The Dinnerman and I are back from our 4 days on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. I learned a lot on our trip. For one thing, I learned that the Isle of Palms is a separate city and not part of Charleston proper. It's located just over the IOP Connector, which makes sense, and is not more than a 30 minute ride from downtown "old town" Charleston.
So, you'd think it would be a given that we, staying on the Isle of Palms for 4 days with a rental car at our disposal and no pressing obligations, would find a way to make it downtown? After all, that's where many of the renowned restaurants are. There's Tristan, The Charleston Grill, The Peninsula Grill, The Hominy Grill, SNOB, Jestine's Kitchen...the beat goes on. Everyone knows the first priority in our travels is food and drink, so naturally we'd venture out to downtown Charleston. Especially in the wake of Anthony Bourdain's recent show - albeit sans assless chaps - about Charleston.
Sadly, well, no. It just didn't happen.
Maybe it was the result of our many months without breaks. As soon as our white asses hit the king-sized bed and we were given the key to the mini-bar, we were rendered powerless. I mean, imagine the bliss! After a cold and dark cigar-smoke filled Rhode Island winter, we manage our way to a low-country beach hideaway for a few nights. Drive downtown? No, thank you.
So, we ate on the Isle of Palms, and nearby Mount Pleasant (yes, the irony is not lost...having attended Providence College, I am all too aware of that local neighborhood).
The first night we had dinner at The Boathouse on Breach Inlet - on the Intercoastal Waterway. It was a mere 15 minute drive down Palm Blvd. from our resort and what a beautiful drive it was! Being a Wednesday we thought it wouldn't be too crowded. We called ahead, and were told we did not need a reservation. Upon arrival, however, we were greeted with a very bustling place and hung out at the bar for an hour before our table was ready.
This place had a very high-energy staff, with a bartender who was quick and precise. We ordered Maker's Mark Manhattans. They came our way unbelievably quickly - I sang the bartender's praises all night.
The restaurant certainly has a fantastic location. It's on the westernmost point of the Isle of Palms, located on the edge of the Intercoastal Waterway so that the Atlantic Ocean is across the street and you can see the sun set on the Intercoastal from the dining room. It's very beautiful.
The food is good. Yes, good, not great.
We started with fried green tomatoes and shrimp cocktail, the former I had never had and the latter, well, how do you ruin these?
They were ok. Batter fell off. Meh. Remoulade had no flavor.
The Dinnerman had the she-crab soup - very creamy, not much flavor.
I had the blackend grouper with collards and grits. Very fresh, but meh. Collards way too sweet. Grits great, but the honeymoon is not over with me and the grits yet.
The Dinnerman had the seafood mixed grill plate - again, meh. Nothing special!
Just nothing special! No great attention to us, as it was so busy and we were clearly not from town, and the food was so-so.
In fact, all the food we had on this trip was cloying and insipid. If I had been there one day longer I swear I would have asked for hot peppers grilled straight-up. I hate to say it, but even the Q was boring. Maybe I need to head over to Tennessee. Music's better there too.
Sorry, it was not great.
I will continue with our other experiences later.
Sorry no pics - my software drivers or whatever are not in working order.
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