Husk. Tsk tsk.
Husk is one of THE restaurants in Charleston, although there are many amazing dining options from soul food, southern food, seafood and much more. We were excited to try it based on the reviews and recommendations from foodie friends. It was a Saturday afternoon in November. We had a 45 minute wait and were seated upstairs on the outdoor veranda. The breeze and the shade made it just below comfortably cool. The waiter was pleasant and there were 3 assistants. Yet, we had to ask three times for lemon for our water, and it took about 10 minutes to get the cocktail I ordered. Our first courses arrived soon, and then we waited more than 30 minutes before our main course. We had to call the waiter over, who then said he was checking regularly and our food was almost up. A restaurant that has been open for 7 years, and has the reputation and the draw, has no excuse for such slow service and poor timing. We might not have minded if we hadn’t been shivering, but I think we would have still been irritated.
The food? The food was fabulous. The Haymaker’s Punch was a perfectly crafted cocktail, made from Tennessee bourbon, House made apple shrub, ginger beer and maple syrup. It was dangerously smooth, so I had only one! Chris’ salad with bib lettuce, golden beets, fennel, apples and a cream vinaigrette was delicious. My pea soup was the stand out winner. The soup was described as pea cream soup with biscuits and ham. The reality was infinitely better. It was a yellow split pea soup with crisp carrots and celery and kale, perfectly cooked ham and what tasted like gnocchi, but were actually biscuit dough strips cooked on top like dumplings. I am already planning on making that! We shared the fried chicken with Carolina gold rice, Lima beans, black eyed peas and collard greens. The chicken was perfectly cooked; tender on the inside and crispy on the outside with just a hint of cayenne kick. The hoppin’ john, which is what the rice mix was based on, was over the top. I am not normally a rice person, but I could not get enough. We also ordered a side of baked grits with cheddar. Now, I will confess right now that I could eat that every single day and not get enough. The grits (for you non southern types think a coarse polenta) were so creamy, and just the right amount of cheese. So good. I could think of all kinds of ways to enjoy them. With eggs? Duh. Shrimp? Double duh. But, what bout with carnitas and avocado? Or with pot roast and vegetables? Spare ribs? So loving those grits.
Would I go again? Probably not. There are so many amazing choices in Charleston. However, am I sorry that we went? Not at all. The farm to table food was great, regardless of the poor service and execution.
