What!? Brian is doing a Southern-inspired edition of 'The Essentials'?
In a word: yes...well, sort of.
1. FireFly 'Sweet Tea' Flavored Vodka, $18 (750ml), fireflyvodka.com
A product of Charleston (Wadmalaw Island, to be exact), FireFly Sweet Tea Vodka is an amazing development that is being hailed as “the first artisan vodka of its time”. I had the liberty of trying for the first time several months before its release at a Guerilla Dining event--which we are not supposed to speak of--and I must say, it is probably one of the smoothest, and oddly, satisfying drinks I have ever consumed. A perfect attribution to Charleston style that mixes our two favorite things: sweet tea and alcohol.
2. Blue Crabs from Crosby's Seafood, $8-10 a pound, 382 Spring St., 937-0029
An established staple of the southeastern seaboard, blue crabs usually tend to come into season between the months of June and September and Crosby's is the best place to get quality seafood of all sorts (they've been around for decades, people). Unbelievably essential for any backyard gathering (and there are a lot of them down here), blue crabs need very little preparation before going into the pot. All you really need is a large, boiling pot of water, a pound or two of crab, a few Old Bay seasoning bags and a few, good friends; the rest kind of just falls into place.
3. The Oxford Shirt, $300, turnbullandasser.com
The Oxford shirt found commonplace among many Southern wardrobes over the past several decades and for good reason. The Oxford is a very durable, lightweight shirt that is versatile enough to go from the office to a dinner date a few easy steps:
- Wear a t-shirt under your Oxford for it is unbecoming of a man who sports sweaty pits.
- Opt for the standard white version. Nowadays, men have taken upon themselves to search for button downs in every shade of pastels imaginable. There is a reason why it is called a ‘classic’, guys.
- Have a relaxed, cotton blazer on hand just in case. “No matter where you go always remember: It’s better to be overdressed for an occasion than under.”
- For Christ’s sake, please tuck in your damn shirt. I am not going to repeat myself.
4. Eva Longoria-Parker
Oh. My. God. Errm...Oh yea! She's from Texas, too.
2 comments:
Dude. I'm jealous you got to go to a Guerilla Cuisine dinner. Did you go with Faith? The vast majority of people I know are too cheap / closed minded to do it. I also really want to go to McCrady's in June when Richard from Top Chef is guest chef-ing a 12-course tasting menu with Sean Brock for $75, but Sarah's the only one who'd probably want to go and she's too broke.
I did, actually. I was amazing and I would go again if I had the chance, albeit a little on the pricey side.
McCrady's is a very nice restaurant and I recommend anything that incorporates the use of the 63-degree egg. Their lobster spring salad was spot on as well...
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