To celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary, Alan and I made a reservation on the recommendation of Brian Hider (Pluckemin Inn) at Cru Cafe in Charleston, SC. Located on Pinckney Street, a little off the bustling Market, Meeting and King Streets, it's inside a little renovated house. The place is tiny with eight tables for either two or four people in the main room; a tiny table for two in the hallway off the kitchen and a raised, long table with stools immediately in front of the open view kitchen that could seat eight. There are additionally four small tables on the little porch for outside patrons. We were seated in a corner table in the main room; choosing to sit side-by-side as opposed to across from each other; facing into the dining room.
The menu is small, complimented each night by a few specials. We had been eating and drinking so heavily the entire week on vacation that we broke from tradition and ordered only a salad each and an entree. Alan selected the Caesar salad and the Thai seafood risotto with scallops, fish, mussels and shrimp served with coconut milk, soy, Sriracha, basil, and cannaroli rice. I ordered the fresh mozzarella, tomato and sweet peppers served in a tower with aged balsamic vinegar and the special of the evening, buttermilk fried soft shell crab on greens with vegetables.
This simple menu and these unassuming dishes were an absolute delight! The salads were fresh and crisp with Alan's Caesar accompanied by a large, homemade crouton and lots of finely diced Parmesan cheese. The mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes and peppers were perfectly paired with that rich balsamic and fresh grated pepper. Joy!! And the entrees - oh, the entrees!! Alan ordered the risotto after seeing it delivered to another diner when we arrived and stuck with it even after asking how predominant the coconut flavor was (not usually a flavor we like). So happy he did! It was an incredible representation of a great Thai dish with the flavors melding together and complimenting the seafood. The mussels, of which I ate quite a few, were large, sweet and clean. A really rich but not overly heavy single dish meal. My soft shell crab was one of the best I've ever had. The buttermilk batter was light but still had that comfort, Southern crunch that I had been craving. The crab was quite large with that unique flavor and texture only soft shell can offer.
A truly wonderful, casual experience with and intimate ambiance and great food. Highly recommend! http://www.crucafe.com/.
Jenn's rating: 85.
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