This place is GREAT for a first date. You hardly have to talk. Just point, smile, and laugh at all the action that is going on around you. Then you can clam-up, knock back some oyster shooters, and pinch, pull, and pop those delicious cajun crawfish tails in your mouth (don’t forget to suck the head!).

The Oyster Bar reminds me of a mullet (very appropriate analogy for a seafood restaurant). Business in the front. Party in the back. Come in and relax at the front bar and enjoy the dark features and dim lighting of the front room. Take a gander at the beautifully hand-painted low-country landscape paintings adorning the walls. Feeling a little lively? Make your way to the back room and pull up a seat to a front row view of the fastest shuckers in the east. Order up a peck of oysters and wait for the shuckers to deliver a bucket full of gulf coast flavor. Who knew something so unappetizing to the eye would be so enjoyable to the palate? They even do things a little differently with their cocktail sauce – it’s made fresh every day and then served hot from a tea kettle, and WOW is it good. Oyster, saltine, a drizzle of cocktail sauce..Zinggg! Delicious!

Behold! The Beaufort Basket, a delicious southern tradition. Whether you call it frogmore stew, low country boil, or the beaufort basket, most versions of this low-country classic combine shrimp, sausage, potatoes, crawfish, corn, and old bay into a savory serving of seafare and veggies. That’s good eating, ya’ll.

The Oyster Bar and its signature “Mother Shucker” cocktail sauce is located on Park St in the Vista. If you have a hankering for a good time and great Gulf Coast cuisine, get on down to the Oyster Bar to experience the “Pearl of the Vista,” ya hear?

There is so much I could say about Husk, and every statement would end with an exclamation point. Actually, that’s really the only way we can convey our excitement- so exclamation points it is. Get ready for an exciting ride down flavor lane!

Dining at this Charleston gem is a true treat for any palate! One of the hardest parts of writing this post is being forced to look at the menu, and not be able to enjoy it! I have to settle for a hazy memory of that dining experience, flavor after flavor delighting the appetite and indulging the senses! We were lucky enough to get reservations for Friday night during Charleston Restaurant Week, and WOW were we excited!

Florida Shrimp and Grits with Tomato Braised Peppers and Onions, Charred Scallions, Soft Poached Farm Egg! Served up southern style in a mini cask iron cauldron! Almost like the cauldron’s contents were taken right out of the Florida marsh! Fresh Florida Shrimp, swimming in a shallow bath of briny broth! Grits make up the the sand-like bottom of this tasty tidal pool! A very appropriate introduction to our dinner!

Mark’s Rudderfish, Carolina Gold Rice “Risotto”, Smoked Tomatoes and Sweet Peas, Red Peppers, Arugula Pistou! The rudderfish (what is a rudderfish?) makes a rare appearance on the menu and the tempting description sells it to my fellow Capital City Eater! The presentation nearly matches the wonderful flavors of the dish!

Heritage Pork from Adam Musick, Cider Braised Cabbage, Baby Sweet Potatoes, Bourbon Demi-Glace! Under that tender hunk of heritage pork is a serving of the best cabbage I have ever had the privilege to taste! The sweet potatoes compliment the pork nicely, although they appear slightly awkward in presentation!

The atmosphere was tasteful! The service was impeccable! Glasses of water were refilled with only slightest notice of the waiter! Allow me to take this opportunity to advise waiters on a pet peeve of mine! Always refill the water glass! If you have to ask, you are already disturbing the experience of the fine people enjoying their meal! Our dining experience was a memorable one, and we will be back as soon as possible!

Husk is located on Queen St. in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina! Conveniently located near a parking garage! Recently named Bon Appetit Magazine’s 2011 Best New Restaurant in America, this is one dining experience you do not want to miss!

….Since 1986, Garibaldi’s has been delighting Columbia with its signature “Crispy Flounder” and classic Italian offerings.  Keep it cheap, classy, and bacon flavored with the Fetticuine Carbonara ($9.95). Get a little tongue tied and ask your waiter (or waitress!) for the  Veal Scalopinne Saltimbocca ($17.95). Trying to treat yourself? Crispy Flounder ($26.95) it is. Picture a whole fried flounder, diamond scored and drizzled with an apricot shallot sauce. Wow.

The Veal Scalopinne Saltimbocca. A generous slice of tender veal, topped with prosciutto, spinach and an avalanche of mozzarella,  flanked by herb roasted red potatoes and steamed broccoli. This delicious island of culinary excellence was surrounded by a succellent lake of white wine sage sauce.

Veal Parmigiana. Quite satisfying, but I’m not so sure veal can replace chicken in this classic “American-Italian” dish. As I carved into the veal, I found myself craving the familiar fowl tucked under a thick blanket of marinara and mozzarella. Nonetheless, the dish was pleasing and packed with flavor. Hiding under the parmigiana crusted veal was a serving of sauteed green beans. A pleasant find and worthy compliment to the entrée.

Satisfying and delicious meal. Pleasant atmosphere. Slightly awkward waiter. Enjoyable night out. Garibaldi’s offers a candle-lit dining atmosphere at whatever price you choose. With entrees ranging from $8.95 to $29.95, you can enjoy a nice night out without breaking a sweat or live it up “Filet Mignon” style.

"Caffeine and Cream" or "An Interracial Couple Goes Out For Gelato"

On our visit, we ordered a glass of iced black coffee, an iced caramel latte, and a small cup of the “birthday cake” gelato. Coffee was refreshing and energizing, flavorful and cold, a perfect compliment to a productive day. Armed with a cold cup of caffeine, and inspired by the uplifting and chill vibes of Peace Love & Rocky Roast, we cranked out this very post you are reading.  Having no standard to compare the gelato to, I can only say that it was delicious. Definitely worth a try.

Three TVs stream soundless movies and retro shows in addition to the several 60′s themed murals and framed memorabilia adourning the walls. The establishment also includes a back room decorated with an oriental rug, gas fireplace, several comfy chairs, and various rock-n-roll coffee table books. Still not convinced? PLRR (as they are affectionately known by the local acronym junkies) roast their own beans AND makes their own gelato. Different flavors of this delicious frozen Italian treat are offered every day, but the most popular ones seem to be “nutella” and “birthday cake.” Other perks of this place include free wifi (the password will be on your receipt) and an abundance of outlets to keep that laptop charged up.

“Mellow” and “coffee.” Two words that are seldom found complementing each other in the same sentence….”kosher” and “bacon,” “gelato” and “southern,” “At&t” and “quality service,” just to name a few…But Peace Love and Rocky Roast is betting that it’s unique woodstock-inspired vibe and attentive service will keep customers coming back for it’s exceptional homemade gelato and freshly roasted coffee beans.

The “BBQ Brisket” and “Peruvian Shrimp” tacos have gotten rave reviews from friends, but I would have to recommend substituting the “Chicken Pesto” for the shrimp taco. Now we won’t get into the merits of shrimp versus chicken and vice versa, so lets just move on to the best of the bunch: “BBQ Brisket.” Hands down, my favorite taco. The “BBQ Brisket” is a mouthwatering combination of chopped dry rub brisket with an agave chipotle bbq, fresh pico de gallo and a lime wedge for your squeezing pleasure. Delicious. Go for lunch and ask about the lunch special: two tacos and a side for $5.99. With a side of “savory Mexican rice” and a cold $2 PBR, this was a satisfying nosh fit for anyone’s midday meal. You can get your taste buds going early by checking out the menu.

Cantina 76 has some great specials to take advantage of. Among the more special specials are “Corona Fridays,” where you can refresh yourself all day long with $2 Coronas and Corona lights. But don’t make the mistake of going to Cantina 76 in between the hours of 2:30 and 4:30 (they won’t be there).

You might not be able to vacation in Cuba anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the delicious cuisine of this island nation. Tasty sandwiches, refreshing mojitos, and a relaxing atmosphere. Make sure you have a view of the projector screen so you can enjoy video clips of various beach scenes while you dine on your delicious sandwich (much classier than it sounds). “Mojito’s Sandwich Cubano” is the way to go for your first time.

Think cuban barbecue. Mojo marinated pulled roast pork , smoked ham, swiss cheese, dill slices, and a creamy spread of mustard on pressed, cuban bread. The sandwich is cut diagonally for optimal dipping functionality. Served with your choice of sides (pesto pasta, Caribbean slaw, or potato salad) and a mojo dipping sauce. Mojo is a subtle-but-tasty combination of olive oil, crushed garlic, cilantro, and a few unidentifiable herbs and spices. Quite succulent. Mojito’s Tropical Cafe is a fantastic option for these balmy South Carolina winters. Enjoy a night in the Vista (very chic!), tricking your stomach (as well as your wallet) into thinking it is in a modestly priced, tropical communist paradise, all-the-while basking in the glow of your thriftiness. Cheers!

Above is the “Big D”. I know, I know. It’s way more fun to get the street view of the sandwich, but just look at that golden brown croissant. Sandwiched in between the soft-but-slightly-crispy croissant was a layer of turkey, white cheddar, cherry tomatos, green leaf, and homemade honey mustard. I guess now we know what the “D” stands for. Had I known what I know now, I would have opted for the pasta salad rather than the chips.

Following that weak attempt at a joke (D stands for Delicious) is one of Immaculate Consumption’s daily specials. Turkey, provolone (I think), cherry tomato, and a slice of avacado; All held together by two slices of whole grain bread drizzled with olive oil. This satisfying sandwich was accompanied by a heaping portion of some of the best pasta salad I have had the pleasure of trying: whole wheat penne tossed with olive oil and parmesan, served warm.

We washed it all down with a cup of coffee for me and a caramel latte for my lady. ZING! CAFFEINE! They roast their own coffee beans in the basement and probably make a mean cup o’ joe, but as of yet, I have not acquired an experienced coffee palate, so I dare not speculate.

Immaculate Consumption should be on your list of places to eat. Nice atmosphere, a variety of sandwiches, and plenty of seating downstairs for those who like to work near their coffee. Conveniently located on the lesser traveled end of Main St., right next to the Nickelodeon.

But still, we were captivated by their clever marketing ploys (aka Buy 1 get 1 free holiday drink offerings) and made our way over to the local hipster hangout for two of these…

But instead got two of these…

Oh well. Free caffeine between 2-5 pm today and tomorrow for all (And for all a good…latte?).

Cheers!

The Thirsty Fellow has been excellent in the past and this dining experience was no different. We started off with the fried calamari. Rather than the traditional marinara or cocktail sauce, we had the pleasure of dipping these delicious golden corn-breaded strips of squidward into a remarkable “lemon and Peppadew pepper sauce.”  Just couldn’t get enough of the sweet/sour/spicy combination.

The calamari was followed by the “Prosciutto & Fresh Mozzarella” and the “Italian Hoagie” sandwiches. To include a picture of each would be redundant. The “Prosciutto & Fresh Mozzarella” was in a deliciously airy and crispy bed of bread with basil, tomato, olive oil, and aged balsamic vinegar. The “Italian Hoagie” consisted of salami, prosciutto, ham, provolone, tomato, lettuce, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. What set these sandwiches apart was the tart aged balsamic vinegar and the delicious bread that did an incredible job of housing the contents of the sandwich and still lent a light and crispy texture.

Both sandwiches came with a refreshing bed of greens, topped with red onions, tomato, parmesan, and that same deliciously tart balsamic vinegar. You can opt for the house chips or fork over an extra dollar for the sweet potato fries.

The Thirsty Fellow offers a great atmosphere, plenty of TVs, a decent selection of beers, and a large porch with over-head heaters for those brutal South Carolina winters. It is located right next store to the Colonial Life Arena, making it extremely convenient for a quick bite and brew before tip-off.