Nigel's Good Food

I’m ba-a-ck! Finally done with that pesky thing they call college and I can now get back to my real passion….food. What better way to celebrate graduation than with a meal out. Since I had family in town from the West Coast, I thought it only appropriate that we eat a southern meal. I had heard from friends that Nigel’s Good Food had exactly that, good food.

Located on Ashley Phosphate between Rivers and Dorchester, Nigel’s Good Food is in the Food Lion Shopping Plaza outside of Windsor Hill. First impression when walking in was that it was clean and probably formerly a failed Mexican restaurant. However, there were attractive photos of what I assumed to be New Orleans. We were told we could choose wherever we would like to sit as it was a late lunch hour and not full. We were greeted immediately by our waitress Delexiss and brought drinks promptly. Way to go Delexiss!

We started out with the Fried Green Tomatoes ($6.50), the lunch special of fried chicken with two sides ($6.50) and the Super Sam BBQ Sandwich ($8.50).
The Fried Green Tomatoes were out fairly quickly. They were piping hot, perfectly breaded and fried. I L-O-V-E fried green tomatoes and this was pretty decent stuff. What made this fantastic was the creamy, cheesy grit goodness that they sat upon. I’m seriously picky about grits since I didn’t grow up eating it. Grits are practically unheard of in California and my first taste of it was not a pleasant experience on the palate. However, this stuff was yummy. I could have eaten the appetizer plate by myself and walked out happy.

The fried chicken lunch special came with two sides of choice. I chose to go with the hush puppies and the macaroni and cheese. The fried chicken was definitely just made as it was seriously too hot to eat right away. I started with the mac and cheese, which was very good. The hush puppies were good, but still somewhat doughy in the middle. This is probably just the batch and not the typical way of cooking them. However, the flavor was delicious. I would recommend asking if they have some cocktail sauce to dip them in as I believe this is the best way to enjoy hush puppies. The fried chicken was moist on the inside and lightly flour coated on the outside. My only thought on the chicken was that the coating could have used more seasoning to really bring out the flavor of the chicken. It was good, but I think it could be fantastic.

Now, my husband makes some really good pulled pork, which makes my taste for BBQ somewhat picky. I have yet to find a pulled pork sandwich that could come close to being up there with his. However, the Super Sam BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich was pretty darn good. What really made this my new favorite at Nigel’s Good Food was the homemade coleslaw. There was a hint of mustard that made the coleslaw stand out in so many good ways. The menu states that the coleslaw comes atop the sandwich, but you can ask for it on the side. I will never again go here without ordering the coleslaw.

If you’re in the mood for some southern cooking, you aren’t limited to downtown Charleston; Nigel’s offers up some good home-style cooking in North Charleston. I’ve heard that the shrimp and grits is very good, so if you do happen to try it when you go tell me what you think.

Coming Soon

I have had to take a small break...sorry friends. However, I will be returning very soon with more restaurant reviews. I'd like to start sharing with you some creations that you might want to try at home after painstakingly trying to recreate memorable foodie experiences. Hopefully this will go over well and you will enjoy. Carpe Victus!

Red Drum

Oh, Chef Barryhill, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…One red drum, two red drum…three. It’s Restaurant Week in Charleston! It’s every foodies dream. There is so much to offer this year and so little time and money to do it all. Therefore, I had no choice but to pick Red Drum as one of the restaurants I would use to pleasure my palette. Sounds like a line from a bad romance novel, right? Well…you’ll be making some interesting noises as you sink your teeth into the dishes made on the Red Drum wood-burning grill.

Located in Mt. Pleasant at 803 Coleman Boulevard, Red Drum looks like a setting in San Diego or San Antonio. I instantly miss home when I pull into the parking lot. When you arrive, the valet will be ready to assist you in parking your car. While the valet parking is complimentary, be sure to bring some extra cash for tipping. Check in with the hostess and if you have a few minutes to burn check out their incredible bar. They have some amazing beers available and if you tell them the taste you’re in the mood for, they have recommendations. You won’t be disappointed. The staff is quite knowledgeable of their wine, beer, and spirits.

We arrived about thirty minutes early and decided to take advantage of their Happy Hour. Happy Hour wine is $5 a glass and select beers range from $3 for PBR to $5 for a Fat Tire. We decided to have the Chips and Marta’s Guacamole ($4). It was fabulous. The guac was perfect. If you choose to, take your drink out on the patio and enjoy the live band while you sit on an outdoor sofa. There’s even an outdoor fireplace for cool evenings.

Since its Restaurant Week, we ordered off that menu, however you can order off their regular menu also. My husband and I both chose the Seared Sea Scallop with Pan Roasted Wild Mushrooms served over grits with an amazing cascabel chile sauce and truffle oil. The scallop was cooked to perfection. The sweetness of the scallop with the chile sauce was an amazing combination. Take your time and savor the flavors.

For my main course I chose Wild Boar Ragu with Papardelle with roasted carrot, cippolini mushrooms and heirloom tomatoes. The ribbons of papardelle noodles were buttery and delicious. The wild boar was marinated in ancho chiles and reisling. I absolutely loved the flavor and texture of the shredded boar. The light sauce with the mushrooms and carrot was very good. Make sure to take a bite of everything together. The flavors are perfect. This dish reminded me of a rich stroganoff dish. It was so yummy. My husband chose the Wood Grilled Natural Chicken Breast & Crisp Tortilla served with melted Mexican cheese, avocado relish, and a garlic cream sauce with a couple of spears of asparagus. Typically, I would not order chicken when I go out to eat, but this is THE BEST chicken dish I have ever had. You can taste the flavors from the wood-fire grill and it goes perfect with the spices and avocado relish.

For my dessert choice, I chose to go with the Rustic Peach Tart with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. Definitely a good choice as they were all out before we left. The crust was buttery and flaky, the fresh peaches were perfect, and the vanilla bean ice cream was creamy. My husband chose the Wisconsin Cheese Tasting Plate. The Wisconsin cheddar cheese was creamy and rich. It was served with house made crackers and a caramel dipping sauce. The sweetness of the caramel with the saltiness of the cheese was a really pleasant combination. My husband was quite impressed with his dessert and I think I may have to order it next time.

If you decide to make reservations at Red Drum for Restaurant Week, I don’t think you will be disappointed. This is not my first visit to Red Drum and it definitely won’t be my last, however it is a special night out because it is not easy on the pocketbook. Although, you won’t forget your meal…you’ll be telling everyone about it and thinking about it until the next time you go. Seriously, you'll be belting out stupid sonnets like the one I started this blog post with :)

Charleston Restaurant Week

Charleston Restaurant Week is coming soon. September 7th - 18th, you have the opportunity to try some fabulous grub at excellent prices. Restaurants in the area will be offering a pre-fixed menu. You will have a choice of three items and depending on where you go it may cost you $20, $30, or $40. Some area restaurants are even offering two individuals for $20. For example, Wild Wing Cafe you can get an appetizer and two entrees for $20.

However, I say take advantage of this opportunity and go somewhere you haven't been. Treat this as a special night out and make reservations at Grill 225. The menu looks fantastic. I personally want to start out with the Chopped Caesar Salad, followed by a 12 oz Ribeye and end it with the Classique Napoleon...all for $40.

Check out the website and the pre-fixed menus availabe at:

http://www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com/charleston-restaurant-week/

Do me a favor and if you go, come back here and let me know where you ate, what was good, what was not, and whether I should make a visit.

Carpe Victus my foodie friends.

North Towne Grill and Seafood

Opa! My daughter suggested Greek food today so we went to North Towne Grille and Seafood in North Charleston. North Towne is located across the street from the Northwoods Mall and adjacent from Toys R Us. This place is somewhat hidden. Usually when I’m in this immediate area, I am cringing due to the thought of having to be in Toys R Us with 100 screaming children that I’m not allowed to emotionally or physically punish…not looking for hidden Greek restaurants.

One of the cool things when you walk up is that the kitchen is exposed to the parking lot. A huge glass window allows you to see what and who is cooking. Pretty cool indeed. However, the lunch time crowd was REALLY dead. This can make you nervous and wonder if you should just put your money in your mouth and start chewing.

For lunch there are several specials written on a white board up front. For an appetizer, we ordered spanakopita ($7.95) My daughter and I decided to go with the classic and ordered the lunch “Lite Gyro” ($7.45). I begged my husband to order the Super Special ($18.95) from the Chef’s Specialties side of the menu. The Lite Gyro meal comes with a Greek salad, side (I chose Greek potatoes), and ½ a gyro sandwich. The Super Special is a platter of slow roasted chicken, sliced gyro, grilled pork tenderloin shis-ka-bob, shrimp, leg of lamb, pita bread, Greek potatoes, soup, and Greek salad. As if that is not enough, the waitress brought out some herb bread and olive oil. The bread was warm and tasty, but the olive oil with seasoning left a little to be desired. It needed something; maybe a little bit of garlic and chopped roasted red pepper…something.

Salad: My Greek salad was a very decent portion. I poured my little tub of salad dressing on top and dug right in…mmmm. There is something about their Feta cheese that makes me very happy. Feta can be very over-powering, in a feet-cheese sort of way. However, this stuff was like butter. I could eat handfuls of this stuff. I have to find out where they get this stuff because it sure doesn’t taste like the junk I get at the store. Watch out for the olives…not pitted, but I needed to get that tooth fixed anyway.

Appetizer: My friend Sam said that this was the best spanakopita he has ever had. He wasn’t wrong. The spinach and that feta (mmm..that feta blessed by Zeus himself) was so gooey and nice between the layers of phyllo dough.

Main Course: Not sure who thought up “Lite” for this meal because the Greek potatoes were piled high alongside a decent portion of gyro topped with tzatziki sauce and chopped tomatoes. However, the thick juicy meat topped with the creamy tzatziki was phenomenal. Throw in the Greek potatoes that are spiced with what we can only figure was crack, was downright scrumptious. I’m now looking around wondering where all the people are. This place should be packed! The Super Special was…well…super. A carnivorous heap of food alongside another mountain of Greek potatoes. It was all very good. Definitely something you share with someone unless you are training for Man Vs. Food. Make sure you ask for extra tzatziki sauce.

There are quite a few items listed on their menu…Chicken livers, shrimp & grits, and even manicotti. However, like I told my daughter who tried to order spaghetti & meatballs…this is a Greek restaurant!

I will definitely come back here. The food we had was great. The service was great. They are celebrating 20 years, so I can’t be the only one that thinks so. When you are looking for a night of Greek, bring your bottle of Windex and try this place out! Okay…I know stupid, but those of you who saw My Big Fat Greek Wedding will get it.

BBQ Tournament

Believe it or not, I did not eat out anywhere last week. I apologize my foodie friends if you feel let down. However, I was preparing all week for a barbecue tournament with trophy and all. Five of us met in the driveway with our grills and started a Boston butt at 10 in the morning. The object was to have the most delicious pulled pork plated and presented to a panel of judges who would then pick apart our hard work and give it a score.

If you haven't done this yet, you must do it! Even if you can't grill, volunteer to be a judge. Just DO NOT EVER under any circumstances be a judge when your spouse is cooking. This never ends well. Your damned if you do and damned if you don't pick your spouses food over the other contestants. Can you tell I've been in this situation before?

The way we do it is fairly simple. For every 5 pounds of meat cooked you can invite approximately 7-8 people to come eat it. We usually have anywhere from 4 to 5 cooks and about 20 or more people to eat it. Anyone who doesn't grill brings a side dish.

Find individuals that are not related to you and not picky eaters to judge. You should have an odd number of judges to lessen the risk of a tie. Pick a meat, an average amount such as 5 pounds of meat per person, and a time you can start and when to plate. If you want to set up specific ground rules make sure everyone gets a copy before the big day (I know Justin...no Walmart BBQ sauce ever again). Then stand around and make fun of each other's cooking throughout the day while playing some baggo or cornhole. Have a couple of beers or glasses of wine, but be careful you don't let it affect your grilling skills.

When it is time to plate, send your judges somewhere to another room or to the garage to score the meat while everyone else eats and awaits the results. This is a fun all day event for the chefs and everyone seems to enjoy the competition. Great idea for a long weekend.

By the way...I didn't win, but I still had fun.

Cork Neighborhood Bistro

Located in Old North Charleston on East Montague is Cork Neighborhood Bistro. I had some Restaurant.com credits and decided to get a gift certificate and make a Friday evening trip. Cork identifies itself as one of the first sustainable restaurants in the area. The owner attempts to stay green and reuse old materials instead of going new. The website notes that they change the menu based on what is in season.

My husband suggested we make a reservation since it is a Friday night. However, when I called they explained that they only make reservations for parties of six or more. They also verified that the Spring menu available online is still being served. The staff explained that they do not come out with a new menu until Fall. When we arrived and asked for a table for two they wanted to know if we had a reservation!?! My answer: “No, your staff advised that I could not make one because I am only a party of two.” Whatever…they sat us immediately anyway at the smallest vinyl-topped table ever made.

Looking over the drink menu I really liked that they had a very well rounded drink list. My favorite idea was the “Beers of our Forefather’s” idea. You can get a bucket of 5 for $14. Beers on this list include Iron City, Schlitz 1960 formula, Little Kings Cream Ale, and some Pabst Blue Ribbon. Aawww….nostalgic. We can all go back to memory lane and remember our first time drinking cheap beer. The wine list was decent too, ranging in price from $5 house to $9 select.

I decided to start out with a petite Caesar salad ($5). My entrée was the Cognac Flambéed NY Strip Steak ($22) and for dessert The Coconut Cream Cake ($6).

My Caesar came out quick. I have to say that our waitress was on it the whole evening. If you do decide to go here, ask for Cari. However, I would stay away from the Caesar if you have even a minor dislike of anchovies. The anchovy in the dressing was so strong all I could taste was smelly fish. I was fairly turned off by the salad and it was too petite for $5. My entrée was a decent size NY strip served over arugula and pomme frites drenched in a port wine reduction sauce with roasted garlic, pecorino cheese and topped with Baby Bella mushrooms. The steak alone had a lot of fat on it. However, this was a decent size steak so cutting it away wasn’t going to leave me hungry. The taste was somewhat bland, but it was cooked to my liking at medium rare. The sauce was good so I dredged my steak through it and added forkfuls of arugula and pomme frites with every bite. I don’t know if they should list Baby Bella mushrooms as the first ingredient since there was maybe the equivalent of one sliced mushroom on my plate. Altogether, it wasn’t too bad, but I think the price was a little much for the quality of my steak. The coconut cream cake was good, but $6 was a hefty price to pay for a small slice of cake. Do you see a reoccurring theme here?

My grand total with two beers, 2 petite salads, 2 entrée, and 1 dessert: $82.12. After taking off $25 for the gift certificate and adding 18% tip: $65.74. I have to mention also that the tax on my bill was 10.5%. This included sales tax, local option (?), education tax, and a North Charleston hospitality tax. I felt like I was checking out of a hotel, not a restaurant.

I have to comment on the bathroom. It made me laugh when I remembered reading that they like to revamp the old instead of going new. I think they went wrong with the bathroom. The toilet in the women’s restroom literally moved around when you sat down. My husband said the men’s toilet was set up on some sort of box and it wouldn’t flush. They definitely aren’t putting any money back into fixing up these bathrooms in anyway. I don’t think going green means ignoring the fact that your toilet is a safety hazard.

Will I go here again? Maybe I’ll try their lunch menu for a lot less and use the bathroom somewhere else. I don’t think this place will be known for their steak dinners or be famous for their Ceasar salad.

Basil

A friend of mine kept telling me I had to make it to Basil on King Street for the best Thai food ever. I finally succumbed, grabbed the family, and headed downtown. I did not make a reservation since they operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. I was hungry and didn’t want to find the nearest parking garage, so I paid a hefty $7 for on street parking. I suggest using a garage since you would pay less by the hour. The restaurant looks like it’s located in what used to be an old diner, which made it look fun and quirky. However, the décor was up to date and stylish. At 6 p.m. the place was quite busy already, but we were seated as soon as we came in.

I brought two kids with me and was somewhat worried that they did not offer a children’s menu. However, the waitress pointed out that the appetizers or a shared meal would be appropriate for the kids. My kids chose to split the Beef Fried Rice ($12.95), which comes with onions, scallions, carrots, and green peas. I went with the popular Basil ($15.50), which comes with your choice of beef, chicken, tofu, or shrimp (add $2 for shrimp). I chose the beef and my husband the shrimp. The meal also comes with hot jasmine rice.

The beef Basil was absolutely scrumptious. The perfect amount of spice and the veggie to meat ratio was right on. The jasmine rice was cooked perfect. I can’t get over how yummy the sauce was. I definitely could have sipped a bowl of this sauce all on its own. My husband liked the shrimp option, but said he actually preferred the taste of the beef version of Basil better. The split dish of Beef Fried Rice was just the right amount for two hungry kids and they gobbled up and said they wanted to come back again for more.

My only complaints were that it was loud and tightly packed. Trying to navigate to the bathroom requires some maneuvering. I wouldn’t recommend this for a first date, unless you really don’t care to converse too much then this would be ideal. I think it would make a great Girls Night Out because it is a laid-back atmosphere. Next time I go, I’m going with Aimee’s suggestion of Three-Flavored Fish (Market) or the Signature Crispy Red Curry Duck ($23.95).

Basil on Urbanspoon

TAPS Brews Summerville

It is so stinkin hot! I don't feel like cooking and I don't even want to get in the car to go eat. You know what sounds good when it is sweltering? A nice cold beer. As soon as I tell you about it, I'm logging off and going down there to get me a cold Left Hand.

My thirst thought...excuse me, my first thought when walking into TAPS Brews is Starbuck's with beer. This is not a bar, it's a tasting room. The people hanging out here are friendly and most of the conversation is about which beer is best. My favorite part of going is scanning the shelves. They have over 350 varieties of beer and are still growing.

Another cool thing about TAPS Brews is that they are frequently changing out their nine beers on tap. I typically go with the 5 flight sample for $6 bucks, but they also have options to do all nine. If you really like one of the beers on tap, you can fill a growler to take home. If you decided you are a fan of TAPS Brews and will be coming back, you can pay $20 to be part of their beer club. This gets you $1 off of every beer consumed while your visiting and you earn points toward purchases. There are milestones you can reach that earn you prizes such as a six-pack of beer or a mug.

If you are worried you don't know enough about beer to blend in here, no worries. Look for co-owner Emily behind the bar and she will educate you. I have heard her referred to as the Yoda of beer. Trust me, I don't think there is anything about beer this girl doesn't know. Some people rip off baseball stats, she rips off beer stats. It's awesome!

Definitely check out their Facebook page where they update which beers they have on tap: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TAPS-Brews/152046821518053

Food Truck Rodeo Wrap Up

I am so tired and my tummy hates me for putting more in there than should ever go into one human being. The Food Truck Rodeo brought a crowd. Luckily, we arrived around 6:30 in the evening to beat the largest of the crowds that would stand in amusement park lines.

My first stop was the much talked about "Roti Rolls." Their menu lists ingredients that are produced locally. After a thorough scanning, I decided to go with "Porky's Revenge." Korean bbq pork, cucumber kimchi, and spicy potatoes are wrapped up in their original Roti bread ($7). One bite and my thoughts...Holy mother of God! This stuff is amazing! The flavors complemented each other wonderfully and that Roti bread is a tortilla like wrap on crack. If you have not experienced Roti Rolls, I beg you to consider it soon, or as they say, "Get your Roti On!" Check out their facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/roti.rolls

After fighting off the gnats that began to swarm, I cursed myself for not bringing bug spray. Learn from me before your next Food Truck Rodeo. However, this did not stop me from heading to Strada Cucina to try out the Italian beef sandwich with cheese and spicy peppers ($8). I had a hard time deciding on what to get so I went ahead and also go the Chicken cutlet with prosciutto, arugula, mozzarella, and pesto on a ciabatta roll ($8). These sandwiches were monsters. They were both very good sandwiches, but I would put the Italian Beef top on my list. The meat was juicy and tender and the cheese melted throughout. I love how the peppers were diced small so they didn't fall out of my sandwich.

Knowing I shouldn't (but I did) I hit up Diggity Doughnuts. These doughnuts must be good, because when the electricity failed in the truck and they couldn't make anything, no one left the line. We didn't move for at least 25 minutes. As I got closer to the front, I felt better about my decision to suck down these pastries when I saw they were dairy and egg free. Doesn't that make them somewhat healthier? That's what I'm telling myself anyway. I sampled the Coconut and Green Curry ($2.50), Mojito flavored ($2.50), and Vanilla with sprinkles ($2.00). The Coconut and Green Curry was somewhat odd. It was spicy yet sweet and I kept taking bites because my senses were confused. The Mojito had the tart lime taste yet still sweet. My favorite was definitely the classic Vanilla with sprinkles. They were warm and gooey and finished my night of gluttony.

Few words of advice for your next Food Truck Rodeo: Bring a chair and bug spray to get the most out of this event.

Food Truck Rodeo Tomorrow

Alright my fellow Foodies! The food truck trend has finally made its way to the Charleston area! This Friday from 5-10 p.m. the Brick House Kitchen on James Island is hosting the Food Truck Rodeo. You know what's even better...free parking, no charge to get in, live music, art, and local vendors. All you pay for is the tummy-pleasing goodness and a beverage to wash it down with. However, don't attempt to bring your cooler because I already thought about that and the official rules say "NO." If you come out tomorrow, not only are you filling hungry bellies, but you're supporting your locals....Good times people. The line up at the moment is Diggity Doughnuts, Geeche Island, Rotti Rolls, Strada Cucina, and more to be announced. Check out Charleston Food Truck Federation on Facebook for more information.

If you can't make it, the local food trucks also have set up shop on the corner of Morris and Coming Streets during the week. Locals are coining this area "Eat Street." Check out "Eat Street" on Facebook for more info on who is going to be there and when.

If you go, let me know what you ate, what you liked, and what can be passed on.

Tomatoes Italian Ristorante

Mama Mia! I was in the mood for some pasta and it had been awhile since I had given Tomatoes a chance. Tomatoes is located in Summerville in a not so obvious location. However, their website boasts that they have been voted the best Italian food in the Low Country 2007-2010.

Upon entering the restaurant, I noticed right away some major changes. Part of the dining area was now walled in to create a quaint bar with a couple of tables where you can order tapas and drinks. However, I was hungry and tapas was not going to do it tonight.

After being seated, I was told that the menu had changed since we last visited. Of course one of the deleted items was the only thing I have ever eaten at this restaurant, which was the Baked Penne pasta with Italian sweet sausage and ricotta and mozzarella.

What I did notice was the "Tour of Italy" selection that was added to the menu. There were two options available for couples. One was $60 and the other $50, depending on which main entree you and your guest order. You had a choice of house wine, salad, an appetizer, two entrees, and a small dessert.

I went with the $50 selection. I went with the most popular appetizer of fried calamari and the most popular entree, "Mark's Favorite." My husband chose Linguini with marinara, sausage, and a meatball. "Marks Favorite" had chicken, sausage, spinach, and capers with a pink sauce. Lucky lush that I am, my husband doesn't drink wine so I got to have both glasses of Chianti to go with my pasta.

Complimentary bread and olive oil are brought to the table on arrival. I really liked how they added roasted red bell pepper, olives, and seasoning to the oil. If you're not careful, you'll fill up on the warm bread and oil before your main course hits the table.

I chose the Caesar salad, which I absolutely loved. I could have just eaten this salad and the bread and walked away happy and with a lot more money in my pocket. If you like anchovies, they will add them to your Caesar at no extra cost.

I have heard amazing things about the calamari here, so what I'm about to tell you is hopefully a one time occurence. The calamari was B-L-A-N-D. The menu says that there is seasoning and roasted chilis. I saw some canned green chilis underneath this mess drenched in olive oil, but I was pretty sure someone forgot to season it before it came out. The pieces were cut so thick I felt I was chewing on rubber bands. Sad...oh so sad. We took a couple bites and sent it back barely touched.

Our entrees weren't horrible. I thought the sauces needed a boost of seasoning. I really liked the sausage meatballs and capers in my pasta, which helped lend flavor to the dish. I say get rid of the chicken in this dish and add more of the yummy sausage meatballs and this dish would be oh so scrumptious. My husband's lone meatball tasted like a ball of ground beef. Mix that mammoth meatball with some sausage and seasonings or leave it out.

After two small slices of tiramasu, we paid a decent price for an overall decent meal. I was not "Wowed." However, what makes you think about possibly going back here is the staff. The people who work here are genuinely nice and helpful. The seating is comfortable and the tables not too close. The noise level is just right. I'm going to have to check out a few more Italian restaurants to see if I agree with Tomatoes being the "Best Italian in the Low Country."

Middleton Place Restaurant

Anniversary dinners should be special and my husband and I picked a wonderful place to celebrate. I had eaten lunch at Middleton Place Restaurant (MPR) before and remember enjoying it. Before booking my reservation, I scanned the awesome restaurant.com website and found a deal for MPR. For $4 using their 80% off code, I purchased a $25 dinner gift certificate. The restaurant is located at the Middleton Plantation in a beautiful garden setting overlooking a picturesque pond. The view is absolutely amazing and perfect for a romantic dinner setting.

Since we are dinner guests, we do not have to pay to get into the plantation, which is a plus because I can still walk the gardens and enjoy the view after dinner. We were promptly seated at our reservation time at a cozy table by the massive windows to enjoy the view. We both decided to start out with the tomato bisque ($6) as an appetizer. The bisque consisted of smoked chipotle and herbs and was out of this world! I wanted to lick the bowl clean. I knew I was coming back for the soup alone.

My husband decided on the Grilled New York Strip with whipped yukon potatoes, local asparagus, and a veal reduction ($28). I decided to go with the special, which consisted of lamb chops, a sauteed mushroom mixture, red bliss potatoes, and grilled squash & zucchini ($36). I also asked for a glass of wine with my dinner at $10 a glass.

The food was absolutely phenomenal. My husband, who grills a mean dry aged New York Strip, loved the flavor of his steak and thought the veal reduction sauce was perfect. He raved about the consistency of the whipped potatoes. My lamb chops were out of this world. Cooked and seasoned to perfection, if it wasn't such a classy place I would have picked them up with my hands and cleaned the meat clear off the bone.

Although a little pricey, the foodie experience is worth a special trip to this incredible restaurant. Kudos to the chef and the wait staff.  MPR Rocks!

Social Restaurant & Wine Bar

Girls Night Out! Being wine drinkers, we have heard through the grapevine that Social was the place to go. After arriving without a reservation we found that the place was booked solid for the entire evening. We hovered in the bar area until a high top opened up and ran for it. Our waitress promptly asked for our drink order. The wine list is amazing and even better the wines are on TAP! The food is served tapas style and it came out one dish at a time. If you don't want to share you will be rudely eating in front of your friends or even worse, watching your friend eat while you patiently wait for what feels like forever.

My first choice was to try one of their many pizzas made in a wood burning oven. I opted for the Far East version ($15 to share with the table or $10 for yourself), which was topped with steak, shitakes, scallions, dry jack, and asian bbq sauce. The crust was extremely bland. It reminded me of a crispy flour tortilla. The toppings were haphazardly put in the center of the pizza, leaving a large portion of the bland crust with nothing  on it. I think I would have been more forgiving if the toppings stretched out towards the edge.

My last choice I was extremely excited about: Ground Kobe Beef Sliders ($11 for two or $14 for three). These come served with more Yukon Chips (minus the fondue). The sliders are served with fried quail egg, scallion aioli, crispy shallots, and tillamook cheddar. Unfortunately, there weren't any fireworks here. I'm not sure where the fried quail egg was and the toppings were applied very sparingly, which would be fine if the kobe beef wowed me. Kobe beef tastes best when the cooking time is minimal. These burgers were served at medium well, which left it tasting like regular old ground beef, which was a major bummer.

My conversation was good and the wine tasted great. The food left something to be desired and so did my waitress when she continuously asked me if I was ready for my bill. I will also warn that this place is loud. I would definitely go back here to sample the wine and maybe get an appetizer while I wait out my dinner reservation elsewhere.