December 14th, 2015
Eating my way through Charleston. A friend that reads my posts told me she was not going to read them anymore. She was gaining weight just looking at some of the food. I arrived at Cypress which was across my hotel, The Vendue. This is a historic building….but practically a lot of the buildings in downtown Charleston are historic. The location? 167 East Bay Street. Website? http://www.cypresscharleston.com.
You may call for reservations at 843-727-0111. The Mezzanine Bar opens at 5:00 p.m. and the Dining Room opens at 5:30 p.m. You may also make reservations online. The above mentioned website is a wealth of information. You can also read about the chefs, and check out what events are going to be happening in 2016. They will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so please take a look in case you want to take advantage of a relaxing and delicious experience in dining.
Cypress is part of a group of restaurants…Magnolias, Blossom, and Artisan Meat Share. If you are visiting Charleston take a look at them, as well.
Taylor was my server and I have to give a loud shout to her. She knew the menu so well, having tasted most everything from the kitchen. I followed her advice and I could not have been happier.
A little wine and warm bread to the table. Not just a simple bread….the crust was well done and the inside was just perfect and so warm.
An appetizer of Sashimi Tuna & Oysters….what a great combination of flavors. Oysters are in season. It had a ginger-garlic glaze, and pineapple wasabi. Not only did they tasted delicious, the presentation was awesome.
For my entree I was looking at the Crisp Wasabi Tuna. Taylor told me that it was a signature dish, and one that is usually photographed in the magazines. I had to have it because it sounded perfect. The tuna had a crispy outside placed on carrots, turnips, radishes, edamame, shiitake mushrooms, and that fab ginger-garlic glaze once again. I could not get enough of it.
What could my sweet ending be? The Grand Marnier Souffle sounded decadent. It was brought to the table and when the Marnier creme anglaise was poured from above, I was just so happy to have had my camera ready!!
If dining or having drinks on the Mezzanine you will have an advantage bird’s eye view of the kitchen.
Once again many thanks to Taylor for taking care of me.
Eating by myself was just fine. “All four elements were happening in equal measure – the cuisine, the wine, the service, and the overall ambiance. It taught me that dining could happen at a spiritual level.” charlie trotter
March 8th, 2015
It is so still in my house you could hear a pin drop. I like it that way. I love Sundays….there is something magical about them. I decided to sit on my computer and continue posting on Charleston.
Prominent families in Charleston are of French Huguenot descent. On the Southeastern quarter of Charleston there is an area called the French Quarter. And, I am not sure if you have seen the beautiful Huguenot Church….it is truly so pretty. It is located at 136 Church St. The church opens its doors to worshipers of all Christian backgrounds. Tel. 843-722-4385. To know more about it, please visit http://www.huguenot-church.org/history.html.
The City of Charleston has diverse influences. With that in mind and strolling Historic Charleston in the evening my cousins and I arrived at Brasserie Gigi. It is located at 102 North Market St. Tel. 843-722-6393. Website? http://www.brasseriegigi.com. It had a good crowd and the menu looked interesting.
The Potage Parmentier or Potato Leek Soup was ordered…topped with chives and croutons. This soup was much welcomed….it was chilly that night.
Two orders of Mahi with potatoes. The fish was perfectly cooked.
And my Roasted Monkfish Bourride was outstanding….leeks, potatoes, parsley, thyme, lemon and white wine aioli.
Creme Brulee was our sweet ending…sharing at this point of our trip.
What’s excellent about Historic Charleston is that you can walk everywhere. And you have to….all this dining and wining can get anyone in trouble.
Note: Brasserie Gigi is open for lunch, dinner, and week-end brunch.
Talk to you later. Have a good one!!
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!!
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