2012 Anakena Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley, Chile

Sauvignon Blanc is my favorite white grape, and we've enjoyed this inexpensive Chilean one for a while (Total Wine $7.99).  A little grass, some minerality, tropical fruits, but not all grapefruit like some from NZ.   It was nice for a simple supper with grilled chicken, rice & haricot verts.

2011 Belle Pente Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley (Oregon)

Third night in Charleston - and I have to say it takes a lot of willpower to avoid eating so much at lunch that we don't want our dinner!  We went to FIG, which stands for Food is Good, and it was.  Local, fresh, delicious.  Ordered this 2011 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from Belle Pente, lovely wine, tasted of blueberries, floral aroma, versatile with our dinner choices.

 SD had King Mackerel tartare with apple, frisee and chervil, dressed with a citrus vinaigrette

I had a nine vegetable salad, which is a standard on their menu, and changes with the season and the chef's whim.  Dressed with caesar, and parmesan, garnished with basil.

My entree was sauteed Triggerfish over Carolina rice grits, with broccoli puree and florets.

SD chose the ribeye, with polenta and a mushroom bordelaise.

We HAD saved room for dessert, and for SD it was a flourless dark chocolate and almond tart with a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream

Mine was a take on the British sticky toffee pudding, with sorghum, and a scoop of calvados ice cream

2005 Chateau Redortier Gigondas, France

Husk was named best new restaurant in the US in 2011 by Bon Appetit.  We had dinner there a couple of years ago, and wanted to try it again.  Innovative menu, excellent execution and top-notch service, it's hard to beat, even in a food-lover's town like Charleston!  We ordered a Cotes du Rhone with some age on it, a 2005 Gigondas, a reminder of a great trip there a few years back.  A blend of Grenache and Syrah, it had lovely dark fruit with hints of anise and violets.  I would like to point out that Husk's wine list is arranged by soil type.  As a sommelier and a consumer, I found this inconvenient and artificial, and I bet I know more about the effect of soil type on wine than many.   On to a delicious dinner:

For starters, my partner, SD, had fire roasted clams in a tomatoey broth, with fennel, greens, and a wedge of cornbread, served in a handmade wooden bowl.

 I had housemade benne (sesame) seed crackers, with a scoop of pimiento cheese & pickled ramps, served on a weathered board.

 SD then had Beeliner snapper with snap beans, red peppers in a shiitake broth. Dinner plates were handmade pottery, and it was nice to see so many hand made items in use.  They make it harder for the dishwasher, but just as the intent is for the food to be local, having dishware from a local source reinforces it.

I had (to-die-for) duck, a slow cooked whole leg, on bourbon-apple butter farrotto, with wilted spinach and crunchy apple.

We then shared an outstanding slice of pecan tart with bourbon ice cream and sorghum caramel sauce.

2012 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon

 We have had a lovely few days in Charleston, SC.  Warm & sunny, trees and window boxes bursting in bloom.  It renewed our spirits and reminded us that this grey winter will pass and spring is not far away ... even though we came home to snow and ice.  First night, we ate at The Ordinary, on upper King Street.  First impression was a beautiful space but loud.  The noise level seemed to settle down once we were seated, welcomed, and ordered this delicious Willamette pinot noir ($52).  Lovely well-rounded and juicy flavors of cherry, raspberry and a hint of lemon zest. 

                            We tried several small plates, New Orleans style BBQ shrimp

                                         Crispy fried oysters with beef tartare

                                    Peekytoe crab Louie cocktail with radish and tomato.

                      Peekytoe crab toast, then chocolate terrine with hazelnuts & creme anglaise