time and space: New Year. New Town. New Dish.

Monday, September 27, 2010

New Year. New Town. New Dish.

WHEN: September 25, 2010
WHERE: Downtown Charleston, SC

Celebrations were in order this weekend as Stacie turned 26 last week. I can still state her age publicly, because she's under 30. That's the rule, right? Any agreement? I will give the wives a moment to deliberate...

Stace says I can. I'm moving on.

It was Stacie's job to think of how to spend her birthday money. It was my job to decide where to take her for dinner. I've always enjoyed surprising her (in the little and big things) and I was excited she charged me with this task for her birthday. It wasn't the surprise aspect that was taxing but the amount of options at my disposal. Charleston's culinary scene is phenomenal and the options are both diverse and exceptional (and yummy). Two local educational culinary institutions have brought in and retained many aspiring chefs which in turn has also attracted highly experienced chefs from around the world. The unique atmosphere of downtown Charleston and the propensity towards local food sources also add to the dining experience. But enough of the gobbledygook. More on the food to come.

We began our outing at the Tanger Outlet Mall where Stace was intent on finding some deals at The Gap. To my grateful delight, that was the only store we stopped in at the entire mall. This was an outlet mall, people. And she only drug me in to one store! (And I even got some $12 work pants out of the deal). Cha! Ching! The real reason we were in and out so quickly was because Stace had even better shopping in mind. Better than an outlet mall? Yes, we were then off to Stace's new favorite place to shop - The Market, in downtown Charleston.

We first visited The Market last year when we visited Charleston with our friends, Emily & Keith. Since then , Stace has been enamored with the four blocks of local vendors, selling hand-made, local merchandise. The history of the market is less glamorous and was a place where slaves came to sell produce, livestock, and goods fabricated on the nearby plantations. I'm not sure but it wouldn't be a far cry to guess that slaves may likely have been sold here as well. It is a sad symbol of Charleston's past but nevertheless a monument within the cityscape. Today it is a "central station" of sorts for the city and an attraction most women (especially with birthday money in hand) can't ignore.

At The Market last month

Unfortunately we hit the market around the time shops were packing up for the day, at what seemed to be a prime and bustling time. Stace was gravely disappointed, as we seemingly ran down the four blocks of shops, trying to see as much as we could and perhaps tricking ourselves in to believing it wasn't closing time. Once reality set in, so did our appetites and the tantalizing aromas swirling around in the warm evening air were enough to suppress the disappointments in 'shoppingville'. It was time to unveil my establishment of choice.

Strolling the quaint and beautiful streets of downtown Charleston (greeted by all the restaurants we passed by at dinnertime). It was a long walk back to the car for our stomachs.

You know, your typical Subway entrance.

A palm trying to attain a prime piece of real estate.

I received many great ideas for restaurants from my coworkers (too many) and I narrowed it down to what I thought (all things considered) Stace would most enjoy. As I'm unable (and self-advised) to provide any further climatic appeal for my choice, I present...

Coast Bar & Grill

Coast is a local seafood joint, serving many local flavors and entrees and tucked back in an alley surrounded by other excellent restaurant choices. It occupies a former indigo warehouse and boasts 40ft. ceilings with original brick and timber throughout, an outdoor patio, and a custom-made hickory & oak wood burning grill. We both tried new entrees and ordered more than we could eat. We started off sharing the Coast crab dip & hush puppies (in addition to the loaf of bread provided) then each had to tackle our own entrees. Stace tried the cashew encrusted grouper and I had the crab encrusted tilapia. No, not everything there is "encrusted". How does that unappetizing word even make it on to a menu? We both were happy with our choices and had a whole meal of leftovers when all was said and done. We may not choose the same entrees a second time but we would both be very willing to return to Coast. But with so many options in Charleston, it may a while until then.

The rustic facade of Coast

Alley leading to the secluded restaurant

Full tummies, big smiles, a year older.

We were far from done with the night downtown. The air was warm, sky was clear, the breeze was fresh, and Charleston at night is captivating. See for yourself...

An (almost) full moon over Charleston Harbor

The Porcher-Simonds House (1856)

The Edmondston-Alston House (c. 1817)

Two Meeting St. Inn
This home (now a bed & breakfast) was built in 1890-1892 and given as a wedding gift from a father to his daughter.

One of many creepy mansions and entryways. Ghost tours are available year-round but walking down these historic lanes at night doesn't take much imagination for your mind to create a tour of its own!

The Calhoun Mansion (1876)
The largest residence in Charleston (at over 24,000 square feet), the Calhoun Mansion has 35 rooms, 35 fireplaces, and a 75ft. staircase. It's a feat just to fit all of it into a photo! Make sure you check out the photo gallery for the mansion!