Carol Williams

I've lived in Mt. Pleasant, SC (sometimes referred to as the bedroom community of Charleston) for the past 24 years. I've seen restaurants come and go and have seen the ones that the locals love. Many of the locals like to boast that East of the Cooper (Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms) restaurants are a great little secret. You don't have to go to Charleston to have a great meal, the prices are better and the parking is FREE! So let's get down to it, what are some of the best little hole in the wall restaurants around? (strictly my opinion)

These restaurants are in no particular order. It just depends on what you want to eat that night

Italian

Hands down - Sette on Coleman Blvd. Sal does it again w/ great food at a great price. 1/2 price bottle of wine at night Mon- Thurs unitl 8 pm. My favorite is the Veal Marsala, Osso Buco and Lasagna.

Sushi

Oriental Garden - Coleman Blvd next to Taco Bell. A definite locals place. The space is small and the decor is lacking. But isn't that what makes a great local restaurant? The sushi is the best around.

Mexican

Santi's - Meeting Street, Chas- OK, so this one you'll have to travel back over the bridge to Charleston, but the parking is free. This place used to be a Huddle House and looks like it sat unoccupied for a while before Santi's took it over. Authentic Mexican w/ great Margaritas. Mexican chain restaurants can't touch it!

Seafood

Isn't that why you came down here in the first place? If you go to the well known names you'll be sorely disapointed. So instead I have a couple of places I like to visit. I want places that not only serve fried dishes but also have blackened or grilled fish and shrimp and grits. BTW, most restaurants around here have a few seafood dishes on the menu or on their specials board)

Boathouse on Breech Inlet (inbetween Sullivans and IOP)

Red's Ice House - Shem Creek (killer grouper sandwich)

Huck's - new place on IOP where Banana Cabana used to be. Nice atmosphere too!

Longpoint Grill - Longpoint Rd. -Has some nice seafood dishes on the menu. Great all around menu

There are others too...I"ll think of more when I blog again.

Hamburgers

Got to go to Poes on Sullivan's Island. Get there early, seating is limited and bar becomes a hot hangout as night wears on.

Vickery's- Shem Creek also has a nice selection of burgers. Nice when you can get a table outside that overlooks Shem Creek

Home Cooking

Boulevard Dinner - Coleman Blvd When you got to have meatloaf, fried chicken or just a grilled pimento cheese sandwich

Mustard Seed - Chuck Dawley Blvd - Healthier food than Boulevard.

Again these are the places I like to eat. And no, I don't work for Sal even though I listed 4 of his restaurants.

He just happens to have good food at reasonable prices. I know I've left off some other great places. So I'll blog again when I get a chance.

Enjoy!

Carol

SIMPLY ELEGANT! This 4 bdrm, 3.5 ba house is located in SMYTHE PARK, Daniel Island's newest neighborhood. It is conveniently located within walking distance to the Elementary School, Library and Parks. Also nearby the community pool.

CUSTOM BUILT Home is on a corner lot with a lovely landscaped backyard enclosed with 6ft PRIVACY FENCE. Full front and Side porch have wood floors and lighting by GAS LANTERNS. The Spacious Interior Floor Plan is designed w/ rooms that are usable and comfortable w/ rich HEART PINE FLOORING throughout. The foyer sets the tone of the home w/ timeless architectural details including RICH CROWN MOULDING & BEAD BOARD WAINSCOTING. The FORMAL DINING room includes wood paneled wainscoting and full length CUSTOM Dupioni Silk drapes. The capacious kitchen w/ STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, including GE MONOGRAM SIDE BY SIDE Refrigerator, BUILT IN MICROWAVE, CONVECTION WALL OVEN & 5 BURNER GAS RANGE, WINE BAR & walk-in PANTRY. Kitchen counter tops & Center Island are HONED MARBLE. Adjoining is the breakfast room and the warm & inviting family room w/ custom PLANTATION SHUTTERS, GAS FIREPLACE, BUILT IN BOOKCASES & BUILT-IN SPEAKERS. The large Laundry Rm located off the kitchen, contains ample space w/ sink & cabinets. Home Director Integrated Network Panel Installed. The 2nd floor includes 2 spacious bedrooms w/ custom closets and shared full bath w/ dual sinks, tiled floor and subway tile on walls.

LARGE MASTER SUITE floor plan creates a series of connected spaces that includes separate Sitting Room/Office/Nursery, LARGE WALK-IN CLOSET & Master Bath that creates a personal retreat w/ TRAVERTINE floors & countertops, high quality fixtures & JACUZZI Tub. CUSTOM PLANTATION SHUTTERS throughout most windows.

FROG is 4th Bedroom. This Bonus Room is beautifully designed with PANELED WAINSCOT, Private Bath and Large Walk-in Closet. Would make great guest suite, Office, Media Room, or Playroom. Back SCREENED Porch has Brazilian Iron Hardwood Flooring and Bahama Shutters. Wonderful walk-in Storage under porch. Oyster Shell Patio and Walkway enhance the landscaped backyard.Outdoor lighting in front & back. 2 CAR GARAGE with finished flooring. TEC Stainless Grill can convey. Buyer pays a one time neighborhood enhancement fee of .5% of sales price to Daniel Island community fund at closing.

5:30 pm to 8:10 (Sunset), The Creek Club, I'On Waterfront. Meet Jane Martin

our new BizNet President. Lane Jefferies, of Barrier Island Yachts will have boats

for a Sunset Cruises on the Wando River. Come enjoy Goombay Smashes mixed

on the afterdeck by the light of a Wando Sunset. The person wearing the most

memorable tropical print shirt will be the honorary captain of the vessel for the

evening. Free food and drink. Parents invited for a group discussion about organizing

summer boating activities for our youth in our community.

May 13- Monthly Women's Coffee

Time: 10 AM to 12 Noon, 94 West Shipyard Rd. Maggie Kinney will be our host

for the May Coffee at her gorgeous home overlooking Westlake. Please bring a

coffee mug and enjoy this I'On Trust sponsored event. You do no have to be a

member of the Trust to participate. Questions? contact

susan.marlowe@yahoo.com

May 13- Conservati'on Corps Monthly Meeting

1 to 2:30 pm, 110 West Shipyard Road. Hosted by Cynthia Rosengren. Got energy

to help conserve energy, or other ways to help the environment? Please join

us! Contact Jennifer 884-2925 or Cynthia 856-8239.

May 13- Community Soccer

4:30 to 6 pm, Eastlake Soccer Field. Father John Parker and volunteers from Holy

Ascension Church help kids from the church and neighborhood enjoy an afternoon

of exercise and fun.

May 13- Trivia Contest

8 pm, O'Brion's Pub. Gather a team and show the little things you know while

compete for a $50 gift certificate.

May 14- Financial Literacy Fair

6-9 pm., Creek Club. Everyone's invited to learn more about the need for a better

public understanding of personal financial literacy and fiscal responsibility. Participants

will include a bank, a credit union and diverse financial professionals. It

is being hosted by Dorothea Bernique, director of the Non-profit Training Center

for Financial Literacy, financetraining@increasinghope.com. Food and beverages

will be served. For more details contact John Barnhill 216-1183.

May 15- Lunch Bunch

11:00 AM, Lana Restaurant. Lunch Bunch will be going to Lana Restaurant on

Thursday, May 15th. Meet at the Square at 11:10 am. RSVP to Sandy Powers at

971-0073 or jspowers1@comcast.net by Friday, May 9th.

May 17- 'Gardens of I'On

1 to 5 pm, 10 lovely private gardens and a reception. An I'On Trust event sponsored

by I'On Realty. I'On's inaugural garden tour will feature 10 lovely private

gardens and a reception at I'On Square. Also included will be 6 professional demonstrations

at various outdoor locations on gardening-related topics. Tickets will

be $15 in advance, $20 day of event and will go on sale April 21 at I'On Realty,

Sweet Olive, Abide-A-While, and Hyam's. Trust Bucks may be used at I'On Realty.

May 21- Community of I'On Artists meeting

9 am, Creek Club. Regular Members' Meeting. Presentation on Calligraphy.

May 22- I'On Assembly Board of Trustees Meeting

issues, new business, comment period. Agenda and minutes on website.

May 22- 3rd Annual Community of Artists Show

art created by our local accomplished artists in The Greater Charleston Area.

Most of the art will be available for purchase. There will be entertainment, refreshments,

and a cash bar. Free.

May 24 to 26- Bi-Lo-Que Memorial Rib Blowout

on your bike or on foot and buy a full or half rack of tender, grill finished pork

spare ribs, saturated with savory sauce cooked by Rob, Barbara and our store's

loyal staff. Partial proceeds go to the Lowcountry Foodbank. Fixings available

will include coleslaw, potato salad, rolls, watermelon and cold drinks. Pick up the

ribs or the entire meal. Let us do the grilling while you do the boating or enjoy the

Amphitheater Concert. For details call 388-1550.

May 24- Consecration of Holy Ascension OrthodoxChurch

United States for a weekend of events surrounding the consecration of Holy Ascension

Orthodox Church. His Eminence, the Most Reverend DMITRI,

Archbishop of Dallas and the South, will arrive for Vespers (Evening Prayers) on

Friday, May 23, and will consecrate the church beginning at 9:30am on May 24.

See the May edition of the I'On Community Newsletter for a description of the

service. For a full listing of events see the church website.

May 25- Episcopal Tent Service

fourth Sunday of each month for their service on I'On Square. This is a 50 minute

Episcopalian Service featuring a children's sermon.

An I'On Trust Event
GARDENS OF I'ON
(off of Mathis Ferry Road in Mt. Pleasant)
Presented by I'On Realty

Saturday, May 17, 2008
1-5 PM

Tickets $15 in advance; $20 day of event
AVAILABLE AT

The I’On Trust is a nonprofit organization that connects neighbors with their community by providing cultural and civic activities and promoting volunteerism. With the funds raised, we support area human services and arts charities through various initiatives during the year.

The I’On Community Garage Sale will be Saturday May 10th, 8:00AM - 12 Noon.

Neighbors will have household goods for sale at their homes and green spaces around the community. Maps will be handed out in the I'On Square. Starts at 8:00 AM - NO EARLY BIRDS!!