Dinner at 1Kept Charleston: A New Take on Southern Classics

Remember when I was bragging about meeting Andrew Zimmern at a 1Kept Charleston event? Yea, this is the same restaurant where I met him. This time, we were here solely for the food and not just to down some cocktails (whoops). Anyway, the Queen of the Food Age and I were treated to a wonderful meal filled with new takes on some of our favorite Charleston dishes.

Appetizers

 

We kicked off the night with their signature Black Truffle Popcorn with Parmesan. When they said truffle, I was a little worried because I know people on Chopped always get yelled at for using truffle oil. However, this popcorn was salty, earthy, and buttery. They definitely could tell that I love Parmesan because as you can see they loaded it up. They tried to take it away from the table at one point and I almost bodied them up to protect my precious popcorn.

Our trio of appetizers included their duck fat cornbread, pork meatballs, and fried Brussels Sprouts. The duck fat cornbread was served with a delicious red pepper jelly that added a nice kick of sweetness and spice. Although it was advertised as duck fat corn bread, I did not quite get the fatty goodness I was looking for, but luckily the jelly provided some moisture.

The pork meatballs were beautifully presented and although they were Italian in flavor, they were presented like an Asian dish, which was unique. The meatballs were moist and flavorful and the pickled fennel accompaniment added a pop of acidity to cut through the richness.

Our next offering was their Fried Brussels Sprouts which had roasted red peppers, apple gastrique, and salt and vinegar mixed in. The Brussels were perfectly cooked and I loved getting the little crispy bits around the outside. Sydney is obsessed with Brussels Sprouts and these lived up to her standard so much so that she now wants to pursue creating an Instagram solely featuring Brussels Sprouts (follow your dreams, kids).

The main Course

When we asked what we should get, the staff immediately recommended the Chicken Schnitzel with Herb Spaetzle. It was 1Kept’s unique take on fried chicken (a Charleston staple). The gravy was made with caramelized onions, which is also unique for Schnitzel. It provided a great sweetness and depth of flavor. The Spaetzle was cooked well and the cabbage had a pop of lemon flavor that complemented the rich flavors.

Last, but certainly not least, we indulged in the almighty shrimp and grits. You can find shrimp and grits at pretty much any restaurant in Charleston, but this shrimp and grits was unique. The arrabiata sauce (spicy tomato sauce) had a rich tomato flavor that left me not missing the classic gravy at all. The smoked pimento cheese grits were creamy, luscious, and of course smoky. I was the lucky one because I got to take home the leftovers. I am about to have them for breakfast right now (yum).

Not only was the food amazing, we could tell that the staff truly cared about our dining experience. They checked up on us often and asked if we needed anything and we usually never did because they had it all covered. This meal was delicious and I can’t wait to come back and try their breakfast as well as their drinks once they get their liquor license.