If cities were girls, Charleston, SC, would be the biggest beauty of the class -- and the girl who also happens to be the nicest, too.
You know the type.
And did you know she can cook, too?
Charleston's Southern charm and sublime historical surrounds have made the city a wedding hot spot and family-friendly vacation destination for many years.
But the city is coming on strong on the national foodie forefront, too, attracting cooking schools and world-class chefs thanks to a strong culinary legacy and some of the finest local ingredients in the country.
With nonstop flights from major cities such as Atlanta, Houston, New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Minneapolis, the time for a weekend getaway to Charleston in search of food and fun has never been better.
"The New York Times" recently lauded the city as a "new capital for regional cuisine." Much like New Orleans or San Francisco, Charleston has carved its own culinary niche thanks to a diverse culture and history of plantation owners and slaves and the influences they carried to the region from France, the Caribbean, Africa and Anglo-Saxon countries.
Lowcountry cuisine is the name given to the region's traditional fare. And like all noteworthy regional cuisine, Lowcountry grub places the emphasis uniformly on fresh local ingredients.
Think bright green okra, crimson tomatoes and sweet golden corn served alongside fresh black fish, grouper and crab, reeled in just offshore.
While traditional interpretations of Lowcountry cuisine abound in Charleston, intrepid eaters can look forward to creative takes on Southern classics, too.
Follow Travel Channel's lead to some of the city's tastiest spots for experiencing the Lowcountry on a languorous weekend escape.
82 Queen
A good place to get initiated into the world of Lowcountry cooking, this historic restaurant 82 Queen sits in Charleston's French Quarter on a site that was once part of the original walled city of Charles Towne. With an emphasis on old-school authenticity, Executive Chef Brad Jones' menu is true to tradition. Start with a bowl of she-crab soup, thick with roe, and continue the seafood theme with a feast of Lowcountry jambalaya -- andouille red rice loaded with shrimp, crawfish and Cajun-style tasso ham. On a balmy Southern night, a table in the garden is one of the most coveted in town.
Peninsula Grill
The perfectly dimmed lights, velvet walls and no-nonsense waiters who virtually dance across the circa-19th-century dining room in a choreography of china and linen imply Serious Restaurant. And your palate will get the message loud and clear. The Peninsula Grill, located inside the historic and uber-posh Planters Inn on Market Street in downtown Charleston, is as sublime as the city's dining experience gets. Sure, you'll shell out a pretty penny, with dinner for two easily running upwards of $150 with wine. But with a perfect pacing to the evening and fabulous flavors that incorporate cutting-edge cuisine with Lowcountry classics, it's a Charleston dining experience like none other. Chef Robert Carter's edible artwork includes hush puppies infused with basil and lobster, fried green tomatoes battered with panko and layered with fresh crabmeat and a coconut cake inspired by his grandmother's recipe that has borne a veritable cult following.
Hank's Seafood
There's something undeniably Mediterranean about beautiful shellfish arriving at your table in layered silver platters scattered with chipped ice, as is the scenario at Hank's. A buzzing seafood restaurant that's less than a decade old, the restaurant's lead-glass windows and mahogany wood beauty successfully conjure a classy 1940s Charleston fish house. While there are offerings for landlubbers (steaks and chicken), fresh fish and crustaceans are the reason to dine at Hank's. Ogle the offerings at the zinc- and copper-clad exhibition raw bar before placing your order for a spread of oysters and clams on the half shell, stone crab, jumbo prawns and more. The lively saloon bar is a good spot to soak up the scene if you're dining solo or want something more casual.
Circa 1886
Hidden in the gardens of the glorious Wentworth Mansion in a residential area of Charleston's historic district, this restaurant has something of a clandestine feel. But the fine food is no secret at Circa 1886. Open for dinner only, the restaurant boasts a menu that fuses gourmet French, Caribbean and English cuisine with unexpected ingredients -- many Lowcountry-inspired, and others hailing from farther afield. Think foie gras served with chocolate bread and Myer's Rum glaze. Or key lime scallops with basil corn flapjacks. Even crème brûlée gets an unexpected American touch when it's served as a special, infused with peanut butter and jelly to delightful results. As long as you're a foodie with an open mind when it comes to blurring the line of traditional Lowcountry cuisine, this conservative-looking restaurant is sure to pleasantly surprise with its culinary twists.
When it comes to bedding down in Charleston between meals, there's no shortage of cute bed and breakfasts and luxurious historic hotels. For a guaranteed hip hangout, however, check in at the Market Pavilion Hotel. The rooms ooze old-world elegance -- elaborate paintings, rich fabrics and furnishings and Hermes products in the bathrooms. Cool hangouts include the hotel's rooftop pool bar and restaurant (with views of the Custom House) and the chichi steak house, Grill 225, just off the lobby. On the more traditional side of the spectrum is the Mills House Hotel on Meeting Street -- another good bet with a happening poolside scene and lovely interior gardens.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Spoleto Festival USA
May 23- June 8, 2008
Charleston's most noteworthy cultural bash is a tribute to music, theater and other performing arts, with more than 100 acts performing at churches, theaters, parks and other city venues.
Charleston Food Wine Festival
March 5-8, 2009
Get a taste of the Lowcountry's culinary heritage at this annual food and wine extravaganza.
Maverick Southern Kitchens
Visit this Charleston kitchen store's website for a packed schedule of cooking classes featuring local chefs and favorite Lowcountry recipes.
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