Thai and sushi are becoming a very common part of the Charleston food portfolio. It is now beginning to be easier to differentiate the quality of the cuisine. Thai Elephants Restaurant is nicely hidden just off of Folly Road between Walgreens and Sonic. What a combination.
The first impressive thing as you enter the restaurant are the tables. Wooden hand carved sculptures under the glass table provide an authentic and unique setting. It is a truly masterful site with tremendous attention and detail placed into each tabletop.
It is a small place so if busy, don’t be afraid to sit by the sushi bar. The sushi bar is a comfortable “L” shaped seating area with an intimate view of the sushi chef. It is very comfortable and easy to have a conversation. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Plus we got the first hand smells from the kitchen and sushi preparation station. For some that is a big deciding factor.
The spring rolls were very light and mouthwatering. You get two cut in half so it very sharable and a good way to start the evening.
The sushi is excellent. Very tight rolls with a rich fresh ingredients. There are a number of traditional and specialty combinations of sushi, nagiri and sashimi.
Coconut Curry Soup
I had the coconut basil soup. It was not what I had expected. There was more of a lemongrass taste so the sweetness of coconut was minimized. Yet, I still thoroughly enjoyed the taste which blended sweet, tangy and a tiny bit of spice. If you are expecting the same sweet taste as the coconut soup as Basils, don’t get this, but if you want a good strong soup, this is well prepared.
The staff is very very friendly and constantly smiling. It was almost infectious how genuinely happy each member of the staff was and how much they went out of their way to assist. During our entire dining experience, they let us set the paced. If you want a casual night out with good long conversation, this is a great place where you will not feel rushed.
This is one of the better thai and sushi choices in Charleston and we strongly recommend.
Many of you may know Smoke BBQ from their well travel food truck days. What many may not know is that they have a restaurant situated on Upper King at 487 King Street.
To review this restaurant, I need to take a step back from the food and begin with the drink menu created by local mixologist Russ Friar. Russ has spend time at Zia’s and the Rarebit and has created a carefully crafted selection of drinks that truly hit the palate with a punch and slip down in a cool refreshing slide. Using high quality spirits and a unique blend of ingredients, Smoke offers a true liquid dining experience that stands alone. The Smoke version of the Moscow Mule with some additional additives is worth an hour or two at the bar. The bar staff is as eclectic and fun as they get. I was fortunate enough to engage with a peninsula girl and a James Island guy. Both exceptional bartenders and yet both had different views on hospitality from the standpoint of the downtown and James Island/Folly Beach cultures. This banter along with a nature channel show on bees and insects made for an entertaining evening.
The men’s room is a classy and artistic time machine ride back to the 1960’s and 70’s. The walls are ordained with very tasteful and classy pages from issues of Playboy. It took me back to childhood and my years of curiosity and discovery.
Time for the main attraction, good old wholesome Southern BBQ. You will not go wrong with some Texas Bricket or slow smoked pork. I would like to focus on two specific item: Pastrami Rueben and Cuban.
The Pastrami Rueben is exceptional. The pastrami is cooked for sixteen hours and topped with house sauerkraut, Swiss Cheese, Thousand Island Dressing and held together with a marble rye. Not only will the smell and taste take you away as the tender meat slips down your throat, but the portions will make it difficult for you to stand up and leave after.
If that didn’t win you over, the Cuban will. This absolute culinary delight straight from the heart of Miami takes a delicious Aioli spread to complement the slow cooked pork, ham, house pickles and Swiss cheese. The richness of this sandwich will remind you that a sandwich can literary explode with flavor with every bite.
If you are a cole slaw fan, you must try their homemade concoction consisting of red Cabbage, green apple, heirloom carrot and candied walnut. It is a sweet surprise and beautiful accessory to your main course.
Smoke BBQ will win you over once you step in the door with smells of the deep South and a rich reminder of how meat is meant to taste. Make sure you enjoy a cocktail, some really good staff conversation to make for a complete dining experience.
It is often said an adventure can lead to an unexpected treasure. John’s Island has a rich tradition of natural beauty, untapped natural preserves and a very illustrious collection of fine restaurants to whet the appetite. Names you may be familiar with include Sweeney’s, Fat Hen, Southern General, Sunrise Bistro Xpress, Seanachai and the soon to be opened Tattooed Moose. One name has defined itself for its warm inviting staff, enriching Italian cuisine and fine wine selection. That is Wild Olive.
Among the list of some of the top restaurants in Charleston, it may surprise some to know that one that lies hidden on Maybank Highway on John’s Island is one of the best dining experiences in the area.
We were welcomed with “Ahoy Mateys” as we entered the restaurant and approached the hostess stand on Tuesday evening. The walls were ordained with crayon portraits from young fans. To our left was the bar area and community table and all around were three sectioned off dining areas to meet any group or intimate couple’s needs.
The wine rack just behind the hostess stand gave us a good indication that the selection offered would entice all our palates.
We chose to sit at the bar, engage in banter with our bartender Chris and enjoy a sampling of entrees and appetizers. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that on Mondays and Tuesdays, Wild Olive offers a selection of red and white wines for $19.00 by the bottle. We took heed of a recommendation from our new friend behind the bar and were very satisfied. A rich bold red with just a hint of spice that lingered along with the undertones of cherry and currant. This complimented what would be a perfect medley of sharable cuisine.
We opened with the Agnolotti stuffed with orange braised duck, ricotta, natural braising sugo, parmesan and scallion. The sauce was mild with an explosion of flavor. The rich thick ravioli style pasta had a juicy texture and a healthy portion of braised duck. We had to admit that the sauce was so good that we scooped up the remainder with our bread. Not classy, but so yummy.
Next we moved from entrée to appetizer. A bit non-traditional but our thought process led us to this path. We ordered the Suppli al telefono risotto fritters stuffed with sausage, spinach, parmesan, mozzarella along with a side dish of smashed fried potatoes with truffled aioli, scallion and parmesan. I must start by saying the fried potatoes took us to another place. This is a must. Regardless of what you order, include this side. It is an explosion of amazement in your mouth. The fritters were perfectly round and quite a filling starter. Don’t get misled by the small size. Each ball is about five fork bites. Don’t try and eat it in one bite. There is too much flavor and you will waste the moment.
We did manage to close the bar and the restaurant, but at no moment did we feel rushed to leave. The staff was truly welcoming from entrance to exit.
Wild Olive is a dining attraction for both Johns Island and Charleston. If you are new to the area or a local that has never experienced this cuisine, we strongly recommend a night out.
One thing about being a resident of Charleston is that you never stop discovering new and wonderful places if you let your curiosity take you off the beaten path. We are a complex set of waterways, inlets, peninsulas and park systems that allow us to lose ourselves in wonder.
Just a half a mile off of Folly Road and just 3 1/2 miles from downtown Charleston, there is a small piece of land that will take you away and let you be you.
On an evening just this week, we went to the end of the dock, where there is a picnic bench, enjoyed a bottle of Italian red wine and took photographs of the sunset over the marsh. In the distance, a teen in a white tee-shirt played guitar, two women shared the dock with us and later as the sun set to the west a couple sat on the rocking bench as their dogs wandered the park.
This small hideaway offers so much in so little space:
You can fish off the pier into the marsh
View of the sunrise and sunset
View of Harbor View Road, James Island Connector and the Cooper River Bridge
Romantic rocking bench
Swing sets
Picnic tables and a small grill
Secluded and safe
Stunning views
Let us go on a photographic journey together and you too will fall in love.
Welcome to Dock Street ParkLook at the reflection of the clouds in the waterThe tree stump adds something specialWho is up for a swing?The tree stump adds something specialBirdhouse in the marshTime for a walk on the pierEven the clouds are rejoicingSunrise moment
If you are looking for a quiet escape, a romantic swing, great photo opportunity, a picnic or some personal serenity time, find your way to Dock Street Park. It will leave a lasting impression.
Between the Peninsula and Folly Beach are a rich traditional of restaurants, bars, an adventure course, great fresh seafood, county parks, a gym, thrift shops and more. Just to the left as you head to the beach, there is a restaurant that provides all the necessary elements of a man cave than would even make a woman smile.
The Break on Folly Road is the perfect escape to play, drink and eat.
A few reasons you need to spend some quality time here:
Monday Night is Live Trivia – Starts promptly at 7:00 PM
A series of large screen televisions including a ridiculously large one as you enter
Outdoor patio seating when it isn’t 110 degrees outside
Plenty of parking lot space to park or play cornhole
At the corner of the strip mall is Badd Kitty (Adult shop for couples and more)
Pool Tables
Dart Boards
Regulation Air Hockey
Beer Pong Video Game
Basketball Video Shoot
Competition Racing Game
NBA Jam ’94 (Yes Old School)
Pinball
Tater Tot Nachos (Oh Baby good)
A fun and friendly staff
Craft Beer, a few wines and full service bar
If sixteen reasons aren’t enough, I give up.
For $25.00 and a dream, you can play games, drink some good craft beer and catch a game on the big screen.
The bar is spacious offering table, bar and booth seating with separation points for the video games and pool area.
Sometimes you don’t always see what is right in front of you. The Break is no exception. From the street, it looks like a nice stop in bar, but once you walk in you will see it is so much more.
This is a treat for Charleston/James Island and one that will not bore you.
The Break is located at 778 Folly Road, James, Island, SC
The last time company showed up at the Mensch residence, we had a nice visit to Patriot’s Point. This time I had to find something to distract the in-laws, Jan & Jay, from the NCAA March Madness.
What could be more distracting than a visit to The Charleston Tea Plantation and more fun than lunch at a food truck at Irvin’s Vineyard and a quick stop at the Angel Oak.
The Charleston Tea Plantation is almost at the end of Wadmalaw Island, south and east of the Holy City. The only way out there is to drive the Maybank Highway which starts at Folly Road and crosses Main Road.
The drive is pretty simple: find your way to Savannah Highway, Route 17, and head south. Hang a left on Main Road, cross over the Intracoastal Waterway on one of the ugliest bridges in the world, and turn right onto Maybank Highway, Route 700, to the Plantation. You can get to Maybank Highway from Folly Road, too, but the four-lane of Savannah Highway is a little quicker.
Driving down the Maybank Highway is a little like driving back in time. You pass under old live oak trees with Spanish Moss dripping down like the conquistador’s beard from whence it got its name. Just pass the Angel Oak dirt road turnoff, Maybank curves to the left with Bears Bluff Road heading off to the right. (If your interests are more in the realm of wine and booze, head right on Bears Bluff Road to Irvin Vineyards.) Along the ten mile route you’ll pass plantations, churches, a school, a tree farm; You could probably tune your radio to an AM station and hear Patsy Cline.
I found the gated entry on the left and followed the dirt road pass the experimental tea field and found a parking space under the trees. It was a short walk to the visitor’s center and gift shop where everything is tea, tea and more tea. There was on over-sized frog, named Waddy, sitting on a bench on the porch waiting for us to stop by for a photo opportunity.
My visitors were wowed with the free factory tour of how the tea is processed after harvest and prepared for delivery to the Bigelow Tea Company for packaging in a unique pyramid=shaped teabag. Bigelow? I thought this was the Charleston Tea Plantation?
Photo By Paul Brustowicz
Bigelow Tea Company is a recent part of the history of CTP that goes back to 19th century China, Summerville, SC of all places, and the Lipton Tea Company as we learned on the not-free-but-reasonable Trolley tour of the Plantation. (AAA discount available.)
Our guide and driver was John Kennedy along with voice over from Bill Hall, the Founder of Charleston Tea Plantation.
It turns out that tea plants love South Carolina: the heat and the humidity are tea plants’ best friends and the sandy soil of Wadmalaw Island is perfect for their cultivation. And who knew they are camellias? Yes, the scientific name is Camellia sinensis. The plants from China that were planted in Summerville in the 19th century are now producing tea in Wadmalaw Island thanks to the Lipton company. Apparently tea plants give live oaks a run for their money in the longevity department.
When Hall needed to expand the ONLY tea plantation in North America, he turned to Bigelow Tea Company as an investment partner. It allowed him to expand production and include a new visitors center and gift shop. Hall is actively involved in the business, checking on plants in the green house, supervising harvesting and planting.
Just outside the visitor’s center there is a geography pole, you know, a pole with arrows pointing in different directions with country names and distances painted on the arrows? This pole points to the next closest tea plantations.
There is a map of the world in the visitor’s center with tea plantation sites illuminated. The only light in North America is Wadmalaw Island.
Photo by Paul Brustowicz
We left America’s Tea Garden with a several boxes of American Classic Tea and some souvenirs for tea drinking friends and headed back to the Angel Oak. The turn popped up before I knew it and I almost missed it. Why does the return drive always feel shorter than the drive out? Anyhow, the Angel Oak duly impressed our visitors with its girth, length and age. They actually seemed awed as do most visitors to the Angel Oak. All the free tea was beginning to work its magic and we headed for home to tune in the NCAA.
I like to go out of my way every now and then to see what I might be missing. On my way back from an afternoon cruise around Johns Island, I stumbled across The Southern General and stopped in for lunch.
Moments after taking a seat at the bar in this dimly lit and cozy little shop, I settled into a local beer and opened the menu. My eyes were immediately drawn to the words “sweet potato” that popped up sporadically across the menu, but it was not in the usual manner. Typically, when I think of sweet potatoes, I imagine baked with butter and brown sugar or fried with cinnamon sugar and honey. Southern General takes it to a new level. Spicy sweet potato cream cheese and sweet potato garlic kimchi? Where have you been all my life? There are other eye catching ingredients used in their dishes – guavanero banana mustard, bourbon mushrooms – but I couldn’t get sweet potatoes off my mind.
My server recommended either the Sesame Shrimp, Super Butt, or the Cubano, so I decided to give the Super Butt a try. I don’t know whether it was a genius plan or a stroke of luck, but the ingredients in this sandwich work together perfectly on a functional and gustatory level. Just beneath the crispy toasted local honey white bread is a spread of spicy sweet potato cream cheese. This condiment not only adds a light sweet and spicy touch, but it also functions to create a barrier between the juices of the braised pork and relish. If there’s one thing I hate about barbecue sandwiches, it’s a soggy bun that disintegrates in my hands. The cream cheese keeps the bread crisp and juices in the meat, right where they belong. The tender house braised pork brings the meat of the flavor – pun intended – and the sweet onion mustard relish brings another sweet and zesty touch that pairs well with the faint sweetness of the cream cheese. Over all, this sandwich is a well balanced collection of flavors that will fill you up and have you longing to come back for more.
The cucumber salad, which comes standard with their sandwich options, is a delicious accompaniment to their bold and savory sandwiches. The thin sliced cucumbers, carrots, onions, and bell peppers are thin enough to have thoroughly absorbed all of the tangy flavors of the vinaigrette, but they are far from soggy. The veggies still retain a refreshing crispness that rounds out this side dish.
The owner, Chef Tim Erwin, came out and introduced himself and we had a pleasant conversation about how they work with other businesses on Johns Island to make Southern General a tight part of the island’s community. I was excited to learn that they work together with Seanachai, the Irish pub and social club next door. Seanachai doesn’t usually serve food, so you can order from Southern General’s menu and enjoy the delicious sandwiches while you delight in the full bar-service at the pub just next-door.
Tim also let me in on the fact that they’re going to be bringing on some new menu items in the near future, so there’s one more reason on top of the already delicious menu offerings to bring me back.
If you frequent Folly Beach, you have passed this small unimposing bakery just to the left on Folly Road. It is hidden near a salon, boxing center, barber shop and La Hacienda. You will notice the blinking open light, but many are unaware of the bakery creations that lie inside. Baguette Magic offers a unique French Style Bakery experience right in your own backyard.
Their menu is small enough to fit in your wallet and their pricing is very similar to the Euro system where all tax is built in. They even offer wallet size menus upon arrival so you can plan ahead for the next time. Let us lay out the menu to help show the simplicity of this establishment. Baguette Magic will not win you over with complex or fancy, but pure delicious delicacies. The fresh baked fluffiness is in sight and smell from the first step inside.
They offer five culinary categories: Bread, Croissant, Sandwiches, beverages (juice, milk, water) and Saturday & Sunday Brunch. Of course, no meal would be complete without a fine coffee selection. If you are looking for a traditional cup of drip coffee, keep making your way to Starbucks, for Baguette Magic only serves French Press pour. It is rich and robust and wakes you like a zesty bar of soap.
Their breads and croissants are authentic French style and this authenticity, makes it a breath of fresh air in James Island.
The interior is small and quaint with a bar top area, a few booths and tables and a staff right in front of you baking away before the sun even rises.
If you are looking to start your morning right, start with a berry or almond croissant. The soft flaky outside combined with divine fresh ingredients inside will leave your mouth wanting more. Savor each bite and eat slowly for the taste lingers on.
If you find your way there for lunchtime, you may lean toward a Salmon & Dill Croissant, Prosciutto & Mozzarella with Basil Croissant or their unique offering of Pate de Campagne.
Baguette Magic can cater to one, an adoring couple starting their day before a bridge walk or cater to larger groups.
At $3.00 for a berry or almond croissant, $2.00 for a cup of coffee and $8.00 for a sandwich, the prices are incredibly well within any price range.
If you arrive to a line, don’t fret. Be patient and enjoy the aromas throughout this small intimate bakery. The wait will be worth it.
Starting in the fall, Baguette Magic will start to offer homemade desserts to its menu.
The staff truly compliments the food with a kind demeanor and welcoming smile with each visit.
Sunday, September 22 was the annual Carolina Green Fair. This year the event changed venues from Marion Square Park in downtown Charleston to James Island County Park and what a difference it made. The vast openness of the County Park expanded the event to a whole new level.
With a large open children’s area, two live music stages, chef’s demonstration area, clothing swap, pet adoption center and vendors for all the eye can see, this was a day filled with wonderful smiling people with one common shared belief: protecting the environment.
Whether your passion is recycling, beer education, organic gardening, energy efficiency, wellness or food, this was the event for you.
After the morning rain cleared, the scene was set. With a nice slight breeze and slightly overcast sky, the weather held up nicely. A sign that nature was on our side. Throughout the day, we were greeted with smiles and fresh aromas of scented soaps, flower bouquets, tofu wraps, vegan baked goods and so much more.
What made the Green Festival so special was:
Awareness and Education – The volunteers, vendors and chefs that contributed their time and energy to make this event a success all care for the environment and loved sharing their personal knowledge with the community of Charleston.
Warmth – Each and every vendor we spoke to had faces lit up with smiles. A true testimony to the personalities and caring nature of people that truly strive to protect Mother Earth.
The pallet of food – This festival was nothing short of a foodie dream. From the King of Pops to Black Bean Company; BBQ to Indian, this was a food lovers dream.
Music to soothe the soul – From the two stages throughout the day, we were blessed with some great local talent, some as young as thirteen years old playing guitars, violins and singing vocals with passion.
Kids, Kids, Kids – With more open space than years past, the children’s area was larger than ever including a bike obstacle course and rock climbing.
Clothing for all – The clothing swap allowed you to trade your old clothes for a new selection. This was a big hit during the course of the day.
Birds of Prey – For the animals of flight fans, this was a welcome sight seeing eagles and owls co-existing together for the entertainment of the audience.
Chef Demos – Chefs from all over the Charleston area shared their secret recipes and then the dishes after. The basil, honey, canola, olive oil based dressing was amazing!
Commitment to a clean, safe and healthy environment – That was and continues to be a valued goal in Charleston. The festival is a reminder of what was are striving for in this community.
A warm and genuine thank you to all the volunteers who shared their time and knowledge with all of us on Sunday.
For more information about this Sunday’s Carolina Green Fair – Click Here
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