McCrady’s of Charleston
For my birthday (2006), spent in Charleston, South Carolina, I dined at McCrady’s Restaurant. It had won many awards, and I selected it among many contenders for the special meal. The bit that amused me was the extraordinary menu, and after having dined there, the service was excellent, too.
I enjoyed three courses. I started with their peekytoe crab and lobster salad, which was accented with watermelon, avocado, and a citrus sauce. It was a very unusual combination of flavors that was both refreshing and fulfilling. Quality seafood does not need a lot of “saucing” to taste good, and this one concentrated attention on the texture of watermelon, and the richness of the seafood. Excellent.
For my entrée, I had the tenderloin of beef prepared sous vide with exotic japanese mushrooms. I had never enjoyed a meat prepared this way before, and was anxious to see what it tasted like.
The flavor of the beef was incredibly rich for filet. It was very soft, and had a buttery texture. The combination of fungus and carmelized onion on the plate only added to the depth of the experience. This was a dish comparable to those I had at Daniel in NYC.
For dessert, cake would have been appropriate. Instead, I tried something I have never had the guts to before, I ordered the cheese plate. I always figure a chocolate something would be better than cheese. But this plate was paired with a Sauternes wine which was a fitting match, and the ending of my meal with cheese instead of sugar was enjoyable.
Other diners enjoyed a Duo of Eden Natural Pork served with grits. Another ordered the duck entrée with unsatisfactory results—they reported the duck was a bit “tough.” Other diners seemed to enjoy all the rest, however, that came from McCrady’s kitchen.
An inventive menu, very nice presentation, and excellent service made for a memorable birthday dinner, but moreover, and impressed fan of good cuisine. I very warmly recommend McCrady’s for your dinner in Charleston.
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