Lowcountry Cuisine Fall/Winter 2019-20

www.LowcountryCuisineMag.com | www.MountPleasantRestaurant.com | www.CharlestonRecipes.com lowcountry cuisine LC 9 BARSA 630 KING ST., 12-10 P.M. MON.-THURS.; 12-11 P.M. FRI.-SAT.; 11-10 P.M. SUN. Spanish-style tapas with a Lowcountry infusion of fresh shrimp and fish puts Barsa in its own niche. Pick a few plates to share from the varied menu. The fillings for the empanadas and croquettes change daily, but the structure and flavors (the empanadas are tender, crisp turnovers, and the croquettes are fried, breadcrumb-coated deliciousness) make a good starting point for shared snacks. Add some vegetables like roasted brussels sprouts or beet salad, some seafood like smelts, local shrimp, calamari or grilled octopus, and round it off with some dates stuffed with manchego cheese, jamon serrano and a balsamic reduction, and you’ve got a great start! The extensive wine, beer and cocktail lists provide options local to both the Lowcountry and Spain, as well as other American and international choices. Barsa serves traditional paella made-to-order with choices of vegetable, seafood, chicken and chorizo. Paella requires at least 30 minutes to prepare and is only served in-house. THE ORDINARY 544 KING ST., 5 P.M.-CLOSE, TUES.-SUN. Walk into The Ordinary in the early evening when the light streams through the tall windows on the left side of the restaurant, across from the mirror- backed bar. The staff bustles efficiently and gracefully, taking excellent care of diners’ needs and desires. Like all the establishments listed, The Ordinary has an extensive wine, beer and cocktail list, making available several local options. And, like other restaurants, The Ordinary uses fresh, locally and regionally sourced ingredients. But The Ordinary takes both the beverages and the food to a higher level. The menu changes seasonally and daily with cold, oyster bar and hot options changing as ingredients become – or stop being – available. A menu section called The Ordinaries offers meal options by the day – for example, on Tuesdays you can order the lobster roll, and Sundays you can get the fish fry. Walk-ins are welcome; the bar is first come, first served and offers guests the whole menu. Reservations are available through Resy. Just go – you’ll be glad you did! Photo by Holly Vories. Photo by Olivia Rae James.