Hyatt Place Greensboro Downtown

Step aside, Proximity. Move it or lose it, O'Henry. There's a new hotel in town and it's offering a hip, new vibe and some incredible food. Developer Roy Carroll's new Hyatt Place Downtown Greensboro just opened this month, and coupled with the Carroll at Bellemeade, it's probably the most talked about addition to downtown Greensboro in recent years. I wasn't aware of the ample food offerings at the Hyatt - this is way more than just your grab-and-go packaged snacks. I was pleasantly surprised by everything I sampled, enough that I would return here for lunch or dinner anytime. And be sure to check out their exciting cocktail list at happy hour. I know you'll be impressed too.

The Strawberry Mule features Blood Orange Vodka, Campari, Ginger Beer, Lime Juice, Honey and Muddled Strawberries. It is too easy to drink. It's a beautiful light pink hue that's perfect for spring. I've been on a Whiskey Sour kick lately, and the Hyatt's unique rendition might be my new favorite in town. Maker's Mark, Disaronno, Lime Juice, Pineapple Juice and Bitters make for a really tasty flavor combination. I never would have thought to add Disaronno and Pineapple, but now I don't think I can have it any other way! They've also got Mezcal Margs, an Old Fashioned with Chocolate Bitters, and an ample wine and beer selection. Seriously, come for the cocktails, but stay for the food.

Happy hour at the Hyatt!

After you've munched on some addictively salty Citrus-Chile Popcorn, you might want to indulge in another appetizer like the Parmesan-Paprika Fries. The fries are crispy and topped with Parm and Paprika (obviously) but you won't be able to resist the Basil Aioli and the slightly hot Boom Boom Sauce. Or maybe you're in the mood for the best Fried Okra you've ever had? Cut into bite size pieces and cornmeal-dusted, the okra is served with garlicky Spinach, Bacon Jam and a Tomato Aioli that is absolutely to die for. I could not stop eating this. Just trust me on this one. The Crispy Brussels Sprouts are also a must-order. They're perfectly charred and topped with Bacon and a whole-grain Honey Mustard sauce. These are the sexiest Brussels in town.

The Flatbread is extremely satisfying - it's more like a personal pizza. The base is an extremely flavorful, basil-forward Pesto, and it's topped with Prosciutto, Genoa Salami, oven-roasted Tomatoes, Arugula, Mozzarella and Parmesan, and drizzled with Honey. The sweet honey finish goes so well with that salty meat, and it just oozes with cheese. We loved the Chicken and Waffles. The Fried Chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, but the Chile-Spiced Honey made it a showstopper.

I can't resist a good Cuban Sandwich - smoky Pulled Pork, Ham, Pickles, Swiss Cheese and Creole Mustard on French Bread? What's not to love?! My only request would be to change the Bread & Butter Pickles to Dill - just a personal preference. The BBQ Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese was a hit, though we all remarked that the mac and cheese was likely not homemade. This surprised us all, since everything else tasted so fresh, from scratch, and cooked to order. The Chicken and Brie Club layers tender Grilled Chicken with Brie Cheese, Kale, Tomato and Bacon, and it's topped with Honey Mustard. Any club that's warm and features Brie gets an A+ in my book.

I apologize for the lack of photos, so you could have really seen for yourself how delicious everything looked. While we may have made a dent in the menu, there were still so many other tempting choices. Maybe next time I'll try the Avocado Toast and Charcuterie Board. Or perhaps I'll indulge in the Baked Brie and Kale Chicken Caesar. The Hyatt Place Downtown really has it all, and it is all so good. Make it a point to stop by and see for yourself.