dsgmi

I know this has been covered a zillion times, but there are several places in Charleston that we've never tried since we usually go to the 'usual suspects.' Of the listed restaurants, which would you go to and why? Thanks! (Maybe I should say that my DH's favorite is Magnolia's and we always go to SNOB.)

Peninsula Grill
FIG
39 Rue de Jean
Anson's
Charleston Place
Cypress
CruCafe
Hominy Grill
Coast
Carolina's (haven't been in 10 years)

aliska

Had horrible food poisioning at the Hominy Grill - avoid at all costs!

dsgmi

Topping for one more try...

away

Have been to Coast a couple of times and enjoyed the atmosphere and food choices. Took a group of 10 adults there a couple of years ago and everyone had a great food/drink experience.
Unfortunately, I haven't been to any of the other restaurants on your list.

BetsyinKY

I have been to Hominy Grill multiple time and always had a wonderful experience. It is probably the most casual of the restaurants on your list. I used to love 39 Rue de Jean, but I haven't been since they changed chefs, so I can't say if it is still good. I've eaten at Anson once, and my entree was very good, but they were out of both dishes that my parents tried to order, and it was only about 7pm. We ate at Coast this past summer and our food was good, but the service was very ho-hum (no drink refills, very slow with the food and the check), but this may have been because we were in a large group and the gratuity had already been included. Of all the places on your list, the Peninsula Grill is probably my favorite. It has become our traditional anniversary dinner and we look forward to that coconut cake all year.

Of the places on your list that I have not been to, FIG and Cru Cafe are both on the top my list of places to try, so if you go to either of those, let us know how you liked them.

plufmud

I live in charleston and these are my favorites.

Pennisula Grill
SNOB
Cypress
Pane Vino
Cru
Sienna on Daniel Island
Mondo Delite on James Island
Old Firehouse at Hollywood


I would skip Hominy Grill

Brian_in_Charlotte

Had a great lunch at Cru Cafe a year or so ago. The chef/owner is a bit of a jerk though.

A dinner at Penisula Grill was great for the food, but a bit wanting for the service, especially at that price point. While we'll spend our dinner dollars elsewhere, we will return for flutes of champagne and a piece of that coconut cake in the bar.

Also enjoyed dinner at Carolinas - much better service.

Great lunch on the cozy patio at 82 Queen.

High Cotton is next on our list for dinner.

LawrenceJ

Jestine's Kitchen is a great place for lunch with down-to-earth, authentic low country cooking.

melli

We spent a wonderful few days in Charleston (Fall 07) for a 30th anniversary celebration. Our special dinner was at the Peninsula Grill. Food is spectacular. We were treated well from start to finish. It was a Friday evening and was a little noisy for our taste. If you are going in a month that the weather is warm enough opt for the patio seating. It seems more intimate. We also ate at an Italian restaurant that is about 4 doors down from the Peninsula. It was excellent as well. Can't remember the name,but I think it is owned by the same people who own Planters Inn.

dsgmi

Thanks all for your suggestions! plufmud - love the name!

We have tried the Old Firehouse in Hollywood, which I loved, but DH ordered some type of fish (which escapes me now) that came whole (which he didn't notice on the menu - his bad). The fish wasn't an attractive one - if a fish can be attractive - and the experience turned him off. I think it tasted fine, but was not what he expected and therefore DH has sort of nixed the place. The food was really good, however.

I also have The Fat Hen on our list and will report back on where we went and what we had! I know we're meeting friends at The Jasmine Porch on Friday night. The DH loves SNOB so much that we usually end up going there!

shormk2

I would second Cypress and Peninsula Grill... if your DH loves Magnolia, you may want to go to Cypress... I believe (don't hold me to this) the same people who own Magnolia and Blossom, own Cypress. I'm pretty sure jackets/coats are required for downstairs, but not for the upstairs. Great food and phenomenal service. Also in that group, Blossom is a favorite of mine (especially sitting on the patio) for a less costly alternative.

plufmud

You are not required to wear a jacket at Cypress. My favorites
are the Brie salad and the tuna- wonderful.

Old Firehouse- Your husband probably had the fried flounder with a peach jalpeno sauce which we LOVE!!!! Thai sauce
Should try their shrimp dip- fabulous

As far as Jestine's goes, I am not a fan of country cooking- overrated in my opinion.

Have been to Fat Hen's once- had the mussels- tasty but not outstanding.

Cru- I really like the chef- John Zucker- studied at Cordon Bleu in Paris. Try to sit at the bar where sometimes he will refill your wine glass.
I have several favorite dishes there.

Down the street from Pennisula Grill is the sister restaurant- Mercado. Jacques Larson is the chef and worked with Mario B. in NYC. I actually liked Larson's first restaurant better- Union Hall which is no longer.

Reisender

Can I get a cold bud at Jestines in an iced mug? That is THE question for larryJ ....

LawrenceJ

Noooooooooooo, but they would have the Milk of Magnesia that need. That answer is for the stalker.

I apologize for his ruining your another thread. He does that often.

GoTravel

Penninsula Grill (my go to)
FIG - It is definitely hit or miss.
Rue de Jean - Love
Anson's - Like a lot
Charleston Place - depends on current chef
Cypress - Like
Cru - Like
Hominy Grill - Like a lot


Other faves

Hanks - Love
SNOB - LOVE
Poogan's Porch - Love for Saturday or Sunday Brunch
Jestine's Kitchen - LOVE

Will you have a car? If so definitely take the drive up 17 North to Awendaw and eat at SeeWee.

Haven't been to Carolina's or Magnolias in years.

Skip Fleet Landing (except for cocktails).

sara_j

Too many restaurants, too few meals in town! We're obsessing about the restaurant selections, now we think our favorite picks are SNOB, Cru Cafe, Anson's, and Sienna, but could change again. The remaining places we are considering are Hank's, Fish, Peninsula Grill, Basil, Chai, Tristin's, Langdon's or Palmetto Cafe. We have a total of 3 lunches and 3 dinners, one of which might be a picnic on Sunday, depending on the weather. One meal each day will be small plates, a bowl of soup or tapas/snacks. Are any of the places much better either at night or at lunch than the others, or better for small plates or she-crab soup or whatever? Where can we get a gourmet picnic? Thanks!

escargot

my last visit to Charleston we had magnificent meals at Peninsula Grill and Fig -
they made our meals at Snob and Magnolia pale in comparison -
although I still think the latter two were fabulous -
PG and Fig were superb

TeaLoverDenise

I work in Charleston. My favorites are Peninsula Grill and SNOB.

Another favorite is just across the Ravenel Bridge, in Mount Pleasant: CoCo's. They do an absolutely brilliant lunch special - appetizer/entree/glass of wine/13. Charming, cozy French restaurant, delicious food. I highly recommend.

http://www.cocoscafe.net

dsgmi

We had a great time in the Charleston area and here is our dining out report, part 1:

Six of us went to The Jasmine Porch on Friday evening for dinner. The chef sent some amuse-bouche for the table – a cold salmon salad on individual spoons. They were enjoyed by all. This touch is new since our last visit; I don’t know if it’s because they just earned their fifth star, if we were just lucky or possibly because we were there on the early side. We did not notice them delivered to other tables. For appetizers, my DM had the Fried Green Tomato Napoleon, very good, but a little spicy for her, I had the Roasted Corn and Crab soup – she crab soup with a crab dumpling in the bowl, the soup poured in table side – very good! DH had a garden salad as did both our friends. The dressing was fantastic. They sent three types of bread to the table – multigrain, white and sweet potato biscuits – all very good.

For dinner, three of us had chicken stuffed with proscuitto and cheese served with asparagus, pearl onions, and roasted cherry tomatoes on orzo with spinach…yum! DH had ‘amazing’ grouper that he shared too much of! My friend had the vegetable plate that included some wonderful beet ravioli. My DS (age 10) had pasta with roasted chicken and marinara that he loved. Dessert was shared items – German Chocolate Cake, chocolate bread pudding with bananas foster, the kid’s chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich and the crème brulee with fruit compote. The desserts were all fantastic and we rolled out of the restaurant afterwards. We did not have wine with dinner. The Jasmine Porch serves their iced tea unsweetened, but with simple syrup as a sweetening option – perfect southern tea!

On Saturday we ventured out to The Fat Hen for lunch. DM had some of the best she crab soup ever – tons of crab – and a bacon lettuce and fried green tomato sandwich. I had a crab cake sandwich but opted out of the potato caraway bread, however, and had it on a French bread roll. DH had French onion soup and a chicken pot pie – two thumbs up! Our DS had a fluffernutter sandwich. We enjoyed the food and overheard others’ positive comments. We got right in, but I’ve been told that reservations are a must for dinner. We’ll definitely come back again.

dsgmi

Part 2:

Later in the week we went to SNOB for lunch. I had the pad Thai – which I do often, but just love, DS had a hamburger and DH and DM had the Reuben special. They raved about their sandwiches. Oh, DH started out with the red pepper soup but it was super spicy (which he has a huge tolerance for) and switched to the asparagus bisque, much better.

It was our DS’s birthday and he asked to go to California Dreamin’ this trip. The food was good, not great, although the salads before dinner are always a treat. The view is worth the trip. Our DS loves the place.

Another spot we tried on a whim and on the recommendation of a girl working at ‘the rock shop’ (Black Market Minerals) and enjoyed was Monza. They do wood fired pizzas, very casual but very tasty. One note – you can remove items from a pizza, but you can’t add any. You have to work with the menu. The sausage and pepper appetizer is very good – and pretty large. DM and I had the bruschetta of the day – blue cheese with honey – scrumptious! After appetizers, we could have easily only ordered two instead of three pizzas to share. The weather was perfect so we sat outside on their back patio. They’re located up King Street not far from 39 Rue De Jean and Coast.

We didn’t get to try many of the places I wanted to, but there’s always next time, right?