Columbia www.columbialivingmag.com
November/December 2013
Living
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It’s Nice to be Naughty Create Easy & Elegant Cheese Recipes for Your Holiday Gathering
Annual Gift Guide What You Want to Buy & Who Has it
Terrific Tastes Great New Inspiration for Your Nights on The Town
Plus: One Spectacular Home Treasure Islands Stay Holiday November/DecemberHealthy 2013 | 1
M Gourmet Group
let us cater to your needs LUNCH | DINNER | WEEKEND | CATERING | EVENTS Miyo’s Forest Drive 3250 Forest Dr. 743.9996 Miyo’s Main Street 922 South Main St. 779.6496
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Miyo’s Lexington 5594 Sunset Blvd. 957.9888 M Vista 701 Lady St. 255.8878
M Café 1417 Sumter St. 779.5788 M Fresh 1237 Washington St. 779.1688
now open a new style restaurant & a new venue for your special holiday event M Space 530 Lady St. Suite A 764.1285
M Grille 530 Lady St. Suite B 708.8881 f t
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Features November
december 2013
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Home and Garden This is one beautiful lakeside home that’s been re-designed to reflect the tastes and needs of this blended family. By Dale Anderson
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21 Terrific Tastes
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Our Annual Gift Guide
From opulent to obscure, we’ve found some amazing little trinkets and discovered lovelies from unexpected locations. A few knockout punches, too, for those really making a statement. There’s even something for boys – bless their hearts!
Admittedly not scientific, but guaranteed to get your taste buds going, and perhaps remind you of some old favorites you haven’t visited in a while. Taste is oh-so-objective, but everyone will find a dish they love from this list. By Katherine Pettit
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Travel
Decisions, Decisions. St. Johns or Vieques, near Puerto Rico? They are being discovered for sure, but there’s still an air of innocence and exploration to be found along these sandy beaches. By Katie McElveen
2 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com
1127 Gregg Street • Columbia, SC. 29210 Monday - Friday 10 - 5:30pm 803-799-0045
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DEPARTMENTS
» November /December 2013
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Buzz
38
Well Styled
16
Art Seen Yo’re going to love Gertie the Christmas Ostrich.
18
Fruit of the Vine – and Tree Crescent Olive has brought to the capital city a tasty new way to eat your greens and so much more.
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Saving Lassie Palmetto Regional Emergency Hospital for Animals is there when your four-legged companions need assistance. Today, learn some ways you can avoid making that trip.
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Holiday Make Up It’s time to accentuate the positive and we found just the celebrity make-up artist who can teach us a thing or two about looking our best when we hit the party circuit.
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Party Responsibly A few judicious adjustments and you’ll walk into 2014 without gaining those holiday five.
8 Reader Services 10 Editor’s Letter 80 The Last Reflection
Columbia www.columbialivingmag.com
November/December 2013
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Dining Out M Grille
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In The Kitchen It’s Nice to be Naughty when cheese is the star of the plate.
71 Restaurant Guide
Best bets for delectable dining.
LIVING
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It’s Nice to be Naughty Create Easy & Elegant Cheese Recipes for Your Holiday Gathering
Annual Gift Guide September/October 2013
Health Care Enhanced Lexington Medical Center’s Mike Beidiger has surrounded himself with others who share his passion for being the best. It’s working, as this medical institution continues to expand its reach.
Treasure Islands These small jewels still have breathing room for kicking back and restoring your soul.
Fundamentals
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Southern Drawl
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Food+Drink
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Travel
Through her Eyes Fashion Editor Lisa Arnold had the opportunity to share a few moments with photography icon Annie Leibovitz, as she came to the Columbia Museum of Art to open her new exhibit: Annie Leibovitz: Pilgrimage. Soul-stirring images, wonderful insights.
Staff Picks Give the gift of reading this year. We’ve got great ideas to get you started.
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Health
Annual Gift Guide • 20 Terrific Tastes • All About Cheese • Treasure Islands
Beautifully Preserved At Lake Murray Treasures, vintage fashions and jewelry take us back to a more elegant time and place.
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Columbia Living
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What You Want to Buy & Who Has it
Terrific Tastes Great New Inspiration for Your Nights on The Town
Plus: One Spectacular Home Treasure Islands Stay Holiday Healthy
November/December 2013 | 1
ON THE COVER
»
The Mille Cake Let the holidays begin. A 30-layer concoction created and photographed By Kim Byer
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November/December 2013 | 5
Daff-A-Deals Publisher Robert Sweeney ■■■ Managing Editor Katherine Pettit Fashion Editor Lisa Arnold ■■■ Senior Account Executive Michele Chapman
NEW MARKET SHOPPES & FINE CONSIGNMENT Now offering 25 specialty vendors. Shop where you never see the same thing twice.
Handmade Clothes • Pottery • Ladies Clothing •Home Decor New Maternity • Jewelry • Kate Spade Hand Bags • Children’s Clothing 10171 Two Notch Road, Columbia 803-865-7640 Tues - Fri 10 - 6pm Sat 10 - 5pm
Art Director Nicole Szews Contributing Writers Dale Anderson, Lisa Arnold, Deena Bouknight, Kim Byer, Rachel Haynie, Kristine Hartvigsen, Katie McElveen, Jackie Perrone, Edna Cox Rice, Amy Tran, Courtney Webb Photographers Jay Browne, Kim Byer, Anne McQuary, Jon Mondragon, Aaron Moore, Sally Taylor, Rob Wilson ■■■ Production Coordinator Dana Maskin Distribution Coordinator Les Gibbons ■■■ Customer Service (843) 856-2532
Columbia LIVING (Vol. 4, No. 1) ISSN 21579342, is published 6 times per year by DueSouth Publishing, LLC, 3853 Colonel Vanderhorst Circle, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466. The entire contents of this publication are fully protected and may not be reproduced, in whole or part, without written permission. We are not responsible for loss of unsolicited materials. Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved. SUBSCRIPTION price is $18.95 per year. POSTMASTER send address changes to Columbia LIVING, 3853 Colonel Vanderhorst Circle, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466.
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Anne Westbury Photography
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Does your money need a professional trainer? The right coach can help an athlete reach his or her goals. The same can be said of your finances. With guidance from a Financial Advisor, you can follow a path of fiscal responsibility and create a strategy that can help maximize the potential of your investments. As a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor, I can work with Jan Jernigan Vice President Financial Advisor
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READER SERVICES Subscriptions Subscribing to Columbia LIVING is easy, and you save 20 percent off the newsstand price. Your subscription includes 6 issues, delivered right to your door. Subscriptions and billing are handled in-house, providing you with the best in customer service. Please call or email us if you experience any problems with your subscription, and we will assist to resolve them right away. You can subscribe by calling Customer Service at (843) 856-2532 or reach us via email at service@columbialivingmag.com or on the web at www.columbialivingmag.com.
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SC Environmental Public Health Tracking
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At Divine Massage Therapy, we’ve got your back! 3030 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205 • 803-445-4442 www.divinemassagetherapy.com
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Going Coastal in South Carolina Get the information you need to enhance your coastal experience from one dynamic web page.
“Southern Patriot Wishes Everyone a
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November/December 2013 | 9
From The Editor
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/columbialivingmag
Katherine Pettit Managing Editor Editor@ColumbiaLivingMag.com
10 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com
LIVING
21
It’s Nice to be Naughty
Terrific Tastes Great New Inspiration for Your Nights on The Town
Create Easy & Elegant Cheese Recipes for Your Holiday Gathering
Annual Gift Guide September/October 2013
1 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com
Columbia www.columbialivingmag.com
November/December 2013
Annual Gift Guide • 20 Terrific Tastes • All About Cheese • Treasure Islands
W
e’ve all got it and most of us have way too much of it. Some days, I think I need a backhoe to shovel out the accumulation of things in my office. After this mag goes to press, I promise … And yet, it’s time to think about more stuff – gifts – for our loved ones, best buds and colleagues. In this issue, our gift guide contains some nifty little items that are, in turn, useful, frivolous, pampering and clever. Most are wants; some are needs. You’ll know someone on your list who would like every one. The thing is, buying a gift for someone can be a joyous effort. The goal, of course, is to convey “I know what you like, and here it is.” Contrary to what my spouse thinks, gift-buying can be fun if we truly get it. Sometimes, our friends know what we need before we do. “I know you love etched glasses, and I want you to have these,” my friend said. Nice. The more delicate one is now my vessel of choice for my evening red. All of this “stuff ” analysis makes me think about the exhibit currently at the Columbia Museum of Art, Annie Leibovitz: Pilgrimage. One of the photography icons of our time walked away from her stellar career for a while to travel about the country, capturing the essence of people and place without actually including a human. The results are stunning. Read about this remarkable exhibit in this month’s article by Lisa Arnold. The point is this: Walking around the exhibit hall, I found a much better understanding of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Elvis Presley, among others, by looking at photographs of their stuff – their treasures, if you will. Which brings us back to gifts and the season of giving and receiving. Enjoy the gatherings, the give and take, and even the very act of figuring out what gifts to give. Include yourself in the mix. You need some comfort, too. Be grateful for all that we have and remember that precious time is often the best gift of all. As my sister once said, “The only gift I want from you is more of your time, and that’s what you have so little of.” OK, I get the picture. In the middle of the hustle, the shopping, the parties and the preparations, I hope you’ll join me in considering time as a most valuable commodity, and vow to spend more of it with those we love.
Columbia Living
f f u t S f o e s n In Defe
What You Want to Buy & Who Has it
Plus: One Spectacular Home Treasure Islands Stay Holiday Healthy
November/December 2013 | 1
Give the gift that lasts all year long... a subscription to magazine!
Just fill out the postcard in this issue, call 843.856.2532 or go to www.ColumbiaLivingMag.com
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11/9 - Lake Murray Presbyterian Bazaar - 9am-1pm 11/14 - Greater Chapin Area 25th Annual Holiday Open House (open Thursday until 8:30 pm; continues 15th- 17th)
Thursdays and Fridays 12-5:30 Saturdays 12-4 F other days by appointment 108 Beaufort Street, Chapin, SC 803.345.6588 www.judyjarrettgallery.com Judy Bolton Jarrett, ArtCan Studio Gallery
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Buzz newsmaker
art seen
business
pets
staff picks
What’s Old is New Vintage fashions, jewelry and so much more bring the past alive again.
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November/December 2013 | 13 November/December 2013 | 13
Buzz newsmaker
Lake Murray Treasures s s
x
This lovely shop is a valuable resource for vintage wedding attire, formal gowns, dresses, casual clothes, lingerie, hats, purses, shoes, jewelry, linens and gift items. By Deena C. Bouknight Photography By Rob and Jon Studio
TT
he historic backdrop of the Old Mill near downtown Lexington provides the ambiance for Lake Murray Treasures. As the name implies, the shop offers a plethora of items ranging from vintage hats and clothing to handbags and antique, vintage costume and fine jewelry. Open since June 1, Lake Murray Treasures is the outcropping of an antiques business that owner Cheryl Walter has operated for about 15 years. She has rented space in various antique malls in the area and gradually evolved from traditional antiques and collectibles to vintage fashions and jewelry. “I love the antiques business,” says Walter, who grew up in Europe and learned at an early age to appreciate history. She began perusing yard sales in Beaufort in the 1970s and was “hooked.” She became a collector and then a dealer. “However, there are so many antique dealers in this area, and I wanted to find my own niche and be successful with it. I didn’t just want to compete with other antique dealers. The main thing I wanted to do was to have fun with it!” Last year, Walter subleased a space in an antique store located in Lexington’s Old Mill. She tried out her inventory of vintage fashions and “experienced great sales and feedback.” Motivated to open her own shop, she moved
14 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com
out and began to look for the right location. Shortly thereafter, the antique store closed, and “I jumped at the chance to move back in as I love this building. The history of it fits so well with my business of reselling old things.” She named her shop Lake Murray Treasures because she has called Lake Murray home for many years; she lives on the north side of Lake Murray in Ballentine. Lake Murray Treasures’ niche is a variety of antique and vintage clothing for women, including wedding attire, formal gowns, lingerie, hats, purses, evening bags, shoes, gloves, and fine jewelry. Walter says that vintage fashions have been the rage in the northeast U.S. and out West, and she felt they would appeal to people in the Columbia, Lexington and surrounding areas. Even though she explains that her shop is not a costume shop, customers can find clothing that might fit a particular time period to wear during a theme event. In addition to unique fashions and accessories, Walter has a large inventory of antique, vintage costume and fine jewelry, trinket boxes, glassware, linens, gift items and collectibles. Walter’s customer base is anywhere from 18 to 50 years old. She has many loyal customers who visit the store regularly to determine what is new and interesting. She says a future goal is to find vintage items for men and children. “Right now, I only sell men’s jewelry and hats, and I have some antique cotton and linen clothing for children, babies, and dolls – including shoes and boots. Another goal is to increase my linens line and add vintage textiles.” Walter moved an old friend up here from Beaufort to help her develop the business – and they have become acquainted with many of the customers. “The biggest
rewards are hearing my customers compliment me on what a lovely shop it is, and what ‘awesome’ inventory we have.” One customer came into the shop looking for a vintage wedding gown, remembers Walter. The brideto-be’s mother was sick and unable to shop with her daughter. “I found just the right thing – a vintage 1950’s tulle gown and matching fingerless gloves that fit her perfectly. She was so excited!” The bride-to-be brought her mother back when she was recovered and they both agreed that the gown was “perfect.” Walter is waiting to see pictures from the wedding. Recently, a woman who had sold Walter some antique clothing brought her mother in to the shop. One of the items on display was the wedding dress (circa 1900s) of her mother’s mother. Another was a communion dress of her mother. When Walter purchases items directly from customers, she tries to find out some history about the pieces. These pieces had been on display at the Historic Columbia Foundation’s 50th anniversary party this past November. In fact, at the Historic Columbia Foundation event, which was under the big tent at the Robert Mills House in downtown Columbia, Walter provided dress forms with period clothing from the 1910s through the 1960s, as well as a table displaying antique clothing. Part of the fun of running a shop like Lake Murray Treasures is actually finding the treasures. Even though the shop is located in Lexington, the “treasures” are found in various places. Many pieces are sold to her directly by their owners. Walter enjoys learning the background of each item; she then shares that information with the customer who buys the item from her shop. When customers discover the treasures in the shop, they often share memories of similar items they remember in their past. “I love listening to their stories,” says Walter, who will often wear items from the store to spark conversation. Walter regularly seeks inventory for Lake Murray Treasures. Sometimes, customers will ask her to be on the lookout for particular items. Because Lake Murray Treasures carries such a unique lineup of merchandise, Walter often attracts new customers via word-of-mouth. When a new customer learns of the shop, she inevitably shares the information since there are no other shops in the Lexington or Columbia areas similar to Lake Murray Treasures. ◼ Lake Murray Treasures 711 East Main Street, Suite H-1 Lexington Old Mill, Lexington 803.543.2933 (shop) 803.622.9966 (cell) Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10am to 6pm
November/December 2013 | 15
BUZZ art seen
Columbia Artist Debuts New HolidayCharacter Trahern Cook is bringing us an appealing new creature who will delight children of all ages. By RACHEL HAYNIE
MM
ake room for a new holiday tradition! Gertie the Christmas Ostrich is making her presence known. (Note: presence, but we hope you’ll be getting presents, too.) Until now, Gertie the Christmas Ostrich would have been quite out of place in the late December festivities so highly anticipated by boys and girls of all ages. But since her inception, this unexpected figure has been welcomed warmly by first readers as well as the regular holiday gang. Borne of artist/illustrator Trahern Cook’s cunning creativity, pen and brushes, Gertie and her compelling story were told and designed on Lori Cook’s text pages in a recently-released storybook that reads well aloud. Rudolph, Frosty, The Little Drummer Boy along with Santa plus elves and reindeer had long needed at least a token female in their midst, just as Peter Pan needed Tinker Bell. As soon as these stalwarts of the season heard Gertie’s story, she was one of them. She began this way: a committee of merchants hunkered around the company’s spacious conference room table, dollar signs making them glinty-eyed as thoughts of profits filled their heads the way visions of sugarplums do in “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Every retailer throwing out ideas could smell the money they surely would make from that year’s winning holiday promotion. Leave it to a committee to come up with such an ungainly idea: each member added a disparate part and, before they knew it, the large piece of paper being passed around was centered by an awkward-looking figure. It had a long neck, two-toed feet, and huge eyes. The only Christmasy thing about her was color – green and red. Once they took a good look at their futile effort, the only thing the committee members agreed upon was: This was a bad idea! It would never sell! When quitting time came, they bolted from the meeting, leaving all their papers sprawled about the long table. Gertie had been scrapped. But out of an absurd creature evolved an endearing
16 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com
character – “loveable, but with a little edge,” her artist/ creator noted. Gertie was real enough to be optimistic – to believe that even a bad idea deserved a place, especially at Christmastime. So she pulls herself off the discarded paper on the table and begins to wander, searching for her place and purpose. Although a soft snow has begun to fall, she braves the elements and strikes out to find who she is, what she is supposed to do with herself, and whether there is any hope for a bad idea. “It is her wandering and wondering, her searching
that makes this a Christmas story to me and my family,” said Cook. Artist, illustrator and storyteller, Trahern created Gertie’s narrative aesthetic along the lines of the popular ‘50s-style Rankin-Bass holiday illustration. The Animagic output of Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass has informed some of Trahern’s most whimsical characters over his still-young career that took hold here in his hometown. Unlike Gertie, who searched to find out her purpose and place, Trahern knew at a very early age he would be an artist for life. In fact, when he was only seven years old he declared his career intentions to Mr. Knowzit (a.k.a Joe Pinner) on that local television show. Fortunately, good art teachers at Heathwood Hall helped channel Trahern’s talent in positive directions and he followed his path to Providence where he studied at Rhode Island School of Art and Design. After earning his bachelor’s degree there, he did further study at Ringling School of Art. Earlier this year, he exhibited some of his recent works in a Vista Studios show that featured seven other local artists who, like him, had studied at that Sarasota,
FL, institution. Early years of his professional career were invested in publishing stronghold, Nashville, where he mined rich opportunities for commercial illustration. Like Gertie, though, Trahern grappled for meaning beyond the work scene; ultimately, his search led him back to Columbia. “The Internet had made it possible for an artist to work from anywhere, and I was happy to return home. By then, Lori and were married and had started our family.” Wanting for Mazie and Walt the kind of formative years in which wideopen space fosters creativity, the couple made their home on a small farm in North Columbia. Trahern reclaimed a former workshop for his studio. To reflect the whole-family involvement in his work, he named it Studio Campfire. In this space he has continued to produce evocative characters, illustrations, and fine art paintings – including one that in 2012 took a merit award at the South Carolina State Fair. In that studio he became so familiar with South Carolina native Charles Townes he was able to depict, with very little reference material to inform him, how the laser patriarch, Nobel Laureate, Greenville, SC native would have looked as a lad. Trahern captured the Greenville native’s inquisitive nature, making the famous physicist relate-able to young readers of First, You Explore: The Story of the Young Charles Townes. (Note: the picture book was written by Rachel Haynie and is scheduled for re-release in Spring 2014 by the University of South Carolina Press’s new Palmetto Young Readers imprint.) The studio is an incubator for art in numerous forms, not only illustration and fine art. The Cook children produce puppet shows and Halloween carnivals from there. Plans for the family’s annual Christkindl Market hatch there. Depending upon the weather, Lori Cook may read Gertie The Christmas Ostrich there. Like his colorful character Gertie, Trahern continues to search. “My personal goal is Finding the Line – I even named my blog that,” said Cook. The line can refer to art or be an art statement, a demarcation between work and family time, or a delineation separating how he treats others and how he won’t. “Now my sensibilities are leading me in a spiritual direction. I am serving as outreach coordination where we worship – St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.” Some early readers of Gertie have found a deeper meaning that belies her cartoon-like exterior. “I naturally integrate human characteristics when and where I sense them. This is just one of my ways of being an active observer. And it fits my personality. Gertie is on a journey to figure out her purpose. Aren’t we all?” ◼
“Out of an absurd creature evolved an endearing character - loveable but with a little edge.”
Gertie looked for a place that was cozy and quiet. Then she spotted a mailbox and thought she would try it. She stood in one place without moving her feet and outstretched her neck all the way down the street until she had reached her new nook and cranny. In went her head and out went her fanny.
November/December 2013 | 17
BUZZ business
Is
[ Blood Orange ] The New Black?
Book a Tasting Party at The Crescent Olive to Find Out By Kristine Hartvigsen
LL
ike the sommelier at a Napa vineyard, Mike Easler has developed an enviable tasting vocabulary. Pour the delectable liquid and swirl it in your glass, cupping the bottom to warm it. Put your nose into the glass and breathe in. What do you Mike and Charlotte Easler detect? Is it buttery or nutty? Do you smell grassy or floral notes? A hint of melon or oak? These and attended school. But what should they call their aren’t varieties of fine wine, mind you. They are assorted start-up? selections of extra virgin olive oil available for tasting at “Wanting to pay homage to South Carolina, we The Crescent Olive in Columbia. drew inspiration from our (state) logo and decided to Mike and his wife, Charlotte, opened The Crescent use ‘Crescent’ in the name of our business,” Mike recalls. Olive about a year ago on Devine Street after leaving “After several weeks of toying with different names, we careers in the financial sector. Neither knew much about were driving on Blossom Street in the heat of the summer olive oil or balsamic vinegars before starting their journey. 2012, and it came to us.” The Crescent Olive. Perfect. “We were sitting at our kitchen island when we The great thing about The Crescent Olive is that received a phone call from a friend of Charlotte’s that it’s completely unpretentious and requires no culinary she’s known since childhood,” Mike explains. “Her friend experience. From the beginner to the seasoned chef, the knew we were considering store has something to appeal to everyone, and guests are options to open our own encouraged to taste anything they like on the spot, with business and said that she bread squares for the olive oil and ice cream to sample happened upon this olive oil the dozens of flavors of aged balsamic vinegar they sell. store and thought of us. We For the uninitiated, there are uses for vinegar that extend have always enjoyed having far beyond salad dressing. friends over for dinner – not “Italians have always drizzled balsamics over gelato,” that we are exceptional cooks Mike says. “So with all the great flavors we have to offer, – we just enjoy the experience it was a no-brainer to serve our customers ice cream so and sharing with friends.” they could experience these delicious balsamics.” After initially investing Unlike extra virgin olive oil, which is best used in a similar operation in the within nine months of harvest (look for the “crush date”), Upstate and learning all balsamic vinegars get better with time. Their rich, mildly aspects of the business, the sweet flavors enhance the sweetness of fruits and add Easlers decided to break out layers of flavor to vinaigrettes, stews, and sauces. There on their own and adapt the are dozens of flavors to sample, ranging from traditional, concept, tweak it slightly, and blackberry ginger, espresso, raspberry, fig or maple balsamic take it statewide. They chose to coconut, pomegranate-quince, Sicilian lemon, and even Columbia to begin because jalapeno white balsamic. The white vinegars generally are of the growing culinary aged 12 years, while the darker vinegars are aged longer, culture and appearance of 17 years or more. new niche businesses such The savory oils are highly perishable and stocked as Whole Foods Market. It’s by the season for peak freshness. “We currently have also where Mike has family southern hemisphere oils, and we’ll switch to the northern
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hemisphere oils in January and February, since the northern hemisphere will complete its harvest in November,” Mike explains. Oil varieties and flavors run the gamut, including blood orange olive oil, cilantro and roasted onion olive oil, wild mushroom and sage olive oil, and Baklouti green chili olive oil. Mike personally prefers the medium to robust Picual varietals from the store’s Ultra Premium extra virgin olive oil selection. Charlotte enjoys tasting the subtle differences in the oils from different countries and loves to incorporate the flavored oils into recipes, even simple brownies, which are even more delectable using blood orange olive oil. “Most importantly,” Mike adds, “our two kids will eat any vegetable sautéed in Tuscan Herb Olive Oil.” The Easlers have done well enough over the past year to open a second location of The Crescent Olive in Mt. Pleasant. Though they feel like road warriors much of the time maintaining a presence at both stores, they credit knowledgeable, topnotch employees with their success to date. The Crescent Olive’s oils and vinegars are kept in large stainless-steel containers called fustis, each with a tap. Once a customer selects a flavor, it is bottled right there in the store, with three sizes to choose from. And with prices ranging from $10 to $40, The Crescent Olive has something to satisfy just about any size budget, and you can even purchase online at www. thecrescentolive.com. The store also sells custom gift
baskets that can include local pottery, spices, and a variety of culinary accoutrements. Private tasting parties also can be scheduled for 10 or more people. “True tasters actually use these little blue tasting cups so people don’t judge oils by the color or country of origin,” Mike says. “Once customers try our products and experience a true extra virgin olive oil, there’s no turning back! Nothing makes us happier than to hear our customers come back in and say ‘We’re addicted!’ Our response is always, ‘At least it’s a healthy addiction!’” Indeed. Studies have shown that using olive oil as a regular part of one’s diet can help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by as much as 30 percent. The more pungent, peppery-tasting varieties are believed to be the most potent and beneficial. The balsamic vinegars have only 10 calories per tablespoon and register zero points on Weight Watchers. The Crescent Olive also works with a nutritionist, who regularly incorporates its products into new recipes, from main dishes to desserts, which are featured in a monthly e-mail to customers. “The best thing about this job is educating our customers and knowing the benefits of these products,” Mike says. And the store does a good bit of outreach, participating in many community events. In November, The Crescent Olive is teaming up with Charleston Cooks stores in Columbia and Charleston for a joint Italian-themed cooking class. “With Christmas around the corner, we look forward to the Columbia Junior League Holiday Market and hope to participate in the Sustainable Midlands Holiday Market as well,” Mike says. (The store has a recycling program; customers who bring back their bottles receive $1 off per refill.) “And, of course, Devine Night Out is Devine Street’s premier holiday event that we are always excited about!” ◼
Super Easy Blood Orange Brownies Use one package of your favorite brownie mix (we recommend Ghirardelli), follow the directions, and replace the vegetable oil with Blood Orange Olive Oil. Bake and enjoy! Courtesy of The Crescent Olive Website
The Crescent Olive 2901-C Devine Street in Columbia 1952 Long Grove Road, Suite 1, in Mount Pleasant 803.771.7774 www.thecrescentolive.com. Hours: Monday-Friday 10am – 6pm Saturday 10am – 5pm November/December 2013 | 19
Buzz pets
A Hospital for our Furry Friends This emergency hospital saves the lives of hundreds of our animal companions. Before you need their skills, learn about prevention and maybe you can avoid that trip. By Katherine Pettit Photography By Rob and Jon Studio
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r. Chris Hardin knows a thing or two about animals. Starting as a volunteer vet assistant in middle school, he has been in the business continuously for over 30 years. As a doctor in Atlanta and now for 16 years in Columbia, he has found that treatment for sick and injured pets is every bit as complicated as with humans. Since 2005, his Northeast Columbia-based Palmetto Regional Emergency Hospital for Animals has kept the doors open 24/7 to receive anxious pet parents and their sick or hurt companions. Pet parents from the greater Columbia area, as well as the Florence, Sumter, and Orangeburg regions bring their emergencies to his hospital. “ We see lots of trauma here,” he explained, referring to animals hit by vehicles, those who’ve been in fights, and others who have hurt themselves one way or another. “We also see a number of animals who have ingested poison, including antifreeze (it tastes sweet to animals who don’t know how deadly it
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can be), rat poison (which leads to internal bleeding), or even raisins and grapes.” During the summer months, heat-stroke victims are frequently seen, and all year round, dogs with bloat, dogs and cats with diabetes, cancer, acute glaucoma, congestive heart failure, seizures, and other problems are brought to the emergency hospital for the best of care. “In many instances, pets are taken immediately to a treatment area, where assessment by a doctor can be quickly provided. Oxygen, pain control, IV fluids and other services are often needed without delay,” Dr. Hardin explained. Dr. Hardin listens carefully when people bring in their pets and describe what’s happening. “Knowing a patient’s recent and thorough history is as important as the exam itself. You will be asked about past medical problems, duration and intensity of any current symptoms, possible exposures to chemicals, and other details.” He advises pet owners to act quickly, because in some instances, timing makes all the difference between life and death. Bloat is one example. “The sooner we can get the stomach decompressed, IV fluids started and go to surgery, the more likely it is that the patient will survive.” During his 20 years as a doctor, Dr. Hardin has seen it all, and he
knows that some preventive steps can keep many pets and their owners from making these desperate journeys to the hospital. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Food
There are certain foods which are completely harmless to humans (think chocolate) that can cause problems if four-footed creatures consume them. “As a rule, don’t feed animals people food unless your veterinarian has okayed it,” he says. In addition to grapes and raisins (and It only takes a handful to be harmful), animals shouldn’t eat onions, peach pits, macadamia nuts, wild mushrooms, coffee grounds or tea bags, and sugarfree gum, among many others. It should go without saying that bones can be fatal to animals, cooked and raw, and that includes fish, chicken, beef and pork bones. “It can cost $3,000 or more to remove bones from the intestines of a dog,” he explained. If your animal needs to chew on something, he suggests a Nylabone for safety’s sake. Around the holidays, fatty foods can be the culprit as well, when people are prone to feeding table scraps in excess. “Fatty foods can cause the pancreas to go into overdrive and begin to digest itself, causing vomiting, great pain, and even internal bleeding and peritonitis,” Dr. Hardin said.
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November/December 2013 | 21
Buzz pets
Temperature
Summers in South Carolina can be brutal, and animals often suffer because their owners want to take them along for the ride. “Heat strokes can occur when a dog is left in a car, even with the window cracked,” Dr. Hardin explained. “Dogs don’t sweat to cool themselves like we do, so while the temperature may feel fine to us, it is often too hot for our dogs.” Especially at risk are dogs with short skulls such as Bulldogs and Pugs. “These breeds have a harder time breathing to begin with, and since dogs cool themselves primarily through breathing, they tend to overheat even more quickly.” Heat stroke often leads to brain swelling, septic shock, and death, he adds.
Pregnancy
Just like with humans, some deliveries don’t go as planned. “If your pet is pregnant, you need to be fully informed on issues such as eclampsia prevention (low blood calcium) and when during labor it is time to go to a veterinarian,”
he says, adding that occasionally a C-section is necessary to save the life of the mother, as well as the babies. “These conversations need to take place with your vet well before labor even begins.”
Preventive Care
Puppies who don’t have four rounds of vaccine by the age of four months are at risk for developing Parvo, which is a virus that attacks the small intestine and can lead to ulcers and bacteria in the blood stream. “Statistically, only 10% of animals with Parvo will survive with home care, while 70% will survive in the hospital,” he explained. “We treat parvo very aggressively, which means the animal must be monitored all the time.” Likewise, cats who are not vaccinated are at risk for several possibly fatal diseases. Both dogs and cats can experience emergencies due to easily preventable issues such as intestinal worms, fleas, and heartworms. Spaying and neutering likewise prevent many potential emergencies. “The importance of an annual exam cannot be overstated,” says Dr. Hardin. Many issues, such as heart murmurs, can be detected early at these visits before they become a late night emergency.
The Hospital
Folks who pass by the Emergency Hospital will first notice the animal ambulance parked out front. “It’s an easy way for people in a rush to find us.” Occasionally still used for patient transport, the ambulance now primarily serves as an educational headquarters during pet festivals, school career days, and other occasions. Palmetto Regional Emergency Hospital for Animals serves as a regional canine blood bank, and is often called on by other veterinarians in need of plasma, packed red blood cells, and other products such as antivenin. They offer oxygen therapy, blood transfusions, pain management, fluid therapy, radiology, surger y, basic ultrasonography, and much more. 22 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com
All of this care can be expensive. “People are often not prepared for the expense of emergency animal medicine,” Dr. Hardin said. “Emergency medications, diagnostics, anesthesia, and skilled care are costly to provide by any veterinary emergency center anywhere in the world, and some preparation by pet parents is warranted.” Pet insurance, CareCredit, and an ‘emergency fund’ for one’s pet are all options to help in these situations. As an animal lover, Dr. Hardin has rescued several animals, including Chester Cheeto, a blind, elderly cat who lives at the hospital. “There’s nowhere else he can go, and we decided to let him live out his days here, with the staff.” At home Dr. Hardin and his wife have two dogs and two cats, three of them rescues and the fourth, from a charity auction. The younger dog still serves as a blood donor, while the older is officially retired from that duty. “I love the Columbia area, and it’s where I want to stay,” he shared. “This is a great town filled with people who love their pets.” He and his staff have developed excellent working relationships with veterinarians in the area, who often make referrals to the hospital. “We never know what will come in the door, but by now, we’ve seen almost any kind of emergency you can imagine, and we are happy that in many instances, with quick treatment, we are able to save the dogs and cats who are brought to us.” Dr. Hardin and his crew of 23 keep the hospital open 24/7, 365 days a year. It’s a good feeling to know they’re there, even if you hope your pets will never need their services. ◼ Palmetto Regional Emergency Hospital for Animals 10298 Two Notch Road Columbia 803.788.PETS (7387) & 803.865.1418 www.prehavet.com Hours: 24 hours, every day
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November/December 2013 | 23
BUZZ staff picks
The Gift That Lasts Forever By Courtney Webb Photographs By Jay Browne
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oday, as a society, we often take advantage of the act of reading. We take it for granted that there will always be books to read whether they be material or those from the screen, that there will always be those to teach when our children or grandchildren are ready. This holiday season, buy a book for you, a book for a family member or friend and a book for those without. A book is a unique gift; once read it stays with the reader forever. Whichever book you choose for that special person or that individual you may never meet, I have no doubt it will be appreciated. Below are small selections of books that will be all the rage for holiday shoppers and busy list-makers too.
Inferno by Dan Brown Action, adventure and scholarly historical background are what Dan Brown has built the majority of his novels upon and what readers of his books expect and love most about his work. Once again the treasures and landmarks of Europe will set the stage for Robert Langdon in this latest long awaited work but the whole world may truly be at stake. For a literary gift that doesn’t disappoint and will be on the wish lists of readers of both sexes and of many ages, this one is a must. who chooses to make a stand for all that is right and good.
The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks Nicholas Sparks delights his loyal fans once again in his newest project bringing together all the components of what makes him one of the most beloved story crafters currently on the shelf and in the movie theaters. True love, the unbelievable endurance of it, and the mastery of fate all combine to create a tale romance and life lived that will not disappoint a seasoned Sparks fan or a newbie for that matter.
Special Edition Harry Potter Box Set by J.K. Rowling The series that has brought so much magical wonder to both the young and the young at heart has now gotten a makeover in a new special edition collector’s set with incredible artwork by artist Kazu Kibuishi. It will thrill both those who discovered the bespectacled wizard those many years ago and those who are just now reaching the age to begin. Older fans of Rowling can also dive into her newest fictional sensation in the crime genre titled The Cuckoo’s Calling written under the pen name Robert Galbraith.
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Golf for
Not a Cookie Cutter Gift Shop... ...but we do have cookie cutters! Make state pride holiday cookies with palmetto and crescent cookie cutters found exclusively at your State Museum store.
Come see what’s new at the Introducing . . .
Merry Mondays
Columbia Living Magazine has teamed up with One Team Sports through sponsorship of their annual event “Golf For Kids” which will be held on November 14th at Mid-Carolina Golf Course from 1:30pm till 6:30pm. Tickets are $50.00 per person and may be purchased at www.oneteamsports. com or by phone at 803-414-1530. All proceeds benefit One Team Sports. One Team Sports is a nonprofit organization led by All American Imaging’s owner, Trey Love. One Team Sports distributes donated sports equipment to local athletes in need, as well as athletes abroad through mission groups helping people through sports. The annual fundraiser offers an opportunity for local businesses and the community to come together for a great cause. Tickets for the fundraiser include a game of golf and dinner with an award ceremony to conclude the event. This event also offers an opportunity for businesses and the community to donate new or gently used sports equipment, for example: cleats, jerseys, pants, bats, gloves, helmets, golf clubs, or anything sports related that may be used to benefit young athletes in need.
❆ Open all December Mondays ❄ Gourmet SC food tastings, 11-2pm ❆ Shopping and holiday music, 10-5pm
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All women are at risk for ovarian cancer. • Ovarian cancer is one of the five leading causes of cancer death in American women. • Ovarian cancer occurs in approximately one in 72 women. • E ach year, over 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and about 15,000 women die.
A Pap smear never detects ovarian cancer — it detects cervical cancer.
Some are at higher risk. • Women with a family or personal history of ovarian, breast or colon cancer • Post-menopausal women • Women who have never been pregnant or given birth
Whispering symptoms include: • Abdominal pressure • Bloating and discomfort • Unusual fatigue • Shortness of breath • Unexplained weight fluctuation • Constant feeling of fullness
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Talk to your doctor or visit our web site for more information
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8/8/13 5:00:13 AM November/December 2013 | 27
Southern Drawl
Full Speed Ahead Mike Biediger and Lexington Medical Center are attracting accolades from all over. And there’s so much more to come.
exington Medical Center and its President and CEO Mike Biediger share a short past and a long future, punctuated by a present which barely allows breathing time. Good thing there are respirators at hand! The explosive growth which descended on Lexington a generation ago is nowhere more evident than in the thriving, forward-looking medical facility less than 50 years old which some said would never make the grade. “Across the river” from Columbia? No doctors on that side of town? A skimpy population in a sleepy farm village? Not the most favorable demographics, according to the naysayers. Maybe it’s a demonstration of Lexington’s character and perseverance that against all the odds, Lexington Medical Center today stands proudly at the intersection of major highways, with 6200 employees, serving a rapidlygrowing population, and garnering accolades in every area of its service. Note also its outreach via six community medical centers throughout this large county, with more to come. “It’s the people who work here who accomplish all this,” says Mike Biediger. “We very simply strive to be the best, in everything we do, and we make it a point to hire employees with the same aspirations. That’s how we get it done.” This leader did not start his professional career expecting to be in the field of medical service. At the time he earned his degree in Industrial Management from Clemson, manufacturing was the usual path to be taken. His 1977
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graduation coincided with a big economic slump in the U.S., a period of sky-high interest rates and gas shortages, called by President Carter “a malaise.” Manufacturing was not where the action was. “I started with a company called SunHealth, using my training to analyze procedures and recommend quality control practices at medical institutions. One of the clients was McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, S.C. Later I worked there, and became Chief Operations Officer and then Executive Vice-President. “In 1989, Lexington Medical Center called me. At that time McLeod was a larger facility than this one, but as we have grown here in Lexington we are now about the same size. I’ve been here 24 years.” He may have grabbed a tiger by the tail. Few people anticipated the speed of population growth in this Midlands community, and most of the public services have raced to catch up and keep up. Some of the Lexington Medical Center pioneers wondered if their institution would make the grade; they had to attract enough patients to meet expenses. Who would come? They didn’t have to wait long for an answer. By the end of the hospital’s first year the beds were in demand and physicians were signing on to serve. Growth has been uninterrupted and spectacular. The future looks bright. President and CEO Biediger lists some of the advances and changes which were accomplished in the 1990’s during his first decade here: Radiation therapy, advanced cancer treatment, and neurosurgery. The hospital is proud of its Child Development Center, a modern, safe and educational care facility available to its employees. Medical office buildings have been added as fast as possible. A very public and sometimes contentious campaign for a Certificate of Need to add heart surgery facilities lasted for nearly 10 years. Once the CON was in hand, Lexington Medical Center moved swiftly with the construction and outfitting of the new jewel in its crown. This was topped with an affiliation with Duke Medical Center, one of the country’s top heart specialist programs, and now two experienced heart surgeons, Dr. Jeffrey Travis and Dr. Steven Marra lead the heart surgery program here. “We chose each other,” is the way Biediger expresses it. “We studied the best programs in the country, and Duke analyzed us thoroughly before agreeing
Photographs Courtesy Lexington Medical Center
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By Jackie Perrone
Photograph by Jay Browne
Michael J. Biediger
» Birthplace: Greenville, SC
» Family:
Wife: Jean Children: Teresa, Brooks
»
Education: Clemson University, Bachelor of Science, Industrial Management University of South Carolina, Master of Business Administration
» Career
SunHealth, management consultant and manager, 1977-1982 Vice President, McLeod Regional Medical Center, 1982-1985 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, McLeod Regional Medical Center, 1985-1989 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Lexington Medical Center, 1989-1996 President and CEO, Lexington Medical Center, 1996-present
» Awards
SC Healthcare Executive of the Year, 1990 Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), 2010
» Philosophy
“Strive to be the best in everything you do, and hire employees with the same aspirations.”
Southern Drawl
to this partnership. This unit opened just one and a half years ago; already more than 300 operations have been done.” The affiliation with Duke has since been expanded to include collaboration on cancer care, so that Lexington Medical cancer patients have the benefit of the finest advice and services from the partnership. An in-house accomplishment completed this year was the transfer of all health records for patients to electronic format, a requirement of the federal government which will expedite medical care 21st-century style. This program. a $60 million dollar investment, was installed on May 4 of this year. Now for a look at the future: A few weeks ago, Lexington Medical Center broke ground for a new building and campus at Otarre Pointe, a name which reflects the Native American heritage at its location on the 12th Street extension near the intersection of I-77 and I-26. “We were approached by SCANA about this possibility,” says Biediger. “With their large number of employees, along with those of Amazon and Nephron Pharmaceuticals, and more to come in the industrial park, it seems an ideal location for us. We will focus on 30 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com
occupational health services, with 64 employees as well as a Lexington Family Practice team. It will be a two-story, 70,000-square-foot facility which should be in service a year from now.” Construction of Lexington Medical Park – Otarre Pointe will conform to LEED requirements. That’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a muchsought-after certification of the use of advanced technology to conserve resources. Additionally, preservation of the rich historical and cultural significance of the area is at the forefront of design, from preserving trees to minimizing asphalt and maintaining natural landscaping. Lexington Medical Center currently operates an occupational health facility in West Columbia, serving more than 100 businesses. This service will move to Otarre Pointe. Not everyone knows that this medical center operates the largest nursing home in the Carolinas, at the site of the former Rikard’s Nursing Home near Lake Murray. In a longer-range view, this institution expects to expand into a second campus of 52 acres near I – 20 west of the town of Lexington. That’s in the 10-year projection of planners. Remember, you don’t stand still in fast-growing Lexington. Biediger and the rest of the Lexington Medical Center staff take pride in the many accolades and awards which have come their way. The center won “Best Hospital” by readers of The State newspaper 12 years, “Best Hospital” by readers of Free Times, “Best Place to Have a Baby” by readers of Palmetto Parent, the “Consumer Choice Award” from the National Research Corporation, and the prestigious “Summit Award” from Press Ganey for outstanding patient satisfaction. Health Exec News named Lexington Medical Center one of the “25 Best Hospitals to Work for in the U.S.” last year. This honors hospitals that provide outstanding work environments with opportunities for professional development, excellent benefits, compensation, activities, efficient workflow and employee satisfaction. The News praised the programs of scholarships, tuition reimbursement, and recognition for outstanding performance. It noted that employees described their co-workers as “a second family away from home.” This Center partners with the University of South Carolina and Midlands Technical College, Newberry College and USC-Aiken for nursing training programs. There is also a program to achieve Lab Technician certification. A lot of people want to work for Lexington Medical Center – about 50,000 applications every year, from which the best are chosen. Their President and CEO received his own recognition soon after arriving at Lexington Medical Center, when Michael J. Biediger was named the South Carolina Healthcare Executive of the Year in 1990 by the American College of Healthcare Executives. Not bad for an Industrial Management graduate who expected to go into manufacturing. He’s glad for the opportunities which have opened doors for him, and bullish on the future of this Midlands medical institution.◼
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Perfectly Gorgeous The art and science of make-up - let your true beauty shine through.
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November/December 2013 | 31
WELL STYLED beauty
Holiday Make-up Sweet and flawless or sparkling vamp, the holidays are here. Put your game face on. By AMY TRAN Photographs By JOSHUA AARON PHOTOGRAPHY
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elieve it or not, the holidays are just around the corner. This means parties, gettogether, and plenty of other wonderful opportunities to dress up and show off your new holiday look. Smoky Eyes Whether you choose something more subtle and pretty, or decide to go bold and sophisticated, there are so many great options for every taste and style. Following just a few easy holiday makeup ideas you can achieve a flawless sweet look, or an attention grabbing sparkling effect without giving the impression of trying too hard. The holiday season always makes you want to shine and escape from all the day-to-day habits, especially when it comes to makeup. It’s the best time for you to try something bold and glamorous. Based on your personal taste and occasion, here are some makeup looks that will help you transform your look into one that will be in season for years to come.
The Classic Red Lips You will always be in style with this look. The best way to achieve this timeless look is to put more emphasis on your lips. A fine soft line on the upper lid with neutral shades of gold on the lid pairs so well with a strong red lipstick. This combination of subtle eyes and bold lips always represents simple, yet beautiful holiday makeup. Besides, what color says holiday better than red? The best way to apply a red lip is to start by filling in the lip with lipstick. After you apply your lip color all over, then line the lips softly with a matching red liner. For the eyes, apply a soft gold on the lid followed by sweeping a soft sandy matte in your crease. Add a pop of gold in the inner corner of eyes to open them up. For a little more drama, add a darker brown shade in the outer 32 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com
corner of the crease to create an easy smoke effect. Make sure to use a thin black or brown line to define your lashes along with some super black mascara. The Smoky Eye Never rule out sparkle. You can be elegant and charming without overusing sparkle and metallics. In fact, what can be more sophisticated and chic than the classic, timeless, Smoky black that seems to reinvent itself every season. For this look, apply a creamy brown shadow lightly on the lid with a brush or your fingertip from lash line to crease. Next, take a metallic grey and pack it on top of the cream shadow again going from lash line to crease with a patting motion. The key to a Smoky eye is to blend around the edges so that it’s soft and sultry. Keep it natural and light under your brow bone to highlight the eye area. Using a black kohl eyeliner make a line at the roots of the eyelashes and on the inner margin of the bottom lid. Because this eye makeup is rather powerful, keep your lips as natural as possible by applying a neutral color. Another lip option for this look is a simple lip-gloss that will enhance the natural beauty of your lips. If you want to try something even more daring, add some red lipstick. Hot and festive! Flushed Cheeks Sometimes, the focus isn’t about the eyes or the lips but more about the skin. Here, we’re putting more focus on the
cheeks and keeping the skin soft. Swirl a light pink blush onto apples of cheeks pulling color slightly up towards the temples. Keep the eyes soft by adding some silver glitter to the lid and a soft earth tone in the crease. Apply a gentle coat of mascara and some lip-gloss in a peachy-orange shade. You simply cannot go wrong with this look! You’ll look classic and sweet. Bold Eyes and Lips Now, it’s time to forget all about those boring rules and go for something more dramatic. Vibrant colors are great for the holiday season Bold Eyes as long as you wear them in and Lips moderation. The key is to exaggerate with the use of color. Try applying a black gel liner or liquid liner on the lid with soft gold shades that scream holiday. For easy application, hold or set a mirror at chin level and look downwards. If you have unsteady hands, rest your elbows on a table. Gently drag the liner along the lash line and past the top outer corner of your eye. Follow the upward curve of your eye with the eyeliner. For a dramatic winged look, draw farther out and angle the liner more toward your brow. Now to create the winged effect at the outer corners! Start at the outer corner of the line you just drew and work back toward your eye, using a light sketching technique with the brush in short strokes. As you get closer to the inner lash line, draw a thinner line. Classic Red Lips You want the effect of the liner to be thin to thick from the inner corner of the eye to the outer. Follow the natural shape of your eye and connect the liner to the inner corner of your eye. Fill in any missing spaces along the lash line. Repeat on your other eye and voilà! You’ve completed your winged eyeliner! Then, add to the drama with a rich plum lip. This gives just as much drama as a red lipstick but with a little more attitude!
Flushed Cheeks
Own the Look These makeup looks are timeless and will always be in season. With a few changes here and there to fit your personality, you’ll shine at all of your holiday parties this year! The most important thing is to remember to have fun and experiment. With practice, you’ll find the right look that fits your personality! ◼
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Well Styled photography
Annie’s Pilgrimage In this remarkable exhibition, the only one of its kind in the southeast, icon Annie Leibovitz tells her stories of people by capturing the essence of their belongings. By Lisa Arnold Photographs By Anne McQuary
In
the weeks before the debut of Pilgrimage,
my mind seemed to play a virtual slideshow of Annie Leibovitz’s work. There was the infamous photo of a naked John Lennon with a fully clothed Yoko Ono -- taken on December 8, 1980, just hours before he was killed. It was used as the cover of Rolling Stone. Who can forget the August 1991 cover of Vanity Fair, featuring a very pregnant Demi Moore completely nude? And then there was the April 2008 cover of Vogue showcasing Gisele Bundchen and Lebron James. And further, in recent years, there have been multiple photos of Lady Gaga and Rihanna for Vogue. Vanity Fair’s 100th Anniversary issue includes a gorgeous photo of Kate Upton on the cover with these words, “Kate Upton Blows Out the Candle, Annie Leibovitz Snaps the Photo.” Inside, still more gorgeous photos of Kate that Annie had taken. “Just breathe” I kept telling myself knowing that in just a few short weeks I’d attend the media debut of the exhibition and a private cocktail party that she would be attending. Annie Leibovitz has been designated a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress – her awards are as prolific as her work (see box). Annie shot 142 covers for Rolling Stone. Ms. Leibovitz was the first woman to photograph Joan Armatrading for an album. (She spent four days at Joan’s house capturing images.) She served as the concert-tour photographer for The 34 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com
Rolling Stones Tour of the Americas ‘75. Clearly, they should just give this woman an honorary Grammy because she is a rock star! I called my fashion and profile photographer, Anne McQuary (whom I fondly refer to as Annie because she is my Annie), and asked if she could meet me at the Columbia Museum of Art for the press conference opening Annie Leibovitz’ Pilgrimage. Her excited response was, “So you need me to capture images from the show?” I replied, “Yes, but I also need you to capture images of Annie herself !” Anne replied, “You’re kidding – she’s coming to Columbia?” The morning of the event I was nervous, like a recent college graduate heading out for an interview for my dream job. “Of course” I thought, ANNIE LEIBOVITZ is coming here and I’m going to meet her. She’s a living legend, one of the most famous living American artists, an individual who has
(c) Annie Leibovitz. From “Pilgrimage” (Random House, 2011)
exceeded all boundaries as an artist and a woman. As we all stood awaiting her royal arrival, the door opened and the room became silent as she entered. We sat. Annie was presented a key to the City of Columbia by Mayor Steve Benjamin and was given a proclamation by the City and Richland County declaring, Thursday, October 3, 2013, “Annie Leibovitz Day.” She headed to the podium to accept these
honors and say a few words. It was readily apparent that she was humbled by all of this and it was visible how excited she was to be here and have her exhibition at the Columbia Museum of Art. We were all drawn under her spell as Annie ushered us into the gallery to show the media a few of the photographs and explain their significance. The first photograph in the exhibition (which is also on the cover of the book) is a photo of Niagara Falls. Having visited Niagara Falls countless times as I child, I was in awe of what this photograph captured. The raw beauty of the Falls, the power of Mother Nature and the emotions evoked when standing and staring at them. When asked about the photo, Annie explained that it was not her vision, but her children’s. She talked about visiting the falls with her three children and watching them become mesmerized by the site. She began taking photos from their perspective. Her comments brought me to tears, and we moved on. She continued through the gallery, notepad in hand, her passion pouring from her like water down one of the Great Wonders of the World. And then a dose of more down-to-earth images. We stood before a photo of Elvis Presley’s television set with bullet holes in it and she explained. “It was rumored that when Robert Goulet would appear on television, Elvis would shoot at the set.” Of course there is the photograph of Henry David Thoreau’s bed from his cabin at Walden Pond. November/December 2013 | 35
Well Styled photography
of their time and the best at what they did. They both shot things, albeit one with a gun and one with a camera, so when I came across this quote from Annie Oakley I smiled: “Aim at the high mark and you will hit it. No, not the first time, not the second time and maybe not the third. But keep on aiming and keep on shooting, for only practice will make you perfect. Finally, you’ll hit the bull’s-eye of success.” - Annie Oakley Annie Leibovitz: Pilgrimage surely hits the bull’seye of her personal success, and I have a feeling she will continue to keep hitting her mark. Karen Brosius and her staff at the Columbia Museum of Art have certainly also hit the bull’s-eye by bringing this show to Columbia, South Carolina. See it once and I promise you will want to go back again! ◼ About Annie Born: October 2, 1949, in Westbury, Connecticut Residence: New York City Family: three children; Sarah, Susan, Samuelle Education: San Francisco Art Institute Career: Rolling Stone Magazine from 1970 through 1983; Vanity Fair; Vogue Awards: Commandeur in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government (2006); International Center of Photography’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2009); ASME’s first Creative Excellence Award (2009); Centenary Medal of the Royal Photographic Society in London (2009); Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art Award to Distinguished Women in the Arts (2012). She has also been designated a Living Legend by the Library of Congress. About the Show I was carried back to that very book, which has always been one of my favorites. Now I had the image of Thoreau, writing from his bed in the evening. Another photo discussed was an image of Annie Oakley’s ace-of-hearts target. There is only one hole, which is of course through the center of the heart, likely shot from 40 feet away. Fascinating. Later that evening at the cocktail party, Annie casually strolled in, enjoyed a glass of wine and some food and sat on the sofa and mingled – just another cocktail party guest. We had a lovely, private conversation. I will never forget meeting her, listening to her comments, studying her images in her presence. Both Annie and Pilgrimage have left an indelible impression on me. The show really defines who she is as a person and artist; it is deep, intimate and passionate. Later, I began thinking about the parallels between her and Annie Oakley; strong female pioneers way ahead 36 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com
The exhibition, including 78 photographs taken between April 2009 and May 2011, is currently on view at the Columbia Museum of Art and will be there through January 5, 2014. The CMA is the only exhibition presentation in the Southeast. Columbia Museum of Art 1515 Main Street Columbia, South Carolina The museum is open from 11am until 5pm Tuesday through Friday, 10am until 5pm Saturday, and Noon until 5pm on Sunday. Admission is $12 for adults. columbiamuseum. org • 803.799.2810
Two Notch Road Animal Clinic
Help Columbia Fire Department Save a Treasured Pet Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins is hoping to place a lifesaving pet oxygen kit on every fire truck in the Columbia area. Each kit costs $75 and contains specially designed animal oxygen masks and other valuable materials that aide firefighters when they encounter a conscious or unconscious pet.
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Call for an appointment! (803) 788-7387 • www.petfriendsvet.com
Learn more at www.petoxygenmasks.org • Make your donation. Columbia Fire Department, 1800 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201 • 545-3700
Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory; Charleston Living Magazine; Half page; 7.5” x 4.875”; updated 10-04-13
Find out why saying “cheese” makes you smile!
Cheese Straws.
The perfectly delectable, perfectly Southern holiday gift. Ask at your favorite gift store or do your shopping online at www.mscheesestraws.com.
Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory
®
Classic Gourmet Straws, Cookies and Gifts • 1-800-530-7496 • www.mscheesestraws.com November/December 2013 | 37
10 Holiday!
health
Steps to a Healthy
OO
Tis the season for fun and food. When you leave the holidays behind, make sure they don’t leave something behind with you.
By EDNA COX RICE RD, CSG, LD
n average, Americans gain 2 pounds during the holidays, but these 2 pounds are not shed. One study showed 14% of those studied gained 5 pounds or more. Those participants who were overweight or obese gained more holiday pounds than those who were normal weight. This research showed that holiday weight gain explained over half of the annual weight gain for those who were in the study. This weight gain is probably one cause of weight that creeps up from year to year. Surviving the holiday requires a new mindset. Rather than focus on continuing to lose weight, focus instead on not gaining weight. Consider yourself successful if you continue to exercise regularly and don’t gain any weight. At the parties , focus on more than eating. Holidays are for connecting with family and friends. This is a great time to catch up with them. If it is a business related party, network. Focus less on the food and more on the fellowship. Don’t stray from healthy habits this holiday season. Here are some solutions to the holiday dilemma you encounter every year: 1. Scan the buffet before filling your plate. Decide what foods are worth eating and what can be ignored. Why waste calories on foods that don’t bring you pleasure? 2. Eat a snack before you leave home. If you are starving, you’re more likely to over-indulge. 3. Eat your calories instead of drinking them. Stick to lower calorie or calorie-free drinks (diet soda, water, light beer or wine spritzer) instead of punches, eggnogs, and mixed drinks that can have up to 500 calories per cup.
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4. Sip a large glass of water between every alcoholic drink or non-alcoholic punch or eggnog. This will help keep you hydrated and you’ll drink fewer calories. 5. Stand away from the buffet table. You’ll be less tempted to keep eating if it’s an effort to fill your plate. 6. Watch your portions. In most cases, especially when it comes to holiday sweets and alcoholic beverages, less is better. 7. Leave a few bites behind, especially if you are eating something you don’t really like. 8. When you are the host or hostess, include nutritious and lower calorie foods like fruits, vegetables and lean meats. When you are a guest, bring along a lower calorie dish to share. 9. Avoid feeling deprived all evening long. Allow yourself one holiday dessert per event. 10. Switch out of holiday mode when the party’s over. Don’t turn Thanksgiving through New Year’s into one long binge.
Holiday Favorites Makeovers Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Serve this sugar-free fresh cranberry sauce with turkey, ham or wild game. Ingredients: Cornstarch, 1 tsp Sugar substitute, 1 cup Water, ½ cup Fresh or frozen cranberries, 3 cups Orange, 1 medium, peeled and sectioned 1. Combine cornstarch, sugar substitute, and water in a medium saucepan, stirring until sugar sub and cornstarch dissolve.
Perfect Pumpkin Bread
This is a delicious low fat, high fiber holiday treat. Ingredients: Canned pumpkin, one – 15 oz can Whole wheat flour, 1 ¼ cup All purpose flour, ¼ cup Fat free liquid egg substitute, ½ cup No calorie sweetener (Splenda), ½ cup Brown sugar, ¼ cup Craisins, ¼ cup Baking powder, 2 ¼ tsp Cinnamon, 1 ½ tsp Vanilla extract, 1 tsp Salt, ½ tsp Pumpkin pie spice, 1/3 tsp 1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Stir in cranberries and orange sections; bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, over medium-high heat.
2. In a large bowl, combine whole wheat and all purpose flour, no calorie sweetener, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and pumpkin spice. (all dry ingredients)
3. Reduce heat, and simmer, stirring often, 5 minutes or until cranberry skins begin to pop and mixture begins to thicken. Set aside to cool down at room temperature. Cover and chill at least 3 hours before serving.
3. In a medium bowl, mix canned pumpkin, egg substitute, and vanilla extract. Then add this mixture to the dry ingredients, and stir until just blended.
Makes 6 - ¼ cup servings Nutrition info per ¼ cup serving: Calories 50; Fat 0g; Carbohydrates 13g; Fiber 3g; Sugars 6g; Protein 0g.
4. Slowly sprinkle in the craisins, mix to distribute them. Spray a large loaf pan (9” x 5”) with nonstick spray. Spoon batter into pan. 5. Bake for 50 minutes or until the top of the loaf is firm to the touch. Allow to cool. Cut into 8 slices. Makes 8 servings. Serving Size 1 thick slice: Calories 143; Fat 0.5g; Sodium 281mg; Carbs 31g; Fiber 4.5g; Sugars 9g; Protein 5g. To make muffins, pour batter into muffin pan sprayed with nonstick spray. Makes about 8 standard sized muffins. Cook for 35 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool. Enjoy! ◼
November/December 2013 | 39
HolidayGift Guide 1. Just For Him
Warm that man cave up for the holidays with a Mini-Split ductless heating and air unit. Filters allergens and odors, too. Ideal for garage, workshop and other boy rooms. $2,000-$4,000. All American Heating and Air. 796.8356
2. Hit Those Notes
Give the gift that lasts forever – lessons. Piano, drums, guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, ukelele, banjo and voice, for students five and up. $26/30 minute session. Columbia Arts Academy. 787.0931
4. Make a Statement
Dress up your display area with this colorful art glass plate by Palecek. Blossom Shop. 799.3730
3. Get em While They Last
This 2013 Moroccanoil holiday gift set comes in a cute little clutch and includes shampoo, conditioner, and an oil treatment – great for all hair types. Supplies limited. $69 (free gift w/ purchase). Bella Riley. 808.0420
5. Palmetto State Pride
Carolina inspired gifts and décor including vintage state flags on corrugated metal. $99.95. Carolina Shoppe. www.carolinashoppe.com
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Tis BetterTistoBetter Give -toAnd Recieve - This Holiday Season Give – And Receive – This Holiday Season 6. Wild Woolies Birdhouse
Fair-trade Nepalese wool combined with bamboo perches, hemp cords for hanging, and imagination create these warm, dry, and whimsical birdhouses that any bird would be happy to call home. $32.00.
7. Delicious Delights
Hardy wood basket filled with assorted delectables. From $6.50 to $30.50. Crescent Olive. 771.7774
Casual Living. 790.5066
9. Be a Lady Tonight
Pearle Luxe Cashmere Cape with Fox trim, $1,770.Gold charm necklace, $150. Python Clutch (black or red), $398. Devine Robin. 771.7610
8. Ooh, La La
Pretty things for every taste, age and pocketbook. Daff-a-Deals. 865.7640
10. Viva Italia!
Pure elegance from Italian designers Dolce & Gabbana. Great protection. In the Midlands exclusively at Folline Vision Centers. $478. Folline Vision Centers. Trenholm Plaza,790.0902 l Downtown, 779.7783.
November/December 2013 | 41
HolidayGift Guide 12. Spirit of The Season 11.
Shower Out Loud New Moxie showerhead+wireless speaker. Pair with any Bluetooth technology, then pop into showerhead. $125 and up.
“Celebration” – 2013 limited edition Christmas print and greeting cards. $45. Judy Jarrett Art Gallery. 345.6588
Gateway Supply Co. 771.7160 Columbia. 771.7160 | Lexington. 951.1607 | Columbia NE.736.4848
14. We Only Wear JoJo 13. No Cross to Bear
These fun, whimsical socks will hold your leggings inside your boots/booties, without scrunching and bunching. Coolmax technology, too. $12-$15. Kicks Shoes. 254.3937
Hand-painted crosses are simple and stand out! In assorted colors with gold accented wood blocks. Inspirational verses written on the back. Size options from $34-$40.50. Just the Thing. 771.9969
15. Time For a Treasure
Art deco style quartz alarm clock made by Tiffany & Co – beautiful with Swiss craftsmanship. Comes with turquoise cloth bag, clock care, and original box. $375. Lake Murray Treasures. 543.2933
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Tis BetterTistoBetter Give -toAnd Recieve This Holiday Season Give – And Receive – This Holiday Season 16. Paint the Town Gorgeous.
Coco dress by Jenny Yoo Social Collection in gold metallic dot jacquard features a soft scooped neckline, gentle pleat details and bow sash. $275.
17. Trim Your Tree in Style
Elegant, official South Carolina state flag glass ornament, in attractive gift box -exclusive to your State Museum. $18. The Cotton Mill Exchange, located in the South Carolina State Museum. 898.4967
Sash Bridesmaid Boutique. 708.9060.
19. Keep it Covered
Adorable wine bottle covers keep the goods under wraps. Hand-made. $20. The Frame Shop. 256.1601
18. Make a Statement
Sterling silver Nuage Pearl Station necklace with blue topaz ($1,400) + silver oval pendant with Tanzanite, lolite and blue topaz ($585). Sylvan’s Jewelers. 779.2250
20. This Little Light of Mine New Orleans Michael Clements created this warm and lovely hand-painted, hand-made lamp, exclusively at Verve. Verve. 799.0045
November/December 2013 | 43
For the Martin family and their interior designer, good listening skills and excellent communication made this lakeside collaboration the perfect home for their busy lifestyle. By Dale Anderson Photographs By Jay Browne
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AA
manda and Kevin Martin approached house-hunting the way they do everything else: they had specific ideas about what would work for them and what would not, they weren’t going to settle for almost-good-enough, and they were willing to accept professional help to make everything work out. “For instance,” says Amanda, “We wanted to be on Lake Murray, but we wanted some seclusion and privacy. So many of the lake houses are fully exposed to lake traffic; every passing boat can watch you having a cookout or a lawn party.” Bingo! This home is on the water, but surrounded by dense foliage and trees, not even visible from the lake. It’s a secluded inlet somewhat offset from the main body of water. There’s a boardwalk and dock for their pontoon boat, but you need to know how to set forth on it from the house. “Also,” she adds, “we live all over our house. We’re not going to tell the children they can’t sit on that chair, or to be careful in that room.” They’ve succeeded in that approach also. This young family, parents and two pre-teen children along with the friendly dog Izzy, bought their home in August 2011. It was six years old at that time and featured lots of excellent woodwork throughout, moldings, built-ins and trim. Through the builder they became acquainted with Blane Hylton, who carried out much of the renovation work. “Blane did a lot for us,” says Kevin Martin. “He’s very good with woodwork, and with detail. We screened in the big porch, and wanted to be sure the railings were not too high or intrusive. He got it exactly the way we wanted.” The Martins explain that the original owners had furnished the house with very traditional and somewhat formal décor. They prefer informal, livable, and more contemporary styles. “We chose an interior designer the November/December 2013 | 45
way we shopped for the house. We talked to quite a few about our ideas. Sometimes we would get the impression that they knew better than we did what should be done. At Evon Kirkland Designers, we met Kara Wilkerson. From the very first conversation with her, we felt comfortable. I can’t emphasize enough that she actually listens. She’s never tried to impose another opinion on us. She’s the reason this has all worked out so well.” Kara Wilkerson nods agreement. “I took care to get to know the Martins. I see my job as narrowing options for them, helping them choose among the variety of things they want.” Together, the family and the designer have come up with furnishings which are comfortable and attractive. Neutral tones prevail: lots of slate gray and charcoal, minimal displays on the walls, no fussy gadgets filling the spaces. “Kara talked us into the Chat Group,” says Amanda. At the lake end of the large living room, a grouping of easy chairs enables close conversation, playing a board game, reading together or other intimate socializing. “We use that space a lot. Would never have thought of it ourselves.” Kevin Martin is an entrepreneur who started his computer networking business, pair Networks, in 1996 in Pittsburgh. He saw a niche for a company which
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would focus on high-quality, affordable Web hosting. He says it took off from the very first, and by 1999 had moved twice, adding employees rapidly, to accommodate the fast growth. The one-man business of 15 years ago now employs 70, and CEO Martin runs things from his home in Lexington. “I go to Pittsburgh every few weeks just to have some face-to-face contact with everyone,” he says. This is not the first marriage for either Amanda or Kevin. The two children, Lilly Hart, 13, and Owen Hart, 8, from Amanda’s first marriage, accompany them on some trips. Amanda and Kevin were classmates in the first grade, in Anderson, S.C., and re-connected just a few years ago. This couple loves to travel, and although they had been married in a small ceremony at the house already, Kevin indulged his hobby of planning trips, and they took 24 people to the island of Mykonos, Greece and held another wedding ceremony. The honeymoon was in the Maldives. “Every year Kevin gives me a birthday gift of a surprise trip,” says Amanda. “I don’t know where we are going when we leave home, and sometimes until we get there. We have been to Easter Island and New Zealand and Switzerland and Chile. We like to take the children along on some of our trips. It is good for their
education, to be exposed to other cultures.” Is their new Lake Murray home filled with souvenirs from these exotic lands? Well, no. “We are terrible shoppers when we are traveling,” says Kevin. “We hope to do better in the future. Amanda did find a small statue while in Hawaii called ‘The Everlasting Kiss,’ and we had it shipped to us.” They picked up a piece of Dale Chihuly glass on another trip. They look forward to more traveling and better experience in acquiring accessories. Rugs are an ongoing issue. Kara says, “I brought some rugs for their attention. One with a rather bold design, another with a softer pattern. Kevin did not hesitate to express himself. ‘Looks like graffiti!’ he said. We wound up traveling to Charlotte together, to go to Stark Carpet where I have often shopped. We did make a start, but we have more planning to do for rugs.” The master bedroom has been simplified and, they believe, improved. With large walk-in closets and dressing space, there was no need for chests of drawers and other storage pieces. A large comfortable bed, plenty of walking-around space, and a remodeled mantel to accommodate a flat-screen TV provide a restful bedroom without clutter. The Martins claim they don’t watch much TV. That appears to be an oxymoron, as TV sets abound in
almost every room. This house features plenty of space for entertaining, and this family is making the most of it. You’re allowed a gasp of surprise and delight when you see the full-scale, high-definition theater room downstairs, with comfortable theater-style seating. It won an award from Electronic House magazine for Avista, the company that built it. Entertainment space spills over onto the large open area adjacent to the swimming pool, with kitchen facilities at hand. Lilly held the sixth-grade party here last May. The central house has a formal dining room, which they have streamlined, replacing the ornate chandelier with a Pagani fixture described by Kara as “organic and modern.” There are also an eat-in counter at the kitchen, and another large table next to the kitchen. Then there’s the newly-screened porch and its own dining furniture, along with a brand-new industrial-size grill. This space will see plenty of use now that summer heat has let up and football season has arrived. One downstairs room shows off several funky pin-ball machines, one of Kevin Martin’s passions. As president of the Pro-Am Pinball Association, he helps operate the two largest pinball tournaments in the world, and has even been known to compete himself. The Martins admit quickly that they do not have
November/December 2013 | 47
green thumbs and don’t do very well with gardening. Not to worry. Kara Wilkerson is putting her degree in horticulture to work and is helping them plan the right landscaping for protecting their privacy as well as enhancing the grounds. The Koi pool has been enlarged and improved as part of these plans. That all this has been accomplished without any dissension among the principals is a tribute to good dispositions and a willingness to listen to each other. Just the kind of clients about which an interior designer dreams. ◟
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Food+Drink dining review
in the kitchen
21 terrific tastes
restaurant guide
Traditional Asian cuisine in a fresh, contemporary fashion Michelle Wang has done it again. Her newest restaurant is an absolute triumph.
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November/December 2013 | 49
Food+Drink dining review
M Grille Everything you want in a fine Asian restaurant, plus so much more. By Amy Rogers Photography By Sally Taylor
MM
Top: The creative professionals at M Grille are producing fine cuisine in an appealing atmosphere. Bottom: Diver scallops are displayed to perfection over tomatoes and surrounded by microgreens.
ichelle Wang didn’t start out wanting to own a restaurant. The native of China never planned to live in South Carolina. Until the 1990s, she’d never experienced Columbia’s hospitality. And yet, here she is at the helm of M Grille in the Vista, the ninth eatery that her family-owned company has opened in the capital city region. She came to the U.S. from Shanghai in 1991 as a student to study art, communications, and ballet, with hopes of becoming a filmmaker. She became a translator, but the closest she came to a culinary career was working as a waitress in New York City. “It was not for me,” she says. “Life led me to Columbia.” After a visit to a local inn, she became intrigued with the hospitality she enjoyed. Not long after, Wang decided to make the city her home. Where, as it turns out, her studies served her well. M Grille exudes artfulness. It’s stylish and inviting, with a menu that interprets traditional Asian cuisine in a fresh, contemporary fashion. Cobb salads are modernized with the addition of almonds and Mandarin orange slices to the plate of bright, tender greens, tangy tomatoes, buttery avocados and organic egg slices. The accompanying southern-style, honey-brined chicken breast filet is juicy and satisfying. Plump diver scallops are served atop grilled tomato slices with a soy balsamic finish, and plated with a border of crisp microgreens. Some iconic dishes really can’t be improved upon, and M Grille’s signature sushi is a traditional combination of freshest tuna, yellowtail, and salmon with avocado. Highly-prized Peking duck is considered the national dish of China, and M Grille’s presentation honors that tradition, serving the crispy bird accompanied by thin pancakes and thick, house-made hoisin sauce for dipping. Drinking tea isn’t merely trendy these days, it’s also healthful, and M Grille brings creativity to its tea menu. Selections can be as simple as green jasmine tea or as indulgent as lavender citrus with a fruit puree that could be raspberry, lychee or pear. Organic Cloister honeys from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel’s rooftop hives in Charlotte add sweetness. Sake is synonymous with Asian cuisine, and M Grille
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offers more than a dozen on its expansive list of libations, including wine “flights” that offer small glasses of varying selections. A nice selection of traditional red, white, and sparkling wines rounds out the list. Wang has utilized Chinese Feng Shui principles to incorporate elements of fire, water, and wood in the restaurant’s clever and creative cocktail menu. Napa Valley “Perfect Purées” provide intense fruit flavors that are enhanced with fresh herbs. Servers can suggest pairings for diners who want to experiment with different flavor combinations. Cucumber Basil cocktails remain a yearround favorite, and bartender Mario Guevara recommends a Peach Jalapeño concoction for warmth in chilly weather. For a sweet finish, Chai tea-flavored cheesecake with a crystallized ginger crust is paired with a deep red, raspberry sorbet. A chocolate pistachio torte, key lime tart, and coconut pineapple pudding are other delicious desserts. “We can’t afford to go to New York or Miami and
Bottom: Peking duck with pancakes and hoisin sauce. Right: The bar is responsible for innovative and delightful libations.
have a $200 meal, but we can bring the elements here,” says Wang. The décor is as thoughtful and sophisticated as the menu. Rough-hewn wooden plank flooring anchors the room, which is spacious and spare and yet still inviting. A neutral color scheme of soft earth tones and simple table settings means the cuisine commands the attention. A large storefront adjacent to M Grille is has been upfitted to accommodate meetings or private events. M Space is open, airy, simple, and modern, and it echoes the restaurant’s sensibilities. But more than that, it’s adaptable for different types of gatherings, from business meetings to wedding rehearsals and celebrations. It feels urban but still comfortable. On-site and off-site catering options are varied and can be tailored for different tastes with sushi, sandwiches, salads, wok-prepared and grilled items. M Grille opened in August 2013, making it the ninth in the group that includes M Café, M Vista, M Fresh and five locations of the Miyo brand. The first was the location near the State House. Wang had dreamed of owning her own business and a restaurant seemed a realistic first step. Wang is mother to three boys with husband Rui Cao (pronounced “Ray Chow”). He is a mechanical engineer who now manages the accounting, technology, and finance operations for the business while she is focusing more on marketing, human resources, and training. Cao is from the northern part of China where noodle shops are popular, and has remarked to his wife that American tastes are similar to those in the region where he grew up. Occasionally, the couple informally discusses the possibility of bringing the concept here, although Wang stresses there are no plans underway at the moment. The pair took a few cooking classes at the elegant Mandarin Hotel, where they learned to cook stock and marinate duck, but they plan to keep their business local. Staying in one city allows them to focus on quality – which brings customers. “Because we do good work we get rewarded,” says Wang. Asked if she has advice for diners who want to get the most from their dining experiences, she says, “People should eat everything, for balance. I like to see customers ordering more sushi, more fresh fish, avoiding heavy oil and sodium, adding more greens. That’s why at M Grille we offer lots of salads, with arugula, mesclun, baby spinach, kale and romaine.” The restaurant can also accommodate vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets. “Food can help people overcome disease, and play a much bigger role
than people think,” she explains, adding that her mother was able to alleviate, though better eating habits, the blood pressure problems she had been suffering. Wang is quick to mention that everything is a team effort. She credits M Grille’s uncluttered, urban look to interior designer Tim McLendon, contractor Ray Hill, FRS Restaurant Supply rep Joe Kligman, and Forest Lake Fabrics. Gina Edrada is the restaurant’s human resources manager and Caroline Harper is its creative director, a graphic artist who grew up in France. She created M Grille’s aqua-and-silver menus and wine lists, and she gravitated to the kitchen recently where she joined the team of 11. “I’ve always cooked. I love cooking,” she says. Wang still travels to China several times a year to see her parents. “I’ve lived in Irmo for ten years. I don’t think I could have made it in any other city because the people here make a difference,” she says of her adopted Carolina home. “I couldn’t be more fortunate than to be in this city. I’m very blessed. “I use my love of food and gift for cooking and hospitality spirit to show my artistic perspective on life. In the restaurant business we can be creative and artistic. We have our dreams, ambitions and goals. As long as we can stay true to ourselves and not give up, we can always achieve excellence in whatever we do.” ◼ M Grille 530 Lady Street 708.8881 www.gomgrille.com www.miyos.com Happy hour Mon through Fri: 4pm-7pm Lunch Mon through Fri: 11:30am-2:30pm Dinner Mon through Thurs: 5:30pm-9:30pm Fri and Sat: 5:30pm-10:30pm
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Food+Drink in the kitchen
It’s
Nice
to be
Naughty
Recipes and Photographs By Kim Byer Go ahead. We give you permission to indulge in these superlative holiday cheese-inspired treats. Enjoy, because January will be here soon enough.
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T
en months out of the year, my name is highlighted in yellow and surrounded by tiny green checks and glittering stars; I’m a certified standout on the Nice list. I strive to do a good job. I eat organic fruits and vegetables. I recycle. I exercise. I meditate. I pay it forward. My latte is fair-trade, soy-based and sweetened with stevia. Goodness of this magnitude, of course, cannot last. A girl can only hold a plank for so long. A girl can only eat so much kale. Inevitably, Halloween comes and goes and I’m left holding a black plastic cauldron of picked-over candy. And so November begins -- what started with an innocent Butterfinger® ends with platters of sharp, aged, creamy, nutty, smelly and glorious cheese. I’m scratched off the Nice list and booted into Camp Naughty. The seductive scents and subtle aromas of cheese hijack my self-control during the holidays. Days of shopping, decorating and gift-wrapping wear me down and a plate of a few artisanal cheeses, fresh bread and wine is my go-to fast food meal. When my family gathers to trim the tree, cheese is the co-star of the evening. Melted Brie draped over gingersnaps and heady wedges of Morbier and Manchego tease my palate. Of course, the night isn’t complete without a store-bought cheese ball, covered in nuts. It’s hardly my cheese of choice, but it’s a tradition. Fortunately, cheeses have come a long way since the processed varieties of the 1970s. Craft cheeses aren’t just for specialty stores anymore. Exemplary locally-crafted cheeses can be found in our Saturday morning farmer’s markets. So this holiday season, if you’re tempted to be naughty, update your grilled cheese sandwich from the banal to the inspired with one of these savory-meets-sweet pairings. Or, switch out cream cheese for creamy goat cheese with smoked salmon on buttery toast points. Medjool dates aren’t only for healthy banana smoothies anymore; they’re making their way onto the holiday sideboard. Sprinkle a little candied bacon over your favorite Stilton or blue cheese and your family will gobble these up. My favorite creation in this cheese collective is the Lemony Cheese Balls. These tangy bites, coated in pine nuts and showered with powdered sugar, are the bee’s knees. But, of course, the grand dame of the season is our mille crêpe cake. Like a gingerbread house or a croque-en-bouche, mille cakes are confection-slash-construction projects and are best made with loved ones. They make for sweet smelling, butter-filled mornings, good memories and grand entrances. So say “Cheese” this holiday season, for all the naughty reasons.
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Food+Drink in the kitchen
Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Inspiration: ❶ Goat cheese with strawberry pepper preserves (pictured)
❷ Aged cheddar cheese with raspberry wasabi mustard (pictured) ❸ Blue cheese with pear preserves
❹ Havarti with dill and wholegrain Dijon mustard ❺ Munster with orange marmalade ❻ Cheddar pepper with fig jam ❼ Mozzarella with pesto
❽ Gruyere with Dijon mustard
❾ Swiss cheese with apple butter
❿ Smoked Gouda with blackberry jam
⓫ Parmesan and roasted red pepper spread
⓬ Brie or Camembert with Major Grey’s Chutney
Heavier, rustic breads without air pockets work best for grilled cheese sandwiches. Arrange cheese chunks, slices or shreds on one slice and cover a second slice with a spicy, savory or sweet spread. Over low heat in a heavy-bottomed pan or iron skillet, grill sandwiches in one tablespoon of butter. Flip sandwich when you smell the butter cooking. The heat should be low enough to allow the cheese to melt and the bread to toast. When cool, cut into squares. Re-heat prior to serving.
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Buttery Toast with Smoked Salmon, Goat Cheese and Fried Capers Makes 8-12 appetizers 8-12 slices rustic wheat, white or rye bread 8 ounces smoked salmon 3 T capers 1 T vegetable oil 4 ounces goat cheese 1/4 red onion, sliced into transparent crescents Citrus marmalade or jam for drizzling (optional) Fresh dill Butter for toasting bread ❶ Preheat oven or toaster to 325 degrees.
❷ Spread butter onto both sides of bread and bake until firm. ❸ Fry capers in vegetable oil until plump.
❹ Spread softened goat cheese onto toast.
❺ Top with a slice of smoked salmon, a snip of fresh dill, capers, onion and citrus jelly. (Calamondin orange marmalade pictured)
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Food+Drink in the kitchen
Medjool Dates stuffed with Stilton, Walnuts, and Candied Bacon Makes 2 dozen appetizers 1 dozen dried, organic Medjool dates 1 wedge of Stilton cheese 24 walnut halves 6 slices bacon 1 T light brown sugar Several dashes cayenne pepper or smoked paprika ❶ Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
❷ Lay bacon flat onto Silpa™ or foil-covered baking sheet. ❸ Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over both sides of bacon. ❹ Cook for 20-25 minutes, until crisp.
❺ Let cool and break into small pieces, discarding fat. ❻ Split dates in half and remove seeds.
❼ Place walnut half inside one-half of each date.
❽ Spread dates with blue cheese and sprinkle with candied bacon shards and cayenne pepper.
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Buttery Cheese Wafers rimmed in Smoked Paprika Makes 40-50 wafers 2 cups grated sharp white cheddar cheese 1 1/2 sticks butter 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup bread flour 1/2 t red pepper flakes 1/2 t kosher salt 1/2 t smoked paprika (Optional)
❶ Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Allow cheese and butter to reach room temperature. ❷ Cream together, adding sifted flour and spices.
❸ Squeeze together the pea-sized pieces of dough until you can divide the mixture into two or three equal-sized balls. ❹ Work the dough until it’s warm and pliable and has the texture of a ball of Play-Doh. ❺ Roll balls into logs (diameter of wafers will not increase when baked) and sprinkle on or roll in smoked paprika.
❻ Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes. With dental floss or a sharp knife, slice logs into 1/4 to 1/2 inch wafers.
❼ Lay wafers in rows on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until wafers turn into the soft baked consistency of a sugar cookie
❽ Be careful not to overcook, as softer wafers will melt in your mouth. Dough may be refrigerated for up to one week before baking.
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Food+Drink in the kitchen
Lemony Cheese Balls with Toasted Pine Nuts Makes 1 dozen 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese 4 oz. honey goat cheese Zest and lemon peel of 1 lemon (divided use) 4 T lemon juice Pinch of salt 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts, chopped Powdered sugar for dusting
❶ Blend cream cheese and honey goat cheese. ❷ Add lemon zest, juice and salt.
Mille Crêpe Cake with Raspberry Sauce Crêpe Batter Makes approximately 7 large crêpes (multiply recipe for desired height) 4 eggs 1 cup flour 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons melted butter
❶ Whip all ingredients into a small bowl.
❹ Toast pine nuts until they are caramel colored. Pine nuts burn easily and need to be watched.
❷ Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Depending upon the diameter of your crêpe pan, you’ll want to pour enough batter to cover the bottom and produce a round crêpe– about 1/3 to 1/2 cup. You may also put a small amount of butter in the pan between crêpes.
❻ Top with a curl of lemon peel and dust with powdered sugar.
❹ Gently turn over with your fingers or a spatula and cook the other side.
❸ Mix well and place into freezer for 10-15 minutes.
❺ Cool, then chop. Shape cheese mixture into ½ inch balls and roll in toasted pine nuts.
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❸ Over medium heat, fry one side for approximately one minute until it slides easily in the pan.
❺ Stack each cooked crêpe between a square of parchment or wax paper. Crêpes may be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
Cream Cheese Frosting Makes enough for one 12-to-15 layer mille cake 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 2 cups whipping cream 1 t vanilla extract 1/2 t almond or coconut extract (optional)
❶ In a large mixing bowl or a stand mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar and flavorings with a whisk attachment on medium speed until smooth.
❷ Scrape the sides and continue mixing on medium speed, slowly adding whipping cream until stiff peaks form. ❸ Spread a thin layer over each crêpe. Tip: Keep frosting cool.
The mille cake shown contains thirty layers. However, fifteen-to-twenty layers are more manageable. Taller cakes will benefit from adding coconut, nuts or other bulky ingredients between layers. Used alone, this frosting won’t provide the necessary friction to prevent taller layered cakes from potentially sliding.
Raspberry Sauce Makes approximately two cups 2 t cornstarch 1/3 cup sugar 3 (6-ounce) packages raspberries (divided use) 1 T lemon juice
❶ In a medium sized saucepan, melt sugar and cornstarch over low heat. ❷ Reserving a handful of raspberries for topping, add remaining to mixture and bring to a low boil. With a wooden spoon, stir and macerate berries.
❸ Reduce heat to simmer and allow mixture to thicken. As it cools, add lemon juice.
Notes: You won’t need a special crêpe pan; you can use any flatbottomed pan or griddle, though crêpe pans make this much easier. They come in all types -- unseasoned, non-stick or electric. All work well and should be relatively inexpensive. A non-stick French version that you can find in local kitchen shops will cost around $20-$25. If your pan isn’t well seasoned, the first round of crêpes should be well buttered.
November/December 2013 | 59
20 terrific tastes
21
i
Terrific Tastes By Katherine Pettit
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W
e asked around in search of Columbia’s favorite foods found in restaurants, bakeries and specialty kitchens. The result, while completely unscientific, is authentically from a variety of local palates. Have a favorite taste sensation we missed? No problem. We’ll start working on next year’s foodie finds asap.
p
d Hampton Street Vineyard
y Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse
Their cuisine is often called “New American. ” Their décor is modern, yet simple and the wine list is extensive. People are willing to drive forever to dine there.
The menu has been called “small but mighty” and “diverse and intriguing,” and changes quarterly with the seasons.
More than a meal, a visit to Rioz is pure fun. Their mission is to take your tastebuds to Brazil without leaving your seat, and the friendly gauchos do an excellent job of keeping your plate full.
Solstice Kitchen and Wine Bar
Terrific taste: Smoked Gouda-Bacon Mac and Cheese.“This dish is to die for as a side.” Not bad for the current Number 1 rated restaurant on Trip Advisor. Also consider: Wild Mushroom
Risotto (caramelized fennel, Split Creek Farms goat cheese, arugula, parmesan, zinfandel–Marsala reduction.)
What to drink: Their sweet tea is much loved by the locals. Dress up that taste by ordering a John Daly -- Firefly sweet tea vodka, lemon, mint, orange – the quintessential southern cocktail. Save room for: Banana-kopita –
caramelized bananas, vanilla mascarpone, phyllo, vanilla ice cream, toasted coconut. 841-4 Sparkleberry Lane 788.6966 www.solsticekitchen.com
Terrific taste: Sautéed Lump Crab Cake with a corn and black bean salad and a Siracha aioli. Also consider: Seared Breast of Duck with a butternut squash orzo and a honey lemon zest glaze.
What to drink: Wine Spectator Magazine’s “Best Award of Excellence” recipient since 1997. Take advantage of their award-winning wine list with recommendations from your server. Expect a perfect pairing. (Their port selection is also fine.) Save room for: Their assorted artisan cheese plate.
1201 Hampton Street 252-0850 www.HamptonStreetVineyard.com
Terrific taste: Leg of lamb, grilled
and flavorful.
Also consider: Tasty tidbits on the
expansive salad bar, including quail eggs and artichokes.
What to drink: The Caipirinha, the national drink of Brazil, which is pretty hard to find in Columbia. If you like the taste of lime and you’ve never had one, be sure to try it – delicious. Save room for: Are you kidding?
After sampling this churrascaria meal – chicken, beef, sausages, lamb and pork, you won’t have room for dessert. If you do, they’ve got great choices. 410 Columbiana Drive 708.3151 www.rioz.com
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21 terrific tastes
j Liberty Tap Room and Grill Liberty on the Lake In the Vista or on Lake Murray, the Liberty restaurants offer casual dininng, specializing in all-American food made from the freshest ingredients. They are known for their Certified Angus Beef® burgers, juicy steaks, or fresh-baked pizzas. The raw bar at the lake is an added touch of delish.
Terrific Taste: The Cowboy Burger,
with applewood smoked bacon, ham, onion straws, french fries, bbq sauce, ranch dressing, monterey jack, cheddar and swiss cheese.
Also consider:The coconut shrimp with citrus marmalade at the lake location. Upscale Gastropub food.
What to drink:They feature some
mighty good specialty cocktails (including making them alcohol-free if desired), but their list of beers on tap is most impressive.
Save room for: Bananas Foster
Cheesecake – two delicious desserts fused into one. 828 Gervais Street. 461.4677 1602 Marina Road. 667.9715 www.libertytaproom.com {Garibaldi Cafe Crispy Flounder}
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v
kGaribaldi Café
This local favorite was a stop for President Bush during a visit to Columbia, but residents have been enjoying it for years. No signs, so you’ll have to find it.
Classic and simple, with a few surprises is how some folks describe Garibaldi Café, the Five Points institution that retains a loyal group of patrons. The menu has undergone bit of a facelift lately, but some of their offerings are just too good to mess with.
Rockaway Athletic Club
Terrific taste: Pimento cheeseburger – everyone loves it. USC graduates return home for it. Perfect attention to detail and flavor. Also consider: A basket of fried okra – a yummy southern favorite.
What to drink: They have an extensive
beer menu and full bar. Choose your libation.
Save room for: Chocolate cake. It’s
not a big dessert place, but the cake is worthy. 2719 Rosewood Drive 256.1075 Find them on Facebook
Terrific taste: Crispy Flounder, inspired by the whole fish presentations of Thai cuisine, scored and glazed with a sweet and tangy apricot shallot sauce. Also consider: Shrimp and Risotto
Cake. Sautéed Shrimp and a Fried Risotto Cake in Country Ham Gravy.
What to drink: Ask for their wine recommendations – spot on. Save room for:
Their almond basket filled with vanilla ice cream and fruit. Pure goodness. 2013 Greene St. 771.8888 www.GaribaldiColumbia.com
{Liberty’s Cowboy Burger}
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21 terrific tastes
xM Grille
QIl Giorgione
M Grille carefully selects all fresh, mostly wild and organic ingredients from the market to create innovative salads, sushi, and sumptuous main courses.
Simple menu, freshest possible ingredients, good Italian wines. Seven made to order pizzas, and lots of homemade goodness.
Terrific taste: Grilled sesame-crusted chicken served with Asian slaw and brown rice.
Terrific taste: The Caprese Salad, with their own home-made mozzarella over tomatoes, and a drizzle of evoo and freshly cracked pepper.
Also consider: The mango sushi roll
has Tempura shrimp, cucumber and eel, and on top mango blue crab and honey.
Also consider: Their homemade
What to drink: Skinny refresher, with Skinny Girl vodka, sake, mint, lime juice and basil.
What to drink: Limoncello, made in house – pure Italy in a glass.
Save room for: Green tea cheesecake
with matcha green tea flavor, served with lemon sorbet.
the delightful little cream horn stuffed with whipped ricotta and marscarpone cheese.
530 Lady Street 708.8881 www.gomgrille.com
2406 Devine Street 521.5063 www.ilgiorgione.com
pizzas, authentic, fresh and delicious.
Save room for: Il duetto di cannolini,
n
Mr. Friendly’s New Southern Café This local favorite is a bit off the beaten track in Five Points, but very much worth the effort to find. The food is fresh, and creative with lots of Southerninspired dishes.
Terrific taste: Peach Mustard BBQ Glazed Salmon -- peach chutney, creamy stone-ground grits, your choice of succotash or creole slaw (both are excellent, but several friends swear by grits and succotash) Also consider: Fried green tomato
pimento cheese BLT on Ciabatta bread.
What to drink: Their wine list is extensive, plus cocktails, but the $4 wine at lunch is quite the deal and surprisingly wonderful for that price. Save room for: Jill’s Flourless Dark
Chocolate Torte, with white chocolateamaretto mousse, berries and chocolate sauce – enough said. 2001 Green Street 254.828 www.mrfriendlys.com
{Il Giorgione Caprese Salad}
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{M Grille Mango Sushi Rol}
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21 terrific tastes
TThe Gourmet Shop
qTombo Grille
sMotor Supply Company Bistro
Five Points at its finest. A little bit of everything for cooking, eating, drinking and gift-giving. All top-drawer and more like a store you’d find in Europe.
Fresh, South Carolina-grown ingredients. A changing menu to highlight the flavors of the seasons. Eclectic with a southern flair, for every palate. Sister restaurant to Motor Supply
Their menu changes every day, so our choices may not be available when you visit. No worries, the food is routinely excellent -- an eclectic blend of Contemporary American, French, Italian and Asian cuisine … something for everyone’s palate.
Terrific taste: Chocolate Croissants – call it a guilty pleasure if you like, but we know chocolate is good for you. These are sinfully good for you.
Terrific taste: Pan Seared Scallops with roasted corn puree with a smoked tomato bacon jam.
Also consider: Their amazing desserts,
Also consider: Their version of Caesar
for in-café consumption or to take home and impress your guests. We guarantee it.
What to drink: Cappuccino – regular,
mocha, iced, mocha iced -- perfect.
Save room for: It’s a bakery, a café,
and a gourmet food and wine store, so take a little something home. We like to sample several unfamiliar cheeses and choose the best to carry home for later -- with a nice bottle of wine, of course. 724 Saluda Avenue 799.3705 www.TheGourmetShop.net
Salad – fresh romaine, parmesan, white anchovies – hard to find in Columbia, but worth the hunt – and traditional Casear dressing. Add a Cornish hen and you have one great meal.
Terrific taste: With a changing menu, this is one tough call, but whenever there’s local quail on the menu, you can count on a tasty delight. Also consider: The house made
charcuterie plate – intense flavor and protein at its most interesting
What to drink: The cucumber martini comes highly recommended, but they have a number of specialty cocktails sure to please.
What to drink: They have excellent scotch, as well as wines, etc. You can’t go wrong.
Save room for:
Key lime crème brulee – heavenly.
if they have it. If not, branch out for something new and different.
4517 Forest Drive 782.9665 www.tombogrille.com
920 Gervais Street 256-6687 www.motorsupplycobistro.com
Save room for: Blueberry cobbler,
{The Gourmet Shop Assorted Salads}
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yPawley’s Front Porch
x Blue Marlin
Dine outside if you can. The Five Points favorite has been written up in Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, and Guy Fieri loved the food. You may go for the burgers, but you’ll rave about the sweet potato fries.
Since 1994, this charming restaurant has served inventive Lowcountry cuisine to a loyal group of customers. They strive for sustainable seafood and certified Angus beef among other offerings.
Terrific taste: Front Porch hamburger,
with eight ounces of beef ground inhouse, plus cheese: cheddar, pepperjack, gruyere or blue cheese; plus bacon: jalapeno or applewood smoked. Big and messy.
Also consider: The sweet potato fries.
Don’t just consider, order them, for sure.
What to drink: Have a beer, here. Save room for: Forget it.
You won’t have any room left for dessert. 827 Harden Street 771.8001 www.pawleyfrontporch.com
j 2 Fat-2 Fly Stuffed Chicken Wings You’ll have to be creative and follow them on Facebook to track down their location, but if you’re a wing fanatic, you should try them for sure.
Terrific taste: Collards. People who say they hate collards also make this exception. One reviewer explained that perhaps that’s why he thought didn’t like collards – because he’d never had them with this kind of deep and rich flavor.
Terrific taste: Wings stuffed with homemade dressing and gravy – yep, Thanksgiving in your hand. It’s a big bite, but a yummy one. Get plenty of napkins.
Also consider: The Award-winning
spicy concoction with fresh Jalapenos, bacon and cheddar. Be forewarned by the title.
shrimp and Adluph grits, with creek shrimp, topped with andouille sausage and tasso gravy.
What to drink: Try a Jack Rose, which
combines Applejack brandy, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, a touch of grenadine, and a dash of Fee Rhubarb Bitters.
Save room for: Key Lime Pie. Everyone loves their version.
1200 Lincoln Street 799.3838 www.BlueMarlinColumbia.com
Also consider: The Sucka Punch, a
What to drink: Lots of whatever you’ve got on hand. Save room for: Another chicken wing, of course.
622.6063 www.2fat2flywings.com Follow them on Facebook to find the truck.
{Blue Marlin Shrimp & Grits}
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21 terrific tastes
e
Mojito’s Tropical Café Some say their Cuban food is better than many restaurants in Miami. It’s not pretentious but it is welcoming. If you’ve never had Cuban cuisine, this is an excellent place to start the adventure.
Terrific taste: Pulled Pork Cuban
sandwich. The pork melts in your mouth and the spice is just right.
pGervais and Vine
tRistorante Divino
This Tapas Bar has been voted Columbia’s best place for a first date, so leave the little ones at home. Gervais & Vine is a Spanish-styled tapas bar with culinary influences from all across the Mediterranean Outside dining is nice in warm weather, but the back room is very comfortable as well.
Expect excellent Northern Italian cuisine featuring fresh and locally grown ingredients prepared in modern combinations at this cozy restaurant in the heart of the Vista.
Terrific Taste: The spreads. Try a
Folks on Trip Advisor rave about its taste and authenticity.
combination plate of three spreads (they offer seven) to get things going. Each one is better than the last, but do include the Costa Brava in your group.
What to drink: A Mojito, of course,
Also consider: Their scallops. Perfectly
Save room for: Tres Leches
What to drink: With more than 40 wines by the glass, indulge a bit and try something new.
1004 Gervais Street 779.1717 Follow them on Facebook
Save room for: Dessert. Portions are
Also consider: The Black Bean Soup.
with spiced rum and fresh mint.
Cake, a delightfully unique dessert for Columbia.
prepared, great sauces.
tapas-sized, so you won’t use up your calorie index if you share a sweet bite or two with your significant other. 620 Gervais Street 799.8463 www.gervine.com
{Mojito’s Pulled Pork Cuban sandwich with Mojitos}
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Terrific taste: Gnocchi di Patate, Potato dumplings with gorgonzola cream sauce, bolognese sauce or fresh tomato sauce – authentically delicious Also consider: Lobster bisque with crème fraiche and lobster chunks
What to drink: Great wine and excellent cocktails. If you haven’t had one lately, get nostalgic with a Manhattan. Save room for: Tiramisu
803 Gervais Street 799.4550 www.ristorantedivino.com
q
p Julia’s German Stammtisch Restaurant
Authentic Thai can be a moving target, but Baan Sawan ticks all the boxes. It’s small, but this family-run business delivers powerful tastes, starting with their heat scale of 1-5. Order the level of heat with which you’re comfortable and you’ll know what you’re getting.
Yelp reviewers practically swoon at the authentic German food you’ll find here, from Julia, who’s been in the U.S. for 26 years. Bring cash and don’t expect fancy surroundings, but do count on great German dishes.
Baan Sawan Thai Restaurant
choose the protein or vegetable, then pick the curry. Great spice and flavor. Yelp reviewers are crazy about this food.
Terrific taste: Pick a Schnitzel – any Schnitzel. There are a number of choices and all have cheerleaders, so follow your tastebuds and enjoy the crispy, perfectly seasoned meal.
Also consider: The vegetable spring
Also consider: Homemade sauerkraut
Terrific taste: Panang Curry. You
roll, filled with woodear mushrooms, carrots, bean noodles, onions, spinach and cabbage, served with plum ginger sauce. You’ll get your vegies in this crisp, tasty roll.
What to drink: Talk with Sam, the bartender. He will help you pair your libation, perfectly. Save room for: Chocolate mousse – fluffy and a nice counterpoint to all that heat.
and/or red cabbage. The real deal.
What to drink: German beer,
of course.
Save room for: Lemon and cheese torte.
v
Mediterranean Tea Room A small restaurant in the Shandon area that has legions of devotees. The cuisine has a Middle Eastern, Greek flair with some spectacular standouts.
Terrific taste: Eggplant appetizer, with fresh tomatoes and fresh, mild jalapeno slices. How do they achieve that texture? Wish we knew. Also consider: Folks claim their Feta
cheese is the best. The gyro is yummy, too.
What to drink: It’s a tea room. Save room for: Pistachio Baklava – small portion, but incredibly filling. 2601 Devine Street 799.3118 Follow them on Facebook
4341 Fort Jackson Boulevard 738.0630 http://julias.vpweb.com/
2135 Devine Street 252.8992 Follow them on Facebook
November/December 2013| | 69 69 November/December 2013
Restaurant Guide Ready to Eat?
Use our restaurant listings to find the best eating and drinking in Columbia.
Locations: (C) Chapin ; (D) Downtown; (DS) Devine Street; (F) Five Points; (FA) Forest Acres; (I) Irmo; (L) Lexington; (N) Northeast; (R) Rosewood; (V ) Vista Area; (W ) West Columbia
The Oak Table (D), 1221 Main Street, 803.563.5066The restaurant serves modern American cuisine with a high level of hospitality, service and excellence inspired by sister restaurants, Oak Steakhouse and The Macintosh in Charleston and features classic American staples, from steak to seafood. Open for Lunch, Mon - Fri: 11:30am 2:30pm. Open for Dinner Mon -- Thurs: 5 - 10pm. Fri and Sat: 5 - 11pm. Sun: 5 - 9pm Open for Brunch Sun, 11:30am - 2:30pm Solstice Kitchen & Wine Bar (N) 841-4 Sparkleberry Ln., 788-6966. New American grill with extensive wine list. Serving seafood, pork, chicken, salads. Lunch TueFri 11:30am-2pm, Dinner, Mon-Thurs5:309:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30pm.
M Grille Cheesecake with Raspberry Sorbet.
American Cellar on Greene (F) 2001 Greene St., 343-3303. Unique combination of wine shop by day and wine bar by night. Offering 3 course meals with steak, seafood or duck as well as pizza and desserts. Dinner, TueThurs 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 5-11pm. City Center Grill (D) 1200 Hampton St. (in the Columbia Marriott), 744-6940. Traditional American favorites with regional fare. Breakfast, Mon-Fri 6:30-10:30am, SatSun 6:30-12, Lunch daily,11:30am-2pm, Dinner, Mon-Sat 5-10pm. Cola’s Restaurant (V) 1215 Assembly Street, 803.451.0051 The menu is eclectic and evolvng, located in an historic and recently modernized building. Menu items include lamburger, beef short ribs, shrimp succotash. Bar open daily 5pm - unitl. Dinner, Monday - Thursday, 5:30pm 10:30pm. Friday-Saturday, 5:30pm-11pm.
Five Guys Famous Burgers & Fries (D) 931 Senate St., 799-0441; (FA) 4751 Forest Dr., 787-3178; (I) 285 Columbiana Dr., 407-6443; (N) 460-2 Town Center Place, 788-6200. Hamburgers, with an array of other options available. Daily 11am-10pm. Harper’s Restaurant (F) 700 Harden St., 252-2222. Enjoy casual dining with an array of American cuisine, including steak, chicken, seafood, BBQ, burgers and salads. Lunch and Dinner, Mon-Thurs 11:15am10pm, Fri-Sat 11:15am-11pm, Sun 10:30am-10pm. Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Ale House (D) 900 Main St., 748-0540. English-style brew pub with a variety of fresh homemade dishes. Brewhouse serving continental fare and regional favorites. Handcrafted beer made in-house. Lunch, Tue-Fri 11am-2pm, Dinner, Mon-Sat 4-11pm. Liberty Tap Room & Grill (V) 828 Gervais St., 461-4677. Handcrafted brew-pub with rich ethnic cooking styles serving seafood, steak, chicken, burgers, soups and salads. Mon-Sat 11am-until, Sun 10am-until, Sun Brunch 10am-3pm.
Tombo Grille (FA) 4509 Forest Dr., 782-9665. Forest Acres hotspot serving incredible food, wines, and high-gravity beer. Dinner Mon-Thurs 5:30-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30 10:30pm. Yesterday’s (F) 2030 Devine St., 7990196. Relaxed family atmosphere serving up regional dishes made fresh daily. Menu items include beef stew, BBQ, lasagna and chicken. Lunch and Dinner, Sun-Thurs 11:30am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11:30-1am. Asian Baan Sawan Thai Bistro (DS) 2135 Devine St., 252-8992. Quaint bistro offering traditional Thai dishes with seafood, chicken and beef. Choose from a variety of Curry flavors. Dinner Tue-Thurs 5:30-9pm, Fri 5:30-10pm, Sat 5:30-9pm. Take out is available. M Café (D) 1417 Sumter St., 779-5788. Fresh Asian cuisine and Mandarin tea room. Lunch and Dinner, Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat 5-10pm.
Area restaurants provide this information to Columbia LIVING magazine. It is published according to space availability. No advertising or other considerations are accepted in exchange for a listing. To participate in our restaurant guide, call 843-856-2532. 70 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com
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November/December 2013 | 71
Restaurant Guide M Grille (V) 530 Lady Street; 708.8881;Fresh Asian and American cuisine and sushi. Lunch, Mon-Fri,11:30am2:30pm,Dinner, Mon-Thur, 5:30-9:30pm, Fri & Sat, 5:30-10:30 pm Miyo’s (D) 922 S Main St., 779-6496; (FA) 3250 Forest Dr., 743-9996; (I) 1221 Bower Pkwy., 781-7788; (N) 715 Fashion Dr., 7888878; (V) 701 Lady St., 255-8878. Unique Asian flared foods, sushi, fine teas and specialty entrees. Hours vary by location. SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar (V) 807 Gervais St., 931-0700. Serving up award winning sushi with fresh ahi tuna. Grill menu includes steak, chicken and beef. Dinner, Mon-Wed 4:30-10pm, Thurs-Sat 4:30pm-midnight. Bakery Tiffany’s Bakery & Eatery (N) 8502 Two Notch Rd., 736-2253. Full service delicatessen and custom bakery. Specialty is wedding cakes. Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 8am-3pm.
BBQ Hudson’s Smokehouse (I) 301 Park Terrace Dr., 661-7533; (L) 4952 Sunset Blvd., 3561070. Voted some of the best BBQ in all of Columbia, offering full menu or Southern buffet with all the sides. Lunch and Dinner Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-3pm. Deli/Café DiPrato’s (F) 342 Pickens St., 7790606. New York style delicatessen serving Mediterranean and Italian cuisine with signature sandwiches, soups and salads. Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sat brunch 10am1pm, Sun brunch 10am-4pm. The Gourmet Shop (F) 724 Saluda Ave., 799-3705. A local favorite, serving homemade sandwiches, soups, salads, and desserts. Menu items include turkey pesto, reuben, chicken salad, and smoked salmon. Mon-Fri 9am-3:45pm, Sat 9am-4:45pm, Sun 10am-3:45pm.
Groucho’s Deli (F) 611 Harden St., 7995708; (N) 111 Sparkleberry Ln., 419-6767; 730 University Village Dr., 754-4509; (I) 800 Lake Murray Blvd., 749-4515; 2009 Broad River Rd., 750-3188; (FA) 4717 Forest Dr., 790-0801; (L) 117 ½ E. Main St., 356-8800. A local favorite featuring made-to-order sandwiches, low-fat options, soups and salads. Lunch and Dinner. Hours vary by location. Rosewood Market and Deli (R) 2803 Rosewood Dr., 256-6410. Wide variety of menu selections such as coconut shrimp, gumbo, pasta, soups and salads. Low carb healthy dishes available. Lunch Mon-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, Sun 10am-2pm, Dinner Mon-Sat 5-7:30pm. Dessert Café Strudel (W) 118 State St., 7946634. European style café serving an array of sandwiches, soups, salads, and burgers. Breakfast and Lunch Mon-Wed 8:30am3:30pm, Thurs-Sat 8:30am-10:30pm, Sun 10am-2:30pm.
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Restaurant Guide
Nonnah’s (V) 930 Gervais St., 779-9599. Offering a lite lunch and dinner menu, with some of the best desserts in Columbia. Relaxed, yet upscale atmosphere wonderfully decorated with original artwork from local artists. Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm; Dinner Mon-Thurs 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm12:30am. Fine Dining Al’s Upstairs (W) 300 Meeting St., 794-7404. Romantic and elegant Italian restaurant overlooking the Columbia skyline. Entrees include fresh fish, steaks, chops, pasta and lamb. Dinner, Mon-Sat 5-10pm. Arizona’s (N) 150 Forum Dr., 865-1001. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner daily, SunMon11:30am-9pm, Tue-Thurs 11:30am10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm. Columbo’s (D) 2100 Bush River Rd. (in the Radisson Hotel), 744-2200. Unique Italian cuisine, prime steaks and a superior wine list served up in a casual intimate atmosphere. Breakfast daily, 6:30-11am, Lunch and Dinner daily 11am-midnight. Garibaldi’s (F) 2013 Greene St., 771-8888. Sophisticated neighborhood café with an art deco bar, serving classic Italian fare and delectable seafood. Dinner, Mon-Thurs 5-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 5-11pm, Sun 5-10pm. Hampton Street Vineyard (D) 1201 Hampton St., 252-0850. Offering an array of cuisines with seafood, pastas, beef and chicken. Menu changes quarterly. Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm, Dinner Mon-Sat 6-10pm. Lexington Arms (L) 314 West Main St., 359-2700. Serving a wide variety of foods including lamb, beef stroganoff, sandwiches, salads and desserts. Dinner, Mon-Thurs 5:30-9pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10pm. Momo’s Bistro (DS) 2930 Devine St., 2522700. Fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Choose from seafood, steak, pork, chicken, lamb and salads. Dinner Mon-Thurs 5:3010pm, Fri 5:30-11pm, Sat 5:30-10pm, Sun Brunch 10:30-2:30pm. Motor Supply Bistro (V) 920 Gervais St., 256-6687. Serving up innovative food with a menu that changes twice daily. Lunch, Tue-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, Sun Brunch 11am-3pm, Dinner, Tue-Thurs 5:30-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30pm, Sun 5:30-9pm.
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P.O.S.H. (D) 1400 Main St. (in the Sheraton Hotel), 988-1400. Breakfast only, Mon-Fri 6:30-10:30am, Sat-Sun 6:30-11am. Ristorante Divino (V) 803 Gervais St., 799-4550. Authentic Northern Italian cuisine, serving homemade pastas, seafood, duck and beef. Reservations suggested. Dinner, Mon-Sat 6pm-until. Terra (W) 100 State St., 791-3443. Great neighborhood restaurant serving wood-oven pizzas, quail, red drum, steaks and salads. Dinner, Tue-Sat 5pm-until. Greek Grecian Gardens (W) 2312 Sunset Blvd., 794-7552. Authentic Greek cuisine including an excellent wine list. Menu selections include chicken, seafood, steaks, Greek pizza, salads and sandwiches. Lunch and Dinner, Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-9pm. Italian Il Giorgione Pizzeria & Wine Bar (DS) 2406 Devine St., 521-5063. Experience Italy first hand at this authentic pizzeria & wine bar. Made in-house panini, pizzas, pasta, mozzarella & desserts. Lunch and Dinner, Tues-Thurs, 11:30am-10pm, Fri 11:30am-11pm, Sat 4-11pm. Closed Sun-Mon. Moe’s Grapevine (R) 4478 Rosewood Dr., 776-8463. Casual and personal dining experience with an Italian flare. Lunch, Tue-Fri 11am-2:30pm, Dinner Tue 5-9pm, Wed-Sat 5-10pm. Rosso Trattoria Italia (FA) 4840 Forest Dr., 787-3949. Elegant casual Italian food fare serving up local, seasonal products, Menu boasts an array of pastas, grilled meats, steaks, and excellent wine list. Dinner, MonThurs 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 5-11pm. Travinia Italian Kitchen (L) 5074 Sunset Blvd., 957-2422; (N) 101 Sparkleberry Crossing Rd., 419-9313. Contemporary Italian cuisine serving fresh pasta, soups, chicken, pizza, veal and seafood. Lunch and Dinner Mon-Thurs 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm, Sun 12-9pm. Villa Tronco (D) 1213 Blanding St., 2567677. Enjoy casual fine dining in Columbia’s oldest Italian restaurant. Old world charm with authentic recipes. Lunch, Mon-Fri 11:00am-3pm, Dinner Mon-Sat 5-10pm.
Japanese Camon Japanese Restaurant (D) 1332 Assembly St., 254-5400. Hibachi-style cooking with seafood, steak and chicken. Dinner, Mon-Sat 5-9:30pm. Sakura Japanese Restaurant (FA) 4827 Forest Dr., 738-9330. A local favorite serving up an array of tasty seafood and sushi dishes prepared fresh daily. Lunch, Mon-Sat 11:30am-2pm, Dinner Mon-Thurs 5:309:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10pm. Sato Japanese Steak & Seafood (FA) 1999 Beltline Blvd., 782-1064. Authentic Japanese cuisine prepared at your table with the finest chefs. Dinners include appetizer, soup, and salad. Choose from steak, chicken or seafood. Lunch Tue-Fri 11am-3pm, Dinner 4:30-10pm. Mediterranean Al-Amir (I) 7001 St. Andrews Rd., 7320522. Lunch, Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm, Dinner Mon-Fri 5:30-9:30pm, Sat-Sun 11:30-9:30. Gervais & Vine (V) 620-A Gervais St., 799-8463. Spanish-styled Mediterranean wine and tapas bar offering a wide selection of beers, outside seating and a menu with culinary influences from across the Med. Dinner, Mon-Thurs 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 5-11pm. Seafood Blue Fin (N) 461-4 Town Center Place, 865-7346. An upscale yet casual atmosphere with a full bar. Dishes include seafood, pasta, chicken, soups and salads. Lunch daily 11am-2:45pm, Dinner Mon-Thurs 3-10pm, Fri-Sat 3-11pm, Sun 3-9:30pm. Blue Marlin (V) 1200 Lincoln St., 7993838. Serving dishes with a Cajun and Creole influence. Menu includes seafood, steaks and chicken. Lunch, Mon-Fri 11:302:30, Dinner Mon-Fri 5:30-10pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am-11pm. Bonefish Grill (FA) 4708 Forest Dr., 7876200; (I) 1260 Bower Pkwy., 407-1599. Great seafood dishes prepared on a woodburning grill, all within a relaxed casual atmosphere. Dinner Mon-Thurs 4-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 4-11:30pm, Sun 4-10pm.
Catch 22 (I) 1085 Lake Murray Blvd., 7494700. A fine-dining seafood restaurant with an array of seafood dishes, steak, chicken, sandwiches, soups and salads. Kids menu available. Dinner Tue-Thurs 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 5-11pm. The Oyster Bar (V) 1123 Park St., 7994484. Columbia’s original oyster bar, serving the freshest Gulf oysters, steamed or raw, soups, and shrimp and grits. Mon-Sat 4-until. Pearlz Oyster Bar (V) 936 Gervais St., 661-7741. Fun, eclectic restaurant serving the freshest seafood in a casual dining atmosphere. Daily 4pm-until. Southern Mint Julep Bistro & Lounge (N) 120 Sparkleberry Crossing Dr., 419-7200. Mediterranean style “small-plate” dining with traditional Southern ingredients. Selections include shrimp & grits, gumbo, BBQ, chicken dishes, soups and salads. Full wine and liquor bar. Dinner Mon-Thurs 4-10pm, Fri-Sat 4-11pm.
Love at First Bite For fine dining in Columbia, visit Hampton Street Vineyard for a seasonally inspired menu with cuisine influences that are unrestricted by ethnic boundaries. Locally sourced food, and a superb 8 selection of wine. Wine Spectator Award Winner for ‘Best of Award of Excellence’ since 1997.
Hours Mon-Fri: Lunch 11:30-2:00, Dinner 6:00-10:00 Sat: Dinner only 6:00-10:00
Mr. Friendly’s (F) 2001 Greene St., 254-7828. Serving new Southern cuisine including seafood, chicken, beef and wild game. Sophisticated and casual atmosphere, extensive wine list and a wide variety of micro-brew beer. Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am2:30pm, Dinner Mon-Thurs 5:30-10pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30pm. Steaks and Seafood Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse (D) 1508 Main St., 728-0887. A unique, all you can eat Churrascaria located in the historic Kress Building. Featuring a full salad bar, Brazilian hot dishes and 16 different types of meats sliced at your table. Full bar and wine cellar. Mon-Fri 5-10pm, Sat 4-10pm, Sun Lunch 10-4pm, Dinner 4-9pm. Reservations suggested. Rusty Anchor (C) 1925 Johnson Marina, 749-1555. Located on Lake Murray the restaurant offers a picturesque and unique lake side dining experience. Specializing in fresh seafood, with favorites such as cedar plank salmon, broiled scallops, and chicken and steak. Outside dining available, full bar. Thurs 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House (D) 924-A Senate St. (in the Hilton Hotel), 212-6666. U.S.D.A. prime beef, chops, chicken and fresh seafood. Reservations recommended. Breakfast daily 7-10:30am, Lunch daily 11am-3pm, Dinner Sun-Thurs 3-10pm, Fri-Sat 3-11pm.European style café serving an array of sandwiches, soups, salads, and burgers. Breakfast and Lunch Mon-Wed 8:30am-3:30pm, Thurs-Sat 8:30am10:30pm, Sun 10am-2:30pm. Saluda’s (F) 751 Saluda Ave., 799-9500. Rich mahogany and white linen tables is what you can expect at this fine dining eatery. Located in the heart of Five Points, featuring Southern cuisine with French and Italian influences. Entrees include Fish Du Jour, shrimp & grits, steaks, chops, and an excellent wine list. Dinner nightly, 5:30-10pm.
H O L I DAY O F F I C E C AT E R I NG
Let us make your holidays easy! Holiday party time is fast approaching and Tombo Grille is here to help. We offer family-style lunchtime catering — the perfect solution for those company Thanksgiving and Christmas in-office lunches. With a delightful selection of main dishes, sides, salads and desserts that will please everyone, Tombo Grille can come to your rescue. We deliver and pick up, so all you have to do is place the order and we handle the rest. Visit tombogrille.com for menus and pricing. Or maybe you’re looking for a venue for your holiday party instead — let Tombo Grille be your host. Give us a call and we’ll give you one less thing to worry about so your holidays can be truly happy!
803.782.9665 1201 Hampton Street, Columbia 803.252.0850 www.hamptonstreetvineyard.com
4517 Forest Drive Forest Acres, SC (across from Trader Joe’s)
tombogrille.com
November/December 2013 | 75
travel
76 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com
Treasure Isles Small but gorgeous, Vieques and St. John come with all the tropical island swag of their neighbors, but without the crowds.
Photographs courtesy US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
By Katie McElveen
St. John
A
s with all great beach days, our afternoon on Salt Pond Bay went by in a lazy blur of naps, strolls and swims punctuated by the quiet murmur of waves on the sand. But I never thought I’d discover art on the beach. I’d followed a short trail away from the sea toward a place called Drunk Bay. Ten minutes later, I found myself on a rocky stretch of windswept coastline. It took a moment, but as I looked around I realized that the entire beach been decorated with sculptures fashioned from stones, driftwood, shells and other ocean detritus. Obviously it had taken weeks to create this “pop up” gallery, but in that time, no one had knocked down the carefully constructed rock towers, or kicked over the figures that had been tucked into crevices and perched atop giant boulders. “There’s not much space left because we haven’t had a storm in awhile,” commented an artist as she put the finishing touches on a work. “When a storm hits, everything gets washed away and we get to start all over again.” That live-and-let-live attitude sums up the vibe on St. John. Low-key and casual, it’s the smallest of the three US Virgin Islands, but what St. John lacks in size it more than makes up for in charm. More than half of the island is taken up by Virgin Islands National Park, a shady, trail-covered swath of land where you’re likely to run into a deer or wild donkey (they were brought to the island to work the sugar plantations) as you make your way over hills dotted with plantation ruins. Beyond Salt Pond Bay, the island is rimmed with a huge variety of beaches that range from tiny private coves accessible only by water or trail to magnificent stretches of sugar-soft sand. Another favorite was Honeymoon Beach, where we bobbed in the calm turquoise sea to our hearts’
Top Left: Red Beach, on Vieques Island offers a panorama of land and sea. Bottom left: The view from Los Arcos, on Vieques. Bottom right: View from a Vieques bungalow.
November/December 2013 | 77
travel
station near the car ferry – until we spotted Candi in the back chopping cabbage for cole slaw. “I make everything here, including the come-back sauce for the ribs,” she said. “I call it come-back because once you try it, you’ll come back for more!” She was right. The hills of St. John are dotted with lavish villas complete with pools, maid service and milliondollar views, and as much as we loved the idea of such posh digs, we wanted to be able to walk into town. A friend told us about Seashore Allure, where we stayed in a spacious two-bedroom condo complete with stainless-steel appliances, flat-screen televisions, carved wood furnishings, hardwood floors and spa showers that Delbert Parsons, who owns the building, tiled himself using local shells. He also picked us up at the ferry, took us to the grocery store and delivered us to the condo. Caneel Bay, with its seven beaches, tennis courts, spa, restaurants and 170 acres lush, donkey-inhabited grounds, is another option. Once the estate of Laurence Rockefeller, the sprawling property sits on the edge of the national park and is a St. John classic.
Above: Trunk Bay, St. Johns is a favorite for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters. Right: Crystal clear waters and abundant ocean life make snorkling great fun around St. Johns.
Vieques
content, then walked to the adjacent Caneel Bay Resort for cocktails on the porch. Within Cruz Bay, the larger of the island’s two towns, you’ll find cute shops mixed in with the restaurants, bars and cafes tucked into alleys, perched on porches and sitting smack dab on the beach. We ended most beach days sipping Presidente beers and Margaritas as we watched the ferry from St. Thomas come and go from the porch at Spyglass restaurant; dinners – local mahi at Fish Trap, Asian-inflected dishes at Asolare and Thai at Rhumb Lines – were fresh, delicious and casual. We weren’t sure about getting carry out ribs from Candi’s BBQ and Grill – the not-mobile food truck is located next to a gas
Thom Denton is laughing as he looks out over the Caribbean from the expansive balcony of North Point Villa, one of several private rental homes he and his group Bravos Boyz manages on the island of Vieques and rents through FlipKey.com. “It was so rustic when we got here, just a few little guest houses and cafes. But it had such potential. The vibe was great. The beaches were gorgeous. It was just a matter of time.” That was 13-years ago. Since then, the tiny tropical isle located just a shell’s throw from the eastern tip of Puerto Rico has more than lived up the Denton’s expectations. There’s a W hotel. Fabulous restaurants. Stunning oceanfront villas that come complete with chefs, on-call massage therapists and provisioning services. Even better, the island has retained its funky, friendly personality. And the beaches are often deserted enough to support a Robinson Crusoe fantasy – albeit one with a beach bar within striking distance. Case in point: On our way to a stand-up paddleboard adventure, we parked the jeep under a
Below and bottom: The views go on forever at North Shore Pointe, on Vieques Island. Right: Bungalow on Vieques.
grove of sea grapes and walked onto an unspoiled landscape of golden sand, azure water and swaying palms that was Navio Bay. Later, as we cut through the calm waters of Sun Bay on as we bobbled on our paddleboards, we spotted a few wild horses, descendants of steeds brought over by conquistadors in the 16th century, resting in the shade. Like St. John, Vieques is a two-town island. Isabelle II is small, but lined with stylish shops like the beautifully curated Siddhia Hutchinson gallery and Funky Beehive, with its sea glass jewelry and pretty beach cover-ups. Esperanza, a narrow beachfront neighborhood of small hotels, openair restaurants and welcoming bars is the culinary epicenter of the island. Our dinner at El Quenepo started with, what we learned, was a nightly tradition. After we’d ordered our drinks and taken a sip or two, we carried them outside of the restaurant and across the street to the plaza, where a group had gathered to watch the sunset. Afterwards, we returned to El
Quenepo, where we dunked hunks of sourdough bread raised from a starter carried by hand from Seattle into plates of savory homemade tomato jam scented with garlic and rosemary. Courses like sweet corn crepes stuffed with crab, avocado and chipotle cream fraiche and a gourmet version of mofongo – the plantain mash had been fashioned into a bowl, fried and filled with seafood – followed. Away from town, restaurants are equally fetching. Lanterns light the interior space at Next Course, which is tucked into a curve in the road in the middle of the island, but we preferred the scene under the grove of avocado, starfruit and mango trees that shades the deck outside. Grilled local fish and avocado salad stole the show, but grilled lobster topped with truffled risotto ran a close second. Be sure to ask for one of Kaila’s homemade cookies to take home for a late night treat. Around the corner, Tin Box grows much of its own produce and fills its raw bar with clams and oysters delivered daily from Massachusetts. “Ten minutes ago, these greens were growing right down there,” said owner Mike Duffy as he delivered my salad and pointed toward the restaurant’s garden. Duffy, whose brother Tim owns the infamous Duffy’s Love Shack on St. Thomas, opened Tin Box in March in a former tool sharpening shed. The salad was fantastic – young mustard greens added just the right touch of spice – but I was glad to have dining companions so I could dig into house-cured bacon and ribs, as well as cornbread slathered with butter and a sprinkling of smoked paprika. “My family has spent a lot of time in the Caribbean,” says Duffy. “We’ve had restaurants here for years. I’m glad I came back and decided to open my own place. It’s a fabulous island, not like anywhere else.” ◼
November/December 2013 | 79
Last Reflection
[
An employee stands outside The Flame, a restaurant formerly at the corner of Gervais and Bull streets in downtown Columbia, during the holiday season circa 1950. Photo from the John Hensel Collection, courtesy South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia.
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]
A recipe
healthy
for
babies
Sunday, November 3, 2013 6:00 p.m. Columbia Marriott 1200 Hampton • Columbia, SC Blue Marlin • Brookland Banquet & Conference Center • Columbia Marriott Earth Fare • Frances Catering • Il Giorgione • The Oak Table • And More...
Celebrate our D iamond Anniversary with a night of great food and great giving! The March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction returns with delectable tastings from the area’s finest chefs and the opportunity to bid on exciting auction packages! Special thanks to our Signature Sponsors
For more information on joining us as a participating restaurant or sponsor, call (803)403-8524 or visit marchofdimes.com/southcarolina.
Live { Survivor from Day 1 }
A cancer diagnosis is not only scary, it’s something we all take personally. At Lexington Oncology we understand the physical and emotional impacts of cancer and are pursuing better ways to fight it — side-by-side with you. Our affiliation with Duke Medicine, our participation in clinical research, and our experienced staff help us provide state-of-the-art treatments, support and education here, close to home. It’s simply a better way to care.
www.lexoncology.com