Caviar & Bananas

Located on George Street in downtown Charleston, is a great little cafe & bakery called "Caviar & Bananas." 

You'll find some of your favorites and some really unique spins on really simple food.  Such as this cool watermelon dish.  They added an eye dropper full of this sweet liquid to squeeze on top.  Making your food not only look and taste good, but fun to eat!

Your basic mac & cheese casserole tastes delish too!  Nothing like some crispy cheese on the outside to make you dig in!

My old standby is a good sushi roll and this place does not disappoint.

In addition to eating in their cafe, they have great to go items too such as this wild mushroom risoto. 

If you are in the Charleston area and looking for a great but quick place to eat, you should stop in to Caviar and Bananas.  Pair a great craft beer with their food and you've got a meal! 

http://www.caviarandbananas.com/

Muse

Tucked away off of King and Society Street you will find Muse Restaurant and Wine Bar.  Set in an old historic Charleston home, Muse is a favorite amongst locals.    The menu is inspired by dishes of the Mediterranean and is made with local ingredients.  With over 100 wines by the glass and a wine list of 500 bottles, you are sure to find the perfect pairing with your meal. 

We recently ate at Muse and had an incredible meal.  You must try their bruschetta which changes nightly and also their baked calamari.  The ingredients were so fresh and the combinations just exploded in your mouth.  Our bruschetta had little bits of cauliflower and mushroom pate-it was heavenly!

For our main courses, we tried the basil gnudi which was house made and tossed in pea tenrils with a summer squash sauce and ricotta salata and their special of the night which was a soft shelled crab. 

And for the purposes of this blog only (ha ha) we decided to try one dessert.  It was an amazing polenta cake with lemon curd and raspberries.  It truly did melt in your mouth.

If you are looking for an amazing meal at not a bad price (our meal was $160) check out Muse.  I think you'll really love it!  Muse Website

A benefit for MUSC Hollings Cancer Center

Charleston is known for its amazing culinary scene and Kiawah Island has no shortage of amazing chefs and restaurants.  Bringing together local area Charleston and Kiawah chefs to benefit the Hollings Cancer Center is what Gourmet & Grapes at The Sanctuary is all about. 

Join us locals and many guests as we host the 4th Annual G&G at the hotel May 4-7th.   Friday night kicks off the event with Chef Sean Brock, executive chef at McCrady's Restaurant and Husk, who will be partnering with The Ocean Room to create a memorable dining experience.  Wineries that evening include Row 11 Winery, Heitz Wine Cellars and Trinchero Wine Estates.

Images below are from 2011's event:

Saturday's events are really going to be a hit.   If you don't want to golf at The Ocean Course, head up to The Ocean Room for an incredible interactive lunch seminar with Chef  Debailleul from Pinehurst.  Following lunch there will be a wine trail that takes you around the amazing gardens and grounds of the hotel while tasting wines and meeting the winemakers.  Saturday evening, venture down to the Grand Oaks Ballroom for the live auction and dinner event where all proceeds benefit The Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC.  Go around the ballroom sampling different creations from all of the local chefs and celebrity chefs who gathered here for a wonderful cause.

To end the weekend, you will NOT want to miss the Grand Lawn Sunday brunch.   Every Sunday The Sanctuary hosts an amazing brunch in Jasmine Porch, however, for this event they pull out all the stops and host it on the Grand Lawn.  Endulge in the food and take in the spectacular views of The Atlantic Ocean. This is a culinary event you do not want to miss!



For more information on Gourmet & Grapes, call The Sanctuary at 843.768.6000!

Serenity & Calm

The title post says it all.  Why not get away from the stress of where you are now and escape to Kiawah Island.  You could wake up to this everyday......

This is "winter" on Kiawah

Introducing Rhett's Bluff

Cobblestone Destinations is excited to introduce its lastest home, Rhett's Bluff on Kiawah Island.  Situated on the Kiawah River with its own private dock, this Rhett's Bluff home is sure to win you over.  With its beautiful Live Oak Trees at the front of the home and the private dock out back, you'll experience nature at its finest while watching dolphins frolick and variety of birds calling the river home.  This four bedroom home offers unparrelled views of the Kiawah River from almost every room and is conveniently located behind the Vanderhorst Gate.  Jump on a bike and you are only 10 minutes from the beach or 8 minutes to The Sanctuary. 

We look forward to welcoming you to this property!  Visit our VRBO website for pricing and availability!  http://www.vrbo.com/395974

**More pictures to come soon!

Thanksgiving

It is hard to believe that is time for me to post about the holidays already.  I feel like it has only been a few months since Christmas, but according to the calendar, that is not true. 

Today is November 6th and that means it is officially 18 days until Thanksgiving.  Typically weather for turkey day is beautiful, hovering right around 70+.   You want to wear your fall clothes, but there have been some Thanksgivings that I wore a summer dress.  Crazy right?  But that just means that it is a perfect day to feed yourself silly and then go walk it off on the beach.  Or you could wake up early, do the Turkey Trot on Kiawah that starts at 9:30 am at Boardwalk 5, and then go eat until your heart is content!  (The Turkey Trot is either a one mile walk or a one to three mile run)

Your dining options on Kiawah are endless.  My suggestions would be to go to the hotel, The Sanctuary, and eat at either their grand buffet or in Jasmine Porch.    The food is endless and delicious, and you don't have to worry about the clean up.  (Who likes to clean up on their vacation anyways??)

The Grand Oaks Buffet offers two seatings at either 12:00 Noon or 3 PM and also includes an adorable children's room adjacent to the Grand Oaks Ballroom.  Children can sit at mini tables and chairs and enjoy kid friendly meal items.  $70 per adult, $28 per child (plus tax and gratuity)

The Grand Buffet at Jasmine Porch offers a more traditional restaurant style Thanksgiving meal and is $62 per adult and $24 per child.  They begin taking reservations at 12 Noon until 8 PM.

Live music is offered at all dining options in the hotel.  It really is a beautiful display of very delicious food made by talented chefs.  You don't want to miss out.

New this year is The Sanctuary offering Thanksgiving Pies To Go.   For $15 you can pre-order a pie and pick it up straight from the hotel.    Who wouldn't want a couple of these to nibble on either prior to Thanksgiving or the day or two after?

For a complete listing of Thanksgiving activities, visit the resort's website HERE.

Today's Beach Weather....

A.B.S.O.L.U.T.E.L.Y. GORGEOUS!!!   Hardly a cloud in the sky, a nice cool breeze and 70 degrees outside.  Could you ask for more perfect beach weather in October?

I took a bike ride down the beach from the Kiawah Island Beach Club to boardwalk 32.  Here is what I saw along the way:

Romeo & Juliet Horseshoe Crabs

Romeo

This little bird didn't want me taking his picture eating the insides of the crab

"Lady-seriously-quit takin' my picture!"

Gorgeous

Kiawah is such an amazing island.  If you haven't been here yet, you are missing out.  Come visit us and see what it means when people say, "Nature at its Finest."