We staked out this table on our first morning and ever after considered it ours. We humans can be feistily territorial...especially when it is hot, humid, and there is a well-placed fan nearby.
On Monday, our driver told us this was the former slave market...on Wednesday, our tour guide told us it was the former meat market. Whichever it might have been, it is now home to a Confederate Museum on the top floor, but only when the Confederate flag is flying. The lower level provides an entry to the several blocks long historical Marketplace.
The Marketplace is a fun shopping area. The Charleston specialty is sea-grass baskets and they are as lovely as they are pricy. By the third day, we had become sea-grass basket conoisseurs, separating the great from the good from the so-so. Many of the Marketplace vendors change from day to day, so it's worth a daily stroll to see what's new.
We tried a different restaurant each day for our late lunch. Considering we lingered over breakfast until 10-ish, lunch needed to be late. But not too late, as most of the restaurants close for the afternoon, re-opening around 5:00 p.m. On our first day we went in search of the recommended "Slightly North of Broad", abbreviated to SNOB, which we finally found after a most circuitous hike from hell. This was a great place with exposed brick decor, and a most well-priced lunch special. I do think this was my favorite restaurant of all we tried.
This is another recommended restaurant--"Poogan's Porch"--in which we were given a 90 minute wait time for arriving at 8:30 p.m. on our first night (Monday) in Charleston; from which we were summarily dismissed for arriving too late for lunch on Tuesday; but finally, on Thursday, allowed into the inner sanctum for Shrimp and Grits. They're a tough bunch...I'd recommend reservations and promptness.
This is Poogan, for whom "Poogan's Porch" was named. Apparently, Poogan lived in this house, but when his owners moved--leaving him behind--Poogan spent the rest of his relatively short life hanging out on the porch awaiting their 'not-gonna-happen' return. It's not a good story.
Each afternoon after sight-seeing a little, shopping a little, enjoying a great lunch, and wandering a bit more, we hurry back to the Meeting Street Inn as it's time for the daily late afternoon complementary wine and cheese hour on the courtyard...and we have a table with our name on it.
Charleston was a super treat for both of us. Thanks, Mary!
No comments:
Post a Comment