The Triple Perfecta

For my second anniversary, my husband and I went on a memorable trip to Charleston, SC. Only being 3 hours from Wilmington, it's not a far trip, but for some reason we don't make it down there enough. On Saturday night we went to the Penninsula Grille located in the Planter's Inn. Now, Charleston is known for it's wonderful cuisine and quaint restaurants, but this one really exceeded them all. It is a little on the expensive side, but we decided if we're going to eat a good meal we might as well go big. Here's how the evening of fine dining (and drinking) played out:

We had a drink in the Champagne and Oyster Bar while we waited for our table. I had a glass of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, a phenomenal champagne that I happen to have just read about, and it lived up to expectation. This started the evening off on a high note, I must say. My husband had Maker's Mark on the rocks, which is nothing new, but keeps him happy.

After being seated, we ordered the first course, consisting of three types of lobster (ravioli, tempura and plain, all in a lobster bisque) and a corn and lobster chowder. Holy perfect appetizer, batman. I could have stopped there and never eaten again, having gone out on a high note, but more was to come.

Next, of course, came the entrees. Mine was a perfectly prepared portion of grouper on a bed of succotash that had a little lobster thrown in for good measure. My husband had a NY Strip with crumbled blue cheese and a balsamic reduction. There was not a morsel left on his plate. I don't mean he just ate it all, I mean, there was no fat to be cut off...that's a steak. Just to emphasize the amazingness of this steak- I am a vegetarian and I had a big 'ol bite. All of this enjoyed with a full-bodied cabernet for Hubs and a light Pinot Noir for me.


The third dish rounding out our "triple perfecta" was dessert. The Penninsula Grille is known for their Coconut Cake, so begrugingly, we ordered a slice. Since I was also on my own triple perfecta for the evening, but for drinks, I ordered a chocolate martini. Sipping that with layer upon layer of toasted coconut cake was a great way to end the meal. Sadly, we actually high fived at the table, much to the proper Southern patron's dismay.

There is actually a "fact sheet" on the Penninsula Grille Coconut Cake. http://www.peninsulagrill.com/pdf/CoconutCakes.pdf

To summarize, go to Penninsula Grille. It's wonderful and you'll feel like an adult eating there-even if you lose yourself and high five at the end.