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Comment Archives
Re: “Gearing up for a sober summer on Folly Beach”
Was at Folly Beach a week ago enjoying the food and beverages at FBSC (which is under new management and could use another name) and I can tell you that for all the drinking that is not being done on the beach, patrons of area restaurants are taking up the slack. Everywhere you looked people were crowding into local establishments and even the Crosby's Seafood Friday night "dinner on the dock" had over 100 dinners enjoyed the open air ambiance of eating seafood beside the very fishing boats that caught it while watching a beautiful sunset over the marsh. (Have to wonder if their business license really allows that, but what the heck, sure looks like fun to me.) I am sure the beach ban will hurt a few businesses but overall it would appear to be a good thing. Now if they can just ban noisy motorcycles..
Re: “Tough Titties: Lowry Beall stares down breast cancer”
Lowry!
I've thought of you often, and miss your fun quirkiness. Best of luck in all your future endeavors!!! <3
Re: “Charleston County considering a switch to paper ballots”
There is no reason that the electronic voting machines could not be programmed to create a printed copy of the ballot submitted, which then could be verified by the voter and dropped into a sealed box. If there were any questions about the electronic results, the printed ballots, all of which should be readable since they were printed by the machine, could be counted by hand. I think all election jurisdictions need to make this a requirement for the vendors of the electronic machines.
Re: “Charleston County considering a switch to paper ballots”
I've seen scanned paper ballots used in Florida, where they gave up on the touch screen machines after some very questionable election. People marked them in simple, card board table top booths, so time wasn't a huge issue. Then they were scanned. Valid votes got tabulated and dropped into a safe at the bottom of the scanner. Ones with problems like casting two votes for one office were kicked back and the voter got to try again with a new paper ballot. Whatever happened, all the hand marked ballots were locked up and safe for recount. Our touch screen machines aren't secure and can't be verified. There is absolutely no way to know what voters were ever cast on these machines in any reliable way. That realization is creeping through the SC political system despite the hostility of elected officials and both political parties. Republicans win on these machines, so they're OK with them. Democrats are afraid if people understand what is really going on that they'll stop bothering to vote. Increasing numbers of people don't bother to vote. South Carolina keeps them because we're cheap and because doubt in the mind of voters reduces turnout in disfavored groups.
Re: “Charleston County considering a switch to paper ballots”
There are no good voting methods. Let's not do it anymore.
Re: “Burbage’s sale in the works”
What else is he going to be smoking...? Sorry, too easy...
Re: “City Council considers requiring bar security to patrol sidewalks, parking lots”
Joel... you wrote, "I am highly college educated." I think you have just made Foodmancing's point for them. Well said sir!
Re: “Mr. Sanford goes (back) to Washington”
Colbert Busch was supported by the unions that wanted to kill Boeing in the Charleston area. That alone should be enough to see that she didn't have the best interests of Charleston in mind. The district is largely conservative, especially in the fiscal sense and, all of his other faults not withstanding, that is the way that Sanford has always voted. ECB was evasive and vague about her positions so voters had to extrapolate her beliefs based on her supporters and donors such as the union support mentioned above. She had a very orchestrated campaign that largely only went to 'safe' situations. Like/agree with him or not, Sanford campaigned everywhere he could. Also, a bunch of her supporters were obviously not very informed as they thought they should be able to vote for her even though they did not live in her district. As for gerrymandering, it happens in every state, red or blue, and is done to benefit the party that was in power at the time redistricting happens. That is how I have the joy of being stuck in Jim Clyburn's district, arguably one of the worst Congressmen ever.
Re: “Craftsmen Kitchen and Tap House”
I finally made it into the peninsula to visit Craftsmen Kitchen, after a couple month wait for opening day. When you first walk in the door, you can tell there was a lot of money invested into design and decor. I really enjoyed the ambiance with the focus around a beautiful series of bars. There was plenty of space inside, and also an outdoor area with 4 large picnic tables.
The menu was very basic. One side had appetizers and smaller dishes. The other side featured more entree-like options. The waitress also gave us a large tap/bottled drink menu. My first thought, after glancing at the drink menu, was that it contained a lot of confusion. They tried to split things up by flavor profile, but didn't really get it right. There was a section for hoppy/IPA type beers, a section for local brews, a section for malt forward beers, and one other that I can't remember. The IPA/Hoppy section was fine, and featured many great brews. I am not sure there was a reason to separate the locals from the style based menu, as we didn't know exactly what flavor profile fit some of the local brews. The malty beer section was a complete cluster. There were pale ales (Hoppy), belgians, browns, and stouts all mixed in there. Those styles do not all fit the same flavor profile. I would have preferred them to not worry about style and just list all beers by brewery, or perhaps take time to separate by more than a couple flavor profiles. I didn't take time to check if most of the beers listed on the menu were actually on tap, but I didn't have any issues with my orders. The beer selection, while numerous, was not really impressive for a craft beer bar. It seemed like the had the normal basic offerings from many breweries, without carrying many seasonals or limited releases. I found it difficult to pick out a beer I really wanted to drink, but I am probably pickier than most patrons. I did like the option to have 8oz or 16oz pours, but I am not 100% sure the tumblers they use actually hold 16oz. The prices were a touch high, but that could be par for the course when you are a block from the market. The beers were served in clean glassware and seemed to be about the right temperature. My only suggestion there would be to use proper glassware for the style, but that is really asking for a lot.
Once we had a few drinks, we decided to order a few food items. We wanted to try two appetizers and a couple sandwiches. We ordered the Scotch Eggs (hard to find in the low country) and General Tso's Chicken Wings. The wings were really tasty, and they nailed the sauce. It was a nice mix of sweet and spice, and went well with the base crispy wings. The scotch eggs were not exactly what I am used to, but still very good. You only get one large egg, cut in half, so take note if you are sharing with a few people. My main course was the burger, which is made with house ground beef and some added pork belly in the mix. Pork belly makes for some delicious burgers, but also prevents you from getting a rare or medium-rare burger. It took quite a while to receive my burger, but we were in a large party. The burger comes with some thick cut fried potato rounds, but you only get 4 of these. If you are really hungry, it is better that you order more than just the burger. I did enjoy the seasoning on the burger, and would eat it again. I do wish there was more of a side with this. The other dish we got was the crispy pork belly sandwich. Basically, this is a piece of fried pork belly, between two pieces of toast, with a fried runny egg on top. I am not sure why the egg goes on top, as it makes the dish excessively messy. The belly was a touch overcooked, but the whole sandwich was still pretty good. This also cam with the small side of fried potato rounds.
Overall, I think this is a place worth checking out if you like craft beer. They are still very new and will probably be working on things like tap offerings and food. I think my expectations were a bit too high, due to years of drinking craft beer. I will likely return to see if they fall into a groove with food and beer selection. I wish them luck and much success. I am still happy to see another craft-centric bar in downtown Charleston, which covers a growing market of better beer drinkers.
Re: “Charleston County considering a switch to paper ballots”
If you saw what happens to paper ballots (now absentee and provisional), you wouldn't want them. First, the Board of Elections throws out batches of them for minor flaws (I remember a case in which an elderly couple voted, and the wife witnessed both ballots. Hers was thrown out.) Then they are run through an old optical scanner which tears up at least one in 10 of them. Each damaged ballot is given to two election workers who painstakingly transfer the votes on it to a clean ballot, which is run through the machine (and perhaps torn up again).
Re: “Mr. Sanford goes (back) to Washington”
This district -- and all of the state -- was very carefully gerrymandered in 2011. This time, the GOP not only took out most Black folks, but also most Democrats -- for instance, Clyburn's district now includes the west side of the peninsula all the way down to Broad, because it's College of Charleston territory. There's not much that can be done about that. And your post says it -- "a rare vote to a Democrat." Colbert Busch was a strong conservative Democrat and a businesswoman. What is your definition of "stronger candidate"?
Re: “Clean energy activists to join Saturday for "Hands Across the Sand"”
"will stand along their coastlines in solidarity".......rotflmbo!
Re: “Columbia’s art community gives Charleston a run for its money”
wow. I am like a year getting back to these responses. I see a lot of people promoting their own interests and groups in these postings. In order - really bad photo to use.
Dance omission - absolutely correct.
Palmetto Opera - not a major player.
I've been to all these things in G-ville and know the city and its arts community well. G-ville open studios has been a huge success in ways that the one in Columbia could only hope to be. I do not know what museum in G-ville shows artwork going back to 2000 BC. And you forgot the BJUniv. Art Museum and Pendleton St. arts area.
Re: “Late Night law would force bar owners to create powerless police force, endanger lives”
The little tyrant is loving his last days. He finally has a toady for a police chief without the guts to tell him this is an idiotic idea. City Council is simply a rubber stamp for this sort of Bloombergism.
Re: “Burbage’s sale in the works”
One of the great things about this transition is that Al is going continue to smoke the pork... and more.
Re: “Burbage’s sale in the works”
This is great news. David understands what the Burbage's have done for this neighborhood and he wants to ensure that neighborhood feel continues. I hope he can smoke pork half as well as Al!
Re: “Gearing up for a sober summer on Folly Beach”
I don't see how you can call this propaganda, Chris. It's really nothing more than an update on where the ban-opposition movement stands, with some colorful language to make it an interesting read. My inclusion of LaJuan was reason enough to stick to a straight-forward approach that doesn't waver to either side. I respect her and her stance throughout this process. I think you've read it with strong bias. And of course, you're right - if they don't get the signatures they need, it's a dead issue. If they do, the story explains the process of what will happen. Simple as that. Finally, you'd be surprised how many people who do not live on Folly aren't exactly sure what the status of the ban is. I have to tell people all the time, especially now that it's beach weather, that 'yes, drinking is illegal now.' So the piece was also a reader service to reinforce that the ban is indeed in place.
Re: “Charleston Bakery”
Web site advertising, sign on door, and telephone message says hours are 7 AM to 9 PM Tues thru Sun. We drove 20 miles from West Ashley on Fri evening but they were closed at 7 PM. Thought we would try again Sun but call 1st to understand hours. No phone answer but message still says open 7 AM to 9 PM. Finally called emergency number and find they closed at 3 PM. This is needlessly confusing and troublesome to potential customers not yet familiar that wants to try. We won't try again.
Re: “Gearing up for a sober summer on Folly Beach”
No doubt, the beer pour into Coke cans
is rampant, not that I have ever done that. No way.
No sir.
- Charleston County considering a switch to paper ballots13 comments
- Mark Sanford rises from the dead6 comments
- Lowcountry Boy Scout reps to vote no on gay inclusion4 comments
- Three distilleries pledge to raise spirits with more local booze8 comments
- What kind of Spoletian are you?2 comments
- Rezoning the Sergeant Jasper apartment building will have a big effect on what replaces it5 comments
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Oak Steakhouse
This is one of my favorite downtown restaurants. I have tried every appetizer and always… -brewengineer
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Craftsmen Kitchen and Tap House
I finally made it into the peninsula to visit Craftsmen Kitchen, after a couple month… -brewengineer
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Charleston Bakery
Web site advertising, sign on door, and telephone message says hours are 7 AM to… -Jim McKelvey
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Chopsticks House
This is truly the tastiest Chinese food in recent memory. After 10 years living near… -drval
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Phuong Restaurant
Yes! -Paul Cheney
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Rezoning the Sergeant Jasper apartment building will have a big effect on what replaces it
Up or Out?
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Three distilleries pledge to raise spirits with more local booze
Ginning Up
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Water, beer, and coffee make the world go ’round
Hydration Station
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City Paper's overview critic Jeffrey Day has some insights into the 2013 festival
And is a sucker for puppets
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Mark Sanford rises from the dead
Rep. Lazarus
Re: “The Agenda: Johns Island TIF nixed, Capt. Sam's Spit to be reheard, SC-1 home stretch”
Vic Rawl votes to complete I526, as Joe commanded, then City Planners scuttle Vic's plan to build on his John's Island property, then Joe tosses the planning commissions unanimous nay vote so Vic can build and make his fortune.
A sterling example of 'you scratch mine I'll scratch yours' - - political pay-off. Boss Hog politics is/are alive and well here in Charleston. What! No Sled investigation - - - yet ?