Brunch With The Boys

Last Thursday and Friday I was siiiiiiiick. It felt like I had strep throat mixed with the flu. Thankfully, by Saturday morning, I was back to life and ready to EAT! Two of my good guy friends from my old gym, Justin and Noah, suggested that we go to Poogan’s Porch. They had gone before and really enjoyed it but I had never been. I’d heard plenty of great things about this restaurant, so I was eager to cross it off my list.

Apparently the last time the boys went they each ordered multiple entrees. I guess they think this is normal. Noah, after deciding that he would order 5 items said, “Eating is a sport, Christina.”

And then the games begun. Although we were seated within minutes of arriving, it took the longest time for them to bring the biscuits to the table. Not only that, but they were terribly dry. This is the South – you can’t screw up biscuits! Come on.

Soon after, our server brought out our appetizer. I knew alligator meat was chewy, but these were chewy and greasy. Bleh.

For some reason, we were then given one of Noah’s main entrees, long before the others came out. Okayyyy. It looked pretty but tasted rather plain. Even after dousing it in maple syrup, the French toast was still just average.Quite a while later, the rest of the food was delivered to the table.

Noah’s two main dishes were:and more biscuits & gravy.

Justin also ordered the biscuits & gravy and

The boys thought I was wacky for ordering one entrée.

The plate arrived with a ton of extra liquid around the grits. I immediately asked what it was and the server told me it was excess water from the spinach. Really!? They couldn’t have drained that off the plate? Gross. The grits were pretty tasty, but I picked at the salmon, only eating the parts with barbecue sauce.

Honestly, with slow service and mediocre food, I am unsure as to why people like this place. The only point I was really happy was when I found this okra at the bottom of my Bloody Mary.

Maybe it’s just that I don’t love Southern food as much as many of my native friends. Regardless, Poogan’s needs to step up their game in the friendliness and speed department.

After so much food, the three of us could barely walk the three blocks back to Noah’s apartment. We all wanted to just put on bum clothes, lay on the couch, and be miserable, but it was so pretty outside. Solution? Bring an air mattress outside.

Yup, that’s the middle of Queen Street.

Other ridiculous photos from the weekend…That night at The Macintosh, Ashley and I attempted to lift the humongous pumpkin on display in the bar’s window.

We really love the pumpkin beast.

Magazines, Magazines, Magazines!

I love them so much. I really do. Look at all of my subscriptions.

Would you be surprised at all if I told you that I was in a magazine that came out yesterday?

Once a year, Charleston City Paper puts out a bar guide called Swig. A few weeks ago, my friend Cory asked if I’d like to be in a photo for it. My answer was “(an expletive) YES!” It came out yesterday, but I couldn’t find one anywhere! This afternoon, my friend Luke sent me a picture of that he had taken on his phone. Within minutes, I snatched up my own copy!

Tada!

There’s also this picture on the CCP website. Say hello to Amanda and Sarah!

The photo was taken by the very talented Jonathan Boncek who also has a healthy living blog.

In other magazine news, a couple months ago I was asked to start contributing to Mount Pleasant Magazine.

This will be my first paid and printed gig. I just submitted my article (which should explain my lack of blogging this week) and am waiting for the editor’s review. I wrote about Wine Tasting and it should come out in the beginning of November. I’ll be sure to keep you posted so you locals can pick up a copy!

Finally, in the mail today I received my first issue of a new magazine subscription:

Let’s talk about this. The first time I saw this magazine was on the back of my ex boyfriend’s toilet. I was extremely concerned as to why this fool would want to be reading about gardening and guns…on the toilet. I picked it up and flipped through a few pages. I would have read more, but really, how much can you read while doing a little tinkle? Not much…unless you’ve just chugged a 40oz but that’s a whole different topic and I’m just getting gross. Over the next couple years, I picked up a few issues here and there, ignoring the magazine’s title, but enjoying the content.

I have to admit, it is good. It is interesting. There are yummy recipes. And 14 years of living in the south later (MY ANNY IS TOMORROW!), I can relate. Boom.

Later gators! XO!

What Food Is Your State Known For?

The other day, the site My Food Looks Funny posted a pictorial representing what food each American state is known for. When I first glanced at the map, I couldn't even make out South Carolina's food.

Luckily the legend informed me that it was a benne wafer. For those of you who have never heard of them, a benne wafer is a thin cookie made with toasted sesame. Benne (the Bantu-word for sesame) was brought from East Africa and planted extensively throughout the South. The seed has a nutty, sweet aroma with a milk-like, buttery taste. When toasted, its flavor intensifies, yielding an almost almond- or peanut butter-like flavor.Having lived in both Massachusetts and (briefly) Hawaii, I agree with their associated foods: clam chowder and pineapple, respectively.

My little cousin Maddie, enjoying her clam chowder last summer:Baby Xtina in Honolulu. What the fluff did my mom make me wear!? I look as if I liked it!

States that made me jealous were Maine (lobster), Vermont (Ben & Jerry's ice cream), and New York (pizza). Should I move back North?

I had absolutely no idea what North and South Dakota's were: knoeplah and chislic. Apparently knoeplah is a dumpling and chislic is cubed red meat. Anyone heard of either of these two?

What is your state's quintessential food? Do you agree that your state should be known for it? And do you regularly eat it? I don’t think benne wafers should have been South Carolina’s food. I was expecting it to be grits!

I’m really hoping that one of my Utah friends can explain the green jello thing…