Charleston, SC Trip Report: Escargot gives low country high marks !
Oct 24th, 2007, 06:25 PM
#24
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Ok, I thought of that clothing store I loved but couldn't find the name of - I found the bag
tonight in my final sweep - Anne's, 312 King Street.
I'm sure this must be the one - I got a fabulous sweater with an angular/different cut - some of the clothes were above average, some were expensive and some moved into that 'pricey' category - but there were some good finds and just some great styles to look at. Worth a walk through. Some great belts and jackets too.
tonight in my final sweep - Anne's, 312 King Street.
I'm sure this must be the one - I got a fabulous sweater with an angular/different cut - some of the clothes were above average, some were expensive and some moved into that 'pricey' category - but there were some good finds and just some great styles to look at. Worth a walk through. Some great belts and jackets too.
Oct 24th, 2007, 06:36 PM
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Enjoyed your report. There next month for 3-nite GF trip. Hardest part is deciding where to have the 3 dinners! Only time for one plantation--we thought Middleton w/lunch, maybe we should reconsider. Thanks for posting!
Oct 24th, 2007, 08:17 PM
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Good report, Escargot. 
All you ladies have influenced me to make my Christmas Eve reservations at Peninsula Grill, just for that pork chop dish! (Christmas dinner will be Magnolia's).
texasjo, our experience at Middleton Place restaurant was fabulous, and a total surprise, as we knew nothing about it previously. TripAdvisor has excellent reviews for it as well. I'm sorry to hear that Escargot's experience was not so great, but I think it's the first bad review I've heard. I would go back in a minute.
All you ladies have influenced me to make my Christmas Eve reservations at Peninsula Grill, just for that pork chop dish! (Christmas dinner will be Magnolia's).texasjo, our experience at Middleton Place restaurant was fabulous, and a total surprise, as we knew nothing about it previously. TripAdvisor has excellent reviews for it as well. I'm sorry to hear that Escargot's experience was not so great, but I think it's the first bad review I've heard. I would go back in a minute.
Oct 24th, 2007, 08:37 PM
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Elsiemoo, believe me, we wanted to love our lunch at Middleton - everything I'd researched and read gave exc marks - and my friend was excited b/c of the connection to chef Edna Lewis -
so Texasjo, don't change your plans b/c of my one experience. It's just that when I ordered Hoppin' John and ham biscuits, I didn't expect what, to me, was an 'ok' biscuit, cut in half, with a very thin piece of jam about the size of a quarter - maybe my expectations were just too high or maybe it was an off day or week - who knows -
I don't know why you think you only have time for one plantation - it depends on what interests you and how long you spend at each one - when we drove, we passed Drayton on the way to Middleton, they are very close - we'd seen enough to move on and fit it in on the way back to town -
The only thing I probably should have said is, when we got to the plantation we signed up for the tour - if you are on a time frame,perhaps you should secure your tickets ahead of time - or at least look on their web page and familiarize yourself with what you can do there, - there is MUCH more than we did - carriage rides, etc - but since we were both going back in spring w/ our husbands, we figured we'd leave some of it for then.
so Texasjo, don't change your plans b/c of my one experience. It's just that when I ordered Hoppin' John and ham biscuits, I didn't expect what, to me, was an 'ok' biscuit, cut in half, with a very thin piece of jam about the size of a quarter - maybe my expectations were just too high or maybe it was an off day or week - who knows -
I don't know why you think you only have time for one plantation - it depends on what interests you and how long you spend at each one - when we drove, we passed Drayton on the way to Middleton, they are very close - we'd seen enough to move on and fit it in on the way back to town -
The only thing I probably should have said is, when we got to the plantation we signed up for the tour - if you are on a time frame,perhaps you should secure your tickets ahead of time - or at least look on their web page and familiarize yourself with what you can do there, - there is MUCH more than we did - carriage rides, etc - but since we were both going back in spring w/ our husbands, we figured we'd leave some of it for then.
Oct 24th, 2007, 08:38 PM
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SharonG: the reason you get hungry reading my posts is because when I go away, I eat waaaay to much ! I don't ordinarily eat like this, not that I wouldn't like to, but there's that darn thing called calories.....
Oct 25th, 2007, 05:15 AM
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We may have time for more than one plantation but balancing Charleston "musts" of 4 GFs with limited time is difficult. We have looked at websites and thought Middleton w/lunch before heading downtown for afternoon shopping and harbor cruise. How long did it take to see both, escargot? Glad to hear your experience, elsiemoo, which seems to be like the majority of reviews for the restaurant. That was main reason we thought Middleton was the "one" to visit.
Maybe it was an off day for them.
Maybe it was an off day for them.
Oct 25th, 2007, 06:31 AM
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texasjo:
I personally do not think you have time to do Middleton Place, have lunch, shop downtown and do a harbor cruise - but maybe you guys really move fast
Also depends on the day, many days a fair amount of the stores closed early (by our NYC and Boston standards) they were closing at 5pm - which is how I missed Rangoni on Thursday - but on Friday I got there around 4:45 and they c losed at 6 I believe, so I had some shopping time !
and it depends how fast you shop, if only going to certain stores, etc - ifyou ddrive out, drive back, repark your car, walk to King St, that all eats up some time.. -
Time spent depends on how much interests you: we walked on our own thru the gardens, thru the stables and freemans house and did the home tour - we did not do a carriage ride, or other things offered (guided tour of grounds) etc, - so that is why I think maybe you should look on their web page and see what you think you all might want to do - and what time you leave Charleston to get there - ie; being there when they open at 9am -
we left Charleston at 9:30am, we were walking the plantation and then had a home tour at 11, then walked some more, stables, etc lunch and then walked a different way out - went to Drayton Hall, think we were back in the city and at Rangoni Shoes if my memory is right, by about 4:30 - At Drayton Hall we did not walk the grounds, we spent about 10 minutes in book/gift store and did the 75 min house tour
It was just nice to have the comparison, two different types of plantations - I think you might be just as happy doing the MIddleton and perhaps the Edmonston Alston House in town - can't remember the names but the lady of the house who was most responsible for bringing the gardens back to life at Middleton is also featured in the 'family tree' chart in the EA House - as are many other connections -
Even if you go to Middleton at 9, walk, tour and have lunch say from 12-1, you aren't getting back into the city I wouldn't think until at least 2-3pm???
I know, 4 is tough - sometimes even best to separate for an afternoon or morning if too many want to go different ways.
Have Fun !
I personally do not think you have time to do Middleton Place, have lunch, shop downtown and do a harbor cruise - but maybe you guys really move fast
Also depends on the day, many days a fair amount of the stores closed early (by our NYC and Boston standards) they were closing at 5pm - which is how I missed Rangoni on Thursday - but on Friday I got there around 4:45 and they c losed at 6 I believe, so I had some shopping time !
and it depends how fast you shop, if only going to certain stores, etc - ifyou ddrive out, drive back, repark your car, walk to King St, that all eats up some time.. -
Time spent depends on how much interests you: we walked on our own thru the gardens, thru the stables and freemans house and did the home tour - we did not do a carriage ride, or other things offered (guided tour of grounds) etc, - so that is why I think maybe you should look on their web page and see what you think you all might want to do - and what time you leave Charleston to get there - ie; being there when they open at 9am -
we left Charleston at 9:30am, we were walking the plantation and then had a home tour at 11, then walked some more, stables, etc lunch and then walked a different way out - went to Drayton Hall, think we were back in the city and at Rangoni Shoes if my memory is right, by about 4:30 - At Drayton Hall we did not walk the grounds, we spent about 10 minutes in book/gift store and did the 75 min house tour
It was just nice to have the comparison, two different types of plantations - I think you might be just as happy doing the MIddleton and perhaps the Edmonston Alston House in town - can't remember the names but the lady of the house who was most responsible for bringing the gardens back to life at Middleton is also featured in the 'family tree' chart in the EA House - as are many other connections -
Even if you go to Middleton at 9, walk, tour and have lunch say from 12-1, you aren't getting back into the city I wouldn't think until at least 2-3pm???
I know, 4 is tough - sometimes even best to separate for an afternoon or morning if too many want to go different ways.
Have Fun !
Oct 25th, 2007, 06:47 AM
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Thanks for such an interesting view of Charleston. As a native of S.C., an aunt nearby as I was growing up, and a college roommate from there, and now living only 2 hours away I have been there many times. I have not done the Gullah tour and visited some of the shops you mentioned. Only last year did I dine at the Peninsula Grill(coconut cake -a food of the Gods) and visit the Calhoun House for the first time. Charleston has been named one of the friendliest cities for quite a few years by Travel magazines.
Having traveled quite a few countries and cities in the world I agree with you it is wonderful and captivating. Always new experiences.
Thank you again for visiting our part of the world and welcome back many more times.
Having traveled quite a few countries and cities in the world I agree with you it is wonderful and captivating. Always new experiences.
Thank you again for visiting our part of the world and welcome back many more times.
Oct 25th, 2007, 07:40 AM
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escargot, I want to say how generous I think you are to take the time to share so much detail in your report! I used to do that, years ago ... but don't seem to have the patience anymore to keep notes on our dinners, what we ate, etc., but it is so helpful, especially to those who've never experienced Charleston, I'm sure.
As for your experience at Middleton Place restaurant, I had a similar thing happen on Maui at Hailemaile General Store. After hearing all the hype about the place, our meal was just ordinary ... not bad, but nothing special, especially for the price (all four lunches for our party.) I've never gone back ...
Thanks again for a great report, and glad that you liked Magnolia's as much as many of us do!
As for your experience at Middleton Place restaurant, I had a similar thing happen on Maui at Hailemaile General Store. After hearing all the hype about the place, our meal was just ordinary ... not bad, but nothing special, especially for the price (all four lunches for our party.) I've never gone back ...
Thanks again for a great report, and glad that you liked Magnolia's as much as many of us do!
Oct 25th, 2007, 08:35 AM
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Yes, 'lawsy chile' is Gulluh speak (or Geechee) for 'My goodness escargot!'
LOL!
It is really interesting to hit some of the country stores off the islands and to hear the natives that actually still speak Gullah to one another.
It is a fascinating culture that is finally being preserved.
LOL!
It is really interesting to hit some of the country stores off the islands and to hear the natives that actually still speak Gullah to one another.
It is a fascinating culture that is finally being preserved.
Oct 25th, 2007, 10:04 AM
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Yes, escargot, your report is so very helpful, as well as yours, GoTravel (have read it many times).
Appreciate your details on the time for plantation visit, escargot. We have utilized the websites extensively but there are 4 of us... We're from all parts of the country so main purpose is to enjoy time together so we'll compromise and not just rush from place to place. Thanks so much.
Appreciate your details on the time for plantation visit, escargot. We have utilized the websites extensively but there are 4 of us...
We're from all parts of the country so main purpose is to enjoy time together so we'll compromise and not just rush from place to place. Thanks so much.
Oct 25th, 2007, 01:43 PM
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texas
quot;so we'll compromise and not just rush from place to place"
YES ! This is exactly what you should do - so what if you do not see every thing this time- this trip was different for us as it ended up being only 2 of us (illness in one gals family,one a new job, one gal having a hip replacement moved up,etc) and so for many reasons instead ofour usual 4 or 6 that we usually have on the fall trip, we had the two, and we decided to still go for it -
so it was a different type of gals trip for us - not so many chiming in, you know
So I get the "4" - and I also get that one of the primary purposes of the ladies is to feel support, bond,get a break, laugh, be off our normal schedule and "feel the love!" that only female friendships can bring, as well as the other cranky stuff females can also sometimes bring to a group outing
So roam the plantation, take it as it comes, some sites like that you can revisit and read about a zillion times and always see something new - heck, there are some famous paintings I've seen many times in our Boston museums, and I still see and feel different things every time I see them -
have fun
eat cupcakes
drink chocolate espresso martinis
laugh
laugh
laugh
see at least one thing a day and
the rest can be icing on the cake -
I'm off now for a 4 dy "girls" break with my grown daughter - another form of bonding
Have fun planning your trip and y'all make sure you do a fun report for us
quot;so we'll compromise and not just rush from place to place"YES ! This is exactly what you should do - so what if you do not see every thing this time- this trip was different for us as it ended up being only 2 of us (illness in one gals family,one a new job, one gal having a hip replacement moved up,etc) and so for many reasons instead ofour usual 4 or 6 that we usually have on the fall trip, we had the two, and we decided to still go for it -
so it was a different type of gals trip for us - not so many chiming in, you know
So I get the "4" - and I also get that one of the primary purposes of the ladies is to feel support, bond,get a break, laugh, be off our normal schedule and "feel the love!" that only female friendships can bring, as well as the other cranky stuff females can also sometimes bring to a group outing
So roam the plantation, take it as it comes, some sites like that you can revisit and read about a zillion times and always see something new - heck, there are some famous paintings I've seen many times in our Boston museums, and I still see and feel different things every time I see them -
have fun
eat cupcakes
drink chocolate espresso martinis
laugh
laugh
laugh
see at least one thing a day and
the rest can be icing on the cake -
I'm off now for a 4 dy "girls" break with my grown daughter - another form of bonding
Have fun planning your trip and y'all make sure you do a fun report for us
Nov 1st, 2007, 11:13 AM
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Escargot - I had not seen this until now and I too wanted to chime in with a thank you. Charleston is one of my all time favorite places. We went in June this year for a family reunion, but did not get to do as much b/c of the # of people.
You paint a pretty picture and now I want to go again with my girlfriends.
You paint a pretty picture and now I want to go again with my girlfriends.
Nov 1st, 2007, 04:55 PM
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Escargot--thanks!
Missed this report a few days ago, but definitely glad I saw it today! Fantastic information!! I've spent one whole day in Charleston and can't wait to return for a much longer period of time.
Missed this report a few days ago, but definitely glad I saw it today! Fantastic information!! I've spent one whole day in Charleston and can't wait to return for a much longer period of time.
