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Happy July birthday to my dad!
As has become family tradition, we celebrated with goodies from Sugar Bakeshop on Cannon Street.
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I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing 4th of July!
With my dad's birthday falling on the day after the holiday, the 4th weekend generally calls for some family celebrating. In recent years, 'family celebrating' has become synonymous with 'any excuse to buy a cake from Sugar,' Cannonborough-Elliottborough's gem of a bakeshop.
Sugar may be the sweetest thing happening in the neighborhood, but there's more to explore! Read on...
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Anne Siegfried spent twelve years in the art business before deciding that it was time to venture out on her own: The George Gallery, Anne's contemporary art gallery on Bogard Street in Cannonborough-Elliottborough, opened its doors in fall of 2013. In a short time, The George Gallery has become known for its mix of contemporary abstract paintings, representational works, and photography.
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Owner Anne Siegfried in front of The George Gallery on Bogard Street.
Photo courtesy of The George Gallery.
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Through the artists she represents at The George Gallery, Anne is committed to helping her clients curate their own collections in a way that makes their home special.
"When I think of how art adds warmth to a home, I think of my own personal experience," Anne says. "I was lucky enough to grown up in a home with a lot of original art. It actually engaged me with my own home. Art inspires interaction, it can start conversations, it can cause moments of refection, and when done well it adds depth."
Anne currently represents eight artists and also offers consulting and professional installation services. For more on The George Gallery, its represented artists, auxiliary services, and a full schedule of late summer and fall events, visit www.georgegalleryart.com.
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Painting by Tim Hussey, one of the eight artists represented at The George Gallery.
Photo courtesy of The George Gallery.
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Dining in Cannonborough-Elliottborough: Old & New Favorites
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To call Lana an "Old Favorite" is a bit of a misnomer, as it's only been a decade since Lana Restaurant & Bar opened it's doors. In a city that has seen the advent of dozens of restaurants, many of them receiving national attention and accolades, Lana has quietly and consistently offered fresh, creative dining and an atmosphere that blends casual and elegant. Between the delicious food and warm setting, Lana has become a favorite of locals who appreciate a meal out but who would rather pass on the scenes that surround some of Charleston's more hyped restaurants.
Try the House Salad with poached pears and gorgonzola and the pan roasted grouper--Lana serves some of the best fish in town. For the vegetarians out there, Lana's vegetable plate never fails to be colorful, generous, and filling. What ever you order, be sure to save room for dessert--Lana's house made gelato is some of the best I've tasted, and with the "sampler" option on the menu, they won't make you choose just one flavor.
Lana is located on the corner of Rutledge & Cannon Streets.
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NEW FAVORITE:
Xiao Bao Biscuit
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If Xiao Bao Biscuit has experienced any growing pains in the short time since its 2013 opening, they are unbeknownst to me. I was so impressed on my first visit for dinner last fall that I ended up there for lunch four days later. Consistently, XBB offers a lively, neighborhood atmosphere, where you run into people you know and happily meet people you don't (thanks, in part, to the cosy seating arrangements). The restaurant is always full, yet I don't recall ever having a noticeable wait, despite the first-come/no-reservations policy.
And then there's the food. So good. Sure, you may not be able to pronounce half of the menu, but the clear dish descriptions and the knowledgable staff will fill in any holes and point you in the right direction if you are having menu-indecision. I always consult the specials board first, but I usually default to the Mapou Dafou (SPICY vegetarian dish) with the occasional detour to the Geng Pla (steamed fish in a light curry broth) when I'm craving a little less heat.
Xiao Bao Biscuit is located on the corner of Rutledge & Spring Streets.
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One 't' or two: How do you spell 'Elliot(t)borough' anyway?
My most keen-eyed readers may have taken note of the double-t's in my spelling of Elliottborough throughout this month's newsletter. Now, whether or not you think this is a misspelling is a matter of some debate. As a lifelong resident of Charleston, I have always known Elliottborough to be spelled with two 't's,' so when I began work on this month's newsletter, it never occurred to me others might spell it differently.
But as I started searching the web for links to favorite spots, neighborhood write-ups, and the like, I started to see a trend: Just about everywhere, it was showing up as Eliotborough (just one 't'). A quick google search will land you references to single-t Elliotborough in the name of local businesses, throughout social media, and in news articles and restaurant reviews. I started to second guess myself...or second guess the second-t, as the case may be.
Unconvinced by the single-t spelling, I dug a little further, namely in the City of Charleston records available online. In the majority of City documents, including the official city neighborhood map and even a BAR docket posted just this week, Elliottborough is spelled with two 't's.' If you type Elliotborough into the city website search box, we will get a few results, though these results are mostly web-content, not official city documents.
As for me, I'm sticking with the double-t's, even as the popularity of the one 't' spelling appears to be growing among new residents and business patrons. Elliottborough may have changed a lot in the last few decades... but the spelling doesn't have to!
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At one time separate, Cannonborough-Elliottborough is now considered one consolidated neighborhood. The eastern boundary or the borough is debated--either King Street or Meeting Street depending on who you ask. I suspect the confusion stems from the reconfiguration of the crosstown that occurred when the Ravenel Bridge was constructed.
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