us and fellow readers know more about P&W's; a fixture in Florence. Did you try the 'Shrooms Burger on any of your trips? It's my personal favorite for lunch.
They need to change their menu periodically. I've lived here for 10 years and the menu is the SAME. I guess people must like it because the parking lot is usually full ...I just feel like it's "same ole, same ole" ...nothing "inspired" or "interesting"
