GO Charleston! BEST EATS

YEP, recovering from the head injury...basically except for a few lingering difficulties...I'M BACK and so is this blog.   The hospital culinary experience was a true nightmare.  PLEASE hospital, which shall remain nameless, when and IF I ever return, PLEASE PLEASE serve me some nutritious food.  I wanna get better! Lemon sorbet, grape juice and ice cream are NOT what my body craves.  When I did receive some vegetables, once, they were straight from the freezer and all mushy and soft, NO color, NO texture.  SOOOO now I'm home in SC and eating very well.  I was thrilled to read the article below.  AHHH Charleston, what a great place to eat and live!

• 7 U.S. cities that boast a bright culinary future
• 
  
• Nashville, Tenn., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Charleston, S.C., are just a few cities that have been pegged as the next sites of significant culinary development in the U.S. "Fifteen years ago when I got here, there wasn't a local food movement at all. What jump-started Charleston is that we have a very savvy clientele that includes many tourists -- their tastes were a little more sophisticated," chef Mike Lata said. "Couple that with the resources that we have -- we have the local seafood, and we have a really long growing season farmwise. It was really easy to provide an authentic dining experience based on what we could find locally."Zagat

MAR VISTA / RESTAURANT AND PUB

 

a classic caesar salad with calamari

 

 

served with a dipping sauce and lightly sprinkled with cheese

 

 

If you're lucky enough to get to Florida in the near future, be sure to visit this fun dockside restaurant and pub - MAR VISTA.  Located on Longboat Key, not far from Sarasota on the gulf side; this restaurant is quickly becoming one of my favorites. 

 

As a pesco-vegetarian, I will on occasion eat seafood (less and less now-a-days).  BUT when I feel the urge, the calamari at Mar Vista is a must.  It's the lightest batter I've ever tasted.  Supurb.  I expecially like to share the order with a friend and put my half atop a caesar salad.  For me, this is the perfect luck dockside. 

 

This restaurant also offers a very unique drink called the MARGARONA, a combination of Corona beer and house margarita, hence the margarona!  The beer sits upside down in the drink and slowly seeps in as liquid is displaced. 

 

 

good service and a margarona

 

 

 

I so wish I liked beer.  Maybe next time?

 

 

 

a happy customer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



TRATTORIA LUCCA

This charming little restaurant serves very authentic Italian food.  Vegetarian cuisine is very possible but vegan would be difficult.  Although a sample menu is listed below; my dish last night is very current and not listed on line.  I ordered a pasta dish tossed with very generous helpings of smashed broccoli and pistachios all mixed in a creamy white wine sauce.   Very rich, very delicious!  The portion was more than generous.

Because this is a "cooked to order" restaurant, make sure to order a glass of wine and an appetizer and UNLAX!  Our reservation was for 6:30; we still had not eaten by 8. 

My only criticism is the seating.  Because of the hard surface chairs, with NO padding at all, combined with the very long wait, sitting that long was very very uncomfortable. 

This restaurant is a keeper.  Can't wait to go back.



About this restaurant:http://luccacharleston.com/about-trattoria-lucca/




Check out their menu:

http://luccacharleston.com/menu/

OMG BURGER KING, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

"Burger King wants to lure customers this summer with a barbecue party - and a bacon sundae."

This summer Burger King is featuring several pork, beef and chicken sandwiches as limited time offers.  The theme is summer barbecue party!!!

For dessert, the company is offering a BACON SUNDAE.  You can't make this one up.  This "healthy?" option started in Nashville, Tenn.  The soft vanilla ice cream is served with fudge, caramel, bacon crumbles and a piece of bacon.  YIKES!

The salty-sweet dessert clocks in at 510 calories, 18 grams of fat and 61 grams of sugar.

Is Burger King real?  Have they heard of the epidemic of obesity in America?  Are they doing our children any favors?  Are there perhaps better choices for US to make?

CHICK-A FAT

   No wonder obesity abounds.  I keep hearing there are many healthy options.  Perhaps, IF you eat broiled chicken, that technically may be true.  What if you are a pesco-vegetarian (eats fish but NO meat of any kind?) or God forbid...VEGAN!?!?

I recently found myself accompanying children (hey NOT my choice of restaurants) to Chick-fil-a.  The menu is basically chicken, chicken and chicken.  OK so not to worry, I'll buckle up and order a Caesar salad.  UGH!!!

The plastic container held romaine lettuce, much to large to eat without cutting, tons of cheese shreds and croutons.  I innocently dumped the bagged Caesar dressing onto the salad - something had to make it more palatable.  OMG!  Somewhere, in between tending to the children, I managed to check the dressing label.  How dare they!!!

I was so appalled, I took pictures.

please note, 33 g of FAT, 310 calories

WHY WOULD ANYONE KNOWINGLY EAT THIS?

NEW FAVORITE RESTAURANT

http://www.simonstogo.com/

SIMON'S COFFEE HOUSE, Sarasota, Fl., is currently my new favorite restaurant.  What really impressed me was the vegan and vegetarian section of their menu. 

I tried both the Faken BLT and the the special, Tempeh Reuben.  The carrot-beet soup was smooth and tasty.  I understand the black bean is a real winner. 

Meat and non-meat eaters alike will enjoy this lunch spot.  In addition, Simon's also offers;

health drinks
raw food
speciality coffees
wine and beer
catering
gift cards
soups
children's menu
breakfast
pick up


VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN:

Panini - $9.75 - Soy Bacon, Tofu, Cheddar, Vegan Mayo, BBQ	Faken BLT - $9.75 - Soy Bacon, Tomato, Lettuce, Vegan Mayo
	Krishna - $9.75 - Indian Pickle, Roasted Veggies, Goat Cheese, Spinach, on Lavash Flat Bread	Gallo Pinto - $9.75 - Black Beans, Basmati Rice, Sour cream, Homemade Salsa
	Caprese Panini - $9.75 - Mozzarella, Tomato, Pesto, and Spinach

A TOKEN VEGGIE BURGER

A token veggie burger...

I was so surprised to finally find a great sounding veggie burger at a local establishment, the Charleston Burger Company.  Stoked by the thought of a veggie burger, three of us marched in and attempted to place our "orderly order" in the most unorderly of establishments. 

Proper training of the hired help is oh so helpful.  The young lady, sweet as she was, was oblivious to the concept of "fake" meat.  It was disastrous from the word GO. 

There were a few major flaws at this fledgling establishment:

1.  When entering, it's impossible to quickly figure out the system of ordering.

2.  The menu is difficult at best.

3.  The food is horrendously large in portions, perhaps a turn on for some, not for me!

4.  The delivered product was NOT what I ordered but double what I wanted or could ever conceive of eating.

5.  I was over-charged and given a refund from the TIP CHARGE.  Are you kidding me???

6.  I was able to substitute the fries for coleslaw.  Why was I given the 3 tiny plastic containers instead of one of normal size.  Sure hope they are recycling.

7.  It was assumed that I could eat this gigantic "burger" with the cheapest plastic ware known to mankind.  WHO KNEW?

8.  While the register help was as cordial as can be imagined; the apparent manager (big guy in charge) was totally uncooperative and ineffective.  He needs a better attitude and more thorough training of the HELP.

9. Did I mention the price?  The ads for this restaurant give the price a one star.  NO WAY!  I spent $24 for 2 veggie burgers, was given a refund of $2.00 and drank water as my beverage.  Something is very very wrong here.

10.  The veggie burger option offers WHITE rolls, sesame kaiser OR brioche bun.  Can't we please add whole wheat???

11.  Lastly, there is a bet riding on the closing date of this establishment.  WHY is BIGGER always considered BETTER?  Have you been following the news updates on OBESITY?

the real deal BEEF (7 oz. chuck Angus)

this order served with chips

(I must admit they did look delicious)

my deconstructed veggie burger / these are all the parts I couldn't eat

THE OLD SALTY DOG

fun place for conch fritters and the classic margarita

oh yum

the REAL salty dog

Jon enjoying his lunch

NEXT BLOG:  The Perfect Margarita recipe

BACK FROM TRAVELING

my delicious sandwich from SHEETZ

Good luck being on the road and trying to eat ANYTHING the least bit healthy. (I am totally bored with lunch packing.)   It's an immense challenge.  I've finally narrowed my preferences down to three possibilities IF you can locate them.  This is where the map finder on the IPhone comes in very handy. 

Ruby Tuesdays - great salad bar with umpteen choices / recently I've noticed that the choices are decreasing.  It seems the public are going for the "unhealthy" options.

Chilies - the black bean burger has always been a favorite of mine.  I add the whole wheat bun, skip the cheese, choose the coleslaw over the fries and then splurge on onion strings and blue cheese dressing.  This burger is delicious. 

Sheetz - my new favorite /  made to order food / using one of the many computer screens, YOU design your own sandwich.  There are some good healthy options, including whole wheat bread.  I particularly love the black olives!  Next maybe they'll add some soy cheese.

Upon checking out I was informed of the member's card.  By signing up for a FREE members' card, drinks and food ( I think gasoline too) are discounted.  This is a must for travelers.

check it out:  https://www.sheetz.com/msc/index.cfm

COLUMBIA HOUSE / GREAT BREAD PUDDING

sandwich served with plantain chips / YUM!

this is the reason I eat at the Columbia House / best bread pudding I've ever eaten

garnished with shaved chocolate and fresh mint leaves

When traveling in Florida I always try to eat a meal at Columbia House in Sarasota.  They have been dishing up their infamous  lunch, "1905" Salad and Spanish Black Bean Soup with warm crusty bread, since 1905.  This soup is flavored with sausage BUT a delicious 100% vegetarian Cuban Black Bean soup is available.  The soup is served with rice but they will happily serve without at your request. 

The real reason I keep returning to the Columbia House is the White Chocolate Bread Pudding.  This dessert is absolutely THE BEST I've ever eaten.  It's dense, moist and flavorful, served warm with melty chocolate.  The ingredients include white chocolate, Cuban bread, milk and eggs.  It's topped with Don Casimiro Classic Silver Rum sauce. 

I'm on the hunt for a similar recipe.  If anyone has a GREAT bread pudding recipe, PLEASE SHARE.

great outdoor atmosphere

RIP MAX / THE GOLDEN CUP

On May 22, 2010, I blogged about THE GOLDEN CUP, located on John's Island, SC.  I was fortunate to dine several times at this establishment with great friends.  Pictured above are Barb, Max the owner and retired physician, myself, Ray and Nancy. 

Today I revisited THE GOLDEN CUP.  It is with a heavy heart that I share the news about Max's death.  He was a lovely man, had a great spirit and reveled in his second career.  Being Italian born and a resident of Conn., he knew how to deal with us northerners.  He thought outside the box.  SC has lost a great man.

His wife, Julia, is carrying on with the business and doing a great job.  THE GOLDEN CUP is now open for dinner.  It's still a great place to linger over coffee and get a well prepared breakfast (few and far between down here). 

a good latte

a specially requested egg and potato sandwich on whole wheat

the typical egg sandwich

HISTORY

The Golden Cup Café is named after a café in Rome, Italy with the same name: La Tazza d’Oro. This establishment, located in the heart of Rome, is almost two hundred years old.  The owner of the Golden Cup Café, Massimo Ubertini, referred to as Max, is originally from Italy but spent many years in Conn where he practiced medicine.  After retirement, Max moved to SC and partnered with Judy Anagnos in this restaurant venture. 

still my favorite / shrimp and grits with dill sauce

This morning the sides included a bowl of grits.  I found them much more palatable with the addition of the dill sauce.  They were totally accommodating.

before dill sauce

the addition of the dill sauce / delicious

DINING IN BALTIMORE / GARLIC GARLIC SALAD

casual yet elegant

The highlight of traveling back north is always a meal in Baltimore.  Chiaparella's makes the BEST salad or so I remembered.  Yep, another memory food!  This time around, I found the salad to be way too rich and the serving is way too large, despite the fact that I actually shared one (can one person really eat this much?).  I've become accustomed to the Forks Over Knives dressings with the NO oil policy.  I was actually sick all night, just way way too rich for me. 

it is a great looking salad / I like the red onion diced or thin slices

 I have actually grown to love my version much better.  It's much less creamy and rich and not near as heavy.  (I think my trips to Baltimore are over.)  Even though I previously posted this recipe, I'm listing it ONE MORE TIME.  Enjoy!

add some cherry tomatoes for color

GARLIC GARLIC SALAD DRESSING:

1 cup olive oil
minced garlic (5 cloves)
1/2 cup wine vinegar
1 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan or Romano cheese (or vegan alternative)
1 Tbsp. oregano

Mix the above ingredients and let it set overnight if possible.

SALAD:

2 heads of lettuce, shredded
thinly sliced red onion
2 chopped hard boiled eggs
4 or 5 Italian peppers (optional for garnish)

Mix the above ingredients in bowl.  Just before serving, pour on the dressing.  Toss and serve.

For a main dish, top with calamari or grilled shrimp.

ZEN ASIAN FUSION - The Restaurant

At all times, I keep a list of MY top 3 restaurants that I MUST experience.  Last night I had the pleasure of eating at ZEN ASIAN FUSION in Charleston, SC.  WOW!  After a fabulous meal, I kept ruminating all through the night about the food, the choices, the sauces, my future choices, MY LEFTOVERS, etc.

After entering a very humble exterior, I was quite surprised by a rich warm interior.  The mood was set.  Choices were abundant.  Typically Charleston, dress is casual. 

I did choose appetizers and a dinner course.  The food was in abundance and in the future, I'll dine on appetizers and skip the main course ( I like the grazing nature of appetizers.)

Along with a fine house Cab, I sampled the Thai Calamari, a lightly battered fried calamari (one large sliced piece - not like the Jersey rings), served with mango salsa sauce and sweet Thai chili sauce.  FABULOUS!  My second selection was one of Zen's signature rolls, the Paradise.  This roll consisted of the spicy lobster salad, shrimp tempura and banana tempura wrapped in soybean paper and Yuzu Mango Sauce.  GEEZZEE, I can't get this one out of my mind.  I literally could go back there today and do it all again! 

For my entree I chose another Chef's Signature dish, Thai Cashew Sauce,  comprised of celery, zucchini, asparagus, sweet peas and cashew nuts, with a choice of chicken, beef, shrimp or all three.  I love the flexibility of the chef.  I requested tofu for my protein of choice, which presented to be no problem AT ALL.  Nice!  I also love being given the choice between white and brown rice. 

Topping off the evening was a very tasty and very eloquently presented Red Bean Ice Cream.  To date this is my favorite restaurant located outside of Charleston's downtown.  Apparently others have discovered this gem; in the short 14 mo. that this restaurant has existed, ZEN ASIAN FUSION was voted the BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT of 2011.  I definitely know why!  This restaurant has it all.

Take a look at their complete menu:  http://www.zenasianrestaurant.com/dining.asp

I SHOULD HAVE STAYED HOME

Seven months ago, my realtor took me to lunch and I must confess, I had a very good meal.  On Saturday, I finally revisited The Bear E Patch in West Ashley.  I had high hopes this time as well.

their menu: http://www.bearepatchcafe.com/images/Lunch.pdf

I arrived to a line of about 10 people.  Hmmm, curious, there were about 8 vacant tables.  A hostess finally showed us to a table.  The plastic cloth was soaking wet from the wiping down.  We cleaned it off. 

All I wanted was a simple lunch.  I ordered a cup of the Seafood Chowder, large and flavorful but oh so runny and devoid of ingredients.  I also had the small Greek Salad.  The components sounded oh so right, the olives, the feta, etc.  This salad was OH SO WRONG for so many reasons.  Unfortunately, we were able to watch the line cook make this one with his bare hands, not so pretty!  The dressing, not anywhere near Greek, was squeezed onto the already plated salad.  The lettuce was ALL wrong and cut into unmanageable chunks.  All and all, a disaster. 

Later I ran into friends that told me that they serve a hell of a good breakfast.  Well we shall see.  One day I just might have the nerve to go back.  Until then, I'm eating at home from MY GARDEN.

A VEGETARIAN & SEAFOOD EATERY

Every once in a while I am fortunate enough to stumble upon a fabulous vegetarian eatery.  I've actually dined at this one, VEG,  numerous times and sampled a variety of dishes, from appetizers to main courses.  This restaurant is located in Sarasota, Florida.

Marty and Maggie Glucklich, while living in South Africa, had a dream.  They have the goal of supporting local growers and producers and are ever so mindful of global sustainable fishing and farming practices.

Their menu says it all :

"Our philosophy, quite simply, is unpretentious.  Veg offers a variety of seasonal, creative and flavorful foods that bring a fresh perspective to vegetarian, vegan and seafood cuisines."

On this particular day I started with a South African red wine, a cup of mushroom barley soup and the fish tacos.  These tacos are made with the fish, BASA.  They are served in a soft corn tortillas with cabbage salsa fresca and an oriental ginger dressing.  YUM!

Check out their site:  http://www.vegsrq.com/

more chatter about BASA:  http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/287687

THE NOISY OYSTER

I've met so many Charlestonians that have highly recommend the restaurant, the Noisy Oyster.  Today I was fortunate enough to dine there with 3 good friends.  We snagged a booth next to the open windows, made for interesting people watching!  Service was great and we totally enjoyed the extensive menu and our personal food choices.  Check out their site:

http://www.noisyoysterseafood.com/

We started with a special appetizer, the Crab Crack - a 1 lb. mixture of Dungenous and snow crab with drawn butter...hmmmmm! and of course, hush puppies.  Gotta love that southern food.  After much deliberation, I finally had them make a combination of calamari atop a Caesar Salad.  Everyone agreed the food was delicious.  Check out the menu:

http://www.noisyoysterseafood.com/menus/

Yep, some healthy choices are available.    Fried food just goes so well with the red wine!

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!!!

ABOUT DINING OUT

Yesterday I was having lunch with two really good friends.  We chose Chilis since they have a really great black bean burger (and they substitute the slaw for the fries), YUM. 

We proceeded to ask the waitress about the soups and which ones had a vegetarian base.  She paused...thinking over the list of approximately 7 soups.  "Oh yes", she said, "I believe that would be the chicken soup."  YIKES!!!!!

And people wonder why dining out becomes so difficult for vegetarians!