Visiting Charleston
My husband and I are spending 3 nights in Charleston later this month, and we're looking for dining recs. We're coming in from the DC area, and are very interested in Low Country cooking and Southern food in general. We're staying downtown, and we won't have a car. Where can we go for some good eats that we wouldn't find in DC? We'd like one nice place for dinner (we'll be celebrating our anniversary), and other ideas for lunches and dinners. We'd love a good BBQ joint; is it possible to find that in Charleston proper?
We're considering High Cotton, Husk, SNOB, or Peninsula Grill for dinner. What do you think of these? Also, is Hominy a good lunch spot? Have I missed something, maybe some small, local favorite I didn't spot on Chowhound already?
Finally, any interesting dessert places?
Thanks so much in advance; I can't wait for our visit!
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Peninsula Grill
112 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401
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I'd like to put in a vote for what many think is Charleston's finest restaurant. It's McCrady's and well within your range. The chef-owner has recently opened Husk which is on your list but I think McCradys has a wider and more adventuresome menu. All that and a building where George Washington reputedly dined. (We haven't seen him there.)
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McCrady's Restaurant
2 Unity Alley, Charleston, SC 29401 -
Sue in Mt P
Apr 5, 2011 01:45 PM
danna is right. Hominy is a little north of the normal tourist rotation, but it's walkable in DC pedestrian terms ( I so miss Ethopian food! I love my old Dupont Circle 'hood) and it's safe to walk during the day.
I don't think good BBQ can be had within a 50 mile radius of Charleston but I am a snob in the BBQ department. I say stick to lowcountry favorites. My favorite shrimp and grits are at High Cotton, she-crab soup 82 Queen. Do look at Cru and FIG. Cru and 82 Queen both have outdoor seating as does Hominy.
I DO like that cake at Peninsula Grill! Desserts are amazing at High Cotton. danna, did you get dessert at FIG? I never have-always too much other stuff!
Let us know if you have more questions.
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Peninsula Grill
112 N Market St, Charleston, SC 2940182 Queen
82 Queen Street, Charleston, SC 29401›3 Replies-
re: Sue in Mt P
danna
Apr 5, 2011 02:23 PM
We had a strawberry thing w/ cornmeal cake that did not thrill me. Friend had chocolate buddino, i had had that once before...it's pretty good. Buttermilk panna cotta was great, but
I really prefer more tradional desserts to haute cuisine desserts anyway.Actually, i mentioned the PGrill cake because even though I didn't care for it much, it's ....an experience in it's own right...and lots of people (who obviously haven't had MY coconut cake) really like it!
I wish I weren't thinking about dulce de leche HD right now.
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danna
Apr 5, 2011 11:51 AM
The only thing on your list that is sketchy for being walking-distance is Hominy Grill, which is a nice brunch (and I assume lunch as well) but would be a bit more of a walk. Check the distance on Google maps.
You haven't mentioned Cru Cafe or Fig, both standouts, IMO.
I'm curious about the responses you get for dessert. Lately that's where I've had the worst luck. There's a place called kaminsky's that gets recommended a lot, but I think it's terrible. My favorite gelato place closed, I don't like the famous coconut cake at Penninsula Grill, i thought Baked was all show and mediocre go , the cupcake a friend brought me recently from Wildflour (a James Beard nominee if I remember correctly) was a big nothing. My favorite dessert by a huge margin in Chas right now is Haagen Dazs (sp?).
