653420 Sat Sep 19 06:50:54 -0700 2009 15 11 General South Archive 0 5041715 We're meeting family (all foodies, one vegetarian) on Dewees Island near Isle of Palms next week for a week of cooking and eating. Given our base and my sister's small child, we're going to eat in 90% of the meals or more. I'm hoping y'all can steer us to the best purveyors in the area. We're happy to drive for the best ingredients but closer to Isle of Palms/Mt Pleasant is better if there isn't a big quality difference. Here's what I've found so far, I'm appreciative of any feedback or suggestions. General Grocery Google tells me there's an Earthfare and a Whole Foods in Mount Pleasant. Is there a better option, particularly for produce? Is there anywhere that sells really good local eggs? Farmer's Market: Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday afternoon. Will this be worth the trek? Will there be breads/meats/eggs? Any vendors we shouldn't miss? Fish market: Other threads suggest Crosby's is the best in town. Is this true? Any competition? Are we a bit early for local oysters? If not, where should we get them? Butcher: Ted's Butcherblock ? Anywhere that has more local meat? Bakery (bread): Normandy Farms, rec'd on other threads looks like what we're looking for. Any other recs? Cheesemonger: ? Wine merchant: ? Sat Sep 19 06:50:54 -0700 2009 67996 brokegradstudent 1 5041752 You are lucky. Dewee's is lovely. But as you know, you need to plan ahead since you can't just run to the store. The Mt Pleasant Farmer's market is well worth your time. Vendors vary. There are cooked food purveyors ( I enjoy Square Onion), as well as beautiful local produce. You are early for local oysters. Shrimp are in season and they are great right now. Go to the dock at Shem Creek (near the Mt P market) for the best right off the boat. Never been to Ted's. I get meat at NY Butchershop on Coleman in Mt P. The Whole Foods in Mt P that has a large wine and cheese selection, as well as nice baked goods. Earthfare is closed. Can't help with the eggs-my next door neighbor has a chicken. have fun. Sat Sep 19 07:11:36 -0700 2009 5041715 126781 Sue in Mt P 2 5043129 We love the Mt. Pleasant Farmer's Market. In addition to Ted's, if you are investigating gourmet markets, you might try Caviar and Bananas. http://www.caviarandbananas.com/offerings/ Sat Sep 19 21:22:36 -0700 2009 5041752 107254 BetsyinKY 3 5043455 I so need to go there! Don't laugh- I rarely go downtown! But maybe I'll go today and tell y'all what I find. Sun Sep 20 06:43:51 -0700 2009 5043129 126781 Sue in Mt P 4 5044717 it is very nice and tasty...it will always be on my stops from now on Sun Sep 20 18:12:08 -0700 2009 5043455 11854 LaLa 1 5044358 The recomendations you got so far are good. don't bother with caviar and bannanas or teds though unless you'll already be downtown. Try NY butchershop on coleman like sue said. The markets are always a good choice, and go to mt. pleasant seafood on shem creek or one of the others on the creek for good seafood. Sun Sep 20 15:22:35 -0700 2009 5041715 136931 sonalamp 2 5044478 I almost forgot! Great wine at Winestyles in the Mt P Town Center. You can taste before buying! It's next to Belks. Sun Sep 20 16:16:04 -0700 2009 5044358 126781 Sue in Mt P 3 5045328 I second Sue's rec for Winestyles! I was there this summer. It is more like a boutique and not a "warehouse":-) Friendly, helpful service without the "uppity-ness" you get in some wine shops. Every Thursday night Winestyles has scheduled tastings. Eggs--Mepkin Abbey use to sell the best eggs. Then Peta put them out of biz. Now the monks are growing mushrooms. So be on the lookout for Mepkin Abbey mushrooms! I love Normandy Farms. Get there early or call and reserve your bread. Mon Sep 21 04:42:03 -0700 2009 5044478 1101609 OurGreatEscape 2 5044728 what about Boone Hill Farms....they have some good local things Sun Sep 20 18:17:36 -0700 2009 5044358 11854 LaLa 3 5053725 Thanks for the rec's everyone! A few more questions: I found the Boone Hall website (http://www.boonehallfarms.com/) but can't get a sense of their size. Are they close to, say, the size of an average grocery store? Liquor: I'm starting from a position of ignorance about liquor laws in SC. I seems that there are independent stores rather than state run like here in NC. Could y'all point me to one with a particularly good higher end selection? Or does it not vary much store to store? Wed Sep 23 18:04:05 -0700 2009 5044728 67996 brokegradstudent 4 5053819 No it's a nicely appointed produce stand. I like it but the Mt P Farmer's Market better. Liquor stores stores are different from NC. There's one on IOP-it'll be on your way to your ferry in the IGA shopping center. If it doesn't suit let me know. There are others in Mt P. I also have to plug my friends at New York Butcher Shop. I had a flat tire between my house and the shop yesterday (one mile!) and they changed my tire. They have geat stuff and are gentlemen as well. Have fun and hit me up if you have more questions. Dewee's is beautiful. Wed Sep 23 18:40:41 -0700 2009 5053725 126781 Sue in Mt P 4 5054387 Liquor: Wine and beer can be purchased in "specialty" shops and in most grocery stores. Hard liquor can only be purchased at "Red Dot" shops. Look for the three red dots on the sides of buildings:-) Thu Sep 24 03:43:21 -0700 2009 5053725 1101609 OurGreatEscape 5 5054454 My Minnesota relatives drove around for an hour and came home booze-less when they stayed w/ us. If you don't know to look for the dots, finding a liquor store can be a challenge. Thu Sep 24 05:21:47 -0700 2009 5054387 10471 danna 6 5054522 Yeah, there will be no "LIQUOR!" sign, lol. Just a big red dot. And I used to know why, but now I forgot. OK so I am now the rhyming liquor person. Thu Sep 24 06:07:14 -0700 2009 5054454 126781 Sue in Mt P 1 5058616 Saffron at 333 E Bay St has some interesting breads, including a loaf with nuts and ginger that is great for hot buttered toast. They also have really good amaretto cookies, benne (sesame) crisps, thse sorts of things. It couldnt hurt to stop in and see what appeals to you. Fri Sep 25 13:53:07 -0700 2009 5041715 253377 Buddha49 2 5058808 AND desserts! I agree. Breakfast there is excellent but probably not convenient for the OP. I just thougth about this. Are you coming in on Sunday? Some of the recommended places are closed on Sundays. The Mt P Farmer's market is on Tuesdays from 4-? Fri Sep 25 15:23:38 -0700 2009 5058616 126781 Sue in Mt P