Charleston Trip Report
Mar 23rd, 2005, 03:46 AM
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Charleston Trip Report
Since this board was so helpful in planning our getaway (esp GoTravel) i wanted to post a brief trip report. Despite lousy weather fhe first two days, we still had a great time in a spectacular city celebrating our anniversary. Stayed four nights / five days. Only got in one long run but what fun - the miles just fly by in this totally intriguing, interesting historic city! Although look out for the cobblestone streets! 
Toured Ft. Sumter, Magnolia Plantation and Swamp Tour, Charleston Museum, Old Exchange Building and Dungeon, did a Historic City Walk and Ghost Walk (don't bother IMO) and generally chilled out as we wamed up from our never ending NE winter.
Shopping -
Still a shopper's paradise. Loved King Street and its variety. Bob Ellis - what can i say? Its shoe HEAVEN. Just trying them on was a rush! (no, didn't buy any) I did however find some kickin jeans at LUCKY and a greatly reduced, cool coat at BeBe. Could have spent MUCH more time (and money) on this street! Charleston Place was the perfect spot for the rainy day we arrived. Spent lots of time enjoying its beauty and also spent lots in the charming shoppes.
Stayed at the Hampton Historic Inn. Great location at the corner of Meeting and John Streets, across from the Charleston Museum and Charles Manigault House. Approximately 6-7 short blocks to the Market area, and 2 short blocks to fun King St. shopping. There might be better locations but Clark wanted to use our Hilton points and it was definitely worth it. I've stayed in Hiltons that weren't half as nice!
This Hampton reminded me of many Marriotts i stay in on business, defintely a step (or two) up from the normal Hampton. Spacious, nicely decorated and immaculate rooms and hallways, lovely lobby with several kinds of beverages available all day (4 coffee brews, hot choc, milk, OJ etc) Breakfast (included daily) featured scrambled eggs, sausage, french toast, a good assortment of FRESH pastries and FRESH fruit, dry cereal etc. More of an Embassy Suites breakfast (which is located right next door, btw) Great front desk personnel.
Restaurants:
- Pooghans Porch remains our all time fave. Had been several times in the 80's and seems to be even better now, if that's possible. LOVE the ambiance! (said to be haunted
) Clark loved his Creole Jambalaya. My crab cakes were excellent but i think i enjoyed the Stuffed Portabello appetizer even more. The She Crab soup here was also the best we had.
- Rue deJean - enjoyed both lunch and dinner at this French cafe (right next to the Hampton Inn) Lunch - excellent Grouper Sandwich (me) and Salmon Bernaise (Clark) along with the freshest sushi appetizer we've had in awhile. Clark RAVED about his dinner of lamb in a brandy sauce while i thoroughly enjoyed my lighter dinner of Potato Truffle soup and Mussels Mariniere.
- A.W. Shucks - loved the outdoor seating and people watching (across from market) Try the Shucks Signature or Legendary Casserole (or something like that), a combo of several types of seafood over crab, then baked au gratin in a lobster cheese sauce. Spectacular taste sensation! Clark loved his Market Street Seafood Combo and Seafood Gumbo, with just a little kick. But the hushpuppies were the highlight of this meal. Can you say sinfully delicious kids?
Crispy on the outside, melt in your mouth inside. Heavenly!
-Stickey Fingers - Clark said the best ribs he's had in a L O N G time. I tried to eat lighter that night, having the Savannah Dip (spinach - artichoke) and a salad of marinated chicken on mixed greens with a variety of adornments (mandarin oranges, celery, almonds). Yummy and still oinkin' with pecan pie to finish the meal!
- Bubba Gumps - yes it's a chain but have never been and it was right there when we were hungry. We enjoyed both our shrimp dinners and the fun atmosphere of dining outdoors and people watching.
- Jestines Kitchen - pecan crusted fried chicken is exactly as its often desribed here, amazingly good. Pecan Whiting was also excellent. Yummy corn bread added to the experience and we were amazed the massive portions for less than $10 each! We hit it just before lunch which was fortunate; as others have said there was always a long line when we passed by.
And speaking of waiting, we wanted to try Hymans and S.N.O.B.but chose not to wait. With only four days, we wanted to see more than we wanted to eat. And we also wanted to eat outdoors as much as possible, to soak up the southern sun (when it was shining!)
Bottom line, Charleston rocks and is the perfect place for a long weekend getaway. And now i'm going for another extra long run; revisiting our long weekend of pigging out added another few pounds! (but well worth it )
Toured Ft. Sumter, Magnolia Plantation and Swamp Tour, Charleston Museum, Old Exchange Building and Dungeon, did a Historic City Walk and Ghost Walk (don't bother IMO) and generally chilled out as we wamed up from our never ending NE winter.
Shopping -
Still a shopper's paradise. Loved King Street and its variety. Bob Ellis - what can i say? Its shoe HEAVEN. Just trying them on was a rush! (no, didn't buy any) I did however find some kickin jeans at LUCKY and a greatly reduced, cool coat at BeBe. Could have spent MUCH more time (and money) on this street! Charleston Place was the perfect spot for the rainy day we arrived. Spent lots of time enjoying its beauty and also spent lots in the charming shoppes.
Stayed at the Hampton Historic Inn. Great location at the corner of Meeting and John Streets, across from the Charleston Museum and Charles Manigault House. Approximately 6-7 short blocks to the Market area, and 2 short blocks to fun King St. shopping. There might be better locations but Clark wanted to use our Hilton points and it was definitely worth it. I've stayed in Hiltons that weren't half as nice!
This Hampton reminded me of many Marriotts i stay in on business, defintely a step (or two) up from the normal Hampton. Spacious, nicely decorated and immaculate rooms and hallways, lovely lobby with several kinds of beverages available all day (4 coffee brews, hot choc, milk, OJ etc) Breakfast (included daily) featured scrambled eggs, sausage, french toast, a good assortment of FRESH pastries and FRESH fruit, dry cereal etc. More of an Embassy Suites breakfast (which is located right next door, btw) Great front desk personnel.
Restaurants:
- Pooghans Porch remains our all time fave. Had been several times in the 80's and seems to be even better now, if that's possible. LOVE the ambiance! (said to be haunted
) Clark loved his Creole Jambalaya. My crab cakes were excellent but i think i enjoyed the Stuffed Portabello appetizer even more. The She Crab soup here was also the best we had. - Rue deJean - enjoyed both lunch and dinner at this French cafe (right next to the Hampton Inn) Lunch - excellent Grouper Sandwich (me) and Salmon Bernaise (Clark) along with the freshest sushi appetizer we've had in awhile. Clark RAVED about his dinner of lamb in a brandy sauce while i thoroughly enjoyed my lighter dinner of Potato Truffle soup and Mussels Mariniere.
- A.W. Shucks - loved the outdoor seating and people watching (across from market) Try the Shucks Signature or Legendary Casserole (or something like that), a combo of several types of seafood over crab, then baked au gratin in a lobster cheese sauce. Spectacular taste sensation! Clark loved his Market Street Seafood Combo and Seafood Gumbo, with just a little kick. But the hushpuppies were the highlight of this meal. Can you say sinfully delicious kids?
Crispy on the outside, melt in your mouth inside. Heavenly!-Stickey Fingers - Clark said the best ribs he's had in a L O N G time. I tried to eat lighter that night, having the Savannah Dip (spinach - artichoke) and a salad of marinated chicken on mixed greens with a variety of adornments (mandarin oranges, celery, almonds). Yummy and still oinkin' with pecan pie to finish the meal!
- Bubba Gumps - yes it's a chain but have never been and it was right there when we were hungry. We enjoyed both our shrimp dinners and the fun atmosphere of dining outdoors and people watching.
- Jestines Kitchen - pecan crusted fried chicken is exactly as its often desribed here, amazingly good. Pecan Whiting was also excellent. Yummy corn bread added to the experience and we were amazed the massive portions for less than $10 each! We hit it just before lunch which was fortunate; as others have said there was always a long line when we passed by.
And speaking of waiting, we wanted to try Hymans and S.N.O.B.but chose not to wait. With only four days, we wanted to see more than we wanted to eat. And we also wanted to eat outdoors as much as possible, to soak up the southern sun (when it was shining!)
Bottom line, Charleston rocks and is the perfect place for a long weekend getaway. And now i'm going for another extra long run; revisiting our long weekend of pigging out added another few pounds! (but well worth it
)
Mar 24th, 2005, 07:33 AM
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Hi Wanderluster, there are no restaurants (or bar) in the Hampton although they did serve a HOT buffet breakfast every am. There are many restaurants and coffee shoppes in the immediate area.
Mar 24th, 2005, 06:01 PM
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My favorite restaurant on a recent visit to Charleston was Hank's in the historic district. It's fairly new & was packed! Make a reservation in advance if you can. If you go without a reservation they have a "community table". It's a wide, long table in their bar area that seats about 20. When seats opens up, you sit right down. There's the full menu and regular wait service. We met both locals and tourists at the community table. It was friendly, great fun and fabulous food. One of the best meals I've ever had in Charleston.
Apr 8th, 2005, 04:45 AM
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Hi Scarlett! Just now seeing your post. I just know you'll love Charleston. Maybe not quite like Paris but as GoTravel says, it does just steal your heart. And its much much closer! The Yankee will likely love it too ~ clark did! It truly has everything, and i can't wait to return!
but as GoTravel says, it does just steal your heart. And its much much closer! The Yankee will likely love it too ~ clark did! It truly has everything, and i can't wait to return!
Apr 8th, 2005, 04:57 AM
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Glad you had a wonderful trip! You weren't missing much by not waiting for Hyman's. They actually vote themselves the #1 seafood restaurant in Charleston!! SNOB may have been a wait better worth your while. Also, for your next trip, Hank's is wonderful too!
Apr 8th, 2005, 02:36 PM
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Some additions to the restaurant recommendations here:
Market Pavilion Inn's rooftop bar: We *loved* this place. Tasty light dinners at decent prices ($10 -$15) and a nice stiff margarita. Friendly crowd. Gets busy on weekends, but is lovely for a weeknight sunset dinner.
FIG (Food Is Good): Best meal we had in Charleston. Friendly staff, great cuisine. I had a salad that was absolutely divine (it's a salad, I know, but it was really out of this world), and then this fabulous roasted suckling pig with homemade mustard . . . sigh.
Grill 222 (? name): This is the hotel restaurant on the ground floor of the Market Pavilion. Excellent steaks, but a bit stuffy for my taste. Was shocked and annoyed to see the "family style" service of side dishes, which in my book is just an excuse to charge the diner extra.
Vintage Wine Bar: We had a late-night drink and listened to some live music here. A fun, charming, hip place; we wished we'd discovered it earlier in our trip. We've heard it has nice dinners, too. The wines we had were excellent.
Vendue Inn's rooftop bar: Cheaper and less swanky than the Market Pavilion; populated by more of a 21-25, just-back- home-from-the-fraternity-house crowd. Decent/boring pub food.
McCrady's: Overrated, we thought. (Perhaps our pretentious server made it so?) Every other review I've read has been positive, though, so perhaps we had an off night.
Hominy Grill: Great for brunch; we didn't mind the wait. (By the way, we felt a little underdressed--didn't realize that Charlestonians dress in khakis/dress shirts for brunch!)
Wishing everyone great travels to Charleston.
Market Pavilion Inn's rooftop bar: We *loved* this place. Tasty light dinners at decent prices ($10 -$15) and a nice stiff margarita. Friendly crowd. Gets busy on weekends, but is lovely for a weeknight sunset dinner.
FIG (Food Is Good): Best meal we had in Charleston. Friendly staff, great cuisine. I had a salad that was absolutely divine (it's a salad, I know, but it was really out of this world), and then this fabulous roasted suckling pig with homemade mustard . . . sigh.
Grill 222 (? name): This is the hotel restaurant on the ground floor of the Market Pavilion. Excellent steaks, but a bit stuffy for my taste. Was shocked and annoyed to see the "family style" service of side dishes, which in my book is just an excuse to charge the diner extra.
Vintage Wine Bar: We had a late-night drink and listened to some live music here. A fun, charming, hip place; we wished we'd discovered it earlier in our trip. We've heard it has nice dinners, too. The wines we had were excellent.
Vendue Inn's rooftop bar: Cheaper and less swanky than the Market Pavilion; populated by more of a 21-25, just-back- home-from-the-fraternity-house crowd. Decent/boring pub food.
McCrady's: Overrated, we thought. (Perhaps our pretentious server made it so?) Every other review I've read has been positive, though, so perhaps we had an off night.
Hominy Grill: Great for brunch; we didn't mind the wait. (By the way, we felt a little underdressed--didn't realize that Charlestonians dress in khakis/dress shirts for brunch!)
Wishing everyone great travels to Charleston.
