Shafergirl and I are headed to Charleston SC tomorrow for some much needed R & R. We will be in Charleston for 5 days and Savannah GA for 2 days. No computer so I'll have to catch up here when I get back.

Have a great trip. It's one of our favorite cities. Where are you staying and where are you dining?

In Charleston we are staying at the Market Pavilion Hotel- a small new hotel in the Market and historic area. We are dining at the Charleston Grill, McCrady's, Magnolia's and the Peninsula Grill. In Savannah we are staying at a Bed and Breakfast inn named the Foley Inn. We are eating at Elizabeth on 37th and the Sapphire Grill.

What a great trip. The Charleston Grill is in the Charleston Place Hotel where we stayed, also near the market. By the way, there is a French restaurant caddy corner from the Charleston Place that's worth a visit. Magnolia's is top notch, as is Elizabeth on 37th in Savannah. If you have the time, The Crab Shack at Chimney Creek, on the way to Tybee Island, is worth a visit. I hope you'll write this trip up when you return.

We loved Charleston when we visited there a couple years ago. Such charm and character. It's nothing fancy, but if you're in the mood for seafood, Hyman's is a must.

In Charleston:

We stayed @ The Market Pavilion Hotel-newest hotel in Historic/Market District. A very nice 60 unit hotel with excellent service and great location. We walked to all restaurants.

1.Charleston Grille: SG92
Heirloom Yellow Tomato Gazpacho w/Carolina Goat Cheese, Cucumbers and Cilantro
Coastal Carolina White Shrimp and Lobster Bisque
Charleston Grill Frogmore Stew: Fresh Shrimp, Homemade Andouille Sausage, Crabmeat and Corn Simmered in a Shellfish Broth
Roasted Veal Tenderloin over Sawmill Gravy tossed with Portobellas and Haricot Vert in a Blue Oyster Mushroom and Cognac Jus

2.McCrady's: SG93
Chef's Tasting Menu-
Amuse Bouche
Peekytoe Crab Salad-Granny Smith Apple, Micro Greens, Tapioca Pearls, Vanilla Essence
Potato Soup-Duck Confit Ravioli, Truffle Oil
Butter Poached Lobster-Salsify-Apple Puree, Asparagus, Wax Beans, Chive Oil
Spice Grilled Tuna-Parsnip Puree, French Beans, Baby Turnips, Brown Butter Sauce
Herb Marinated Rack of Lamb-Roast Potatoes, Cippolini Onions, Asparagus, Thyme Jus
Creme Brulee
Chocolate Molten Cake
Fig Pastry w/ Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

3.Fulton Five:("Most Romantic Restaurant in Charleston")-SG90
Steamed Mussels in a Lemon, Dill and Sambuca Broth
Crab, Spicy Italian Sausage and Sweet Corn Risotto
Caper Encrusted Blue Fin Tuna over Pancetta and Sweet Pea Risotto w/ a Roasted Tomato and Vodka Tomato Sauce
Broiled Veal Chop w/ Sauteed Spinich, Asiago Scalloped Purple Potatoes Finished in a White Truffle Butter Sauce

4.Peninsula Grill: SG91
Sampling of Soups:Creamy Tomato Bisque, Chilled Asparagus and Lobster & Corn Chowder
Venison Chops w/ Spinich
Angus NY Strip w/ a Blue Cheese-Balsamic Glaze and Vidalia Mashed Potatoes

In Savannah GA:

We stayed at The Foley Inn-a terrific Bed & Breakfast Inn in the Historic District

1.Sapphire Grill: SG88
Sapphire Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes & Ultra Bowtie Greens in a Caper Coral Aioli & Lobster Oil
Red Snapper w/ Veal Cheeks
Colorado Free Roam Rrack of Lamb w/ Potato Au Gratin

2. Elizabeth on 37th:SG95 (20000 bottle wine cellar)
Southern Fried Grits w/ Spiced Shrimp, Country Ham and Red Eye Gravy
Local Blue Crab Cake w/ Creamed Corn topped with a Tomato-Chive Butter Sauce
Honey and Ginger Roasted Pork Tenderloin w/ Maytag Blue Cheese Cream, Cabbage and Apples
Pepper Crusted Beef Tenderloin w/ Madeira Cream Sauce, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Fall Vegetables

Cork Fees that I checked on:
McCrady's-$25
Peninsula Grill-$20
Tristan-$25
High Cotton-$20
Fulton Five-$15
Sapphire Grill-$15
Old Pink House-$10

Sapphire Grill was the only place that we took wine.

Thanks for the notes, SG. I printed it out.