21 replies to this topic

[Nancy S.]

My husband and I are looking to spend a long weekend in November in a city where the transportation to get there and back from NYC is not overly expensive and, more importantly, where there are a few restaurants with delicious food. So, I was curious about Charleston and McCrady's and Husk. I would be grateful for any advice, reports, opinions. Many thanks in advance.

[Sneakeater]

I had Sean Brock's food when he cooked it as a guest chef in a restaurant in New York. He brought a lot of his own ingredients up with him. I thought it was brilliant. (The only successful "guest chef" food I've ever had, really. But also brilliant absolute.)

I spent my (shortened by an impending Supreme Court filing deadline) honeymoon in Charleston. I can't think of a place that better suits your purpose.

[Nancy S.]

I had Sean Brock's food when he cooked it as a guest chef in a restaurant in New York. He brought a lot of his own ingredients up with him. I thought it was brilliant. (The only successful "guest chef" food I've ever had, really. But also brilliant absolute.)

I spent my (shortened by an impending Supreme Court filing deadline) honeymoon in Charleston. I can't think of a place that better suits your purpose.

Thanks, I'll start planning.

[Nathan]

Charleston might be my favorite city for its size in the U.S. It's really a fantastic place to visit.
I didn't have a great meal at McCrady's but it certainly wasn't objectively bad! Had quite good food at Charleston Grill and Magnolia Grill too.

Charleston is a lovely city.

[tsquare]

M brought home the October/November 2011 issue of Garden & Gun - it's all about Southern Cooking and tons of restaurant recommendations, mostly from chefs. Might be of interest. And who can resist the name of this magazine? Pretty good content as well.

[9lives]

Small world. Ms 9 got that same issue. I never heard of the mag til then.

Had a great meal at McCrady's a few years ago. Haven't been to Husk. I love Charleston. The historic district has a lot of great food, architecture and plenty of nice guest houses or B & B's and most of what you want to see is walking distance; no need to rent a car.

[Lippy]

Ranitidine and I honeymooned in Charleston 35 years ago. The restaurant situation now is much, much different now than it was then, when the best restaurant was in our hotel. I'd love to go back. It is a beautiful and interesting city. I don't know how the passage of time has affected the local accent, but I remember listening to someone give us directions, knowing that he was speaking English and not getting a word of what he said. It was not a typical Southern accent; it may have been Gullah.

[9lives]

Gullah is still common; obviously more so with old timers..and a carryover from the slave trade. I have family in Hilton Head..about 90m miles South and there is still a Gullah population.

Charleston was very hard hit during Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and has been beautifully restored. I think I remember you like to walk a lot; as I do. Charleston would make a great 36th anniversary..)

[Lippy]

Charleston would make a great 36th anniversary..)

Hmm. There's an idea.

[AaronS]

I liked our meals at McCrady's but based on food alone I think my wife and I both thought we should have gone to Chicago. We were there pre-Husk and ate at McCrady's both nights.

The Aiken-Rhett house tour was the non-culinary highlight of our trip.

[Rail Paul]

I liked our meals at McCrady's but based on food alone I think my wife and I both thought we should have gone to Chicago. We were there pre-Husk and ate at McCrady's both nights.

The Aiken-Rhett house tour was the non-culinary highlight of our trip.

The New Yorker has an extensive article this week about Husk, McCrady's and Sean Brock. I've read about half the article so far

Here's a link to their tease:

Land of Lard

[Nancy S.]

Thanks for all these replies. This week's New Yorker hasn't arrived yet, but when it does I plan on reading the "Lard" article first.

[Wilfrid]

A little shocked to realize I was last in Charleston more than ten years ago, but since the Munchkin was two months short of being born, I guess that must be right.

Another stately home worth seeing is the Joseph Manigault mansion, which I remember as being quite central. If you have time, a short ride out to the Boone Hill Plantation is worthwhile. Longer version of comments here.

No McCrady's and Husk, but Anson was what counted as a modern southern bistro back then.

[robert40]

My husband and I are looking to spend a long weekend in November in a city where the transportation to get there and back from NYC is not overly expensive and, more importantly, where there are a few restaurants with delicious food. So, I was curious about Charleston and McCrady's and Husk. I would be grateful for any advice, reports, opinions. Many thanks in advance.

Was wondering if you made it to Husk and your thoughts?

[Nancy S.]

My husband and I are looking to spend a long weekend in November in a city where the transportation to get there and back from NYC is not overly expensive and, more importantly, where there are a few restaurants with delicious food. So, I was curious about Charleston and McCrady's and Husk. I would be grateful for any advice, reports, opinions. Many thanks in advance.

Was wondering if you made it to Husk and your thoughts?

Sadly, my husband's mother died the day before we were to leave for Charleston, so we had to cancel our plans.