Blissful Bites is a bakery that sells goods at local markets and events. I was lucky enough to catch them recently in Charleston and had to nab some sweets. I devoured a vanilla flavored cake pop as I walked through holiday lights. I tend to like mine a bit more moist, in this one was more on the dryer cake side. Still fun and whimsical.
Grade: B
The 18th annual Heart & Soul Dip Dinner was held today at the East End Resource Center, and I attended for the first time ever.
“A dip dinner is simply an event where attendees purchase tickets for $1 each. They use the tickets to purchase a ‘dip’ or serving-spoon portion of a side dish. Entrees and desserts range from two to four tickets, side dishes are one or two tickets and beverages are available for one ticket. It is very similar to the Taste of Charleston, only with good ol’ home-cooked soul foods made with lots of love," according to the Charleston Gazette-Mail.
The dinner sees dishes from local churches, restaurants, sororities, and individuals who donate their specialty dishes in a competition to see who has the best bite.
The money raised goes toward programming at the center. I bought $15 worth of tickets and got a to-go box to fill up with "dips" to take home.
I do wish there was a menu available with the allotted tickets required so I could strategically plan. Instead, I started at one end and made my way around the room nabbing up whatever looked good at the moment.
I started with chicken à la king with pastry from Carver Career Center. It's like an elevated pot pie and was a nice balance of homestyle taken up a notch.
Next up for me was a potsticker with chili sauce and some curry over rice from Chow Thai. Both were just as good as you'd get in the restaurant, including a bit of heat from the curry.
As I moved around the room, I saw some folks packing up as they ran out of items just 30 minutes into the event. I also saw some restaurants like Soho's and Johnnie's sharing some of their classic dishes.
I ended up with a Mexican cornbread, which was OK, and kibbeh, which was unique, before finding the back table filled with different pastas. That's my happy place.
Rigatoni, macaroni and cheese, and my favorite of the day, sausage and greens bowtie pasta, filled out the remainder of my plate. I had them piling scoops on top of other scoops. But that sausage pasta had a little bit of a kick and it was creamy and earthy, and I'm going to have to try to re-create it at home.
Did you attend? If so, what were your favorite items?
The Boba Bus is a new food truck based in the Huntington area, but recently set up in Charleston, and I had to give them a try.
Boba/bubble tea, lemonade, and create-your-own drinks are all on the menu. You can pick a base from black tea, green tea, or milk tea. You can add peach, raspberry, mango, strawberry or passionfruit flavors. And, you can opt for tapioca balls or popping boba.
I kept it simple with a strawberry milk tea with tapioca balls. It was refreshing, and I love how generous they are with the tapioca. That extra chew makes it all the better for me.
Grade: A
Charleston Restaurant Week is held the last week of January, and, this year, I was traveling for the duration of it.
I am fortunate to volunteer for this event, so I was able to get some behind-the-scenes views of the menus before they were made public. I may have sneaked a few tastes here and there in advance of the week as my own personal restaurant week.
1010 Bridge just always consistently delivers a delicious meal with inspired ingredients.
Tuscan white bean and sausage
Cast iron seared skirt steak with herb & garlic smashed potatoes, winter vegetables, red wine jus
Chocolate silk pie with brown butter graham crust and salted caramel
Soho's churned out the best special menu that I've seen from them in years. I loved everything I tried, especially the baked brie.
Butterflied jumbo shrimp baked and stuffed with crab meat
Baked Alouette Brie in a cast iron skillet, topped with brisure cherries, praline hazelnuts and hot honey and served with toasted ciabatta bread
12 oz. oz. cider-brined bone-in, french-cut pork chop served with rosemary roasted red skin potatoes and herb-buttered broccolini
Manicotti stuffed with ricotta, romano and mozzarella, topped with fresh lobster in a lobster cream sauce
Two-layered strawberry cake with a cream cheese filling and strawberry pieces, covered in dark chocolate ganache, strawberry coulis and fresh whipped cream
Vanilla bean brûlée with macerated Madagascar vanilla pods, crispy oat crust topped with torched raw sugar
Volstead Room is a brand new contender this year, and they didn't pull any punches. One of my favorites from them was this icebox cake, which was ooey and gave me more vibes.
Which restaurants did you enjoy this year?
I am fortunate to volunteer for this event, so I was able to get some behind-the-scenes views of the menus before they were made public. I may have sneaked a few tastes here and there in advance of the week as my own personal restaurant week.
1010 Bridge just always consistently delivers a delicious meal with inspired ingredients.
Tuscan white bean and sausage
Cast iron seared skirt steak with herb & garlic smashed potatoes, winter vegetables, red wine jus
Chocolate silk pie with brown butter graham crust and salted caramel
Soho's churned out the best special menu that I've seen from them in years. I loved everything I tried, especially the baked brie.
Butterflied jumbo shrimp baked and stuffed with crab meat
Baked Alouette Brie in a cast iron skillet, topped with brisure cherries, praline hazelnuts and hot honey and served with toasted ciabatta bread
12 oz. oz. cider-brined bone-in, french-cut pork chop served with rosemary roasted red skin potatoes and herb-buttered broccolini
Manicotti stuffed with ricotta, romano and mozzarella, topped with fresh lobster in a lobster cream sauce
Two-layered strawberry cake with a cream cheese filling and strawberry pieces, covered in dark chocolate ganache, strawberry coulis and fresh whipped cream
Vanilla bean brûlée with macerated Madagascar vanilla pods, crispy oat crust topped with torched raw sugar
Volstead Room is a brand new contender this year, and they didn't pull any punches. One of my favorites from them was this icebox cake, which was ooey and gave me more vibes.
Which restaurants did you enjoy this year?
Fernbank Public House has been one of the most anticipated new restaurant openings in Charleston that I can remember. This modern tavern with a nod to neighborhood nostalgia partnered with a well-known local restauranteur quietly opened to uproarious reviews.
The small restaurant is situated on Bridge Road right beside Lola's. Parking can prove challenging with all of the great eating establishments here. But, once you're able to snag a spot, step inside Fernbank for some thing a little different.
Clad with local art, loud chatter and a busy bar, I first ordered a drink. I picked a sweet and fizzy Elderberry Spritz cocktail that was the perfect way to begin my meal. There are a variety of stronger, less fruity drinks if that's your vibe.
The menu features a variety of traditional pub fare that turns the creativity up a notch. House fries, mozzarella pearls, chicken tenders, hummus, shishito peppers, and, of course, burgers.
I ordered 🍔 The Goat - Signature blend burger with housemade bacon jam & goat cheese served with lettuce, tomato, red onion and mayo on Charleston Bread Brioche with a side of fries.
This burger was really tasty with the funk of the goat cheese pairing perfectly with the sweet and salty bacon jam. It's one of those burgers that's a bit tough to eat stacked, so it can be tough to get all the flavors and one bite. But when you do, it's glorious. The fries were also nicely crisp because they were double fried. That's the only way to eat a fry.
Grade: A
Cafe Appalachia recently opened a second location in downtown Charleston. The original is located in South Charleston. But, both are more than just restaurants.
"Café Appalachia ... is a social enterprise that is open to the general public as a coffee house and popular breakfast and lunch destination.
The Café offers farm-to-table foods grown on-site and/or locally sourced. ReIntegr8 participants are trained at Café Appalachia and Café Appalachia Catering, where they learn how to grow food, prepare wholesome, nutritious meals and gain valuable skills and employment experiences.
Café Appalachia allows you to experience their garden-raised meals in your own home through GrubHub or business through its catering services, Café Appalachia Catering. The Cafe' hosts private events such as wedding rehearsals, receptions, bridal and baby showers, holiday parties, board retreats, and more," reads the website.
The downtown location is fairly small, with just a handful of tables. But the standout visual is a wall decorated with mountain imagery and a powerul quote.
The menu features standard sandwiches, salads and breakfast items. I ordered the "flat iron steak - Seared flat iron cooked to medium rare, sliced thin and served cold. Wrapped in naan, topped with baby arugula, fresh tomatoes, shaved parmesan and a house made parmesan horseradish aioli." I really enjoy horseradish, so that is what sold me here. The sandwich was pretty average; not bad, but nothing you couldn't make at home - and there's nothing wrong with that! It is fairly healthy, too, so bonus points. If you're looking for a good standard sandwich, this is for you. If you're looking for something with big and bold flavors, you might want to find out how to punch it up.
Grade: B
I have never been part of a country club or tennis club, but I have frequented them for events or other special occasions. Recently, I checked out the Charleston Tennis Club with some coworkers.
"The Charleston Tennis Cub is the region’s premier tennis, pickleball, swimming and fitness facility! It is quietly nestled away on 25 acres of maintained grounds. Our beautiful, newly constructed Clubhouse features indoor and patio dining during the summer months ... The club boasts 11 outdoor tennis courts, 9 Har-Tru (clay) courts, 2 hard courts, and 6 dedicated outdoor pickleball courts... The Club also includes a beautiful heated 25 meter outdoor swimming pool with a diving well. Additionally we have a baby pool, snack bar, playground, shelter area, and basketball court," reads the website.
Of course, my visit centered on the Clubhouse restaurant - and specifically lunch. The menu is fairly simple, with some finger foods, sandwiches, salads, burgers, and quesadillas. I thought it was only fitting to get the club sandwich, which can just hit the spot some days. This was a solid version, which was not SO stacked that it's difficult to eat. It was maybe just a little bit dry, so more mayo would have been my preference. Fries were decent, but I liked the chips more. Housemade chips were a nice touch - extra crispy with ranch.
Grade: B
"The Charleston Tennis Cub is the region’s premier tennis, pickleball, swimming and fitness facility! It is quietly nestled away on 25 acres of maintained grounds. Our beautiful, newly constructed Clubhouse features indoor and patio dining during the summer months ... The club boasts 11 outdoor tennis courts, 9 Har-Tru (clay) courts, 2 hard courts, and 6 dedicated outdoor pickleball courts... The Club also includes a beautiful heated 25 meter outdoor swimming pool with a diving well. Additionally we have a baby pool, snack bar, playground, shelter area, and basketball court," reads the website.
Of course, my visit centered on the Clubhouse restaurant - and specifically lunch. The menu is fairly simple, with some finger foods, sandwiches, salads, burgers, and quesadillas. I thought it was only fitting to get the club sandwich, which can just hit the spot some days. This was a solid version, which was not SO stacked that it's difficult to eat. It was maybe just a little bit dry, so more mayo would have been my preference. Fries were decent, but I liked the chips more. Housemade chips were a nice touch - extra crispy with ranch.
Grade: B
"Locally owned and nationally known, Cousins Maine Lobster brings authentic Maine lobster to neighborhoods across the U.S. by way of our food trucks, food halls & brick & mortar restaurants. As seen on Shark Tank, We bring our customers the most authentic Maine seafood experience by staying close to the source, proudly serving premium, wild-caught, sustainably harvested lobster from Maine, accompanied by our signature Downeast Maine hospitality.
Started in 2012 by real-life Cousins and Mainers, Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac, Cousins Maine Lobster began with two things: A Food Truck, and a shared vision to extend the highest-quality Maine lobster to the lobster-starved masses. Growing up in Maine, lobster was tradition, and always a reason to gather family, friends and loved ones to share a special meal. After appearing on Shark Tank a few months later, Jim & Sabin partnered with Barbara Corcoran and began franchising, partnering with local owners and entrepreneurs to bring Maine lobster to over 30 cities across the country.
Since 2012, Cousins Maine Lobster has been continually featured on the most influential entrepreneurial and culinary programming, including Shark Tank, The Food Network, Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNBC, The Chew, the Cooking Network, and more. Voted best Lobster Roll on the West Coast by Tasting Table three times, Cousins Maine Lobster regularly appears in leading publications Inc., Entrepreneur, Saveur, Food & Wine, Zagat, Eater and many more." One of these famous food trucks made a stop in Charleston outside of Fife Street Brewing. I had heard about this business, and I was excited to see it come to my own backyard. Me, along with half the City of Charleston. I joined an already lengthy line at around 11:50 a.m. They opened at noon. At about 1:30 p.m., I received my food. A quick note on this: I am a huge supporter of local businesses. In fact, one of the reasons I even have this blog is to showcase those hidden gems across Appalachia. But, I am also a supporter of letting people enjoy what they enjoy. Something new, out of the ordinary, limited, etc. is going to be exciting to people and that's OK. I want to try the same food that Barbara Corcoran tried that made her invest in this company. It is an experience, and you can spend the other 365 days of this leap year supporting our local restaurants in town. You can support both. Starting with the menu, it has lobster rolls, soups, tots, quesadilla, tacos and grilled cheese. While waiting, I initially started with just an item or two in my head, but as time went on, my order grew to double the size to make the wait worth it. Here is what I went for:
Maine Roll: Our Maine roll features Maine lobster, served chilled with mayo, on a New England roll, with a lemon wedge. One of our two classic roll styles, the Maine Roll is a favorite of Mainers and purists alike.
Connecticut Roll: Our Connecticut Roll features Maine lobster, served warmed with butter and lemon, on a New England Roll. The second of our two classic styles, our Connecticut Roll is our most popular roll and often referred to as heaven on a bun.
New England Clam Chowder
Lobster Bisque The lobster rolls themselves are fairly small – maybe the size of a regular hotdog – so two was the perfect size. Both were topped with big hunks of fresh lobster, though I truthfully did not notice much of a difference in the two rolls, because the the butter or mayo were very minimal. Lobster meat is a touch sweet, which was delicious with the buttered bun. I didn't even mind the bite of shell I got. The clam chowder was hot, which was the main thing that attracted me to it in 30° weather. But, it was flavorful, and one of the better versions I have had. Creamy, flavorful and perfectly salty. The lobster bisque was thick and sweet and paired great with the oyster crackers I sprinkled on top to add a touch of salt. Plus, easily the best Whoopie pie I've ever had. I didn't even really think I liked them until this one. Overall, something a little different, and interesting to try.
Started in 2012 by real-life Cousins and Mainers, Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac, Cousins Maine Lobster began with two things: A Food Truck, and a shared vision to extend the highest-quality Maine lobster to the lobster-starved masses. Growing up in Maine, lobster was tradition, and always a reason to gather family, friends and loved ones to share a special meal. After appearing on Shark Tank a few months later, Jim & Sabin partnered with Barbara Corcoran and began franchising, partnering with local owners and entrepreneurs to bring Maine lobster to over 30 cities across the country.
Since 2012, Cousins Maine Lobster has been continually featured on the most influential entrepreneurial and culinary programming, including Shark Tank, The Food Network, Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNBC, The Chew, the Cooking Network, and more. Voted best Lobster Roll on the West Coast by Tasting Table three times, Cousins Maine Lobster regularly appears in leading publications Inc., Entrepreneur, Saveur, Food & Wine, Zagat, Eater and many more." One of these famous food trucks made a stop in Charleston outside of Fife Street Brewing. I had heard about this business, and I was excited to see it come to my own backyard. Me, along with half the City of Charleston. I joined an already lengthy line at around 11:50 a.m. They opened at noon. At about 1:30 p.m., I received my food. A quick note on this: I am a huge supporter of local businesses. In fact, one of the reasons I even have this blog is to showcase those hidden gems across Appalachia. But, I am also a supporter of letting people enjoy what they enjoy. Something new, out of the ordinary, limited, etc. is going to be exciting to people and that's OK. I want to try the same food that Barbara Corcoran tried that made her invest in this company. It is an experience, and you can spend the other 365 days of this leap year supporting our local restaurants in town. You can support both. Starting with the menu, it has lobster rolls, soups, tots, quesadilla, tacos and grilled cheese. While waiting, I initially started with just an item or two in my head, but as time went on, my order grew to double the size to make the wait worth it. Here is what I went for:
Maine Roll: Our Maine roll features Maine lobster, served chilled with mayo, on a New England roll, with a lemon wedge. One of our two classic roll styles, the Maine Roll is a favorite of Mainers and purists alike.
Connecticut Roll: Our Connecticut Roll features Maine lobster, served warmed with butter and lemon, on a New England Roll. The second of our two classic styles, our Connecticut Roll is our most popular roll and often referred to as heaven on a bun.
New England Clam Chowder
Lobster Bisque The lobster rolls themselves are fairly small – maybe the size of a regular hotdog – so two was the perfect size. Both were topped with big hunks of fresh lobster, though I truthfully did not notice much of a difference in the two rolls, because the the butter or mayo were very minimal. Lobster meat is a touch sweet, which was delicious with the buttered bun. I didn't even mind the bite of shell I got. The clam chowder was hot, which was the main thing that attracted me to it in 30° weather. But, it was flavorful, and one of the better versions I have had. Creamy, flavorful and perfectly salty. The lobster bisque was thick and sweet and paired great with the oyster crackers I sprinkled on top to add a touch of salt. Plus, easily the best Whoopie pie I've ever had. I didn't even really think I liked them until this one. Overall, something a little different, and interesting to try.
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