Dessert/ Dinner/ Lunch/ Travel

Welcome To Chucktown

I made it!

The car ride was pretty uneventful today but I’m so tired right now from it! Its weird how you get tired from diving long distances when all you do is sit there.

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Anyways, it took me about 6 1/2 hours and I got to Charleston around 3:00. Mid-morning I snacked on some raw milk cheese + cherries!
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And then around 11:30 I broke into my sammie for lunch. I packed a homestyle raw almond butter + raspberry preserves sandwich on fluffy whole wheat bread with a pear and carrot sticks

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Just as I was getting into Charleston I noshed on a flattened bar from my purse because I knew we would be walking for the rest of the afternoon and I would get pretty hungry!

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I love these bars!

When I got to Charleston Christie and I immediately set out for a walk and talk. Isn’t her little apartment cute?!

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I adore my alma mater city!

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We stopped at Teavana and I got an iced mix of Caribbean Breeze & Sangria herbal infusions with some organic rock sugar—

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And then we walked for about an hour and a half. Neither of us bought anything but we window shopped and it was nice. Around 5:00 we headed home to get ready for dinner. We went to my favorite wine bar, Raval, for a pre-dinner drink.

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I LOVE the atmosphere at this place; its very chic. I had a glass of rose and Christie had chardonnay. We both started getting really hungry really fast so we ordered the hummus plate to split as an appetizer:

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Talk about a-m-a-z-i-n-g!!! I watched as the chef smeared roasted garlic on thick bread and then grilled it and cut it into little sticks. The hummus was thick and lemony. We both went a little crazy πŸ™‚ I probably ate about four of these little bread sticks dipped into hummus. Absolutely delish.

After we caught up a bit we headed over to my pick for the evening, a Thai restaurant called Basil. I know its a bold statement for me to say this because I LOVE Thai food, but this is the BEST thai food I’ve ever had. We used to go out to eat here all the time when I lived here and I had a complete obsession with the place (by obsession I mean I still think about the food. Normal?).

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To start, we ordered the basil rolls, which consisted of shrimp, rice noodles and basil leaves wrapped up in rice paper with a very spicy peanut sauce to dip. It did not disappoint!

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And for my entree I ordered my personal favorite, the Basil Tofu. I’ve ordered this at least a dozen times from this restaurant and it is the BEST tofu dish that I’ve ever had. Seriously. I know it makes me rather a boring foodie to order the same thing at a restaurant over and over but it really is that good. While I don’t think the tofu is fried, it has some sort of chewy skin on it and is perfectly textured. The sauce is spicy and full of garlic and veggies……sheer perfection.

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I also had a glass of pinot noir with my meal

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Every bite of this meal was bliss. I can’t believe its been two years. Sigh.

On our walk back to Christie’s apartment we stopped at a gelataria for something sweet. I got a kid’s size of meringueΒ  πŸ™‚

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And now we are all tucked in for the night! Christie has her bar exam study class at 9:00 tomorrow morning so we had to make it an early night tonight. I’m planning on heading over to a power yoga class while she’s gone and then getting some writing done…..but I’ll post in the morning before I go!

Have a great night everyone!

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  • jessnyc
    May 28, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    dinner looks yummy! you make me really want to find a teavana!

  • Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
    May 28, 2009 at 8:00 pm

    Glad you made it there safe and happy! It looks like such a beautiful town. I have never been but may have to make my way up there just to go to Basil. It sounds amazing. And the food looks so fresh and delicious.

    So glad you are having a good time and enjoying your stay so far. Have fun at yoga in the morning. Can’t wait to hear about it!

  • Recipes for Creativity
    May 28, 2009 at 8:07 pm

    Okay, this is weird: I visited Charleston ONE time; about four years ago I was camping on Edisto Island and we took a day trip there. When we went to dinner we went to…Basil! That’s crazy, of all the restaurants in Charleston for you to love and I’ve actually been there. You’re making me want to see Charleston again, too! Have a great trip.

  • Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats
    May 28, 2009 at 8:18 pm

    What a fun day – glad you made it there safely! I love going back to the town where my college is – so many great memories!

  • Christina
    May 28, 2009 at 8:21 pm

    sounds like you are already having a nice and relaxing time! enjoy yoga tomorrow!

  • spicygranola
    May 28, 2009 at 8:23 pm

    Food looks amazing as usual. I have seen Teavana and Basil on my visits to charleston but I have never been to either. I will have to change that soon. Enjoy a relaxing time!

  • Annah
    May 28, 2009 at 8:30 pm

    I just found your blog a few days ago πŸ™‚ I’m a dietetics major, working towards my RD credentials (I majored in Sociology the first time around – oops) I also run and I’ve been meaning to get into yoga for a while now. What kinds have you tried? Do you recommend a specific type for beginners (I have been looking into a power vinyasa studio near me)? It’s so fun and refreshing to read blogs by likeminded people.. I think my friends and family think I’m a little nuts sometimes πŸ˜‰

  • Emily L.
    May 28, 2009 at 8:30 pm

    You must have a nose/eye/tongue/ear??? for good food. You find great, healthy, fresh restaurants everywhere you go.
    I need to hire you as a consultant here in miami.

  • The Novice Berker
    May 28, 2009 at 8:36 pm

    Good gosh, those are some kickin’ eats!! The Thai food sounds amazinggg! What a fabulous trip. πŸ™‚

  • Rachel
    May 28, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    Sounds like you guys had a fun time! What delicious meals, too. Hope tomorrow is just as great, and that you enjoy your yoga class!

  • Michelle Hisae
    May 28, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    It’s great that you can feel at home even when you’re on vacation! Looks like you’re marvelously enjoying the first part of your trip and I hope it continues to be a blast! Friends really mean the world.

  • Whitney
    May 28, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    I visited Charlestown when I was looking at colleges (did you go to College of Charlestown?) and I always thought it was a cute place! I don’t envy Christine at all…I am sure she is in Bar/Bri just like me! Wish her good luck on the bar.

  • Sarah (Tales of Expansion)
    May 28, 2009 at 8:48 pm

    what a glamour shot of you driving!! fierrrrrrce.

    those basil rolls look amazing — i love how you can see through the roll to the basil itself!

    enjoy the rest of your trip!

  • courtney
    May 28, 2009 at 8:55 pm

    So weird, I have the exact same obsession with the first place I ever ate Thai food in Boston… nothing compares, and yes, I dream about it :). So glad you are having a fantastic weekend-you deserve it!

  • Kim
    May 28, 2009 at 8:59 pm

    Mmmm, basil tofu is always amazing.

    9am bar class… poor Christie πŸ™ Maybe you can send her off with a Jenna-patented Green Monster for brain food!

  • Becky@I Heart Running & Food
    May 28, 2009 at 9:28 pm

    Yummm the Thai food looks amazing! Have fun on the rest of your trip!

  • Bec
    May 28, 2009 at 9:35 pm

    love your road trip snacks, have a great time this weekend!

  • Kristin
    May 28, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    I live in Charleston and agree, Basil is amazing. I think it might even be the best place in town! I heard they just opened one in Charlotte too. Hope u have a great weekend πŸ™‚

  • Alex
    May 28, 2009 at 9:51 pm

    What a great trip!!! πŸ™‚
    Have you tried the peanut butter pretzel of the same clif line?

  • Caroline
    May 28, 2009 at 10:34 pm

    Glad you arrived safely! Got any leftovers of that Basil Tofu for me?

  • Sarah (LovIN My Tummy)
    May 28, 2009 at 11:53 pm

    A hummus plate, red wine, salad rolls and gelato!!! Too much deliciousness! And I thought road trips meant McDonald’s.

    I hope you enjoy every second wiith your bestie!

  • Suzanne
    May 29, 2009 at 1:59 am

    So happy you are having a relaxing time!
    And your new camera is ahhhmazing. a. maze. ing. What kind is it?

  • Stacey
    May 29, 2009 at 4:27 am

    I can’t believe I only live a couple of hours away from Charleston and have never been there! It looks like such a nice place πŸ™‚

  • Kim
    May 29, 2009 at 5:34 am

    i want your purse:) Where is it from if you don’t mind sharing?

    • jenna
      May 29, 2009 at 5:54 am

      Kim,

      I got that purse two years ago from Anthropologie—it is Orla Keiley brand though.

  • Lindsay
    May 29, 2009 at 5:48 am

    I love your shoes!!

  • Shannon (The Daily Balance)
    May 29, 2009 at 5:50 am

    dinner looks amazing!
    So great to catch up with an old friend, isn’t it?
    have a great day πŸ˜‰

  • Heather
    May 29, 2009 at 5:55 am

    Love the Orla bag!!! Looks like you’re having a great time – enjoy your weekend!

  • elizabeth
    May 29, 2009 at 6:18 am

    Yay! My husband and I are visiting Charleston in September for ma berfday, so keep those hot spots coming (you wouldn’t want us to get stuck with some gross tourist food would you?)! I already had 5 loaves on my list of places to visit, but we will most definitely have to stop by Basil and Raval!!!!

  • Jenna
    May 29, 2009 at 6:29 am

    how amazing! I love charleston! I’ve only been there once for a very short visit! I’m dying to go back!!! so fun!

  • Jean
    May 29, 2009 at 7:02 am

    You are inspiring me to eat in moderation and eat to fuel my body and feel good!

    I love seeing that you can enjoy food and enjoy the pleasure of eating great food and still be healthy!

  • Rachel
    May 29, 2009 at 7:37 am

    I love your bag and sunglasses. Come to think of it your dress too πŸ™‚

    Have a good weekend!

  • MaryBe
    May 29, 2009 at 7:52 am

    The two of you are so cute in that pic…love your dresses!

  • Kristen
    May 29, 2009 at 8:42 am

    I LOVE your sunglasses! Supercute! Where’d you get them? =]

  • Allison K.
    May 29, 2009 at 8:46 am

    Charleston looks so fun! And your dress is super cute!

  • Joy
    May 29, 2009 at 9:34 am

    wow cute dress!!! have fun

  • Run Sarah
    May 29, 2009 at 9:45 am

    Teavana looks amazing! LOVE your dress.

  • Kate
    May 29, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    I know you are probably sick of fashion questions, but where did you get the adorable dress you are wearing in the photo at the gelataria?

    • jenna
      May 29, 2009 at 3:04 pm

      Kate,

      Thank you!!! I LOVE that dress. I got it from Anthropologie a year and a half ago!

  • sarah (ghost world)
    May 29, 2009 at 4:11 pm

    orla kiely = my all time favorite πŸ™‚

  • Caroline
    June 2, 2009 at 6:24 am

    I’m so jealous that you got to spend the weekend in Charleston… I grew up spending summer vacations there and it is definitely my favorite city! Sadly I don’t think I’ll make it back this year. Glad you had the chance though!

  • Eat, Live, Run » Blog Archive » Bringing The South To California
    November 30, 2009 at 8:31 am

    […] time I saw both Christie and Alissa together was in Charleston (miss it SO much!) when I went for that little spontaneous trip last May….and now we are heading out west to visit me and wine country. I can’t wait! var […]