Is a New Upscale Mexican Restaurant Worth the High Price?

 

A friend who had been a couple times to La Minerva Cocina & Tequila was skeptical about the question posed in the headline above. 

“I could go three times to Los Reyes for what I spent there,” he said about an older Mexican restaurant not far from La Minerva in North Charleston. 

Wanting to see Minerva for myself, I made a reservation for Friday at 6:45 p.m. This would be the first visit to the eatery that opened in December at 1881 Dorchester Rd. in the Cedar Grove Shopping Center near the Wescott, Coosaw Creek and other neighborhoods in the busy Dorchester and Ashley Phosphate roads area. 

The restaurant's exterior doesn’t reveal much. Not seen in this photograph is the outdoor seating. Inside, the look is glittery, spacious and, yes, upscale. 

On the far wall is an image of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, war, art and justice. In Guadalajara, Mexico is a prominent statue of Minerva. From a manager (the owner's daughter) we learned that this is the hometown of one of the restaurant owners, hence the name. The restaurant's website says La Minerva is "upscale" and that the food here is “inspired by the vibrant flavors” of the Pacific coast Mexican state of Jalisco where Guadalajara is located.

Music on this night was live, provided by a saxophone player. At one point he came to the table next to us where diners were celebrating a birthday. 

Azalea Season is Better Than Ever!

For years, decades really, I have driven by this church in Summerville on the way to my church. 

In March and April, it has some of the best azaleas around. Keep reading for photos of azaleas at my house and at Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston. 

After my Mass ended nearby, I decided to park near this church and walk around the grounds. The service was still going on inside so I was careful to keep my distance and be quick and quiet with my photography. 

 

This is St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Built in 1857 to replace the church built nearby in 1830, it is one of Summerville’s oldest and most historic houses of worship. 

It has ties with the Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site in that the church formed there in 1717, St. George's Parish Church, evolved into St. Paul's. At the park off Dorchester Road can be seen what remains of the church and its bell tower. 

St. Paul's Anglican is Summerville’s oldest extant church with the second oldest congregation. Summerville Presbyterian has the oldest congregation. 

I think it is safe to say that St. Paul’s has the most beautiful and abundant azalea bushes of perhaps any church in the Charleston area. 

Storm Gives Way to Stunning Skyline

 

“In like a lion, out like a lamb” goes the old saying about the month of March. 

Well, a few nights ago on March 31 we had one last roar from the lion. Heavy rain drenched the area for an hour or so. But then it subsided and a glance out a window had me heading outside with my iPhone 12. 

The storm clouds gave way to a pastel palette of loveliness. Looking west I quickly snapped a few photographs. It was still raining so I didn’t want to stay outside too long. 

That’s the golf course fairway and green in the foreground, then towering pine trees and at the top such beautiful clouds.

The pond near our backyard also made for a striking image. 

What gives these images extra pop is the Snapseed app. Free from Google, I’ve been using it for years. 

I shared these photos on the neighborhood Facebook site with the concise context “After the storm…” 

I’ve had more likes and positive comments than just about anything I’ve ever posted on the site!