Nelson's Neighborhood

After a month of “giving the grapes a break” and a deep clean in January, Irvin~House Vineyards will reopen Friday, February 1 for tastings from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To celebrate the new year vineyard-style, they’re hosting the Second Annual Cork Shuckin’ Festival on Saturday, February 9 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the vineyard. Admission is free but patrons are encouraged to bring their cash and credit for a wide variety of libations and food options. All you can eat oysters from Holy City Seafood will be $15 and other food will be available from Stono Cafe and Diggity Donuts. Guests are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the music of the Bullgrapes from Frogmore, SC. Tastings in the Firefly Vodka distillery and Irvin~House Vineyards winery are only $6.00 to taste 6 of 15 flavors of Firefly Vodka and Sea Island Rums and $4.00 to taste 5 wines. Patrons will receive complimentary glasses during both tastings. If guests are hesitant about driving to th...

Firefly Distillery is proud to introduce two new flavors to the Southern Accents Liqueurs line, Chocolate Pecan Pie and Coconut Cake. Southern Accents are made from family dessert recipes that have been passed down for generations. Made with southern pride, Southern Accents are best enjoyed straight or with a variety of mixers; and are available at local stores and the Firefly Distillery on 6775 Bears Bluff Road on Wadmalaw Island.  Firefly Distillery is the first to craft liqueurs in the spirit of these down-home favorites and are pleased to add the Coconut Cake and Chocolate Pecan Pie to the already delicious line including Southern Accents Banana Pudding Liqueur, Southern Accents Peach Cobbler Liqueur, and Southern Accents Pecan Pie Liqueur. Each liqueur will bring back memories of your grandmother’s favorite dessert recipes.  Try these delicious cocktails with your Southern Accents Chocolate Pecan Pie or Coconut Cake Liqueur:  Cocoa Float ½ Southern A...

After more than two months of tasty burger creations from residents of the Lowcountry, eight weekly winners have been chosen for the Big Billy’s Burger Joint “Build a Burger” Contest and the public is invited to see which burger will reign supreme and be named Best Burger by celebrity judges at the Winners Circle Party on Saturday, January 19 at 6:00 p.m. at Big Billy’s Burger Joint at 5070 International Boulevard in North Charleston. Guests can enjoy a food buffet, live music, and drink specials.  The top winner will receive $500 and the addition of their unique burger creation to the Big Billy’s Burger Joint menu specials. Judging will begin at 7:00 p.m. and includes celebrity judges 95sx Two Girls and A Guy’s Tanya Brown and Mike the Guy, Chef Robert Carter, former television personality Ryan Nelson and North Charleston city councilman Elliott Summey. The contest was not limited to beef burgers, as contestants could build their own burger by choosing turkey, bl...

January is a month for New Year’s resolutions and creating a fresh, new look at life. Cru Café is doing some touch ups of its own. With the help of the original designer, Los Angeles-based interior designer, Terry Zucker of Starting Over Design Studio - also known as Chef Zucker’s mother - the interior of the restaurant will be given a “freshening up” and will be closed the week of January 14-18 for the aesthetic improvements to help maintain the cozy, intimate atmosphere guests have grown to love. Cru Café will reopen Tuesday, January 21 to the public. Always closed on Sunday and Monday. “A new year is always about a fresh start and it’s time for the cafe to get a minor face lift” said John Zucker, owner and chef of Cru Café. “Along with the look, we will be adding new dishes to our menu along with a new menu design.  2013 is all about keeping it fresh. Just like our food”  More details of menu changes and additions will be released upon completion. F...