Refueling

Just a quick update to my first post a few months ago which had some "constructive" feedback on Fuel. 

I love Fuel - the ambiance, the location, the concept are all great. In the first six months after they opened, they had some issues with service. That's the summary of the first post.  

But I went back with four people on Friday night - and it was amazing. Service was prompt and attentive and the food was hot and yummy. I had my usual Buffalo Burger (it is made with bison meat) and it was cooked to perfection. 

Go back and check it out. 

And to Fuel (if you follow the VNOB), a job well done and keep it up! 

A Sushi Place That You Should Go To

One of my favorite times is sushi time. I will admit that I lived a very sheltered life (not really, but permit me some poetic license) and did not discover the wonders of sushi until I started travelling with work. Since then, my future wife and I like to refer to ourselves as sushi monsters. Growl...

Although there are several sushi restaurants in Charleston (it is on the ocean after all), there is only one worth mentioning. And that is Oriental Garden on Coleman Boulevard. 

It doesn't look like much from the road. And if you do manage to see its retro neon sign as you drive by, you would probably think twice before purposefully entering the building. The non-descript structure is a once-upon-a-time Dairy Queen. So, hopefully by now, you are building an interesting mental image of the place... But seriously, make the turn, pull in the parking lot, get out of your car, and GO IN. 

The fish is super fresh and it is pretty cheap. My future wife and I frequently walk out of there with a $40 or less tab which includes 5 rolls, seaweed salads and beverages. (Remember I said we are sushi monsters?) I would highly recommend the spicy tuna (the end pieces are the best), the Philadelphia Roll and the salmon/avocado roll. As you can tell, we are traditionalist sushi consumers - we like the simple, fresh and raw combinations. For those of you who appreciate the truely creative rolls, they those choices as well, but I may not be the best to provide commentary. The seaweed salad and meso soup are tremendous as well. 

Now one thing worth mentioning is that since it is an old Dairy Queen, it has a drive thru window. And yes, that means you can call in a sushi order and pick it at the drive thru window. How cool is that? 

The owners (I think they are husband and wife) are in the same positions at the sushi bar night after night. They don't talk much, but always have smiles on their faces. And that is enough for me. Diligent sushi chefs who are more focused on their product versus commiserating with the customers is a sign of quality in my humble opinion. 

And one more thing to note if you are still on the fence about visiting. It's always busy. So just go. I and be a happy sushi monster like the VNOB.  

Movie, Food and Some Even Better Food

We went to see Quantum of Solace on the weekend at Cinnebarre in Mount Pleasant. I know, it is not on the "Charleston Peninsula" proper, but I can bend the rules once in a while... it's my blog right? 

So, some brief thoughts on the movie before diving into the cuisine. Just so everyone knows, I am a  big James Bond fan - Sean Connery, Roger Moore, yes, even Timothy Dalton and George Lasenby, Pierce Brosnan - they are all great. Daniel Craig is a great Bond too - cool and calculated. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie (good escapism but don't go in there expecting something based in reality 'cause HE IS JAMES BOND. He WILL defy gravity. He WILL survive from seemingly inescapable situations. However, my only gripe on the flick was it needed a little more of what made past Bond movies successful - more gadgets, more women, and less brute force action. 

Now, onto Cinnebar. First of all, did it really take someone this long to market a movie theater that serves GOOD food and alcholic drink while you watch the movie? I guess so, but I am sure glad that someone finally did. We ordered two glass of red and the veggie burger. Well, it took a reminder from us and 1 hour into the movie for them to finally bring the wine and a cold veggie burger with a side of cold fries. And then they had the gaul to charge us for it! The only good thing about the situation is that the manager was sypathetic to our plight and took care of the bill for us. Regardless, Cinnebar gets a failing grade in this VNOB's opinion. 

So, since we were still hungry, we hoped across the way to one our favorites - Bacco. I know I have promised Bacco its own review as part of a more comprehensive assessment of Charleston's Italian landscape, but the opportunity is now beckoning.

Let me start by saying that Bacco is a damn fine restaurant and the owner, Mike Scognamiglio, is the best of people. He has poured his heart and soul, not to mention his experience as sous chef at Al Di La (another top-tier Charleston Italian restaurant) into Bacco - and it shows. I have visited Bacco numerous times since it opened over 18 months ago and, like a fine wine, it has aged well. One gripe I have with other Charleston-area Italian restaurants is that they get you on the wine - but not at Bacco. All the wines are very reasonable - and very good. Cheap tasty wine - three words destined to be together. 

The food is tremendous. Mike uses fresh local ingredients where possible. His signature dish (in my opinion) is the eggplan parmigiana - which is pure, 100% yum. But the Risi Bisi (a creamy risoto with peas) is a really close second. But the swordrish is a really close second too. Ok, you get the picture. It's all good! 

Oh, I think I have mentioned that a "tell" for restaurant quality is how good the bread is. Well, let me tell you that Bacco has this department taken care of. It is fresh, soft, ciabata like bread that comes with this amazingly fresh olive oil for dipping. Just make sure you don't gorge yourself on bread and oil... I have been known to make such mistakes and no doubt will again :)

A small note on the deserts. Try them. And while you are at it, have a cappuchino. They are really really good. The service is tremendous as well - always prompt and courteous. 

Go to Bacco. Don't go because the VNOB said it is good, but go because your taste buds 

Viva Italia

My world of Italian restaurants keeps getting bigger by the month (and also the length of my runs to work off all those carbs!) So far, I have kept to one restaurant per blog entry, but the Italian landscape in Charleston may force a change in approach.  

Here are the favorites: Bacco, Lucca, Il Corte del Re, and Pane e Vino. Where to start? Good grief - all are phenomenal. 

Let's start with Lucca. In the interests of transparency and to be compliant with Sarbanes Oxley, I have waited to review Lucca (on the advice of a friend) until I had visited three times to install some sense of objectivity since I live in the area. Opinions can warp when proximity plays a part! 

But the restaurant is batting 1000 - it went three for three. When I moved to Elliotborough, Lucca, which used to be the Old Charleston Tea Room where it is rumored that Martin Luther King used to dine when in town, was an abondoned, bat infested building - although it wreaked of potential. And luckily, Elliotborough has someone like Ian Tomlinson (otherwise known as the Baron of Bogard) who was able to tap into the Tea Room's potential. His renovation of the building is nothing short of amazing. And it was a blessing that a visionary like Ken Vedrinksi decided to bet on Elliotborough.  As you sit through dinner, it is easily apparent that Ken's prior experience as chef at South Carolina's only five start restaurant (the Woodlands) and owner of Sienna on Daniel Island shows through in the Lucca experience. 

Onto the food, the wine selection  is amazing. The appetizers are divided into three categories: vegetables, cheeses and meats. Try the cheese with the pear and the honey glazed cheese - both of these will make you thankful that humans are born with taste buds. 

Now let me digress for a moment, one measure of a good restaurant is the quality of bread served. If it is served hot, bonus points are awarded. If some kind of dippin sauce or oil is provided, more bonus points can be awarded. Let me just say that Lucca scores well in the bread category with freshly baked, warm ciabatta and a dipping sauce composed of olive oil with fresh, shredded parmesean cheese mixed in. Like I said, to die for. 

Ok - back to the main course. The first time I went, I had a vegetarian pasta dish - it was ok. But then in subsequent visits, I discovered culinary utopia - the hanger steak. Cooked to perfection, it melts in your mouth - and it is does so even without being laid on a thin bed of mashed potatoes (which  it is) - and it does so even without being surrounded by some kind maple reduction (which it is). 

I'll call it quits for tonight, but expect updates on the others in short order. 

Trust Thy Palate

When we first moved downtown in 2005, the area north of Calhoun known as "Upper King" was in its development infancy. I felt a rush of excitement when new entrepreneurs decided to roll the dice and open establishments closer and closer to the Crosstown. The Trusted Palate (http://www.thetrustedpalate.com) is one establishment that I have watched evolve with the neighborhood. 

And evolve it certainly has.

The first time I went inside and met Ian (the owner), there was no furniture or kitchen (in fact, there were no bathrooms either!) - just a large empty space surrounded by shelves of very good wines and walls of mirrors. And yes, mirrors - hand-made, antique mirrors to be exact - which were really cool.  The owner of the building had a mirror shop in the back and used Ian's wine store to display his product. You had to admit that it was pretty cool to sip fine wine and walk around looking at all the cool mirrors. So you see, back then, The Trusted Palate was just a wholesaler type-place where you could buy bottles of really cool wine - but if you talked to Ian (and he is always willing to converse with patrons), you knew the long range plan called for much more. 

The next several iterations of evolution involved the addition of furniture (the sofas, chairs, tables that you see today). Then came kitchen equipment and a menu with food (there was also another owner that came in the picture, but I think that ended as quickly as it started.) Then the mirror shop left and The Trusted Palate expanded to the entire bottom floor and added two bathrooms. (As a fellow renovator, I must give props to Ian for doing a lot of the reno work himself as well.) I should note that when the mirror shop left, the walls were repopulated with cool pieces of art from local artists. 

So there you have it - a history of The Trusted Palate in two paragraphs. And that history brings us to The Trusted Palate that we all know and love today. 

Great wine selection - Ian the owner, is a master of wine and has some kind of crazy doctorate in it and damn does he know his stuff. If you ask him to pick a bottle for you, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. They have also expanded into beer and have done a great job on the selection. Great atmosphere too - chairs are comfortable, the art is cool and the music is hip (although the word "hip" may not be anymore) - they do have live bands throughout the week (Wednesday-Saturday at 9PM). Bottom line is its a great place to kick back and enjoy a quality drink. Finally, the food. Good cheeses, olives and hommus - all things that go well with wine. 

So, just trust your palate and go - it won't be misplaced. 

It Really is Mystery Pizza

I would be remiss if I started a restaurant review blog and did not include one of my favorites in Charleston... D'Allesandro's Pizza in Elliotborough/Cannonborough. I know, I know... it's pizza, it's a college hang out, it's in the "developing" area of a city that is nationally known for it's choice of quality restaurants. But seriously - it is amazing (and rediculously reasonably priced).  

Beer is always a good place to start (words to live by and I am convinced that the PBR tastes better there than anywhere in the city.) Ordering wine is an interesting experience. Your choice is uh... red or white. But the best part is the glass that it comes in - if the option is decent wine, at least it comes in a generously filled tumbler! 

Follow with the Greek Salad, it's fresh and it's big. 

Next move on the pizza, which is super fresh and has a not too thin, not too thick crust. The choice of toppings is impressive. Some personal favorites include Supreme, Greek, It's Not Easy Being Green, Margharita, and you can't forget about the Chicken BBQ. If you are adventurous, get the Tara C., which is named for one of the original employees (cheers to you & Chris for getting it off on the right foot!). For goodnes sake, make sure you order a side of the tomato sauce (which you can buy a whole container of) - it is the stuff of legends. 

And most of all, let's not forget about the owners: Nick and Ben. They have been in the neighborhood since the early days when the area wasn't too... friendly. But they have stuck with it. The also put on an annual "Block Party" in Septemeber - this year's is in later September (thanks to the rains of Hanna). Some impressive break dancing at last year's event... need more be said?

Just go and try it - the VNOB gives thumbs up on this one. Yes, you might give the Mac dog look when you pull up in your BMW. Yes, you might get an odd look from some of the patrons at the local hang out across the street. Yes, you might get your leg whacked by the tail of the adorable Veschla/Lab mixpuppy sometimes tethered to the front pillar. But definately yes, you will leave a happy camper. 

Fuel Needs to Use Premium

UPDATE - Maybe someone from Fuel reads the VNOB? I visited again on Friday - got a table outside, prompt service, quality food - and bonus, it all arrived at the same time. I'll be going back again. 

Ok, I'll confess - this isn't going to be a totally objective opinion of Fuel because I live in the Elliotborough/Cannonborough and desperately want Fuel to succeed. But at the same time, I want to this to be a constructive message to the owners that they need to get their act together if they want to succeed. 

I have both dined and enjoyed many adult beverages at the establishment (which has an awesome outdoor patio) on several occasions and have both brought and recommended the place to several friends, but the experiences always have commmon thems: ok food (with the definate exception of the BBQ Buffalo Burger, the fish tacos and sweet potatoe french fries - which are orgasmic), slow service, and long waits for both food and drink. (I know, the last two are the same, but you get the point...). 

My latest visit was this past Saturday with a group of seven people. My girlfriend and I arrived about 15 minutes before the rest of the party and no one came out to even ask if we wanted a drink. Seriously, that has got to be the cardinal rule of the restaurant industry - you can be late seating me, you can take your sweet time bringing me food, but don't mess with my drink - especially not the first one when I am sober, thirsty and hot as hades! I am all for keeping things simple... just keep me buzzed and we'll get along just fine! 

Anyways, it then took at least 1 hour to bring us our food, and when they did bring it, they brought it in two separate waves - 4 people in the first wave and 3 people in the second. Ok, pardon me for ringing the sarcasm bell, but why do people go out to eat with friends? I'll give you a hint, it is not to watch them eat...

Then the icing on the cake. I asked the hostess to speak to the owner (because there is no sense in ever berrating the hostess or server when they clearly are at the mercy of the kitchen). However, this young lady made me feel my request was unreasonable. How hard is it to just say "Yes sir - I will go and get him for you." She insisted on discussing whether my situation warranted the attention of the owner. Huh? 

Well, I prevailed and the owner did come out, listened to our concerns, and asked what he could do to improve the situation. Snaps to him - he tried to make things right to the best of his ability, which I will give him credit for. But he did mention that that it was a busy night... Ok, I am no restaurant owner nor have I have ever worked in a restaurant (with the exception of that 1.5 year stint at the local McDonalds - that's another blog in itself), but we were able to score a reservation for 7 people outside at a downtown restaurant on a Saturday night (I thought we were lucky, but maybe the wisdom of the crowd as at work?) There were also several tables open when we arrived. So maybe the kitchen was understaffed or something, but it certainly didn't look like it was an overly busy night (especially compared with other nights). 

So, owners of Fuel, please fix your restaurant and refocus your team's effort on customer service. You guys have an awesome location with a great target demographic (and you know what they say about location), you are across the street from two of Charleston's other restaurant gems - Lana and Hominy Grill and a future pizza joint, you have a great theme (an old gas station converted into a restaurant called Fuel - are you kidding me?) , you did a phenomenal job renovating - the patio is awesome (did I mention that already?), the garage doors on the front that open remind me of swanky restaurants on St. Laurent in Montreal, and you have a neighborhood association rooting for you 110%. Don't let this opportunity pass when you are so close to perfection.