What are you grateful for?

Marion Square, Charleston, SC   

What are you grateful for? That was the question answered on the decorations on one of the trees at Marion Square. Note: I did NOT add that second one ;)

The square is a winter wonderland at this time of year with colored lights in the palm trees. We walked King St. and enjoyed the bright lights and holiday decorations and had a delicious dinner at Fish Restaurant. A perfect way to end a busy day at Christmas.

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. 

Happy Bastille Day!

Bastille Day festivities at Fish Restaurant, Charleston, SC 

On July 14, 1789, a bunch of French men and women fed up with the aristocracy stormed the Bastille, freeing political prisoners and the like and ultimately starting the French Revolution. Over two hundred years later foodies around the world celebrate the day with French food and fanfare. Local restaurants are joining in the fun with Bastille day-themed menus and events.

And Fish Restaurant does it best! Marie Antoinette, Napoleon, Trout al la Provençale, can can dancers and more! It was fun. Thanks for the treat Andre, Chef Nico Romo and Fish Restaurant!

The Storming of the Bastille

Bastille Day celebration, Charleston, S.C.

In this case it is the Storming of Fish Restaurant for Chef Nico Romo's celebration of Bastille Day which grows bigger and bigger each year. They had can-can dancers, sang the French National anthem and had a costume contest. I didn't wear my only French costume - Joan of Arc. The chain mail is simply too hot for July in Charleston. 

Thanks to Chef Nico Romo for a delicious dinner and my friend Andre who insists on being the host for this annual event! What a treat.

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.

Soda Bottle Cap Art Mural

Bottle Cap Art, Fish Restaurant, Charleston, S.C.

I've always loved this mural made out of colored soda bottle tops that is on the wall in the dining room of Fish Restaurant. Isn't it amazing? Last night I was seated across from it so I made one of the other guests stand up and pose with the image. Wow. She was so beautiful! Thanks Nina :).

Bastille Day festivities - Fish Restaurant

Fish Restaurant, King St., Charleston, S.C.

When a best friend is French, Bastille Day festivities take on a high priority! This is the second year I've gone to Fish Restaurant and they get more creative each time - goats, dancers, even a mini guillotine for french fries. Most of the activity was in the bar area with the can can dancers but we enjoyed the fixed price dinner in the dining room entertained by strolling musicians. Fun evening. Thanks Andre'!

Mixology Magician!

Evan Powell, Fish Restaurant, Charleston, S.C.

I like it when something good is billed as the "first annual"!

This evening I went to what was called a Mixology Dinner at Fish Restaurant. Mixologist Evan Powell mixed the drinks and chef Nico Romo whipped up tasty treats to go along with them. The dinner was served in the upstairs room of the restaurant. I can't even guess all the ingredients that were in these drinks but I especially liked what Evan called the Rising Sun (described as being made with Aperol, Yuzu Marmalade, Brut sparking, and preserved orange slice) and his award winning winning Black Thai lemonade.

It was a lovely evening, good food, good drink and delightful company at our table. Thanks folks!

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.

Fish Restaurant's 10th Anniversary

Fish Restaurant, King St., Charleston, S.C.

Uhoh, my date didn't read the invitation to me and I thought we were simply going to take advantage of Fish Restaurant's tenth anniversary prix fixe deal of $25 for three courses. Turns out we were invited for the special invitation only party upstairs with the big kids. Woo hoo!

Check out the cake, fashioned after the restaurant. Neato!

I start my day early and am starving by the time I get home so I dug into the tasty appetizers they laid out. Sorry folks! We ended up at the bar downstairs making a meal out of the tomato and mozzarella, pork and artichoke hearts. Yummers. Delicious indeed. We didn't even bother ordering dinner.

Congratulations to Fish Restaurant and chef Nico Romo, owners and staff! Happy tenth anniversary! The special celebration deal goes on through Saturday so you still have a chance. Enjoy!