Charleston>>>>?

[Scott S]

I know this the Atlanta forum but I need help finding a great restaurant in Charleston. I am flying into Atlanta on Thursday and picking my wife and daughter up in Duluth. We plan to spend the weekend in Charleston and would really like to eat at the finest restaurants the area has to offer, any suggestions?

Scott S

[ENTDOC]

I spent 11 years in Charleston and now we go once a month or so.The best one in town is Cypress,Magnolias is very good also. chuck

[Gasman]

I would agree that Magnolias is good but think Blossoms is better. They are right beside each other on East Bay and owned by the same people. You might also try SNOB, (slightly north of Broad) which is on East Bay also. If you get over toward Sullivans Island, try The Boat House. If you can't get into any of these try Carolinas. I've heard great things about McGrady's but haven't personally tried it. We plan to do that this weekend.

For a quick lunch that is fantastic, try Fast and French. Anybody in Charleston can tell you how to get there. Its a hole in the wall but great fun. I'll be there this weekend but without the Cobra. What brings you to Charleston?

[Fox]

I recommend Magnolias. I have eaten there a few times, each with a different entree, and have yet to be disappointed.

Hope you enjoy your time in the southeast.

BTW...Go Ducks...UO '87

-John

[Scott S]

Gasman, my daughters boyfriend is stationed at a naval training base near there(please help me God,).

We will be staying in the "historic" area of Charleston, I am really looking forward to my second excursion to the south, I was in Atlanta last summer for a bar-miz-vah(sp)for my nephew, ( I think they needed a token gentile in the crowd).

The wife and I spent a few days in Savanah, what a wonderful experience for a Yankee like me from the wet west coast.

What would any of you suggest to see in the Charlston area?

Scott S

So..... Fox you must be a fan of Joey H and the Lions now?

[Gasman]

Scott, Yankees are still not welcome in Charleston. If you are a history buff, Charleston is a candy store. You probably know the Civil war started in Charleston. Fort Moltrie (the right side), Fort Sumpter (the wrong side), The Yorktown is moured at Patroits point with plenty of nice war birds on deck. The absolute must see is the Confederate Submarine the Hunley which was recently raised. If you want to see this, you must get tickets online, they do not sell them at the exhibit and you must purchase them in advance. Go to Hunley.com for ticket information.

I'm taking my boat down next weekend, Charleston harbor and the intercoastal waterway is a fishing paradise. Send me a PM with you vitals and I'll call you if you want to go out on the boat.

[Wahoo]

Scott,

I can assure you that Magnolia's is a fine haunt among the locales. We had a nice a nice flight of wine at McCrady's on East Baylast summer. Coming from Atlanta, we tend to be particular but found that Magnolia's did not disappoint. McCrady's has quite a nice wine selection and their menu looked to be diverse. The wine list was fairly extensive from my recollection. I would love to hear what you found and thought of your experience there. For things to do, the Callahan (?) mansion used to be fun to see but last summer I believe it was bought by a private party. A gorgeous 24,000 sf house not far from the battery. I would take a walking tour of the homes down near the battery if you aren't bothered by the heat too much. Try the aquarium although I'm unsure what to expect. Check out the vendors down at the market. Eat lots of seafood and over indulge on the gastronomic delights of southern seafood and spriits. There is also a decent even music scene.

regards,

jon

[Gasman]

Hey Scott, I hope you know I was kidding about the Yankee's not being welcome in Charleston. They can come down and play baseball anytime they want.

[Alex Donghi]

Try High Cotton. My son is exec sous chef there. His name is Joshua Hopkins. Ask for him and tell him your a member of our cobra club and got his name from me here. I don't think you will regret it

[Alex Donghi]

PS High Cotten is part of the Eliott group that owns SNOBS across Bay St

[Gasman]

Alex, I would love to try High Cotton! Could I drop your name also?

[Sal Gerace]

Scott you will absolutley love Charleston! Be sure and check out the million dollar+ homes on the river front along with the slate walk way. Stunning. Lots of food, history and shopping all in one. I'm a yankee too! Go figure?

[Alex Donghi]

Gassman
No problem. Suggest anybody going make a res if its on a weekend!

[Gasman]

Thanks Alex, When in Augusta look me up so that I can return the favor.

[Scott S]

First is I loved the historic city! To be so surounded by so much history was incredible! We went out to see the Middleton Plantation and did a tour of the historic homes near Battery Park, both of which were awsome. It was hard to get my head around the fact that my family homesteaded and cleared land here in Oregon in the early 1890's and I was walking around in homes built in the 1700's.

The first restaurant we ate at was Hank's, just up the block from the Doubletree. I had the softshell crab over collard greens and mashed potatoes, all of which were very good. The second night my wife and I ate at High Cotton, we loved the setting and the service and food were 1st rate. The last night we ate at Cypress, by far our favorite, the interior was incredible, the wine selection was outstanding, the appetizers were out of this world and I had the sushi grade tuna wrapped in phlylo, I sharred a bit of it with the rest of my family and had to almost beat them back from a second nibble.

What I didn't like about the south, first, the heat! You guys are nuts! With the heat index a 110, walking around is a huge challenge, I can't see how anybody could get much done outside anytime after noon.

Second and most important, pouring drinks out of the miniature bottles was the craziest law I have ever seen. Not getting a real poured drink was really depressing. No matter how much you tipped the bartender you weren't going to get a drink any stronger than the last one. You guys need to change that law or the south will never rise again.

We plan to visit again, thanks for all of your suggestions,

Scott S

[Alex Donghi]

Yes it can get hot and especially in the low country. That little bottle thing is not indiginous to the south and I'm not sure but its not in all of SC either. Did you ask for my son at High Cotton?
Also my 7th G-grandfather(John Alston) settled there in 1684 from England

[landerson]

As a current Charleston area resident I can agree with all the reviews of Magnolia's and Blossom's. Next time tou're in town try out the Charleston Grill. If I remember correctly, The Wine Spectator says that their wine list is one of the best in the country. Charleston is known for having an amazing number of really fine restaurants for such a relatively small town.

Also, the mini-bottle thing is the subject of much debate. I believe that the state legislature is working on getting rid of it (one can only hope).

Count yourself lucky on the heat. Yesterday was the hottest day of the year yet, and today may top it. July and August here are miserable. Otherwise it's nice.

As a Cobra lover who has yet to figure out how to afford one, I've always thought this would be a good place for a spring or fall gathering. Between the historical sites, restaurants, championship level golf, beaches, etc. there are plenty of things to do when you're not showing off your Cobra. Heck, you could even leave it with me for the day while you go to the beach :-). Yeah, that's the ticket!