Tag Archives: Charleston

167 Raw | Charleston

19 Wednesday Oct 2022

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It is very rare that a restaurant checks all of our boxes. Even more rare for us to frequent the same place two times in one trip. 167 Raw is definitely an exception. We had been wanting to try their new Bar 167 and had never had time to wait for 167 Raw (they do not take reservations) So we put in our name at Raw and walked over to Bar 167 to grab drinks while we waited for our table to be ready. Bar 167 is stunning. So well designed with a Mediterranean flair. We sat up on the rooftop, enjoyed our beautiful drinks and relaxed until receiving the text to come back to Raw.

We were sat at a high top table at the window. Perfect people watching spot and enjoy the ambiance of the restaurant while having enough privacy to enjoy our conversation. Our server was a delight. He had great recommendations and we ordered every. single. one.

Starting the night with a dozen oysters is always the right choice. Being a little bit of purists, we prefer our oysters with just a drop of lemon juice and usually forgo the accompanying sauces. However, the dipping sauce that came with the oysters, some magical mix of vinegar and dill and lemon, was so delicious that we dipped our spoons in and ate it just plain and vowed to try it on our oysters the next time we came. Following the oysters was the Crudo of the day. This raw fish topped with a chili crunch and pistachios is the most amazing thing I have ever tasted. Liz and I each took a bite and then just stared at each other. What. The. Actual. Heck. Amazing. Next came the Tuna Tataki. A large piece of fresh tuna, breaded and flash fried to quickly cook and crisp up the outside but leave the inside raw. It was delicious. So tender. Perfect amount of crunch. Perfect balance of flavor. We finished the night with the Lobster Tostada. The lobster itself was perfection, but it really was competing with the other flavors of the toppings and while all delicious, we probably won’t be ordering it again in the future.

Overall we LOVED this spot. Our server was fabulous and every item he recommended was absolute perfection. The atmosphere of the restaurant is upbeat and energizing. I’d say it gets a 8.5 or 9 out of 10. We loved it so much and wanted to try all the things on the menu but didn’t want to overdo it so… we went back two nights later.

Two Nights Later:

We did almost the same thing. Started at Bar 167 for drinks, went back to 167 Raw when our table was ready. This time we tried some drinks at Raw. The 167 dirty martini: a tequila martini, so smooth, topped with oyster brine and an oyster on the side. The appeal of this drink was that it came with an oyster, but let me tell you it was SO smooth. And a martini with tequila, very interesting. The saltiness of the oyster brine with the sweet earthiness of the tequila… magical. The other drink we ordered was a special that evening and definitely is now one of our favorite cocktails of all time. The Army/Navy cocktail: gin, amaro, lemon juice, bitters. The way the almond flavor came through and blended perfectly with the herbal gin… perfection.

We ordered TWO dozen oysters this second night and topped half of them with the delicious dill magic sauce. Oysters were followed again with the crudo and the tuna tataki. To throw in something new we added the King Crab Mafaldine. Perfectly cooked pasta. With a creamy sauce from heaven and large lumps of king crab. I’m sure everyone thought we were crazy as we sat there in silence, savoring every single bite of that pasta dish, eyes wide with disbelief at the flavors that were catapulting us into food euphoria.

Our server the second night was equally as fabulous. The atmosphere just as electrifying. We LOVE 167 Raw. I will be back in Charleston in 3 weeks and we already have plans to visit AGAIN and try their other restaurant 167 Sushi.

167 Raw… Thank you

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Bistronomy by NICO | Charleston

17 Monday Oct 2022

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I love bringing foodie people together. And that’s exactly what this dinner was about. I have two friends living in Charleston who had never met each other and both love food, so I planned a meal for us to all enjoy together and then hopefully when I am back in Asheville they can continue to meet up and enjoy the many food options Charleston has to offer.

The first thing I want to acknowledge is that our server was perfection. She was from Paris, very friendly and took care of us so well. She was so fun, we wanted her to sit down and join us for the meal. We absolutely LOVED her and would go back to the restaurant simply because of her.

We started with delicious mixed drinks. Brown Butter-Washed Old Fashioned, Tequila Salad, Get Sauced Give Thanks, Plum Perfect, and a Chocolate Mezcal Martini. Favorites were definitely the Get Sauced and the Chocolate Martini.

For starters we ordered Beef Carpaccio, Goat Cheese Spring Rolls, and a special of the day, the most delicious Cheese Board. While I will say there was an imbalance of flavors in most of our dishes, the cheese board was amazing. The bleu cheese was outstanding and the crusty baguette, pickled veggies and accompanying honey, delicious. The Beef Carpaccio was slightly overwhelmed by the berry hoisin gastrique and dijon creme. What you want to taste in a dish like this is the amazing and full flavor of the beef. Not have it masked by other strong flavors.

For mains we had Scallops with coconut rice, Coq au vin, and curry shrimp soup. The coconut rice was amazing, and the accompanying green curry beurre blanc complimented it perfectly. We enjoyed the Coq au vin and the soup. Both flavorful, and cozy dishes. Everything else was good but not mind blowing.

We finished the night with cappuccinos, chocolate mousse with brandied cherries, and creme brûlée. Again nothing stands out in my mind as supremely excellent.

It was a gorgeous evening and we sat outside in the courtyard enjoying a cool breeze, good food and even better company and conversation. I will highlight our server once again as she was by far the best part of the evening. If you do want to try out Bistronomy by Nico, you will not be disappointed by the amazing service. We would give our experience a 6.5/7 out of 10. While we wouldn’t say no to visiting Bistronomy again, we will choose to visit the many other amazing restaurants in Charleston before returning.

Sullivan’s Fish Camp | Charleston

09 Tuesday Aug 2022

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I think the biggest surprise of my last trip to Charleston was Sullivan’s Fish Camp. It has been on Sullivan’s Island forever, but we had never tried it. We spent the evening at the beach, watching the sun set and the waves rolling in. As darkness fell, we walked over to Sullivan’s Fish Camp for dinner. We sat at the bar. This dimly lit restaurant has dive bar feel with dark wood accents, and vintage fishing decor. We were quickly seated at the bar and made immediate friends with the bar tender. She had great recommendations about both food and beverages so we picked her brain before making our decisions.

To start off the evening we ordered drinks: The Deckhand, a delightful blend of flor de caña rum, yellow chartreuse, lime, and strawberry shrub. and the Cap’n Sully’s G & T, and a dish full of cold, fresh oysters. I love oysters. The briny, salty liquid with a dash of lemon juice and the tangy Mignonette. Side note: oysters are so, so good for you and provide so many essential minerals that our bodies need! Give me all the oysters!

We followed this with the Truffle Parmesan Fried Shrimp. The crispy seasoned shrimp melted in your mouth and when paired with the cool roasted garlic aioli it was truly delicious. The star of the evening was the Fish Sandwich. Sounds anti-climactic I know. But every bite was a mouth explosion of flavors. The fresh jerk rubbed mahi, milk bread bun, mayo and peach chutney was a brilliant combination and the recipe for the perfect sandwich.

It was such a relaxing evening. Enjoying all the delicious food, chatting with the friendly bar-tenders, and spending time with my best friend. Sun-kissed, completely covered in sand and smelling like the ocean. Could anything be any more perfect?

We ended the night with a cutie little soft-serve. Who can resist?

If you visit Sullivan’s Fish Camp let me know! I’d love to hear about your experience!

Weekends & Windscreens: Charleston, South Carolina

21 Saturday Oct 2017

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Let me take you to Charleston, South Carolina.

Palmetto trees line the streets as you enter the city. A horse and carriage pulls out in front of you. A tour of the city with a guide that takes you slowly around the rainbow-colored houses to the clip clop of horses hooves. You turn a corner to escape the carriage and are stopped by thousands of tourists teeming up and down King Street in search of the perfect restaurant or an amazing shopping experience. Pulling away from the throngs of King Street and you will sadly be stuck behind a golf cart. Some aristocrat want-to-be who feels the need to flaunt their wealth by zooming around Charleston at amazing speeds of 25 mph in a cart intended for a golf course not the streets of a bustling city.

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In this city lit by gas lamps, and amazing age-old architecture you find yourself dreaming of what might have been, strolling past the houses donning hues of soft pinks and peach, greens, yellows, and blues. Ancient charm oozes out of the stucco buildings. Ornate wooden doors stand proudly ornamented with door knockers that look like pineapples or palmettos. The gardens, hiding behind moss-covered walls, add to the mystery and ambiance of this southern city.

We started off the weekend at 5 Church. God bless this old church and the amazing restaurant now housed within it. Maybe that’s sacrilegious, but wow. From the old stained glass windows, to the ceilings entirely covered in writing, to the angel wing lights above the bar, the artistry of this restaurant is unbelievable. And that’s not even considering the food. We had cheesy poutine dripping with salty, flavorful gravy, $3 mimosas, and a delightful southern breakfast with flaky biscuits, crispy bacon, creamy grits, and perfectly cooked eggs.

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If you know me you know any trip is not complete without visits to multiple coffee shops. Charleston is full of enchanting places and amazing coffee. The Rise is hands down our favorite. A part of The Restoration Hotel, it is a beautiful little shop full of white marble and natural light. Sadly, The Rise was closed this weekend for an event, so we headed over to The Harbinger, which is a close second. Although in an odd part of town, very far north on King Street, this adorable shop is owned by some of the sweetest women who make amazing, amazing pastries, snacks, and coffee.

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We ended the weekend at SNOB. It stands for Slightly North of Broad, but it definitely feeds the inner snob that, come on admit it, you have. The decor is nothing to write home about, but this established restaurant does it right where it counts. Warm, sweet cornbread brought to your table. Drinks that are handsome, colorful, and delicious. The food is out of this world We ordered butternut squash bisque, oxtail gnocchi with charred corn, cilantro, mole, & feta, a duck breast with a pumpkin custard,a  plum glaze & honey thyme reduction, and pork chops with mushroom farrotto, caramelized onions & apple chutney. Every bite was heaven. We savored each flavor until we had cleaned all our plates and, although full, I wanted to pick up the gnocchi plate and lick it clean. It was the best mole I have ever tasted. Anywhere.

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While there are so many things to enjoy in Charleston, this was it for my quick weekend trip! I have many other spots that I enjoy if you want to know more just message me! Or for a great book on Charleston, click here !

Happy Travels!

 

Annabel Lee

14 Monday Jul 2014

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This week we went to explore Charleston, South Carolina. It is a beautiful old town, with colorful stucco buildings, cobblestone streets, and old churches. There is so much history in Charleston. One of my favorite things was a graveyard at an old Unitarian church. It is left overgrown on purpose and is said to be haunted by the ghost of Annabel Lee.

Local legend tells the story of a sailor who met a woman named Annabel Lee. Her father disapproved of the pairing and the two met privately in a graveyard. Before the sailor’s time stationed in Charleston was up, Annabel’s father locked her away so that she could no longer see him. While the sailor was away at sea, he heard of Annabel’s death from yellow fever, but her father would not allow him at the funeral. Her father buried her in the family plot underneath another grave and had no marker put there so the sailor could never find her. Because he did not know her exact burial location, the sailor instead kept vigil in the cemetery.

There is no evidence that Edgar Allan Poe had heard of this legend, but locals insist it was his inspiration for this poem, especially considering Poe was briefly stationed in Charleston while in the army in 1827. I just love old legends. We explored the whole cemetery and found the graves of the rest of the Lees. Perhaps Annabel is really buried beneath one of them…

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Annabel Lee
By Edgar Allan Poe

It was many and many a year ago,

   In a kingdom by the sea,

That a maiden there lived whom you may know

   By the name of Annabel Lee;

And this maiden she lived with no other thought

   Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,

   In this kingdom by the sea,

But we loved with a love that was more than love—

   I and my Annabel Lee—

With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven

   Coveted her and me.

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And this was the reason that, long ago,

   In this kingdom by the sea,

A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling

   My beautiful Annabel Lee;

So that her highborn kinsmen came

   And bore her away from me,

To shut her up in a sepulchre

   In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in Heaven,

   Went envying her and me—

Yes!—that was the reason (as all men know,

   In this kingdom by the sea)

That the wind came out of the cloud by night,

   Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

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But our love it was stronger by far than the love

   Of those who were older than we—

   Of many far wiser than we—

And neither the angels in Heaven above

   Nor the demons down under the sea

Can ever dissever my soul from the soul

   Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams

   Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes

   Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side

   Of my darling—my darling—my life and my bride,

   In her sepulchre there by the sea—

   In her tomb by the sounding sea.


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