Charlie's Etoile Verte

This has always been one of our favorite restaurants, but I thought a good one to review, as we hadn’t been here in forever it seems.

The one thing that I have always liked about this restaurant and hoped it still held true was its consistency.  I’m happy to say, that has not changed and really why should it?  Charlie has been doing this for a long long time.  He has a steady loyal (sometimes mature) clientele.  The dining room has a cozy feeling there won’t be any “new and trendy” music blaring from the speakers in the dining room or bar area.  That’s not a bad thing, it’s not a trendy place, and it’s a consistent good place.

  The menu is definitely varied but does slant more towards seafood.  The menu is hand written and prepared daily based on what is brought in.  It is a pretty classic type French country menu.  Charlie’s own take is this…simple meals with fresh ingredients…and that has been his recipe for success.

 The wine list is extensive and the restaurant has won all sorts of awards the most notable being twelve years in a row as a Wine Spectator favorite.  There are a decent number of wines by the glass that range from $5.50 for Tunnel of Elms Chardonnay to $11.00 for a Rutherford Hill Merlot.  I settled on the Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay at $9.50 a glass.

Looking at Charlie’s now with a more critical eye the first thing I thought was…I would come here on my own.  I don’t like dining out on my own unless I really know the place or feel comfortable and Charlie’s dining room is like someone’s home.  Not in a creepy way.  The bar area has lovely welcoming big cushy chairs if you want a nice cocktail and conversation prior to dining.  The dining room is spacious and eclectic but like I said, not in a creepy way.  It’s not cluttered and is interesting when you look around.  The tables are not crowded on top of each other and each of the tables are a nice size, so if you have four at a four top, you are not jostling for position with your wine glass, cutlery or elbows.  Nice!

So it was just two of us last night.  Luke ordered the Rack of American Lamb with Rosemary au jus.   The serving was three chops.  I’m sure he could have chowed down on a fourth as the bones were pretty much picked clean.  It was cooked to perfection for the rareish side of medium rare…. lovely.  The au jus was a little on the light (meaning quantity, but nice the lamb wasn’t swimming in a sauce either).  The Dauphinoise potatoes (which is a Charlie’s staple – served with just about everything – although I did notice a slight down sizing in the portion from before) were tasty and one of Luke’s favorite dishes.  He liked that they were cut really thin and layered.

Rack of Lamb

 I had the Flounder Sautéed Meuniere and as usual was consistent and good.  The portion I thought was actually larger than normal and possibly necessary.  I didn’t finish it all but that could have something to do with the order of Pate Maison we started with.  Luke never ate Pate before and while he liked it, he thought it too rich and not one for his hit parade.  I, on the other hand, loved, loved loved it.  It’s a nice sized piece with a creamy texture with not an over powering flavor and served with chopped onions, egg and cornichon.  Personally, I didn’t think the garnishments were necessary since the Pate is just so damn good on its own! 

Flounder Meuniere

On to dessert – Pave au Chocolat for Luke and I had the Blueberry Cobbler.  The Pave au Chocolat didn’t last long on the plate.  It was served with a light vanilla cream and a scattering of berries.  Rich smooth and chocolaty. 

Pave au Chocolat

 I hate to say this, but I was disappointed with my dessert.  For one thing, the plate was just too hot.  I am not talking warmed, I mean HOT.  So hot in fact that when the waitress came to clear it, she needed to use a napkin to hold it.  I thought the berries jelled too much into more of a paste and there wasn’t enough crust for the berry amount and to be honest…it didn’t look much on the plate…just a blob of berries and ice cream all melted together due to a too hot plate. 

Blueberry Cobbler?

Cost:  $109.55 + tip with two glasses of wine. One starter, two mains and two desserts. 

Over all, you can’t go wrong here.  Food good, service good.  Charlie has got his menu and wine list down.  It’s still a wonderful island favorite…In fact, we are lucky to have a place like this where you always know what you are going to get at Charlie’s Etoile Verte.  Reservations during the busy season a must.

Charlie’s Etoile Verte

8 New Orleans Road

Hilton Head, SC 29928

843-785-9277