Husk

I've never had a bad meal in Charleston.  There are so many good restaurants to choose from.  But, I've been wanting to have the Husk experience for a couple of years now.   I've listened to interviews with Sean Brock on some of my favorite podcasts, he's often featured in foodie magazines and I'm familiar with his philosophy of preparing dishes from local and seasonal ingredients.  On the Husk web site, it states, "At Husk there are some rules about what can go on the plate.  If it doesn't come from the South, it's not coming through the door.  Brock explains, the resulting cuisine is not about rediscovering Southern cooking, but exploring the reality of Southern food."  Check out the link above, so you can see the lovely pictures of the dining room and read all about Chef Brock and the suppliers. 

When you walk in the front door, the first thing you see is this display board, informing guests where the ingredients for their meals was grown or raised.  As a gardener myself, this kind of thing gets me pretty excited.   I'm all about supporting local producers.  

I refrained myself from taking pictures of every course, and let me tell you it was hard.  But, even I recognize how annoying that can be to other diners.  This was our supper menu, and yes it's called supper, not dinner.  The atmosphere was casual and the servers were excellent.

We started with the pimento cheese on benne crackers.  It was awesome!!!  I love a good pimento cheese, but bacon jam!  Holy moly was that good.  I came home with a new project.  Learn how to make that bacon jam.  I ordered the chicken and Lynette had the pork.  You can see both plates below, along with a skillet of cheese grits.  We had to do it, and it was totally worth every calorie.  I love to dine with someone who enjoys discussing every detail of what we're eating.  "How did they get these grits so creamy?" "This chicken is so tender, must have been because they cooked it on the bone and then deboned it, huh?  Do you think they brined it?" "What are all these root vegetables?  Are these parsnips?" "Now, how did the server say he made this pork?  Cooked a smoked shoulder, chopped it and pressed it into shape, wrapped in pork belly?"  "What is in this tomato jam?"  And on it went.  So fun to eat with someone who gets as excited about a meal as I do!  And, I loved the pottery dinnerware.

After the appetizer and entrees, we were really too full for dessert, but we had to have the full experience, right?  I ordered the Husk S'more and Lynette chose the Ice Cream Sandwich.  It was the peppermint ice cream that got her.

Her dessert came cleverly wrapped in paper (sorry, no picture), just as you would expect to receive an ice cream sandwich.  The S'more was delicious, even though those marshmallows were a little more toasty than I prefer.  The chocolate mousse layer was the best.

We were stuffed by the time we left, but oh, so happy.  A sign of a good restaurant experience, is that you're still thinking and talking about it long after the meal is over.  I sure hope I'll be eating here again one day.   It was all that I had hoped it would be and a great new restaurant discovery.  Be sure and check out Husk when your in Charleston.  I made my reservation a month in advance and there were very few openings available, so plan ahead.  

*Take the Time Goal #55 - Try out a new restaurant each month.

Girls Weekend in Charleston

I've been counting down the days for this little get away.  I left on Thursday for a long weekend escape from reality, which meant plenty of snow still on the ground at my house.  I was ready for sunshine, sleeping in beds I didn't have to make and eating great food that I didn't prepare or have to clean up after!  I started the  weekend with a visit to the temple.  Since I would be going through Columbia on my way to Charleston, it seemed like a good plan.  I usually attend in the morning, but this evening session was nice. I loved having time to linger in the celestial room without feeling rushed to get back on the road and head home.  I stayed in Columbia that night and headed to Charleston the next morning.

This is a sight that thrills me every time I see it.  That Ravenel Bridge is something else.  And look at those blue skies! 

I met up with my dear friend, Lynette at our hotel in Mt. Pleasant.  Accommodations are much more reasonable on that side of the bridge and I don't mind crossing back and forth to go into Charleston.  We hadn't seen each other in a year and had lots of catching up to do.  Walking on the beach is a great place for that.  We both love Isle of Palms.  The salty air and the sound of the waves on the beach are a tonic that cures the winter doldrums.  Walking barefoot in the sand, with the wind blowing my hair, I was in heaven!   

We decided to start the day on Saturday by walking across the bridge.  Lynette is nursing a running injury, so she jogged part of the distance, while I walked and took pictures.  I had neglected to bring my good walking shoes and by the time I finished the five miles over and back, my feet were letting me know about it!  It was worth it though. 

The views from the bridge were lovely.

We went into Charleston later in the day for a historic walking tour.  Two hours of information about the history and architecture of the city and probably the best twenty dollars I spent all weekend.  I plan to take a tour each time I visit in the future.  This was Lynette's fourth tour and she said each one has been different and offered her new information.  Walking the streets of Charleston is a complete delight, even when your feet are screaming in pain.

We spotted our dinner destination as soon as we came out of the parking garage.   More on that later.

The Pink House, built around 1712, is believed to be the oldest remaining structure in the city.   The pink exterior comes from the coral limestone brought over as ballast in the ships from Bermuda.

Road beds made of cobblestones used as ballast in the ships.

I loved learning about the features on the typical Charleston Single houses.  This architectural style refers to houses built one room wide with double covered porches.  They can be several stories high but the narrow part of the house always faces the street.  If that front door was opened, it meant the family was receiving guests, if it was closed it meant, do not disturb.  Of course everything had a practical purpose as well, like the stone outside the door in the picture below.  That was for the ladies to step up into their carriages.

If only these old trees could talk, the stories they would tell!

This plaque on a house meant it was insured in case of fire, which was a serious threat in Charleston.

The Dock Street Theatre

Charleston is called the Holy City because of the many beautiful churches gracing it's streets.

Throughout the city, you will find these artisans making their sweetgrass baskets.  Brought to the area by African slaves over three hundred years ago, this art form is a treasure that is still passed down from one generation to the next.  This artist said she has already taught her grandchildren how to weave.  These baskets are amazing.  On this trip, I just admired and resisted buying.

Look how lush and green this garden is.  Peeking through the gate we could imagine ladies in hoop skirts entertaining their guests.  Our guide told us they planted very fragrant flowers not only because they were beautiful, but to distract from the unsanitary smells of the streets.

Colonial Charles town was a walled city, fortified from attacks from land and sea.

Walking along the Battery, was one of the most beautiful areas on the peninsula.  This is where the Cooper (pronounced coopa by the locals) and Ashley River meet and an important location in the early history of Charleston.

This is the famous Rainbow Row of fourteen historic homes built near the waterfront in the 18th century on East Bay street.  all brightly painted with pastel colors, some say this was so the drunken sailors would know which house to enter. 

After our walking tour ended we did a little shopping.  Neither of us are big shoppers, but we do like a nice specialty store, especially those involving food.  Low Country Oil was a ton of fun. 

We both left with a few bottles of interesting vinegars and some oils for experimenting with back at home.  Blood orange and pear cranberry vinegar for me and Market Street praline pecan olive oil for both of us.  We enjoyed brainstorming possibilities for that one!  A stop at the French Bakery and a stroll through Anthropologie and we were content.   We had much anticipated dinner plans at Husk and oh my, what can I say?  A lot.  That will be my next post. 

The next morning we came back to Charleston and attended the French Huguenot Protestant Church.  On our walking tour we learned that the church was founded in 1681 by Huguenot refugees from France.  The church on the site today was built in 1845 and we were told they were very welcoming to visitors.  (Even those in jeans, yikes!)   We were intrigued and wanted to see the inside of the church, as well as experience their worship service.   

The first hymn was sung in French.

The service was lovely and included music and readings from these books.

A very knowledgeable docent gave us a tour of the church after the service.  It was beautiful.

I especially loved the scripture admonition over the door.

This was the cemetery located by the church.

We couldn't go home without having some shrimp and grits.  

What a fantastic weekend.  It included all the things I love.  History, culture, the beach, walking, great food and plenty of friend time.  I've decide the end of January is the perfect time to visit Charleston.  The weather is nice, the crowds are light and the room rates are off season.  It's just about the time when I need a reprieve from the cold mountain weather and a rest from the post holiday activities.  I think this should become a tradition!

I returned home eager to learn more about Charleston and the Huguenots.  Now, it's time to dig into some research, one of my favorite things.  

*Take the Time Goals #36 - Walk on a beach.    #38 Take lots of pictures. #45 Attend the temple monthly.  

My Valentines Kitchen

Last weekend, I opened my kitchen to these little bakers and they turned out some pretty sweet treats.  This has become a bit of a tradition for us, and each year I do less and less as they are now very comfortable with rolling pins and cookie cutters.  Working along side kids in the kitchen, helping them learn skills, while making lovely memories, this makes me happier than you can imagine!  I don't even mind that I'm still sweeping sprinkles off my floors.

My Valentine and I made plans to celebrate at home this year.  It was a cold night and we didn't want to fight the restaurant crowds.  I made a dinner that I knew my "meat and potatoes" guy would enjoy.  He said it was better than any restaurant meal, which I'm not sure I completely agree with, but it made him happy and that's what I was going for.   Afterwards, we settled in by the fire, and watched a classic romantic movie, while doing a little chocolate dipping.   Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.  Perfect date night at home.

* You can find the cookie recipe that we used here.