March 8th, 2015
 
It was gray in Charleston, raining too. But, taking off for a walk after we had just arrived on Monday was a must. Passing by St. Michael’s Church we were inspired by this building to go in. This is a National Historic Landmark. St. Michael’s Church is located at 71 Broad St. Tel. 843-723-0603. Website? http://www.stmichaelschurch.net. St. Michael’s Church is one of the few city churches in America that has retained its original design.
Steeples can be seen throughout the City of Charleston. Buildings cannot be built taller than the tallest steeple, which I believe is St. Philip’s Church.
I don’t know about you but regardless of my church affiliation, I do go and visit churches anywhere I find myself. And most of the time I drop something in the prayer request box. I feel I am all covered….having all pray for me.
Catholics were the last ones to arrive in Charleston, South Carolina. The building where St. Michael’s Church stands is the oldest church edifice in the City, dating to 1680. This was, originally, the site of the first Anglican Church south of Virginia. The church got too small for its congregation and then moved a few times. St. Philip’s…more on that church later on. The structured of the building has seen practically little change.
St. Michael’s Church is gorgeous and that day’s docent was so nice. Even with his disabilities he was able to tell us so much about the church. But, did not give him a break when he thought I was my cousin’s mother. Oh, he said….I see the resemblance. We laughed!!
From the photo above, you can take notice of the wood used….the pews are of native cedar and are pretty much the same as they have always been. The chandelier was ordered from London in 1803 and at the time it was lighted first with candles, then with gas and now it is electrified.
The altar is magnificent and it is also Victorian. The chancel rail is wrought iron and dates to 1772. It is considered a fine example of English hand work of the period. It was the first important piece of wrought iron to be imported to Charleston. And, the chairs were purchased by the Vestry in 1817.
The “Governor’s Pew” is No. 43. It is the one in which President George Washington worshipped on Sunday afternoon on May 8, 1791. General Robert E. Lee also worshipped in that pew some 70 years later. And, I believe, Lafayette also worshipped here, as well.
The organ was installed in 1768. St. Michael’s had one of the first choirs of surpliced boys in the country, going back as far as 1794. The surplice is a tunic of white linen or cotton fabric, reaching to the knees or ankles. It also has wide sleeves.
Most of the churches in Charleston have a cemetery attached to them. There are even tours that take you through these last resting places.
In this particular cemetery there are 2 signers of the U.S. Constitution buried; Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and Presidential Candidate John Rutledge.
Have a great Sunday!!
March 7th, 2015
So many restaurants to pick from in Historic Charleston. The Peninsula Grill opened in 1997. Tried and true recipes have been served for many years. The service always attentive. The restaurants has received plenty of accolades. Their ingredients are sourced locally and globally.
Peninsula Grill is located at 112 North Market St., Tel. 843-723-0700. Website? http://www.peninsulagrill.com.
Everywhere we went…you know how it is, we would all start talking about food. Well, it was said that we needed to try the Coconut Cake at Peninsula Grill. Even if you don’t eat there, take a seat at the bar and have dessert. I’m like, what it’s going on with this cake? How about the food? So we got curious. Off we went to Peninsula Grill to see what all the talk was about.
Late dinner, which was good, because I could take the time with some interior photos. The restaurant is elegant and if you look closely you will notice tha the walls are covered in suede.
Our bread arrived in one of the Sweet Grass baskets that are indigenous to the area. Warm it was.
The trip to Charleston was shared with my cousins…3 of us at the table for dinner. Our dishes were so different but as I write tonight I remember saying that everything was really soooo good. I am getting hungry just thinking about it.
First Course:
Classic Steak Tartare with Petite Parmesan and Frisee Salad and Rye Croutons.
A Wild Mushroom Bisque topped with Gruyere and Truffle Crumb.
My Seared Foie Gras with Duck BBQ, Black Pepper Biscuit and Carolina Peach Jam….rich, buttery and delicate.
Main Course:
Grilled Berkshire Pork Chop with Aged Gouda Grits, Fresh Asparagus, and Honey Bourbon Jus. Perfectly cooked, so juicy.
The Grilled Salmon with Roasted Garlic Sauteed Spinach was also well received.
Look at my Pan Seared Carolina Trout….it tasted just as good as it looked.
Dessert:
Personally, I usually do not order cake. I love custards, creme brulee, a cheesecake…you understand, right? So here we were when we were offered the Coconut Cake that has been served to so many customers. By the way, you can have a whole cake sent FedEx to your doorstep. It weighs about 12 pounds. If you are interest please visit their website.
Besides the Coconut Cake we also ordered the key lime tart. One dessert is never enough, really?
The three of us, unanimously, said….we like the cake but we love the tart!! It is really a personal preference.
Bobby Flay had a Coconut Cake Throwdown….and, who won? That’s for me to know and for you to find out.
Have a good one!!
March 7th, 2015
You know, I cannot understand how I have been shopping all my life, and still have nothing to wear!
If my posts this week are from Charleston, South Carolina, is because I was there for a whole week. So much to learn about this Historic City. Southern Living Magazine’s March issue says that there is no better time than to be in Charleston at this time of the year. I was just a little too early. Nothing in bloom and a little cold. They told us that the best months are March, April, May and October. Nevertheless, my cousin and I managed to take advantage of our time….including stopping at some of the shops.
 
I am ready for summer weather. Living in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, our style is very Relaxed and Coastal Chic. And, so we found Lori & Lulu located at 231 King Street in Charleston. King St. is known as the Fashion District of Charleston, but plenty of other streets offer shops and galleries that appeal to every visitor.
 
Charleston, Amelia Island and Raleigh, that’s where you can find Lori & Lulu. Focusing on the shop in Charleston, the tel. is 843-579-9295. For the latest shopping events, please find them on all social media outlets, including Facebook. The website is not completely set up, but you can click on http://www.lorilulu.com, and find out what brands they carry and other info. Best would be to check them on Facebook as mentioned above. Like something? Call them up.
The Charleston store opened last year. Some of the articles mentioned that it is a crossover store, that it serves women that want to wear stylish clothing at any age. I found it to be so. There is something for everyone, including some bubbles for your pet.
 
Southern hospitality was extended to us everywhere we went. And the ladies at Lori & Lulu were great. Very friendly, knowing their products so well.
Let’s go shopping! The importance of the right accessories. They can either make or break what you are wearing.
Arm Candy:
Jewelry:
 
Looking forward to Summer!!
 
 
Stores are opening soon in Charleston….Great to visit a city that has it all. Have fun!!
March 6th, 2015
Jimmy Durante started as a piano bar player. Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” is based on his experiences as a piano bar player, as well. And, Andrea Bocelli, the famous Italian tenor played in a piano bar to pay for his singing lessons. Just a little trivia in order to start my post.
The Thoroughbred Club is a piano bar located inside Charleston Place at 205 Meeting Street in Historic Charleston, South Carolina. Tel. 843-722-4900 You can find it on Facebook.
They do offer afternoon tea and light music. During the evenings you will find Calvin (Deke) Taylor a.k.a. “The Entertainer” playing some pretty good jazz. It gets crowded. You can contact him at 843-554-4039 or his cell 843-822-0389. His website is http://www.calvindeketaylor.com. Click on it and check his videos.
The menu is light and just enough. Tapas style, grazing here or there.
While at Charleston Place you could have found us listening to his music in the evenings. It had a great beat. It was fun and entertaining. We ordered sliders, an artichoke dip and drinks.
Another night lollipop lamb chops, meatballs, cheeses and drinks.
Have a great week-end. Talk to you later.
March 6th, 2015
I don’t know about you but I am getting tired of seeing the above scenery on my deck. For many of us that live in Southern Delaware, the annual Chocolate Festival unofficially opens the season at the Beaches. It is a time to start fixing a few things so when visitors and guests arrive, sooner than you think, the beach towns will be good and ready for that special time of R & R and Summer Season 2015.
What I want to see is this. Greenery, warm breezes, and summer like weather.
Visitors to the 25th Annual Chocolate Festival which takes place on Saturday, March 7th, will be finding snow in Rehoboth Beach. Don’t get me wrong, this town is a year round resort and is waking up from a couple of months of downtime. Pooches and locals are looking forward to this summer scenery. I certainly am.
In the meantime, the annual Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Fesitval is turning 25 years old in 2015. To commemorate its silver anniversary, they will unveil an entirely new event this year. For the first time, attendees will enjoy chocolate treats by leading area professional chefs only. The festival will be held at The Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on Rehoboth Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach.
There will also be a new “VIP Tasting Ticket”. Only 200 “VIP Tickets” are available at $20 each, which includes Private Admission from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 25 Chocolate Tastes!!
General Admission Tickets are available from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. for $10, which includes 10 Chocolate Tastes. Children under 12 can purchase $5 Tickets which include 5 Chocolate Tastes. To purchase tickets online visit http://www.downtownrb.com, or stop by Snyder’s Candy at 60 Rehoboth Avenue.
Chefs will be competing in categories of Best: Brownie, Cake, Candy, Cookie, Pie, Other, and Showpiece.
Event proceeds benefit Rehoboth Beach Main Street (RBMS) and Friends of the Rehoboth Beach Library.
Questions? Please contact RBMS at 302-227-2772.
TGIF….Have a great week-end!
March 5th, 2015
 
Discovering Charleston at our own pace. Walking, dining, shopping and being just tourists is not a bad thing. I had being told that The Vendue’s Rooftop Bar offers great drinks and one such drink is the Lavender Martini. And, no we did not try it….maybe next time. What we did find is that this boutique hotel is the only hotel in Historic Charleston that is considered an Art Hotel. There are exhibits and even an Artist in Residence Program. The art is for sale. In the next photo if you can see it up close, the sculpture is made out of watches.
 
The Vendue is located in Charleston’s French Quarter at 19 Vendue Range and 26 Vendue Range. Yes, 2 properties one in front of the other. Tel. 843-577-7970 Website? http://www.thevendue.com There are 45 rooms at 19 Vendue Range and 39 guests rooms at 26 Vendue Range. These were warehouse buildings that date to 1780. The restaurant called The Drawing Room is elegant with the beautiful chandeliers that are seen all over Charleston.
Having a few drinks and then curious to see the art housed at The Vendue, we were invited to walk and admire the artwork.
This particular sculpture is made out of bullets.
Across the street the art exhibits continued.
Meet Fred Jamar, who at present and for months has been the Artist in Residence at The Vendue.
The photo above was taken by my cousin Maru….Fred graciously let us take photos. The one on the botton is from one of his paintings of Frat Houses on George St.. Oil on Canvas.
He is a Belgian Artist and will be the first one to tell you that his life has been a journey of discovery. He has been many things and has enjoyed them all. A very interesting life but he says that if he had to do it all over again…a painter always, he would have been.
To visit the studio or commission an oil painting you may call 843-762-5770 or email fredjamar@bellsouth.net. His website is http://www.fredpaintings.com. To buy a painting call or visit RLS on Queen St., Tel. 843-805-8052. Website http://www.rlsart.com.
Discovering Charleston….will continue later.
March 4th, 2015
 
Charleston in bloom. I want to see it. I guess I will have to go back.
“A good Cook is the peculiar gift of the gods. He must be a perfect creature from the brain to the palate, from the palate to the finger’s end.” walter savage landor
I found myself participating….oh yes, getting my hands dirty, in a cooking class. Charleston Cooks! is located at 194 East Bay St. Tel. 843-722-1212. Website? http://www.charlestoncooks.com Charleston Cooks! is a retail shop and a kitchen, where you can learn, share and enjoy. There were going to be 9 amateurs participating in a One Pot Wonder Cooking Class.
One pot recipes are perfect for a large group of guests. Take them to someone’s house as a gift. Or, prepare them ahead of time when there are not enough hours in the day to labor in the kitchen. Using fresh ingredients, easy recipes, and awesome seasonings. They work all the time.
Haley Gunther was our Chef and Josh was her Assistant. They were so gracious in welcoming us to their kitchen. They showed us tricks of the trade….I thought I knew some of them, but to tell you the truth I felt like a novice.
Haley encouraged us to read the recipes in front of us completely. There have been some classes where a new recipe was invented….you know, a little bit of this and too much of that. Tasting is very important.
The 9 of us gathered were from Hilton Head, Australia but living in New York, North Carolina, Delaware, and I believe Alabama. We quickly became friends with a common bond…cooking!
On the table Cream Cheese Apricot Jalapeno Jam and crostini. A little tasting before the class started.
We were going to be making 5 recipes. Cajun Jambalaya, Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole, Prosciutto and Spinach Lasagna, Chicken Country Captain, and for a sweet ending….a Raspberry Whipped Triffle. Needless to say, I am not posting those recipes at this time, but if you are interested let me know and post by post I will write them for you.
The mother and daughter team was split with the mother making the Triffle.
 
Her daughter and I were in charge of the Prosciutto and Spinach Lasagna. It turned out so well. Loved the prosciutto addition to the lasagna.
 
And look how pretty it turned out.
The Australians were having a ball….with Haley keeping a good watch on them…lol. They were responsible for the Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole. It seemed that both loved to cook but he mentioned that cooking at the end of the day was so relaxing for him.
Two pots with different groups cooking.
On the left the Chicken Country Captain was being prepared and on the right the Cajun Jambalaya was taking shape.
 Chicken Country Captain  Cajun Jambalaya Each of our plates looked beautiful. It’s all about Yum and our recipes turned out Yummy! Perfectly paired with Maverick Wines.
 
When we arrived the table was a blank canvass. We did not know each other. In a few hours we learned and cooked a meal and then we sat down to eat and chat. Pretty soon we knew about the ones that behives are a pastime, the others that love to travel, and the husband that mentioned to the Australians if they would be interested in seeing the destroyer….his wife gave him that look that said “what are you thinking!” Really, a destroyer on vacation? Anyway, laughter, and a good time are always priceless!! Thanks Haley and Josh!!!! Until next time.
 
For more information on cooking classes, please visit http://www.charlestoncooks.com/charleston/classes.
March 3rd, 2015
 Historic Charleston Charleston, S.C., is a good place to get “stuck” when your flight is canceled. I did not know I was going back to Charleston so quickly. How lucky, right?
So many restaurants have opened in Charleston since last year. It’s like you don’t know which one to choose….and then, everyone that has been to Charleston will tell you where to go, what to eat….don’t forget this or that. I am doing the same thing.
On my book there are 5 “ingredients” to a good restaurant: Culinary Competence, Quality of Ingredients, Ambiance, Service, and Price. Which means you want the best chefs or cooks, depending how you want to call yourselves, fresh ingredients, ambiance conducive to conversation, personal service and a good price. I found S.N.O.B.
 
Slightly North Of Broad, or, S.N.O.B., is located at 192 East Bay Street. Tel. 843-723-3424 Website? http://www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/slightlynorthofbroad. This restaurant is owned by the Maverick Southern Kitchen Group, with other restaurants such as High Cotton in Greenville, and Charleston, Old Village Post House in Mount Pleasant, and Charleston Cooks! They have gluten free menus available!!
I arrived at 11:50 a.m. I thought I would be the first one there. Oh, no. The dining room was full. Then, I was told that there was a seat available at the Chef’s Table. Are you kidding?…another lucky day. The dining room is an extension of the kitchen. The Chef’s Table is long and seats 6 guests. To my left there were 2 gentlemen, and to my right a couple who knew the Executive Chef, and another guest.
The corn bread was warm and came in a sweet grass basket. Perfect addition to my soup.
Checking out what everyone was having I noticed the huge portion of moist meatloaf. But, I wanted something different like their Curried Chickpea Soup with Cabbage and Currants. Totally delish, well seasoned and comforting.
I am always on a culinary journey. The blending of flavors get my tastebuds doing that je ne sais quai. Originally, I was going to order the fried chicken livers on grits…..then, my question was: What is your signature dish? No hesitation; the Maverick Shrimp & Grits. That did it. A signature dish that everyone comes to enjoy. I wanted it.
The gentleman on my left said to me that his hotel had said S.N.O.B. had the best shrimp and grits. So, check out my plate….shrimp, home sausage, country ham, freshy tomatoes, green onions, garlic and Geechie Boy yellow grits.
Geechie Boy Yellow Grits are ground in historic mills in Edisto Island, S.C…..Local!!
No dessert was necessary, I was totally satisfied……the gentleman at the end of the table…I believe his name was George was having a coconut ice cream, which he said was the best. He visits S.N.O.B. at least 3 times per week. He considers their cooking one of the best anywhere by far. That’s a local’s review for you.
Guilty…..the reason I was not having dessert is because I was going to a cooking class next door at Charleston Cooks in about an hour and a half. Yikes…
Note: The BB & T Charleston Wine & Food Festival is March 4th until the 8th…this coming week-end. It is in its 10th year. It celebrates Lowcountry Cuisine with James Beard Award winning chefs from around the country, as well as the region’s best. Please check http://www.charlestonwineandfood.com.
When is Spring getting here???
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