Located in the heart of Harleston Village, directly behind the Wentworth Mansion, Circa 1886 offers one of the most swanky, upscale dining experiences in the city. The atmosphere isn’t particularly romantic, but everything about the space screams “high class.” If you are trying to secure a more romantic setting, be sure to request one of Circa’s booths, which are set off in their own individual alcoves and lend a greater sense of privacy.

Like all great restaurants, Circa’s staff is exceptionally knowledgeable about its menu. However, the thoroughness of our server’s knowledge was particularly impressive given that the restaurant debuted its new, seasonal menu just a week before our meal. Circa’s menu is small, yet diverse, offering a variety of traditional Lowcountry flavors and ingredients. Prices fall in line with Charleston’s other high-end establishments, with appetizers ranging from $10-16, salad course options $9-12, entrees $20-30, and desserts $10-12.

To start, we couldn’t resist the 24-Hour Pork Belly ($11), because - come on - how do you expect me to say no to any meat that’s been slow cooked for a whole day? The pork belly was accompanied by Tupelo honey, Valencia orange slaw, and some delicious baked beans prepared with a mustard sauce. If they host barbecues in heaven, I’m pretty sure this dish would make the menu.

Next, we went with a Tomato Carpaccio Salad ($10). This dish combined slices of heirloom tomatoes, crispy fried green tomatoes, Clemson blue cheese, thin slivers of Bermuda onions, and a basil vinaigrette. If you’re not familiar with Clemson blue cheese, it has a big, sharp, tangy flavor that will blow that bottle of Hidden Valley in your fridge right out of the water. The plate had a nice balance, as the light, fresh flavors of the tomato, onion, and vinaigrette perfectly contrast the richness of the cheese.

For my entree, I went with the one permanent fixture on Chef Marc Collins menu, his trademark Antelope Loin ($30). Our server explained that Collins was introduced to antelope during his time in San Antonio and managed to convince his distributor to keep supplying it to him when he moved on to Charleston. The meat was tender - not gamey at all - and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The loin was served over a creamy Anson Mills grits sauce, topped with a roast tomato and merlot fondue, and served alongside a mildly spicy ragu of corn and leeks. I think antelope may have become my new favorite non-beef red meat.

My partner decided to go the seafood route, ordering the Wild American Salmon ($24). This may have been Circa’s only miss of the evening. As a whole, the dish was acceptable, but the salmon was simply way too salty. The fish was accompanied by diced pineapple, goat cheese, and a Vidalia onion sauce. The one way that the salmon became enjoyable was when it was combined in the same bite as the pineapple, which counteracted the salt with its citrusy sweetness. The plate also featured a spring roll filled with Carolina Gold rice and roasted red pepper. Circa’s take on the spring roll was tasty, but it seemed a bit out of place.

For dessert, we initially had our hearts set on the intriguing Wild Strawberry Float with house made soda, Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream, brown butter cake, Grand Marnier, and cookies ($10), but had to alter our plans when we were informed that they ran out of one of the key ingredients. We instead selected our server’s recommendation, the Blueberries and Cream Souffle ($12).

The souffle itself was delicious, but the item that generated the most conversation of anything that night was the “honeysuckle” ice cream that was served in a little poppy seed lace cup next to it. The flavor was unbelievable. My partner, who spent a lot of time on Sullivan’s Island growing up, was instantly transported back to the days of her youth spent squeezing the tiny drops of sweet nectar out of the ubiquitous flowers. While I didn’t have that same experience growing up (and have never even eaten honeysuckle straight from the plant), I could not believe how perfectly the flavor of the ice cream matched the scent that I know so well. We couldn’t convince our server to tell us what the secret ingredient was, but I’m holding out hope that Chef Collins eventually sells his recipe to Ben & Jerry’s.

Overall, our meal at Circa 1886 was a resounding success. The atmosphere is wonderful, the service was fantastic, and almost everything we ate was excellent. While Sean Brock, Mike Lata, and Bob Waggoner may get the lion’s share of the press in Charleston, Marc Collins is quietly leading a kitchen that’s putting out as good of food as you’ll find anywhere in the city. If you’re somehow flush with cash these days, take a chance and wander behind the Wentworth Mansion for a memorable dinner. I promise your money will be well spent.

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Somewhere along the line, though, I lost much of my desire to pick southern Italian restaurants for dates or other nights out. I think this must have been shortly after I moved out on my own and it sank in that, instead of spending $15 at a restaurant, I could buy a pound of pasta at the Harris Teeter for $1. And it’s not like I don’t appreciate good chicken parmigiana, but I find it really difficult to drop $20 on anything that I could pretty easily make myself at home for half as much.

This provides a lot of the explanation for why I hadn’t been to Mercato, one of Charleston’s most visually appealing restaurants, since it opened in 2006. Even from the outside, the space looks very impressive. The large windows that nearly make up the entirety of the restaurant’s front wall showcase the dark luxurious dining room, a site that’s especially striking at night. Still, regardless of the aesthetics, the restaurant is what it is, and I was nervous because you can only dress standard Italian fare up so much.

Despite Mercato’s expensive appearance, I think most diners will be pleasantly surprised to learn that its menu prices are pretty reasonable. Sure, you could find Italian food for a little less money elsewhere in town, but not by much, and certainly not in as romantic a setting with quality live jazz. Appetizers at Mercato (with the exception of the Antipasti Platter) fall between $6-10, pizzas (like the Spicy Sausage with caramelized onions, tomato, and fontina cheese - $12) and pastas can be had from $10 to $17, and entrees range from $16 all the way to $28.

Although we were tempted by the Crispy Fried Calamari ($10) that every table in the restaurant seemed to be ordering, we decided to start a little lighter with Beef Carpaccio ($10). The thinly sliced pieces of raw Wagyu were topped with roasted red peppers, arugula, and a light lemon-garlic aioli and served with crostini. If you’re hesitant about the prospect of eating raw beef, I urge you to give Mercato’s carpaccio a try. The meat tasted incredibly fresh and was well complimented by the flavors of the pepper and the aioli, neither of which overwhelmed the delicate flavor of the meat. I would suggest, however, avoiding eating the crostini with your Wagyu, because the meat tended to get lost amidst the thick, crunchy bread.

Next, we chose the classic Caprese Salad ($8), a wonderfully simple dish that is, in my mind, Italy’s second greatest contribution to the world, right after Da Vinci. It’s difficult to mess up a caprese salad (if you give me fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil in any form, I’m almost certain to be happy) and Mercato’s version did nothing to disappoint. The only way the dish could have been improved was if tomatoes were a little better quality, but it’s still pretty early in the year, so I don’t think you can blame them for that.

For my entree, I opted for the Veal Marsala ($19), which was unquestionably the best dish of the night. Lightly breaded and sautéed with Porcini mushrooms, onions, and marsala wine, one bite of my veal was enough to make my partner jealous. The meat was perfectly tender, and the mildly sweet sauce was delicious. I was a little disappointed to learn that Mercato doesn’t make their own spaghetti in house (although I was told that they do make some pasta on-site), but I can’t complain because it tasted fine to me.

My partner settled on the Spaghetti Cabonara ($14), which struggled to match-up with the marsala. The dish was serviceable, but not particularly impressive in any way. The pancetta was tasty, but we wished there was more of it, and we both were left wishing that she had gone with her plan-B, the Wild Mushroom Risotto ($15) with mascarpone and white truffle oil.

For dessert, we considered the Tiramisu, before deciding on the Cioccolata e Vaniglia ($8), a flourless chocolate cake with a molten nutella center, topped with housemade gelato. Our opinions on the result were split. While I, as a confessed chocolate addict, was enjoyed how rich the cake was, my partner thought it was a bit much. The rich, creamy gelato was excellent, and the nutella was an interesting deviation from standard molten chocolate filled cakes.

There are two other things that I have to mention before I close this review (which City Paper’s Robert Moss also pointed out after his recent trip). First, the olive oil which accompanies your complimentary bread is out of this world. It’s got an outstanding, light fruity flavor that will make it very difficult not to fill up on bread. The good news about filling up on bread, however, is that you’ll have it in your stomach to soak up the vodka in your Mercato Martini, a combination of homemade limoncello and Firefly Sweet Tea vodka. I’m more of a rum guy, but my partner absolutely loved it.

In whole, I was pleasantly surprised with Mercato. The prices were better than I expected, the atmosphere was great for a couple, and for the most part, we really enjoyed the food. I still don’t see myself dropping this kind of money on southern Italian food very frequently, but my preconceptions about Mercato have been disproved. If you’re looking for this style of food in a classy, upscale atmosphere you should definitely consider heading down to the Market.

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Located, unsurprisingly, at 39 John St., Rue’s menu is largely composed of  classic French offerings, but also features a small selection of sushi. Appetizers fall mainly in the $7 to $14 range, entrees start at $18 (Chicken Francaise) and top out at $27 (Filet Roquefort), and sushi will run you around $5 for sashimi or $7 for a roll.

To start our meal, we opted for one traditional French item and one of the seemingly out of place sushi rolls. In retrospect, I wish we would have asked our server to stagger our appetizers’ arrivals. The two-person tables at Rue de Jean are almost comically small, compared to the size of the plates and the amount of other “stuff” we had on ours. Between the bread basket and plates, the water pitcher and glasses, and the two plates for our dishes, approximately 115 percent of our table’s surface area was accounted for.

Right off the bat, the Escargots ($8) was the high point of the meal. Though I’ve heard many people decry the texture of snails, I actually really enjoyed their tender, meaty consistency. They were served in a delicious garlic and parsley butter sauce, which had a nice tangy flavor.

As much as I thought the sushi seemed like an odd addition to the menu, I have to admit that I think it really works. Rue’s Spicy Tuna Roll ($7) was wonderfully fresh. However, I actually thought the roll could have used a bit more heat, as the sweet Asian chilli sauce they used didn’t provide much spice.

For my entree, I couldn’t resist the Braised Rabbit ($24) in a white wine, creme fraiche, and whole grain mustard sauce. While the flavors in the sauce were a nice combination and the meat was fall-off-the-bone tender, I wasn’t blown away like I had expected to be. The flavor of the meat must have been lost a bit in the braising, as it seemed a little bland. The potatoes dauphinoise which accompanied the rabbit, on the other hand, were incredible. The crisp cheesy crust and perfectly cooked potatoes made this one of the best versions of potatoes gratin I’ve had.

My partner opted for one of my absolute favorite French dishes, Coq au Vin ($20).  The dish has an outstanding aroma. When the red wine, mushrooms, bacon lardons and pearl onions all mingle together and meet your nostrils, you know you’re in for a treat. Like the rabbit, the chicken was unbelievably tender, literally falling apart at the touch of the fork. While Rue’s wasn’t the best version of this dish I’ve ever tasted, it was still definitely a success.

For desert, we went with the White Chocolate Raspberry Torte ($7), which ended up being one of the best plates of the night. White chocolate and raspberry are two of those flavors which seem to have been created with each other in mind. The torte was smooth and creamy, sweet without being too rich, and just undeniably delicious. This was the only item of the night to produce a “Wow” reaction from both of us.

Overall, while 39 Rue de Jean does meet the high standard Charleston residents have come to expect from Holy City Hospitality’s restaurants and its underhyped executive chef, Jason Murphy, I have to admit that I wasn’t as impressed as all the glowing reviews led me to believe I’d be. The food at Rue was good, but not great; service was fine, but perhaps a bit more casual than I’d like in that setting; and I didn’t really pick up any sort of a romantic vibe, as you would expect to find in a higher-end French restaurant. I would much prefer to dine at Coast or Virginia’s.  You could certainly do a whole lot worse in Charleston, but I don’t think I’ll rushing back to Rue de Jean in the near future.

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Don’t let Al di La’s humble location fool you into thinking you’ll be able to stroll up and grab a table any night of the week. In my only previous experience dining there, it took me three separate attempts to make a reservation before I was able to sneak in. On this occasion, however, we were able to grab a table right when the restaurant opened at 6 p.m.

Al di La’s menu is broken up into the four standard courses of Italian cuisine–antipasti ($4.50 to $10), primi ($5 to $13), secondi ($16 to $19.25), and dolci (~$7). If you’re looking for chicken parmigiana or lasagna, you’re looking to the wrong place. In fact, if that’s the only kind of Italian cuisine you’ve experienced, you’re not likely to consider most of Al di La’s menu to sound Italian at all. Northern Italian cuisine places less emphasis on olive oil, tomato-based sauces, and noodles, instead favoring butter, wine and broth-based sauces, risotto, and polenta.

For our first course, we decided to start light with a Shepherds Salad ($7.25). Offering a little bit of everything, this salad includes genoa salami, spicy sopressata, ubriaco cheese (which tastes similar to asiago), grapes, and walnuts, all served over a bed of mixed greens with a citrus vinaigrette. While I enjoyed the salad, in retrospect I wish we had opted for one of their more interesting offerings like the Smoked Beef Carpaccio ($8) or Oven-roasted Pears with Prosciutto and Gorgonzola ($8.50).

As much I’ve loved just about everything I’ve had in my two experiences at Al di La, I think the restaurant shines most with its primi offerings. On this night, we chose the Tagilatelle with Porcini mushrooms, duck confit, and truffle oil ($10.25). This was unquestionably the highlight of our meal. The rich, decadent flavors of the confit and truffle oil, the wonderful aroma of the mushrooms, and the texture of the noodles (which are freshly made in-house, daily) all combine to make this dish an undeniable success. However, I was happy that we chose this as only our second course, because I think it may have been too heavy for a much larger portion. Other tantalizing options in this section include Lobster and Shrimp Ravioli ($13) and Strangozzi Spolentina with Spicy Sausage, Pancetta, Nutmeg, and Lemon Zest ($11.25)

For my main course, I decided again on duck, but in a much different form. The Pan-roasted Duck Breast ($19.25) was cooked to a perfect, tender medium rare and served in a subtly sweet and tangy sauce of apple cider and brown stock. The mashed potatoes and root vegetables were simple and well prepared. There isn’t really a lot I can say about this dish, other than the fact that it was really well executed. I enjoyed having two opposite preparations of duck back to back. Shows you how versatile an ingredient it is.

My partner chose the Prosciutto-wrapped Chicken Breast stuffed with fontina cheese, pine nuts and golden raisins ($16). My general opinion is that anything wrapped in prosciutto is always better than something not wrapped in prosciutto, and this dish did nothing to prove otherwise. The mildly salty flavor of the prosciutto and juicy chicken breast were good on their own, but the creamy, flavorful filling made the dish.

For dessert, we selected the Lemon-Olive Oil Cake ($7) with macerated strawberries and mascarpone cheese. This was a simple, delicious offering that put a nice cap on the meal.

Overall, Al di La fully lived up to my lofty expectations. The food was excellent, the service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere lends itself perfectly to a quiet dinner for two. If you’re looking for somewhere new to take a date and want to avoid the peninsula, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t check out what very well may be Charleston’s best Italian restaurant. For a little lighter way to start your evening, be sure to check out Al di La’s bar menu which features small plates, wood-fired pizzettes, charcuterie, and cheeses, all for about $8 or less.

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Coast, a member of the Holy City Hospitality Group which also runs 39 Rue de Jean and Virginia’s on King, isn’t terribly difficult to find (it’s just down a small alley between John Street and Hutson Street off King Street), but you certainly aren’t going to run into it unless you’re out there looking for it.

Occupying a former warehouse, the interior of Coast features 40-foot ceilings and beautiful exposed brick walls. Though the space isn’t terribly romantic, it does provide a nice balance between low lit ambiance and a trendy, modern feel.

On the night we dined, our very friendly and knowledgeable server let us know that Coast was premiering its new menu, featuring several intriguing additions. While this threw a wrench in my pre-trip ordering plans, I was more than happy to take a bit of extra time to explore my new options. The new items all fall in line with the previous price points, with starters ranging from $7 to $13 (with most settling in right around $10) and entrees starting in the upper teens and capping out in the mid-twenties. A couple of the new items I didn’t get a chance to try, but will look to next time around include Crab & Avocado Ravioli ($9) and Togarishi Yellowfin Tuna with tropical salsa and cilantro vinaigrette ($13).

To start, we opted for Cornmeal Encrusted Oysters ($10) and Cioppino ($8).

Crisp to the bite but incredibly tender inside, these oysters represented some of the better fried seafood I’ve ever ingested. They were topped with caviar, served over a papaya coulis, and finished with a scoop of deliciously fresh tropical salsa.

The Cioppino is a hearty tomato based soup brimming with crab meat, shrimp, squid, and mussels. All of the soup’s seafood elements were cooked perfectly and the aroma of the creamy tomato broth was wonderful. I was also impressed by the portion size, which was plenty for two people (a rarity in this economy where I’ve discovered most restaurants are serving about half as much for the same price).

For my entree, I went with one of the new additions to the menu, the Crab Encrusted Tilapia ($19). What impressed me most about this dish was how Chef David Pell and his staff were able to keep the subtle taste of the tilapia from being completely overwhelmed by the bolder flavors of the crab meat and parmesan cream in the topping. Another nice component was the sweet tomato relish which cut through the richness and served as an excellent contrast to the plate’s savory elements.

My date chose another of Coast’s newcomers, the Caprese Escolar ($21). I was excited to try this dish because I’ve never seen mozzarella and tomatoes served alongside fish in this way. Where this dish really shined was in the first few minutes when the fish was still hot and melted the creamy, fresh cheese in your mouth. I also really enjoyed the smokey oak flavor of the grill that permeated the tomatoes and the buttery white fish. I’d be remiss if I forgot to mention the unbelievably tasty basil pesto mashed potatoes, which I couldn’t stop myself from stealing bites of at every opportunity.

Unfortunately, my girlfriend wasn’t really able to enjoy it because the fish made her mouth itchy and uncomfortable. I think she may have discovered a new food allergy (she’s leaning toward the fish, but I’m thinking it may have something to do with the wood used in Coast’s grill).

Overall, now that I have made my first trip back to Coast since I mooched off of my roommates during Parent’s Weekend of our freshman year, I fully plan on making a concerted effort to get there more often.

Apart from my girlfriend’s itchy encounter with the escolar, I really can’t find any flaws in Coast’s execution. The service was polite and efficient, our portions were generous, the food quality was excellent, and the prices are pretty reasonable for the location. If you have friends or family coming into town, Coast should be right near the top of your list when they invariably ask you to take them out for seafood.

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About Nemaline Myopathy and the Foundation (from Andre’s e-mail):

As many of you know our family started A Foundation Building Strength, a 501(c) (3), to raise awareness of this genetic disorder, which causes muscle weakness and early death in its most severe form. NM is such a rare disease that there are very limited resources available for funding treatment related research and supporting affected families. Recently, scientists have discovered mutations in 6 different genes as the primary cause of Nemaline Myopathy allowing efforts to be focused on making a positive impact upon those with the disorder. A Foundation Building Strength is actively supporting research grants targeted at the identification of treatments for NM. With contributions from last year’s event, we have already been able to fund our first research grant! We hope to reach such goals this year as well.

-Visit my personal page and the information on the foundation www.buildingstrength.org http://nemalinemyopathy.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=300462&supId=203584231

So, if you’ve got the cash I fully encourage all of you to consider attending this fantastic event. It’s being hosted at McCrady’s, so you know the food will be spot on.

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I came away from my only previous experience at Poogan’s Porch a little baffled by its popularity. The food wasn’t bad, but I felt like there were any number of other establishments offering a better product for equal or less money. The fact that Poogan’s is a regular stop on the local ghost tours doesn’t do anything to deter the perception that it’s just another tourist trap like Hyman’s and Jestine’s (although, I’ll admit that I have been thinking of giving the latter a second chance as well).

One possible reason to return: an obscenely good deal that’s almost impossible to resist. Such is currently the case at Poogan’s, where they are currently featuring a rollback to 1978 menu prices from Sunday-Thursday every week. Since that may be an abstract concept to some of us who were still a good eight years away from being born, it translates to entree prices in the $7-$10 range. Sounds good with economy the way it is, huh?

So, last week I decided to take advantage of the deal and see if things were different the second time around.

To start our meal, we opted for two Charleston favorites–she-crab soup ($3) and fried green tomatoes ($3). While Poogan’s F.G.T. certainly aren’t Earth-shatteringly unique, they are definitely pretty damn good. What makes this particular version so great is batter. Poogan’s F.G.T. are fried to absolute perfection–golden brown, crisp, and not too greasy. I’ve ordered this Southern staple at about a million restaurants in my lifetime, but Poogan’s variety is easily among my all-time favorites. The Cajun remoulade that accompanies the tomatoes was wonderful, but I enjoy them just as much by themselves.

The she-crab soup, while above average, is a bit heavy for my taste. The right flavors were all there, but after a few spoonfuls I could actually feel my BMI rising. I wish more local restaurants would make an attempt at poaching Chef Frank McMahon’s she-crab recipe over at Hank’s. McMahon’s version has the perfect consistency and just the right amount of sherry.

For my entree, I opted for the Pecan-crusted Fried Flounder ($9). Every halfway-decent restaurant excels at something, and after my first bite of flounder it became obvious that Poogan’s expertise is its staff’s unbelievable knack for frying things. The crust was crisp and crunchy without being too heavy. The subtle nutty flavor of the pecans also added a really nice base note. It was just really pleasant to bite into. Unfortunately, the second bite wasn’t quite as pleasant.

One of the reasons I was drawn to the dish was the mention of the honey-Dijon glaze. Now, let it be known that I’m a full blown mustard addict. At any one time, I have at least three different varieties in my refrigerator (most importantly a bottle of Bertman’s Ballpark Mustard–a Cleveland tradition–which I import from Ohio). Suffice it to say, I was expecting good things. When I excitedly dipped my next bite of flounder into the sauce and popped it into my mouth, however, I got a strange feeling that I’ve only previously had while eating sushi. It was that sinus clearing burning sensation that happens when you unexpectedly catch a chunk of wasabi with your chopsticks. Seriously, the sauce was just a little absurd. The Dijon completely overpowered the taste of the fish, crust, and may have possibly permanently melted a few of my taste buds. It wasn’t all bad though. After a few bites I managed to get a grip on the maximum amount of sauce I could use without smothering the other flavors. Once I got to this point and could taste a bit of the sweetness of the honey, it was smooth sailing.

My partner opted for the Pan Fried Porkchop ($8). Topped with sun-dried tomatoes and a country ham gravy, the porkchop was tender, juicy, and free of burning sensations. I wish the flavor of the sun-dried tomatoes would have come through a little more clearly, but, still, the gravy was tasty and it was a successful dish.

Overall, while Poogan’s Porch isn’t likely to blow anyone away, it’s certainly more serviceable than I remembered. If you have an opportunity to make it out before the current promotion is done, I would definitely recommend taking advantage of the opportunity. Apart from the items we ordered, there were several other intriguing (and incredibly priced) options. Shrimp & Grits, steak, and pork tenderloin could each be had for under $10. You can’t beat that. After the current promotion is over and prices return to normal, it’s your call as to whether Poogan’s is a worthy investment. If you do go, however, be sure to tip well, my roommate works there and we can always use the beer money.

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I’m happy to report, however, that I’On’s newest restaurant, Jacob’s Kitchen, is much more inviting than I would have ever expected (and no, they didn’t even attempt to turn my girlfriend into a cyborg). The restaurant is a part of the brand spanking new Inn at I’On, which features seven rooms with features like, “fireplaces, hi-def televisions, and jet soaking tubs…wireless Internet access, a full complimentary membership to the I’On Club,…and breakfast for two.” The girlfriend and I were thoroughly impressed; the rooms are certainly much nicer than most places we’ve stayed.

I know you didn’t come here for my thoughts on the rooms, so let’s get down to business. Jacob’s Kitchen is helmed by Executive Chef Jonathan Languell, whose name you may recognize from his days at Sal Parco’s popular Boulevard Diner. Languell describes the cuisine as “New South” which, not surprisingly, is all about modern interpretations of classic Southern dishes and flavors. The comfortable 60-seat dining room reminds me quite a bit of those found at Hominy Grill and Fat Hen with a slightly more modernized faux-country home feel. It also features several very cool paintings by local artist Nancy Valelly.

Starters:

The evening began with a really nice take on one of my favorite Southern side dishes, the hushpuppy. Jacob’s Kitchen’s version ($7) had the perfect, light interior texture, and were boosted in flavor by tiny pieces of shrimp and corn.

The Peach Spiked Crabcakes ($9) were the highlight of both my and my girlfriend’s evening. They were, as all crabcakes should be, filled almost entirely with crab meat. There is nothing more frustrating than excitedly ordering a crabcake, only to bite into it and come away with mostly breading. The subtle peach flavor provided a unique accent to a dish that I imagine will be one of their most popular appetizers, if the crowd’s reaction was any indication.

The BBQ Duck Spring Roll ($6.50), wasn’t bad, but it didn’t particularly impress me. In general, I wish people would just give up on BBQ duck. It may sound great in theory, but the flavor of the bird always seems to get lost in the mix.

Other intriguing starter items featured on the menu but not at the tasting include a drool-inducing Fried Green Tomato Tower with a cajun crawfish corn salad and roasted red pepper coulis ($7) and Southern Fried Quail over cheddar grit cakes, maple pecan brown butter, and caramelized Granny Smith apples ($10).

Entrees:

One of Jacob’s Kitchen’s most appealing features is the very reasonable pricing of their entrees. Ranging from an $11-$19 with most items settling in around $15, you’d be hard pressed to find most of these items for less than $20-25 downtown.

Braised in a double chocolate stout and served on a piece of cornbread and grilled asparagus spear, the Short Ribs ($15) were another high point. I’m a sucker for braised short ribs in general, but for a man who loves dark beer, this was a match made in heaven. The aroma of this dish was enough to make my mouth water.

The sampling included two dishes featuring everyone’s favorite pricey ground chuck replacement, Kobe beef–Jacob’s Kobe Beef Meatloaf ($13.50) and a Kobe Beef Burger ($11). The meatloaf was served as a “shooter” in a little glass with red eye gravy. I’ve never been a meatloaf lover, but I did enjoy Chef Languell’s version. The meat was juicy and full of flavor, pretty much everything you want from your meatloaf. Served in slider form and topped with creamy pimento cheese, the burger was tasty, if not a bit too well-done. I have to say, however, I feel the same way about these dishes that I do about BBQ duck. I think using Kobe in these types of dishes may be a bit of overkill. Sure, it looks fantastic on the menu, but it’s the culinary equivalent of going to the grocery store in a Rolls Royce. Meatloaf and hamburgers can be done perfectly well (and significantly cheaper) with regular fresh ground beef.

The Carolina Gold BBQ Pork Ribs ($15) were wonderfully tender and flavorful. The only downside was that I had such trouble resisting their call that I very nearly burned my mouth biting into one as soon as it was in front of me. When ordered off the menu they will be served “over a warm potato salad and southern corn cole slaw.” Mmmm.

Dishes I’m looking forward to trying in the future include the Roasted Stuffed Pork Tenderloin filled with pear and goat cheese and rolled in honey panko herb crumbs ($15.50) and Lowcountry Paella with mussels, shrimp, scallops, and fish for a crazy $15.50 price tag.

–

Overall, I think Jacob’s Kitchen (set to open February 17th) is going to do very well. The product is high quality, the prices are very reasonable, and the menu is simultaneously both familiar and fresh. It’s a little bit off the beaten path, but, in my opinion, well worth the trip.

Special thanks to Lawson Roberts for the invitation.

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Further belied by the establishment’s nondescript exterior is the romantic atmosphere which lies inside. The interior is comfortable and low lit. French accents adorn the walls and tables, including one three-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower. Our server (who was authentically French herself) was knowledgeable and polite; she had an answer for any question I had, without more than a moment’s thought.

Coco’s menu features traditional French dishes at prices that seem very reasonable if you’ve spent much time dining downtown. In my opinion, the 10-minute drive out to Mount Pleasant seems well worth the $4-5 you will save on each entree.

Though I was tempted to start my meal with the Moules Avec de la Biere Francaise ($8 - steamed mussels in andouille and Jenlain beer), it was impossible for me to resist the call of Langoustine Risotto de Crevette ($12 - shrimp and lobster risotto).

Coco’s risotto was expertly prepared. With textbook texture and the wonderful flavors of shrimp and lobster permeating through the rice, I can easily say that this was one of the best risottos I have come across.

My partner chose the Ris de Veau ($12 - chili-orange glazed veal sweetbreads), a dish that reminded me quite a bit of the General Tso’s style sweetbreads at McCrady’s. The sweet and subtle heat of the sauce excellently complimented the natural spice of the sweetbreads.

For my entree, I opted for the Bouillabaise ($20). Chock full of mussels, scallops, shrimp, and fish in a light saffron and tomato broth, a few bites will fulfill even the strongest seafood cravings. While I really enjoyed all the seafood, I do wish there would have been a bit more flavor in the broth. This may just be a matter of preference, but I prefer versions of bouillabaise that feature a somewhat stronger tomato flavor (like that at Hank’s Seafood down by the Market).

On my next visit to Coco’s (and I do plan to go back) I don’t think I’ll have any choice but to order the entree my partner chose, the jealousy inducing Navarin d’Agneau ($18 - lamb shank navarin). The unbelievably tender meat is accompanied by green beans, shallots, and mashed potatoes and served in a delicious tomato, herb, and white wine sauce. The dish was truly an event for the senses; not only did it look and taste amazing, but the aroma was more than enough to make every mouth water within a five-foot radius.

The profiteroles (cream puffs filled with sweet cream ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce) were a nice, but perhaps unecessary way to end the evening (I’m a restaurant critic, I’ve got to try a little of everything, right?). Coco’s other dessert options that evening were chocolate mousse, caramel cream, and a chocolate terrine. Though I didn’t sample any of those, I think it’s a safe assumption that you can’t go wrong.

All-in-all, while Coco’s has flown under my radar for quite a while, it has now firmly established itself as one of my go-to recommendations in Mount Pleasant. If you’re looking for a less crowded option for a romantic meal for two, head on over the bridge and seek out this diamond in the rough.

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I say “in search of” because, if it’s after sunset and you’ve never been to Amuse, you’d be well served to hire the nearest Indian guide. We literally drove by the restaurant three times before we noticed its unlit sign hidden in a nondescript shopping plaza next to a Dollar General. When we entered the restaurant around 8 p.m., we were surprised to discover that we were going to be–literally–the only people eating in the restaurant.

This was confusing. Even though finding Amuse was difficult for two people who had never been there, you would expect, given all of its accolades and the great deal currently being offered, that even on a slow night there would be at least a few regulars hanging around. But, hey, if you’re the only table in the restaurant, you’re at least guaranteed to get great service.

One of my favorite things about tapas restaurants is that they allow you try new foods you’ve been afraid to order because you don’t want to commit $18 dollars to something you’re not sure you’ll like. This is especially the case at Amuse these days, because with the 2004 rollback prices, almost everything on the menu is $5 (with $5 glasses of wine to match). On this night, we sampled five different items and our bill checked in at $25 before tax & tip.

Amuse’s menu is divided between cold and hot items. My favorite item from the cold side was the exceptional seviche with blood orange. Light and refreshing, the seviche combines fresh crab meat with the perfect balance of acidity from the citrus.

Olive lovers will appreciate the smoked prawns & tapanade. Well, at least they will enjoy the three or four bites that grace the plate. I know tapas is all about small plates, but even for $5 I expect more than two prawns on a spoonful of tapanade.

From the hot side, we both enjoyed the sangiovese risotto. Boldly flavored by Sangiovese wine, the risotto was rich, warm, creamy, and perfectly textured.

Confit leg of duck isn’t particularly unique, but for $5 it’s too much of a value to resist. Amuse’s duck confit certainly wasn’t the best confit I’ve ever had (S.N.O.B.’s holds that distinction), but the skin had that same wonderful crispness covering the tender, juicy meat. You won’t find this quality of product for price like this anywhere else in town.

One item that didn’t get over well was the baby octopus & kidney beans. I’ve never had baby octopus before, but after eating that dish I still don’t really feel like I have. You see, whatever flavor the octopus had was almost totally overwhelmed by the beans. It’s not even like the beans had a particularly appetizing flavor either. In fact, they kind of tasted like–excuse me while I lose all of my credibility as a food critic here–Slim Jims. The beans and octopus were served beside a nice, light balsamic vinegar which improved the flavor a bit, but not enough to save the dish.

Overall, while Amuse didn’t blow me away, it certainly should be doing better business than it seems like it is. If you’re looking for a quiet weeknight meal, Amuse offers quality food at a really nice value. I would especially recommend making the trip out to West Ashley while the current promotion is going on.

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