Charleston

Jestine's: Charleston

7:00:00 AM


5 years ago, in the month of June, my family and I did a different road trip where we spent the last few days in Charleston and then Nashville. When we had the opportunity to spend (what we thought) would be just one night back in Charleston, we wanted to eat at a local favorite. 

Charleston SC

Our shuttle driver, JP, suggested Jestine's, which is near the historic district and as we drove past the restaurant, four out of five of us immediately recognized the place. Jestine's was our favorite spot to eat when we were there five years ago and we were eating there again. 
Sweet Ice Tea

Walking into Jestine's I immediately knew where we had sat 5 years ago, which means not much as changed. Which is really great. There weren't any lines and we got in right away. At a popular place like Jestine's lines are pretty common and last time we had to wait about an hour before getting a table for four. This time we had my step sister along, and our party of five was seated right away. 

The four of us that had been there before, reminisced about the cornbread and fried chicken (their specialty). We ordered cornbread for an appetizer, and put in our orders of food. 
Bad Girls Poster

Jestine's had cute little photos up, as well as magazine clippings that told about Jestine's life, a feature in Oprah's magazine and a ton of other bits. The staff were super kind too. 
Our entire table ordered something different, I did just a plate of shrimp with okra (I have never eaten so much okra in my life!). 
Table for five

Okra

Honestly, Jestine's is definitely one of my top 3 places I ate on this trip! They have a wide variety of food that locals love, a great atmosphere and I loved it. 
I still can't get over the fact that we couldn't remember the name of the place we had been to five years ago that we loved so much, and wound up back at it again! 

Jestine's is located at 251 Meeting St, Charleston, SC

I hope you enjoyed this post, I miss all that shrimp down there! Do you have a favorite place you always go on vacation/holiday to eat? If you could eat at one place for the rest of your life for free where would it be? 
x Thanks for reading! 
Make sure to comment below! 


Baking

Sweet Holiday Treats

10:00:00 AM

Every holiday season seems to be centered around some main elements, and having sweet treats around is one of them. While the official title of this recipe in the cookbook is "Christmas Toffee Bars", and traditionally made in my household during the holiday season, you can really choose to make these at anytime of the year. My great-aunt gave us this recipe, and there's something special about reading a recipe in the handwriting of someone so loved years after they've passed on.

Toffee Recipe

Here's What You'll Need:

1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg yolk
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolates (I used Dove milk chocolate)
Milk Chocolate

Christmas themed sprinkles or nuts (optional)
Jellyroll pan or cookie sheet (10x15)


Here's What you do:
1. Cream together the butter and brown sugar; beat in egg yolk
2. Add the flour, salt, vanilla and mix together. 
Mixture

3. Spread the mixture into the sheet
4. Make sure mixture is evenly spread, otherwise it doesn't bake through well. 
5. Bake at 350*F, for about 13-15 minutes until very lightly browned. 
6. While the bars have about 1-2 minutes left, melt the chocolates and spread over immediately or else it won't melt
Toffee Recipe

7. Sprinkle on sprinkles and nuts
8. Cut squares when warm 
9. Enjoy!
Christmas Toffee

I hope you're all in the holiday spirit now and it's also essential to listen to holiday music in the background or have a cheesy Christmas film!
What are your favorite holiday treats? Do you make anything similar to these? 
Make sure to leave comments, I love reading them! 
Thanks for reading, see you next time! 
x Kenzie


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