After recently dining at The Ordinary in Charleston, South Carolina, I’d have to say Chef Mike Lata’s “fancy” oyster bar and seafood hall is nothing short of – EXTRAordinary! Ensconced in an historic bank building with soaring ceilings and quaint architectural details, we were smitten by this charming eatery. Every aspect of our experience made it abundantly clear why the restaurant garnered a coveted James Beard Award nomination for Best New Restaurant in 2013.
The inviting bar at The Ordinary
Awarded “Best Chef Southeast” by the James Beard Foundation in 2009, Chef Lata is widely considered a pioneer of Charleston’s vibrant culinary scene. His first establishment, FIG (short for “Food Is Good”), which he opened in 2003 with partner Adam Nemirow, set Charleston’s culinary bar high. While FIG celebrates the bounty of the Lowcountry, The Ordinary pays homage to the “merroir” (the oceanic version of “terroir”) of the coastal Carolinas. Using unique types of seafood in inventive, yet not highly manipulative preparations is an intrinsic part of the not-so-ordinary experience.
In addition to the fabulous coastal cuisine, another highlight at The Ordinary is its spectacular staff. Although we made reservations in advance, we decided to dine at the bar (highly recommend!) and our team of bartenders/servers expertly guided us through the menu and wine list. These passionate ambassadors made exploring the menu a delightful adventure, recommending delectable dishes including savory Smoked Oysters with Saltines and Hot Sauce, a fresh and flavorful Porgy Ceviche with Avocado and Cucumber, heavenly Steak Tartare with Crispy Oysters & Horseradish and peel and eat BBQ White Shrimp (worth the mess!) served with charred bread to sop up all the heavenly sauce. Since I’m not a fan of raw oysters, Steve “volunteered” to knock back a sampling of these coastal gems which were exceptional!
We looooved their Champagne by the glass!
Smoked Oysters with Hot Sauce = DIVINE!
On par with The Ordinary’s passion for coastal cuisine is their enthusiasm for wine. The wine list offers a wide range of offerings from around the globe specifically selected to complement the menu. But, if you’re looking for your usual Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon, you’re not going to find it here. The Ordinary is definitely the place to go for vinous exploration featuring esoteric selections including a sparkling German Sekt, a Corsican red blend of Sciaccarello and Nielluccio and entire sections devoted to Pink & Orange wines and Sherry. The list is rounded out nicely by a selection of delicious craft cocktails, daiquiris, vermouths, beers and ciders as well as 31 different types of rum from five countries.
We started with their stellar Champagne by the glass, the Laherte Frères Ultradition Brut. It was crisp and vibrant with a refreshing minerality – the perfect choice to prime our palates! We continued to sample a variety of wines with our delicious dishes including another bubbly, the frothy, fresh Albert Mann Cremant d’Alsace, as well as the 2015 Dirty & Rowdy “Familiar Blanc,” a quirky white blend from California. A citrusy Chenin Blanc from the Loire’s Château de Fosse-Sèche rounded out the whites before we sampled our only red wine of the night, a 2014 Domaine de la Pinte Poulsard “Pinte Bien.” You see, red wines are in the minority at The Ordinary, outnumbering reds 25 to 10. Given this extraordinary seafood-focused menu – it totally works!
Steak Tartare with Crispy Oysters – YUM!!!
The peel & eat BBQ White Shrimp were TOTALLY worth the effort!
So next time you’re in Charleston and hankering for an exceptional meal featuring some of South Carolina’s best seafood, be sure to visit The Ordinary. I’m sure your experience will be nothing short of extraordinary.
The Ordinary
544 King Street
Charleston, SC
843.414.7060
www.eattheordinary.com
Cheers,
The post Chef Mike Lata’s “The Ordinary” in Charleston, South Carolina is Anything But! appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
“Champagne is the only wine that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it.” – Madame de Pompadour What better way to spoil yourself, or a special Mom in your life, on Mother’s Day than Champagne? In honor of this very special holiday, The Glamorous Gourmet is giving away a fabulous bottle of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne to one very lucky... Read More
The post The Glamorous Gourmet’s Mother’s Day Giveaway featuring Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne! appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and if you’re looking for the perfect dish to seduce your Valentine – look no further. Our recipe for Steak au Poivre à Deux and Roasted Rosemary Garlic Potatoes paired with a deliciously seductive red wine will ensure an evening of endless possibilities! Steak au Poivre is a classic French dish that consists... Read More
The post Valentine’s Day Deliciousness: Steak au Poivre à Deux & Roasted Rosemary Garlic Potatoes! appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
Since the days of Dom Pérignon, Champagne has enticed many of the world’s most glamorous people. From fashion icons to French emperors it seems no profession was immune to its sparkling charms (Napoleon also invented the art of Sabrage, for more info click here). So with New Year’s Eve only a few days away, I wanted to share this collection of quotes from some of... Read More
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Coco Chanel, Bette Davis, Oscar Wilde, Madame de Pompadour, Marlene Dietrich, Winston Churchill. A list of famous Champagne fans reads like a line out of Madonna’s song “Vogue,” and last month marked the 2nd Annual La Fête du Champagne, a celebration of the iconic French wine region whose name is synonymous with glamour. Held in New York City, the event is the brainchild of Daniel... Read More
The post La Fête du Champagne: Krug Dinner at Daniel feat. Special Guests Olivier Krug & Chef Arnaud Lallement appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
Our latest Fast & Fabulous recipe was inspired by the post-Thanksgiving nirvana of leftovers! Nothing’s better than leftovers, am I right? This recipe for Roasted Chicken, Sage, Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Salad can handle just about any leftover you have on hand: chicken or turkey, sage, mushrooms, cranberry, onions and even gravy if you’re feeling particularly decadent. Bring. it. on!!! As luck would have... Read More
The post Fast & Fabulous: Roasted Chicken, Sage, Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Salad appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
As we kick off December, or Champagne month as I like to call it, I thought it only appropriate to go with a fabulous, sparkling wine-related Wine Word of the Week like dosage! Who knows, during this time of year it just might come up in casual, wine-related conversation and THEN who will look like the wine expert? Sparkling wines like Champagne which are made using the... Read More
The post Wine Word of the Week: “Dosage” appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
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