The gazz web show “WineBoy” episode 5 is now online– click to watch. Host John Brown wraps up his introductory series, “The Five ‘S’ Words of Wine” with one that counts the most: ‘Swallow.’ This show’s setting includes John Crihfield’s food stall at the Capitol Market, as well as Brown’s signature off-the-basement-wall antics, plus a wine recommendation from Down Under, where they name their wines funny. The weekly show goes online late Wednesday or early Thursday. Next week: A wine-and-food pairing from Bridge Road Bistro.

“I’m in what some may consider a rut as I always build the same delicious taco-scape: rice, shredded chicken, jalapeños, cheese, lettuce, chipotle sauce and corn salsa.” | Photo by Brooke A. Brown

My wife – the charming and frequent ‘Blog in My Soup’ commenter known as The Lovely Miss S – is not a fan of cilantro. As a matter of fact, she refers to the herbage as “the evil spice.” I can’t say I blame her. The incredibly pungent cilantro is a lot like kudzo in that once it’s introduced into a situation, its invasive nature completely takes over. And not unlike The Princess and the Pea, my Lovely Miss S can spot the faintest speck of cilantro in any dish. Luckily for us both, Cilantro’s the restaurant is not all about the herb. (more…)

by Brooke A. Brown

I love coffee. Actually, love is too weak a word. When it comes to a good cup of joe, I’m like Woody Allen’s Alvy Singer to Diane Keaton’s Annie Hall – I have to invent new words to better express how I feel. I lurrrve coffee, you know? I loave it. I luff coffee with two ‘F’s.

I’ve been drinking coffee since I was 14 years old. It all started when I first donned an apron at my family’s restaurant. My grandfather – his apron read “Grill Sergeant” – was my inspiration. If he could see the bottom of the cup, he would say something to the effect of: “This coffee went to court and was cleared!” Then he’d laugh and begrudgingly drink the weak brew down. Of course, he wasn’t talking about the coffee we served. (more…)

This feast between two pieces of bread starts with a heaping pile of freshly breaded, deep fried-to-order Atlantic snow cod. | Photo by Brooke A. Brown

By Brooke A. Brown

Maybe it’s because the Discovery Channel was celebrating the 20th anniversary of their annual “Shark Week” series last week. Or perhaps it’s because I’d just witnessed the opah battle on my favorite television show: Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.” Whatever the reason, I suddenly found myself with a large appetite for a BIG fish (cursed power of suggestion!). Luckily I knew exactly where to turn. I didn’t even need to bait a hook or involve a chum bucket.

The Fresh Seafood Company, a mainstay at Charleston’s wonderfully charming and now 10-year old Capitol Market, is home to “the world’s largest fish sandwich.” Now, hold on just one second there, Loretta. Can such an over-sized statement actually be true? Well, it’s highly unlikely, but anyone who’s ordered the Big Fish sandwich knows that it certainly lives up to its name. (more…)

By Brooke A. Brown

Major understatement alert: The restaurant business is not an easy one. I still remember the daily challenges my family and I faced running a small, diner-esque establishment back home in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. Did we order enough supplies for the month? Should we really switch to those new hamburger patties? Who’s up for changing the oil in the deep fryers? Where’s Brooke?!

Then, there was the fact that we had to prepare meals for actual paying customers. We never really worried about that part, though, because we did serve up some tasty vittles, and each one of us could really sling the hash. My uncle Ronnie especially cooked with gregarious flair, working the grill like a master Teppanyaki chef while frantically voicing his best Swedish Chef impression: “Børk! Børk! Børk!”

I’m certain that concerns such as these, and even ones much greater, are universal in the food service industry. And most places, I’d say, are pretty good at keeping diners oblivious to such problems. It’s quite impressive when a restaurant can operate in such a seamless and efficient fashion considering they do, in fact, have so many cooks in the kitchen. But I’m not here to talk about how well Charleston-area restaurants operate. This was all a buildup to discuss, well, a spot of bother.

While most of the eating establishments in our area do a fine job of running their business, cooking their food and serving it to us with a smile, some of them, and I will name names momentarily, let the simplest of details pass them by. Let me paint a picture for you: (more…)

Click here to view the debut of ‘WineBoy, a new weekly 5-minute gazzTV web show hosted by gazz wine blogger John Brown. “WineBoy” is what some friends tagged him as he came to be known as a wine expert. Each five-minute episode features a mix of serious, sometimes silly webcasting on the art of wine along with wine recommendations from local retail outlets. This first episode is part one of a five-part series on “The Five ‘S’ Words of Wine,” beginning with “sight.”

By Mike Dillion

I realize this blog is supposed to be about some of the better, more upscale restaurants in our local area. But we all (go ahead, admit it) eat under the Golden Arches from time to time. This past Thursday morning I was in a bit of a hurry, so I ducked into the McDonalds at 3303 MacCorkle Avenue, SE in Kanawha City, across the street from CAMC Memorial Division.

While waiting for my order to be filled, I happened to glance to my right and what should I see but the most recent Health Department inspection findings. And boy, did they find plenty! A total of 17 violations, four of them critical. One of the critical violations was a repeat offense, as was one of the non-criticals. (more…)