“Southern food is as delicious as the less criminal forms of sin.” Mark Twain

I spent this past weekend in Charleston, South Carolina where I shared my Yoga + Chocolate + Wine “Livin’ the Moment” experience. Charleston is about the sweetest and most charming spot in the nation. And the first step into Jestine’s Kitchen at 54 1/2 Wentworth Street and I knew my fledgling vegetarian diet was in trouble, at least for the evening.

The restaurant is named in honor of Jestine Matthews who died in 1997 at 112 years young. The daughter of a Native American mother and father who was a freed slave, Jestine moved to Charleston in the early 1900’s. As a housekeeper, Jestine formed a lifelong friendship for her employers The Ellison family.  The restaurant, owned by the Ellison’s granddaughter, is a tribute to Jestine’s style of home cooking.

I went so far as to ask our super charming waitress if there was anything vegetarian, let alone healthy.  Blasphemy. Ok, fine. Twist my arm. I started with cornbread on which I spread honey soaked butter. Then I moved on to a Fried Oyster Po Boy, and Fried Okra. And finished with Chocolate Cake made with Coca-Cola which gives it a spongy texture. I’m not anything close to a food critic so I can’t comment with anything other than two words: freakin’ delicious!

After experiencing epic barbeque in Memphis, tangy daquiris in New Orleans, and Fried Green Tomatoes (forgot about those) in Charleston, I believe Southern food is the best way to sum up the Southern culture:  not always so healthy for the body, but such a treat for the soul.