A Walk by the Battery and Dinner at Magnolia’s
I recently drove to Hilton Head Island and stayed overnight in Charleston on the way down.  Who doesn’t love Charleston?  It’s one of my favorite cities, where you find something interesting on every street and something more amazing around every corner.  So my night in Charleston had to include an evening out and a little time there the following morning.

I have a special love for the Battery in the hours before sunset.  The workday over, the evening ahead, children are playing and splashing in the fountains and families are walking along the water.  Ships sail by.  Walking along the gravel pathway, hearing and feeling the crunch of the gravel under your feet, it’s a great way to enjoy the beauty of this city.

Up toward East Bay Street, you pass by gift shops and small hotels.  Window boxes are filled with flowers and doormen open doors for arriving guests and unload luggage from cars.  There’s an air of anticipation in this section of Charleston, an air of occasion and pending celebration. 

Charleston has wonderful restaurants, all beckoning, but I have a clear favorite in that town.  I’ve been to Charleston twice and haven’t made it past Magnolia’s.  Magnolia’s atmosphere, food and service all work together in perfect harmony –  it’s a magic that makes you want to enjoy, to linger, to remember your moments there.  Each dish is beyond delicious and as you leave you’re thinking of what you’ll order next time and where you’d like to sit.   Tonight, seated at a window table I could watch the world pass by but my attention was drawn inside.  Couples and families enjoying themselves, talking and laughing, looking up with a smile as waiters bring dishes to the table.  A couple checks their theater tickets, relaxes, and both order dessert.  Waiters move quickly to fill water glasses and pour wine.  Our waitress – Sara Z. – answers questions about the menu and the wines easily, familiar and knowledgeable with our selections.  We’re served quickly but not too quickly to enjoy drinks and conversation.  My Fried Green Tomatoes and Shellfish over Grits are perfect with a glass of Pinot Gris.  For dessert  Lemon Buttermilk Cotta with Strawberry Sauce and a cappuccino finish the meal.  Sublime.  Walking back to the Battery to catch a jitney back to the hotel the stars are twinkling over this lovely evening. 

Morning Visit to the Charleston Farmer’s Market
The mornings have a special feeling in Charleston too – clear, fresh blue sky, especially if you’re headed to the Charleston Farmer’s Market.  One of the best Farmer’s Markets you’ll find anywhere, the Charleston Farmer’s Market is on Saturday mornings in Marion Square, Downtown Charleston, 8am-2pm.  This is a farmer’s market you can build your day around, complete with local farmers selling organic and heirloom produce, flowers, freshly baked breads and homemade soups, ravioli and just about anything else for the weekend and the week ahead.  For breakfast you can choose from crepes or omelettes made right there, or the variety of breads, muffins and croissants at various stands.  A New Orleans style coffee stand offers cappuccino or coffee with chicory along with beignets.  This is worth the wait.  Shop for provisions and then enjoy breakfast and coffee while listening to a live band.  Tables are on the lawn inside the square.

Besides local food, flowers and produce there’s a variety of local artists at the market, especially jewelers.  I couldn’t resist buying jewelry from three of them – millefiore style earrings by Leslie Madden of Island Handcrafts and earrings made from 1800’s pottery shards found in local archaeological digs by Robbie Clair of SouthEast Creations.  I also couldn’t resist a necklace – a small morning glory painted on enamel hanging from a gold chain, part of Michelle Fowler of The Scarlet Poppy’s array of jewelry made from vintage pieces.  Leaving the market I saw a great find – Lowcountry Sketches  - pen and ink prints of Charleston area churches and Lowcountry scenes.  These are painted by a local gentleman in his ‘90s and sold at the market by his son-in-law.  They are the perfect gift to remember a visit to Charleston.

Leaving Charleston, I head out toward Hilton Head Island with a plan to stop in Beaufort  and Hunting Island State Park along the way.