Untacked

108 ja n ua r y/ f e b r ua r y 2 015 U n tac k e d setting. en there are other times you want to head straight for a cold beer and hot burger after you leave the barn—and maybe you also want a choice of nearly 20 different styles of chicken wings. for those times, grumpy's is your place. grumpy's offers 36 different beers on tap and an additional 58 in cans and bottles. e brew choices range from the common—Bud light and miller lite—to the more seasonal and arti- sanal—such as the southern tier phin & matt's extraordinary Ale and terra- pin moo hoo Chocolate stout. e pub plays most major sporting events on their enormous collection of televisions, and you can find a schedule, as well as a list of nightly drink and food specials, on the grumpy's website. make sure to try the double ipA cheese dip and the grumpy burger. 216 east Gate dr., aiken. (803) 226- 9868. Grumpyssportspub.com. Carriage House Inn e Carriage house inn invites you to "enjoy some of the simple yet luxurious pleasures in life—snug beds, a wonder- ful breakfast, and a warm, generous staff awaiting your arrival." owner Ann omasson says her staff at the inn, which sits in the cen- ter of downtown Aiken, is what keeps PHoTo CourTeSy of roSe HIll eSTaTe citY guidE customers returning again and again. "it's really about the service," she says. "e people who work here cater to everyone." e antithesis of a chain hotel, the rooms at the inn are cozy and decorated with unique accoutrements. Breakfasts consist of whatever guests prefer, including the choice of bacon and eggs, grits, breads, quiches and casseroles. located on the main street of down- town Aiken, the inn is also in the process of expanding. An additional 24 rooms are in the works, along with a rooftop terrace that can hold 500 people for private events. "we hope we can be as good as we were, and then even better," says om- asson. 139 laurens st. nw, aiken. (803) 644- 5888. aikencarriagehouse.com. rose Hill Estate during last winter's ice storm in Aiken, when most of the city was without power for days, the lights still burned bright at the rose hill estate's stables restaurant. "it was the only place we could go! i think it's the best-kept secret in the area," says eventer Allison springer, who win- ters in Aiken. "it's sort of a quirky place, but i love staying there. i love their food, too, and i think the bar is really cozy. in the summer months they have good live music outside." e restaurant offers a diverse and seasonal menu—now including wiener- schnitzel, shrimp and grits, pumpkin ravioli and cocoa-rubbed lamb t-bones. And horse lovers will feel right at home, as the restaurant is located in a repur- posed stable. rose hill is also a popular location for Aiken wed- dings, and they offer comfortable PHoTo CourTeSy of THe CarrIaGe HouSe Inn Carriage House Inn rose Hill Estate

• Cover