Love is in the air: spoil your sweet babu.

Since I wrote about this whole staycation business last time, I thought I'd offer a sneak peek of our Valentine's Day Staycation packages before they're officially released (see, there ARE perks to being a regular blog reader). And let me just say, they are AWESOME. Here are the details...

WHO: The William Aiken House Carriage House Suites, Lowndes Grove, You and your sweet babu

$395 per suite includes:

A one night stay, choose Friday, 2/13 or Saturday, 2/14. If you feel crazy in love, add another night for $149. And, should you need a 2pm check-out on Sunday, you got it.

$100 gift certificate for Fish restaurant, which can be used during your stay or at another time. DELICIOUS DINNER!

Champagne or sparkling cider in your room upon arrival. BUBBLES!

Chocolate-dipped Strawberries in your room upon arrival. CHOCOLATE!

A flower on your pillow. ROMANCE!

Continental Breakfast of fresh fruit, scones & juice delivered to your door. BREAKFAST IN BED!
And did I mention historic, lovely accommodations? Snuggle up by the Ashley River or stay tucked away in the heart of Upper King.

Book now, I say! (7 guest suites go quickly!) 843.853.1810.

Staycation anyone?

One of the best parts of my job, I mean besides the dollar dim sum and happy hour priced cocktails, is getting to see all of our properties through the new eyes of our clients and the folks we choose to work with. Our pal Brennan Wesley joined us this evening to snap some bio photos as well as several shots of the super-luxe accommmodations at The William Aiken House. Originally the property’s stables, the Carriage House has two super cool, duplex suites. Each has a living and dining area, kitchenette, master bedroom and full bath, bluestone courtyard and views of the the House, gardens, live oaks, etc. Even cooler to me is the exposed brick, high, rustic ceilings and amazing eclectic furnishings (I think interior designer Paula Adams rocked it OUT in here.) Brennan and I were discussing the many photo shoot possibilities (and whether we'd get caught if we decided to stay, say indefinitely). If you get itchy for a staycation, I'm telling you...we have just the place.

Let the cyber-stalking begin!

After much discussion and deliberation, today we started a Friends of Fish Restaurant page on Facebook (or as my Mom likes to say: THE Facebook or THAT Facebook). If you know us at all, you know that we LOVE social media, but I have to say for some reason, I was a tad bit leery about the Fish/Facebook relationship. But, it's been a few hours and you know...I feel good. I feel positive. If you wanted to, you could "friend" us, but no poking, please.

Non-sequitor Friday

Photographer David Edwards shot some fantastic photographs of local chefs, growers and producers a while back for the Lowcountry Local First's Buy Local Bash at Lowndes Grove. See shot of PP Managing Partner Randall Goldman above. Folks here were so intrigued with them,we asked to purchase a couple of prints of some of Fish's purveyors, like Rita and Mark Marhefka. The photos will soon be part of a "wall of fame" at Fish. Look for David Thompson of Gibson Thompson Guess Architects, bottlecap artist Molly B. Right, Rita and Mark gracing our walls soon.

After another week of hearing about business closings and the flagging economy, it was good to read that the Spoleto Festival beat its first week sales from last year by a whopping 17%. We like Spoletians, yes we do.

Here's another random thought. After the holidays, there's the usual resolutions, promises to one's self and loved ones to living better, healthier, dropping extra weight. Do we imagine that what with unemployment rising and all that more people are throwing caution to the wind when it comes to post-holiday weight loss? As in: unemployed and happy to hunker down over a wheel of cheese? Thoughts?

Know what's been fun in PP headquarters lately? Fielding inquiry calls for wedings at The William Aiken House, Lowndes Grove or The American Theater from super exuberant newly betrothed ladies. I can honestly say one woman was so excited, her voice reached an octave un-hearable to the human ear. Only small dogs with sparkly collars strolling on King Street could understand.

B'Zar Love

Walked over to Fish today during lunch and man oh man, it's good to see folks taking advantage of the $10 lunch (includes entree, fountain drink + tax). It was moo shu as far as the eye could see!

Susan Lucas, or as I like to call her, Queen of King Street, continues to sing the praises of our little corner of the world to all who will listen. Because of Susan and neighbor Jonathan Sanchez of Blue Bicycle Books, Fish will be celebrating President-elect Obama's first day on the job (that's Wednesday, January 21st) with a reading and book signing by Lisa Rogak, author of Barack Obama: In His Own Words. Buy a book, get it signed by the author, join in the discussion and enjoy special hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. The festivities begin at 6:30 pm. Raise a glass to hope, economic recovery, friends, neighbors, one and all.

Like everyone else, our dear King Street has been feeling the effects of the economy. Our friends at B'Zar announced this week via eblast that they'll be closing their Upper King storefront in February. Owners Gus and Andrea are warm, wonderful people, and have brought an incredible amount of positive energy and attention to Upper King. I urge you to check out the store before it closes and more importantly, please visit their incredible sneaker boutique, Suite Sole on Spring Street. Please support and inspire these awesome people as they have us.

Grace

These first days back after a long holiday are rough, no? Whew!

First of all, thanks to the anonymous commenter who had raves for both Fish's Monday Happy Hour specials and Jason, one of many fine bartenders.

Secondly, I need a minute here to just tell you this. A dear friend of mine told me today that she and the rest of her colleagues will soon be losing their jobs. This is, yes, the result of our flagging economy (and also possibly the result of bad management but hey, just my opinion). And though this news didn't come to my friend as a huge shock, it's still devastating for all of the regular reasons: life without a regular paycheck, benefits, etc. and ohmyGOD, who is hiring in this economy. And yet, my friend in the midst of this rather life-changing event was full of energy, ideas and humor. And rather than sit there and bemoan and berate, we sat together in the early afternoon sunshine and spoke about options and ideas. A couple of times we laughed hard enough that I started to tear. What can I say about those minutes with my soon to be unemployed friend? That this is grace. And I am abundantly grateful for every minute with her.

I started and ended with cocktails...hmmm.

Happy Monday and Happy 2009. Resolutions made? Any already broken? Don't worry, we don't judge. Our pals over at Food & Wine have the right idea: resolve to drink more cocktails. This write-up also includes, by the way, one of the best, simplest bar concepts and anti-advertising ideas EVER. Seriously, that's a little piece o' genius right there.

In other news, did I mention Lowndes Grove, all up in the pages of the new Elegant Bride? Big heaping thanks to Tara Guerard at Soiree for creating the most elegant, stylish settings. Simply wow. And, thanks to the talented and lovely Erin Swift from Elegant Bride...run, fast, pick up your copy now!

And finally, how cute is Fish's Thursday evening chanteuse Elise Testone and her sister Jenna who joined us for dinner over the holiday weekend? SO VERY. Should you be in the neighborhood, my man Jason is behind the bar and will gladly serve you half-priced bottles of wine and dollar dim sum.