The Local Palate

A culinary magazine in Charleston, SC

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Cypress Burger Night Offers The Best Deal In Town

The staff of The Local Palate frequently engages in what we’ve come to call “The Great Burger Debate.” Like everyone, we love a good burger. Living in Charleston, we’re surrounded by good burgers, but everyone has their preference. There’s Team Moe’s Crosstown, who shriek at all naysayers and demand everyone try the fabulous BBQ Burger. There’s also Team Poe’s Tavern, who demand their Poe-themed burgers be given due recognition as the king of them all. Aside from these two excellent options, there are the Oak lovers and the Carolina’s lovers and Big Gun Burgers…well, you get the idea. This is a town of great burgers. But Monday night, both Moe’s and Poe’s lovers agreed that Cypress has them both beat.

Two of the TLP staff headed over to the Cypress bar last Monday night for their special Burger Night offerings. With special prices of $5 Burgers and $3 sides on Mondays the Burger Night is definitely one of the more affordable offerings in town. And trust us, the food does not disappoint. 

The Patty Melt is the perfect combination of meat, mushrooms, and onions, all smothered in cheese. It satisfies every craving you could ever have for good, flavorful, comfort food. 

The standout side is the Fried Mac & Cheese, which comes on top of a beer cheese sauce. The best way to describe it is to image a mozzarella stick and macaroni having a fabulous, heart-attack-inducing baby. Yes, it is that good.

Our favorite, hands down, was the Pimiento Cheese Burger, which currently (at least in our minds) reigns as the burger supreme in town. This wood-fired burger comes topped with pimiento cheese and bacon jam, as well as the usual suspects of lettuce and tomato. The combination of pimiento and bacon jam is nothing less than divine. Succulent and savory, we were hard-pressed not to lick fingers and plates to get every last drop of the smoky bacon jam. We will be returning, soon, for another burger or five.

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Callie’s Charleston Biscuits Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

Yesterday, January 26th Callie’s Charleston Biscuits officially opened!  Mayor Keither Summey along with Councilmen Michael Brown, Kurt Taylor, Ed Astle, Teddy Pryor and other City of North Charleston officials all welcomed Callie’s Biscuits to their new home at 1895 Avenue F in North Charleston.

Following the ribbon cutting, owner Carrie Morey invited attendees and media guests to take a look inside her historic headquarters, and try her handmade biscuits!

She offered samplings of her most popular biscuits, and don’t forget to drizzle her homemade honey on top!  By far one of the best biscuits I’ve had ever - a must try!

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The Grocery Media Dinner

The décor at The Grocery is sturdy minimalist—shelved rows of jarred pickled items and earthy-toned kitchen crockery adorn the walls. An old safe greets you at the door, alongside the hostess. It was found in the back of the building during renovations and is emblematic of both the bare-bones atmosphere and the hearty, solid cuisine served. If the uncluttered ambiance nudges you to focus primarily on food and friends, then the family-style eating ensures you will do so. 

As part of a media dinner earlier this week, a couple of TLP editors were graciously invited by The Reynolds Group  to dine with other food writers and culinary personalities at this welcomed new addition to the upper King Street ever-evolving dining scene. Between bites of fried pimento cheese balls, chicken liver mousse on crostini, and delectable nibbles sampled from both a piggy plate (featuring especially note-worthy pork rillettes) and a smorgasbord of pickled items, a lot of tweeting and iPhone picture snapping was happening. Thus, perhaps this dinner has already been well-covered by media sources all over town. Highlights from TLP’s perspective included the duo of oysters—the first a fried oyster atop deviled egg puree, finished with a sliced bread and butter pickle, which was divine. Its counterpart was a roasted Gulf oyster, accompanied by bacon-onion marmalade and topped with a slice of pickled okra, another scrumptious success. Pickling is paramount around these parts, and the results are tangy and terrific. The lamb Osso Buco and the farro with roasted root vegetables were also both noteworthy. TLP will definitely be Grocery stopping again soon.


Filed under Charleston Food

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Charleston Crab House Presents Shuckin’ For Andy

Charleston Crab House invites you to come down Friday night for a special charity event. Andy Petit, the restaurant’s Kitchen Supervisor for the last eight years at Charleston Crab House’s James Island location, was severely injured in a car accident Saturday night that has left him in ICU with his lower body paralyzed. In support of Andy, Charleston Crab House will host a special dinner on Friday night from 6 to 9 p.m. on the deck of it’s Wappo Creek location. For $20 dollars indulge in local oysters and chili. All proceeds will go to Andy. http://www.charlestoncrabhouse.com/

Filed under Charleston Crab House Charleston

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Keegan-Filion Farms Barn Raising

Lowndes Grove Plantation was buzzing yesterday afternoon as a dozen local chefs prepared delicious dishes in support of Keegan-Filion Farms. The event raised money to restore the farm’s barn, which was destroyed by a fire last year. Livestock were also available for purchase, and it was difficult to resist the temptation to buy a flock or two of chickens for The Local Palate office…endless eggs anyone?

Lamb was the go-to ingredient for a handful of chefs, with lamb bolognese from Fig, lamb sandwiches from Cypress, and lamb lasagna from Chef Jacques Larson of Wild Olive. An Italian Wedding Soup, containing wild boar sausage, chicken, olive oil, Grana Padano, and fresh pasta, from Trattoria Lucca caught our eye and warmed our bellies. Another highlight from the afternoon was the pairing of Holy City Brewery’s smoked marzen beer with a peppers and sausage sandwich by Evo. All of the other chefs brought their A-game as well, with mouth-watering dishes that we had no problem digging into. Needless to say, we left feeling a bit stuffed after leaving no morsel un-tasted and no crumb untouched. 

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You have been invited by TWO BOROUGHS LARDER to Italian Wine Pairing Dinner! January 25th, 2012, 6:30pm Two Boroughs Larder, Meet + Eat - 186 Coming Street Charleston, SC 29403 5 Courses + 5 Wines for just $55     Sample Menu items include:    1 - Porchetta Di Testa 2 - Vitello Tonnatto 3 - Branzino 4 - Manzo Pancia (48 hr. Beef Belly) 5 - Polenta Budino    See the full menu at http://twoboroughslarder.com/events/italian-wine-d... Visit the Event Web Page

You have been invited by TWO BOROUGHS LARDER to Italian Wine Pairing Dinner!

January 25th, 2012, 6:30pm

Two Boroughs Larder, Meet + Eat - 186 Coming Street Charleston, SC 29403

5 Courses + 5 Wines for just $55 
  
Sample Menu items include:
  
1 - Porchetta Di Testa
2 - Vitello Tonnatto
3 - Branzino
4 - Manzo Pancia (48 hr. Beef Belly)
5 - Polenta Budino
  
See the full menu at http://twoboroughslarder.com/events/italian-wine-d...

Visit the Event Web Page

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On February 26th, indulge in delectable fare from 31 of the lowcountry’s top restaurants while enjoying live jazz music, cocktails, and the company of nearly a thousand community partners and friends of the hungry. Proceeds benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank’s Kids Cafe and BackPack Buddies programs, which attack the issues of after-school and weekend hunger for lowcountry children.  For information or to purchase tickets, visit www.lowcountryfoodbank.org/chefs-feast or call (843) 747-8146 ext. 105.  Facts about Chefs’ Feast, the Lowcountry Food Bank, and benefitting programs  Chefs’ Feast is on Sunday, February 26 at the Embassy Suites Charleston Area Convention Center. This is the 13th annual Chefs’ Feast. There are a record 32 chefs participating that will be preparing their signature dish Nearly 1,000 community members and friends of the hungry will attend the event. Proceeds benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank’s childhood hunger programs, Kids Cafe and BackPack Buddies. Kids Cafe provides at-risk children with a hot, healthy meal after school, and BackPack Buddies provides children with a backpack full of  nutritious food each Friday so they do not go hungry over the weekend. Through both programs, the food bank serves 3,000 children each week. One out of every four children in the food bank’s service area are at risk of going hungry Please visit www.lowcountryfoodbank.org or call 843-747-8146 to purchase tickets or find out more information.

On February 26th, indulge in delectable fare from 31 of the lowcountry’s top restaurants while enjoying live jazz music, cocktails, and the company of nearly a thousand community partners and friends of the hungry. Proceeds benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank’s Kids Cafe and BackPack Buddies programs, which attack the issues of after-school and weekend hunger for lowcountry children. 

For information or to purchase tickets, visit www.lowcountryfoodbank.org/chefs-feast or call (843) 747-8146 ext. 105. 

Facts about Chefs’ Feast, the Lowcountry Food Bank, and benefitting programs 

  • Chefs’ Feast is on Sunday, February 26 at the Embassy Suites Charleston Area Convention Center.
  • This is the 13th annual Chefs’ Feast. There are a record 32 chefs participating that will be preparing their signature dish
  • Nearly 1,000 community members and friends of the hungry will attend the event.
  • Proceeds benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank’s childhood hunger programs, Kids Cafe and BackPack Buddies.
  • Kids Cafe provides at-risk children with a hot, healthy meal after school, and BackPack Buddies provides children with a backpack full of  nutritious food each Friday so they do not go hungry over the weekend. Through both programs, the food bank serves 3,000 children each week.
  • One out of every four children in the food bank’s service area are at risk of going hungry
  • Please visit www.lowcountryfoodbank.org or call 843-747-8146 to purchase tickets or find out more information.

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Sustainable Seafood Initiative Wine Dinner at The Boathouse

By Lauren McCarter      

Last night the SC Aquarium hosted a wine dinner at The Boathouse at Breach Inlet restaurant with the Sustainable Seafood Initiative. Guests were treated to a six course feast prepared by The Boathouse’s Chef Charles Arena with wine pairings from Simi Winery. Before each course representatives from the SC Aquarium and Simi Winery educated guests on sustainability and wine options.

      For the first course we were treated to Jumbo Lump North Carolina Crab Meat accompanied by shrimp, tomato fondue, and fennel puree, which was paired with a Simi 2010 Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County. I was lucky enough to be seated next to George Nelson of Sweetbay Produce & Nursery, and George explained that the herbs used in tonight’s dishes came from his farm. The dish was light and flavorful, and the acid from the lemon in the dish paired well with the acidic tones of the Sauvignon Blanc. The fennel puree was especially lovely, and not at all overpowering the way that fennel can sometimes seem.

      Next we were treated to a Roasted Scallop and Wild Mushroom Wellington, which was pared with the Simi “Reserve” Chardonnay, from the Russian River Valley. This dish was the standout favorite at our table, with one woman remarking that she wished she could lick her plate clean. The scallops were perfectly cooked, and the earthy flavors of the mushrooms shined through with the pastry and gravy. The savory dish paired excellently with the vanilla notes of the Chardonnay.

      As the next course was brought out, we learned that Lionfish are not native to local waters, but we’re introduced and quickly took over the local populations. Sustainability groups hope to encourage people to eat the rarely fished Lionfish as they threaten the local fishing industry since they eat juvenile local fish like snapper. “It’s like we’re eating out of revenge,” one diner chuckled as we cut into the Tempura Fried Lionfish. Since none of us have eaten this particular fish before, our table debates on how to describe the flavor and texture. We settle on describing it as firmer than flounder, the sort of fish that would hold up well in a bouillabaisse or similar fish stew. This is the sort of fish that would be a good choice for those who aren’t sure if they’re fish lovers, as Lionfish is the most mild fish I’ve ever tasted. The tempura breading nicely offset the sweetness of the lentils and the vinaigrette.

      During the fourth course we learned that despite the large presence of the local shrimping industry, most shrimp are processed several states away, and that most restaurants don’t offer local shrimp. While more and more restaurants have begun to offer shrimp from local waters, there is still room for vast improvement. We were treated to local shrimp and a lovely Merlot from Simi. The shrimp were served in a bowl over ricotta gnudi, pine nuts, and pancetta. The richness of the cheese and the shrimp made this one of the most decadent dishes of the evening.

      By the fifth course everyone at my table was starting to feel fill, but the Bacon Wrapped Tilefish was too tempting to pass up. We learned that Mark Markhefka brought the tilefish up from a fellow fisherman down in Florida. The bacon infused the tilefish with a smokey flavor, and one diner remarked that it made the fish taste similar to lobster. The fish was served atop a creamy polenta, collard greens, and charred cippolini demi. The demi paired beautifully with the Simi “Landslide” Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2007.

      The dinner ended with a chilled wine, the Simi Inniskillin, and an Apple Tart Tatin served with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. The wine, which was similar to a Reisling, and the sweetness of the desert were a nice follow up to the meaty flavors of the Bacon Wrapped Tilefish. By the end we’d all eaten to our hearts’ content, and I’m now sure that I’ll be returning to The Boathouse soon for more, perhaps during restaurant week.

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Make Your Sunday Funday a Bloody Good Time!

Enjoy Charleston Mix Bloody Mary’s at The Macintosh 

On Sunday, December 18th, Charleston Mix and The Macintosh present: Sunday Bloody Sunday. Belly up to the Charleston Mix Bloody Mary Bar and enjoy Charleston Mix Bold & Spicy Bloody Mary’s on special for $5 during brunch. Garnish your Charleston Mix Bloody Mary anyway you like.
Bring a canned good, to be donated to the Lowcountry Food Bank and receive your first Charleston Mix Bloody Mary for only a nickel. (Only one $0.05 Bloody Mary per person.)
To celebrate the recent accolade of being named the winner of the Food Category in Garden & Gun’s ‘Made in the South Awards,’ Charleston Mix will also bring giveaways to brunch at The Macintosh of T-Shirts and bottles of Charleston Mix.


Date: Sunday, December 18th

Time: 11am-3pm

Location: The Macintosh. 479B King Street, Charleston, SC 29403.