Need help with some Charleston, SC restaurants
 

A few days ago I posted and asked for you to top your Charleston trip reports and various threads. Well, thank you! But.......I'm not going to be able to select a restaurant. There's just too many.

Care to help me narrow it down, please?

We will only be there for 2 overnights so we will have 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts and/or lunches. One night we will be celebrating our wedding anniversary. We would prefer not to have to dress to the nines...business casual is about as dressed as we would want to get. We are both seafood lovers (any kind). And, I am a real dessert lover.

For dinner, I have thought maybe:

Blossom
High Cotton
Magnolia's

For lunch, I have pondered:

Jestine's
Poogan's Porch
SNOB

Some other places that have caught my eye are:

Mistral
Hanks
Cintra Martini Bar
Cordavi

Thanks for any critiques and/or other recommendations

Ok...I can't eat at all of these places in 2 days! I need help!

I was in Charleston about a month ago. Had dinner at Blosson, which we loved,
also Cypress, down the street, very ggod. High Cotton and Magnolia both looked great, but we couldn't get a reservation. Had lunch at Mistral, loved it. Poogan's Porch was probably my least favorite lunch. Very crowded and touristy. So-so food, nice atmosphere once we were finally seated. If you like Barbecue I recommend Sticky Fingers.

From your list, I would choose High Cotton and Magnolia's for dinner. I've eaten at Blossom, and it was fine, but I think the other two you've listed are better. Your lunch list is tougher for me to choose from...I don't think you can go wrong with any of the three. SNOB is my favorite of the three, but they are all good.

You mention dessert...my favorite dessert in Charleston is the coconut cake at the Peninsula Grill. You don't actually have to eat a meal there to enjoy the cake. You can order it in the bar area, which is actually cozy and sort of romantic, with its dimly lit booths. Hmmm, throw in a glass of champagne and it might make a nice little anniversary nightcap!

Our kids had an anniversary dinner at Circa 1876 (not sure that is it). It was OUTstanding!! It's in an historic home.

Oh, my goodness, Betsy....now you throw a wrench in the plans!! I love coconut cake!

kgk52, I had thought of Mistral, but for some reason dismissed it. Maybe it is closed on the day I would want to eat there.

Thanks guys.

I liked Poogan's Porch, but it was at breakfast. Nice day, good food and we were able to sit on the front porch.

I love Magnolia's. Their version of seafood and grits is a favorite. Have fun!

Another vote for Magnolia's! Have an amazing trip iceeu2. Jealous!

OK....maybe I have it down...how about

Anniversary Dinner at Magnolia's
Next night dinner at High Cotton
or vice versa

Lunch...and, I still have to narrow it down to only 2....unless, of course, we can get there early enough to do Sunday brunch....

Lunch....cast your vote for 2!
SNOB
Blossom
Jestine's

Now, do you all know about restaurant.com? I have used them before with success(not in Charleston, but in Georgia). Several restaurants have $25 dining certificates that you normally buy for $10..now they are $5. Sometimes, you can get them for $4.

I purchased one for Magnolia's and one for Blossom. They also have Cypress.
Just fyi.

Which restaurant has the best shrimp & grits?

I know it is a "famous" recipe but it is so easy and simple I surely wouldn't order it for a special dinner! Just me, I hasten to add. But the seafood possibilities in Charleston are SO many.

I was going to have it for brunch/lunch..not dinner....and, I'm for sure not gonna make it!

If you love coconut cake, you HAVE to squeeze in the cake from the Peninsula Grill. It is the best coconut cake I've ever had, and my mother-in-law makes a great one. Have a great anniversary trip!

Magnolia's shrimp and grits is actually shrimp, scallops and lobster and grits...and it is fantabulous..

Jestines for lunch definately-try the pecan fried chicken!

Magnolias for the grits and fried chicken. Also love their fresh corn. Also the coconut cake at the Peninsula Grill is to die for. Their service and food is also superior.
See you Sat. at the Fodors Get Together to discuss more about Charleston.

Best shrimp & grits?

Reasonable minds can differ, but Mrs. BD and I have had several great meals (lunch and a few breakfast/brunches) at Poogan's Porch. And the shrimp & grits there were awesome. Don't cross it off your list.

The coca-cola cake from Jestines is to die for.

The consistency is between cake and a brownie.

Agree with beachdweller that the many times I've eaten the shrimp and grits at Poogan's they've been fantastic.

Gretchen, did you mean circa 1886? It is fabulous and is in the five diamond five star Wentworth Mansion.

I think it is the highest rated restaurant in Charleston.