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@ belinskaya- you're getting a Wagamama in DC??? That is the best news I've heard all week!
My name is Missy, 29, and I live in Charleston, SC, but my dad live in Great Falls, VA and by husband went to school at GW so we go to DC a lot... which is why the Wagamama news is so amazing!
I started watching cooking shows, collecting cook books and reading food mags in college but only I seriously started cooking while unemployeed from '06-'07 and moved in my boyfriend (now husband). I cooked dinner every single week night that year and discovered that I was quite good at it and, even better, really loved everything about it. My motto is 'if you can read, you can cook' and I don't understand people that say they can't cook!
After cooking, the next best thing is going out to eat at all of the amazing places in Charleston!
LOVE S.E.!
xoxo

I detest the word supper. It conjures up images of gross casseroles and grayish limp green beans and jello molds. I have no idea why now that I think about it. Needless to say - I call it dinner.

Tuna salad made with sour cream, country style Dijon, Herbs de Provence, finely chopped string beans (because I'm out of celery and it's a great sub), s&p on toasted sour dough
2 clementines

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions! I'm leaning towards a baked pasta dish, as many of you suggested this... though I've always wanted to try Chicken Marbella from Silver Palate, I actually won that book during a contest on this site last year! I'm torn - it's gonna be a game time decision. Thanks again - great ideas!!

Don't worry if you don't like them, cheese is very personal! Just eat more of the ones you like :)

I have loved 99.9% of the cheese that I have tasted BUT:

The other night about 6 of us were out to dinner and we got the cheese plate to start. There was one cheese on that platter that, to me, tasted like cat urine (or at least how I would imagine cat urine to taste). I actually had to spit it out. Everyone else loved it. Go figure.

Malatesta Trattoria (Washington & Christopher) is wonderful. Great service, low prices and very cool atmosphere... when I lived in the city this was our goto for 'special' dinners that we didn't want to pay an arm and a leg for.

I will also second Otto.

Are you coming to my wedding? I'm getting married at the William Aiken House on April 26th, stop by for a drink if that's the weekend you're in town!

Anyway, okay the pressure is on! I have been living in Chas for 10 years now and we go out to dinner A LOT - so here are my recs:

Brunch:
Hominy Grill- Be prepared to wait, but it's worth it. You have to try The Big Ugly, trust me.
High Cotton- Great atmosphere, high end brunch.

Lunch:
Cru Cafe-This is also a fantastic dinner spot but so nice for lunch too, truly one of our favorites.
Gaulart & Maliclet Cafe (or as the locals call it 'Fast & French')- fantastic croque-monsieur, the seating is crowded/ community tables, but it's a unique atmosphere that I enjoy.
Jestine's Kitchen- this is kind of a tourist trap, but for a super southern lunch this would be my suggestion.

Dinner: (UGH, there are so many fabulous places not on this list, but here are my top 5)
FIG- my pick to experience local ingredients, this is my go to when I have out of towners visiting.
Fat Hen (John's Island)- this is kind of a hike, but so worth it. So good!
McCrady's- to my knowledge this is the only place in Chas that you can experience the molecular gastronomy trend... so if that's not your thing, be warned. The food is excellent but different that what your going to find in the more traditional places in Chas, I also think it's the most beautiful restaurant downtown.
Grill 225- best for steak
The Wreck- now, I haven't been here since college, but I'll go out on a limb and put it as my rec for bare bones, fresh & local seafood. It is not easy to find so make sure you have good directions from your hotel (or googlemap it before you go. This also serves as your warning to NOT go to Hyman's, enough said.

Hope you enjoy!

Microwave 'baked' Sweet Potato w/ low fat cottage cheese, salt and pepper. YUM.

Or just pasta w/ olive oil, fresh garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper and some parm... I have to have made this at least 1000 times.

I'm so glad this came up, I just got a full set of Cutco for Christmas from my future mother-in-law and they are amazing!

I had never really heard about them so I'm curious:

What what is the anti-Cutco argument?

Beef Short Ribs. Had them served in a Thai Red Curry sauce over jasmine rice. To die for.

Main difference: I like mashed potatoes, he likes rice. This drives me absolutely crazy. How could you prefer rice to mashed potatoes??? Boo.

He also doesn't eat dessert unless it involves the peanut butter chocolate combo, not that I don't enjoy pb&c, but I love all desserts.

He also will not eat any shellfish which makes me sad and frustrated seeing as we live at the beach.

I grew up in Thailand and I can not explain in words how excited I am for this, I've been reading about this for about 6 months now... now let's see how long it takes for them to get from NYC to Charleston, SC.
All I hope is that it doesn't become the "new" lychee...