AN OCCASIONAL BINGE & FRIED PICKLES

On occasion, everyone MUST have a binge meal.  Oh WOW, have I discovered two fabulous spots!

Lunch is a must at NIRLEP INDIAN RESTAURANT
Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC

Nirlep offers both vegetarian and non with wine available .  (not sure why, but the red wine is served chilled - small price to pay for this varied selection of the authentic flavors of Indian Cuisine.)  The star is the luncheon buffet (I am sooooo opposed to buffets) which to date is the only one I would even consider.  (hey, never say never)

The selections are bountiful, the hosts are gracious and yes, it is so easy to over eat.  I have never tasted a fresher salad than what they serve and would love to snag that recipe.  Other favorites are the vegetable pakoras  (yes, yes, fried...definite theme developing here in Charleston), channa masala (chick peas in curry sauce), dal mankni (fabulous lentil dish) and scores more including meats, soup, breads, sauces and dessert.

Dinner is so much fun at GILLIGAN's.  I can personally recommend the all-you-can-eat shrimp dinner.  For $20 you get a basket of the BEST hush puppies, plates of shrimp (20 at a time, fried, steamed or grilled) and your choice of 3 sides.  Check the menu for other choices, including vegetarian - yep...friends CAN dine together.  http://www.gilligans.net/topic.asp?pid=1

The most unusual appetizer I tried the other night was the fried pickles.  WOW!  Hard to imagine but sorry I didn't miss this one.  Wanna make them taste even better?  Dip them in Ranch Dressing.  Double WOW!

warning - not for dieters!!!