Dining out at Granville's

Last night, My Husband and I joined friends at Granville's on Rutledge Avenue just outside Wagener Terrace.  While we waited at the bar and perused the wine list, the staff recommended dishes and drinks from the varried menu.  I decided on a Chinin Blanc while Whit enjoyed a Victory Golden Monkey (high gravity beer).

We dined outside and other than the flies (ceiling fans are needed on the patio) the evening was quite lovely.  Both couples chose a variety of small plates, appetizers and salads to share.  The Asian braised Short Ribs were the crowd favorite and suggested by the entire staff.  Slow cooked, falling off the bone, smothered in an amazing sauce and just enough for 2.  Next time I'm sure we will split the dinner portion.

The Mussels were also great.  The sauce was a red curry, coconut milk combo with just enough spice.  We also enjoyed a Maple Leaf Duck Breast over greens and still had room for dessert.

A Sorbet Champagne Float finished our evening with a refreshing twist.

All in all Granville's lived up to their short but untarnished reputation.  We will definitely return.

GRANVILLE'S
703 RUTLEDGE AVE
CHARLESTON, SC 29403
(843) 577-0486

Mixon Avenue Groundbreaking

Please join North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey and the I’On Group as we break ground on Mixson, a brand new neighborhood in the Park Circle area! Be part of this unique neighborhood as the first shovel is put in the ground.

Hamby’s Catering will be providing barbeque and drinks. Come and enjoy the sounds of Blue Plantation! Kids and dogs welcome.

To be sure you receive the latest details, pricing and an invitation to our upcoming sneak preview event, please complete the new contact form available now at mixsonavenue.com.

Tell your friends and neighbors so they may also be “in the loop” about this exciting new development.

Smoking ban passes in Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant joined the league of nine municipalities across the state banning smoking in workplaces at Tuesday night's monthly town council meeting. Town council voted 7-2 in favor of the ban.

Within the tri-county, Mount Pleasant, Charleston and Sullivan's Island all have indoor smoking bans, including restaurants and bars. Sullivan's Island was the first area municipalities to enact the ban last July. Charleston's ban will become effective July 23, and Mount Pleasant's will become effective Sept. 1.

Earlier this year, the Mount Pleasant Town Council decided to delay decision on the ordinance because many of the municipalities with smoking bans have faced lawsuits. However, when the state Legislature failed to enact a statewide smoking ban, many members of the council felt inclined to protect their citizens from the dangers of smoking, said Thomasena Stokes-Marshall, town councilwoman

"I think it was the best thing to do," she said. "We were hoping that we would be able to wait until the state Legislature ruled on the smoking ban. … When they didn't rule on it, I thought that it was time for us to take some action."

By Lindsay Street, Staff Writer - Charleston Regional Business Journal

St. Johns Yacht Harbor launches sales, plans resturant

Boat slips recently went on sale and a new restaurant has been added to the plans at St. Johns Yacht Harbor, a new marina that will replace the former Buzzard’s Roost and Stono marinas off Maybank Highway on Johns Island.

The Stono River property is being redeveloped by IBG Partners LLC, part of a Washington, D.C., firm that is also developing the 500-acre Rushland Plantation, an upscale residential community off River Road.

St. Johns Yacht Harbor will have about 400 boat slips, a waterfront pool and Jacuzzi, and a snack bar with facilities for cooking fresh caught fish, among other amenities. A Captain’s Retreat will be perched above the marina and fuel dock, where boaters will have Internet access, television, gaming tables and satellite weather and navigational equipment for charting courses.

The community also plans a cluster of townhomes, which will be located on the north end of the property, formerly Buzzard’s Roost. The developers have not yet decided how many townhomes will be built, but sales associate Mandy Coleman said the homes will be “Kiawah-esque” and will blend in with the area.

A restaurant will be built at the south end of the property on the tip of the former Stono Marina. Coleman said the restaurant will be casual enough to accommodate patrons in boating attire and a community dock will be located nearby so the general boating public can patronize the restaurant. A Noisy Oyster restaurant was formerly located on the property adjacent to Buzzard’s Roost Marina. The restaurant closed in the fall when IBG began work on the project.

IBG purchased the two marinas in August for about $22 million. The company intends to comply with the Certified Clean Marina Standard, transforming parking to pervious surfaces, reducing negative impacts of storm water runoff, working with environmental groups and landscape architects to preserve the natural landscape, and following other eco-friendly programs and practices.

Coleman said the 62 dry slips on the north side of the project, adjacent to the wet slips, were sold out in two weeks. Work has not yet started on the south side, where more dry slips may be added along with wet slips. Since May 10, 40 wet slips have been sold, Coleman said, with prices ranging from $3,000 to $4,050 linear per foot.

By Kathleen Dayton, staff writer - Charleston Regional Business Journal

Governor to Sign Coastal Insurance Legislation

GOVERNOR WILL TRAVEL TO CHARLESTON, MYRTLE BEACH TO SIGN LEGISLATION AIMED AT ALLEVIATING INSURANCE COSTS

Columbia, S.C. - June 8, 2007 - Gov. Mark Sanford will travel to Charleston and Myrtle Beach this Monday (June 11, 2007) to sign newly passed legislation aimed at alleviating insurance costs for coastal homeowners. The legislation creates incentives for insurers to do business in South Carolina, and creates tax credits for people who make their homes more storm resistant or choose to self-insure. The bill signings will take place at the following times and locations:

Charleston - 10:30 a.m.

Lowe's Home Improvement, 1104 Market Center Blvd, Mt Pleasant

Myrtle Beach - 12:30 p.m.

Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, 1200 North Oak Street, Myrtle Beach

Weekend: Drayton Hall extends hours for summer