Community Table in Mount Pleasant--Based on my Experience, you will be Greatly Pleased

The restaurant's motto is as follows: "We believe in three pillars, when it comes to a memorable dining experience, quality food, clean and comfortable atmosphere, professional but approachable staff. These values are the building blocks on which it stands. We serve quality, modern comfort food in an approachable atmosphere by people who care." We were about to put it to the test.

The restaurant's owners, Ryan and Kelleanne Jones, have an impressive resumes in the culinary business. The Jones ran Pintore Catering together in Hartford, Connecticut for ten years. Then, they moved to Las Vegas for a brief stint where Ryan helped open a large, three-meal restaurant, open 18 hours a day. They opened The Mill at 2t in Hartford in 2009, and it quickly became “one of Hartford County’s top spots for fine dining." They sold The Mill in 2016 and relocated their family to Charleston, where they settled in the I’On area. They operated Free Reign at Workshop, offering a “wood-fired coastal” menu. After that three-month venture ended, they were looking for a more permanent location. Free Reign ended, and the Jones family set sights on their newest project.

Community Table opened in 2019. The space is filled with bright whites, ivory, and driftwood. It fits about 85 seats, with a community table for 20 in the side room, a 12-person community table adjacent to the bar, 25 high tops on the porch, and tables filling the rest of the dining room. The menu's locally sourced ingredients pairs nicely with the restaurant's expansive drink offerings, which include local beer, the most creative wine selections in the Lowcountry, cocktails with fresh, hand-squeezed juices, cold brew coffee, and kombucha.

The occasions that brought us to Community Table were Valentine's Day and my birthday, courtesy my partner. Reservations made in advance, we arrived and were seated on the heated porch just outside the main entrance. The porch was well-lit, and the high-top table was comfortable. A unique feature on the table was silverware placed on oyster shells. Even though we were not in the main dining area, the first part of the motto, comfortable atmosphere, was satisfied.

Our server was a smiling, young lady who was very welcoming. After a quick, enlightening conversation about the cocktail offerings, I chose Somewhere on the Beach--Flor de Cana Dark Rum, Orange and Pineapple Juices, Fresh Lime, and Cranberry Juice Floater for $12. My partner chose the Bees Knees--Striped Pig Gin, Fresh Lemon, Honey Simple, and a large cubbe for $12.

To start our dinner, we chose the French Fry Ceasar Salad with Escarole Lettuce, Radicchio, French Fries, Garlic Crouton Crumble, Lemon Pepper Aiola, and Parmesan Vinaigrette. I thought it to be interesting for a salad to contain French Fries, but it turned out to be an enjoyable addition to the crisp, fresh lettuce and garlic croutons. 

For our entree, even though the item was from the starters list, my partner and I chose the Spanish Octopus with Crispy Octopus, Pickled Pepper Relish, Preserved Lemon Chimichurri, Cousa Potatoes, and Smoked Egg Aiola for $18. The Octopus choice was influenced by a previous outing where I tried the delicacy for the first time and loved it. The Cousa Potatoes were delicious, and the tender, mouth-watering Octopus reaffirmed my recent conclusion it will be a favorite, goto seafood choice. My partner was convinced I had not eaten enough, so I ordered the Butternut and Burrata Toast($16) and a piece of Pumpkin Cheesecake($9). The cheesecake was a sweet finish to the affair. The second part of the motto, quality food, was aced. 

As to the professional but approachable staff, we had fun interacting with our server. She was attentive throughout our stay, checking in often. She was knowledgeable about the menu and offered input. She gave a rose to my partner at the end, which I viewed as very thoughtful. It was Valentine's Day after all. 

Community Table met all expectations as to quality food, clean and comfortable atmosphere, and professional but approachable staff. Its menu was diverse and balanced as to its selection, from starters to entrees to desserts. It is located in the sophisticated I'On district of Mount Pleasant. Give it a visit. Based on my experience, you will be greatly pleased.

Monday to Saturday: 11 am to 9 pm.

Sunday: 10 am to 3 pm.

Weekend Bruch: Saturday at 11am to 3 pm and Sunday at 10 am to 3 pm.

Happy Hour: Monday to Friday 3 pm to 5 pm.

Community Table, 148 Civitas Street, Mount Pleasant

Two Restaurant Names Inspired By Lowcountry Dogs--One In Charleston and One On Folly Beach

This is Jasper. Jasper enjoys barking at
other dogs and loves Cheez-its.

The movie called "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" is about a man who is abandoned by his wife after the two of them hear the world is coming to an end in twenty-one days. I have not seen the movie as of today, so I cannot comment about what could have triggered the wife's sudden change of heart or whether the movie even gives you a hint. One may be left to speculate. To be confronted with such a dire outcome is a tragedy of enormous proportions, but even a greater calamity of epic magnitude when your closest, dearest friend forsakes you at such an ominous moment. Such a thing would not happen if that closest friend were a dog because a dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

The profound loyalty of a canine friend is well documented, as is the attachment people have to their dogs. With this in mind, let's consider another scenario with unusual prospects. In a study by the American Animal Hospital Association, over half of the respondents stated if they were stranded on a desert island, they would prefer the company of their pet to a human companion. That is, more people would rather find themselves in a "Pooch Lagoon" situation than a "Blue Lagoon." In my opinion, I am thinking the majority of respondents were female and obviously animal owners. Men tend to be more superficial about who they would want to be stranded with and only a dog owner would answer in such a dogmatic fashion. Woof. Woof.

Following are more interesting information about people and dogs. Many believe (I'm not one of them because I do not accept the precepts of the Theory of Evolution) we owe our survival as the superior species to our dog companions or else the world would be ruled by Neanderthals. I'm guessing Neanderthals were not pet-friendly. On an average, at least 70 per cent of the people polled around the world always sign their dog's name on a greeting card along with the rest of the family names. When it comes to travel, more than 20 percent of vacationing dog owners take their pet with them in the car when they travel, even planning vacations around their pets. These owners take their dog on an average of five car trips per year.

In the U.S., 63 percent of all households own a pet. Thirty-nine percent of those households own at least one dog. So, there is no mistaking it, the relationship between people and dogs is as profound as the love Charlestonians have for shrimp and grits and as celebrated as the city's Spoleto Festival. It is an actuality further corroborated by the two area restaurants named after resident dogs--one in Downtown Charleston and one on Folly Beach.

Located on Queen Street, the Downtown restaurant is one of Charleston's finest places to dine. When I heard of its name, I thought it to be a rather unusual designation for a restaurant, but when I did some research into the matter, the name made perfect sense.

The story is both exceptional and endearing. It’s the American Dream at its best and its telling warms your heart and puts a smile on your face because Poogan was a scruffy, neighborhood dog and a bit of a wanderer who finally found his place in society and a permanent residence at the old Victorian house that was built in 1888 and in 1976, was turned into the restaurant bearing his name.

Poogan presided over the renovations to the old house and its interior and greeted the first happy customers. Like many Charlestonians, the porch was his favorite part of the house, thus the name Poogan's Porch.

Poogan is no longer here, but if he was and he could speak, he would tell you, "To succeed in life, never bite the hand that feeds you." As a tribute and an expression of their endearment, the owners had a stone monument of Poogan placed in the landscaping.

There's something appealing and fun about dining in a restaurant that once was a house. Poogan's Porch is all of that and boasts credentials that make it one of Charleston's oldest and most reputable culinary establishments. A 1500-bottle wine cellar was built in 2005, which has tripled since opening. Over its many successful years, numerous awards have been bestowed upon it. Always a popular favorite for Charleston's Restaurant Week--September 9-20, 2015.

A dinner for two will average around $75 without wine. Open 365 days a year, Poogan’s Porch serves a Lowcountry lunch from 11:30 am-2:30 pm, dinner from 5-9:30 pm, and weekend brunch from 9 am-2:30 pm. The restaurant closes for one dinner seating on Super Bowl Sunday--a family tradition. It is located at 72 Queen Street, just down the street from the Dock Street Theater. Menus and reviews.

The Lost Dog Cafe on Folly Beach got its peculiar name from the mischievous behavior of a dog named Hocus. Hocus had a naughty habit of just "taking off" when he felt like it. It was from these stints of disappearing that the dog's owners were inspired to conceive the fitting name they ended up choosing for their beach cafe. It is advertised as a gathering place where locals and tourists can meet and eat. With a laid back atmosphere and simple fare, the most unusual thing about the cafe is pooches are welcomed and its dog wall of fame.

Lost Dog Cafe features an all-day breakfast menu with burritos, bagel sandwiches, and good coffee. If you like it simple and easygoing, Lost Dog Cafe is located at 106 W. Huron Ave. It opens daily at 6:30 am. Out of the 814 reviews, 92 percent of the reviewers give it a high rating.

If you are looking for a place to stay on Folly Beach, a surprise feature of the Lost Dog Cafe is you can rent the loft above the restaurant starting at $150 a night. It has 750 square feet of living space and sleeps two. There is a galley kitchen and window seats. Despite being over a busy cafe, reviewers surprisingly note their peace and quiet was never disrupted by the lighthearted clamor from the dining area below.

As a dog lover and dog owner, Poogan's Porch and Lost Dog Cafe are two Lowcountry restaurants you will want to check out, if you haven't done so already. And finally, this enlightening parting thought: The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.

This Summerville Restaurant Should Be Your Dining Destination--Five Loaves Cafe

…When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip: "Where will we buy bread for these people to eat?" However, he was saying this to test him, for he knew what he was about to do...Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him: "Here is a little boy who has five barley loaves and two small fish. But what are these among so many?" Jesus said: "Have the men sit down." As there was a lot of grass in that place, the men sat down there, about 5,000 in number. Jesus took the bread, and after giving thanks, he distributed it to those who were sitting there; he did likewise with the small fish, and they had as much as they wanted… I was told this Biblical story was the inspiration behind the name Five Loaves Café.

I recently broke bread at the Summerville location--the newest of three in the Lowcountry area and formerly the Farringdon Bistropub. The building, at 214 N. Cedar Street, was completely gutted and beautifully remodeled.

Walking up the front steps unto the restaurant’s broad porch, I was treated to the first of its distinctive features. Mounted overhead, on the ceiling, were three old entry doors with 12 randomly spaced lights dangling from them--examples of the restaurants use of sustainable materials. Upon entering, we were immediately directed to our table. On the way, I noticed many familiar faces from around town. Where we were seated, it was bright, open, and cozy. The surrounding walls were free of clutter with pictures mounted smartly here and there. Hanging nearby, the dinner specials were listed on a large role of brown paper that could be changed when needed by pulling it through and tearing it off.

A second distinctive feature was on the top of the wooden table we were seated at. Painted in black and in a circle was a quote from Voltaire, which read: "Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity." Eating and drinking was the obvious reason for being at Five Loaves. As to the pleasure reference in the quote, the proof would be in the pudding, which by the way was not on the menu, but no matter, if I was looking for pudding I would have gone to a certain fast-food restaurant I will leave unnamed. There were plenty of other reasonable choices available on the menu for making a suitable appraisal of the food.

Scanning the menu, the first thing that pleasantly caught my eye was the modestly priced, gluten-free Entrees, Shareables, Ruffage, Soups and what Five Loaves called Between the Bread (sandwiches). Artfully named and scrumptiously described, it was difficult making a choice, but ultimately I chose the Mediterranean Garden Burger ($8.25) in between sour dough bread with a Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella ($8.50) salad accompanied with balsamic roasted garlic dressing. Other dishes ordered at our table: Local Shrimp Gnocchi ($14) and Roasted Pork Saltimbocca.

When the dishes arrived, they were picture perfect and magazine ready—fresh, colorful, and creatively arranged in an artistic fashion. In answer to Voltaire’s quote mentioned earlier, it was a pleasure consuming the delectable dishes. Congratulations go to Chef Stephen Harman for a table of superbly prepared dishes.

Bottles of wine were offered at ½ price. Our choices were a Hook and Ladder Gewürztraminer and a Zolo Malbec 2014. The Gewürztraminer was an intensely spiced, aromatic wine with a hint of honeysuckle and grapefruit. The Malbec was a blend with a high intensity of black fruits, raspberries, and violets. The bottles were delivered to the table by managing partner Ruthie Harmon. Displaying a friendly smile and inviting disposition, she opened and poured the wine and answered questions we had about the wine and the restaurant.

Five Loaves Café has undeniably become a Summerville favorite. On any given day, lunch or dinner, their healthy, gluten-free, and vegetarian-friendly dishes make them a highly recommended choice for omnivores and vegans alike. It provides a variety of vegetarian options with popular soup/salad/sandwich combinations. Salads made with vegetables grown locally are served with house-made dressings. Its appetizing sandwiches feature meats from local Charleston area farms. Soups are house made and different each day and night. The entrees are unmatched and reasonably priced. Its staff is courteous, hospitable, and helpful. Its atmosphere is uplifting and people friendly. If you are looking for the overall satisfying dining experience, this restaurant should be your destination.

A Visit To Charleston's Number One French Brasserie During Restaurant Week--39 Rue de Jean Was Sumptuous

This would be my first visit to the posh 39 Rue de Jean--a French brasserie located between Meeting and King on one of Charleston's most notable streets. With the Charleston Museum close by, the museum's newly constructed glass enclosed building housing the first locomotive built in America could be seen from my vantage point at the entrance of the beautifully landscaped alleyway that separated the restaurant from the oldest building on the block, the Charleston Music Hall.

In the distance, magenta and purple neon lighting brightly bathed the alley's inviting walkway of odd sized stone pavers while the overhead lights of Rue's covered patio softly immersed the table settings along the alley's right side. This was a part of John Street I thus far had not ventured down on previous outings.

Reservation was set for 7:00 pm. I checked in at the front desk and was promptly taken to a small table with a single chair and a booth-style burgundy bench topped with stainless steal rails. Identical on both sides, it ran along the right-middle of the main dining area. Full booths and scattered tables filled the rest of the space. A bricked archway led to additional seating beyond and glass doors flanking the bar opened onto an outdoor patio. Two aged-smoky looking mirrors covered one wall and a full bar covered another. A patterned ceiling reflected the age of the building. The table was covered with white paper--the perfect medium for doodling on or writing the lyrics of a new hit song or sonnet, if you were moved to do so. Hey, Edgar Allen Poe did it.

My server promptly arrived with a carafe of water, filled a glass and shared some of the preferred specials from the main menu aside from the 3 for $30 menu prepared by Rue for Restaurant Week. I immediately informed the server I would be choosing from the 3 for $30 and selected my cocktail--a Citron Mojito. The concoction of mint leaves floating in Absolut Citron, key lime juice, and simple syrup topped with a slice of lime arrived a few moments later and I took my first sip. It was the perfect opener.

The first course on the 3 for $30 menu was a choice between Cauliflower and Brie Bisque, Smoked Salmon Maki Roll and Varietal Greens Salad. I chose the Varietal Greens Salad with Roasted Pecans, Pickled Golden Raisins, Figs and Goat Cheese Vinaigrette. Second Course offered four options: Poulet Confit, Pork Belly, Braised Cod, and Vegetable Dauphinoise. Braised Cod was my selection. It was an entree of Fennel, Curry, Cherry Tomatoes and Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes. Dessert options were between Brown Butter Crepes and Chocolate Pate. I hesitantly picked the Brown Butter Crepes prepared with Caramelized Apples, Creme Anglaise and Powdered Sugar.

The Varietal Greens Salad was a generous portion of locally grown greens. The nutty flavor of the pecans superbly complimented the delightfully fruity taste of the pickled raisins while the cheesy vinaigrette dressing pleasantly accented the total combination. It was very sumptuous.

The Braised Cod arrived to the table steamy hot and at the hand of a helper with a French accent--aside from the menu, the only French I encountered all evening. The fennel, curry and cherry tomatoes were buried under a fillet of cod surrounded by the whipped potatoes. The curry mixed in with the whipped potatoes made my eyes water from time to time, but overall was tolerably delicious. The fennel covered with a crisp coating was very good as were the cherry tomatoes. The texture of the cod was perfect, flaky to the fork and not dry.

My hesitancy in selecting dessert was justified. I am not saying the Brown Butter Crepes wasn't good, to the contrary, it was satisfying, but I should have not passed up the Chocolate Pate with fresh strawberries, creme anglaise and berry coulis. It would have been more colorful with the red of the strawberries and the berry coulis drizzled all over it.

Andre was a very attentive server, checking in from time to time and filling the water glass when it was near empty. The delivery of the various dishes was timely and the presentation was artful. The removal of spent dishes was prompt and replacement silverware was provided when needed. Additionally, mixed in with the meal, I like to engage in a little small talk with the server, more than just, "Is everything satisfactory?" or "Can I get you anything?" It was a busy night at the Rue, so I do understand the server's limitations in this regard, but it is something to give consideration to when dealing with patrons.

The upscale casual Rue de Jean is ideally situated between Meeting and King Street next to one of Charleston's finest venues, the Charleston Music Hall. Its marquee style entrance is eye catching. The main dining area is comfortable and not cramped for space. It offers outdoor seating on a black rail enclosed covered patio with a front view of historic John Street and a beautifully landscaped alleyway even more picturesque at night under the lights. I give high marks to the chef and kitchen staff for a skillfully prepared, elegantly presented culinary experience on my visit during Charleston Restaurant Week.

Side note--If you are looking for a mouth-watering burger, 39 Rue de Jean was named Charleston's number one brasserie for burgers.

Exceptionally North Of Excellent-S.N.O.B.

It is often said, "Nothing is perfect." We say this in keeping ourselves well grounded and in maintaining a reasonable balance concerning our expectations of things and rightly so, because speaking from a human standpoint, perfection is an unattainable standard. But despite our misgiving to label anything perfect, we do use the word to describe exceptional experiences, from a human standpoint. Therefore, I have no trepidation in using perfection to describe my experience earlier this week in Charleston, which I will now explain in detail.

With confirmation and camera in hand, we made the short trek from the Vendue Range parking garage to East Bay Street. It was relatively quiet. I have seen it busier. Not a surprise, it was a Monday night. By now the Old Market crowd had dispersed and all the galleries and small shops were closed. Like us, fellow patrons were making their way to the various restaurants located in this part of the French Quarter, which all appeared busy, seeing Charleston's Restaurant Week was already underway. After having spent some browsing time shopping on Charleston's popular King Street earlier, we were cutting it close - reservation was set for 6:15.

Our destination was the eclectic restaurant Slightly North of Broad or better known by the acronym S.N.O.B., which was proudly displayed on various objects outside its double-door entrance. Once inside, we checked in at the hostess's desk, confirmed our reservations, and were shown to our seating arrangements - a small, intimate table for two by a window and a view of the kitchen. A significant component of this restaurant is a large, brick archway with a viewable kitchen just beyond. Even though I could see the kitchen staff busy at work from where I was seated, it was not distracting.

The restaurant's elegant, bright-red menu was placed before us. Our server introduced herself. Upon noticing my partner was wearing black, Natalie offered to exchange the white napkin on the table for a black napkin, so my partner wouldn't get any lint on her clothes. The thoughtful gesture did not go unnoticed by me. She allowed us a few moments to peruse the extensive wine list and cocktail offerings. When I saw Charleston Cocktail on the list, a drink containing Sweet Tea Vodka from Firefly Distillery, my mind was made up. Menu selections were next.

Since it was Restaurant Week, we had a choice of an appetizer, entree, and desert for $30. As I looked the selections over, a few terms were unfamiliar to me and required some explanation. I asked numerous questions of Natalie. Most of my queries centered around the appetizers, which featured Italian dishes - such as Beef Carpaccio and Heirloom Tomato Crostini, to name two. She patiently and knowledgeably fielded each question with a smile. As a result of her assistance, I comfortably chose the Crostini - house made focaccia, butter bean puree, and grana padano. My partner selected Charleston Crab Soup - blue crab meat, sherry, and chives.

Next, focus was on the entrees, particularly the Pan Seared Tilefish. "What is a tilefish?" I asked. She explained, "It is similar to grouper in taste except a bit sweeter." I accepted the explanation. The Pan Seared Tilefish would be served with Anson Mills polenta, braised artichokes, tomato broth, and olive tapenade. My partner chose the Grilled Sirloin with Joseph Fields Farm red potatoes, broccoli, port wine reduction, and herb compound butter. Anson Mills and Joseph Fields Farm are Lowcountry growers. As for the desserts, they contained no Italian terms, needing no further explanation. Wholly Cow Mud Pie Ice Cream is simple, straightforward English.

We sipped our drinks, munched on the delicious complimentary bread offerings, and engaged in idle small talk while we waited for our food. Our server thoughtfully delivered two slices of crostini for me to sample as a preview. Shortly thereafter, the appetizers arrived. My favorite part of the Heirloom Tomato Crostini was the butter bean puree. Its texture reminded me somewhat of guacamole. Once we finished off the appetizers, the main entrees arrived in a stacked arrangement. Covered with the braised artichokes and olive tapenade, the Pan Seared Tilefish was laid on top of the polenta and floated in the tomato broth. It was a pleasant partnership of flavors. The tomato broth sweetened the tilefish and supporting polenta. It was heavenly.

As I now sit before my laptop preparing this review, reflecting back on my visit, I sincerely can not think of a single glitch in the pitch. My S.N.O.B. experience was a flawless marriage of food and service. The presentation of the various dishes from appetizer to dessert was both visually appealing and timely.

Natalie, our server, was very personable and attentive, checking in often through the meals progression. She was helpful in assisting us with making informed decisions pertaining to our selections. As the meal transitioned from appetizer to entree to dessert, she was  conscientious concerning the smallest of details, from proper positioning of silverware to keeping the table cleared of emptied plates and spent utensils.

I give Natalie and S.N.O.B. the highest marks. They will be a tough act to follow and a standard I will be using in judging other Charleston restaurants on food and service. Slightly North of Broad is located at 192 E Bay Street.

After further research, I discovered tilefish is sometimes known as "the clown of the sea."

Charleston Restaurant Week 2013 Begins September-Get Ready For The Fun And Feast Now

It has been a relatively cooler August than previous years, and I am not being facetious when I say that. I have done my fair share of sweating with the high humidity during the past few weeks, just haven't melted under the usual near 100 degree temperatures one would expect. Mercifully, the continuous flooding downpours have abated for the moment. You can return to kayaking and paddleboarding in the coastal waters once again instead of the downtown streets.

Looking down on King St from Stars-Future restaurant?

Looking to September, you can expect more of the same, but I am happy to report flooding of a different kind. The streets of Charleston will be flooded with locals and visitors for one of the most highly anticipated culinary events in the Holy City, Charleston Restaurant Week. It all begins Wednesday, September 4th.

It is hands down, elbows off the table and napkins in the lap one of my favorite events of the year. It provides an opportunity to try a Charleston restaurant you haven't as of yet had the pleasure to dine at, and the list of restaurants to choose from gets longer with new establishments opening up frequently throughout the year with all the renovating taking place downtown, notably on fashionable Upper King Street.

To assist you in your choice, I have checked several surveys and best restaurants lists for names of possible candidates for you to consider. Comparing the lists, a few names consistently show up on all the more notable ones. On Forbes 100 Best U.S. Restaurants, McGrady's came in at 10 and Husk came in at 90. On Southern Living's 100 Places To Eat Now, Husk and McGrady's appear again along with The Fig, The Grocery, Hominy Grill, The Macintosh, Martha Lou's Kitchen, Two Boroughs Larder, Xiao Bao Biscuit, and the Ordinary, also nominated on Southern Living’s Best New Restaurants In The South. Opentable's 2012 Best Overall Winners-Top 100 Restaurant List named Charleston Grill located on King Street.

Unfortunately, not all the aforementioned restaurants are participating in Restaurant Week by offering the prix fixe menus consisting of three items for one price, either $20, $30 or $40. You will have to check the list provided by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association, which also provides the proposed menu and a link to the restaurants website so you can make reservations, if that is necessary. The list grows daily as Restaurant Week gets closer, so check back with it frequently.

 

 

Husk, 82 Queen, and High Cotton were three of my previous choices. You can read about my experience by clicking on the restaurant's name to access my reviews. Three names I am giving consideration to this time around are Stars Restaurant, Sermets and Circa 1886. None of these restaurants appeared on any of the best restaurant lists, but better than any survey or compiled list is the input from a very close friend who has already been there.

During a recent conversation, my friend informed me of their dining experience at Stars Restaurant. She raved about it. "The meal was fantastic and the service was excellent," was her summary. Her chosen entree was the Appalachian Trout. I have been to the Stars Restaurant, but not for dinner.

On a recent outing to the Apple Store on King Street, I took the opportunity to peruse the numerous specialty shops lining the street and made a curiosity trip to Stars for a quick walk-through. While there, I had a drink at the reclaimed Tigerwood bar on its rooftop, which boasts a stunning 360 degree view of Charleston around bustling Upper King Street. The dining areas were impressive.

Charleston Restaurant Week will run to September 15th. So, check the list, make your choices and schedule reservations. Hope to see you around town.

Bowens Island Restaurant-It's Like Pluff Mud, Either You Love it Or You Don't

It stands above the island's tidal creek like an old brown pelican perched on a weatherworn dock,
spreading its wings in the warm southern sun. A hodgepodge of grayed timber, rusty corrugated steel, old doors for windows, graffiti covered tables and piles of bleached oyster shells, it was recognized as an "American Classic", basked in the lights of Hollywood and successfully endured trial by fire. It is tastefully Lowcountry through and through in its fare and adored by the locals, but if you are expecting to be served hand and foot, you're at the wrong place. It has been tagged with a reputation similar to pluff mud, "Either you love it or you don't", and that is just about how its reviews read.

Located on a 13-acre island, Bowens Island Restaurant is just five minutes from Folly Beach. It was established 46 years ago by the Bowen family. The original structure was mostly destroyed by a fire in 2006. In that same year, just before the fire, it won a prestigious James Beard Foundation Award - named one of eight "America's Classics" boasting "timeless appeal and quality food that reflects the history and character of its community."

In 2010, the restaurant appeared in the movie Dear John under the name Shrimp Shack. It has been referred to as a seafood dive, but when that reference is coming from Coastal Living and Southern Living magazines the reference would be more a compliment than a slur - meaning in this case "a simple place with traditional fare and unforgettable ambiance."

On Charleston Magazine's "Charleston Bucket List - things every local must experience", dining at Bowens Island Restaurant was number 25. The magazine said, "there's no finer place in the world to watch the sunset over the marsh, slurping oysters harvested just a few yards away." A large deck overlooking the water with umbrellaed tables is perfect for such nightly renditions.

If you are looking for a menu to view on its web sight, you can forget it as well. Oysters, fried shrimp, hushpuppies, Frogmore stew, and cold beer is all you will find. The oysters, what the restaurant is best known for, are locally harvested and shoveled onto old, wooden tables from the fire pit. The beers are all local brews. Finally, be forewarned - No frills, no personalized service, loud patrons and a rude bartender are what you should expect according to some of the reviews. The food - Judge it for yourself.

The restaurant had that old shack-on-the-water, oysterman village appeal. Piles of white oyster shells decorated the landscape. The remains of an old boat ramp overgrown with sea grass reminds one of past maritime glory. A fishing pier with a raggedy pavilion was connected to a bait hut just outside of the rust tattered Sophisticate room. My favorite was a Caribbean style sign hanging above two tables reminding you it was "Another Day In Paradise."

Bowens Island Restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday 5pm to 10 pm. It is located at 1870 Bowens Island Rd, Charleston, SC. A kayak/paddleboard rental run by Charleston Outdoor Adventures is on sight.

View Larger Map