We are spending four days there in late March. We already have reservations at SNOBs. We also are considering 82 Queen and looking for other lunch and dinner suggestions. We'll be with our kids (13 and 10, fairly advanced tastes).

Other suggestions welcome.

Thank you,

Neil

Magnolia

Charleston Grill

The French restaurant caddycorner from the Charleston Place Hotel

peninsula grill

"The French restaurant caddycorner to Charleston Place" (Marianne) is sadly no longer there.

Under no circumstances should you consider 82 Queen.

I grew up in Charleston and was just there two weeks ago. Take my word for this - cancel the reservations at Slightly North of Broad. It is an "okay" restaurant, but there are too many GREAT restaurants in that town for you to waste one night there. Book dinner at the Peninsula Grill instead. Eat at F.I.G. (Food Is Great). It is really nice.

I agree with Board-O about Magnolia's (a Charleston staple), but I think you should eat brunch there over the weekend. Make sure to order something with their wonderful grits, and you will be doing yourself a disservice if you don't get a bloody mary while you're there.

The best meal I've ever had in Charleston (and I have had many great meals there) was at McCrady's. It is expensive, but it is wonderful, and they have a stellar wine list. Make sure to consult their wine director.

I also suggest that you swing by The Wine Shop on Lockwood. I am always impressed with their selection.

Where are you staying? I'd love to put you in touch with a very good friend of mine who loves giving tours (he's a local attorney who is a history nut and knows everything about every historic home on the peninsula). I've set up several friends with him, and always tell them to buy him lunch in exchange for a "locals tour." Shoot me an email and I'd be happy to discuss at length with you: g o l f z i n n u t @ y a h o o . c o m

When we're in town, we stay at the Charleston Place Hotel. If you stay there on weekdays, ask about the price on the two top club floors. On the weekdn it's $700 a night but deals are available during the week, especially in slow times.

Charleston Place is nice, but it ain't worth the coin. There are so many really nice local inns that you should consider. Like The Meeting Street Inn, or Two Meeting Street, or The Planters Inn (where Peninsula Grill is located), or the John Rutledge House or if you want a large hotel, I strongly suggest The Francis Marion.

Thank you to all for the suggestions and warnings. I will be discussing the with my wife (and tour manager). {G&PN--Thank you. We already have one tour scheduled but I'll check with her.}

Just for a reality check, we are travelling with our daughters (13 and 10 y.o.) We are considering Poogan's Porch for a dinner and the Wreck of the Richard and Charlene {or it the Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald? } if it works out. We do plan to have one expensive dinner but not every night. Also, we're staying at the Embassy Suites Downtown not a luxury hotel. We are with our kids and the suite works well for us. We don't expect to spend much time in the hotel and I'd rather spend our money on wine.

Thank you,

Neil

The Embassy Suites is fine and it is in a really good location. If you're going to do one nice dinner with kids in tow, I suggest you go with Magnolia's. It is a Charleston standard and is probably the best suited to handle the kids.

Poogan's Porch is nice and a bit more casual. I have fond memories of taking this beautiful blonde there with whom I was madly in love on our first "real" date. I was 17 and she was 16, and we were overwhelmed with the place. Wonder whatever happened to her....

Neil - feel free to email me about the tour offer. I can absolutly promise you that Kevin's tour (that's my buddy's name) will be much better than anything your wife/director has arranged, and will be significantly cheaper. In fact, he was a carriage tour guide when he was in college, but now knows more than anyone. In fact, he is now on the Board of the Preservation Society of Charleston where he oversees local tour guide qualifications (they all have to take a standardized test). I'd be happy to hook the two of you up (I've sent several friends to him and while they've all felt "weird" about meeting a total stranger, everyone has raved about how much fun they had with him after they met him).

Anyway - think about it.

G&PN-

Thank you again for all of the feedback. I love the local nature of your advice.

I've sent this link to my wife and we are to discuss tonight.

Regards,

Neil

GPN is right, Peninsula Grill is the best. Two of my other favorites are Ansons and Cypress Lowcountry Grill.

Neil - you have email!

Here are my notes on our visit to Charleston last Fall:

In Charleston:

We stayed @ The Market Pavilion Hotel-newest hotel in Historic/Market District. A very nice 60 unit hotel with excellent service and great location. We walked to all restaurants.

1.Charleston Grille: SG92
Heirloom Yellow Tomato Gazpacho w/Carolina Goat Cheese, Cucumbers and Cilantro
Coastal Carolina White Shrimp and Lobster Bisque
Charleston Grill Frogmore Stew: Fresh Shrimp, Homemade Andouille Sausage, Crabmeat and Corn Simmered in a Shellfish Broth
Roasted Veal Tenderloin over Sawmill Gravy tossed with Portobellas and Haricot Vert in a Blue Oyster Mushroom and Cognac Jus

2.McCrady's: SG93
Chef's Tasting Menu-
Amuse Bouche
Peekytoe Crab Salad-Granny Smith Apple, Micro Greens, Tapioca Pearls, Vanilla Essence
Potato Soup-Duck Confit Ravioli, Truffle Oil
Butter Poached Lobster-Salsify-Apple Puree, Asparagus, Wax Beans, Chive Oil
Spice Grilled Tuna-Parsnip Puree, French Beans, Baby Turnips, Brown Butter Sauce
Herb Marinated Rack of Lamb-Roast Potatoes, Cippolini Onions, Asparagus, Thyme Jus
Creme Brulee
Chocolate Molten Cake
Fig Pastry w/ Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

3.Fulton Five"Most Romantic Restaurant in Charleston")-SG90
Steamed Mussels in a Lemon, Dill and Sambuca Broth
Crab, Spicy Italian Sausage and Sweet Corn Risotto
Caper Encrusted Blue Fin Tuna over Pancetta and Sweet Pea Risotto w/ a Roasted Tomato and Vodka Tomato Sauce
Broiled Veal Chop w/ Sauteed Spinich, Asiago Scalloped Purple Potatoes Finished in a White Truffle Butter Sauce

4.Peninsula Grill: SG91
Sampling of Soups:Creamy Tomato Bisque, Chilled Asparagus and Lobster & Corn Chowder
Venison Chops w/ Spinich
Angus NY Strip w/ a Blue Cheese-Balsamic Glaze and Vidalia Mashed Potatoes