Soda Bottle Cap Art Mural

Bottle Cap Art, Fish Restaurant, Charleston, S.C.

I've always loved this mural made out of colored soda bottle tops that is on the wall in the dining room of Fish Restaurant. Isn't it amazing? Last night I was seated across from it so I made one of the other guests stand up and pose with the image. Wow. She was so beautiful! Thanks Nina :).

Bastille Day festivities - Fish Restaurant

Fish Restaurant, King St., Charleston, S.C.

When a best friend is French, Bastille Day festivities take on a high priority! This is the second year I've gone to Fish Restaurant and they get more creative each time - goats, dancers, even a mini guillotine for french fries. Most of the activity was in the bar area with the can can dancers but we enjoyed the fixed price dinner in the dining room entertained by strolling musicians. Fun evening. Thanks Andre'!

Mixology Magician!

Evan Powell, Fish Restaurant, Charleston, S.C.

I like it when something good is billed as the "first annual"!

This evening I went to what was called a Mixology Dinner at Fish Restaurant. Mixologist Evan Powell mixed the drinks and chef Nico Romo whipped up tasty treats to go along with them. The dinner was served in the upstairs room of the restaurant. I can't even guess all the ingredients that were in these drinks but I especially liked what Evan called the Rising Sun (described as being made with Aperol, Yuzu Marmalade, Brut sparking, and preserved orange slice) and his award winning winning Black Thai lemonade.

It was a lovely evening, good food, good drink and delightful company at our table. Thanks folks!

Chef Nico at the James Beard House

James Beard House, NYC

The primary reason for my trip to NYC was to attend Chef Nico Romo's, dinner at the James Beard House last night. How could I resist an opportunity like that?

It was cold and dark out last night and just a small sign let us know we were at the right brownstone. Chef Nico looked relaxed and I was happily impressed to learn how many of the guests had traveled from Charleston to support him.



There is a little entry area and then we all walked a narrow path past a tiny open kitchen area. The walls were lined with maps of the world and cooking accessories were hanging everywhere. Nico and his team of three had driven their truck filled with food and had arrived the night before.

Dec. 14, 7:00 P.M. French with an Asian Twist
South Carolina’s only Maitre Cuisinier de France (and one of the world’s youngest), Lyon native Nico Romo brings his je ne sais quoi and Asian accents to the sophisticated French cooking at Fish. A hot spot on Charleston’s restaurant scene, Fish is also known for its fine wines, which will accompany this Beard House debut.

The dinner had sold out promptly and all 85 guests squeezed into a tiny reception room at the back of the house. I sneaked upstairs early to check out the layout but didn't stay long since Nico's appetizers are one of my favorites things and I especially liked the tiny servings of curried crab soup.



Amazingly they did find a seat for everyone in the two rooms on the second floor. The building still looks much like a home with portraits of James Beard hanging over the mantles. Two thirds of our table was already filled with sparkling glasses for the wine pairings.



Escargot dumplings (yum), bouillabaisse, red porgy, duck a l'orange, beef bourguinon and pan seared petite fillet, goat yogurt cake and banana creme brulee....it was a wonderful evening and I feel so lucky to be included. Chef Nico and his team earned a standing ovation and we were sent home with little gift boxes filled with treats.

There was an official James Beard photographer who was very welcoming and I didn't feel responsible for the official food plate shots so I could get the happy crowd pictures. I will upload more to this album but meanwhile I need to get to bed. Apparently there is this thing called 'work" that has to be dealt with in the morning.

Fish Restaurant's 10th Anniversary

Fish Restaurant, King St., Charleston, S.C.

Uhoh, my date didn't read the invitation to me and I thought we were simply going to take advantage of Fish Restaurant's tenth anniversary prix fixe deal of $25 for three courses. Turns out we were invited for the special invitation only party upstairs with the big kids. Woo hoo!

Check out the cake, fashioned after the restaurant. Neato!

I start my day early and am starving by the time I get home so I dug into the tasty appetizers they laid out. Sorry folks! We ended up at the bar downstairs making a meal out of the tomato and mozzarella, pork and artichoke hearts. Yummers. Delicious indeed. We didn't even bother ordering dinner.

Congratulations to Fish Restaurant and chef Nico Romo, owners and staff! Happy tenth anniversary! The special celebration deal goes on through Saturday so you still have a chance. Enjoy!

Bastille Day at Fish Restaurant

Bastille Day, Fish Restaurant, King St., Charleston, S.C.

I borrowed a blue beret and went with my favorite french-man to the Bastille Day celebrations at Fish Restaurant on King St. Chef Nico Romo was everywhere and the food was delicious. They had the whole deal....cancan dancers, a horse and carriage, cigarette smoking guitar player, and a pomme fritte guillotine station.

We went for a walk after dinner and I am still happily full.