Fast and French
Fast and French. A phrase that was burned on my brain early, thanks to Phillipe. He was a French exchange student, exiled to the town where I grew up during our teen years. He developed a crush on my next door neighbor and exhibited this amour by repeatedly inviting her to the cee-nee-ma. After about twenty plaintive requests, she finally agreed to visit the movies with him, where he proceeded to put the Fast, French moves on her.
With this story in mind, I almost did a double-take when my office moved into a building on Charleston’s Broad Street in the mid-90′s. Gaulart and Maliclet, aka Fast and French, preened its tasty wares right next door. I wandered over there almost every day to buy a can of Dr Brown’s Black Cherry Soda and/or to nibble on a baguette with French cheese.
Heck, I think that place TAUGHT me about French cheese.
Fast and French is now one of MTM’s and my ‘places.’ We try to have lunch in this uber-local establishment once a week. The black topped counters are the perfect back drop for the daily special. Or soup and French cheese. Or the veggie pizza croissant. Or the roast beast, hot, with French mustards. Always with a glass of wine (me) and a mug of *ahem* “French tea” (MTM).
If you’re ever in Charleston, Fast and French is a dining experience that is not to be missed. We made time for it during the War of 1812 Symposium. It is an easy walk from the Old Exchange and the Fireproof Building.
The view from my seat at Fast and French.
The paper coasters have long been a tradition at Fast and French.
This sign has been inside Fast and French for as long as I can remember.
Fast and French almost lost their historic space when the new Charleston Courthouse expanded. The community rallied to keep them in their Charleston single house.
If you ever visit Charleston, Fast and French is open every day except Sunday. To view their hours, menu, specials and other events, follow this link. The four o’clock snack is at the top of my list. And the shrimp toast. And the fondue. And…….
This post is part of a series on Charleston, South Carolina, the place I consider my hometown. A local’s-eye-view. Take notes, potential visitors. The first post in the series is here, the second post is here, the third post is here, the fourth post is here, the fifth post is here and the sixth post is here.
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I’ll have some of that ..ahem…”French Tea”, please. Another place to put on my to do soon list. So many fab places to eat in Charleston and so little time.
You and the lovely Miss TK would enjoy this place, Lou. You must take her there on a date night soon.
I am thinking that this place would fall under the category of different for Katy and I. I am thinking that we tend to be creatures of habit when it comes to where we eat. I can think of 5 places that we typically go to when we eat out and it never includes anything downtown. I am thinking that California Dreaming is the only place that we eat at that is close to downtown. When I worked at 101 Meeting street several years ago I discovered Poogins Porch. I know of 82 Queen street but I hear that is ultra expensive so we have never gone there. A friend of mine told me that during restaurant week (?) you are able to try out places like that because they run specials or whatever. Thanks for sharing this with us Andra.
James, it’s true. During Restaurant Week (of which I was the instigator) you can dine at participating restaurants and have three courses from a special menu for $30 per person. Some participating restaurants have three courses for $25.
Thank you Cheryl, the Lovely Miss TK and I usually go to three or four restaurants each time.
James, this is a great lunch at a reasonable price. Try it. You might like it.
aussi…
LOL! That sounds like a production by a high school French Club.
Ha Ha.
I’m loving this new series of yours! So many of your special places I’m learning have special connotations for me too.
Andra, I too, love G&M AKA Fast and French. I’ve taken Bill there a few times, but almost every time we try to go, it’s slammed. When I lived on the Peninsula I generally was there at least once per week too. I love the goat cheese on the baguette. And the soups and stews are always awesome. For a number of years (late 1980s/1990s) I was generally there once per week in the evening too. A dear friend and I always went there and had the dinner special, wine and long conversations. I love “helloing” across the counters to friends and striking up conversations with people there.
And strange as it may seem to some readers, on the day of my divorce, my former husband and I had lunch there…but then that’s Charleston. We all go to cocktail parties together and share exes…
We must have a lunch date there soon, Cheryl. It’s the only place I see certain people anymore, but I usually see at least one person I know.
I would love to meet you there for lunch. Next week?
Their gazpacho is delightful. Always has been. When i worked on the Miles Brewton house and St. Michaels it was a special treat taken with paint dust in my hair. And then of course it became a place to meet good friends when one of us felt like driving for lunch instead of walking. I miss them both.
Not to mention the conversations, which I miss. That was where we came up with the porn series for my blog………
How do you get vegetarian escargots? Feed the snails only veggies? Serve just the garlic butter? Oh my GOD I want to go there. Nothing to do with the escargots, but …. French cheese.
I’ve never ordered those, Jessie. I just might have to now, to see what they are.
I was also going to ask about the vegetarian snails!
PS What is French tea and why is it funny?
I can’t answer your question, Knotrune, on the grounds that it might incriminate someone.
Charleston looks more and more interesting. Does the Charleston dance of the 20′s have its origins there?
The dance doesn’t have its origins here, Roger, but it is named for the city.
Lovely. *sigh*
I can’t believe I forgot to take pictures of my food……..
This sounds like my kind of place! And it is all the more special hearing the community rallied around to guarantee its protection. I have some brie on-hand and I haven’t yet had breakfast…
I hope the brie was tasty, Debra.
That interior….so French, yet the other side of the ocean! Looks a wonderful place to go, Andra.
The original owners were a French couple. Charleston has a rather large community of French people.
Great place, fun with friends (like Andra), and the prices are excellent for lunch in downtown Charleston. For some reason I always forget it is there, but very happy when reminded again.
It turns out that you and I shared the last piece of chocolate mousse cake. The baker retired at the end of last year.
Looks like a FUN place for Fondue et Fromage!
The fondues are a lot of fun with a group, Nancy.
Although some of this sounds yummy, the item I lust for most is their sign propped against the exterior corner of the building!
I wonder if it’s ever been stolen…….
I know I would love, love, love this place, Andra. This has been a great series, that I am enjoying with a hopefulness that we will someday visit Charleston. Oui!
Southwest has a direct flight from Midway in Chicago to Charleston.
Hint. Hint.
Do they have a drink or dish called the “Surrender” at the Fast and French? hello? is this mic on?
We had only one exchange student in my high school. She was from Czechoslavakia. I’m pretty sure she was a spy who was very disappointed in the lack of pertinent information she could gather from my high school.
I have yet to find a good brasserie around here but I’m guessing that if I were you, I’d be there all.the.time.
My favorite restaurant up there is Hungry Mother over in Cambridge. Southern food. Go figure.
Cameron Garriepy met us at an awesome breakfast place, also in Cambridge. The Friendly Toast. http://www.thefriendlytoast.net/ Well worth a visit.