Some of our favorite things about Summerville
Aura Lee, Chelsea and I are from Pittsburgh. (My family lived in the outskirts of Cincinnati until my senior year of high school. Since I graduated high school in Pittsburgh and received my undergrad from Pitt, I get that “hometown feeling” from Pittsburgh.)
It’s a funny thing sometimes when you realize how things work out. I had to leave the USA and come back for a business visit to Pittsburgh to meet my true love.
I was living “in-between” apartments in Belgium and England when Aura Lee and I first met and started “dating.” Being separated by an ocean presents some significant challenges for romance. Frankly, I was concerned that Aura Lee might forget about how charming I was... So, I had to do everything in my power to make sure that our dates (which, initially, were few and far between) were a bit more spectacular than just “dinner and a movie.”
Aura Lee and I visited Paula, my sister, and Patrick, her husband, in Charleston, SC on my and Aura Lee’s second date. (Some of our other dates included skiing in Switzerland, chilling in Spain, and shopping in Paris.) After realizing how expensive it was to date the woman - and of course falling in love with her - I decided to save some cash and just marry the girl!
I’m teasing when I imply that my wife is high maintenance. In Aura Lee’s defense, those that know her well appreciate the fact that she’s probably more satisfied with putting her toes in the water at Edisto Beach than walking alongside the Grand Canal in Venice (this of course might be due to the fact that she almost lost a toe while walking along the Grand Canal in Venice - but that’s another story).
I knew I married the right woman when, on a recent “milestone” birthday, she asked for a Jeep Wrangler instead of a Mercedes convertible! Needless to say, my wife is pretty practical when it comes to spending money. When she shops, she is an absolute stickler for making sure that we get great value for money. We hope you agree she practices this same philosophy when she prices merchandise at the shop.
We were planning our wedding while I was still residing in the UK. I think we both assumed that we would simply live in Pittsburgh after we were married.
I don’t remember if it was the Manchester (UK) rain or the Pittsburgh snow that caused us to consider actually moving to South Carolina. Whatever the reason; like many before us, and many more to follow - the Charleston Lowcountry had captured our hearts on that second date.
What initially attracted us to Summerville was the bang for the buck. We quickly realized that you could get twice the house in Summerville compared to some of the other Charleston neighborhoods and towns. Not only that, the schools here have an excellent reputation. I remember cruising the neighborhood we now call home and getting great vibes from our future neighbors who simply couldn’t say enough positive things.
I think it is fair to say that we initially chose Summerville over anywhere else in the Lowcountry primarily because of the economic value. The reason we know we’ll stay is because of the community. Aura Lee and I are both pretty well travelled. Between the two of us, we’ve easily visited over 30 countries. Chelsea has seen her fair share of the US. (Keep the grades up, kid - and you might just find yourself hanging out with Mom and Dad on a buying trip in Barcelona before you know it!)
The bottom line is that we know a good community from a mediocre community. Summerville is a great community. Thanks for reading about how our family wound up here. It is our pleasure to share with you below some of our favorite things about the area and to provide some links to web sites as appropriate.
Please keep in mind that it wasn’t that long ago that we moved to Summerville (2005). If we can help your family with any information or point you in the right direction, please let us know. In fact, don’t forget about our “almost famous” social parties on Third Thursday’s starting around 5pm. We typically have live music in our courtyard... And the fellowship is always great!
Food:
Perfectly Frank’s might be the best hot dog you can get outside of New York, Chicago or Pittsburgh. Scratch that - I’d put what Perry can do in the kitchen next to any dog I’ve had anywhere. What’s more is that you can dine inside or out... And eat some really cool and exotic foods like wild game sausages and fish tacos. The fries are the bomb and the service and atmosphere are both spectacular. One hot dog, a drink, and fries are difficult to finish because the portions are very generous (please note - Mr. Aura Lee is not a tiny man).
Oscar’s is Summerville’s longstanding all-around favorite restaurant for good reason. The food is excellent and fairly priced. The first time we went, I couldn’t figure out whether it was upscale or not. I had had many delicious dinners in restaurants with similar decor throughout continental Europe... But something was different - Aha! No stuffiness or snobbery! I would categorize Oscar’s as slightly upscale but with a very cozy down home feeling where you question whether or not the waiter is really your favorite uncle (this has nothing to do with the amount of cocktails you may consume, I’m sure). I’ve felt comfortable in Oscar’s whether I’ve worn a jacket or jeans.
Eileen’s might serve the best steak in the universe. I am drooling on the keyboard as I type. From the outside, the place is understated... But when you walk in you are greeted by an ample yet cozy bar, cool art on the walls, and white table cloths! Again, not stuffy. You could wear shorts and the staff at Eileen’s will still make you feel like a million bucks. (Given the white table cloths, Aura Lee insists I wear slacks - or at least jeans.) Side note - 99% of the entire Lowcountry is casual 100% of the time. Eileen’s changes its menu regularly. The menu is simple and everything is fresh. If you go to Eileen’s and don’t tell everyone you meet over the next 48 hours about the awesome meal you had then you might be a zombie, really spoiled, or drank boiling tongue numbing water right before your meal and couldn’t taste the perfection.
Alessandra’s employs a staff that either just got off the boat from Italy or they are a bunch of skilled posers. Talk about awesome Italian food! This is Aura Lee’s favorite pizza. I’m partial to the veal and any of their homemade pasta dishes. These guys have done it right. (I mean “these-a paisans-have-a created-a-perfection-inna my mouth!) Aura Lee says the food here is better than in Italy - but without the toe damage (again, another story). I highly recommend this restaurant.
Famulari’s is another Italian favorite. This is my favorite pizza. Their pasta dishes are out of site. Aura Lee was working late once and Chelsea and I were too lazy to cook dinner so we ordered four (yes four - we like leftovers) take out dinners consisting of various pasta dishes. All were “aces up!” Famulari’s is out on Trolley Road. Although they have seating, I consider them more of a take out restaurant. I don’t think they serve wine. In summary, for sit down Italian go to Alessandra’s. For pizza delivery or take out, go to Famulari’s.
Eva’s is like going back in time to Grandma Robbie’s house in Kingston, TN but without the cigarette smoke and suspect relatives. Fried chicken, green beans seasoned with pork, corn bread - it’s all here... waiting for you to jump right in! This place even impressed my friend Terry Lewandowski from Chicago. After a golf trip up to Pawley’s Island, we met Aura Lee at Eva’s. I never saw Terry’s back so straight and didn’t realize “yes Ma’am, it’s truly delicious Ma’am” was even in his vocabulary. (Perhaps it was the hot chicken grease on his chin that gave him his silver tongue?) Find Eva’s restaurant on Main Street in the heart of downtown. I don’t think they are open for supper. Only breakfast and lunch.
Montreux’s Bar and Grill is a food lover’s paradise. The staff is awesome. Matt, Kristen, Justin and the rest of the team make you feel like you are a part of the family. This place might be my and Aura Lee’s personal all around favorite. The burgers are the best you will get in the state. The fish and chips blow away anything I ever had in the UK or Ireland. The chicken skewer’s are also a fave and the salads are always fresh. Montreux’s is across the street from Aura Lee’s. We couldn’t ask for better neighbors. They have helped us out so many times if we have been short on ice or napkins or whatever. If you’ve ever enjoyed a glass of wine or beer at Aura Lee’s - stop by Montreux’s and thank them... because they’ve helped us so many times. Montreux’s is a great after work place to meet for a cocktail as well. Live music typically starts early and the back room really starts rocking on the weekends (I can’t ever remember Montreux’s having a cover charge.... But given the quality of acts we’ve seen at Montreux’s they very well could).
William P. Summers
a.k.a. Mr. Aura Lee
