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18 December 2011

Tonight's Episode: The making of a celebrity dinner

One of the great things about writing this blog has been the chance to get to know the Chefs who slave away in those blazing hot kitchens to churn out amazing dishes. One such Chef, Jeremy Holst of Anson, invited the three of us (The Girl, myself, and Captain Awesome's camera) into the kitchen to see the prep for the Michael Ruhlman Dinner. The following photo set is a love-letter to all those who sweat away their nights, unseen and unheralded, so we can enjoy our birth right as humans, a great cooked meal.
Dip-net caught Coho Salmon
Mike, going to town
Pin bone necklace coming up
Now that is a work of art
Here comes the cure for the common salmon
All great creations start with a fantastic foundation
The Final Product

Pimento Cheese break

Let's get to work on some sweetbreads
Chef Jeremy, sweetbread cleaner
Make your own bacon and the world will smile with you
Ham hock stock? Yes Please.
Dessert, a house-made affair


All this hard work took place early on a Sunday, for a dinner Tuesday night. These dinners don't just happen, they take planning, hard-work, and passion.
By the time the celebrity, in this case Michael Ruhlman, is meeting and greeting, the kitchen can finally breathe. Success. Happy guests with full bellies. Time for a glass of wine and relaxation, well until you start prep for that 100 person Christmas party. 


Thank you again to Chef Jeremy and the fantastic crew at Anson!


Tonight's Episode: Frankly my dear, I love this hotdog

Monday, Dec 19th 2011 is (was) a huge day for sleepy little Summerville, South Carolina. Guy Fieri's Food Network show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives goes on the air with a local hot dog joint unlike any other. At Perry Cuda's Perfectly Franks, hot dogs are more than just mustard and ketchup.

Franks started it's life in a two-table and bench space facing the railroad tracks, with as much visibility as an environmentalist at Dick Cheney's hunting lodge. That didn't stop Perfectly Franks from becoming the darling of the town. Soon, the popularity had outstripped the tiny space, and Cuda and the gang moved to a much larger space. What they didn't expect was that space would only INCREASE the volume of guests. Lines out the door are a daily occurrence.
The line keeps going, and going, and going.....

The Famous Franks-29 inspired dogs that range from the ordinary (Frank Lloyd Wright with fresh sauerkraut and spicy mustard) to the unusual (Frankie Vali with fried spinach, Caesar dressing, bacon and crispy onions) to the down-right bizarrely tasty (Frank Morgan with mac-n-cheese). With prices ranging from $2.59 to $3.69, these dogs pack a lot of taste for very little cash.

On this trip, one of dozens we have made, The Girl picks her flat-out favorite, the Aretha Franklin ($3.29). This dog is covered in pulled pork, bbq sauce, slaw, and crispy onions. What is special about this dog is that the pulled pork is high-quality on its own. The entire set up is sweet, smoky, and tasty as hell. The Girl pairs this up with an order of sweet potato fries ($3.29). Thin and crispy, with a pleasant but not overpowering sweetness, these are on the short list for best sweet potato fries on the planet.
If you put pulled pork on it, they will come

I decide to double-dog dare myself, and choose both the Frank Columbo ($3.29) and the Frank Legare ($3.69), as well as a Peach Nehi. The Columbo is the vehicle for proving to me that I actually DO like Bleu Cheese. This dog has grilled onions, black peppered bacon, and bleu cheese crumbles. Salty, sweet, and pungent, with a delightful creaminess that is FREAKIN AWESOME. The Legare is a dog of a different bark, with smoked sausage, cocktail sauce, grilled shrimp, and sweet-corn relish. Wait, should I have used that one for the bizarre dog example? This is my go-to dog. The shrimp are perfectly cooked, the cocktail sauce has just a touch of bite, the corn relish sweet and crunchy, and the sausage has a delicate smoke and a crisp casing. I always have a Legare when I stop by Perfectly Franks.
Which one of these is not like the other?

For those of you who don't like hot dogs, there is still a lot to choose from. The Sammies board includes Thai Beef Burrito ($7.99), Salmon BLT ($8.99) and the Fried Shrimp Po Boy ($7.99). Also be on the look out for specials such as the Bison Sloppy Joe (which is hands down fantastic). They also carry nachos, quesadillas, and some of the best fish tacos in town.

The Girl and I love Perfectly Franks. Taking this all-American backyard cheap eat, and elevating it to an art form is what Cuda and the gang are all about. If you love great food on the cheap, and don't mind getting your hands a little dirty, hit up this Flowertown in the Pines gem.

The Scores:
Ambiance: 2/5
Food: 9/10
Service: 3/5
Value: 5/5
Overall: 19 out of 25 Get in quick before DDD turns this cheap-eats mecca into the most sought after restaurant in town

Perfectly Franks on Urbanspoon #forkandtell #guyfieri

09 December 2011

Tonight's Episode: The First Heartbeat...

      James Island has long struggled to find it's niche in the Charleston food scene.  The limited range and lack of higher-end choices (Don't get me started on the joke that was Roadside Kitchen) means we have to drive ALL the way Downtown for a good dinner. Into that void steps Heart Woodfire Kitchen.
Beautiful open kitchen with wood oven
   
 What once was a creepy hippy shed that was home to the Daily Dose, we now have a large and bright restaurant with an open kitchen and eventually a great patio space. With the titanic ceilings and spare furniture, the dining room feels clean and spacious. I would have preferred warmer colors for the walls, maybe some faux brick work, but still inviting.
      As The Girl, our friend Captain Awesome, and I work on the menu, I order a delicious cocktail. A Carolina Cup made with Pimm's No 1, muddled basil and lime, lime juice, simple syrup, and ginger beer ($6). Very light and refreshing, and a fun little cocktail.
  Carolina Cup, without the pastel-clothed drunken frat boys

  For an appetizer I went with the Prosciutto wrapped Fontina speidie ($7), a skewer of grilled happiness served with a tasty buckwheat salad. The smoky prosciutto and creamy fontina make a wonderful,  if small, start to the meal.
mmmm.....cheese

  Captain Awesome got the ball rolling by ordering the baked four-cheese macaroni with tomato cream sauce and bread crumbs ($9). This gooey bowl of shells was tasty, though The Girl and I both prefer smaller pasta for mac-n-cheese. The breadcrumbs give a great texture and the Captain polished off the entire bowl.
Place your ear to the bowl to hear the cheese
   
  The Girl decided on one of the flatbreads, Sweet Potato & Prosciutto ($9). The flatbread itself has a nice crunch, and the combination of onions and cheese is delicious. The problem lies in the combination of rounds of sweet potato and the prosciutto. While tasty, it is very one note. I would prefer a more crispy meat, such as speck. I would also like it finished with fresh arugula after it comes out of the oven. This dish might be better as a shared app so you don't get tired of the flavor.
Juuuuuust missed the note

My dish of choice, the Pork Shoulder with salsa verde and choice of side ($13). I made a great decision choosing the sweet potato chips for my side. Crispy and salty-sweet, I just wish they were served in a bowl. On the plate the oil and juice from the pork soaked right into them. The pork itself was delicious, the salsa verde (which looked a lot like chimichurri to me) was tasty, though the meat was a little over done for my taste. I like a nice amount of pink. Still a good dish though.
 It isn't 1984, pork can be pink I promise

There wasn't a lot to choose from for dessert. A cookie and a chocolate torte. Guess which the Girls went with? The torte ($4) was rich with a nice cream, and both ladies destroyed it, though I found it overly sweet and the crust tasted store bought. That's okay, there are enough tasty sounding apps that I don't need sweets.
It puts the cream on the torte or it gets the hose again

  I did have a little problem with the service. While friendly, our server pestered us with questions about how our meal was, but wouldn't stand still long enough to receive an actual answer. Don't ask me how my food is if all you want is a thumb's up.
   
  The Girl, Captain Awesome, and I leave to look at some Christmas lights. Full bellies, happy smiles, and a wallet that hasn't been taken out back and beaten means we will be back. A great addition to the neighborhood, and hopefully one that will last long enough to find their footing. (I made it through this entire post without one Achey Breaky Heart joke. I'm so proud of myself.)

The Scores: 
Ambiance: 3/5
Food: 7/10
Service: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Overall: 17 out of 25, Solid food, fun concept, and if you live on James Island, great location.

#forkandtell
Heart Woodfire Kitchen on Urbanspoon

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