Hope and Union Coffee Company (St. Phillip Street, downtown)

Someone told me I must try the coffee at Hope and Union.  Look for the coffee sign.  

What I did not capture was the other items on the menu like their pastries, teas, and espresso. Here is, however, the list of specialty coffees.

Brewed coffee made to order. I chose the Bolivia, with notes of pear, chocolate, and honeydew.

The good: The best coffee in Charleston, hands down. 

The bad: I like my coffee piping hot, and they couldn’t reheat my cup. It might be because it could ruin the taste, if placed in the microwave. I don’t blame them.

In conclusion: Maybe the best coffee I’ve ever had. 

Square Onion (Mt. Pleasant)

I want to thank my friend for giving me a gift card for the Square Onion. It’s diverse, you can have a sandwich, wrap, or salad, or a casserole to take home. Whatever it is, you will not be disappointed.  

The beet wrap special had roasted beets, sprouts, carrots, green goddess dressing-type, and chicken. It was not only beautiful physically, but tasted beautifully also. 

The side of edemame salad complemented my healthy wrap. It was healthy, and hardy.

The Square Onion makes me believe that good food is uncomplicated. It’s simple, really.

Gino’s Trattoria and Pizzeria (Summerville)

All praises for an authentic pizzeria in Summerville! And, I’m the lucky one that get to enjoy this restaurant often because it’s close to my job. The affordability of the meal is noteworthy too. 

For starters, a salad with a side of olive lemon dressing. You know when you go to a pizzeria, sometimes the salads come with wilted greens. Not this one.

The nice server then brings out the most fantastic garlic bread, and when dipped in their special, house-made balsamic dressing, moaning came out of my mouth. They make their bread in house also. 

For some reason, I’ve been particularly fond of the bianca pizza lately (bianca meaning “white” in Italian, without sauce in other words). 

Mozzarella, ricotta, parmigiano, and feta cheese on the soft chewy crust was so savory. I thought I would need a side of sauce, just in case, as a dip. No, the pizza did not need it. The sweetness of the cheeses and my own addition of spicy crushed red peppers created a euphoric marriage of flavors.

The good: The use of fresh ingredients can be tasted in the dishes. Truly delicious, affordable, authentic, and special.  

The bad: The server said the menu may change (but I’m sure anything on the menu is delectable).

The conclusion: A Naples native has opened a restaurant in Summerville. Yes, this is serious. And if you don’t experience this, you’re to blame. This is what pizza truly is, and should be.