Things I miss about living downtown....

Caviar & Bananas, George St., Charleston, S.C.

Gourmet grocery stores! Delicious treats where you can have a table for one and get a great meal and a glass of wine on a walk. Oh yum. This shot was taken at Caviar & Bananas. No worries. I left with a Duck Confit sandwich for a picnic.

Stop the press: I just noticed there are a few more days for their 5 for 5 Menu that goes through May.

Bali Coconut & Lime Sea Salt

Salt Bar, Caviar & Bananas,  George St., Charleston, S.C.

I walked up King St. this morning and detoured to pick up one of the scrumptious duck confit sandwiches at Caviar & Bananas on George St.  Wandering while waiting for my sandwich and trying not to notice if they had their giant coconut macaroons on hand (they did. I didn't get one. sniff), I noticed this display of salt. Yep. Artisan salt. Is that the new thing or am I slow?  I remembered reading about a salt related event and found this on the Post & Courier site:

Pass The Salt II

Thursday, Aug 2 6:30p at Caviar & Bananas, Charleston, SC

The evening will begin with specialty drinks and passed hors d'oeuvres for the cocktail hour followed by a hands-on salt tasting and an elegant family style dinner. Insightful, educational and delicious this is an interactive culinary adventure you will not want to miss.
Executive Chef Todd Mazurek will select salts from among Caviar & Bananas salt bar's 16 artisan salts to enhance the flavors from the bounty of fresh vegetables, seafood and fruits of the Lowcountry while Sarah Graham, author of The Local Palate's recent article "Salt" will introduce you to the art of choosing and using Artisanal Finishing Salts to enhance your everyday eating experiences. read more

I finished my walk through the Charleston Farmers Market and had to grab this funny shot from the Banana Tree booth. I love people who take the trouble simply to get a smile. :)

A Walk Interrupted

Two Boroughs Larder, Coming St., Charleston, S.C.

I open my door starving every day. No matter what time I get home from work, I walk in sniffing around the kitchen for food. Driving home aware of tasty leftovers in the refrigerator is a treat. Normally I make a quick and easy meal, crash for a break and then head out walking. Unfortunately time slips by if I let myself relax after a chaotic work day and I'm often perking up and going out for my walk quite late.

As it gets dark earlier I've been trying to make myself do my walk as soon as I get home but it isn't so easy walking on empty now that gourmet grocery stores are popping up all over the peninsula. Caviar & Bananas on George St., Two Boroughs Larder around the corner on Coming St., Bull St. Gourmet down King,  Ted's Butcher Block on East Bay. They are all on my regular walking route and self discipline is required to resist the magnetic pull as I march by their doors. Pork belly, fresh hot soup, salad caprese, roasted vegetables, duck confit sandwiches, giant coconut macaroons drizzled with chocolate. Even more dangerous these are places I can enjoy solo with something to read and on occasion get a glass of wine with dinner.

Aren't I supposed to get home from a walk weighing less than when I left? What is a hungry girl to do?

Dinner for one

Caviar & Bananas, Charleston, S.C.

Long walk in the rain and dinner for one. I love the three salad option at Caviar & Bananas on George St. Yum. Hello my sweet weekend.

Caviar & Bananas & Me, Oh My!

Caviar & Bananas, George St., Charleston, S.C.

Duck confit sandwich to go please! Oh yum. I am a little late to the Caviar & Bananas game but quickly making up for it. I'm a picnic gal and this is the perfect spot to pick up gourmet sandwiches to go. Duck confit, salmon, three salad sampler and.....oh, that GIANT coconut macaroon.

Danger, danger. I didn't know they delivered until I checked out the web site to set up the link.

The George St. location is handily at the end of my usual evening walk-about close to home but they have also opened a branch in the new Market building. Go get 'em kids!