The Bee Charmer Loves Charleston

Image by me.

Out and About in Charleston

Did I mention that, while in Charleston, I ate at my favorite place in the world? 

Well I did. 

And Slightly North of Broad did not disappoint me!!!

Out and About on Sullivan's Island

When I was a little girl, my mom subscribed to Southern Living and after reading an article about Sullivan's Island, I determined that I wanted to live there when I grew up....

Although I do not live there, I did eat dinner there last week, at Atlanticville - so totally worth it!

We were supposed to go to Fig but we weren't all that taken with the menu that night so we cancelled that and went to Atlanticville instead....

If you are staying out on the Isle of Palms or in Sullivan's Island or if you just want to take a cool drive across the bridge... 

Go!  Eat!  Thank me later....

Husk

Due to Hurricane related cancellations, we were able to score a lunch reservation at Husk in Charleston.

Score one for Irene!

For those of you who haven't heard, Husk was recently named the 'Best New Restaurant in the Country' by Bon Appetit Magazine.  I also was particularly proud because their chef (and apparent culinary wunkderkind) is up from my neck of the woods in Southwest Virginia.... 

In a word - Oh. My. God.

I know - it's three words but I couldn't do it in one. 

First of all - they brought us homemade rolls with sesame seeds on top and little bites of salt and the butter!  The butter was mixed with rendered bacon fat...  That's right - they mixed butter and bacon together!  Genius!  Why had I never thought of that???

Then for lunch we had a 'cheeseburger'  but that title really doesn't do it justice. 

Y'all - they grind up bacon and mix it in with the hamburger meat and then fry it... bacon IN the hamburger!  Again - Genius!!!

It was so, so good.  A bacon extravaganza!

I can't stop thinking about it....  I also basically haven't stopped oozing bacon out of the pores in my face since last Friday.  It's a good thing Charleston is 200 miles away - is all I am saying.

But I would eat one every day if I could do it and still, you know, not weigh 400 pounds.

Also, the building was absolutely lovely.  Just beautiful -

And the service was amazing.

Go!  As soon as possible! 

And make sure you make a reservation - well in advance....

The Bee Charmer Loves Charleston

Image from here.

The Bee Charmer Loves Charleston

Image:  Charleston Store Front by Vita Nostra.

Wednesday - Run Away Without Leaving Home

I'm lusting for Charleston. 

Just so ya know.

When I win the lottery I am SO buying a Pied a` Terre down there!
Image from here.

Sunday Morning

The Bee Charmer Loves Charleston

"I'm going back to dignity and grace.  I'm going back to Charleston, where I belong."

Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind

Image:  Charleston Sidewalk by The Eccentric Lady.

Charleston

Charleston was GREAT! I can't remember a little trip that I have enjoyed more!!

We stayed at the lovely, historic Francis Marion Hotel on King Street and boy, did they take care of us. If you are headed down there, please stay at the Francis Marion! Conveniently located, staff is wonderful and such a beautiful place. Spend a little extra and get a room with a view. We had a view of the park and all the way to the ocean. So lovely!


Our first night, we ate at Blossom Cafe, which I love. It's the third time I've eaten there and let me tell you, I ate everything that didn't eat me first. I had rare yellow fin sesame tuna for an appetizer and a lovely, pepper crusted steak with sweet potato hash for dinner. And some kind of trifle for dessert. Our waiter, Mark, was just excellent and we had a great time.


This is the interior at Blossom. The ceiling rafters are awesome and they have a copper bar. The Bee Charmer comes from a long line of copper aficionados, y'all!

Saturday morning was raw and rainy and gray, but despite this, it was Charleston, so we didn't so much care. We put on our raincoats and grabbed our umbrellas and headed out down King Street for some happy time shopping. I didn't really buy anything, but I had such a nice time looking.

The one thing I did buy was a Diptyque Candle at Christian Michi.

They're expensive, but I can't find them in Charlotte and life is too short for cheap candles.

After an arduous morning, we made our way to High Cotton for lunch and I pretty much ate everything they had, too.

Seared salmon with sweet potato, leek and mushroom ragout. And a lovely little sauvingnon blanc. And a chocolate bomb for dessert.

I had never eaten at High Cotton, but I have to say that I enjoyed it immensely. They take good care of you.


Finally, on Saturday night we had reservations at my favorite place in the world, Slightly North of Broad - or SNOB.

I had a poached pear salad as a starter and crab cakes for dinner. I think there was some kind of sweet potato something included in that, too. And a pinot noir. And a bourbon.

If you've never been to Charleston, GO! If you've been there, but not for a while, GO BACK!

I Ate The Whole Thing

The first time I have ever eaten an ENTIRE steak. It was incredible.

Thank you Blossom Cafe!

Happy Friday!

So, I'm off to Charleston, South Carolina today, with my sweet friend Julie.

It's sort of a birthday trip but really, we just want to go.

I get the same high out of Charleston that I get from Paris. They have the same sort of beautiful, romantic vibe - at least to me.

And since Charleston is a short drive and Paris is a long, long flight, Charleston is going to win out this time.

Y'all have a fun weekend!