When staying on Kiawah or Seabrook, one is not forced to play the pricey courses offered nearby. There are cheaper alternatives with one such course such as Shadowmoss being just a short drive (17 miles) away from the islands. Shadowmoss is located off highway 61 at 20 Dunevegan Drive (off Bees Ferry Road). The course is really easy to pass if you are not looking carefully when driving down Bees Ferry.
The course rates for the am hours are $42 during the weekdays and climb to $52 on the weekends. The afternoon rates begin at 11:00 am and are $37 on the weekdays and $43 on the weekends. Inquire with the pro shop about senior rates as my father in law had is rate reduced to about $28 during a weekday round when we played spring of 2009. The prices at Shadowmoss seem like a steal when compared to the Kiawah and Seabrook courses, but the quality of course is much lesser and is more likely to be compared to the Charleston Muncipal course that you pass by on the way to the islands.
The course is pretty, but seems to always be under construction every year we visit the Charleston area. Maybe it is poor timing on my part. I do credit the course design for creating some challenging holes. There doesn’t seem to be consistency throughout the course with respect to quality of fairways and greens. I always seem to find a few holes on the front and back nine that are in need of some re-sodding or seeding. The practice range and chipping area are also pretty shoddy and could use some work.
The staff at the pro-shop and snack counter are always friendly and welcome customers with tremendous hospitality and a warm smile. I always look forward to starting my morning round with a tasty egg sandwich from the snack counter then circling back for a cold beer at the bar around noon. They treat you well here.
If you plan on staying in the Charleston or Kiawah area for a week or so, I would consider playing your first round at Shadowmoss to work out the bugs or kinks, and then plan on playing a little bit better course such as Stono Ferry, Patriots Point or one of the Island courses if you have money to burn.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Review of Mustard Seed Restaurant Charleston
For the past seven years we have visited Kiawah, we have always managed to squeeze in time to dine at our usual list of no fail restaurants. One of these restaurants is the Mustard Seed located at 1978 Maybank Highway on James Island. The restaurant has a very large menu that has something for everyone. The real treats are the daily specials that cover usually three to four tasty fresh seafood specialties. The daily specials list always features some really delicious desserts.
One of the premier items on this menu is the pad Thai. The dish comes with a ton of noodles, fresh vegetables, and succulent shrimp. This dish is also offered with chicken or even meatless. The portion size is huge and I usually end up overeating, especially when I add dessert to the meal.
The prices are really good as meal for two adults and two children will run about fifty to sixty bucks which usually includes a few drinks. The cost of dining at Mustard Seed is really affordable and swings upwards and downwards depending upon your meal for the night.
The service at the Mustard Seed is always cheerful and polite at the Maybank location. Our service just like the food has always been consistently decent; though the last visit we had waited a little longer for our food due to an issue in the back of the house that was no fault of the food server.
If you plan on coming down to Kiawah, Seabrook, or Charleston for a week in the lowcountry, plan a lunch or dinner excursion at the Mustard Seed. There are two other locations in addition to the Maybank Highway restaurant.
101 N. Main Street, Summerville SC
1026 Chuck Dawley Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC.
I have heard from other s that the consistency is the same no matter which restaurant you choose to dine at. Take caution that this restaurant does not take reservations and is first come, first serve basis. Some nights can be a gamble to get a table if you arrive at peak times during the weekends. Plan on early or late dinner, or pay a visit during the week days when restaurant traffic is slower.
One of the premier items on this menu is the pad Thai. The dish comes with a ton of noodles, fresh vegetables, and succulent shrimp. This dish is also offered with chicken or even meatless. The portion size is huge and I usually end up overeating, especially when I add dessert to the meal.
The prices are really good as meal for two adults and two children will run about fifty to sixty bucks which usually includes a few drinks. The cost of dining at Mustard Seed is really affordable and swings upwards and downwards depending upon your meal for the night.
The service at the Mustard Seed is always cheerful and polite at the Maybank location. Our service just like the food has always been consistently decent; though the last visit we had waited a little longer for our food due to an issue in the back of the house that was no fault of the food server.
If you plan on coming down to Kiawah, Seabrook, or Charleston for a week in the lowcountry, plan a lunch or dinner excursion at the Mustard Seed. There are two other locations in addition to the Maybank Highway restaurant.
101 N. Main Street, Summerville SC
1026 Chuck Dawley Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC.
I have heard from other s that the consistency is the same no matter which restaurant you choose to dine at. Take caution that this restaurant does not take reservations and is first come, first serve basis. Some nights can be a gamble to get a table if you arrive at peak times during the weekends. Plan on early or late dinner, or pay a visit during the week days when restaurant traffic is slower.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Review of Paula Deen's Lady and Son's Restaurant
During our last Spring break we decided to burn off a day taking a trip south to Savannah from Kiawah. The trip down interstate 17 was about an hour and a half to two hours. The day was cloudy and sprinkling rain so it was a good time to do a little road trip as the beach and golf course seemed like a bad idea.
One of our highlights of the day was to have a family lunch at Paula Deen’s Lady and Sons restaurant. We had a two o’clock reservation and got there early so we burned up some time walking around the charming city of Savannah. Just before getting seated we perused Paula Deen’s gift shop and ending up purchasing a autographed cook book for a relative. The highlight of the gift shop was an appearance by Paula’s son Jamie who was saluting everyone with “hello y’all”.
We eventually were seated next the window overlooking Congress. The table was nice and the server was very pleasant. I do not recall his name, but he was a Chicago transplant which was cool as that is where we live. He was quick to deliver us with drinks, ho cakes and cheddar biscuits. These table offerings were superbly delicious.
As we were inhaled our biscuits, we all opted to go with the lunch buffet which main attraction was Paula’s southern fried chicken, roast chicken, and lasagna. The side dishes consisted of macaroni and cheese, black eyed peas, collard greens, and other dishes I seem to be forgetting.
The chicken was outstanding. I think I over consumed too much. If I could have pulled off a doggie back from the buffet I would have taken about twenty pieces back to our Villa! The macaroni and cheese was also very tasty and was really enjoyed by my kids.
Just when we thought we were at capacity, our waiter offered us up a dessert for which everyone but the kids chose a peach cobbler. The kids picked some sort of chocolaty gooey brownie concoction that looked very tasty. The desserts were not surprisingly inhaled and we were given our lunch bill. The cost for the adult buffet was $13. I thought the price was fair and really enjoyed the chicken. It was probably the best fried chicken I have ever tasted, though I am from the north, so a Southerner might have found better in Dixie.
I look forward to returning to Lady and Son’s and trying a dish off the menu.
One of our highlights of the day was to have a family lunch at Paula Deen’s Lady and Sons restaurant. We had a two o’clock reservation and got there early so we burned up some time walking around the charming city of Savannah. Just before getting seated we perused Paula Deen’s gift shop and ending up purchasing a autographed cook book for a relative. The highlight of the gift shop was an appearance by Paula’s son Jamie who was saluting everyone with “hello y’all”.
We eventually were seated next the window overlooking Congress. The table was nice and the server was very pleasant. I do not recall his name, but he was a Chicago transplant which was cool as that is where we live. He was quick to deliver us with drinks, ho cakes and cheddar biscuits. These table offerings were superbly delicious.
As we were inhaled our biscuits, we all opted to go with the lunch buffet which main attraction was Paula’s southern fried chicken, roast chicken, and lasagna. The side dishes consisted of macaroni and cheese, black eyed peas, collard greens, and other dishes I seem to be forgetting.
The chicken was outstanding. I think I over consumed too much. If I could have pulled off a doggie back from the buffet I would have taken about twenty pieces back to our Villa! The macaroni and cheese was also very tasty and was really enjoyed by my kids.
Just when we thought we were at capacity, our waiter offered us up a dessert for which everyone but the kids chose a peach cobbler. The kids picked some sort of chocolaty gooey brownie concoction that looked very tasty. The desserts were not surprisingly inhaled and we were given our lunch bill. The cost for the adult buffet was $13. I thought the price was fair and really enjoyed the chicken. It was probably the best fried chicken I have ever tasted, though I am from the north, so a Southerner might have found better in Dixie.
I look forward to returning to Lady and Son’s and trying a dish off the menu.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Review of Newton Farms - Johns Island
When visiting the islands of Kiawah or Seabrook, don't overlook a trip to Newton Farms for your grocery shopping needs. The supermarket is conveniently located between the two islands and within the Freshfields Shopping Village. Newton Farms offers a large variety of delicious produce, meats, and baked goods. Upon entry to the store, you will be exposed to a very nice produce section that has all colorful, ripe vegetables. Some of these fruits and vegetables are locally grown which seems appropriate as this market currently sits on a former tomato farm. The produce section even offers up a five star salad bar where you can build up your own tasty salad to bring home. The adjacent bakery area displays some tasty bread, rolls, and an assortment of delicious desserts to offset your healthy lunch.
As you make your way around the store, there is a back room featuring an abundance of wines and cheeses. I was impressed by the degree and quantity of wines offered up by Newton Farms. It makes more sense to purchase your wine and beer from Newton Farms as opposed to those retailers on the islands which will charge you very inflated prices.
The remainder of the store pretty much carries the same items that you would find at any other store. Newton Farms is part of the Piggy Wiggly Carolina Company so you will find the same canned goods, soda, baking items, or even household cleaning products as those other Piggly Wiggly locations. The big difference is that Newton Farms also stocks high end meat and produce items that one would not usually find at the common grocery store. One of the great features of this store is the take and bake items that are prepared by Newton Farms. They make such tasty take home products as pizzas, stuffed peppers, chicken dishes, crab cakes, etc. I enjoy these prepared "heat and serve" meals on those busy vacation days of golf and beach time that do not allow the necessary clean up and travel time to get to restaurants off the island.
Newton Farms also boasts a "dine in" deli where you can order a tremendous variety of sandwiches and other tasty concoctions. The store not only allows seating inside, but there are several outdoor tables should you decide you want to enjoy the warm sub tropical weather. There is a benefit to eating at one of these tables in the summer. The outdoor seating is the ideal place to grab a sandwich, coffee, or ice cream when there is live entertainment across the way within the central courtyard of Freshfields.
The employees at Newton Farms are always cordial and offer up a quick smile when shopping. They maintain a southern charm and always seem eager to help you find what you are looking for.
As you make your way around the store, there is a back room featuring an abundance of wines and cheeses. I was impressed by the degree and quantity of wines offered up by Newton Farms. It makes more sense to purchase your wine and beer from Newton Farms as opposed to those retailers on the islands which will charge you very inflated prices.
The remainder of the store pretty much carries the same items that you would find at any other store. Newton Farms is part of the Piggy Wiggly Carolina Company so you will find the same canned goods, soda, baking items, or even household cleaning products as those other Piggly Wiggly locations. The big difference is that Newton Farms also stocks high end meat and produce items that one would not usually find at the common grocery store. One of the great features of this store is the take and bake items that are prepared by Newton Farms. They make such tasty take home products as pizzas, stuffed peppers, chicken dishes, crab cakes, etc. I enjoy these prepared "heat and serve" meals on those busy vacation days of golf and beach time that do not allow the necessary clean up and travel time to get to restaurants off the island.
Newton Farms also boasts a "dine in" deli where you can order a tremendous variety of sandwiches and other tasty concoctions. The store not only allows seating inside, but there are several outdoor tables should you decide you want to enjoy the warm sub tropical weather. There is a benefit to eating at one of these tables in the summer. The outdoor seating is the ideal place to grab a sandwich, coffee, or ice cream when there is live entertainment across the way within the central courtyard of Freshfields.
The employees at Newton Farms are always cordial and offer up a quick smile when shopping. They maintain a southern charm and always seem eager to help you find what you are looking for.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Fort Sumter 2009
Kiawah 2009 – Fort Sumter
Well we finally embraced a trip to Fort Sumter last week. We overall received pretty decent weather for the week all except this rainy day spent visiting the fort. We managed to avoid rain all week except this Thursday of which we were drenched. The tour begins at the liberty square marina area which is adjacent to the Aquarium which we will have to visit upon another vacation. The tour begins in a museum adjacent to the ferry boat departure. The museum has all sorts of amazing artifacts and models from this commencement to the Civil War. Being a civil war history admirer, I was in heaven.
After spending about fifteen minutes at the museum we then proceeded to walk aboard the ferry boat destined for Fort Sumter. The boat ride lasted about ten minutes and I was disappointed to not see any dolphins as touted by some.
The trip was met by horizontal rain and we all got soaked getting from the boat to the fort. Fortunately a good portion of the tour on Fort sumter included a roof over our heads which kept us dry. The fort is truly amazing as there were original cannon pointed outward at different points of the perimeter. The brickwork of the fort is also hundred of years old which was pretty amazing.
We then proceeded into the museum on the fort which gives additional information about the battle of Sumter and the proceeding occupation of the fort by confederate forces. The heavy downpour disallowed our opportunity to go up top to get a clear view of Charleston and those surrounding islands that fired upon Sumter. I was really disappointed about this, though I will make this my excuse to come back another day and tour again. Maybe we will also have dolphins provide us an escort.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Best Restaurants in Charleston South Carolina
When we visit Charleston every year,we usually stick to our list of 5 to 6 restaurants that we simply cannot pass up. In addition to the charm and beauty of this beautiful history city, there lies some good quality restaurants that need mentioning. My list does not really capture any steak houses. If you a pursuing a juicy steak in this city, then go no further than the Oak Steakhouse on Broad Street or even check out Mustard Seed mentioned below. When in town even a brief visit, try and check out some of these gems.
1. Sticky Fingers Barbecue - Yes, this is a small chain in the south. The barbecue ribs are second to none. We stop in to this downtown charleston barbecue joint every year and leave with happy full bellies. If you have time to squeeze in a little extra food, try starting out the meal with some Savannnah Dip with nacho chips.
2. Mustard Seed - This restaurant is a little off the beaten bath and boasts some excellent daily seafood specials where the food is always tasty and the service is friendly.
3. The Charleston Crab House - There are a few of these sprinkled throughout the Charleston area. The atmosphere is always fun and happy with different ocean fish hanging on the walls in addition to beautiful aquariums in the lobby. The downtown Charleston restaurant is fun and weather permitting, opt for a roof top table to take in the sights and sounds of downtown Charleston while enjoying some shrimp or crab.
4. The Noisy Oyster - This is one of our favorite lunch stops. The restaurant is at the end of meeting street across from the historic market. This is usually my lunch standby when I have a taste for a grouper or mahi sandwich. If room permits and your table size consists of a few diners, check out the mile high chocolate cake. You may need a ladder and snow shovel to dig into this behemoth size dessert.
5. Hominy Grill - This food is so so good. The menu is not too large and everything and I mean everything is made from scratch using locally grown and caught ingredients whenever possible. I always enjoy the shrimp and grits and manage to leave room for the buttermilk pie.
6. Bessinger's - This barbecue shack lies just west of the downtown Charleston area and boasts some of the tastiest barbecue pulled pork and chicken I have ever found. The barbecue sauce has a sweet mustard based sauce that is out of this world. I always buy a few bottles of this sauce to bring home every year. Another great lunch stop.
1. Sticky Fingers Barbecue - Yes, this is a small chain in the south. The barbecue ribs are second to none. We stop in to this downtown charleston barbecue joint every year and leave with happy full bellies. If you have time to squeeze in a little extra food, try starting out the meal with some Savannnah Dip with nacho chips.
2. Mustard Seed - This restaurant is a little off the beaten bath and boasts some excellent daily seafood specials where the food is always tasty and the service is friendly.
3. The Charleston Crab House - There are a few of these sprinkled throughout the Charleston area. The atmosphere is always fun and happy with different ocean fish hanging on the walls in addition to beautiful aquariums in the lobby. The downtown Charleston restaurant is fun and weather permitting, opt for a roof top table to take in the sights and sounds of downtown Charleston while enjoying some shrimp or crab.
4. The Noisy Oyster - This is one of our favorite lunch stops. The restaurant is at the end of meeting street across from the historic market. This is usually my lunch standby when I have a taste for a grouper or mahi sandwich. If room permits and your table size consists of a few diners, check out the mile high chocolate cake. You may need a ladder and snow shovel to dig into this behemoth size dessert.
5. Hominy Grill - This food is so so good. The menu is not too large and everything and I mean everything is made from scratch using locally grown and caught ingredients whenever possible. I always enjoy the shrimp and grits and manage to leave room for the buttermilk pie.
6. Bessinger's - This barbecue shack lies just west of the downtown Charleston area and boasts some of the tastiest barbecue pulled pork and chicken I have ever found. The barbecue sauce has a sweet mustard based sauce that is out of this world. I always buy a few bottles of this sauce to bring home every year. Another great lunch stop.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Dog Friendly Vacation Accommodations
So I booked my 2009 trip to Kiawah once again. The vacation this year is under a little bit different set of circumstances as we decided to include our dog into our vacation. She is considered family so we do not have the heart to send her off to the kennel for a week while we play on the beach. We are accustomed to renting through the resort on Kiawah which has successfully met our lodging needs every year. This year we had to obviously find dog friendly vacation accommodations, as the resort does not allow pets in their villas. After numerous searches on the web, we finally came across a great vacation rental network, www.VRBO.com. The “VRBO” stands for”vacation rental by owner”. This website has vacation rental properties all over the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Vacation property owners simply use this service to advertise their unit and feature pictures and lists amenities of the desired vacation property. The site also lists those vacation properties that cater to pet owners. We were able to get ourselves a unit for a week and I couldn’t be happier as the owner answered all my questions immediately.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tea Grown In America
Tea is consumed by millions of Americans annually. Most tea we buy is most likely made from leaves grown in China and India. But what about the good old USA? Well, there is one tea plantation in North America that grows tea, the Charleston Tea Plantation located at 6617 Maybank Hwy in Wadmalaw Island.
This is a great place to take the family to tour the 127 acre plantation. That's right........tea grown in America. There is an air conditioned trolley tour that takes travels throughout the plantation where you will witness hundreds of thousands of tea bushes. In addition there is a large facility that shows how the tea leaves are made into tea from bush to cup.
Charleston, South Carolina is apparently the only location suitable in North America to grow tea leaves because of its sandy soil and sub tropical humid climate.
If you come down to Charleston or are an avid tea lover, come down to the Charleston Tea Plantation. There is even an great gift shop where one can taste several types of tea.
This is a great place to take the family to tour the 127 acre plantation. That's right........tea grown in America. There is an air conditioned trolley tour that takes travels throughout the plantation where you will witness hundreds of thousands of tea bushes. In addition there is a large facility that shows how the tea leaves are made into tea from bush to cup.
Charleston, South Carolina is apparently the only location suitable in North America to grow tea leaves because of its sandy soil and sub tropical humid climate.
If you come down to Charleston or are an avid tea lover, come down to the Charleston Tea Plantation. There is even an great gift shop where one can taste several types of tea.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Famous Movies Made In Charleston: Kiawah
My wife and I have endured watching the mini series North & South (books I & II) over the last few days. I enjoy books and movies that cover this period of our history, whether fictional or not. Anyway, I recalled the plantation of Mont Royal from the movie being filmed at the Boone Hall Plantation. I do remember this from the tour (which I recommend). There are even some shots of the Cooper river (tributary) just to the south of the home that looked very familiar from our visit. I thought that perhaps the plantation of Resolute was also in South Carolina, but have learned that was filmed in Louisiana. It was also fun to see downtown Charleston filmed with dirt and sand thrown over the streets to create the old time effect.
I was able to put together another quick list of movies filmed in the area:
Charleston
Cold Mountain (2003)
Patriot (2000)
The Notebook (2004)
For the Boys (1991)
Kiawah
Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
I was able to put together another quick list of movies filmed in the area:
Charleston
Cold Mountain (2003)
Patriot (2000)
The Notebook (2004)
For the Boys (1991)
Kiawah
Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Live Kiawah Cam
In my rumblings and stumblings across the cyber universe, I managed to find a live kiawah cam feed accessible 24/7 for beach views! Be sure to check out the hall of fame shots from previous dates. There are some spectacular sunrise/sunset pics. You can access the link right here. Enjoy!
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