Regardless of how long you’re in Charleston for, what kind of food you like, or what your plans are, you absolutely cannot pass up eating a meal at Husk. I had to save our meal there for its own post because of how much I have to say about it. I always think good bread is a sign of a good restaurant – the better the bread, the better the rest of the food will be. The rolls came out still warm and accompanied by butter that was infused with pork fat. Needless to say, they were gone in seconds. From there, we knew dinner wouldn’t disappoint.
Their drinks menu is not only extensive but so clever. One section, titled Amendment XVIII (the 18th Amendment – prohibition) featured non-alcoholic drinks, including their own twist on an old drink called a shrub. I decided to get the grapefruit one – it was so light and refreshing, as it’s meant to be, and was perfect to get started. However, Husk also has a massive collection of beer, wine, and liquor. They have their own bourbons and just like their alcohol-free drinks, their cocktails infuse tradition with a modern twist. Everyone I was with loved everything they tried. If I’m remembering correctly, the Barrel-Aged Manhattan and Fields of Paradise were definite standouts but our waiter was so knowledgable about everything and was able to tell us in-depth about each drink and make recommendations based on what we were looking for so don’t be afraid to ask questions!
We ordered three appetizers for the table to share – Kentuckyaki Glazed Pig’s Ear Lettuce Wraps, the house made meats plate (our waiter told us it’s not often they have this on the menu because it requires such a big selection and they change the menu daily so if they have it when you’re there, get it), and fire roasted White Stone Oysters. The pig’s ears came out first (pictured below) and they were so good – crunchy, well-seasoned, and a perfect warm up.
Next came the oysters and charcuterie plate. We got a guide to the meat but were too excited about eating to pay too much attention to what exactly we were trying. If you’re curious, the list from top to bottom follows the plate from the bottom right of the picture over to the left, and then starts again at the top right and works its way left! The German in me was really looking forward to the meats and I even ventured outside my comfort zone to try the whipped beef lardo, which I was pleasantly surprised by. My favorite of the plate by far though was the Cheerwine beef jerky, which was unlike anything I’ve ever tasted before.
Their oysters go in the oven for a very brief amount of time so they don’t have an overwhelmingly raw, salty taste but aren’t totally cooked either. I had never had oysters from Virginia before but these set the bar pretty high. I easily could’ve eaten all six by myself.
It was hard to top the appetizers but dinner was just as good. I had the shrimp appetizer as a main course because I was worried I would be full from round one. The shrimp were good, but I got a taste of the pork chop and that was definitely the right way to go – it changed everything I had previously thought about pork chops. We (I say because we all tried everything everyone else got) also had an appetizer salad as an entree and the catfish. The salad had beets, blackberries and ricotta and the catfish came lightly breaded with a southern salsa on the side. There wasn’t a crumb left by the time we finished. I don’t think you could go wrong with anything on the menu!
Even though the appetizer and entrée selection is incredible, you HAVE to save room for dessert. We had a funnel cake topped with berries and fresh whipped cream (pictured below) and I think even if I was stuffed to the brim I would’ve found a way to make room for it. Everyone else barely had a chance to get a taste of it before I made my way through half of it! I almost forgot to mention that they even list recommendations for after-dinner drinks with their desserts. Each has a beer, wine, and bourbon suggestion based on the flavors of the dessert!
They change their menus daily but they archive all of them so you can get an idea of what kinds of foods they’re featuring that time of year before you go. The full menu for our dinner can be found here. They’re currently also open in Nashville, and are opening up new locations in Greenville, SC and Savannah, GA later this year! It was such an incredible weekend in Charleston and I hope I have an excuse to be back there soon. If not I’ll definitely be visiting Husk again if I’m near any of their other locations.
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