Recently my wife Linda and I traveled to Kiawah Island
Resort. This world class resort has been rated 5 stars by the
Forbes Travel Guide. From San Francisco, we flew to Charlotte and then took a
short flight to Charleston, South Carolina. From this charming Southern town,
it is an easy 1 hour drive to this opulent Oceanside resort.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a very proud and
attentive staff with a " I love my job attitude” that provided you with
fresh water and cool towels. The warm ocean breeze was also very refreshing
after a long day of air travel from San Francisco.
This 5 Star hotel offers well appointed rooms on the
ocean, world class spa, bicycles to pretend you are 12 years old again and a
rich Golf history with 5 great courses. There are also larger villas for
family reunions or business functions.
We had an ocean front room complete with spectacular
views from our balcony. After getting settled in our stunning room, we
took the shuttle to the Atlantic Room at the famous Ocean golf course. It is
around a 15 minute heavenly ride winding thru beautiful scenery and deer
grazing along the way. The sunset also made for an elegant backdrop to the
Ocean Club restaurant that also has an awesome selection of golf apparel at the
Golf shop located next to famous Ryder Cup Room voted in the top 10 of 19th
holes in the world.
Chef Nick Torno and Sous Chef Stephanie Wampole prepared
us a feast at this restaurant that specializes in seafood. There are many other
food restaurants from sushi, barbecue and steaks to satisfy any foodie
appetite.
We had an oceanfront table and were pampered by our
knowledgeable and professional waiter Brett.
We began our dinner with a flute of champagne and the
famous “crispy shrimp” with sweet chili sauce on a bed of Napa cabbage seasoned
with Yuzu and black sesame. We now understand why this is their specialty as we
both said “it was simply the best.”
We then ordered a bottle of Pahlmeyer Cabernet Sauvignon
that was decadent, delicate and delightful.
This foodie frenzy continued with 2 types of Mac and
Cheese. Lobster Mac and Cheese with béchamel, lobster Demi and herbs and
truffle Mac and cheese that were both equally great. Our server Brett suggested
to mix them together which made them even greater.
Next was Oysters on the half shell with cocktail sauce,
mignonette, mango hot sauce and lemon were fresh and very soothing to the
soul.
Chef Stephanie highly recommended the “She Crab Soup”
with North Carolina Crab, Sherry and Crab Roe that was rich, smooth and
seasoned to perfection. Her recommendation did not disappoint and was better
than fantastic.
For the entree, Linda ordered fresh grouper with creamed
corn, sweet potatoes, Country Ham-Crab-Radicchio Salad and Cranberry Agro Dolce
that was fresh and fantastic. I ordered the scallops with Farro, melted leeks,
pea purée, tomatoes and radish that was presented picture perfect and tasted
even better.
We concluded this great dinner with an assortment of
sugar delights crafted by pastry chef Shannon Yelmoni. We enjoyed the spiced pumpkin
macaroon with roasted apples, pecan crumbles and vanilla ice cream. Next we had
the maple cold brew affogato with nutmeg biscotti, cocoa tuile, and carmel
waffle chips.
The highlight and grand finally was the Honey Cheesecake.
Fresh figs, buckwheat oat crumb and blackberry thyme reduction made for a great
ending.
We began our next day with a stroll on the beach followed
with lunch at the famous Ryder Cup Bar before we played golf at the world
renown “Ocean” Course.
Before 12pm, it is a walking only course with
required caddies. After 12, you can take a cart and mandatory forecaddie.
We chose to take a cart and played with another fun couple from Florida
celebrating a birthday. There are multiple tee choices for every skill level
and the ladies found their tees to be fair and friendly.
The Ocean course has a rich Golf history. In 1991, this
Pete Dye designed gem, hosted the Ryder Cup and was billed as the “War On The
Shore”. The United States edged Europe for a 1 Point Ryder Cup victory when
Bernard Langer missed a 6 foot putt on the 18th hole. The Senior PGA
Championship was held in 2007 and the PGA Championship in 2012 and scheduled
again in 2021.
Golf Digest rated this course as the number 3 public
course in America and the toughest resort course. The winds rival courses in
Ireland and require as many as 8 clubs more. We had an unusual “no wind”day and
enjoyed the ocean views on many of the holes.
After golf, we enjoyed a sunset dinner on Osprey Point at
the Cherrywood BBQ and Ale House. We met sous Chef Toya who was beaming with
joy after just winning the “Mac Off” for the 4th year in a row. 40 Charleston
restaurants compete for this coveted award. Cherrywood was
crowned both the critics' choice and people’s choice
Champion.
We began our dinner with this 4 cheese Mac and understand
why they won as it was fantastic. We enjoyed a Napa Kendall
Jackson bottle of Pinot Noir with the USDA Prime brisket,
guadillo peppered rub, smoked overnight with fresh made cole slaw.
It was the “best” we ever had eaten.
We finished this barbecue feast with a cool slice of
freshly made key lime pie.
In conclusion, Kiawah Island Sanctuary Hotel is a
Sensational Southern Refuge that is a “must do” for your bucket list.
After breakfast on the deck of Jasmine’s Porch Restaurant
overlooking the Atlantic, we had a driver pick us up to continue our Southern
Sojourn to the nearby town of Charleston.
In Charleston, we stayed at The Restoration Hotel
centrally located to shopping and restaurants in this charming,
historical Southern town. Assistant Manager Emre Scarlata worked in San
Francisco for 6 years and runs a first class show with a happy staff of
employees with pleasing smiles proud to be working at this modern Charleston
hotel. Richard, the concierge, was very helpful with information, directions
and making reservations for us.
The hotel offers a nightly happy hour, spa treatments and
heated pool with great views.
Richard also helped us rent a very fun carriage ride with
an informative guide taking us to many places around the city. It only takes an
hour and well worth the time to get an extensive education on Charleston’s rich
history.
The enchanting mule drawn carriage ride is like being in
a “live movie” seeing the multi colored homes on famous Rainbow Row, massive
churches, and Southern Mansions including the one where the movie “Notebook”
was filmed.
In the evening, we were invited to a 4 course wine
tasting dinner at the Watch Restaurant on top of the hotel with stunning views
of the city. Before dinner, we enjoyed a warm evening, southern
sunset, live music and drinks overlooking Charleston. The Watch also has
other nightly activities to enjoy such as Monday Burgers and Wednesday Yoga.
The wine dinner was hosted by a young Southern California
winemaker from Santa Barbara Gavin Chanin that featured his Chardonnay and
Pinot Noir wines that were very enjoyable. All of the guests at the sold
out dinner enjoyed an evening of wine, food and lively conversation hosted by
this impressive young winemaker working hard to make his mark in the
competitive wine world.
Our final day in Charleston began with a breakfast that
was served in our spacious suite with a private balcony overlooking the vibrant
downtown area. The College Of Charleston is located near the hotel and adds to
the youthful “Red Bull” feeling of this high energy city.
We then enjoyed a “King Street” shopping experience with
many name brand and local stores as well as the city market which features
local merchants selling their hand made goods. Jewelry, silk scarves, handmade
baskets, African soap, honey tasting, and lemon cookies were just a few of the
items for sale. The lemon cookies have been produced since 1927 and provided us
with a euphoric and sensational, southern sugar buzz.
For lunch we went to the highly rated S.N.O. B.
Restaurant (Slightly North Of Broad St.) featuring low country cuisine and
outstanding service in a casual upscale atmosphere.
Linda ordered the grilled salmon salad with arugula,
couscous, feta cheese, toasted pine nuts, dried fruit, and lemon shallot
vinaigrette that was over the top. I had the lunch express with butternut
squash soup, pecan crumbles, local crème fraiche with the entree of the day
roasted half chicken. It was served with warm bread, salad, roasted pumpkin,
radish, cranberries, candied pumpkin seeds and Russian kale that was succulent
and sensational.
For dessert, we shared banana crème pie with caramelized
banana and rum caramel that soothed our souls.
Our farewell to Charleston dinner was held at the
Charleston Grille per the recommendation of Emre Scarlata. This charming gem is
where world class jazz music is paired with mouth watering cuisine and
spectacular service.
Linda ordered the seared fois gras with crepes, blackberry preserves, and port reduction that brought a big smile to her face. We also split an order of Brussels sprouts with bacon-peanut vinaigrette that were heavenly. I ordered the Charleston Grill Crab Cake with Creek Shrimp and Lime Tomato Dill Vinaigrette that was also amazing.
For dessert, we split the crème brulee prepared to
perfection. We concluded our meal was a shot of “ice cold” Rumple Minze 100
proof peppermint schnapps. “One shot of Rumple Minze is fun and 2 your are
done.”
At the end of the day, Charleston is a charming city
filled with kind Southern hospitality, food and fun. It is a definite
“must do” to add your bucket list.
For more information and to make reservations go to:
Http://www.therestorationhotel.com
