This is the one spot in Charleston that I wish I could do all over again.
We had just eaten two meals, but we had to pop in to try the burger (shaved among four people).
The burger was simple, and small. It was also, however, delicious, as were the garlic fries. I wish I had more of an appetite, because I would have liked to try the steakhouse bacon, the coulotte steak, and a few other items. Next trip I will definitely go back here.
LITTLE JACK’S TAVERN
710 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
Leon’s is a popular fried chicken joint in Charleston. We popped in there for a taste of their chicken, as well as their broiled oysters, for which they are equally famous.
We ate a shitload of oysters while we were down in SC. These were nice, but not our favorite of the trip. I think we tend to lean more toward raw than cooked though. These, however, were still good.
The chicken was the real star here. The skin was super crisp on the outside, with nice, tender and juicy meat beneath. The spice on the skin was just right. A little heat – red pepper type – creeps up on you at the end. Awesome.
They also do a nice frozen gin and tonic.
LEON’S
698 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
Our third BBQ stop in Charleston was Home Team BBQ, just around the corner from Lewis BBQ
Everyone I spoke to about BBQ in Charleston mentioned this place for their dry rub wings, so we saved some room after Lewis and gave them a shot.
The wings were indeed excellent, and far superior to Rodney Scott’s wings. The dry rub had a bit of spice and a bit of sweet. Very nice. We also tried the smoked meatloaf that was on special. It was okay, but not worth getting again in my opinion.
The best sauce was probably the mustard or the HT hot on the far left (not including the Alabama white, which was great on the wings).
HOME TEAM BBQ
126 Williman St
Charleston, SC 29403
Lewis BBQ is a fine example of Texas style ‘que nestled in the heart of whole hog heaven in Charleston.
Here, we tried the brisket, the pork spare ribs, the hot guts and chili cheddar sausages, and come green chili corn pudding.
The brisket was the best here. Smokey, flavorful, juicy and tender.
The links were nice, but they had a bit too thick of a casing around them. Too chewy.
The corn pudding was interesting and unique. I liked it.
From what I tried in Charleston for BBQ, this was the best spot.
LEWIS BBQ
464 N Nassau St
Charleston, SC 29403
Our first BBQ stop in Charleston was local legend Rodney Scott’s BBQ. Rodney is known as a master of whole hog Carolina style BBQ.
We tried the pulled pork, pork shoulder, pimento and cheese links, smoked wings, coleslaw, collard greens and banana pudding.
My favorite items were the links and the pudding, but I’m a sucker for links.
Between the two pork items, the shoulder took the W.
The wings were great, but we later had some better wings elsewhere, so it’s tough to rant and rave about these ones. The Alabama white sauce was excellent though.
I could pass on both the slaw and collards.
Both my wife and I preferred “Kathy’s Sauce” from all the available bottles.
That about does it! Some good Que!
RODNEY SCOTT’S BBQ
1011 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
This Italian burger joint just opened in Soho, and we hosted an Electric Wednesday there with some ebike guys. Check that out HERE:
You can also check out my Ride & Review HERE:
But here’s a quick writeup:
I started out with what was probably the best food I’ve eaten all year. Pittule. These are fried balls of dough/fritters, like zeppole, only they’re made with olives, capers and sun-dried tomato, and then covered with stracciatella and crispy speck. UNBELIEVABLE! I’m already craving more.
I tried the Campano burger next. The burgers here are sort of like flattened meatballs, in that they are seasoned with spices, breadcrumbs, and contain other meats like pork. This particular burger was topped with mortadella, mozzarella and some really nice pistachio sauce. I very much enjoyed it as a unique way to consume all of the various delicious Italian food items. The bun is house made and almost tastes like a sweet buttered biscuit. I think it would be perfect for an Italian breakfast sandwich. And the fries are like curly thick cut potato chips. Really good!
I also tried the tiramisu, which is served in a huge coffee tin. It’s super fluffy and light.
I’ll be back here for sure!
CANTIERE HAMBIRRERIA
41 Kenmare St.
New York, NY 10012
Veronika is the restaurant inside the Fotografiska photography museum on Park Avenue near 23rd street. My wife took me here for dinner, and I have to say, everything was pretty great.
We started with two tartares: uni and tuna, and wagyu. I liked the wagyu better but both were really nicely executed.
This German style veal shnitzel with a fried egg on top was the perfect shared course for the middle of the meal. I think the batter could have used a bit of salt after it came out of the fryer, but the capers with anchovy in them definitely added salt to the bites we had with them.
For our mains, we did the bone in strip and the lamb saddle.
Between the two, the lamb was much better. Nice and roasty. Perfect. The strip was dry aged but again it could have used a touch more salt. Perfectly cooked though. 8/10.
For dessert, we had an interesting take on strawberries and cream, served inside a meringue tube of sorts. Here are the before and after pics.
I would definitely go back here again! The food was great, and the ambiance was absolutely stunning.
VERONIKA
281 Park Ave. South
Second Floor
New York, NY 10010
First, check out my awesome Ride & Review video for this joint HERE:
Ama Raw Bar has two locations. I met my wife here for happy hour at the alphabet city location to try some of their cocktails and discounted bites. Everything was good. We started with oysters ($1.25ea).
Then we moved on to this nice batter-fried shrimp.
This rice paper chicken quesadilla was unique, but I think it would be excellent if they fried the rice paper wrapper.
The cod cake was nice, a different sort of take on a crab cake using salt cod.
The Szechuan dry rub wings needed a hit of salt and some of that mala numbing spice to really make them perfect. Otherwise, good cook and crunch on them.
“Luscious Mussels” come with a broiled lobster tail and nori fries. These were probably our favorite dish of the night.
Definitely would go back to try the lobster ramen, and also perhaps to try their other west village location.
AMA RAW BAR
190 Avenue B
New York, NY 10009
This new sandwich joint and bar slings some great sandwiches. We ordered for delivery, but it was good enough to mention as a restaurant review here.
We tried a spicy mortadella, a Korean rib sandwich, a meatloaf banh mi, and a chicken Caesar salad sandwich. They have funky names and I forget which ‘wich is which.
The bread is great here, and if I had to choose favorites, I’d go with the banh mi and the mortadella.
CLUBHOUSE SANDOS & SUDS
22 Orchard St
New York, NY 10002
I finally got to try some of the famous pizza in New Haven. My buddy and I took a ride up and tried both Sally’s Apizza and Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana.
First, Pepe’s:
We tried the white clam pie, and their tomato and mozz pie.
Both were pretty good, but we liked the tomato and mozz pie better.
The award winning clam pizza was nice, but I feel like I’ve had better.
Next up was Sally’s:
Here, we tried the tomato and mozz pie, along with the potato and rosemary pie.
We both liked the tomato and mozz pie slightly better, but I have to say, I really enjoyed the potato and rosemary pie. It had a ton of flavor!
Over all, though, the classic was king. And between the two pizza joints, we liked Sally’s better than Pepe’s.
I’m still partial to NYC pizza, but this stuff was pretty good.
FRANK PEPE PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA
157 Wooster St
New Haven, CT 06511
SALLY’S APIZZA
237 Wooster St
New Haven, CT 06511
