Middleton Place focuses on sustainable food and wine, organic fare and new events

Last Saturday, executive chef Micah Garrison and the staff of Middleton Place hosted their Sustainable Seafood Dinner. There was a new twist on this year's dinner, as each of the six courses was paired with organic and sustainable wines.

Upon arrival at the plantation, guests were led to the Pavilion by a candlelit path that oozed romance and charm. The Pavilion itself was warm and cozy with a crackling fireplace and gorgeous tables set with the famous Middleton Place camellias. Guests mingled and tried different wines as music by Charleston's own Graham Whorley added to the ambience.

Before dinner was served, guests were seated and Megan Westmeyer of the S.C. Aquarium provided an overview of the concept of seafood sustainability.

Finally, dinner was served. Guests dined on seared scallops with coined fingerling potatoes, caramelized onions, and crispy lardons with a balsamic-cherry glaze paired with Mommessin Pinot Noir, oyster on the half-shell with Boursin cheese, teardrop tomatoes, and micro arugula with Chateau Recougne Blanc, PIE mussels with country ham cracklins' and scallions in a coconut-saffron broth served with Chateau de la Muscadet '07, and my favorite, buttery local shrimp and Southern succotash with white truffle corn puree served with Villa Wolf Gris '07. If guests were in love with any of the wines, they were available for purchase by the case of half-case.

The staff of Middleton Place always enjoys events such as this one. According to Garrison, "It was an honor to host the Sustainable Seafood Initiative dinner. It is always a pleasure to work with Megan Westmeyer in support of the South Carolina Aquarium. We look forward to continuing our support of events like these because we also look forward to a fish-friendly future."

More events

If you missed the Sustainable Seafood event but are interested in participating in future events at Middleton Place, consider the upcoming Spring Winefest. These events will be held March 31 and April 7. The wine tastings are held overlooking the Azalea Hillside of Middleton Plantation. Thousands of azaleas, dogwoods and wisteria bloom each spring, with their beauty reflected in the water of the Rice Mill Pond. Tasting will be 5:30-7 p.m. and reservations are required. The cost is $20 per person. For reservations, call 556-6020.

Additionally, every Wednesday from May through early November, visitors can enjoy a wine tasting in the gardens of Middleton Place. The strolls are 5:30-7 p.m. and are $10 per person. Each Wednesday, the stroll and wine tasting will be held in a different garden location, allowing you to enjoy many different areas of the historic grounds. Wine participants may extend their evening with dinner at the Middleton Place restaurant.

For dinner reservations, call 266-7477.