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
December 13th, 2015
“Rooted in The Past, Sheltering the Present, Reaching out to the Future, Empowered by the God of the Ages.” Visiting my good friend, Anita, in Bluffton, South Carolina….discovering a new city in the South; Anita took me to this beautiful church. Unfortunately, we could not get inside. It is an Anglican Church. It also 161 years old. Since 1975 The Church of The Cross has been in The National Register of Historic Places.
The location is beautiful, right on the May River.
If you would like to read more about the church, please visit http://www.thechurchofthecross.net/history.
Magical Sundays I call them….There is something about this day of the week. Some go to church, others put their feet up and read a book. And most probably do nothing at all. They say that 1 in 5 Americans identify themselves as spiritual but not religious. Spirituality is an emotion and soothes. Visiting the churches on my travels bring me peace and it does not matter what denomination they are. They have heard our prayers and our thanksgivings.
One church I fell in love with last February was St. Michael’s Catholic Church located at 71 Broad St. in Historic Charleston. It is a National Historic Landmark. Pewes are made of native cedar and remain the same as they have always been. I visited this church once again last week. The chancel rail is made of wrought iron. It dates to 1772. George Washington worshipped at Governor’s Pew #43.
St. Michael’s Church is one of the few city churches in America that has retained its original design. Last March I wrote a post on this church. If you would like to see it just click on the month of March 2015 on AboutMyBeaches and scroll down to the 8th.
If you get a chance to visit the beautiful churches of Charleston, please do so because they are amazing.
Have a Great Day!!
March 15th, 2015
It’s Sunday morning. It is quiet at home. I like it that way. The rain stopped last night. It is warm at the Delaware Beaches. It feels like Spring. I am almost out of coffee; not a good thing.
Sundays are just one of those days to put your feet up, read a book, or do nothing at all. Magical Sundays, I call them.
Visiting Historic Charleston, I still have a few posts to write. There are so many churches in Historic Charleston, close to each other, as well. Architecturally, they are wonders and have been able to withstand the test of time.
It does not matter what religious denomination you are. If you are visiting Historic Charleston stop by. They are sanctuaries and not just for Sundays. St Philip’s is a National Historic Landmark.
I stopped at St. Philip’s, located at 142 Church St., one block east of Meeting Street. Website? http://www.stphilipschurchsc.org. This church is considered the Mother Church of the Diocese of S.C. Est. 1670. It first was located where St. Michael’s Catholic Church stands today. The present building was built from 1835-1838, after the original building was completed in 1724 and a fire destroyed it in 1835.
This church distinguishes itself from others…porticos and columns reminiscing of Roman porticos. I believe its steeple is the tallest one in Historic Charleston.
Resting in peace in the Churchyard you will find the graves of John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War and V.P. of the U.S., Edward Rutledge, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Charles Pinckney, signer of the Constitution, among other notables.
The docent on that particular day was so nice. She was like a grandmother. Softspoken, she spoke of the church so proudly. We talked for some time. And, not just about the church. Her personal life had taken her to Historic Charleston. Her kids behind her after she had been divorced….You see, everyone has a journey. A positive attitude is half the battle.
Have a great day!!
March 12th, 2015
Back in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, since visiting Historic Charleston for a week, I have had time to go through about 465 photos. It was my first experience in Charleston, a place that I had wanted to visit for a long time but for one reason or another had not.
When my cousins from Puerto Rico invited me to meet them in Charleston, it was because there was a pathology convention to attend. Onboard and looking forward I arrived at the Belmond Charleston Place, located at 205 Meeting St., Tels. 843-722-4900 and 888-635-2350. Website http://www.belmond.com/charleston-place.
Checking in was so smooth. My room was at the newly renovated floor of the hotel. New softer colors in all the rooms. Everyone wants to know how comfy the beds were…they were very comfortable.
Having been on the road and arriving at a new city, I decided to just stay put and try their in-room dining. Don’t let my healthy eating for that night fool you for a minute. I dove easily into the local food without regret. The brussels sprouts were delish and so was my salad….the fruit was my sweet ending….the butter, smooth and a bit sweet.
Something sweet!
A touch of color was much appreciated.
If you would like to start your first morning having breakfast at the hotel, the Palmetto Cafe will be your place. A healthy breakfast buffet or a la carte.
Charleston Place, as it is commonly called, is large enough for events, weddings…you name it. It does not feel that big, but it is. Plenty of shopping within the hotel. The business office was a plus.
In every corner of the City of Charleston there is plenty to see. History abounds. Throughout the week we walked, shopped and dined. The beauty is that you can stroll downtown with ease. Stop and check the alleys, the houses, and the cobblestone streets.
Every day we found something new. Look at the Dock Street Theatre. This was the first building in America built exclusively for theatrical performances. Many years ago it was restored. The inside was rebuilt to resemble a theatre in London in the 1730s. It is used year-round. Location? 135 Church Street. http://www.charlestonstage.com
In the evening the Thoroughbred Club at Charleston Place gets hopping. I already posted about it. Tapas Bar setting…Do not miss Calvin (Deke) Taylor, The Entertainer, playing some pretty good jazz.
I almost forgot to give Carrie, the Concierge a shout!! She was awesome and got us set up with Ian Sanchez for our tour of Middleton Plantation among other suggestions, as well. Thanks Carrie!
Talk to you later…have a great day!
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