Magical Charleston

I went to Charleston in Baltimore last weekend to celebrate my wedding anniversary - 2 years - woo hoo! I highly recommend this special occasion restaurant by Chef Cindy Wolf, nominated for two James Beard Awards.

The food is great and the service is spectacular! The menu is unique in that you choose the number of courses (3,4,5) which you can have in the order of your choosing. Or you can choose the chefs recommendation, "Menu of the Moment". The plates get progressively larger although nothing is huge - the portions are exactly right. And, here's the kicker...if you want to substitute a course, even on the tasting menu, not only are they are fine with that, but they will re-pair the wines for you!


So we both went for the tasting menu which was a Shellfish Bisque, Salad of Baby Arugula, Pan-Roasted Wild Rockfish with Mushroom & Andoille Risotto, Pan-Roasted Virginia Quail, Pecan Stuffing and Whisky Sauce, Uplands Pleasant Ridge Cheese and Almond-Butterscotch Cake with Red Wine Paoched Seckel Pears and Maple-Ginger Ice Cream.

I subbed the Oyster Stew special for the Shellfish Bisque. The oysters were plump and juicy. They tasted as if they had been placed into the stew after it was removed from the heat so that they were barely cooked. Yummy! I also got a Pan Seared Foie Gras with Duck Breast instead of the Quail. The Foie Gras was like a pillow of duck liver gently seared - rich and delicious!

An excellent choice for a special night out, but get a room in Baltimore - with a glass of wine paired with each course, you'll be glad not to drive. And with food this sensuous, you'll need a room.