Single Guy’s Kitchen

I recently enjoyed a wonderful trip to Charleston, SC and wanted to share my experience at 82 Queen. The girlfriend and I decided to have supper there on the Friday evening we were in town and things could not have been more pleasant. I cannot recommend 82 Queen enough if you are ever in Charleston.

82 Queen is located at 82 Queen St just north of Broad St. between King and Meeting in the heart of downtown Charleston. If you are staying in the historic district then it is an easy walk from most all of the hotels and you can enjoy the excellent shopping along King St. I don’t know what the parking situation is if you had to drive in but there are numerous parking garages in the downtown area.

We had reservations for 8:00 but arrived at about 7:20 to have a drink at the bar before supper. The bar was nice and very classic with dark wood and solid, heavy glassware. The gin and tonic was standard but in a healthy sized glass, something you don’t normally see. It was a nice atmosphere and a great way to start the evening.

The arrangement of 82 Queen is rather unique. A large part of the seating is actually in an outdoor patio that is contained within the building but there are several distinct rooms available for dining as well. This creates a different experience based on seating and allows the restaurant to serve large groups in a relatively private environment. The entrance itself is a little alley rather than a typical front door adding to the historic and time tested feel of the restaurant.

We sat on the patio since the weather had made for such a beautiful evening. Our little table was largely secluded as were most of the tables (the picture on the left does not do it justice). It created an intimate environment with a strong sense of privacy. Despite being able to see other patrons, their conversations were inaudible. We felt like the only ones there besides the wait staff but it was a very comfortable feeling rather than the awkward empty sensation when you enter a deserted restaurant.

We did actually get around to eating and what a meal it was. I feel a little embarrassed actually. I so enjoyed what was on my plate that I can scarcely remember what my date even ordered! We started with a shared crab cake. They claim to make their crab cakes with 95% crab meat and I believe it. There was no breading on the outside either which made for a lighter, more delicate crab cake. The crab cakes I had in the Chesapeake area in Maryland/Virginia were heavily breaded and fried. Maryland may be known for its crab cakes but I enjoy the lighter, more crab focused cakes such as these.

After the crab cake, I had a cup of She-Crab soup. She-Crab soup is a Charleston specialty and something my family enjoys to no end. My Dad would probably even count himself as a connoisseur. He’s even been known to discuss the pro’s and con’s a bowl of She-Crab with the chef, adding his own recommendations for how to improve it. Dad would have felt right at home here. The soup was served with a side of sherry so the sweetness could be adjusted to the suit the individual. Mine did not need any additional sherry (I did try a few bites with an extra dash or two for fun though). The She-Crab was very rich and creamy as expected but with more bite and a little more texture than the typical super smooth soup. I probably could have eaten a whole bowl rather than a cup.

My main course was a special, a fried pork chop with collard greens and mashed potatoes. I added a side of grits since I couldn’t leave Charleston without enjoying at least a little of the heavy but delicious low country grits. The crab cake and the she-crab were impossible to top but I throughly enjoyed my supper. The pork chop was perfectly fried, a crisp coating on the outside and plenty juicy on the inside. The collards were excellent without a hint of bitterness and the potatoes had a unique flavor that matched the sauce on the pork chop well. The grits were the real star of the sides though. I could definitely taste the fact that they were made with cream. One cannot eat a very large portions of grits like this (they are so filling!) but they are well worth any discomfort felt later from eating too many. If you don’t believe grits can be decadent then you need to visit Charleston.

Of course we had dessert too. It did not matter how full I was, I had to try the peach praline cobbler with cinnamon ice cream. And yes, it was even better than it sounds. I was disappointed that I didn’t buy a praline while walking on Market St early that day but this more than satisfied me. I was a little surprised by the choice of cinnamon rather than a traditional vanilla but the extra spice tied everything together and really made it a complete dish rather just cobbler and ice cream. My date enjoyed the chocolate ganache cheesecake. I only remember that because I ended up eating half of it as is usually the case when we order dessert.

On a wine note, we enjoyed a bottle of chianti with the entire meal. It might not have been best pairing for the low country fare but it had a nice flavor and we enjoyed it with the meal as well as on its own. This is another reason I recommend walking to the restaurant. A drink before the meal plus a full bottle of wine between the two of us left neither of us able to legally operate a motor vehicle.

The service was great too. Our waiter, Chris, was attentive without being obtrusive, as a waiter should be. He attended to our needs, made light conversation where appropriate, and made sure we enjoyed every aspect of the experience.

Our meal was not cheap. It could vary greatly based on the wine selection (or lack thereof) but we were celebrating several things so I had already planned to splurge a little. I would happily do it again to repeat such a perfect experience. I do believe if I lived in Charleston my wallet would give out long before my appetite.

(Images from http://www.82queen.com)