Hello, Everyone!
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| Mills House Hotel |
We’re back from our lovely vacation to Charleston, South Carolina, which is so gorgeous that we were ready to stay! As you may know, my husband, John, grew up in New Orleans and his family often vacationed at Isle of Palms which is just outside of Charleston. But this was my first visit, so, while John enjoyed many foods that evoked memories of family gatherings in his youth, I expanded my palate to try as many new things as I could.
Some examples of Low Country cuisine I tried: She Crab Soup, Hoppin’ John, Shrimp & Grits, Fried Alligator, Fried Green Tomatoes, Sweet Potato Pancakes with Pecan Butter, Carolina Brisket, Sauteed Turnips and Greens, Collard Greens, Grand Marnier Pecan Pie, Fried Chicken Breast served in a huge Biscuit topped with Sausage Gravy and Cheddar Cheese (this was called a “Small Plate” on the menu!), Hushpuppies, Benne Wafers.
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| Horse-drawn Carriage Tour |
Some of the restaurants that we particularly enjoyed are: 82 Queen, Poogan’s Porch, Magnolias, Hominy Grill, Hyman’s Seafood, and Eli’s Table.
We started our first day on a Charleston Stroll which left right from our hotel, The Mills House. Once we gained our bearings, we walked everywhere, only retrieving our car to drive to Middleton Place, formerly a rice plantation. On Wednesday night, we participated in a progresive dinner party at three historic inns and were transported by a horse-drawn carriage that was magical!
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| St. Michael’s Church |
Charleston is so unusually beautiful that we took almost a thousand photos. It was wonderful to go to a town where saying “Merry Christmas!” is not seen as an affront to anyone who may not be Christian. There were even Christmas Trees in the airport!
We should be back in the swing of things with our blog this week! In the meantime, here are some photos of Charleston.
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| Sweetgrass Baskets and Christmas Decorations |
Susan, Your photos are beautiful! I’ve been to Charleston several times and absolutely love it. Your pictures brought back so much of what I love about this beautiful southern city. She-Crab soup is amazing…so delicious and so Charleston!
If you’d come just a little farther north, you could have come to visit me! I’d love that! Charleston is one of my favorite places and so inspiration in a culinary way, for sure!
Charleston is gorgeous! How I wish I could go on vacation. Unfortunately, school doesn’t break for the holidays until next Friday.
Welcome home!!! What a fun trip! Bill and I spent our honeymoon on The Isle of Palms…and had dinner at the Mills House Hotel…fun to see the city again.
Sounds like a wonderful trip! I loved my visit to Charleston and I bought one of those baskets just like in your photo, still have it on my kitchen counter. I hope to return for another visit someday, I’m glad you had so much fun;-)
Hi Susan. Thanks for the encouragement! Its hard to believe I’ve never been to Charleston since I’ve been all over the south but I’m going in 2012..or at least I hope to:)