Photos by Hugh Staples Twigs in Landrum, SC

The best food is where the locals eat. While visiting Landrum, S.C., we were told for fine dining, go to Twigs, for pub fare, Hare and Hound; for country cooking head up the road a few miles to Tryon and try Caro- Mi; and for a brunch buffet, visit the Lake Lanier Teahouse. For Italian, the locals claim that Side Street Pizza in Tryon serves the best pizza anywhere. The Capozzi family has been successfully serving pizza and subs there for over 30 years.

I can confirm the Hare and Hound's chili and chicken and sesame ginger salad. Lunches and dinners are served in an old style pub atmosphere surrounded by polished wood and whimsical "board game" murals on the walls with the sounds of NFL and glasses clinking in the background. A glass of Guinness or Bass draft washes down everything nicely.

Patty Ott recently bought Lake Lanier Teahouse when the Kerhulas family decided to retire and has kept the traditional atmosphere with only minor changes in the menu, which now offers Sunday brunch including fresh baked breads, eggs, omelet stations, salads, as well as heartier fare.

Twigs offers a unique, fine- dining experience in a romantic atmosphere. Their desserts include an Irish créme brulee, which builds on the traditional créme brulee, adding a dash of Bailey's Irish Cream for a new twist on classic confection.

Up Highway 176 in the Pacolet River Valley, Caro- Mi is tucked away across a picturesque covered bridge spanning the rocky Pacolet River. They serve entrees such as fresh mountain trout, fried chicken, and country ham, with vegetables served family style in large self- serve bowls on the table.

Other recommended restaurants by the locals included Stone Soup, Persimmons, El Chile Rojo, Drake House, and the Junction.

Landrum is a Mecca for antique lovers with a variety of antique shops. Architectural Warehouse is home to windows, doors, and other architectural features taken from historical houses as they are torn down. There are the Landrum Antique Mall, Whistle Stop Marketplace, Fox Hollow Antiques, and more for the antique shopper to browse for those one- of- a- kind treasures.

Landrum also hosts a variety of specialty shops such as Cottage Books, P.J.'s Fashions and Suzanne's Boutique. It is rumored that actress Andie McDowell shops for much of her clothing at Suzanne's. There is also the Foothills Amish Furniture Shop and the old- fashioned Landrum Hardware, and for the savvy bargain- hunters, Habitat for Humanity resale store is the place to browse for flea- market style finds.

Spring through late fall Landrum is host to the Farmer's Market every Saturday at the old depot, selling local farmer's produce and locally handmade arts and crafts. Ayer's Roadside Market offers fresh produce, flowers, and plants, as well as snacks and short- order food year round.

A five- minute drive took us to the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, home of the annual Blockhouse Steeplechase held each April. FENCE is a 380- acre nature education and recreation center hosting equestrian shows and events throughout the year, as well as summer camps for students, and various nature workshops.

Around the bend were the barns belonging to TROT — Therapeutic Riding of Tryon, a volunteer group of equestrians who give their time and donate their horses' time to help children and adults with learning and emotional disabilities.

Landrum, a small town, yes, but home to a plethora of dining, shopping, and sightseeing only two hours from home.

Next time, we drive further afield to explore the waterfalls, covered bridges, wineries, and mountain vistas of South Carolina's Upstate.