Places to Go, Things to Eat

Maggie Books
October 17 2007

Instead of doing a formal review like my previous entries, I’ve decided to pile three casual reviews into one article. Over the past couple weeks I’ve experienced Jestine’s Kitchen, the Taste of Charleston at Boone Hall, and El Bohio, a low key Cuban joint on James Island.

The Taste of Charleston was a successful event this year despite the early rains and the blazing heat. Fine dining restaurants like Boathouse, Social, 82 Queen, and S.N.O.B brought their select wine and classic southern dishes to wow the crowd. Walking around I saw lots of shrimp and veggies, crab cakes, and barbeque and if the south had a smell, it would smell like seafood and barbeque. Other restaurants like The Loop Pizza Grill and Zeus had their own flavor to offer and the festivities kept the crowd excited and in the mood to have a good time. The waiter wine races and the cooking demos were part of the scheduled events and the audience was eating the demos as soon as they were out of the pans. It was a great time and I actually won a prize in one of the raffles!

Going along with the Southern theme, I went to Jestine’s Kitchen for some traditional fried chicken and sweet tea. My roommate, who just graduated from C of C, is no stranger to the student-friendly prices and swears by the mac and cheese. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I know it wasn’t a one room restaurant with about fifteen tables. The walls are covered with news articles starring the iconic Southern restaurant with sources varying from Oprah’s magazine to Southern Living. I grew up on touristy island so I know how locals can brand a place as a “tourist trap,” however, there’s no harm is risking local status for one night to partake in some famous Southern cuisine. Jestine’s is a satisfyingly good choice. The mac and cheese is delicious and while the fried chicken wasn’t the best I’ve had, it passes the test for being finger lickin’ good. If you’re looking for a place to get a slice of dessert, Jestine’s is an option. They have a list of cream pies, ice cream, and one coca cola cake that sounds oddly interesting but tastes like heaven on a plate and is sure to give you a sugar buzz while walking the downtown streets. Either go early or later because the place fills up and an hour wait might not be totally worth it.

El Bohio doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it serves fantastic Cuban food. I get the turkey Cuban sandwich with tostones (fried plantains) and will stand to order it several more times. My sister loves the rice and beans appetizer, which is plenty for a meal and is surprisingly tasty. The service isn’t the fastest in the world, but that just allows for good conversation while you sip on a Mojito or from a selection of their choice beers. What’s best is that there is plenty of food for the price. This is one of my top picks for a dinner under $15. If you go, and you should go several times, try the sweet plantains and get the tostones with your meal, the rice and beans appetizer, and the chicken empanada.

I’ve had a good couple of culinary weeks and can’t wait to go someplace new!

Jestine’s Kitchen
251 Meeting Street
(corner of Wentworth & Meeting)
(843) 722-7224

El Bohio
1977 Maybank Highway
James Island
(843) 571-4343