Upper King Charleston

La Fourchette Earns High Praise From Local Food Critics

Sometimes you just want to conjure up an old world experience, and La Fourchette delivers just that, according to Stephanie Barna, in the new Dish Winter 2011 Dining Guide, with an amazing wine list of distinctive regional selections and a hearty menu of French classics.

The cassoulet that caused such a buzz is gone from the menu though certainly not forgotten, but the decadent, oversized portion of pommes frites, double-fried in duck fat and served with fresh aïoli, luckily remain.

Salads are stand-outs from the simple salade verte served with tender Boston lettuce and a vinaigrette spiked with just the right amount of Dijon mustard to the more complicated (and hefty) salade de canard made with baby spinach, a rich, house-made pâté and both a tasty duck confit and smoked duck.

The tender lamb chops, napped with a rosemary jus, are sided by potatoes with a Gruyère and cream au gratin that will make you forget about the pommes frites. Among the seafood offerings is a pistou-based, brothy, shrimp and scallop dish that is set off by a topping of buttery puff pastry.

La Fourchette, Charleston’s premiere French bistro, was recently rated one of 2011’s Hot 10 Charleston Restaurants by Gayot…and rightfully so!

 La Fourchette | 432 King Street | 843.722.6261

La Fourchette Pate de Canard Facon Goulet

Everything about this dish is excellent. Pate de Canard Facon Goulet, made in house by La Fourchette's owner/chef Perig Goulet. It's served on crisp Boston lettuce that has been drizzled with Perig's amazing vinaigrette, with crunchy croutons, cornichons and a french Moutard that has such a complex and flavorful kick you'll beg for more. The duck pate is rich, creamy and satisfying and fresh.Delicious.

La Fourchette is located at 432 King Street in the Upper King Design District.

Nico Romo of Fish Restaurant Sells Out James Beard House Debut

Charleston’s own French Master Chef Nico Romo of Fish Restaurant will bring his je ne sais quoi to New York City this month when he unveils his sophisticated French-Asian cuisine at his first dinner with the prestigious James Beard House December 14th.

Often described as a culinary Carnegie Hall, the James Beard Foundation invites prominent and up-and-coming chefs from around the country to prepare dinners with wine pairings that showcase their talents to prominent industry professionals and food enthusiasts. Tickets for Romo’s much-anticipated Beard House debut have sold out, and Romo eagerly awaits his chance to please the palates of New York’s elite foodies.

Here's a sneak peek at what Romo will be cooking for the James Beard Foundation:

* Escargot dumplings with boursin potatoes and garlic-cilantro cream

* Bouillabaisse with local clams, shrimp, scallops, bok choy, haricots verts and coconut-lemongrass broth

* Vermilion Snapper with coconut rice, ginger broccolini and green curry sauce

* Duck a l’Orange with bacon tatsoi and Nico’s potato gratin

 *Beef Two Ways: bourguignon and pan-seared petite filet served with South Carolina vegetables

* Dessert duo of goat’s milk yogurt with basil rice, milk, pecan honey and banana, and banana-ginger chocolate crunch with banana créme brulée with chocolate-caramel crunch. 

Christophe Has Beautiful Boxed Sets of Chocolates

There's nothing more delightful than dropping in to King Street’s chocolate lovers dream come true, Christophe Artisan Chocolatier-Patissier and leaving with a beautiful box set of chocolates. 

 The boxed sets are something to cherish and the perfect introduction to these wonderful chocolate treasures is the Four or Seven Count Boxes, an assortment from the hand-painted or truffle collection for only $9.95 or $12.95.

For that really special someone there is the 9 Count Box for only $18.95, or double the pleasure with the 18 Count Box for just $34.95.

Christophe Artisan Chocolatier-Patissier is a chocolate fancier’s heaven on earth with hand-made chocolates and pastries that are as visually stunning as their delectable taste. You can find them at 373 1/2 King Street in the Fashion District in historic downtown Charleston. Open every day, plus you can also find Christophe Artisan Chocolatier in I'on, just off 17 North in Mt. Pleasant.

Plan Your New Year's Eve at Fish

Haven't made your plans for New Years Eve yet? Come downtown to King Street as Fish Executive Chef Nico Romo will present a four-course, prix-fixe menu for only $50. Plus, for only $15 more, you will savor the hand-selected optional wine pairings. 

Gratuity and taxes are extra. Seating is limited and reservations are strongly suggested. Call 843-722-FISH (3473) for reservations.

Fish, located at 442 King Street, is just steps from The William Aiken House and the American Theater. Fish is a proud member of Charleston's historic Upper King Design District.

 

La Fourchette, Bistrot Francaise with Rave Reviews

Downtown Charleston's most magnificent French dining, La Fourchette, continues to have rave reviews. But don't take our word for it; here's what Scott Goodwin from the Charleston City Paper said.

"La Fourchette magically transforms itself into a remarkable Paris bistro each night. The wonderful atmosphere is only surpassed by their innovative and sumptuous food and extensive wine list. La Fourchette has become my favorite Charleston restaurant. I can't wait to go again."

"C'est le resto oú l'on mange les meilleures pommes frites a la graisse de canard du monde entier!"

"Your heaping basket of twice-fried, square-cut joy arrives, steaming and becoming, and then goes over the top with a classic side, house-made mayo. Don't you dare ask for ketchup. The menu challenges one to make difficult decisions. The wine list makes it more difficult still. The house salad was delightful...bravo. Fantastic cassoulet, scrumptious profiteroles."

La Fourchette is at 432 King Street, in historic downtown Charleston in the Upper King Design District. Call for reservations 843.722.6261.

Time Out New York Spots UKDD

Time Out New York, a street-smart guide to New York new and newsmakers, included several Upper King Design District haunts in their recent Out There column by Alia Akkam.
    "Charleston’s food crawl begins at La Fourchette, where the taste of the heavenly fries, twice-fried in duck fat, justify the impending heart attack...Just a short stroll away, stop off at Kudu Coffee, where they serve unique African coffee blends like the potent Nguvu, which you can drink in the tree-adorned courtyard. Upstairs, Kudu Kitu, sells handmade African goods such as a chess set from Kenya.
    "The burgeoning King Street shopping district is lined with shops including B'Zar, good for colorful earrings and bags, and the fair-trade, well-priced Global Awakening, which is packed with Peruvian vases and silk scarves from Bangladesh. Linger at Blue Bicycle Books, a quaint shop brimming with rare and used books. The literature room—bedecked with white lanterns and wafting opera music—will inspire you to spend hours.
    "Refuel midspree at Cupcake—before the heart-wrenching sorry, sold out sign appears in the door. Saturday is chocolate-almond day." For the rest of the article, go here.