NICO's on Shem Creek

NICO Oysters & Seafood, Mt. Pleasant, SC     

I've had many a good meal prepared by Chef Nico when he was at Fish Restaurant. Now he has opened his own restaurant on Shem Creek called NICO's Oyster & Seafood Restaurant. This evening was a celebration and the restaurant was packed with friends wishing him well and celebrating the opening.

Check out the details and menu here: NICO.

The parking lot was packed but my understanding is that free valet parking will be a regular option. Congrats Nico and team!

Bastille Day Charleston - 2016

Fish Restaurant, Charleston, SC   

It was shocking to be sitting in a room with so many French people as we heard of the 

awful and deadly attack in Nice yesterday. We were celebrating Bastille Day festivities at Fish Restaurant with Chef Nico Romo as they have done for years and I was with my favorite 

Frenchman Andre' Guillet as he learned the news on his cell phone. Perhaps it was the best place to be to be reminded that these terrible terrorist acts aren't just happening to strangers far away 

but to real people and touching friends and loved ones. I am thinking of France today. 

Bastille Day at Fish Restaurant

Bastille Day at Fish Restaurant, Charleston, S.C.

Bastille Day at Fish Restaurant - I think it is a bigger affair each year. This year the costumed crowd gathered at Marion Square and marched up King St. and it seems more and more people were wearing costumes. The only suitable costume I have is Joan of Arc and the chain mail is simply too heavy to enjoy wearing for dinner. I shrink a quarter inch each time I wear it.

Keegan Filion Farm Barn Raiser

Chef Nico Romo with Annie from Keegan Filion Farms at Lowndes Grove Fundraiser

The folks at Keegan-Filion Farms in Walterboro had a recent fire that burned one of their old barns. Besides losing the barn, built in the 1930’s by Annie’s grandfather, also lost in the fire were over 100 birds, turkey and hog feed, and numerous farm tools.

Patrick Properties Hospitality Group coordinated a fundraising event that was held this afternoon on the grounds of Lowndes Grove Plantation with the goal of raising $20,000. Chefs from the lowcountry's best restaurants donated their food and services. It was great to see everyone working together to raise the funds needed to rebuild the barn.Thanks to all the coordinators and volunteers who pulled off this great event. It's nice to live in a town where people take care of each other.

Lowndes Grove Plantation

Jimi Hatt with Ruby and Harper. Or maybe, Harper and Ruby

 

Chef Nico at the James Beard House

James Beard House, NYC

The primary reason for my trip to NYC was to attend Chef Nico Romo's, dinner at the James Beard House last night. How could I resist an opportunity like that?

It was cold and dark out last night and just a small sign let us know we were at the right brownstone. Chef Nico looked relaxed and I was happily impressed to learn how many of the guests had traveled from Charleston to support him.



There is a little entry area and then we all walked a narrow path past a tiny open kitchen area. The walls were lined with maps of the world and cooking accessories were hanging everywhere. Nico and his team of three had driven their truck filled with food and had arrived the night before.

Dec. 14, 7:00 P.M. French with an Asian Twist
South Carolina’s only Maitre Cuisinier de France (and one of the world’s youngest), Lyon native Nico Romo brings his je ne sais quoi and Asian accents to the sophisticated French cooking at Fish. A hot spot on Charleston’s restaurant scene, Fish is also known for its fine wines, which will accompany this Beard House debut.

The dinner had sold out promptly and all 85 guests squeezed into a tiny reception room at the back of the house. I sneaked upstairs early to check out the layout but didn't stay long since Nico's appetizers are one of my favorites things and I especially liked the tiny servings of curried crab soup.



Amazingly they did find a seat for everyone in the two rooms on the second floor. The building still looks much like a home with portraits of James Beard hanging over the mantles. Two thirds of our table was already filled with sparkling glasses for the wine pairings.



Escargot dumplings (yum), bouillabaisse, red porgy, duck a l'orange, beef bourguinon and pan seared petite fillet, goat yogurt cake and banana creme brulee....it was a wonderful evening and I feel so lucky to be included. Chef Nico and his team earned a standing ovation and we were sent home with little gift boxes filled with treats.

There was an official James Beard photographer who was very welcoming and I didn't feel responsible for the official food plate shots so I could get the happy crowd pictures. I will upload more to this album but meanwhile I need to get to bed. Apparently there is this thing called 'work" that has to be dealt with in the morning.