Saturday a group of girlfriends came to town from Columbia and invited me to dinner. They had made reservations at, where else? Fish. I had been looking forward to trying the new winter menu so I gladly accepted the invite. We shared a lot of small plates like calamari and dim sum, but I ordered the golden trout with potato, zucchini and butternut squash quiche as my entrée and a cheese plate to share. Both were exactly what I wanted. The brown butter almondine sauce on the trout was fantastically sweet and went well with the quiche, too.  The cheese plate was a big hit with the all of the girls as it was passed around the table.

On Sunday Patrick Properties hosted an oyster roast and BBQ at Lowndes Grove for the employees. It was nice to see everyone out of the office, relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. The highlights for me were definitely the fresh local oysters and susnet views. I”ll leave you with these photos that sum up a Lowcountry Oyster Roast at its finest.

Dear Ashley,

I want to express how much we enjoyed our stay at Lowndes Grove, but it goes beyond the sentimentality of staying at the place we were married.  Patrick Properties went above and beyond to make our Anniversary/homecoming a truly special time.  Stephanie was so helpful, from suggesting activities to making reservations.  She was always available yet never intrusive.  The staff at Fish Restaurant were excellent; we were treated so well.  And the food – amazing! … We will certainly dine at Fish on our next visit to Charleston, and look forward to the next time we have opportunity to interact with Patrick Properties.

From Lowndes Grove on the banks of the Ashley River to Fish in the heart of downtown, hospitality is the thread that ties our versatile venues together. We’re in it for the memories that are created at our properties, so thanks to those that let us be a part of their special moments.

In other news, Fish is officially serving the new Winter Menu! Hurrah! Additions to note include an open face croque madame (one of my all time favorite sandwiches) with duck confit. Doesn’t that sound divine? Also new to the menu, the roasted golden trout with potato, zucchini and butternut squash quiche is supposed to be the most (to say the least). I have yet to try these new dishes, so I’ve planned to go to Fish on Tuesday and order the croque madame as an appetizer and the trout for my entrée and then use my girlish charm to convince my date to order the Mercy of the Chef menu so I can try that, too. So many intriguing new dishes, so little room in my stomach. Mental note: must skip lunch on Tuesday in preparation. I’ll let you know how it goes, or come try for yourself this weekend. Call 843.722.3474 for reservations.

Also make sure to check out the BMW motorcycles next door at SieMatic. Managing partner Randall Goldman had a hand in bringing both modern and classic style BMW displays to the store. Patrick Properties Events knows good style! We’ll also be at the Cannon Elliot Lounge at 45 John Street, so make sure to grab some info for your upcoming event. Holidays are just around the corner…

See you tonight!

Jimi, Nico, Jodie & Randall get guerilla

Had a blast at The American Theater last night for the latest and greatest version of what I think of as the “traveling Charleston dinner party” AKA Guerilla Cuisine.

Our own Nico Romo was the featured chef, and he and the entire Fish put together an innovative, delicious 6 course dinner that absolutely astounded everyone. Bold flavors, flawless execution and utter fun and creativity in choices.

We had the supreme pleasure of being guests this time around, and I can tell you that it was an honor to be there. Not just to eat wonderful food but to have great conversations, have the opportunity to peruse and purchase fantastic local art: metal work by Chad Haselden and t-shirts and posters by John Pundt.  And, talk to the artists themselves.

These fantastic evenings are put together by Jimi Hatt (who you  may have seen drop trou’ at The American Theater at a past Pecha Kucha Night.) It’s his passion and hard work that brings an ever changing group of people together to hunker down and thoroughly enjoy themselves over fantastic local food, art and music.

Thanks to everyone for such an incredible evening. Check out the pics!

The marquee is ready!

The couple "casually" strolls down King Street

Bruce drops to his knees with a ring to pop the question!

Zelda says YES!

No words needed.

PP staff & neighbors congratulate the happy couple.

Hi, we're Bruce and Zelda. We're engaged!

Should you be out and about this evening, our favorite chanteuse Elise Testone is back in the house at Fish. In case you hadn’t heard, she opened for Snoop Dogg last week. Yes. Really! Stop by, have a delicious Happy Hour cocktail and ask Elise to regale with you tour bus tales! (Nothing scandalous, people. This is a family blog.)

In fun and interesting marketing news, I must borrow from Maggie at MightyGirl. As you know, we here at Team PP get to be on the inside of tons of lovely weddings. We also get the pleasure of seeing quite a bit of fantastic photography. But, what I have personally NOT seen is a wedding video quite like this. I say: do away with all other forms of wedding video and simply choose a fantastic song. (You can’t really go wrong with Freddie Mercury, can you?)

Now, before I head out, I do promise to write a post from the Buckeye state. It may even be deep-fried, you never can tell. Until then, keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars. (Please comment if you know from whence that quote springs.)

Check out our photosand videos as well as a great piece by The Digitel. Wonderful to see local producers like Rita Bachmann out and about enjoying the day and meeting the folks who appreciate the fruits (and veggies) of her labor!

LLF Chef's Potluck at Middleton Place

In other news, we’re very excited to announce our Spring/Summer Specials for our super luxe accommodations at Lowndes Grove and The William Aiken House. If you’re thinking of a vacation or my favorite, a staycation, there’s really nothing quite like we offer in our fair city. All you need to do is decide if you’d rather be in a secret hideaway just steps from the Upper King Design District or waterfront for a spectacular Ashley River sunset. These are good problems to have, people. I’d share our rates, but I’ve been told that you must inquire for specifics. Email us at info@patpropevents.com or simply call 843.853.1810 and say, “Spring/Summer Specials, please!”  P.S. Um, perfect Mother’s Day gift!

Charron Henry, Chef de Cuisine

One of the best things about Fish is the team of people who make the magic happen every night, and Chef de Cuisine Charron Henry is, quite simply, one of my favorite people.

Whenever I see Charron, I feel good. He’s one of those people who makes you feel safe and happy and like everything is going to be alright. He smiles easily, but you can tell he’s also incredibly serious about what he does. He’s very passionate about his work, but he’s quiet about it. He’s diligent, driven, hardworking and according to Manager Evan Powell, Charron has “the finest palate of anyone I’ve ever known. He can taste something and identify all of its ingredients and flavors.”

Before we reopened Fish, I got the opportunity to taste test the moo shu lunch concept. I remember tasting the pho noodle soup and feeling the rush of flavors. The broth was rich, spicy and perfectly seasoned. Everything just came together so beautifully, and I looked right at Charron and said, “Wow, this is amazing.” He was so pleased, and I knew that he already knew how amazing that soup was. I know he spent hours laboring over the perfect combination of flavors. He also talked to me about the gastronomy of the flavors, that the acid actually opens your stomach and encourages you to eat more. That was such a perfect moment for me personally, to know just a bit of the work that has gone into something and watch its success come to fruition.

Here then, are a few fun facts about this humble, warm and talented chef.

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Years he’s worked with/been friends with Nico: 8

Family: a wife and three beautiful daughters

Favorite genre of music: reggae

Favorite flavors: where sweet and spicy meet

Charron’s cooking tonight. Elise is singing. I expect we’ll see you later.

1. Attend the Lowcountry Local First Chef’s Potluck at Middleton Place from 4 until 7 pm

Why, you ask? Oh, let’s see…fresh, local deliciousness from Fish, Middleton Place, The Glass Onion, Rev Food Group, Maverick Southern Kitchens, Coast Gill and Grill, Carolina’s, Cru Cafe, Anson, Hall’s Chophouse, Duvall Catering. AND local wine, beer, coffee, ice cream and chocolate. AND live music by our Thursday evening chanteuse (and fellow Jersey native) Elise Testone. I’m talking the absolute maximum amount of local food, drink and music that your mere human self can support. Yes, that good.

P.S. A big congratulations to the winners of the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Forty Under 40. Check out our pal and super architectural genius Alice Guess. My favorite bit? That Alice’s first job was wrapping presents in her Dad’s hardware store. Because really, nothing says happy birthday like a socket wrench.