Sunday Supper with Sean Brock of Husk
Strawberry Moonshine at City House’s Sunday Supper with Sean Brock
Later this month, my husband and I are taking our first trip to Charleston, South Carolina. Beyond the history, the architecture, the beautiful weather, and the beach, it’s supposed to have some of the best food in the country, so as you can imagine, I’m a little excited.
If you know anything about me, then you know that I’ve already figured out where we’ll be eating every single meal. Even before Bon Appetit’ named it the best new restaurant in America, Husk was high on my list. Chef Sean Brock, who not too long ago was the chef of Capitol Grille right here in Nashville, received the James Beard award last year as Best Chef in the Southeast. Best Chef AND Best Restaurant? Our reservations are set.
Rice Griddle Cakes with Boiled Peanut Hummus
When I got word that Sean would actually be coming to Nashville to cook at City House’s Sunday Supper on Labor Day weekend, I saw it as an opportunity to get a little sneak peek of what we could expect in Charleston. In addition, my friend Sherri would be visiting from San Diego, so this would be the perfect way for her to experience some truly amazing Southern cooking.
And truly Southern it was…. the evening started with us being greeted at the door with a cocktail that included bourbon and sweet tea. Really, can you get any more Southern?
Well, perhaps you can. The tables at City House were set up family style so we’d be dining elbow to elbow with strangers that would soon become our friends. If you’re all drinking straight from a mason jar filled with moonshine, you must be friends, right? Yes, each table was given 2 mason jars of moonshine to be used as a communal drink. No germaphobes here- those jars were passed from person to person and back again as everyone took swigs.
Unlike the hard stuff I’ve had in the past that tastes like liquid fire, these were smooth and easy. Perhaps it was because they were flavored? One jar was Strawberry and one Grape and they were both so good that it didn’t take long for every drop to disappear from the jars.
Crispy Pig Ears with Burnt Scallions and Peanuts
As you can see, there was no lack of libations to go around. So what about the food? Well, they definitely weren’t skimping on that either. In fact, just the snack portion of the evening was probably enough to feed me for the day!
Snacks:
Chicken Fried Chicken Skins with Husk Hot Sauce and SC Honey
Beef Rinds with Jerky Powder
Rice Griddle Cakes with Boiled Peanut Hummus
Crispy Pig Ears with Burnt Scallions and Peanuts
Raw Cucumber, Onions, Tomatoes and Peppers
Pork Ribs with Smoked Edisto Peaches
The overwhelming table favorite: Pork Ribs with Smoked Edisto Peaches
Next we moved on to the Communal plates, where the crab salad stole the show. This dish may actually have been my top choice for the entire evening.
Communal Plates:
Fermented Meats and Vegetables
Salad of Charleston Blue Crab, Corn, and Sweet Potato Leaves (pictured above)
Pickled Shrimp with Cruze’s Buttermilk, Husk Sheep’s Milk Ricotta and Watermelon Radishes
At this point we were all starting to feel a bit stuffed and hadn’t even yet made it to the main courses. Could I possibly hold any more? Well, we all know the answer to that already. Of course I could!
Main Courses:
Cornmeal Dusted Catfish with Pit Beans, Fried Cabbage and Charred Peppers (pictured above)
Wood Fired Okra with Sea Island Benne
Pork, cooked whole on the bone with crispy skin and Collard Green Marmalade, Tomato Gravy, and Lady Peas
Fried Cabbage with bacon. I went back for thirds.
When I think of the proper way to end a southern meal, I don’t know about you, but there are two desserts that quickly come to mind- a fresh fruit cobbler or a pie.
Please allow me to introduce you to one of the most decadent and delicious pies I’ve ever put in my mouth- Peanut Butter Pie with Antebellum Oats, Olive and Sinclair Chocolate + Cocoa Nibs smoked by Alan Benton.
I may or may not have had dreams about this pie when I slept that night. Sherri may or may not have snuck a piece home to eat for breakfast on her flight back to San Diego the next morning.
This sneak preview meal of Husk has made me even more anxious to be in Charleston, but it also made me realize that I may want to embark on a clean eating fast for a couple of weeks in preparation!
Yum! I love how they served the moonshine in mason jars with the flavor written on them. Stealing that idea! The food looks amazing, too!
I know, I love it too! I have so many jars at home…I am definitely going to do something similar the next time I have a party!
THAT food looks great!
I would have loved to have had an opportunity to have tried all of it!
My own experience at City House about one month ago on my wedding anniversary was abominable.
The food was mediocre, at best, and the acoustics blew my ears out.
Gosh, I hate to hear that. I’ve had some great meals at City House but have had some friends who haven’t had such great experiences. As for the acoustics, I know exactly what you mean. That was one part of the meal that was a nuisance- constantly having to ask the person across the table to repeat what they’d just said!
Beth!
It was so nice to meet you at City House.This is a wonderful post! I’m forwarding this to my friends who wanted to hear the details about Sean’s fabulous dinner.
Thank you,
Suzanne
It was great meeting you too! Hope our paths cross again in the future :-)
What a faaabulous trip you have coming up! EAT EAT EAT.
Man…thanks for this! I am now primed and ready for our meal at Husk! Can’t believe we’re there the same weekend. I think our reservation is at 6:30 Sunday? Can’t wait! Thanks for the great post, Beth.
Ours is at 7:30, so we’ll see you there :-)
My entire life we’ve had a home on Kiawah Island in Charleston, so I know all too well the beauty & magic of that glorious place. We just vacationed there in June & had dinner at Husk for our anniversary. Words can’t express how amazing the food & ambiance was. And yes, Charleston’s culinary offerings are superb. Hit me up if you want some recommendations! A couple of places you must try in addition to Husk: Hominy Grill & F.I.G.
Have both of those on my “must eat” list already! I will definitely reach out though if I have any questions leading up to our trip in the next couple of weeks… thanks!
yummy, looks good.
YUM BETH!! Your trip to Charleston should be GREAT! My husband and I are going to Charleston for a wedding the first week of Oct. I read the BA magazine, and I immediately put going to Husk #1 on our list when we go! Can’t wait to read your blog post about it :)
Wish I would have known about Sean Brock coming to Nashville! We ate at Husk during our trip to Charleston this summer, and it was absolutely delicious from beginning to end. I wrote a blog post about the meal and the trip if you want to check it out!
I am from Charleston and a few years ago had a thriving catering business there until the economy fell and I ended up moving back to Nashville! You will fall in love w Charleston when you visit – it is one of the most beautiful & friendliest cities in the country! so glad I stumbled upon your site – cant wait to see pics & hear about your trip! Hope it is amazing!