Charleston for a short visit
 

It could not have been a more perfect time for a visit to Charleston. The weather was in the low seventies, mild, dry and cloudfree. A dear friend from my Boston years had never been to Charleston so I invited her to meet me there this past week. Another friend gave us the use of her house in the historic Ansonborough District. Her home is very quiet and lovely with a charming patio courtyard in the back. Each day began with a good cup of coffee and the smell of jasmine. It was blooming in profusion in the courtyard and the air was filled with the scent.
We started out one day by a visit to the Isle of Palms for a walk on the beach and lunch at the Boardwalk Inn. I had an excellent salad with grilled shrimp. My friend was not so lucky. After ordering a turkey club sandwich without bacon or mayonaise, the sandwich arrived loaded with both. The food was tasty but the service was casual to the point of disinterest. It was however the perfect day to walk the beach and catch up. We stopped at OOH LA LA's for some cookies and drooling. It is the place to go when you are staying at IOP and want an easy dinner. They provide an excellent selection of main courses (heat and serve at home), desserts and pastries. As you come over the bridge from Mt. Pleasant they are on your left in the shopping center with the Red and White grocery store. Highly recommended.
We went for drinks to the rooftop of the Marketplace Pavillion Hotel. A gorgeous panorama view of Charleston with excellent drinks and service PLUS nice plexiglas windbreaks to make it a pleasant place to while away some time. Dinner was at Magnolia's and it was wonderful. Their version of shrimp and grits is done with shrimp, lobster and scallops. WOW. Very good. Unfortunately all the walking did not offset the cookies so we had to pass on dessert. The service was excellent.
The next day we visited all the shops on King, had a great gelato break at Modica on George St (thank you, Litespeed!), toured the Battery/Rainbow Row and paid homage to Mrs Whaley. If you are visiting Charleston take time to read "Mrs. Whaley's Garden". It is a wonderful introduction to the garden city. We had lunch at Fleet Landing. It is a noisy place, well located for stopping while touring. The food was fine and the service was quick and well informed.
Our dinner was at McCrady's. I think I may have expected too much, but the food was a disappointment. They seem to try too hard to blend flavors in each dish. I tend to prefer fresh fish, simply prepared. The scallop appetizer was excellent. The service is very pretentious and not particularly efficient. The setting is very charming and well done. It is a very pretty restaurant.
It was a wonderful visit and I look forward to my return to the Holy City in August.

Thanks for the great details! Just makes me want to get back to Charleston that much sooner.

Hi there cmcfong. It was fun reading your trip report as I visited Charleston just last April for the first time, thanks to OWJ. Also visited Atlanta which I also loved. It was such a beautiful week, one I will always remember. I can only imagine how much your friend enjoyed her time in Charleston with you..it is truly a beautiful city with very gracious people.

I am glad you all enjoyed the post. It was fun reliving the visit! I am burning a jasmine candle just to enhance the mood. Cheers.

So glad you enjoyed your short visit! Drinks at the rooftop of Market Pavillion is one of my favorite things to do in town...especially when the weather is as it was when you were in town...gets a little toasty up there in the summer but still very nice.

You aren't alone in your reaction to McCrady's...I've had similar experiences there.

Again, glad you enjoyed your visit and thanks for the report!

I am returning in August to celebrate a BIG OH birthday with about a hundred people. I am afraid the rooftop will be as you say "a little toasty" and we may have to give it a pass.
Thanks for your help in planning.

Actually, the rooftop of both the Market Pavillion and The Venue are very nice during the summer because of the breezes off the ocean and Charleston Harbor.

It isn't hot up there at all. I think the glass comes off the roof during the summer.