Vegetarians split on Charleston

The big event was delayed a week because the wife had the stomach flu. They ate out Friday night and today I got his report.

"My wife loved Charleston," Vegetarian e-mailed me. "But sorry,  $370 (including tip) was ridiculous. And I didn't do the wine pairings (she did), which would've kicked it up over $400."

I asked if he'd frittered away one of his courses on the grilled cheese, as my husband once did to my eternal amusement.

"No grilled cheese, but we had a cheese course, only $28, a mere pittance," he wrote.

"Both: vodka gimlet

"Both: cauliflower, leek and potato soup

"Her: White Asparagus salad with quail egg (and probably some other stuff), Mushroom Tart (not on the menu)

"Me: chopped something salad (not memorable) and a polenta with vegetables that wasn't on the menu

"Both: cheese plate -- I don't remember which cheeses they selected -- I think it was 4 pieces; there was a cheddar, a goat cheese, a sheep's milk cheese, and a brie-looking cheese (it wasn't brie or camembert, though -- it was much better, I thought.)

"Both: chocolate & coffee napoleon with salted caramel ice cream

"Both: espresso

"Her comments: great wines, best ever vodka gimlet

"My comments: Incredibly small servings. Wonderful service. Grrrr . . . "

Vegetarian adds: "I also have this uneasy feeling that the food was great and I'm not just that much of a foodie to appreciate it.  . . .  nah."

A Charleston dining room. Sun photo by Lloyd Fox