July Celebrations Heat Up Circa 1886 and Wentworth Mansion

May 27, 2009 - PRLog -- When you think of Independence Day in the south, there’s no doubt corn on the cob, pulled pork sandwiches, watermelon and tomatoes definitely come to mind. Circa 1886, the AAA Four Diamond, Mobil Four Star restaurant on the grounds of the Wentworth Mansion, will put its own spin on these Southern summer staples at the Fourth Annual Sizzling Southern Celebration, July 4 at 7:30 p.m.

The event offers guests the chance to enjoy a multi-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Marc Collins while enjoying live music and drinks. Afterward, the crowd heads to the Mansion’s cupola with panoramic views of the city to catch a bird’s eye view of Charleston’s fireworks display and have a glass of champagne.

On the Sizzling Summer Celebration menu are butterbean bean salad with bacon and cracked pepper dressing; toasted coriander and benne seed coleslaw; watermelon and cucumber salad; Wadmalaw tomatoes with white balsamic emulsion; butter-poached corn on the cob; and grilled Mepkin Abbey oyster mushroom and Vidalia onions. For the main course, selections include mesquite-smoked pulled pork sandwiches with tangerine mustard barbecue sauce; crispy fried cornmeal crusted shrimp; or grilled Caribbean jerked organic chicken. As the finale, guests may choose from several desserts, such as red velvet cake; white chocolate mascarpone strawberry shortcake; blueberry cobbler with Tahitian vanilla ice cream; chocolate truffle pops; and confetti cookies.

The cost to attend the event is $70 per person, including a glass of champagne, but excluding tax, gratuity and additional beverages. Wentworth Mansion® is also offering a package for those who want to stay overnight, including a two-night stay for $975 per couple, excluding tax. The package includes the Sizzling Southern Celebration for two, as well as tax and gratuity, but not beverages for dinner.

And after the Sizzling Southern Celebration is complete, the restaurant will continue to celebrate our nation’s independence all month long. In honor of the July 4th holiday, Circa is offering Four for the Fourth throughout July allowing patrons to enjoy any three courses from Circa 1886’s seasonal menu for only $42 per person.

On the menu this summer are organic beef shoulder, wild American salmon, Lowcountry bouillabaisse with shrimp sausage and oysters, antelope loin and fried catfish. In true summer fashion, berries are on the dessert menu, which includes a wild strawberry float and a blueberries and cream soufflé, as well as chocolate seduction and banana crème caramel pie.

About Wentworth Mansion®
Located in the heart of historic downtown Charleston, S.C., the Wentworth Mansion® is a 21-room, AAA Five Diamond luxury hotel that offers guests a taste of southern hospitality in an intimate setting. Elegant rooms and expansive suites feature gas-lit fireplaces with their original marble mantels, king-size sleigh beds with European linens, inlaid design floors, whirlpool tubs and double, glass-walled, walk-in showers. Guests can relax at the Spa at the Wentworth Mansion®, a full-service on-site day spa, enjoy a 360-degree view of the city from the hotel's rooftop cupola or dine on sophisticated southern cuisine with a twist at Circa 1886 restaurant located on the hotel grounds. For more information and reservations, please call 1-888-466-1886 or visit www.wentworthmansion.com.

About Circa 1886
Set inside the historic carriage house for the award-winning Wentworth Mansion® hotel at 149 Wentworth St. in Charleston, S.C., Circa 1886 is a AAA Four-Diamond, Mobil Four Star restaurant offering traditional southern cuisine with a modern twist in a sophisticated, historic setting. Executive Chef Marc Collins, named by Esquire Magazine as a chef to watch in 2001 and co-founder of the successful BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival, presents innovative southern dishes, which draw on the rich culinary history of Charleston during the time period when the Mansion was originally constructed. Collins also brings a French influence and a touch of 21st century culinary artistry to his creations. Circa 1886 has received numerous accolades, including the DiRoNA award for fine dining in North America, as well as the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.  

The restaurant is open for dinner Monday through Saturday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and prices range from $8 to $16 for appetizers, $20 to $30 for featured courses, and desserts start at $10. For more information and reservations, please visit www.circa1886.com or call (843) 853-7828.