(Wherein some of the best cooks in the Lowcountry bring the recipes from their kitchens to yours.)
“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.” - Buddy the Elf (from Elf, 2003)
Food is a big deal for most of us this time of the year. Whether this has roots in faith, family tradition or clever marketing by shameless multi-national conglomerates, chances are most of us are looking forward to at least one – and probably one too many – special meals before the odometer rolls over to 2011.
This is one of those stories that might best be served with an opening line like, “Once upon a time.” It’s the kind of thing that happens in Nora Ephron movies or Sandra Bullock rom-coms (pre-Oscar, of course). It’s the tale of two extraordinary people from vastly different backgrounds who meet in an exotic place at just the right time and sparks fly. It’s also the story of a pair of world-class chefs and caterers – Christopher and Bethany Hewitt – with a passion to match their motto: Live, love, eat good food!
Atmosphere: “Bright and inviting; feels like a family's comfortably worn beach house where you're equally at home in shorts and flip flops or dressed up for a night on the town.”
Cuisine: “A Lowcountry bistro with good food, simply prepared from scratch. Inventive takes on standards such as deviled eggs topped with crab, black-eyed pea hummus and warm banana pudding.”
Alcohol: Full bar, excellent value wine list (most available by the glass), good selection of imported & domestic beers, specialty cocktails
Hours: Serving lunch and dinner, Friday – Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and brunch specials on Sunday. Closed Wednesday and Thursday
Reservations: Recommended for Saturday and Sunday evenings several days in advance, 843-838-2151
Etcetera: The house specialty cocktails are all named for boats in the marina. We highly recommend the Dance Aweigh a clever blend of mango rum, ginger ale and fresh limejuice. At the end of a blistering hot day a couple of these will restore your humanity.
After a complete make over the waterfront icon is still the same as it ever was and more like it always should have been.
Story and photos by Mark Shaffer
(additional photos by Riann Mihiylov Photography)
When I told my sister that Plum’s had undergone a major expansion and renovation, she gasped. Like hundreds – maybe thousands – of seasonal visitors, she’s been a regular for most of the restaurant’s 22 years. The mere thought of any sort of change to the beloved waterfront icon simply smelled of desecration. I have since assured her that nothing could be farther from the truth. Relax, Sis. They got it right. But it took a real leap of faith.
“The food speaks for itself, a little bit of salt and pepper and a little bit of love.”
- Executive Chef Will McLenagan
Will McLenagan has the look of a man about to slide behind the wheel of his dream car for the very first time. In essence, that’s exactly what the Executive Chef for Plum’s is about to do. After the restaurant’s complete re-fit this past winter, he’s got a brand new state of the art kitchen. Tonight he’s taking it out for the first major shakedown cruise serving 80 people simultaneously, something he never considered with the old kitchen (see the accompanying interview).