Plant-Based Eating in Charleston
I just got back from an amazing trip to Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most picturesque, historic, flavorful cities in the U.S. Walking around in Charleston is liking strolling in a big, outdoor museum, thanks to the history, culture, and architecture on display. While I was completely enamored with the sights and sounds of this fabulous, American city, I was equally impressed with its plant-based food scene, which has encountered a major renaissance in recent years!
Our first night in town was celebrated at Edmond’s Oast—a cool, hip gastropub featuring locally made beers and farm-fresh, modern Southern food. This dish of charred okra in a tomato au jus is a perfect example of this culinary aesthetic, and it was the best okra dish ever!
I also enjoyed this amazing pear fennel salad in a white gazpacho with almonds. Divine and completely plant-based!
Peter and I stayed at the Elliott House Inn, which is a charming, Southern building on Queen street right smack in the middle of the historic downtown area, with a cozy courtyard for breakfast and nightly wine hour.
Rainbow Row, Charleston
We went on a two hour historic walking tour through Charleston, which took us by the famous Rainbow Row—a row of brightly colored old homes, which have been restored to the original color of pigment that these homes were painted in originally. The historic district maintains extremely tight control on the restoration and preservation of Charleston’s most fabulous homes.
Window Boxes of Charleston
I fell in love with all of the beautiful window boxes on the many homes in the historic district.
Garden of Plenty, Charleston
Charleston’s unique climate—mild, and moist—makes it suitable for stunning gardens, trees, and ferns—even sprouting off the old, rustic walls!
I couldn’t wait to dig into these fried green tomatoes with peach preserves served at Poogan’s Porch, an old Southern home turned in to a popular, acclaimed restaurant. They were so delicious!
Here we are, enjoying a long lunch after our historic walking tour. By the way, Poogan’s Porch is named after the dog who once lived here, and now has a tombstone in the front garden! The service was phenomenal, and the atmosphere so comforting.
We had dinner at The Grocery, another highly acclaimed restaurant focusing on farm-fresh ingredients. I asked for a veg plate, and this is the fabulous assortment that I received. Starting from top clockwise, okra with fennel, grilled squash, roasted cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and eggplant. Yum!
The restaurant maintains a chalkboard of farm fresh ingredients featured in the day’s menu.
The high point of my trip was stopping in at Husk, Sean Brock’s award-winning restaurant, which was located right next to our hotel! (I could see Husk through our bathroom window!). This fabulous restaurant, situated in an old historic home, has had a lot to do with the new interpretation of Southern food. The food is all about local traditions with a modern twist, and place. Every food ingredient comes from an artisanal producer or small farm, which is listed on a chalkboard in the dining room.
The interior is warm and comforting at Husk, and our service was just as friendly. I informed my server that I wanted a plant-based meal (of which there were many options on the menu) and he suggested that I let the chef just go for it. I did, and this is what I got: one of the best plant-based meals of my life—served in a warm, rustic cast iron skillet! Clockwise from top: savory mushrooms, roasted tiny Brussels sprouts, tomato puree, black eyed peas and Carolina gold rice, heirloom sweet beets, and fresh beans.
So, the Charleston farmers market is on Saturdays in Marion Square—a local central park that is the focal point of activities in town. Of course, I had to experience this! It was so charming and lovely! Look at the display for these colorful peppers!
These local, Southern Muscadine grapes were everywhere! They looked like spun gold! They had thick skins and big seeds, but they were so sweet!
Check out this beautiful heirloom ginger! I would love to try to grow this at home.
I picked up some of this Charleston Gold Rice, a famous food crop here throughout history. The slaves were brought from West Africa to cultivate this very grain.
Tomatoes were everywhere at the farmers market, in every color, size and flavor.
Plant-friendly Dining, Charleston
As I was walking on King Street, the hip, cool, happening street with shops, pubs, and restaurants, I saw a few veg-friendly restaurants and signs, such as this one.
I also bought some of these grits to bring back home—they are quite trendy here and are called out by name on restaurant menus. The sign of a locally produced, high quality grit product.
Obstinate Daughter, Sullivan’s Island
We went to the nearby Sullivan’s Island to walk along the Atlantic shore and have lunch at this celebrated restaurant, Obstinate Daughter. It’s all nautical, bleached wood, and charm in this place, which serves approachable, fresh foods. I loved this beet salad, which had beet microgreens, pistachios, and horseradish.
Obstinate Daughter, Sullivan’s Island
For my second course, I had this completely plant-based farro with Brussel sprouts and young leeks. It was fabulous!
Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina
Here we are, walking along the shore in this beautiful location.
All in all, we had a fabulous time in Charleston, and I found it very easy to eat seasonal, locally produced, plant-friendly meals that were fabulous!