Both my parents are big believers in the idea that "you're only has happy as your least happy child." Now that I'm an adult with my own family, I realize that I'm only as happy as my marriage. I feel like when Jimmy and I are in sync and happy with each other, everything in my life works well. If Oliver is happy and work is going great, but Jimmy and I are in a disagreement of some kind, then everything seems wrong. The longer we're together (4 WHOLE years now), the more I find this to be true. The more effort I put into our marriage, the more I get out of it. The more love I give, the happier I am. Now that we are parents it's harder and harder to get quality time alone together, but whenever we do I try to take advantage of it and give everything I can to our marriage because it's my rock.
A few weeks ago we got the opportunity to go to Charleston for the night. My mom agreed to watch Oliver, and we lunged at the chance for an adventure and some quality time together.
My friend Ginny visited Charleston recently, and I remember drooling over her Instagrams of the Zero George. I also remember writing about it in from this post of Kate Long Stevenson's Charleston recommendations.
Determined to make the most of a romantic night away with my love, and intrigued by the description of the Zero George as a "little bit of Europe in the South," I called to see of they had any rooms for the night. They had one left and also offered us a dinner reservation, which made it so easy, and I jumped at the opportunity.
We arrived at dusk and found that Ginny was telling the truth! It was just like a small town in Europe but in South Carolina, and it was everything this hotel snob could ever want.
Our room was off to itself with a private porch, matching robes, a coffee bar, and beautiful finishes.
Before dinner, we got dressed up and walked over to one of my favorite rooftop bars (the Vendue Inn) for a cocktail.
That's the problem when you ARE the photographer... you never get any good pictures of yourself. Oh well, you can still tell it's a rooftop and that the the humidity had gotten to my hair... Jimmy looks great, as usual. Oh to be a man.
After dinner we walked back to the Zero George for dinner. You enter the restaurant through the kitchen/cooking school, so you can see all the meals being prepared. I took these photos the next morning just to show you how great the space was.
The dining room is simple and cozy. It feels like you're eating in someone's home.
As with any successful date night, we started the meal off with a cruise through the specialty cocktails. When the waiter came to our table and I asked for a recommendation, he suggested the Moneypenny. Trying to be cool I said, "Oh that sounds perfect. I love gin." Jimmy, not catching my drift, blurted out, "I've never seen you drink gin the entire time I've known you." I kicked him under the table, gave the waiter a wink, and said "he has no idea what he's talking about. I love it." I'm sure he thought I was very cool...
By the time the waiter came back, the gin had taken hold, and I ordered just about everything on the menu. Jimmy was right. I never drink gin, but it did lead to a fantastic meal!!! All the dishes were tasty and perfectly proportioned. We split everything, so we got just the right amount.
We ordered the following dishes, and I got photos of all of them except the duck. I was so excited for the duck that we ate it all before we had a chance to photograph it. Whoops. #iblamethegin
(menu)
We couldn't say no to a chocolate tart for dessert, and it was probably our favorite part of an excellent meal!
The next morning we took a walk around the property, and it was a photographer's dream! The way the light hit the architecture was breathtaking, and I snapped as many photos with my phone as I could.
Our last stop at the Zero George was at the breakfast bar. It was exceptional, just like everything else at the hotel.
Next time you are in Charleston, please stop by and see the hotel, or stay there! You will love it!
For more Charleston recommendations, please check out these posts:
10 Questions with Kate Long Stevenson
10 Questions with Sara Crosby of Produce Candles
10 Questions with Artist Hailey Lowe Fennell
To learn more about my deep love for hotels, please check out these posts:
