Where to eat in Charleston, part 2
There
are so many great restaurants in the low country, and the competition is
high. Restaurants have to reach
deep to be creative, and to serve meals that the public wants to eat, but that
are creative, different and yet familiar enough, and well done with fresh
ingredients. Most of the
well-known restaurants are downtown, but my all time favorite place to eat is
actually in North Charleston, on Ashley Phosphate. Nigel’s serves low country food in the soul food style with
the very familiar meat and three type foods, as well as shrimp and grits, fried
green tomatoes, and plenty of seafood choices. If you are feeling adventurous they offer more creative
meals like my favorite, the Low Country Ravioli. From the menu, this is the description of the meal; Low Country Ravioli…Grilled Chicken, Bacon, Collards
Greens, Black-eye Pea & Corn Relish & Cheese stuffed Ravioli tossed in
a Whiskey Cream Sauce for $11.95.
This is my all time favorite meal found in the entire state of South
Carolina, so far anyway.
Nigel
is the owner and chef, and in 2007 he won first place with his Oyster Stew in
an Oyster Recipe contest. He has
worked at several of the restaurants in town, and now has his own place,
creating and cooking with attention to detail.
Nigel’s
motto is Nigel’s good food, just what your soul needs. This is reflective of the menu, since
most of the recipes come from what would be called soul food. Soul food is defined on Nigel’s web
site as “a selection of foods traditionally in the cuisine of African
Americans.” The idea behind soul
food was good, cheap and easy to find ingredients that produced filling food
that lasted for a long day of hard work.
Soul food is traditional southern cooking full of collard greens, black
eye peas, pork, corn, lots of fat, and flavor. Soul food originates from slaves trying to create meals from
what was given to them, and what could be found. Many of the vegetables and cooking styles have origins in
Africa, with okra and rice playing an important role in the meals.
As
I mentioned the Low Country Ravioli is my favorite meal, but I also have tried
the Geechie chicken sandwich, fish and chips, and another favorite, shrimp and
grits. When I had the chicken
sandwich I asked the waiter what geechie was and he said it was a special
seasoning that gave a lot of flavor.
Geechie is another name sometimes used for the Gullah culture found in
SC, and so I assume the seasoning is something from this rich culture.
Every once in a while a rich southern meal is good for the
soul, although you can also get healthier choices in the restaurant, if you
wish. All I know is I love to eat
here, but after dinner I feel like I need to walk at least 10 miles. I could always save some of the food
for the next day, but somehow that never happens, it is just too good!
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