Sunday Brunch with Historical Dining and Azalea Bar and Garden--A Food Symphony of Contentment

Azalea Bar and Garden and Historical Dining are like Sunday brunch and mimosas, the perfect pairing. About forty hungry patrons came together at Summerville's new gathering place for the July 17 symphony of delectables composed by personal Chef Vince Dodson. It was a brunch fit for a king or queen.

The first movement in a symphony is meant to be lively and sets the mood for what comes after. The opening cup of yellow summer squash topped with a hint of roasted red bell pepper bisque with fresh greens topped with a creamy balsamic vinaigrette did exactly that. It woke up our taste buds and left them desiring more.

A melodious pairing of a deep dish quiche with caramelized fennel reduced in Italian Barbera wine and laced with Fontina cheese came next. As to the meaning of reduced, I have no clue, but it worked for me. The quiche was accompanied by seared chicken tenderloin with Portobello and Marsala wine with a touch of cream. It is here we got our first seasonings of history. Fontina cheese is old. How old? The first recorded mention of it was in the 1100s, and although Marsala is Italian, the wine with the same name owes its origin in 1773 to a storm and an Englishman named John Woodhouse.

The whole affair was brought to a finale with fresh crepes topped with a 60% dark chocolate sauce and fresh strawberries along with a goat cheese mousseline topped with a pomegranate sauce followed by a sweet red wine infused with layered Greek yogurt and pears topped with Moscato cream.

I was asked which serving was my favorite, and I said with conviction, "All of them." It was just the right amount of food for a Sunday brunch. And the mimosas, the first is complimentary. Additional cocktails, wine, coffee add-ons, and soft drinks were available for purchase, along with AB and G's full menu of signature craft cocktails.

New Summerville acquaintances Mike and Sherry

Historical Dining and Azalea Bar and Gardens' Sunday Brunch is a culinary symphony of contentment to your taste buds and a great event for making new acquaintances. Reserve your spot for the coming weeks. It is well worth the $35.

219 Cedar Street, Summerville, SC