catchy as that little interlude is, lowcountry doesn't seem like a joint that's going to play much girl talk, or flo-rida, for that matter:
it's like i was 22 again, hanging out in some (hot) dude's basement.
not that that happened when i was 22.
i actually don't remember hearing any music?
what we did walk into on monday was "fried chicken and football night." they offer sweet-tea-brined fried chicken, macaroni salad, and barbecued black-eyed peas--and football-- for $19. an offer difficult to refuse...but, allison and i decided to save the fried chicken for a future visit.
our dinner went like this:
a michelada: modelo beer, tomato juice, and hot sauce.
grilled baby octopus
anson mills farro, pickled pear, boiled peanuts, smoked yogurt.
i didn't discern the "pickle" in the pear or the "smoke" in the yogurt, but i loved the assertive sweetness and the char in the grilled baby octopus. nice layered flavors and textures going on here.
brussels sprouts...with apple butter.
does that sound odd to you? well, if you have any interest at all in brussels sprouts, please order these. the salty, glossy leaves stayed crisp . the touch -- just a spoonful? --of apple butter woke up the palate. we loved these. loved loved loved.
cornmeal dusted catfish
carolina red rice and beans, chow chow remoulade...
our server mentioned that this dish changes his opinion of catfish forever (he was formerly disinterested). he was right to rave. these are generous fillets, perfectly fried. i thought i recognized tomato in this remoulade that gave it...you guessed it, a little sweetness. i loved how they blanketed the fish with it.
and: the humble red bean? it's lovable again, as a side here (with rice and sausage).
for dessert: bourbon banana bread pudding. this might have been the single, slight disappointment of the evening--maybe our server built this up a bit too much? it was very warm and wet banana bread, but the custard that i look forward to, was missing. a crisp top would have given a bit of texture and caramelization. the sauce would have been more memorable if it had been a bit thicker and boozier.
(we like 'em thick and boozy.)
but...allison and i are still high on lowcountry. we're plotting fried chicken biscuits and bbq sliders for the next game night. i've had the sliders before--they were one of my favorite "tastes" at the back to basis event in september.they described it then as a "north carolina, lightly smoked pork shoulder." i hope it's the same preparation. it was wonderfully refined, even with all that delicious slaw spilling out all over...
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lowcountry is at 142 west 10th street, between greenwich avenue and waverly place.
they accept reservations at 212.255.2335 or via open table.
