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A Good Lowcountry Read: A Spotlight on Charleston’s Most Beloved Bookstores

August 22, 2012 by

Image Above Taken From: www.bluebicyclebooks.com

At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we know a good read is a powerful experience. Fortunately, Charleston is full of charming bookstores that are just as inspiring as the books they house. Here are a few of our favorite booksellers where you can pick up the next book on your summer reading list:

  • Blue Bicycle Books: Boasting 1565 feet of stacked books, this local bookstore is anything but plain. Owned and operated by local writer Jonathan Sanchez and his wife Lauren, they offer over 50,000 volumes, including the most complete collection anywhere of used, rare, and new Charleston material. Other popular sections include history, architecture, military history, Civil War, eastern religion, science, philosophy, gardening, poetry, hardback classics, and literary fiction. Come see why they’ve been voted Charleston’s best used-bookstore for the past five years, and don’t forget to pet the store cat!
  • Heirloom Book Company: On lower King Street, you’ll find this gem of a bookstore dedicated to the literature of food. The store offers an extensive selection of rare, out-of-print, and new books, alongside photographs, heirloom plants, and even seeds. Additionally, you’ll find thousands of publications, from the perfect Southern cookbook, to literature about gourmet cuisine, international eats, cooking vegan and gluten-free, the art of wine pairing, and cocktail recipe guides. It’s enough to stoke your hunger and your thirst for knowledge!
  • Books-A-Million: For the book-lover who wants it all, this bookstore doesn’t disappoint. From the latest bestselling titles and new releases to movies and magazines, you could lose a whole day browsing their endless stacks. Try as you might, you won’t want to leave here empty-handed, and you will surely be happier for the visit!

What is your favorite bookstore to visit in Charleston?

 

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The Best Fro-Yo in Charleston

August 1, 2012 by

The frozen yogurt craze is sweeping the country—and Charleston, too!  One of the healthier indulgences around, frozen yogurt topped with fresh fruit is also the perfect summer treat.  Come see a few places where you can get your fix, and get in on the fun:

TCBY: Right off Folly Rd, you can get your swirl on at the chain that started it all. With delectable soft serve flavors (cake batter, anyone?), you can dress your fro-yo with toppings ranging from fresh fruit and almonds, to brownie bites and cookie bits. Show restraint or indulge as you see fit!

  • YoBe Frozen Yorgurt: With two locations to choose from, one in West Ashley and the other off International Boulevard in North Charleston, it’s easy to tour the delicious offerings of this renowned yogurt stand. The distinctive yogurt-rich taste of their soft serve is unlike anywhere else and absolutely delicious.

  • FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Café: This frozen yogurt café on St. George Street is sure to woo with its pleasant atmosphere and fruit-infused menu. Stop by for a perfect late-night dessert, and enjoy some of the finer local fro-yo offerings in Charleston.
  • Yogurt Mountain: A lively stand on King Street, this frozen yogurt eatery has an abundance of soft serve flavors and toppings to make the perfect treat. For the lactose-intolerant diners, they even offer sorbet in wonderfully fruity options!
  • Menchies Frozen Yogurt: In Mount Pleasant, you’ll find this fro-yo joint has all the flavors and toppings you could wish for, and a hands-on approach to the whole endeavor: the soft serve machines, lined along the wall, are customer operated. So get creative! Mix and match to your heart’s content. Menchies even accounts for the indecisive fro-yo imbiber with little cups to sample each flavor.

What’s your favorite frozen yogurt flavor and topping combo?

 

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The Charleston Food Truck Revolution

July 25, 2012 by

Image Above Taken From: PostandCourier.com

Here in Charleston, our food trucks are plentiful and easy to track down (unlike the roaming ones in Portland and Los Angeles), and more are popping up all the time! With ever-changing chalkboard menus and local produce, these food trucks range from varied ethnic kitchens to singular specialty stands. Come to Eat Street (44 Morris Street), and see what delectable offerings these food trucks are serving up today!

Geechee Island: This mobile kitchen specializes in smoked meats, from pulled pork to smoked turkey and smoked chicken sandwiches. They also offer a variety of flavored wings, making this truck a one-stop shop for all meat-lovers.

Diggity Doughnut Truck: For decadent eating without the guilt, stop by the Diggity Doughnut truck for whole grain, all natural, vegan doughnuts. With gluten-free options and agave icing substitutes available, there’s no reason not to swing by for a healthy breakfast on the go!

  • Hello My Name is BBQ: The mother-truck of all-things-barbeque, this mobile eatery’s dishes are worth many introductions to your plate. Specializing in beer-braised BBQ on brioche with toppings to match—barbequed bacon, grilled jalapenos, coleslaw, and blue cheese, to name a few—this truck is sure to impress.
  • Pot Kettle Black: Serving up Chicago-Italian beef, Philly roasted pork, New Orleans muffalettas, and Wisconsin beer cheese soups, Pot Kettle Black gives your taste buds a culinary tour of the states!
  • Roti Rolls: The food truck that rolls all your favorite cuisines into one, Roti Rolls offers Asian, Indian, Caribbean, Latin, and Southern delicacies all on their signature Roti Bread. Explore the possibilities on your lunch break!

What is your favorite food truck in Charleston?

 

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Around the Harbor: A Guide to Experiencing Charleston by Sea

July 11, 2012 by

Charleston is our favoite place to be during the summer months, with its great beaches and waterways helping to temper the heat. If you’re looking to experience our beautiful city from another vantage point, consider taking a cruise around the Charleston Harbor. You will truly get a feel for life in this city by the sea. While you’re out there, you might even encounter some dolphins playing in your wake!

Charleston Harbor Tours

Step aboard the “Carolina Belle” and immerse yourself in the history of maritime life with Charleston Harbor Tours! This 90-minute tour comes with a well-educated tour guide who will point out some of Charleston’s most historic landmarks and tell the fascinating stories behind them. You can also purchase a carriage or plantation tour package when booking a harbor tour.

Spirit Line Cruises

Tour Ft. Sumter, have dinner, and sail around the harbor with the same cruise company! Spirit Line Cruises offers private charters, three-hour dinner cruises, and even wedding receptions. This company offers something for the history buff and socialite alike.

Charleston Dolphin and Eco Tours

Looking for something a little less historical? Grab your family and see Charleston’s watery wildlife up close and personal! Charleston Dolphin and Eco Tours offers fun for the whole family, with nature-oriented tours and harbor cruises. Choose the perfect excursion for your family, and enjoy the ride!

About Charleston:

The Charleston area is home to wonderful resources for our patients and their families. If you are traveling here for surgery, rest assured that we have world-class medical and post-operative facilities. Patients of the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction are cared for at the East Cooper Medical Center, a state-of-the-art regional hospital, located very near to our offices.

The region is also filled with hotels, villas and homes available for short- or long-term rental.

Charleston is routinely ranked one of the nation’s most beloved destinations. And we’ve also been voted most polite so often, that we’ve politely pulled out of the competition. Charleston enjoys a temperate climate, a vibrant historic district, wide beaches, majestic homes and a friendly ambiance. No matter the season, there are plenty of things to see and do here.

You can get more information about Charleston and its’ harbor tours and cruises at the Charleston Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

 

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The Best & Brightest Fireworks in Charleston this Fourth of July

July 2, 2012 by

Of course Charleston, historic landmark city that it is, would never settle for anything less than the brightest to rein in the 4th of July, and we at the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction wouldn’t have it any other way! To set your patriotic heart a-soaring this holiday, we’ve rounded up the places where you’ll want to get a good seat come sundown:

  • Patriots Point will host one of Charleston’s biggest and brightest pyrotechnics displays yet with the USS Yorktown as the center stage. Patrons can sit aboard the Flight Deck for $10, but spectators can also enjoy the fiery spectacle landside as well. With food vendors abound and plenty of entertainment for the kids, it’s a walk-through-friendly environment. The real selling point, though, is the view: the fireworks overhead and reflected off the waterfront will saturate your senses in awe.
  • In the heart of Summerville, catch the “Red, White, and Blue on the Green” in Town Square from 5-8 PM. As a special patriotic treat, the Fort Dorchester Garrison re-enactors will set up a Revolutionary War era camp on Hutchinson Square. A reminder of the reason for the holiday, World War II jeeps owned by Summerville locals will be on display. The fireworks sizzle shortly after dusk.
  • The North Charleston Fireworks and celebration take place at Riverfront Park
    where you can enjoy local live music provided by CoastRunner, The Blue Dogs, and Quianna Parlor. A little dancing is good for your health, and a great way to celebrate our country’s independence!

  • Folly Beach, only 15 minutes from downtown Charleston, is yet another perfect star-spangled spot this Fourth of July. Tour the local restaurants, then settle down with your blanket on the sand to watch the sky dazzle above you.

Happy Fourth of July, Charleston! Where will you go to see the fireworks this year?

 

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The Best Bed-and-Breakfasts Charleston Has to Offer

June 27, 2012 by

Planning a trip to Charleston this summer? Instead of staying in a larger hotel, consider trying out a Bed-and-Breakfast!

Charleston is full of beautiful historic homes, and many of them have been transformed into Bed-and-Breakfasts. These homes are perfect for the visitor looking to experience Charleston’s charm and hospitality at its best, making you feel right at home in the Holy City. After a few nights in these houses, you won’t want to leave!

The Society House

Located at Society and King Streets, this charming inn offers a central location to all of Charleston’s finest amenities. Short-term and long-term rooms are available, complete with a full kitchen, hardwood floors, high ceilings, and large windows. You’ll feel as if you’re visiting someone’s home, and not a hotel room at The Society House.

IMAGE ABOVE TAKEN FROM: www.thesocietyhouse.com

Historic 86 Church Street Bed and Breakfast

Enjoy the charm of life South of Broad street at this popular B&B. This home was built in 1783, and is run by one of Charleston’s oldest families. You will be within walking distance of the Harbor, Battery Park, and many of Charleston’s oldest and most beautiful homes.

IMAGE ABOVE TAKEN FROM: www.charlestonbandb.net

The Elliott House Inn The charming Elliott House Inn is located on Queen Street, in one of Charleston’s most beautiful and historic neighborhoods. You will be within walking distance of some of Charleston’s best restaurants, including Husk, Poogan’s Porch, and 82 Queen, as well as the Dock Street Theatre and most of the city’s art galleries.

IMAGE ABOVE TAKEN FROM: www.elliotthouseinn.com

The Barksdale House

The Barksdale House is an old family home located in the historic section of George Street. You will be just a few blocks away from the South Carolina Aquarium, the College of Charleston Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, and the shops on King Street.

IMAGE ABOVE TAKEN FROM: www.barksdalehouse.com

 

Where is your favorite place to stay when visiting Charleston?

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The Sound of Music: A List of Outdoor Concerts and Music Events Coming to the Low Country

June 13, 2012 by

Summertime in the South wouldn’t be complete without a picnic blanket, several hundred of your closest friends, and the sound of music weaving through the air.

Luckily, Charleston is a music city. You can find a concert to attend just about every night of the week, and in the summertime, many of them are outside. If you enjoy the outdoors, music, and good company, then these options will be great for you and your family!

Awendaw Green Barn Jam

Wednesday nights in Awendaw are filled with the sound of Charleston’s best homegrown up-and-coming artists. Shows start at 6:00 p.m. at the Awendaw Green, off Highway 17, just past the Sewee Outpost.

Party at the Point

Head over to Patriot’s Point after work on Fridays for an evening filled with great music and $2 beer. The Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina hosts this weekly happy hour concert series, letting you enjoy the cool harbor breeze as you unwind and enjoy the show. The series runs through Friday, June 29.

Last Summer On Earth Tour

Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, and Cracker are coming to Daniel Island’s Family Circle Stadium July 14. Don’t miss this chance to see all of your 90’s musical favorites in one place! Tickets are available on Ticketmaster .

What are the summer concerts you’re most looking forward to? Let us know in the comment section below!

 

 

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Catching the Last Bits of The Spoleto Festival 2012

June 6, 2012 by

SpoletoWe at the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction absolutely love our city! Charleston has a unique blend of metropolitan and small-town charm, with a healthy dash of the arts thrown in. While Charleston’s arts scene is great year-round, The Spoleto Festival is the pinnacle of all things artistic in the Holy City.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Spoleto Festival USA yet, don’t worry! There are still plenty of opportunities for you to experience this international arts Festival between now and Sunday.

Westminster Choir

The Spoleto Festival’s choir-in-residence will be performing a wide variety of pieces, from Rachmaninoff to contemporary composer Eriks Ešenvalds Friday evening at the Church of St. Luke and St. Paul. Come sit back, relax, and let the choir’s angelic voices wash over you as you begin your weekend. Concert begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are available here.

Return to the Sea: Saltworks by Motoi Yamamoto

This site-specific art installation is on display at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the corner of Calhoun and St. Phillip Streets. Yamamoto’s intricate works are created entirely of salt, which are a symbol of purity in Japanese culture. Take a break from the mid-day heat and wander through the salt lands of Yamamoto’s mind from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m daily.

Rebirth Brass Band

Dance the night away with New Orleans’ Rebirth Brass Band in the College of Charleston Cistern this weekend! This jazz, funk, and hip-hop ensemble will be playing shows on Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m.

Charleston is absolutely alive this time of year, so even if you don’t attend a performance, be sure to take a stroll downtown and take in the atmosphere! Visit our Facbook page for all the up and coming events in Charleston!

 

 

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The Best Brunch Spots in the Holy City

May 30, 2012 by

poogans porchCharleston isn’t only a great city to visit for the history—we have some of the best restaurants in the South, too! Whether you’re in town for a weekend or a local looking for someplace new, we’ve got the city’s best brunch spots lined up for you.

Toast

One of downtown Charleston’s most popular brunch spots, Toast is known for its $10 bottomless mimosas, enthusiastic wait staff, and delectable Lowcountry fare. Some of its most popular menu items include Shrimp & Grits, Stuffed French Toast, Fried Green Tomatoes, and a spicy Crab Cake Sandwich. Grab your gal pals, and head to Toast for a fun morning of bubbles and breakfast!

Poogan’s Porch

Located in a beautiful Victorian home on historic Queen Street, Poogan’s Porch is arguably Charleston’s best-known brunch spot. Named after the little dog that made his home on the restaurant’s porch, Poogan’s has developed a menu of down-home Southern dishes sure to please any palate. Some of their signature dishes include a Crab Cake Benedict, Fried Alligator, and Chef Issac’s She Crab Soup. Put on your favorite sundress, and relive the Victorian era at this beautiful restaurant!

Lost Dog Café

Looking to get out of the city for a morning? Head over to the Lost Dog Café on Folly Beach, where life moves a little bit slower and breakfast is served all day. Pictures of patrons’ pooches line the walls, while their real-life counterparts lie complacently beneath their owners’ chairs on the patio. The food is a delicious brunch fare with an island twist—perfect for a lazy morning!

Seabiscuit Café

A little-known island treasure, the Seabiscuit Café on the Isle of Palms has been serving brunch to Charlestonians for 25 years. Their delicious Southern-style food is the perfect complement to an early day on the beach. Just make sure you get there early! Brunch is only available until 11 a.m.

Old Village Post House

Don’t feel like fighting the city crowds for brunch? Try the Old Village Post House in Mount Pleasant. This neighborhood gem is part tavern, part inn, and entirely fabulous. The Post House offers some heartier brunch foods, such as a Croque Madame (gourmet grilled cheese with egg), Pan-Seared Salmon, and Cinnamon French Toast, complete with brioche and sausage.

No matter which restaurant you choose, you won’t go wrong! Sit down, relax, and enjoy a delicious brunch with loved ones—it’s good for you!

 

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Laughter is the Best Medicine: Top Comedy Spots in Charleston

May 9, 2012 by

laughterBecause it lowers stress, boosts the immune system, reduces pain, and improves bonding among individuals, laughter really does have the powerful health benefits we’ve long attributed to it. We at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction are proud to say that Charleston is home to world-class comedy clubs where you can get your daily dose.

Next time you’re in need of a hearty chuckle, check out one of these laughter hot spots.

Theatre 99

Known as Charleston’s home for improv comedy, Theatre 99 offers affordable live shows most Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. In addition to improv, audiences enjoy sketch and stand-up comedy performances on the theater’s stage. Those who are interested in participating in comedy themselves can take advantage of Theatre 99’s improv classes and workshops.

Plan your next outing here.

Visit: 280 Meeting Street, above The Bicycle Shoppe, Charleston, SC

The Stephen Colbert Childhood Tour

Stephen Colbert, one of Charleston’s most famous and well-loved native sons, soaked up the city’s atmosphere and went on to a wildly successful career in comedy. Diehard fans can make a driving tour of Colbert’s childhood stomping grounds by visiting James Island, where he spent his youth, and East Bay Street in downtown Charleston, where his family moved after the death of his father and two brothers.

Be sure to swing by Episcopal Porter-Gaud school, where Colbert acted in school plays and wrote for the newspaper.

Center Pointe Bar & Grille

Friday nights at Center Pointe mean comedy. Enjoy jokes in a sports-bar atmosphere where you can enjoy food and drinks from a full kitchen and bar menu. Want to create some comedy of your own? Come back on Monday nights for karaoke!

Visit: 4950 Centre Pointe Dr., North Charleston, SC

Palmetto Comedy House

Enjoy a night of stand-up at this comedy hub, located inside the Clarion Suites Hotel. The Palmetto is known for special event shows (including performances for Valentine’s Day and its Divas of Comedy show), so check out the schedule to see what’s coming up.

Visit: 3640-B Dorchester Rd., Charleston, SC

 

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