(Take 5 is a restaurant review invented by Wonder Guides and written by real people like yourself. Diners pick the restaurant. They go alone or with friends. Then they tell us about themselves, the experience, and give us their take on five areas - location, atmosphere, menu, taste, and price. What is published is an honest review and recommendation that you can use to make your next dining choice.)

Big City Tastes from a Small Town Grill

THE RESTAURANT
Michael's Showside Grill | There's always gossip going on at the pottery house in Nash County. Who's been where and seen who and did what. We catch up on all the comings and goings while throwing pots, painting glaze and generally just catching up with each other. My girlfriend and I heard about Michael's Showside Grill from our pottery pals who live in Spring Hope. They swore by the food and said it was always a good time, so we decided to make a Saturday night out of it.

Michael's Showside Grill occupies a quaint corner building in Spring Hope's tiny downtown where Railroad Street and N. Pine meet. A bright red mural on the side of the building pointed us toward the front door, and it wouldn't be the only pop of art we saw. Once inside, we were in another world. Chef Michael Ward's world.

The longtime chef has curated a busy, eclectic world of art for his diners to view as they dine in his excellent, unique restaurant. It felt more like a New York City steakhouse than a small town grill. We walked into the lounge where the live music was getting started. Great local band. While ordering a drink, my friend nudged me to look up. There I saw Spring Hope's version of the Sistine Chapel, a ceiling tile mural making a patchwork of art that fits right in with the Showside Grill vibe. Once seated, we were in for a fun, delicious dinner that knocked our socks off.

THE CRITIC:
Ann Cline is a 65 year-old artist living in Wake Forest, North Carolina. A prolific reader, hiker and creator, she enjoys spending time in nature and with her friends at the pottery house.

THE REVIEW:

Location (3)

Spring Hope isn't far away, but you have to look for it off highway 64. Once you're in Spring Hope you're glad you got there. Classic small town with historic buildings and plenty of street parking.

Atmosphere (4)

It is busy and loud in Michael's Showside Grill, but we loved it. Always something to look at from art to people to musicians. The waitstaff could not have been friendlier and had great suggestions at the ready when we asked about their favorites on the menu. We were especially grateful that they tipped us off about the in-house pastry chef and to save room for the cheesecake.

Menu (5)

So many creative dishes! There were classics like shrimp and grits, steak, fresh seafood. We had a hard time deciding. We landed on the sweet and spicy pork riblets, with the fried brussel sprouts, our waitress's favorite, and the North Carolina sea scallops. For dessert, we tried the blackberry cobbler and the oreo cheesecake. Do not skip dessert. Take it from me.

Taste (5)

5 out of 5. Everything was lick-your-plate delicious.

Price (5)

For the quality and amount of food on our plates, the prices were extremely reasonable. They should probably charge more for the oreo cheesecake.

FINAL TAKE:
Well, as usual the pottery pals were right. Can't believe Michael's Showside Grill has been here so long and this was our first time. The entire experience was a hoot. The wacky art inside and out, the people watching, the amazing longtime staff that helped us navigate the specials and standards on the menu to our delicious meal. And the local music. It was a night out like we haven't had in ages and I can't wait to go back for more fun and to try another one of those fantastic desserts.