Taste of Charleston - Taste Of The Arts

Taste of the Arts on Gallery Row to be held Saturday, October 8

Part of the Southern Living Taste of Charleston weekend, this upscale event is a combination of local art and the culinary arts

Charleston, SC --- The 2011 Taste of the Arts on Gallery Row will take place on Saturday, October 8 from 6pm-8pm throughout art galleries on Historic Broad Street in Downtown Charleston. Guests will begin with a pre-event reception at The Art Institute of Charleston at 24 North Market Street from 5pm – 6pm. Following the reception event goers will head over to Gallery Row to enjoy wine and appetizers from a variety of Charleston restaurants while admiring works throughout the participating galleries. The event is part of the Southern Living Taste of Charleston weekend orchestrated by the Charleston Restaurant Association.

The reception at The Art Institute of Charleston will feature world renowned Lowcountry artist, Jonathan Green. Green, whose Gullah influenced work can be found in major museum collections, will be showcasing five brand new pieces valued at up to $7500 each. Participants will then move to Broad Street where 11 galleries will be displaying their works as well as select pieces from students of The Art Institute of Charleston.

Tickets to the event are $25 and include hors d’oeuvres and white wine. They are available at any of the participating galleries or online at www.CharlestonRestaurantAssociation.com. The Taste of the Arts on Gallery Row is sponsored by The Art Institute of Charleston, Limehouse Produce, Blue Moon and Biltmore Wines. All of the Southern Living Taste of Charleston events are orchestrated by the Charleston Restaurant Association.

Gallery and Restaurant Pairings

 Ellis-Nicholson Gallery - 1.5 Broad Street - Muse Restaurant and Wine Bar Featuring: Macedonian artist Daniel Peci in his solo exhibition “Intimate Figure – Shared Vision.”

 The Hamlet Art Gallery - 7 Broad Street - Amen Street Fish and Raw Bar Featuring: Joyce Hall, Alan Knuff and John Albrecht in the gallery. Visit with them and view their new works.

 M Gallery of Fine Art - 11 Broad Street - Coleman Public House Restaurant & Tap Room Featuring: A solo exhibition entitled Figures of Timeless Beauty featuring the work of Bryce Cameron Liston.

(more)

Coco Vivo Fine Art - 25 Broad Street - Oak Steakhouse Featuring: Nationally renowned Plein Air artist Roger Milinowski  in the gallery painting and answering questions about his new work.  Register for signed prints as door prizes.

 Utopia - 27 Broad Street - Saffire Restaurant and Bar at the Charleston Marriott

 Edward Dare Gallery - 31 Broad Street - High Cotton Featuring:“Innocence and Grace”, a show of figurative work by Jim Darlington, Sue Foell, Isabel Forbes and Beth McLean. Painter Isabel Forbes will be in the gallery demonstrating her painting techniques.

 Mary Martin Gallery - 39 Broad Street - Locklear’s Fine Seafood

 Spencer Art Gallery I - 55 Broad Street - Mercato Italian Restaurant

 Spencer Art Gallery II - 57 Broad Street - The Swamp Fox Restaurant and Bar

 Scoop Studios Contemporary Art - 57.5 Broad Street - Leaf Cafe & Bar Featuring: Karen Ann Myers in her solo exhibit, "A Room of Her Own," where the artist continues to explore what it means to be a young woman in contemporary society and investigates the psychological complexity of women through intimate observations in the bedroom."

 Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art Gallery - 58 Broad Street - Grindz Burgers & Brew Featuring: Local artist Chris Snedeker's new works of local areas, spanning from McClellanville to the ACE Basin, as well as scenes from his recent trip to New England and Hawaii.

 The Art Institute of Charleston- A branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta - 24 North Market Street Featuring: World renowned Gullah artist Jonathan Green. Green will be on-site to showcase several new pieces.

Read more »

Grill 225, Charleston, SC

Lost In The Lobby

If you are a big fan of Grill 225 you may want to stop reading this as our experience there was about as close to mediocre as you can get.

Again taking advantage of restaurant week we made reservations at Grill 225.  They are the only restaurant that I’ve gone to since my blog began (72 restaurants ago), that required a credit card for a reservation.  No explanation was given as to what would be charged to my credit card.  There was no other way to make a reservation, so we thought we’d give it a try.

Grill 225 is located in the lobby of a hotel. Despite the fact that we were seated in the world’s largest, circular six-flag-ride-like booth, we still felt like we were sitting in a hotel lobby.  The ambience was certainly lacking.

The service started out great with a pleasant server recommending the restaurant week menu saying that there were some very nice items featured and it was “a deal”. So that’s the route we took.

Their 4 for $40 menu selections had to be the largest we’ve seen during restaurant week visits.  Four first course options, six second course options and four third course options.  So far, so good. 

We made our entrée selections and unfortunately that was about it for any additional visits from our server.  His ‘assistant’ was very nice and also attentive, but we never saw him again.  For an automatic 20% gratuity that was added to all parties, I guess he can come and go.  He’s tipped the 20% regardless of the service.

Our first course – chopped Caesar’s, Lowcountry Blue Crab Chowder and the chilled wedge were awesome.  Chilled plates, crisp lettuces, tangy dressings, were a win even though the plating wasn’t that great (see pix)!

Chopped Ceasar

Wedge

Lowcountry Blue Crab Chowder

Our entrees arrived in short order and were very disappointing.  My USDA Prime veal chop was so full of fat and gristle that it was inedible. The USDA Prime rib eye was a sub-par cut of meat and over cooked.  The salmon was somewhat flavorless, but the filet got raving reviews.  We would have told the waiter had we seen him. Although the salmon was served with sautéed organic spinach the only item accompanying any of the meat items were deep fried onion strings.  Really not a side at all, but rather a less-than-warm garnish.

Veal Chop

Filet Mignon

Ribeye

Salmon

With this in mind we felt like we had to order a few side dishes. Oddly enough they became the  highlight of the meal. Fire Roasted Brussels Sprouts with orange and soy ($10.00) and Grilled Tomatoes with Creamed Spinach and warmed Havarti cheese ($12.00), were without a doubt a large enough portion for the four of us and in the end became my dinner.

The dessert items, the Classique(sic) Napoleon and Cinnamon Beignets and Vanilla bean gelato (I passed and took mine home), were a real crowd pleaser.  Coffee with your dessert?  Not so much.  The only time we saw our server again was when he dropped the check and so we were never offered coffee, tea, after dinner drinks… nothing.

Banana Bread Pudding

Classique Napolean

Cinnamon Beignets and Vanilla bean gelato

I still feel like restaurant week is beginning to zing of ‘sticker shock’.  All in, for the two of us, our bill was close to $160.00 with the mandatory, not-worth- it tip.  Plus, did I mention you are sitting in a hotel lobby?  Dress it up as they might, it’s still feels like you’re sitting in a lobby.

We gave Grill 225 3 out of a possible 5 plates.





Zagat Tags;
#tidal #restaurant

Read more »

Hall’s Chophouse Restaurant Week, Charleston, SC Res

5 Plates And Holding...

Ahhh… Restaurant Week in Charleston.  Glasses clinking, patrons dining and the town is abuzz.  This is a great week to explore new restaurants or to visit old favorites, both of which we did this week.

I have to admit that I am partial to Hall’s Chophouse. We’ve always had a great dining experience there and the owner, Mr. Hall was the first person I interviewed for “Conversations with the Owners”, a section on my blog.  It is a tad pricey, so when the restaurants were published for Charleston Restaurant Week we were quick to get reservations at Hall’s. 

Hall’s M.O. is that Billy Hall does a very personal “meet and greet” with everyone who comes and goes.  Some, I have discovered, don’t like his personal “hugging and handshakes” that may seem forced, which I understand.  They’ve argued “He doesn’t really know us, so don’t hug us.” Be that as it may, the welcome at Hall’s is always consistently personable.  Personally, I like the special treatment.

We were seated with our friends at a nice table on the second floor.  Note to self… if you go to Hall’s, ask to sit upstairs instead of the very loud bar/table area below.  We found that the dining experience is so much better.

Chef Niessner At Work

Our hostess seated us and presented our menus, tucking the “Restaurant Week 3 for $40.00” menu discretely behind their main menu.  Mr. Hall personally told me that he was a big fan of restaurant week since it drives traffic that he might not get, so I was a bit surprised by this approach.

Aside from the unique ‘menu placement’ the entire dining experience was sensational. Our server, Darryl, was over the top. He did everything he could to make our experience a memorable, yet comfortable one. As I have thought about our dinner there that night, versus other Restaurant Week experiences, Darryl by far made the difference.

Restaurant Week first started at a variety of options with 3 for $30.00 being the high end.  Hall’s and a few other restaurants have morphed this into 3 for $40.00.  Knowing the typical food cost for steak, it’s understandable, but little by little this event is starting to give me the feeling of ‘sticker shock’.

Three of the four of us ordered the 3 for $40.00 selections.  It included an appetizer, dinner and dessert.  As I “point around” on Weight Watchers during Restaurant Week I ordered the special, stuffed flounder without a  salad or dessert.  We were incredibly tempted however, to order the Fried Brie appetizer special that was served with Heirloom tomatoes, and it was simply fabulous.

Somehow in a world of ‘no substitutions’ the three folks that ordered the 3 for $40.00 meals were able to substitute the chopped salad (my husband’s favorite), for the simple greens salad that was offered. He rationalized that both salads on the menu were the same price, so “Why not?”  Well done.

The entrees were spot on.  Three Filets were cooked exactly  as ordered, no if ands or buts.  Accompanied by mashed potatoes and summer squash they were simple, yet delicious.  My Stuffed Flounder served with butter beans and broccolini (my substitute for grits), was outstanding. It was also lunch the next day. 

Chocolate Pate

Southern Strawberry Shortcake

The desserts chosen were the Chocolate Pate and the Southern Strawberry Shortcake.  Only I had the lone non-point empty plate for dessert, and was content with dinner and did not want anything else.  I have to mention that we were having such a great time and the food was so good we actually forgot to take pictures until dessert arrived.

Throughout our meal Darryl stopped by and was truly charming and gracious.  When I substituted the broccolini for grits he later came back and asked me why I didn’t want to order the grits.  He mentioned that his “real treat” during the week was having dinner with his mom on Sundays and that grits were her specialty.  Although I haven’t acquired a taste for them, the conversation alone made me want to join him with his mom one Sunday and give it a go.

This personalized service and excellent food sets Hall’s apart from the competition.  By far this is my favorite restaurant in Charleston.  But $22.00 for Fried Brie?  Really?

We gave Halls Chophouse 5 out of a possible 5 plates.

Read more »

Charleston Restaurant Week September 7th – 18th, 2011

Charleston Restaurant Week kicks off this week with over 100 restaurants.

                                 

WHAT:                    The 4^th Installment of Charleston Restaurant Week is September 7^th – 18^th.  All restaurants participating will offer prix fixe menus of 3 items for $20, $30 or $40.  Below are all the participating restaurants. 3 for $20 Restaurants:  Caliente Lowcountry Mexican, Charleston Crab House, Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House at Osprey Point, Firewater Grille, Fish, Gilligan’s, Hyman’s, Iacofano’s, J. Paulz, Juanita Greenberg’s, Locklear’s, Noisy Oyster, North Towne Grill, Old Towne Grill, Queen Anne’s Revenge, Southend Brewery, Sunfire Grill, Swamp Fox Restaurant at the Francis Marion Hotel, Tabbuli, Toast, Tsunami Downtown, Vespa, Viriginia’s on King, Wild Wing Café, Yokoso and Zeus Grill.  3 for $30 Restaurants: 17 North, 39 Rue de Jean, 82 Queen, Amen Street & Raw Bar, Anson, Atlanticville, Bambu, Barbadoes Room @ The Mills House Hotel, Blossom, Blu, Bocci’s, Chai’s Lounge, Cork Neighborhood Bistro, Cypress, Eagle’s Nest Pub at RiverTowne Country Club,  Eurasia Wine Bar & Café, Fat Hen, Fleet Landing, Fulton Five, High Cotton, Huck’s Lowcountry Table, II Cortile Del Re, Jacob’s Kitchen, La Fourchette, Lana, Magnolia’s, Middleton Place Restaurant, Muse, O-Ku, Oak Steakhouse, Old Village Post House, Opal, Osteria La Bottiglia, Poogan’s Porch, Red Drum, Red’s Ice House, Roadside Kitchen, Saffire Restaurant at Charleston Marriott, Shem Creek Bar & Grill, SNOB, Social, The Atlantic Room at The Ocean Course, The Boathouse at Breach Inlet, Jasmine Porch at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, The Library Restaurant at Vendue Inn, The Palm Tree Grille at The Embassy Suites, Tomasso at Turtle Point, Trattoria Lucca, Tristan and Wentworth Grill. 3 for $40 Restaurants: Carolina’s, Charleston Grill, Grill 225, Hall’s Chophouse, Langdon’s, McCrady’s, The Ocean Room at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Golf Resort and  Woodlands Inn-The Dining Room. To view the menus please visit www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com.

WHEN:                    Wednesday, September 7^th – Sunday, September 18th

WHERE:                  All over the Lowcountry: Summerville, North Charleston, James Island, John’s Island, Downtown, Folly Beach, Daniel Island, Kiawah/Seabrook, Mt. Pleasant and Isle of Palms.

Read more »

Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q, N. Charleston, SC

Dieting And BBQ - It Can Be Done

One might say that attempting an outlet mall on a holiday weekend is crazy, and after stopping at Tanger Outlet this weekend, I would agree. The sales were great though and we couldn’t resist.  After we shopped ‘til we dropped, it was time to find a place for lunch – Yahoo!

I must admit that I have started a diet.  I’ve decided that my eating habits could be a lot better and that my waistline could follow suit.  When I was thinking about this I thought, “When is a good time to start a diet?”  This weekend is Labor Day, this week I am also traveling all week on business, next weekend we’re hitting a few restaurants for restaurant week, the following week I have a business luncheon to attend, and then I travel again for another full week, then it’s my birthday, then it’s Thanksgiving, then it’s Christmas, and did I mention New Year’s Eve.  No time like the present to get this diet party started.

Front View Jim 'N Nicks

My husband picked the restaurant for lunch.  Thankfully it wasn’t Five Guys, as that’s too tempting, but running a very close second was Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q just outside of the Tanger Outlets.  Great, just great. I was determined to get in and out of Jim ‘N Nick’s with my diet unscathed.

Entering the building it felt a lot different than the King Street location, which I really like. In doing some research about Jim ‘N Nick’s after our meal I found out that they are a restaurant chain of 27 locations, with their 28^th on the way. It felt like a chain restaurant, but the hickory smoke wafting through the building made me think that we were still in the midst of some great ‘Q.

As I glanced over the menu it became difficult to select something that wasn’t going to break the bank of my diet.  I started to veer toward the “grilled” section and asked the bartender a few questions about the menu. 

Inside Jim & Nicks

I was surprised that nowhere in the restaurant can you find any nutritional information about their menu items.  This is required now in several states, (MA, NY, CA to name a few), and is something that’s on the horizon and during this particular lunch, would have been appreciated. 

I asked the bartender if he would recommend the Grilled Catfish or the Grilled Chicken. I was surprised to hear that the Grilled Catfish was one of their largest selling items. It was served to two side dishes, all of which looked terrific – Mac ’n cheese, cole slaw, fries, but my food mouse went for the daily vegetable. Finding out that it was Black Eyed Peas had me go back to the menu for further review.

Our very helpful bartender recommended that I sub a salad for the two sides, which I did, with the salad dressing on the side.  My husband ordered the Pulled Pork Sandwich and I was past envious, but I stayed the course.  The bartender then came back to us and said, “Since you were concerned about calories I was going to put in an order of cheese biscuits for you, but would you like to pass?”  No… but we did.  Did you know their biscuits are award winning? 

Our lunch was out in no time and just as we had ordered.  My side salad was topped with cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese, croutons  and real bacon.  Most of which were cast to the side, but the small taste of bacon that I did have was awesome!  In reviewing their website this morning I found out that EVERYTHING is made from scratch and in-house.  No BacOs at this BBQ joint.

Side Salad

My catfish was perfectly cooked and had a light hickory smoke scent to it.  I dabbed it with a bit of their hot barbecue sauce and it couldn't be beat.

Grilled Catfish

My husband’s Pulled Pork sandwich was good, but the fries sat in the window far too long, which was disappointing. After all, isn't a French Fry the thing you eat first when your sandwich is served? 

Pulled Pork Sandwich

At the end of our meal I asked the bartender what the catfish filets weighed. I had been served two and eaten one.  He said that they were 6 ounce filets and asked if I wanted to take the other one home, which I did.  It was lunch the next day.

My moral here is that you really want to stay on a diet when dining out, you can.  Let’s see if it holds true when we venture to Grill 225, Charleston Grill and Hall’s Chophouse to celebrate restaurant week this weekend. 

We gave Jim 'N Nicks 4 out of a possible 5 plates. 

Read more »