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Comment Archives: Locations: Restaurants: Gourmet Groceries
Re: “Laura Alberts Tasteful Options”
finally made it to Laura Albert's for lunch. Food was awesome! I got the seared tuna sandwich. nice, thick cut of tuna, seared wonderfully, piled high with fresh tomato. side of asian slaw which i did feel was missing a little something but couldn't place it. also, this was a little expensive for a place i could come on the regular (good thing it was a work lunch), $13 for the sandwich, but def worth it!
Re: “Avondale Wine and Cheese”
I so enjoyed the Wine and Cheese Tasting at Avondale Wine and Cheese Shop. So unique. What a treat. They knew how to mix the cheese and wine.
Hope to go back next visit.
Re: “The Square Onion”
I haven't been to the square onion in years - and for no particular reason other than I'm not usually nearby at lunchtime. But it was always delicious and the first summer they opened I was adicted to their Caprese Sandwiches. Heavens knows how many of them I ate in those 3 months. Anyway, with the recent weather having been hotter than the hinges on the back door of hell, I thought a cold summer sandwich would be just the thing. So, I stroll into the Square Onion with my mouth already watering. Then, I notice the daily special, and I ordered that instead. It was the most delicious heirloom tomato sandwich! There were juicy and flavorful bright yellow heirloom tomatoes layered with softened goat cheese, fresh basil, really good quality olive oil, and balsamic vineger. All of this lovliness was inside a perfect roll -- soft and chewy on the inside, crusty and lightly toasted on the outside. I had planned on eating 1/2 today and saving the other for tomorrow, yet I found myself stuffing my face until the entire sandwich was gone. I am now sitting back in my office chair, groaning, and wondering how I'm going to face a full afternoon of work. By the way, the side I chose today was edamame salad. It was solidly good, light - yet filling, and so much healthier than usual side choices that accompany sandwiches. So, 5 Stars to the Square Onion!!! I'll be back next week!!
Re: “Laura Alberts Tasteful Options”
I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch at Laura Alberts. Not too long ago, I met my girlfriends for a glass of wine. They have quite a selection, but what I enjoyed was the relaxed atmosphere and ambiance. I will be back for their Wednesday dinner! The menu looks fabulous.
Re: “Caviar & Bananas”
I like C&B very much. I liked it the moment I stepped foot through the door. They offer prepared/packaged food and drinks I can't find elsewhere. Prices may be higher than your standard market or cafe but consider one thing. One being the "gourmet" aspect. One may pay higher prices for higher quality or rare ingredients. And, it's a price I'm willing to pay because I like it so much!
My personal favorite things is their house made hummus, orzo and lentil salad, and a mocha frappe with a dash of cinnamon! I've yet to try their brunch . . . maybe tomorrow.
To ddiey: The owners' number one priority is customer service. They want their staff polite, knowledgable, and genuine. I highly doubt anyone working there (least of all in their charcuterie section) would make a guest wait 30 minutes for anything! Period. I, however, can imagine "no cashier available" but I chalk that up to you most likely not being a frequenter of C&B . . . and not knowing how the layout works. When in doubt, pay at the espresso bar! I only hope you gave your feedback to a manager and didn't rely soley on the internet. Dearest ddiey, I hope you give C&B another shot. :)
My only complaint is no wine or beer on Sundays.
And to anyone reading this articale and/or the comments, when in doubt, pay at the espresso bar!
Re: “Caviar & Bananas”
LOVE Caviar & Bananas!!! I have eaten breakfast, lunch, and dinner there (sometimes all in one day)... Everything is made fresh in-house, staff is friendly & helpful, they have a great and reasonably priced wine selection, and the variety is great for a group of friends/family. It's such a convenient place and they also deliver (free downtown which is rare)! The prices reflect the quality, but if you don't care about that, just go to a chain place to eat. C&B is a must if you live in Charleston or just visiting.
Re: “Caviar & Bananas”
Way too overpriced!!!
I can appreciate what they are trying to do... emulate a certain New York establishment but they have too much going on and not enough influence on the basics. A half hour to get a sandwich made, no cashier available and a premium price tag. Go down to Bull Street to get a better sandwich with no frills.
Re: “Et Cetera Gourmet”
My wife and I have been on countless dates, but when we choose Et Cetera, it was a simply wonderful experience. I have had many tapas being from Spain, but Chef John's tapas were so full of flavor we loved every bite. My wife and I can't stop talking about it. Both servers were friendly and charming and helped us with our selections of wine and food. Simply the best place to be at when you want to reconnect with a loved one and sample great food and wine.
Re: “Laura Alberts Tasteful Options”
I went for growler hour yesterday and it was a little overwhelming. The was no order. I sat outside, ordered a beer, waited about 20 mins, it never came. Got up, and went to get my growler filled. They filled it, I brought it home and realized that it was only filled 3/4 of the way up! I was kinda disapointed after i just spent $17 for a growler fill and only got about $10 worth of beer. The idea is great, just way to disorganized. Not sure if I would ever go back...
Re: “Laura Alberts Tasteful Options”
Growler hour rules. Tell 'em Ham sent ya!
Re: “Et Cetera Gourmet”
I stumbled across this little store in my musings on the island. What a great find! It happened to be late afternoon, just before they started serving a tapas dinner menu. So, my friend and I were invited to sip a glass of wine while they finished preparations. What a great idea! We each had a glass of wine while perusing the great groceries that lined the shelves. The chef told us that some of the grocery items are highlighted on the tapas courses and we shared "foodie" stories. The tapas was delightful; fitting pricing, true tapas style portions, (we shared a total of five items) and although we were full, couldn't resist the french pressed coffees and cannoli! What afun little find! I will be travelling back to the store for more of the treats that I couldn't sample in one visit! Great service, friendly staff, overall fantastic offerings at the small little happenstance (for me) shop!
Re: “Caviar & Bananas”
I just have a problem paying as much for an iced tea as I do for food.....it may be good, but WAY overpriced!
Re: “Caviar & Bananas”
Favorite place to run and grab lunch. My roommates and I can never agree on where to go, but there are so many options that no of us are ever disappointed at Caviar and Banana's. There are also so many services- wine tastings, sushi-making lessons, delivery, validated parking, and you can even swing by the store and they will hand your order to you while you remain in your car.
Re: “Caviar & Bananas”
Favorite place to run and grab lunch. There are so many options that no one will be disappointed.
Re: “The Olive Oil Shop”
If you're into processed, flavored oils, then this is your place. If you're looking for cold pressed, unfiltered traditional oils, then you'll be disappointed. But I guess like most of the stores on King Street, they cater to the tourists. I've been able to find traditional oils (filtered) just as good in local grocery stores (not Whole Foods or Earth Fare). Oils are like wine, its really a personal preference.
Re: “The Olive Oil Shop”
Great products! I love their store and the service is great! Def. a must see while shopping on King! Try the 18 year old and the Black Truffle Oil!
Re: “In Good Taste”
Don't worry, we're still here!
Re: “In Good Taste”
Alas, closed before I could try them.
Re: “Laura Alberts Tasteful Options”
They serve up some truly tasty stuff at lunch time here. Great salad like the Daniel Island which you can add perfectly grilled seafood to. Or the yummy pasta with shrimp and scallops or crabcake openfaced sandwich. Also great sweet tea and chicken salad on croissant for old school perfection. Interesting drafts and wines as well.Can't imagine brunch could be a disappointment buthaven't tried it yet. Only disappoints were average tuna and shrimp and grits.
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Re: “Caviar & Bananas”
I eat here for lunch at least 2-3 times a month, but it was a recent stop for brunch that brought out the 5 star rating... incredibly good sides and sandwiches available then.
For lunch, you can't miss on their sushi specials, a caprese sandwich (best in charleston!), or the spanish antipasto board...
My one critique is that they over-truffle everything. I like truffles, but both the truffled mac and cheese and the twice baked potato are overpoweringly strong in a bad way.
Regarding the 'overpriced' comments... they have a drink selection that does seem a bit overkill ($3+ teas are common), but I think the quality of the food easily exceeds it's price points...