Husk- Charleston, South Carolina
What a day! We started off in Savannah and arrived in Charleston just in time for our 12:15 lunch reservation at Sean Brock’s Husk restaurant. This much anticipated lunch date did not disappoint and, in fact, exceeded my already high expectations. Everything from the restaurant decor, to the “southern draw” in our server, to the amazing cuisine was on point. Those who know me will understand how much I enjoyed this place when I describe my experience as SICK! Freshly baked buttermilk bread with pork fat and honey butter presented in a small sack of linen-SICK. My “12 O’clock” whiskey drink and Amy’s dragoon punch with a large floating island of ice in the center were a great match and certainly needed. Starters of buffalo pig ear lettuce wraps, fried bologna and pickles – SICK, cheddar pimento cheese on crostinis with pickled ramps- might have been the best bite in a long time- SICK-ENING. The shrimp & grits with country ham might be a close second. And, of course, Isabela was an angel during lunch. She happily sat at the table with us smiling and laughing between naps.
Daddy’s Girls!
After lunch we took a stroll down King Street, the main thoroughfare in historic Charleston. We made a quick stop at my favorite hat shop Goorin Brothers. As the temperature in New York for next Sunday’s Giants game is predicted to be as low as 45, I passed on my usual straw fedora purchase for a more practical wool lid with ear covers. Our next stop was Heirloom Book Company, a recommendation from a fellow Miami chef *(O.G.- Gio). Heirloom is a quaint storefront that sells new and vintage cookbooks. Some of Heirloom’s vintage books date back to the late 1800’s! After spending some time browsing the shelves and talking with the very helpful and kind shop owners, I decided on Chef Magnus Nilsson’s new cookbook entitled Fäviken. This book is beautiful and I can’t wait to delve into it. Although we had planned on dinner at Sean Brock’s other restaurant in Charleston, McCrady’s, Isabela had different plans for us tonight. She made it clear that she needed some mommy and daddy alone time before settling down for the night. After calming down a bit, and a run to CVS for more formula, we were able to sneak her out for a quick dinner at The Early Bird Diner. Yes, this is the same Early Bird that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and suggested by Guy Fieri. We tried the two recommended dishes — fried pork chop with red pepper jelly and chicken and waffles. I hate to say it but the only thing that fucking rocked in this place was the Rolling Stones soundtrack that played throughout dinner.
Based on my estimated calorie count I’ll be running to Virginia tomorrow instead of driving, juicing kale in the morning and fasting until our dinner at Inn at Little Washington.
All in all, this was a great day. Until tomorrow …
Chef Jamie DeRosa 