Two Boroughs Larder, Charleston, SC

Interesting Name, Interesting Restaurant

When people find out that I write this blog they usually ask me two questions.  What’s my favorite restaurant (currently The Grocery) and have you been to… and they name their favorite place.

In the course of about two weeks five people have mentioned Two Boroughs Larder, a restaurant that opened last August just outside of King Street.  All of them have said, “You’d love it there.”  So this was our restaurant of choice for a quick bite before a neighborhood event this evening. 

The restaurant is easy to find on Coming Street but parking is next to nothing.  We circled a few times and then found a spot.  We were lucky because it was Saturday and the Residential Parking only is lifted. 

About the name which to me is a bit confusing.  They are close to two Boroughs in Charleston, Cannonborough and Elliotborough.  Okay, that part is pretty easy, but what’s with the Larder?  In sleuthing a “Larder” on Webster.com was defined as a “Cooling area to store food prior to use.  Larders were commonplace in houses before the widespread use of refrigerators.  Mystery solved.  Interesting stories but nowhere in the restaurant were these fun facts displayed and I think that could add value to your visit.

One site called the design of the restaurant “Industrial Chic” which I thought is spot on.  Refurbished wood and steel are creatively used to form tables, their “Family Table”, the bar and its stools.  Kitschy, but it works very well.

The owners also are all about sourcing local foods and respecting the food that they source, which is nothing new here in the Low Country, but still appreciated.

On this lazy Saturday we walked in for a very late lunch and there were a few people seated in the various tables.  We were told to sit where we wanted and got a great table by the window.  Our server quickly stopped by. 

No generic “diet coke” at this place.  I ordered a crafted lo-cal root beer and my husband got a Mexican Coca-Cola.  ‘Don’t know why the funky drinks, but they were good nonetheless.

There were two menus on the day we arrived.  A small, five item brunch menu and their regular, all-day menu.  Both were very interesting.  No meat and potatoes at this place!!  The menu is a unique combination of creative and just over the edge.

We took the recommendation of our server who recommended the Carbonara (only served with Brunch), and the Chicken Skin Fried Rice.  How unique is that??

And then we waited. And waited. And waited.  I don’t know how we get so lucky but with so few people in the restaurant, three line cooks on in a very tiny kitchen (visible from the dining room), why would lunch ever have to take 30-35 minutes?? It did though, unfortunately.

When it finally arrived the server said, “The kitchen says their sorry for the delay.”  Thank you, I thought, but after all this time this lunch better rock.

The Chicken Skin Fried Rice with Szechuan peppercorns, fried farm egg, Palmetto sweets, Mepkin Abbey mushrooms, peanut puree, Carolina Gold Rice and Togarashi (a Japanese Chili Sauce) was outstanding.  Crispy skins mixed with dark meat chicken and richly seasoned.  A real treat.  Then there was my dish.

Chicken Skin Fried Rice 

Carbonara

I was so disappointed. Carbonara is one of my favorite dishes and I rarely order it since it’s so laden with calories.  The server spoke so highly of it I couldn’t resist.  The last time I had it was in the North End in Boston, a true Italian section of the city and I can still remember it.

Meet & Eat Event

This Carbonara was made with Bucatini pasta (a thick spaghetti-like pasta), bacon and Grana Padao Cheese.  Right away it looked puny. Not for nothing but for $15.00 give a sister some pasta, this bowl was skimpy.

All in all the pasta was cooked perfectly but the sauce lacked flavor and it was very, very thin.  Slices of uncooked, unappetizing garlic dotted the bowl. I had to get up to find our server to ask for some salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese.  I thought that it would help, but in hindsight it wasn’t much of an improvement.

I didn’t ask to have it “fixed” as I thought that this was their recipe and I would just get another duplicate version.

All ‘n all I liked Two Boroughs Larder and will give it another chance.  The atmosphere is funky and the service was good.  I just know to avoid the Carbonara.

They are having a dinner on April 11^th which is 5 courses for $55, which actually sounds interesting and something that we might try. 

We gave 2 Boroughs Larder 3 out of a possible 5 plates.

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Hank’s Seafood Restaurant, Charleston, SC

5 Star Seafood
Although I realize that we live in a city with a never ending supply of great, not just good, but great restaurants every once and awhile one of them surprises me and reminds me of just what makes up a great dining experience.  Hank’s did just that the other night.

Designed to look like a Charleston Fish House of the 1940’s Hank’s Seafood Restaurant is as charming as it gets.   We have not been to Hank’s in about eight years when we first started to visit Charleston.   I remember that we liked it, but that was about it.  After reading an article in Southern Living Magazine that featured Hank’s it made me want to return. The photos of their food were so inviting.

We arrived for our 6:45 reservation and were very thankful that we had called ahead. The place was PACKED with a line out the door.  We were quickly escorted to our table and had a few minutes to people watch as we waited for our server to arrive.

Our server was knowledgeable and helpful as he walked us through the menu and told us of the evening’s specials.

Although not a particularly large restaurant it has a great energy and feel to it.  It’s not a quiet restaurant by any stretch of the word, but that was something that quite frankly, I liked about it.

Our appetizers were out in no time and they were great.  We were having dinner with a couple that likes to sample many things so this course was for us, almost like a tapas meal, which was a treat. 

Belgian Endive Salad with Blue Cheese 

The Belgian Endive Salad with Blue Cheese, Arugula and Beets was absolutely beautiful and it tasted great.  I personally love beets, but they are not a household favorite, so it’s nice to have them when I can.

Crispy Rock Shrimp and Calamari 

The Crispy Rock Shrimp and Calamari with Spicy Tomato Remoulade Sauce were cooked perfectly.  Lightly battered, crispy as described and oh, so tender.  The “spicy” sauce was not-so-spicy but we liked it nonetheless.

Oyster Sampler  

The Oyster Sampler with local and oysters from North Carolina and Washington State was a nice surprise.  I like oysters, but don’t love them.  These however were delicious.  Small, sweet and tender.  It was at this point that I was very hopeful that dinner would be great. 

White Bean Soup of the Day 

The White Bean Soup of the Day was really something.  Filled with veggies in a light broth and very tasty.  Boy, had we picked a winner for a restaurant this evening.

Dinner arrived and it was spectacular.  I had the evening’s dinner special which was monk fish served in a light broth with a variety of beans, mussels and shrimp.  The fish was perfectly cooked and the broth and its’ accompaniments were just delightful.  As I think of the dish it alone makes me want to go back to the restaurant…

monk fish 

My husband had the Curried Shrimp.  I don’t care for curry that much so it rarely makes an appearance in our kitchen.  He loved this dish!  It was a coconut/curry sauce with bananas, mango, leeks, and sweet onion served over delicate white rice.  The tails had been removed from the shrimp making it less work to enjoy.    Despite my aversion to curry, I did give this dish a try and really liked it. It had a nice balance of spices and a hint of curry.  Maybe I should rethink curry after all…

Curried Shrimp

The Roast Grouper dish was not available (out of season) and had been replaced with triggerfish served over Pea and Lobster Risotto with a Shrimp Basil Butter Jus.  As much as I liked my entrée I had entrée envy.  This dish was to die for.  The fish was cooked perfectly and the risotto was a masterpiece. Simply perfect.

Roasted Grouper

I did not taste the Pan Seared Sea Scallops but they were a hit with the rest of the table.  Served with Shitake Mushrooms, Seasonal Greens, Fried Mashed Potatoes (maybe I should have had those…), and a Ginger Lime Coriander Vinaigrette everyone thought that they were terrific.  Large, plump scallops that were impeccably cooked dotted the plate. Everyone raved about them.

Pan Seared Scallops

I really can’t find one thing that I didn't like about Hank’s.  The service, atmosphere and menu items were simply stellar.  Can’t wait to return.  

We gave Hank's 5 out of a possible 5 plates.

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Morgan Creek Grill, Isle of Palms, SC

Location, Location, That's About It....

I have to say that the Morgan Creek Grill Brunch had tremendous potential.  It was a gorgeous day, they are located on a beautiful, waterfront spot and we were with good friends.  And then, we ate there.

Our visit started a bit bumpy.  We arrived at noon for brunch and were told that there was a 20 minute wait, not bad.  The wait went on to 35 minutes though, and get this… there were 15 open tables.

So I of course, have to inquire.  I said, “If there are 15 open tables why have we been waiting for 35 minutes.”  THEN the hostess begins this wacky explanation.  “It’s our service philosophy.” She said.  I said, “It’s your philosophy to make people wait when they shouldn’t have to? It appears that you’re understaffed.”  The servers that were on were running around like mad for a restaurant that wasn’t busy.

She then tells me that if I’d like further clarification regarding their ‘philosophy’ that I could talk to a manager.  Since she had given me a ton of attitude, I decided to see what the manager would say.

I posed the same question and was met with a quick, “I have reservations for all of these tables.”  “All of them?” I asked.  She said “Yes”.  I told her that I was glad that business was so good and that that she was still understaffed and they were in my opinion on a false wait.  Just sayin’.

We were finally seated at a great table that had a tremendous water view.  We then waited 10 minutes for our server to arrive and when she did she was no picnic.

We ordered a few beverages and she scampered off to get them.  After quite a wait she returned with half of them.  Apparently six drinks on a tray was her tipping point.  We waited a bit more for the rest to arrive.  It was at this time that I had ZERO confidence in our brunch being anything but just OK.

Bloody Mary Bar

We placed our order and enjoyed the view and the company of our friends. Tick Tock… 25 minutes later our brunch arrived.  Although 25 minutes doesn't sound like a long time, the restaurant was barely half full.  Those “reservations” for the cast of Ben Hur never materialized. 

The kid’s meals, chicken fingers and a hot dog were enjoyed, but there’s really not much you can do to mess up those meals.  The Swiss and mushroom omelet with grits was a fan favorite. The cheeseburger that was explained to be cooked medium to medium well was over well done.  The Filet Benedict was also tasty, but way past the medium temp which was ordered.  Apparently the only temperature that the broil cook can muster is well done.

Swiss & Mushroom Omelet

Cheese Burger

Filet Benedict

And then there was my sandwich.  A very dead-sat-in-the-window-too-long Reuben with cold fries.  I know that I often get comments that I should speak of at the time of the issue, but I felt it would really put a damper on the meal. At certain times some things are better left unsaid.

Reuben

Morgan Creek Grill still remains to be a place with incredible views, so come for that and hope for the best with food. 

We gave Morgan Creek Grill 3 out of a possible 5 plates.

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Heirloom Eats, Mt. Pleasant, SC

Great Recovery Just A Bit Too Late 

Heirloom Eats is a new restaurant (opened in December ) and is located in the Mount Pleasant Town Center next to Five Guys.

I have to say that I love to see a local guy or gal do well in a restaurant endeavor, so we thought we’d give it a go and hoped for the best.

We arrived at about 7:00 on a Friday night and we were one of two tables. Not a good sign, but in the spirit of March Madness, we decided to give it the old college try.

Inside Heirloom Eats

Our server was friendly and knowledgeable and the restaurant itself is quite pleasant featuring mason jars throughout – lights, garnishes, pickled items, etc. Cute.

The menu is creative and they offer many blackboard specials. I went for one of the blackboard items, a tossed salad with local greens, herbs, watermelon radishes and fried cheese. My husband selected the slow braised pork belly over jalapeno creamed corn and lemon arugula salad. That dish sounded very intriguing.

Here’s where it started to go south. Don’t forget that there we were one of TWO tables in the restaurant… My salad was overdressed and over-herbed which was a shame. Although the fried cheese was tasty it was cold and when I inquired if it was supposed to be hot the server said, “Yes”. Not so much.

tossed salad with local greens, herbs, watermelon radishes and fried cheese 

slow braised pork belly over jalapeno creamed corn and lemon arugula salad 

The pork belly was served over the creamed corn in a crock. For someone that NEVER complains about meals this was one that was a challenge for my husband. The thing that both dishes had in common was that they were both bland, zero flavors. If there was jalapeno in the cream corn it was overpowered by the cream and the lemon arugula never came through at all.

When our server delivered our meals they looked appetizing with an aesthetically pleasing presentation. My Mahi however, smelled so fishy that I was a bit overpowering. It was served with an interesting combo of jasmine rice, corn and spinach, and a spicy carrot relish, “it could have been a contendah.” Unfortunately the rice was undercooked and the dish itself was lukewarm. How does this happen when there are four people in the restaurant for goodness sake?

Mahi

Slow Braised Short Ribs

The Slow Braised Short Ribs served over a pistachio, white bean and dumpling ragout sounded terrific, but again failed to deliver. The ribs (in this case singular) were tepid and the ragout was a cool, lumpy, flavorless mess.

A gentleman that we believe to be the chef stopped by to see what we thought about our dinner. Our comments were honest, but probably not what he wanted to hear. We explained that the meal, while appealing to the eye, was extremely bland and lacked even the basics for seasoning. He was very apologetic and offered to bring us new meals. At this point we were almost finished with our meals so we declined the generous offer. When the check was delivered he had taken ½ off our meal, which was really not necessary, but certainly appreciated.

I thought, overall dinner was a bit pricey (no drinks, $59.00 plus tip ($12.00)) and not a great value. We’re most likely not going to run back there anytime soon, but I wish them well.

We gave Heirloom Eats 2 out of a possible 5 plates.

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Iacofano’s, Mt. Pleasant, SC

What A Pleasant Surprise - Love The New Look & Menu

It’s funny… every once and awhile a restaurant in the Low Country surprises me.  Our visit to Iacofano’s last night did just that and what a pleasant surprise it was. 

Iaocfano’s has been newly renovated, a fresh coat of paint, some new furnishings, etc.  I have to say that the changes are noteworthy.  We were there during restaurant week in January and unfortunately our experience wasn’t a great one.  The place was dated and the food just OK.  Not so last night!

We noticed through their website that they were advertising a 3 for $30.00 menu to promote their new changes.  We found out that this is only offered Monday through Thursday during the month of March. No problem, their menu is moderately priced and the entrees are worth the money.

We met some friends of ours for a casual Friday night dinner.  I was just expecting a so-so experience but the company is always great so it really wouldn’t have mattered that much.

Our server explained that this was the first night of their new menu.  They’re changing the menu seasonally now. We asked what he would recommend for starters.  He quickly rattled off a number of things, all of which sounded interesting. We decided to take his lead and ordered the Grilled Calamari and the House Made Mozzarella as appetizers.

Hand Made Mozzarella

This part of our meal was spectacular.  The House Made Mozzarella was accompanied with grilled Roma tomatoes and freshly made pesto.  I have heard that a great, `fresh made mozzarella should feel as soft as “mouse ears” and this dish definitely delivered.  The warm, grilled focaccia was also a delightful touch and we all tried to “sop up” the pesto with the bread that they had originally served to the table that was tremendous.

The Grilled Calamari was an interesting spin on an old favorite.  The combination of grilled (not fried), calamari, pickled cherry peppers, Sicilian oregano and sweet chili threads gave this dish an incredible, subtle heat that really enhanced the dish.

Grilled Calamari

Since our appetizers were such a win we decided to ask our server what he would recommend for dinner.  He suggested the pork chop, the hanger steak and the local flounder.  We took the bait and ordered each of these dishes.

I have to say that I can’t cook a pork chop on a dare.  I don’t know what it is, but it is either delivered as a raw science project or a brick. So I was the one that ordered the pork chop, just to see what would happen. 

Perfection is an understatement.  The server mentioned that the chef recommended that it be served medium, so seeing that my history with chops is poor at best, I went with his recommendation.

Although the restaurant was fairly busy our meals were served quickly.  Chef John Iacofano actually delivered our meals with a few of his team members.  I was impressed. He again stopped by to see if we were enjoying our dinner, which we were.

Grilled Pork Chop

My pork chop was fabulous – lightly seasoned, tender as can be, just wonderful.  Although I’m not a big spinach fan their sautéed spinach was great.  A bit of garlic and a bit of spice made the dish very enjoyable.  Unfortunately the oven roasted potatoes were a tad too roasted, but tasted good nonetheless.

Hanger Steak

The guys both enjoyed their hanger steak dishes. Both dishes were cooked perfectly.  The hangar steak was served over polenta which is not one of my husband’s favorites. He’s not a fan because it’s usually either grainy or pasty.  Tonight it was creamy, soft and delicate.  The only issue with the dish was the rather large sautéed onion that was on the side of the polenta.  It seemed out of place for the dish.

Flounder

The local flounder was beautiful.  Lightly battered, tender and served with a unique slaw and pea risotto – it won rave reviews. 

All in our dinner was much better than we anticipated.  We will definitely be back and wish them well on their new look and menu.  

We gave Iacofano's 4 out of a possible 5 plates.




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