The Battery in Charleston

As night comes slowly and in a relaxed fashion to Charleston, quite often we would take walks at the close of the long, humid days along the Battery. 

This part of the historic district is situated on a peninsula where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers converge into the Atlantic Ocean.

During heavy rains this particular area often floods, due to the peninsula being situated very low, and the water becomes quite dramatic with high tides breaking upon the sea wall.

Walking along here on quiet evenings with a very soft breeze, looking out at the water, and taking in all the romance of the beautiful antebellum mansions softly lit from within, is a favorite pastime.

Crossing over to Battery Park among the huge oaks and palmettos is a nice way to end the day. Right on the waterfront, you can walk among the cannons, pass the gazebo and look at the views of Fort Sumter, but the main reason I come is to stroll by the southern mansions.

The Calhoun Mansion (where the film of The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, was filmed inside), is considered at the period that is was built in 1876 to be the, "Handsomest and most complete private residence in the South".

 Nevertheless, getting back to the Battery Park (known as the Battery), there is included here the White Point Gardens, which contains the promenade where many of the stately homes are. 

 It stretches along the peninsula edged by the rivers and during the Civil War it was a area for the placement of artillery.

     

One aspect of Charleston that caught our attention was the past history of pirates operating here. In White Point Gardens there is a monument that commemorates the hanging at this site of the pirate Captain Stede Bonnet  in 1718 and his fellow mates, to be followed one year later by the hanging of Richard Worley and his fellow pirates.

If you are in the city for a few days, there are a number of tours to choose from that quite late at night take you through cemeteries, and up and down the waterfront streets with fascinating tales of the daring pirates from a bygone era...

F I G

We had rooms in the heart of Charleston's historic district and almost across the street was the much heard of "FIG" restaurant (stands for "food is good")!It is really down to earth, unpretentious, but deceptively elegant once you get inside. 

The bar is the first stop and it leads into the main dining area, and around to your left it really opens up. It has been labeled as being eclectic, and it is.

The lighting is subdued, there are plantation shutters on the windows and the cool air conditioning all added to a long stay at the bar. 

 SO, what to have? Well, if in Rome...  you get it. 

Lets start with two cocktails that are a part of the old south, and also a part of Charleston.

 The first ordered was a Mint Julep. Our bar tender was the best, made us feel right at home, as did the other patrons that day at the bar.

 She was kind enough to prepare the julep in front of us as our fellow bar mate explained the recipe:

• tale an 8 ounce glass filled with crushed ice
• crush several mint leaves   
•  one tablespoon of "simple syrup"
• one tablespoon of water
• several ounces of Bourbon
• stir
• when glass is frosted, add a sprig of mint

and you have a wonderful drink.

  

 It sure goes down smoothly on a 100 degree day, yes sir!

The next cocktail we were told about was explained as a "Firefly".

It is a drink of hand made "sweet tea vodka", that came from the only tea plantation in the U.S., in Wadmalaw Island, five miles from Charleston.

The vodka is distilled four times, then infused with the tea grown on the plantation. Last it is blended with Louisiana sugar cane.

It was another fantastic day and night in Charleston...

Night time in Charleston

As we headed out for the night, not too sure where to dine, we walked over to Meeting and Market Streets, where the City Market is located, and a pretty active area in the historic district.  

It was originally a covered building where the slaves were auctioned from.

After the Civil War, eventually it evolved into a center of trade, for the African American community. 

Not too long after the Civil War the former slaves set up stalls, where they sold there handmade baskets, carvings, and materials. 

It was founded in 1807, and today is now occupied by the Daughters of the Confederacy. It is filled with artisans who each day sell beautiful goods, from one long end, to the other. It is also a great way to shop and come out into the area of wonderful restaurants and bistros.

 As the night drew on, people started milling about, music was being played on many different street corners, and the aromas of southern cooking came wafting through from different areas of the historic district.  

It was another full and fantastically hot and humid day, and by the time the rain came, it was very much welcomed...

Magnolias

There are so many bistros, bars and restaurants to go to while in Charleston. For whatever mood you may happen to be in, or desire for a certain cuisine, just walk the avenues and turn corners to find unique styles of dining that will "fit" you exactly. 

We started one evening at Magnolia's at 185 East Bay St. and really enjoyed the "Down South" menu. Magnolias was started in 1990 and was has been associated with,"sparking the culinary revival of Charleston".

If you are in the mood for regional food, try the green tomatoes, okra and succotash, accompanied by hominy...

High Cotton Charleston, SC

We had heard such high praise for the restaurant on East Bay Street called "High Cotton", that we just had to go (and are we ever happy that we did)! The waiters were wonderful, the ambiance very southern and the food superb. Personally I just loved the decor, very "Lowcountry" in an elegant setting.

The name "High Cotton" originated from the colloquial way of speaking   during the antebellum period and is translated into "Livin' Large". This way of speech was common during the period of "plantation life", and the cuisine matches the era with a menu that will leave you full and happy. There are specialties from the region such as game, fantastic seafood (try the crab meat soup), steaks and game.

The interior is soothing and inviting with the beautiful wooden floors of "heart pine" and one aspect of Charleston that I love, are the large (and very needed) ceiling fans.

 

The rooms are authentic in the hand made bricks that are particular to this area of the country and relaxing at the bar is also a wonderful way to spend several hours. High Cotton is known for their award winning wines. and the bar is a favorite among the residents here.

It is a very special way to spend an evening or afternoon, just jump on a trolley and head to:

199 East Bay Street !

The resturants of Charleston

 KAMINSKY'S

 78 N. MARKET ST.

The restaurants in Charleston are wonderful, just walking down the streets the aromas of low country cooking beckon to you. One day after much walking and laughing my daughter and I decided to head over to Kaminsky's specifically for their "melt in your mouth" cakes. All the desserts are made fresh and looking through the glass cabinet is part of the charm.

Now, the only problem is what to choose (we each chose different slices of cake, to share, and the slices are "generous" to say the least)!


I had ""Hummingbird Spice Cake" and my daughter, "Mountain of Chocolate". Now, add a strong, piping hot mug of coffee to the sweetness and spices of the dessert, combine that with the friendliest waiter, in a cool, dark environment and you have ... perfection!

Homes of the Historic District of Charleston

The homes in the historic district of Charleston, SC are beautiful and many are  hundreds of years old.

The districts traces its origins back to the 1670's  and contains nearly three thousand buildings. 

This area has been labeled a "Historic Landmark".

Following I have included an assortment of magnificent residences, and "details" of sections of homes that captured my attention.