Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Sustainable Seafood Initiative Dinner – Charleston, SC

by

This time of the year is known for oysters in our area. The Sustainable Seafood Initiative is arranging a special dinner event on Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The South Carolina Aquarium and the Restaurant at Middleton Place Plantation has paired up for a Sustainable Seafood Initiative Social which includes ‘Fish for the Future’ education, six sustainable seafood courses, and live acoustic music.

The evening will begin with Megan Westmeyer, the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Coordinator, who will provide information on fisheries, seafood sustainability, as well as useful tips on how to buy fresh fish.

This is not your traditional seated dinner, instead there are  six sustainable seafood stations, and food can be paired with an organic and sustainable wine. To set the right atmosphere there will be roaring fires inside and out, and music by Charleston-based singer and blues rock guitarist Graham Whorley.

Dinner reservations are $45 per person in advance (all inclusive) or $50 per person at the door (based on availability), and this is really not a bad deal if you consider what you get for the money. Just take a look at the menu below.

At the six stations, you can enjoy:

  • Station 1: seared scallops with coined fingerling potatoes, caramelized onions, crispy lardons  and a balsamic-cherry glaze paired with a Mommessin Pinot Noir
  • Station 2: oysters on the half with Boursin cheese, teardrop tomatoes and micro arugula paired with a Chateau Recougne Blanc
  • Station 3: benne seared yellowfin tuna with pineapple-basil chutney over wild rice paired with a Bishop’s Peak Pinot Noir ’07
  • Station 4: Prince Edward Island mussels with country ham cracklin’s and scallions in a coconut-saffron broth paired with a Chateau de la Muscadet ’07
  • Station 5: buttery local shrimp with southern succotash and white truffle corn puree paired with a Villa Wolf Gris ’07
  • Station 6: yellowfin tuna tartar with wasabi aioli, crisp taro root and a citrus soy drizzle paired with a L.D. Petit Chablis


A portion of the proceeds from the dinner will benefit the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative. Space for the event is limited. For reservations, contact Middleton Place Plantation at (843) 266-7477 or purchase online at MiddletonPlace.org.

South Carolina Aquarium Sustainable Seafood Initiative Dinner

Saturday, February 20, 2010; 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Middleton Place Plantation, 4300 Ashley River Rd. Charleston, SC 29414

To make a reservation, call Middleton Place Plantation at (843) 266-7477 or online at www.MiddletonPlace.org

Locate a restaurant close to you at Restaurant.com

Snail of Approval on the First Coast

by

The Snail of Approval is Slow Food First Coast’s way of recognizing the food-related providers that are making significant contributions to the transformation of our food system to one that is good, clean, and fair.

It works like this. One has to be nominated by a member of Slow Food, and then chosen by a committee of members who review the contribution according to three standards: Quality, Authenticity, and Sustainability.

You can read more about the standards and the procedures used to select recipients on the Slow Food First Coast website www.slowfoodfirstcoast.com.
The website also offers a complete list of current farms and businesses that have already been awarded the Snail of Approval. These include Bistro de Leon, Johnny’s Kitchen, 29 South Restaurant, Kyle’s Seafood Market, and Currie Brothers Market.

Look for the Snail!
When you eat at a Snail of Approval restaurant or shop at a Snail of Approval store, Slow Food doesn’t benefit financially, but the food system benefits a great deal. You’re supporting local farmers and food artisans, sustainable agriculture, and humane treatment of animals. You’re helping to stop agricultural pollution, reduce greenhouse gases, and slow the loss of biodiversity. You’re ensuring the survival of endangered heirloom varietals, heritage breeds, and traditional foodways. So look for the Snail of Approval decal when you shop at these and other businesses.

Slow Food was founded to counteract the effects of fast food and fast life. The non-profit organization works to save disappearing food traditions and traditional food products, to help people rediscover the joys of eating, and to understand the importance of caring where food comes from, who makes it and how it’s made.

Slow Food believes that: the food we eat should taste good; it should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; food producers should receive fair compensation for their work; and that everyone should have access to good, clean, and fair food.
snailofapproval

Charleston Green Fair 2009

by

The Green Fair in Charleston has grown in popularity, and no wonder. Here you can find lots of fun and interesting things about how to live green in South Carolina. The Charleston Green Fair 2009 main event takes place on September 27.

But the festival actually kicks off already on Tuesday September 22nd with a Sustainable Seafood Dinner initiative, but tickets are very limited. When we checked they were almost sold out, so if you’re interested, hurry over to the website now and you might get lucky.

On Friday September 25th it’s time for the Green Business Expo with panels and workshops. Click here for more information.

On Saturday September 26th watch the GreenFlix at the Visitor’s Centers Bus Terminal, downtown Charleston, at 7 pm.

Sunday is the big day for the big Green Fair at Marion Square in downtown Charleston. Watch the video below for a fun introduction or visit www.CharlestonGreenFair.com for more information.

If you liked this post, please fill in the box below to receive more fun things from the coast from us!
Name:
Email:

Jacksonville Green Expo Video

by

Jacksonville Green Expo takes place twice a year. We visited the recent expo at Prime Osborne Center. There was so many vendor booths to visit with lots of interesting new technologies, sustainable products and ideas about green living. Coastal Companion was one of the proud sponsors for the Jacksonville Green Expo.

Take a look at this video from the event more…

Sustainability Fair in Charleston, SC

by

Many of us want to live a green lifestyle and make less of an impact on the planet by saving resources, but when it comes down to the practical side of that, how do you live green?
There is an upcoming event at the College of Charleston that might help shed some light on the dilemma and help you move in the right direction.

The goal of the Green Fair is to give members of the community in Charleston lots of great tips, advice and ideas about how to manage to live green. On Thursday, January 29th from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm there is a Green Street Fair at the Collge of Charleston. Here you’ll find a variety of activities from how to use barrels to collect rain water, how to build bird houses, to organic food and drinks.

If you’re nearby, make sure to go and check it out. There’s even a give away of flourescent light bulbs and reusable bags as long as supplies last. So make sure to get to the fair early. Let us know how it went!

His Fingerprints
Creative Commons License photo credit: Randy Son Of Robert