Thursday, March 27, 2008

1 - 82 Queen

Umm, Umm, Good. And that's really all you need to know. Because I love you, I'll tell you more.

The backstory. In K-town I have a friend named Toby. Prior to one of my vacations to the low-country he told me I should try 82 Queen. However, my friends are cheap. I love them, but they won't shell out the cash for a meal like this. So I didn't go. Oh well (or so I thought.) Then I moved down here and I heard my co-workers raving about said restaurant. I checked out the menu and thought to myself, "I'd like to try it one of these days." And in December I got my chance.

My team had our year-end party (that is PC for Christmas Party) at 82 Queen. And I fell in love. Not lust for I did not want this meal to end. It was a head over heels type of love. And this love lasted much longer than this relationship. Never in my life have I felt the need to take a bite of food and savor it in my mouth for as long as I did here. What fabulous fare did I dine upon you ask? I had the Grilled Pesto Encrusted Grouper. A finer fish has never passed my lips as did this grouper. I wanted to describe the food the way the judges do on Iron Chef America when they have been given a fabulous dish from the chefs. It was that good. Seriously. And did I mention it came with fried green tomatoes and grits? Well, it did. And they were delish. Ous. Perfect in fact. A finer grit has never passed my lips.

So, had I known what I was missing when I came with my frugal friends I would have left them to dine at a less than perfect restaurant and had a meal by myself. It would have been worth every penny and moment without them. Well, maybe not because I love my moments with my friends. But the food would be good.

P.S. There was pie. Key lime pie. Oh so very good. You should come visit and try it!

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

2 - South End Brewery

I have probably walked by South End Brewery a dozen times and never given it a second notice. However, my parents came into town the end of January to celebrate this and my mom's birthday. So I asked around and work and this was the suggestion that sounded best. So off we went. Mom. Dad. Me.

And it was delish. For starters we had "Roasted Garlic, Brie Cheese, and Tomato Chutney." They served it with their flatbread which is made in-house. At first I wasn't sure why my mom thought we needed an appetizer but it was probably one of the single best decisions she has ever made. I love my mom. Really. But she outdid herself with this one.

So on to the main course. I had the crab cakes with garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. I love steamed vegetables and have never met a potato that didn't immediately say "eat me, Carrie, you know you'll love me." And I did. And I was in love. Oh, and the crab cakes were excellent too. Mom ordered the shrimp and grits. It's what the low-country is known for. The grits were some of the best I have ever eaten. And anytime you mention Andouille sausage I'm all there. So I ate a few bites of hers. After all, we were celebrating me too. And then my dad. Dear old dad. He doesn't do seafood. Unless it is from Captain D's. I just don't understand him. But the love is still there. He got the garlic rubbed pork tenderloin. Served over grits. The same grits from mom's shrimp and grits. And every bit as good.

All in all this was a fan-tabulous meal. My only regret is there was no room in my stomach left for dessert because the wood fired apple cobbler sounds divine. Maybe next time. There will be a next time. And I can't wait!