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c h r o n o f h o r s e . c o m ja n ua r y/ f e b r ua r y 2 015 107 >> a mean egg-and-cheese biscuit there, and that's the perfect breakfast with a side of home-style potatoes and coffee. Catch up on the current popular oroughbred bloodlines with the trade publications that litter the tables, and lis- ten to the track trainers talk shop. You'll be in and out before your own horses are ready for their breakfast. Just make sure you take some cash to pay your tab. 538 two notch rd., aiken. (803) 648- 4631. aikentrainingtrack.com. Maria's Mexican restaurant on any given night, you're likely to see a plethora of boots and breeches at maria's. And there's a very good reason for that. "ey have very toxic margaritas," says eventer Boyd martin, who spends most of his winters in Aiken. "e soft shell tacos are my favorite; you just have to go easy on the hot sauce." maria's is a good lunch stop or place for imbibing after the evening feed- ing. it's standard mexican fare, but a few menu items stand out to the regu- lars—including the tortilla soup and the tacos al carbon. fellow eventer doug payne, who also winters in Aiken, enjoys maria's dip, comprised of queso mixed with beans and beef and served to all guests as an appetizer. in addition, the mango margarita is delicious, but make sure you take a desig- nated driver. 716 E. Pine Log Rd., Aiken. (803) 648-8840. Casa Bella Italian restaurant Chef Joseph iannelli was born and raised in italy, and he's now converted an Aiken Victorian mansion, built in 1896, into the city's favorite authentic italian restaurant. "Casa Bella is fantastic," says sharer dale, who owns greystone farms in nearby Beech island, s.C. "it has a great outdoor patio, and it's one of the nicer restaurants in downtown Aiken." e signature menu item is the Chilean sea bass, served in a lemon but- ter white wine sauce, but you can't go wrong with any of the marinara sauce dishes either. e restaurant is a popular Aiken spot, so reservations are recommended most nights. "it's a really unique location," says iannelli's wife Arlene. "e grounds are gorgeous, and we have a koi pond that's original to the house. e food is top quality, and the service is top quality. if you use great products as the base, like the marinara sauce for the lasagna and other pastas, everything else becomes really good." And if you're seeking a more chill vibe, the iannelli family recently opened a speakeasy-style restaurant and jazz bar, speakeasy and eats, in Aiken. 120 chesterfield st. s., aiken. (803) 641- 3107. casaBellaitalianrestaurant.com. Prime Steakhouse if you want a steak in Aiken, many say prime steakhouse is the place to go. "it outdoes any new York steakhouse i've ever been to," says Boyd martin. "when you go, it always has the who's who of Aiken in there—foxhunters and race horse trainers and event riders all enjoy the fine dining." located in downtown Aiken, prime steakhouse served its first patron in 1999, and it's rapidly become a favorite for visitors and residents. Chef randy stamm worked in his family's new York City steakhouses growing up, and he's owned restaurants in big cities around the country. now Aiken steak lovers are lucky he calls their town home. e filet mignon is a favorite, as is the center-cut new York strip steak. But don't forget about the lobster entrees, which have their own legion of fans. e restaurant serves dinner seven nights a week. "it's the best place to take clients," added Aiken-based dressage trainer laura Klecker. "everything is amazing. e service is good, and it's a great atmo- sphere, and randy is outstanding." 316 richland ave. w., aiken. (803) 642- 4488. primesteakhouseaiken.com. Grumpy's Sports Pub ere are times you want to dress up and enjoy a gourmet meal in a well-designed TIM MeeSSeMan PHoTo Casa Bella Italian restaurant

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