LoisL

Had a brief visit to Charleston just before Christmas. It was our first time visiting here in winter. Though it wasn't as pleasant walking around in cooler, rainy weather, it was nice not having overwhelming crowds that one normally finds there. When weather was especially bad, we did a bus tour of the city, and that turned out to be wonderful, as our tour guide was a history buff, and because of the small [almost personal] tour, we had a leisurely, informative tour, with a lot of interaction. We did one lunch at Jestine's, which was good, as usual. However, our lunch at Magnolia's was my favorite, and it comes with a nice perk. They have their own parking, which is free with your meal validation, and lunch is significantly cheaper than dinner there, and just as nice.

I suspect the festival of lights is now over, but what a wonderful display that was! We were advised to get there early, and thank goodness we heeded that advice. We breezed in, but when we left, the line to get in went on and on, all the way down the entrance, and then down the River road ........................... seemingly endless! It has been many, many years since I have toasted marshmallows over a pit, and there were as many seniors doing this as there were young families. There were many side activities in addition to the beautfiul light displays.

Despite the weather, we did manage to get to Drayton Hall, and enjoyed it. I look forward to going back in nicer weather to return to this plantation in addition to Middleton, to walk around the grounds.

We did find a good, local restaurant across the river [St. James Island side] that we really enjoyed. The Glass Onion, located on Savannah Hwy, was selected because we needed someplace 'quick' to have an early dinner before heading to see the light display. Well, not only were they wonderfully friendly [including giving us the advice to get to the light display early], but their 'soul' food was wonderful. Their blackboard menu items change almost daily, and I must confess, there were two items that were 'to die for', that were not available when we returned the following day.

We look forward to returning to Charleston, perhaps in spring, to see those plantations, and will undoubtably return to The Glass Onion as well.

emalloy

Glad you had a great trip and it is fun to see and area off season. It gives you more of an idea of what the locals think of as home. Thanks for the report.

LoisL

Yes, emalloy, you are right. It is quite a different experience going off season!

rncheryl

Looking forward to our first visit early May. Jestines and Magnolias now on the list!

cmcfong

How nice to hear about your visit, Lois. I am a big fan of Magnolia's as well. May I suggest to you and cheryl a book about the Charleston world "Mrs. Whaley's Gardens" as a prep to your visit in the spring. You will have a whole new appreciation of the spirit of Charleston and the book is marvelously entertaining.

Debi

We were in Charleston over Thanksgiving, and it was fabulous.. Magnolia's was still wonderful, as was every other restaurant we went to. Fig is the new "hot" restuarant, and it was also wonderful. We also loved the light display, and were in the middle of the jam, but it was worth it all.... We stayed at Folly Beach, right on the water, and it was just wonderful. Luckily, when we were there, it was warm (60s/70s) and cool in the evenings. The week we got back, the torrential rains hit and it sounded like it got kind of ugly. LOVED Charleston, though - would definitely go back.....

LoisL

cmcfong, I'll have to find that book before I return to Charleston. Thanks for the recommendation. Debi, I will be sure to check out Fig on the next visit as well.

If anyone is heading to the plantations, while visiting Charleston, I'd recommend The Glass Onion as a casual but very good place to eat.

GoTravel

Lois, bless your heart if you hit our rain we had last week. I've never seen anything so miserable!

Glad you enjoyed The Holy City!

suewoo

That rain was AWFUL. Good grief!

cmfcong, that is a great rec. I also like "Mrs. Whaley Entertains". Her recipes are in there. It's entertaining and historical at the same time-hard to do!

LoisL I rarely get over to that side of town but Glass Onion is on my list. Thanks for reminding me.

cmcfong

suewoo, I love the Mrs. Whaley books. She was a true original. I bought her books at the Charleston Historical society but I believe they are available on amazon.com

There are three women I so wish I had met, Julia Child, MFK Fisher and Mrs. Whaley.

suewoo

cmc me too! Great minds think alike!

LoisL

I was not aware of the Mrs. Whaley books. I will definitely search them out!

cmcfong

I hope you find them as entertaining as sue and I do. Happy new year!

elsiemoo

Lois, thanks for your report. I doubt that going to heaven is much better than going to Charleston ... Magnolia's is always JUST THE BEST, none better. But then, so much of Charleston is fantastic.

321go

A shame about the weather, but so glad you were able to see Drayton Hall and had such a good bus tour guide.

LoisL

How funny to open my Travel and Leisure magazine May 2011 issue, and find quite a nice write up about the
Glass Onion! I knew it rang a bell, and then went through old messages and found my post.

suewoo

Glass Onion is really, really great. It's across town from me but I make a point to go regularly. It's always amazing.

LoisL

Suewoo, I know. We were there about a year and a half ago, and I think it was fairly new at the time. I don't know what possessed us to try it, as there was nothing particularly appealing from the look of it, as we drove by, but what a wonderful surprise for us. The meal was so good, we went back the following day, instead of heading to the usual 'big names' in the historic district. I'm glad to see they are doing well.

suewoo

No it doesn't look fancy at all but who cares! And since there' so little overhead it's less pricey than the downtown places. I love downtown places (I just got back from lunch on the patio of 82 Queen (it doesn't get much more Charleston-y than that) but Glass Onion really stands out.