Best Italian Restaurant--Myrtle Beach and Charleston
May 29th, 2004, 06:39 PM
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Best Italian Restaurant--Myrtle Beach and Charleston
We are traveling to Myrtle Beach and then Charleston for vacation this year. Never been to either area before. Need a few good Italian restaurants please. Thanks, LS
May 30th, 2004, 09:06 PM
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There are not a lot of good Italian places in Charleston. Most people consider Fulton Five to be tops. I've had it on my 'to do' list for awhile but have still only poked my head inside to see the interior.
Here's a review from the local paper:
Widely considered to be Charleston's most romantic restaurant (my comment here, I disagree with this), Fulton Five is also one of her best. In business more than 10 years, a period of time in which the number of downtown dining establishments has exploded, Fulton Five retains a kind of well-aged decorum and still serves stellar Italian food.
The muted sage green walls and barrage of Old World artwork in the small dining room are cleverly combined to create a decidedly romantic effect. Service from a largely European staff is consistently peppered with an idyllic blend of knowledge and unobtrusive assistance.
British-born executive chef Brett Maynard, who fortunately stayed on when Fulton Five's ownership changed hands a few years ago, displays such compelling prowess in preparing authentic Italian dishes that it's difficult to believe he wasn't raised there. Accordance to precision in unencumbered dishes layered with fresh, distinct flavors is evident everywhere. As the name implies, the fish of the day ($20) rotates based upon the freshest local fish available, but the white bean and fennel ragout resonates with the delicate heat of curry and the sweet flavor of a beautiful shellfish broth made from the real deal.
Regardless of the fish this ambrosia-like medley is paired with, it is consistently delicious, like so many dishes here. In Maynard's hands, high-grade, imported Italian ingredients such as prosciutto, olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, cheeses and truffles come to their full fruition. That's amore.
MISSION STATEMENT
"Personally, I am inspired to cook using the bounty of diverse ingredients that the world has to offer. I strive to interpret and execute the world's finest cuisine staying true to Old World practices while incorporating New World flare."
Brett Maynard, executive chef
SIGNATURE DISHES
-- Bresaola ñ Cured, air-dried beef dressed with baby spinach and roasted garlic vinaigrette, finished with shaved Drunken Goat cheese
-- Ossobuco ñ Braised veal shank with whipped Yukon gold potatoes, oven-roasted carrots and a saffron-tomato reduction
-- Pesce del Giorno ñ Pan-roasted whole flounder with wilted spinach, roasted purple potatoes, and a lemon-garlic oil and roasted red pepper coulis*
(*Preparation of this dish changes daily.)
FULTON FIVE:
5 Fulton St., Charleston
Phone: 853-5555
Reservations: Recommended.
Prices: $17-$29
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 5:30 p.m. - until
Andy's Vintage Views
Like the restaurant, the wine list at Fulton Five is cozy. It is tilted toward red and Italian offerings and has a smattering of "New World" wines. Ditto for those available by the glass. With moderate to expensive prices, there is an impressive reserve list of "Super Tuscans." A certain amount of focus on Piedmont wines is especially nice.
All in all, it is a nice little list that appears to be designed so that you won't take a lot of time in choosing and, therefore, pay more attention to your dining companion. That seems to be what Fulton Five is all about.
Here's a review from the local paper:
Widely considered to be Charleston's most romantic restaurant (my comment here, I disagree with this), Fulton Five is also one of her best. In business more than 10 years, a period of time in which the number of downtown dining establishments has exploded, Fulton Five retains a kind of well-aged decorum and still serves stellar Italian food.
The muted sage green walls and barrage of Old World artwork in the small dining room are cleverly combined to create a decidedly romantic effect. Service from a largely European staff is consistently peppered with an idyllic blend of knowledge and unobtrusive assistance.
British-born executive chef Brett Maynard, who fortunately stayed on when Fulton Five's ownership changed hands a few years ago, displays such compelling prowess in preparing authentic Italian dishes that it's difficult to believe he wasn't raised there. Accordance to precision in unencumbered dishes layered with fresh, distinct flavors is evident everywhere. As the name implies, the fish of the day ($20) rotates based upon the freshest local fish available, but the white bean and fennel ragout resonates with the delicate heat of curry and the sweet flavor of a beautiful shellfish broth made from the real deal.
Regardless of the fish this ambrosia-like medley is paired with, it is consistently delicious, like so many dishes here. In Maynard's hands, high-grade, imported Italian ingredients such as prosciutto, olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, cheeses and truffles come to their full fruition. That's amore.
MISSION STATEMENT
"Personally, I am inspired to cook using the bounty of diverse ingredients that the world has to offer. I strive to interpret and execute the world's finest cuisine staying true to Old World practices while incorporating New World flare."
Brett Maynard, executive chef
SIGNATURE DISHES
-- Bresaola ñ Cured, air-dried beef dressed with baby spinach and roasted garlic vinaigrette, finished with shaved Drunken Goat cheese
-- Ossobuco ñ Braised veal shank with whipped Yukon gold potatoes, oven-roasted carrots and a saffron-tomato reduction
-- Pesce del Giorno ñ Pan-roasted whole flounder with wilted spinach, roasted purple potatoes, and a lemon-garlic oil and roasted red pepper coulis*
(*Preparation of this dish changes daily.)
FULTON FIVE:
5 Fulton St., Charleston
Phone: 853-5555
Reservations: Recommended.
Prices: $17-$29
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 5:30 p.m. - until
Andy's Vintage Views
Like the restaurant, the wine list at Fulton Five is cozy. It is tilted toward red and Italian offerings and has a smattering of "New World" wines. Ditto for those available by the glass. With moderate to expensive prices, there is an impressive reserve list of "Super Tuscans." A certain amount of focus on Piedmont wines is especially nice.
All in all, it is a nice little list that appears to be designed so that you won't take a lot of time in choosing and, therefore, pay more attention to your dining companion. That seems to be what Fulton Five is all about.
Jun 3rd, 2004, 08:46 AM
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In Myrtle Beach, I agree with GoTravel: you can't go wrong with Rossi's (as distinguished from Rossini's--no offense to Rossini's). It's an elegant place: great atmosphere, service & food.
A couple of other little italian cuisine gems, somewhat under the radar screen, are:
Luigi's (on Business 17, a/k/a King's Highway, in Myrtle Beach ) and
Benny Rappa's (also on 17, but in North Myrtle Beach).
Both of these little restaurants are wonderful, neighborhood places where the emphasis is on the food (although the casual, relaxed atmosphere is not bad either).
A couple of other little italian cuisine gems, somewhat under the radar screen, are:
Luigi's (on Business 17, a/k/a King's Highway, in Myrtle Beach ) and
Benny Rappa's (also on 17, but in North Myrtle Beach).
Both of these little restaurants are wonderful, neighborhood places where the emphasis is on the food (although the casual, relaxed atmosphere is not bad either).
Jul 13th, 2004, 08:28 AM
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Don't think anyone mentioned Bocci's on Church St. Il Cortile and Fulton are more upscale, expensive, Bocci's is more casual, but great food. If you especially want italian, all three are worth experiencing. It would take you about a year to experience all the excellent restuarants in Charleston so you may want to try others too.
Jul 26th, 2004, 06:03 AM
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Correction!
I regret that I have to retract my recommendation above for Luigi's (NY Italian Deli) on King's Highway.
The food, presumably, is still wonderful. But as my wife & I recently found out while trying to bring friends there for dinner, the reservation/seating system leaves a LOT to be desired.
We called several days in advance and made reservations for dinner Sat. night at 8. When we arrived at 5 'til, the hostess told us they were running a little behind, wait outside (there's no bar or extra space inside), and she would get us when a table opened. No problem. We waited for half an hour, and a table opened up. To my surprise, another foursome who had just arrived walked in and took the table. When I mentioned this to the hostess, she basically said that several people had reservations for 8--apparently including the ones who arrived half an hour after we did and proceeded to take our table.
The folks were probably regulars (although we live here, we're not regulars at the restaurant), but I don't think that excuses the conduct of the hostess--whether intentional or negligent.
I regret that I have to retract my recommendation above for Luigi's (NY Italian Deli) on King's Highway.
The food, presumably, is still wonderful. But as my wife & I recently found out while trying to bring friends there for dinner, the reservation/seating system leaves a LOT to be desired.
We called several days in advance and made reservations for dinner Sat. night at 8. When we arrived at 5 'til, the hostess told us they were running a little behind, wait outside (there's no bar or extra space inside), and she would get us when a table opened. No problem. We waited for half an hour, and a table opened up. To my surprise, another foursome who had just arrived walked in and took the table. When I mentioned this to the hostess, she basically said that several people had reservations for 8--apparently including the ones who arrived half an hour after we did and proceeded to take our table.
The folks were probably regulars (although we live here, we're not regulars at the restaurant), but I don't think that excuses the conduct of the hostess--whether intentional or negligent.
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