Food & Bev

Food & Bev

Balao: Rooftop Views & All the Seafood – Featuring Cookin’ With Booze

July 29, 2018 by 0 Comments
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By Featured Charleston Food Blogger Cookin’ With Booze

Charlestonians are suckers for two things: seafood and rooftops. Balao is catering to these needs by serving their dynamic menu on a beautiful rooftop deck. Dynamic is almost an understatement, because they change their menu daily to ensure ultimate freshness. It’s so exciting that you could go back to Balao 3 days in a row and have a different experience every time. Now that the weather is warming up, Balao is going to be the new hotspot to enjoy fresh seafood paired with refreshing cocktails.

Must-try dishes

Ceviche

 

I’ve had many versions of ceviche in Charleston, and I have to say that Balao’s is one of my favorites. The fish was tender, the lime juice added a brightness, and the jalapeño was sliced so thin that it added the perfect amount of spice to each bite. It was served with chips that were seasoned with spices besides salt (why don’t more people do that?) and they were a crunchy vehicle to transport as much ceviche into my mouth as possible.

Ahi Tuna Nachos

As you can tell from the photo, these nachos are a show stopper. The earthy and spicy blackened tuna coated in the creamy poblano queso is a bite you won’t soon forget. Italians would not approve of this seafood and cheese mix, but I think if they tasted this dish with a blindfold on, they would be okay with it. Apart from the flavor of the nachos being amazing, there was a great distribution of toppings on each chip. The toppings to chip ratio is important because we all have that one friend who steals all the loaded chips.

Shrimp & Squid Ink Grits

I can already see people skipping over the Shrimp & Grits on the menu because “they’ve had it before,” but DON’T. This shrimp & grits has squid ink grits (to enhance the seafoodiness), duck & tasso ham gravy, sweet Yum Yum peppers (mini bell peppers), and ramps. The grits were creamy, the gravy was smoky and rich, and I wanted to shovel this whole dish into ma pie hole. Try it out, even if you’re a shrimp and grits non-believer.

Cocktails fit for rooftop-sippin’

The Summer Rose

I’m sure all of us have tried and failed to soak a watermelon in alcohol and make it taste good, but Balao figured it out for us. The Summer Rose features pureed, rosé-soaked watermelon, tequila, elderflower, mint, and topped with sparkling rosé. It sounds like it would be really sweet, but the tequila tamped down the sweetness of the watermelon for a refreshing result.

The Irie

Drinking The Irie makes you want to be on a beach in the Caribbean, but Folly will have to do for now. The ingredients practically hit you over the head with their tropicality. There’s spiced rum, coconut water, grilled pineapple, and Falernum. The grilled pineapple garnish is soaked in rum and our server said it was “basically a shot.” They might be making shots a little too delicious over at Balao…

If you’re looking for a switch up from your routine seafood restaurants, check out Balao. The Ahi Tuna nachos alone will convince you to keep coming back.

To learn more about great Charleston dining experiences, follow Cookin’ With Booze

Food & Bev

Cocktail of the Week: The Wise Spaniard from Cannon Green (And a Happy Hour to Die For)

May 2, 2018 by 0 Comments

By Featured Food Blogger:  Cookin’ With Booze

I drive by Cannon Green all the time and always thought it was just a fancy restaurant, but I’m happy to report that they have a killer happy hour! On Tuesdays, they have $5 margs and $2 tacos that change each week, so you get a different experience every time. The rest of the week, they have $3 beer, $5 house wine & well liquor, and $8 specialty cocktails.

the happiest hour

In addition to discounted drinks, everyone who attends happy hour gets to play Plinko for a chance to win: a $5 mimosa carafe, free dessert, a $5 burger, or a complimentary cocktail. I got to try several of their happy hour drinks and bites with my fellow #TastemakersCHS and by the end of the night we all had a nice buzz and satisfied appetites!

We started the night by sampling some signature cocktails. I tried the spicy marg (obvi I can’t resist) and the “Wise Spaniard.” The Wise Spaniard is my cocktail of the week because of its complex flavor. It was composed of gin, sage syrup, grapefruit juice, and Cava (a Spanish sparkling wine). The sage complemented the floral notes of the gin and the grapefruit juice and bubbly wine brightened it up. It was garnished with a fresh sprig of sage, which I accidentally almost choked on and said out loud “wow I almost choked on a sage leaf,” which might’ve been the most bougie thing I’ve ever said in my life.

queso, this is all mine, right?

To complement the cocktails, we sampled some of their apps that were great for sharing. We started with queso and guac, and it was tough for me to share the queso with others, but I tried my best not to give any death glares. We were also treated to their fresh ceviche, which was a refreshing switch from the rich queso.

The main dish of the night was the tacos ($2 during happy hour on Taco Tuesday). The tacos were filled with shredded chicken, fresh mango, crunchy radishes, and drizzled with sour cream. They could’ve packed more of a punch in the spice department for me, but overall they were satisfying.

The local shrimp and Brussels sprouts were the other stars of the show. I feel like every restaurant in Charleston has some variation on Brussels sprouts, and for that I am eternally grateful. Cannon Green’s version spices it up with gochujang (red chile paste), sesame seeds, and a garlic aioli. I couldn’t really taste the gochujang, but the garlic aioli added a nice creamy contrast to the crispy sprouts.

The shrimp was seasoned so well on the shrimp toast that a few of us took to eating the heads. It might’ve been the cocktails that made us do this, but I honestly have no regrets. I’ve heard on Food Network for many years that shrimp heads are the most flavorful part and I can’t say I disagree. It was a crunchy delicacy.

i’ll be back!

Photo by @hangry.mess

We finished off the night by playing Plinko and I went home with a voucher for a $5 mimosa carafe! I’m glad the Tastemakers introduced me to this new happy hour spot and it’s certainly #BoozeApproved.

Food & Bev

Grubhub Expands Delivery Offering to 34 Additional Markets Nationwide including Charleston, S.C.

April 8, 2018 by 0 Comments
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From Honolulu to Charleston, more restaurants can now use Grubhub’s delivery capabilities, giving diners a wider restaurant selection

CHICAGO, April 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Grubhub, the nation’s leading online and mobile food-ordering company, has expanded its delivery capabilities to 34 more markets across 19 states. The expansion was completed throughout the first quarter of 2018 and is part of Grubhub’s plan to grow its delivery network to reach more than 100 new markets this year.

These cities join the more than 80 markets throughout the U.S. that already have Grubhub Delivery capabilities, which allow restaurants to offer their menus for delivery and provide diners with better restaurant choice and variety. Restaurants partnering with Grubhub for delivery include national and regional options like Buffalo Wild Wings, BJ’s Restaurants & Brewhouse, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews, On the Border and The Cheesecake Factory® in many markets. As Yum! Brands’ only national partner for ordering and delivery, Grubhub will also be adding KFC and Taco Bell locations to these markets across the country in the coming months.

With the expansion, Grubhub’s delivery capabilities will now be available to restaurants in the following markets:

  • Little Rock, AR
  • Bakersfield, CA
  • Fresno, CA
  • Modesto, CA
  • Stockton, CA
  • Deltona & Daytona Beach, FL
  • Lakeland, FL
  • Sarasota, FL
  • Augusta, GA
  • Honolulu, HI
  • Boise, ID
  • Fort Wayne, IN
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Wichita, KS
  • Baton Rouge, LA
  • Shreveport, LA
  • Jackson, MS
  • Springfield, MO
  • Fayetteville, NC
  • Greensboro, NC
  • Winston-Salem, NC
  • Akron, OH
  • Canton, OH
  • Dayton, OH
  • Toledo, OH
  • Youngstown, OH
  • Oklahoma City, OK
  • Charleston, SC
  • Columbia, SC
  • Greenville, SC
  • Chattanooga, TN
  • Memphis, TN
  • Corpus Christi, TX
  • Tacoma, WA

“We’re thrilled to expand our delivery offering to these markets across the U.S., making quick progress on our plan to expand our delivery capabilities throughout the coming year,” said Stan Chia, chief operating officer, Grubhub. “These additional markets are part of our vision to connect more diners with even more of their favorite local restaurants across the country, and provide them with the widest selection of choice wherever they are.”

Grubhub has always connected diners with restaurants that supply their own drivers. With Grubhub Delivery, restaurants without their own delivery capabilities now have the opportunity to leverage Grubhub’s large and growing network of drivers to expand their customer base and grow order volume. This also provides better restaurant choices and variety for Grubhub diners, as more restaurants can now offer their menus for delivery.

To find takeout restaurants available in your area, check out grubhub.com. If you are interested in becoming part of the Grubhub Delivery team, please visit driver.grubhub.com. To find out how your restaurant can join Grubhub, check out get.grubhub.com. To learn more about Grubhub and its portfolio of brands, please visit newsroom.grubhub.com.

About Grubhub
Grubhub (NYSE: GRUB) is the nation’s leading online and mobile takeout food ordering marketplace with the largest and most comprehensive network of restaurant partners, as well as the largest diner base. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub strives to elevate food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub is proud to work with more than 80,000 restaurant partners in over 1,600 U.S. cities and London. The Grubhub portfolio of brands includes Grubhub, Seamless, Eat24, AllMenus and MenuPages.

 

Food & Bev - North Charleston, SC - Photography

Charleston Wine & Food Festival 2018 Recap – Cookin’ with Booze

March 16, 2018 by 0 Comments

Featured Food Blogger:  Cookin’ with Booze

For those of you who don’t know, the Charleston Wine + Food festival is 5 days of heaven for foodies and pretty much everyone else. My experience at the Charleston Wine + Food festival was completely unique because I had a different role each day. I worked as an intern for the Culinary Talent team, took photos at 3 events, and attended as a guest on Sunday. Every role I had was as exciting as it was challenging. I learned a lot and ate a lot over these 5 days, so come along with me as I recap it.

Day 1: Opening Night

 

Day 1 I was wearing my intern hat (not an actual hat, the figure of speech one) and helped set up the Main Stage before the Culinary Village opened. After a few hours of heavy lifting/unpacking and organizing, it was time for the magic that is Opening Night. My job during Opening Night was to make sure the chefs had everything they needed (utensils, water, etc) and coincidentally they happened to give us their food in return..

My favorite bite of the night by far was the pasta dish from Ken Vedrinski of Trattoria Lucca. In fact, I bragged about it so much that he ran out of it very quickly! It was a pasta shell filled with pork and ricotta, and it was topped with a sun dried tomato pesto and a raw tomato sauce. Raw tomato sauce is something I’ve never encountered on pasta, but now I want it on everything! The pickled shrimp and farro salad was another winner from Chef Michelle Weaver of Charleston Grill. To end on a sweet note, I had some strawberry, layered goodness from Andrea Upchurch of Magnolia’s.

Day 2: Winederlust and Photos at 82 Queen’s Garden Party

Helping set up events was a lot of walking and lifting things up and putting them down, but to see the end result was always so satisfying. Winederlust was out at Lowndes Grove Plantation, which is a beautiful venue with a view of the water. The chefs broke out giant grills and cauldrons that made me smell like charred meats for days (which I was obviously ok with) and there was plenty of wine to go around.

The most interesting bite of this event was the charred cabbage from Michael and Tara Gallina of Vicia in St. Louis. They served it with a sauerkraut cream and pancetta and it was tangy, salty, and smoky without being meat! Mind fricken blown at what cabbage can do.

After Winederlust, I headed over to 82 Queen to take photos at their “Garden of the Good + Regal” party. Queen Street Hospitality was represented all around with food from Lowcountry Bistro, Swig & Swine, and 82 Queen of course. All the food was down home Southern, but with a twist. Swig & Swine somehow transformed beef pho into egg rolls, 82 Queen had a shrimp and grits bar, and Lowcountry Bistro has fresh ceviche as well as shrimp etouffee.

They also had sweet treats, such as the banana cream pie cup that was crunchy, creamy, and photographed beautifully! Everyone had a great time at this event because of the music, the food, and the gracious hosts!

Day 3: Photos at Business of Food & watching my bosses crush at Pecha Kucha

My next photography gig was at Business of Food, which was a Q&A session with chefs about their experiences in the industry. Before the panel started, the guests were treated to food from Dough Boyz and Braised in the South. Dough Boyz came to impress with their giant pizza oven inside a trailer and their Brussels sprout, pancetta, and truffle oil pizza, which was to die for. Braised in the South kept the indulgence going with their pulled pork mac and cheese topped with fried onion strings. Just the description of it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

After Business of Food, Charleston Music Hall was transformed for Pecha Kucha, which is a fast paced presentation, which the owners of Huriyali (my bad ass bosses Tom & Ruchi) were a part of. Each presenter told the story of their business and it was inspiring to see so many passionate people looking to make Charleston a better place.

The food was a collection of food trucks including Roti Rolls, Bac’n me Crazy, Lunchbox, and City Limits Barbecue. My favorite bite of the night was the Smoked Brisket Slider from City Limits Barbecue. The brisket was tender, the sauce was spicy, and the pickled onions added some tang.

Day 4: Photos at Iron Mixologist and North Charleston Night Bazaar

Saturday was definitely my favorite day of the festival. I started with taking photos at a cocktail competition at Williams Sonoma: Iron Mixologist. This was obviously right up my ally. The contestants, which happened to be all female bartenders, were challenged to create cocktails with a secret ingredient, all in 7 minutes flat. It was a very fast-paced event, so it was challenging, but exciting to take photos of. In the end, Caroline Woodruff of Proof was crowned the champion because she was able to truly highlight the secret ingredient in each drink.

North Charleston Night Bazaar was hands-down my favorite event of the festival. We got to Night Bazaar early to help set up, and you could feel the energy as soon as you walked in. The DJ was killing it with the music and people were out on the dance floor immediately. The energy of this event was a dream come true for me, because I like to bust a move every once in a while as well as eat international food.

Another highlight of this event was that I got to geek out over meeting one of the judges on Chopped: Maneet Chauhan. She was a super sweet person and her authentic Indian street food (panipuri) was fresh and bright! I also had cold, spicy noodles from Jimmy Bannos Sr. of Heaven on Seven that were bursting with international flavors.

Day 5: Being a Guest at the Culinary Village and closing it out at Toasted

Sunday was my day to enjoy the Culinary Village as a guest, and I was lucky enough to have my whole family join me! As soon as I walked in, my mom was ready to hit the tequila, my dad the wine, and my brother all the food in sight. We simply had to get the wine yokes just to look like an even more ridiculous squad walking around.

I started off with a chorizo breakfast taco, which really fueled me for the 5 hours of eating and drinking ahead. Next, we watched the burger bash and were hand delivered burgers to snack on, which was ideal! After walking 6 miles a day during the festival, it was nice to take a load off and watch people cook burgers.

As the day went on, the lines got longer and the people more impatient. Luckily, since I had been at the Culinary Village the past couple days, I knew where to go to avoid the lines and get the most food I possibly could. My family and I had a great time at the Culinary Village and I’m so glad I was able to give them the inside scoop on this event.

To cap everything off, my intern buddy Zoe and I went to Toasted with the rest of the staff that made this festival possible. It was bittersweet as we were all congratulating each other on the success of the festival and thinking back on all the hard work that went into it. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience as an intern, photographer, and guest at this festival and I hope to be involved again next year! Cheers to year 13!

Food & Bev - James & John's Islands, SC - Mount Pleasant, SC - North Charleston, SC

12 Must Not Miss Charleston, SC Area Food Deals

February 25, 2018 by 0 Comments
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Every day is an adventure in Charleston, South Carolina.  In a foodie wonderland such as we are in this little Southern Slice of Heaven, finding that truly great food deal is a treasure.

Like any great pirate treasure, it must begin with a map.  Your map has arrived.  Here is a list of nine (9) great food days you cannot miss here in Charleston.

Twelve (12) Great Charleston, SC Area Food Deals

Downtown Charleston

  • Fast and French – 98 Broad Street, Charleston, SC – Fondue Thursdays – Choice of 6 types of fondue with choice of soup or salad and assorted breads – $15.50 – $16.00 – Great for sharing
  • Tommy Condon’s Irish Pub – 160 Church Street, Charleston, SC – $12.99 All You Can Eat Fish and Chips every Friday
  • Bay Street Biergarten – 549 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC – Half Price Burger Night on Mondays
  • Rutledge Cab Company – 1300 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC – $5.00 Burgers All Day and Night every Monday
  • Edmunds Oast – 1081 Morrison Drive, Charleston, SC – Sundays and Mondays – Half Price Bottles of Wine (Even the Big Bottles
  • Brown Dog Deli – 225 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC – Half Price Burgers Every Friday

North Charleston

  • Sake House – 4952 Centre Point Drive #112, North Charleston, SC / 9770 Dorchester Road, Unit 103, Summerville, SC – Selected Sushi Rolls and Appetizers – Half Price after 3:00 PM every Tuesday

Mount Pleasant

West Ashley

  • Early Bird Diner – 1644 Savannah Highway, West Ashley, SC – $5.00 All You Can Eat Pancakes every Friday (Note:  They are open until 3 AM on Friday, but the special ends at midnight)

Folly Beach

  • Snapper Jack’s – 10 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC – Half Price on All Sushi Rolls and Special Appetizers on Thursday

James Island

  • The Lowdown Oven & Bar – 967 Folly Road, James Island, SC – Half Price wine and half price specialty pizza pie every Wednesday all day long

Summerville

Daily Charleston Deals

Charleston Brunch Guide

Enjoy these great deals, Charleston style

Food & Bev

Culinary Bliss at The Barbadoes Room at The Mills House Hotel | Charleston, South Carolina

February 6, 2018 by 0 Comments
Where To Eat in Charleston, South Carolina: The Barbadoes Room is the restaurant at The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel in downtown Charleston featuring culinary creations by Executive Chef Justin Hunt.
Provided by Travelling Foodie – Read More at the Official Travelling Foodie Digital Journal Site

The Barbaedos Room is the restaurant at The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Located on the foodie street (Queen Street between Meeting and King Streets) along with Husk and Poogan’s Porch, the Barbadoes Room serves fine American cuisine with Southern hospitality on a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere.

You can enter the restaurant from the inside of the Mills House Hotel or outside through the beautiful Fountain Courtyard, where you can also enjoy your food.

Fountain Courtyard at The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel

The inside is spacious and brightly lit with natural light from the glass walls separating the fountain courtyard.

Inside of The Barbadoes Room

The menu is not overwhelming, a simple one-pager broken down into sections: shared, soups and salads, and entrees. Portions are generous and prices are very reasonable.

When you’re trying the culinary creations of Executive Chef Justin Hunt, who has worked in places like Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay’s Bar American and Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry, you know you’re in for a treat!

When in Charleston, you must try She Crab Soup, a regional specialty that’s a cross between chowder and bisque using the region’s famous blue crab. The soup had a good amount of sweet blue crab meat on flavourful creamy soup.

Oysters, she crab soup, scallops at The Barbadoes Room in The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
She Crab Soup ($7) – lump crab salad, fresh chives; Oysters on the Half Shell; Seared Scallops

Our fresh oysters came from Rhode Island. I kind of wish we were served local oysters instead since Charleston has an abundance of oysters.

Oysters at The Barbadoes Room in The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Oysters on the Half Shell ($22) – 12pcs with jalapeno-champagne mignonette and pepper vodka cocktail sauce

If you’ve been following my food journey on Instagram, you know how much I love scallops!

The scallops here are a must-order! Four pieces of perfectly seared scallops with caviar and black garlic brings a burst of umami in your mouth. With scallops this good, you might want to get shellfish with it. ?

Seared Scallops at The Barbadoes Room in The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Seared Scallops ($15) – sunchoke, radish, black garlic, horseradish, caviar

If you like pasta, their tagliatelle is made in-house and cooked al dente with generous portions of clams and black truffle, though I would’ve loved it more with less salt.

Clams Tagliatelle at The Barbadoes Room in The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Tagliatelle and Clams ($26) – local clams, black truffle, turnip greens, chorizo

If you’re looking for quick and simple, or want a #foodporn photo for Instagram, you’ll want to try the Mills House Burger with its thick Rosewood Farms American wagyu.

You can really taste the difference in meat quality here unlike other wagyu burgers I’ve tried where the patty tastes just like normal burgers. The applewood bacon was also made perfectly crispy that it’s actually hard to not eat it on its own.

My 16-year-old cousin, who’s very picky with food and would choose not to finish something he didn’t like, devoured the burger in record time!

Mills House Burger at The Barbadoes Room in The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Mills House Burger ($15) – Rosewood Farms American wagyu, pimento cheese, applewood bacon, tomato jam, brioche

Another must-order here is their Pork Shank. It was fall-off-the-bone tender and very meaty.

As I mentioned, the prices here are very reasonable and the portions are good. This $22 pork shank is a clear example. We went to another restaurant the night before and tried the Pork Osso Bucco, which is also pork shank. For $26, the size was much smaller, and the quality was nowhere near as close as this one.

Pork Shank at The Barbadoes Room in The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Southeast Family Farms Pork Shank ($22) – IPA braised, new potato, carrot, mushroom, pearl onion

If there’s only one thing you can order here, it’s the Delmonico Ribeye. It’s seriously one of the best steaks I’ve had. Perfectly cooked to my doneness, the steak was tender and very marbled all the way through.

Another important thing to note here is that this is 20oz of pure ribeye unlike other steakhouses where a big bone is part of the weight.

Travelling Foodie Tip: Ask for the sauce to be on the side instead. I find with this quality of meat, little to no sauce is needed but it’s still good to try the sauce to get a different flavour.

Ribeye at The Barbadoes Room in The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Delmonico Ribeye ($43) – 20oz, heirloom fingerling potatoes, haricot verts, rainbow chard, mushroom au poivre

As we were there during the holidays, we were surprised to learn that their dessert menu changes.

Chocolate Cake at The Barbadoes Room in The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Chocolate Cake ($7)

Since we went during the Christmas season, they had Eggnog Cheesecake to celebrate the festive season. It’s my first time having Eggnog Cheesecake and it was definitely a sweet way to end the meal.

Eggnog Cheesecake at The Barbadoes Room in The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Eggnog Cheesecake ($7)

The Barbadoes Room is definitely one of the rare hotel restaurants where we enjoyed every dish that we tried. Even my 10-year-old cousin, who barely cares about restaurants, remembers The Barbadoes Room and said I should recommend it to my followers.

Have you tried The Barbadoes Room? Do you consider it one of the best restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina?

Food & Bev - Mount Pleasant, SC

9 Awesome Foodie Things in Charleston, SC You Should Try

January 3, 2018 by 1 Comment
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By Mark A. Leon

With so many food options in Charleston and so much being thrown at you, we thought we would introduce 10 items, you may not know about that will leave you wanting more.  Some are simple; some complex, but all explosive in flavor and freshness.

Get ready to whet your palate.

9 Awesome Foodie Things in Charleston, SC

  • Lobster Roll (167 Raw – 289 East Bay Street) – It goes without saying that 167 Raw has gained quite a reputation since it expanded from its flagship location in Nantucket, MA.  Their reputation has extended far past the city limits.  All their seafood is fresh and savory, but the Lobster Roll is an explosion of goodness.  If you are feeling generous, this is one dish that can even be shared.

    The Lobster Roll – 167 Rawshared.
  • Shrimp and Grits (La Tabella – 979 Harborview Road, Charleston, SC) -Sautéed shrimp, bacon, peppers, onions, hot Italian sausage in cream sauce over grits.  If you ask about food in Charleston, Shrimp and Grits is always at the top of the list.  There are close to 200 restaurant offerings of this Southern delight.  La Tabella, takes an extra step combining the Southern flare of the dish with their own Italian spin.  Made in a brown cream sauce and combining bacon and hot Italian sausage, this will leave positive shivers on your taste buds.

    Onion Soup Gratinee – 39 Rue de Jeanwith the shrimp, this is one memorable dish.  Here is the trick, you can only get it on Sunday brunch.
  • The Burrito (Minero – 153 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC) – This Mexican slice of heaven is affectionately known at “The Burrito”.  Here is what you get:  queso de Oaxaca, crema, hoppin john, avocado, poblano and you add charcoaled chicken, Achiote pork, or grilled steak.  Did we add, it is grilled just right.  Share this please, because it is a big one.  Every bite will engulf you with every ingredient layered inside this monstrously delicious burrito.
  • Seafood Normandy – Fast and French (Gaulart & Maliclet) (98 Broad Street, Charleston, SC) – This truly authentic French bistro is tiny in size, but delivers big in taste and customer service.  There are so many items that will make you yearn for the view of the Eiffel Tower, but the Seafood Normandy, is a meal to write home about.  Shrimp, scallops and fish broiled in a white wine and cream sauce with steamed vegetables, soup or salad and assorted breads.  This meal will take you back to the old country.  A true french delight.

Bon Appétit

Thai Coconut Coffee with Tapio Boba – Tapio
Food & Bev

Indaco: A Pasta Lover’s Dream – Charleston Feature Food Blogger: Cookin’ With Booze

December 31, 2017 by 0 Comments

Last week was my 2 year anniversary with my boyfriend, so we had to pick somewhere special for dinner. We are both pasta fanatics (idk who isn’t), so I knew that Italian was definitely the move. I have heard great reviews of Indaco from the grape vine, so I figured we should check it out. I also happened to meet one of the chefs at Indaco at the Pitmaster Throwdown, so the food from that reinforced the positive vibes I was already getting.

One major bonus of Indaco is that they actually take reservations, which I feel like is getting increasingly rare in Charleston. We were seated immediately and the service was on point. We decided to treat ourselves to some wine, which is rare because I usually don’t spend more than $5 on an entire bottle, let alone $9 for a glass. The $9 was definitely worth it because the Sauvignon Blanc we got (the cheapest wine on the menu) had a hint of peach flavor, which I really enjoyed.

We continued to treat ourselves with an appetizer and we decided on the crostini. The crostini was topped with fresh ricotta, local SC peaches, hazulnuts, honey, and fresh parsley. This crostini was the perfect way to start off the evening because it was a light and sweet treat. The fresh ricotta was creamy dreamy perfection and the local peaches were sweet and juicy.

bring on the pasta

After our crostini and wine sippin’, we had to decide on entrees. Before we got to the restaurant, Christian predicted that I would get the gnocchi (cause I always do), but I decided to branch out and try the Corn Mezzaluna. Christian decided on the Black Pepper Tagliatelle and we both made the right choice.

The Corn Mezzaluna was one of the best pasta dishes I’ve had in a while (bold statement, I know). When I taste dishes, I can usually think of something that would improve the dish (more salt, spice, etc), but with this dish, I couldn’t think of anything that would make it better. The sweetness of the corn was balanced by the spicy fresno chiles and although the sauce was super rich, the chiles gave it a pop of flavor. I had a bite of Christian’s Black Pepper tagliatelle and it was a rich and savory dish. If you’re looking for something comforting, that is definitely the dish to go for.

next time: Pizza

After that meal at Indaco, I will definitely be returning ASAP. We are already plotting to go back for their signature wood-fired pizzas and happy hour. Stay tuned to see where I end up next.

 

 

 

 

Food & Bev - James & John's Islands, SC - Lowcountry - Mount Pleasant, SC

8 Must Have Appetizers / Snacks in Charleston, South Carolina

December 30, 2017 by 1 Comment
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By Mark A. Leon

How often is the appetizer the must indulgent part of the meal?  The savory essence of a truly amazing dining experience.  Often times, restaurants will offer up a preamble that outshines the meal, a piece of culinary heaven let us say.  There are some appetizers/snacks in the Low country that truly define the culinary arts in this foodie haven we call Charleston, SC.  We want to offer up some of the most indulgent, flavorful starters to whet your appetite.

We spoke to a number of locals and got their opinions and they were enthusiastic and ready to spill the beans on some of the best starter dishes.

This list is a keeper.  Spoiler alert, some of these items may raise your calories or cholesterol intake levels for the day.  You have been warned.

  • Oysters Rockefeller – Oak Steakhouse: 17 Broad Street, Charleston, SC – Guests are fortunate to be able to purchase a single Oyster Rockefeller for $3.00 each.  Whether you order one or six, each order is treated with dignity and pride.  These oysters are large and robust and deserve to come with an audience.  This indulgent treat is a must to begin your dining experience at Oak.
  • Tuna Lollipops – Sol Southwest Kitchen: 1101 Stockade Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC – This dish is prepared with sushi-grade tuna, panko breaded, spicy
    Lobster Mac n' Cheese - Halls Chophouse
    Lobster Mac n’ Cheese – Halls Chophouse

    ponzu, creamy ginger cilantro sauce.  A regular offered up this to say, “They melt in your mouth.  They are crunchy and yummy.  I can’t get enough.”  This starter will cost $12.00.

  • Lobster Mac n’ Cheese – Halls Chophouse:  434 King Street, Charleston, SC – This accompany side dish at $20.00 is a rich and succulent addition to any meal at Halls.  Known for fine steaks and customer service along with an award winning menu, there are no bad selections, but if you only order one add on, make it this marriage of two of the most wonderful foods in the world.
  • Fried Calamari – Grill 225:  225 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC – The lightly fried calamari is prepared with sauteed peppers, white wine and garlic.  As a very proud Charleston foodie explained, “the garlic provides the zest that sets it apart.”  This starter is $14.00
  • Sweet Potato Fries at Sesame Burgers and Beer: 3 Area Locations  – Who doesn’t love sweet potato fries?  I certainly do.  If you have the ability to prepare a mouth watering batch, you have my vote.  These soft and only slightly crunchy pairings to many of the main dishes offers unique flavoring and topped to perfection with a dusting of fresh parmesan.
  • Gyoza – Co: 340 King Street, Charleston, SC – The pork and ginger gyoza sided with a soy scallion sauce set the Co gyoza apart from the fine offerings of Ichiban and Basil.  When asked why, a local resident replied, “It reminds me of ravioli or stuffed pastas which I love and when dipped, the flavors pop.”  This dish will start your evening at $5.00.
  • Ceviche – 167 Raw:  289 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC –  This $14.00 dish changes daily.  So that being said, how can we add it to the list of some of our favorites if it changes?  Very simple, quality of ingredients and masterful understanding of how to make a truly memorable ceviche.  Starting with the homemade chips that are lightly toasted with the thickness and texture of pita and then add some of the freshest seafood and ingredients Charleston offers and you will walk away so very happy.
  • Beet Salad – Maybank Public House: 1970 Maybank Highway, James Island, SC – Fresh Roasted Beets, Warm Pecan Encrusted Goat Cheese, Harit Coverts, Arugula, Maple Vinaigrette.  This is a insatiably refreshing and zesty salad at any time of day

There are more.  So many more.  Why rattle your brain risking the potential of a bad start to your evening.  Use this list.  Use it wisely as it comes with great power to satisfy.

Bon Appetite

Gyoza - Co
Gyoza – Co
Food & Bev

The Castejóns: Bringing a Taste of Spain to the Lowcountry – Restaurant Review

December 11, 2017 by 0 Comments
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Provided by feature Food Blogger Cookin’ with Booze

One of the best parts of being a food blogger in Charleston is the amazing chefs/fellow foodies you get to meet. In the case of the Castejóns, they are a chef/foodie power couple that I aspire to be when I grow up. I met them through #TastemakersCHS (a group of top culinary social media influencers) and they were kind enough to host the group at their pop up restaurant at Charlestowne Fermentory. Their authentic Spanish cuisine with a sprinkle of the Lowcountry was so delicious I want to shout it from the rooftops (but I guess posting it on here is a better/less obnoxious option).

the dynamic duo #goals

In addition to being kick ass chefs, the Castejóns are probably two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, which makes you feel at home when you’re enjoying your Spanish feast. In traditional Spanish style, we started with a few appetizers to warm us up for the star of the show: the paella.

holy aioli!

We started out with the fritos (fried goodies) which included croquetas de pollo (fried chicken croquettes) and empanada de verduras (vegetarian empanadas). The croquetas were crispy on the outside and had a tender,flavorful pork/chicken filling. The best part of the dish, however, was definitely the spicy aioli it was served with. I wanted to take a jar of that home to put on everything I eat from now on.

The empanadas de verduras were filled with goat cheese, caramelized onion, eggplant, and collard greens (shout out to the Lowcountry). The goat cheese made the filling incredibly creamy and the caramelized onion added a nice sweetness to it. They were served with a refreshing dipping sauce chock full of herbs, so it balanced out the richness.

Give me all the pork

Although it was hard to resist eating 20 of the croquetas, we moved on to the next course: the Serranito. The Serranito was a sandwich composed of marinated pork loin, poblano peppers, cured spanish ham, and a fried quail egg to top it all off. This sandwich struck the perfect balance between spicy, salty, and porky goodness. The runny yolk from the quail egg acted as a sauce and added a nice richness. Did I eat the entire platter of them?…maybe.

the star of the show

The last savory dish of the evening, the paella, was the masterpiece we were all waiting for. The paella is stunning in both flavor and presentation. It is presented in the cast iron skillet it is cooked in to preserve the socarrat. As Alfonso explained to us, the socarrat is the flavorful, crispy rice stuck to the pan. It is a staple in a well-made paella and I felt transported to Sevilla (their Spanish hometown) when I plated it up.

To put a Lowcountry twist on their paella, the Castejóns add in local seafood. The fresh shrimp and clams were my favorite part of the dish by far. Along with local ingredients, they also import paprika, olive oil, and saffron from Sevilla to ensure an authentic flavor.

If you haven’t had the chance to yet, head over to Charlestowne Fermentory and check out the Castejóns. You can’t go wrong with the combination of authentic Spanish food and local craft beer. Follow their adventures on their website and social media!