Charleston, SC

Magnolia Grill or the Charlestoin Grill in the Charleston Place Hotel. I hope you're staying in the Charleston Place Hotel on the top 2 floors. Wonderful city.

I second Board-O's recommendation of Magnolia. Start your evening off with a drink on the Roof Top at Vendue Inn, then stroll on over to Magnolia.

If you have time, my favorite place in Charleston is Slightly North of Broad. Also worth checking out is Blossom, Hank's Seafood, and High Cotton. There's no shortage of good eatin' in Charleston!

We heard great things about Slightly North of Broad. Had we stayed one more day, we would have dined there.

I've never made it to the Charleston Grill, but am encouraged to try it the next time I'm down there. Thanks!

Thanks to all. Some great suggestions. We are actually staying at a B & B in Charleston Friday and Saturday night before heading down to the Palmetto Bluff Resort for three days/nights. Looks like a great area!

Bob.

In a city of great restaurants, Peninsula Grill is the best. It has great food, service and a good wine list. Others include Cypress Lowcountry Grill and Ansons. The above suggestions were good ones as well. In fact, there are probably 25 restaurants in Charleston that are top notch.

My wife's family has been vacationing in Folly Beach for decades. I have been there many times and there is no shortage of good eats. For fine dining my favorite restaurant is Charleston Grill. The food is awsome and the service spectacular. We have also had many great meals at Circa 1886. Magnolia's, Slightly north of Broad and McCrady's are solid (McCrady's has a nice wine bar). I have had mixed experiences at Anson, Carolinas, and 82 Queen. To my tase, Peninsula grill is nothing special. Typical continental/French fare without any local flair (and expensive to boot). Others swear by these places, so take my recommendations with a grain of salt. There are plenty of hole - in - the wall joints to get good eats. Enjoy! Charleston is one of my favorite food destinations.

McCrady's is excellent. Corkage is permitted to boot, which makes it extra attractive.

How about Bessinger's BBQ on Rte. 17 south of Charleston?

Here was my report from our trip to Charleston and Savannah 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

In Savannah GA:

We stayed at The Foley Inn-a terrific Bed & Breakfast Inn in the Historic District

1.Sapphire Grill: SG88
Sapphire Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes & Ultra Bowtie Greens in a Caper Coral Aioli & Lobster Oil
Red Snapper w/ Veal Cheeks
Colorado Free Roam Rrack of Lamb w/ Potato Au Gratin

2. Elizabeth on 37th:SG95 (20000 bottle wine cellar)
Southern Fried Grits w/ Spiced Shrimp, Country Ham and Red Eye Gravy
Local Blue Crab Cake w/ Creamed Corn topped with a Tomato-Chive Butter Sauce
Honey and Ginger Roasted Pork Tenderloin w/ Maytag Blue Cheese Cream, Cabbage and Apples
Pepper Crusted Beef Tenderloin w/ Madeira Cream Sauce, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Fall Vegetables

Cork Fees that I checked on:
McCrady's-$25
Peninsula Grill-$20
Tristan-$25
High Cotton-$20
Fulton Five-$15
Sapphire Grill-$15
Old Pink House-$10

Sapphire Grill was the only place that we took wine.

you pretty much can't go wrong with any of these(i grew up in columbia, my first band used to rehearse in a seafood cooler in sullivans island. man we stunk. literally. )...

Thanks to all who posted their opinions. We dined at High Cotton on Friday night and Magnolias on Saturday before we had to leave for the Palmetto Bluff Resort on Sunday afternoon. The dinners and wine were great. I really believe that you could eat at a different restaurant for two weeks straight and never have a bad meal in Charleston. Everyting was specatcular.

Speaking of spectacular, check out the web site of the resort that we stayed at for a business gathering (with spouses). It was just rated the #2 resort in the U.S. by Conde Nast. After spending four days here I wonder what could possibly be #1. www.palmettobluffresort.com

I also picked up two bottles of Casisano Colombaio 2001 Brunello in Charleston for $35 each. I can't find it in the northeast so it was a great find. And it made it back in the check luggage with no damage.

Bob