Graze, located in Mount Pleasant, is a diamond in the rough. I certainly didn’t expect fine dining next door to a Staples in a strip mall. Once through the door, however, I was miles away from the business of highway 17.
A peppy young waiter escorted my mother and I to our table, covered in a dark tablecloth and topped with a candle. The ambiance of the restaurant is artsy and modern – what my mother called “yuppie”. Dark greens and neutrals abound, faux bamboo dividers separate the dining area from the bustling bar, and strange paintings of giant fruit hang on the walls. Contemporary track lights and studio lamps give the room just enough light to enjoy the surroundings. Classic jazz and mellow electronic music is the soundtrack for the evening – a great blend of old and new.
The crowd in the restaurant is certainly happy to be there. Besides the nicely sized bar crowd, a group of female co-workers have moved three tables together for a girls’ night – and the woman at the end is at full volume, laughing up a storm and yelling stories across the table. I would be terribly peeved if I hadn’t done the same thing countless times. Clearly, this place has some fans.
As we pored through the menu and wine list, I knew I was already in love. When our waitress offered samples of any wine we were curious about, I could have cried tears of joy. We split a bottle of Chardonnay – perfection – and an appetizer of thin pommes frites drizzled in truffle oil. As amazing as it was, it didn’t stop there. My meal of grilled salmon glazed with balsamic reduction and various, delicious spices, was mind blowing.
Dessert was out of the question, sadly, although their selection was quite tempting. I was absolutely stuffed. After we had received our checks and paid, we made for the door. But as we were walking out, a plate of chicken and waffles passes me, with such an intriguing aroma that I vow to return the next week…and many more times after that.
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