May 11th, 2021

82 Queen, Charleston, South Carolina, Restaurant, Review, Lowcountry Cuisine, Historic Charleston, Good Food, Will Travel, Spring Travel

Charleston, South Carolina is known for its Lowcountry cuisine. This type of cooking has influences from the coast and from soul food. Classics like the she-crab soup and the shrimp and grits are some of the offerings I taste as I go from one restaurant to another. Which one is best? As you know that is so personal but so is a blog. My personal experiences!!

Lunch at 82 Queen in Charleston in early March was memorable because of those 2 dishes I mentioned above.

The restaurant is located at 82 Queen Street. http://www.82queen.com

It opened in 1982 and it is considered one of Charleston’s oldest restaurants.

March is a great time of the year in Charleston. Cooler evenings and days are warm, perfect for enjoying an outdoor lunch.

Starting with the French 75. Love this cocktail. I wanted made with Courvoisier because it makes such a difference. Very refreshing.

I was recommended to have the Queen’s Salad which was a mixture of lettuce, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, sweet corn, field peas, apple wood bacon, hard boiled egg, with a cheddar, buttermilk herb dressing. Starting with a salad and a cocktail, it is perfect for me.

They have been serving the She Crab Soup probably since the restaurant opened so there is perfection in its taste. Here, in Delaware, I don’t see this soup in restaurants. You use the female crab for this tasty soup.

Best of the several ones tasted I decided to look for their recipe. I think I found it and here it goes.

1 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped carrots

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 stick plus 2 tablespoons butter divided

1/2 cup of flour

3 cups milk

1 cup heavy cream

2 cups fish stock or water and fish base

1/4 lb. crab roe

1 lb. white crabmeat

1/4 sherry

1 tablespoon Tabasco or your preferred hot sauce

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.

Lightly saute celery, carrots and onion in 2 tablespoons of butter. In a separate pot, melt remaining 1 stick of butter; stir in the flour to make a roux. Whisk in milk and cream until smooth. Bring to a boil. Add sauteed veggies and remaining ingredients. Simmer 20 minutes. Serve and garnish with sherry.

This soup has the consistency of a bisque. The recipe came from Great American Publishers.

The other dish we had was one that has also been made in this restaurant forever. Their Barbeque Shrimp & Grits. Shrimp, stone ground grits, a bourbon-barbeque sauce, applewood baon, cheddar, and scallions.

On this particular trip the Fried Green Tomatoes were offered as starters but I can tell you that if you like to share this one is a nice big portion. I ate it all. It was my total favorite.

Pimento cheese, a must, stone ground-grits the best partner, and tomato bacon jam. The best.

So if you decide to take a trip to Charleston check these restaurants here on AboutMyBeaches. You can put Charleston on the search and see if some of them catch your interest.

AboutMyBeaches has a FB page.

March 12th, 2015

Pure Southern Comfort, Jestine’s Kitchen, Charleston, South Carolina, All Things Southern, Fried Chicken? “Gotta Have It” All Local!!

I really like my accountant, Rich.  He is the one that first sent me to check out Jestine’s Kitchen.  He said it would be worth the wait.  No waiting was necessary because we arrived fashionably late.

Jestine’s Kitchen is located at 251 Meeting St.  Tel. 843-722-7224  Website?  http://www.jestineskitchen.com This restaurant is one of the top 50 best fried chicken restaurants in the U.S.

I did not even have to read the menu….fried chicken is all I wanted.  Our table was comfortable, the service was prompt and the atmosphere was quiet at the time.

The restaurant pays homage to Jestine Matthews who worked for the Ellison family back in the day.  The owner is the grandchild of the Ellisons.  Jestine’s Kitchen invites customers to take a seat and enjoy good home cooking.

On the table the pickled cukes had a kick to them.

Local beer was ordered. Palmetto Brewery is a small brewery in Charleston, located at 289 Huger St.  Check http://www.palmettobrewery.com if you want to know more about them, taste or see what events are on the schedule.

The Charleston Lager on the left is a classic American lager, the perfect Lowcountry beer.  It is good while enjoying an oyster roast, bratwurst, soups, salads….light cheeses too.  The Amber Ale on the right is their flagship beer.  It pairs well with a variety of dishes, including chocolate chip cookies and dessert pastries.  I don’t think I have paired beer with cookies and pastries but when you think about it, why not?

Flour, water, salt, chicken and lard are just the beginnings.  Some people soak their chicken in buttermilk.  Two orders of the fried chicken, please.  The sides?  Collard Greens and Okra Gumbo….OMG!!

Look at the chicken.  It was crispy and moist.  Believe it or not….and picking the chicken with my fingers….they were not greasy!!

The collard greens also had a bit of a kick.  The okra gumbo was well seasoned.

My cousin Maru wanted something simple like grilled chicken breasts and mashed potatoes….not me, I wanted it complicated.  No room for dessert.

Jestine’s Kitchen opens Tuesday to Thursdays from 11 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.  Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 9 .m.

I know that locals have their favorites….George, if you are reading this post, where did you say your favorite was?

Talk to you later. Have a good one!!