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By Amanda Hancock | [email protected]

'Tis the season

Here’s a small confession. When I wrote a story last week about where to find soft shell crabs, I had never before tried them or heard of them.

That changed over the weekend.

During stops at The Ordinary, The Grocery and Indaco, softie specials were on the menu, and by that I mean printed on each physical menu, which is sort of impressive given that local restaurants started serving them just two or three days prior.

As I heard more about the Lowcountry's "obsession" with soft shell crabs, I wondered out loud why people get so excited when the first softies are spotted here. I got answers along the lines of, "Because the season is so short. It’s the same reason that even the most casual basketball fans seek out seats by the TV during March Madness. It's here and then's it's gone."

Soft shell crab season isn’t the only one that's officially underway. As area farmers markets get going, I’m curious about the range of markets and vendors here. Do you have a favorite you think I should know about? Hit reply and let me know. 

Wondering where to catch soft shell crabs on local menus? We put together a list of Lowcountry restaurants serving them, which will be updated as softie season goes on.

Pregnant women have a lot of decisions to make ahead of their due date, including this one: What kind of wine will they uncork to toast the new baby’s arrival? For sommeliers and other women who’ve built careers around wine, the chosen drink has special significance.
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Little Jack’s Tavern on King Street has adjusted its menu to highlight options other than its nationally renowned burger. “It's simply too nice a room with too good of service to just be a burger joint," says owner Brooks Reitz . 
Quick bites
+ Pink Cactus is now open: The restaurant's inspiration came from Mexico and the Oaxacan-style menu includes tacos, mole and house-made tortillas. It opened in early March on Spring Street.

+ Cheers to Graft : Food & Wine has named Graft owners Femi Oyediran and Miles White as two of the year’s top sommeliers. The wine shop/wine bar opened in March 2018 on upper King Street.

+ Two new taco shops in town: Maui Tacos and RuRu’s Tacos + Tequila have set up shop in downtown Charleston. When it comes to tacos, both are proudly inauthentic.

Hanna Raskin and Robert Moss get down to discussing the latest in food news.
Upcoming events
Food Truck Festival: The second annual Charleston Battery Food Truck Festival will include local food, drinks and entertainment. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, March 31. MUSC Health Stadium, 1990 Daniel Island Drive, Charleston. Free. 843-971-4625.

Mimosa Festival : A celebration of brunch with bites from local restaurants, mimosas, bloody Mary's, beer, wine and live music. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 30. The Bend, 3775 Azalea Dr ive, North Charleston. $50-$60.

Wine Down Wednesday: The series kicks off with music from Austin Hahn, food trucks from Oh Yah BBQ and Holy City Cupcakes and, of course, wine. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27. Old Towne Creek County Park, 1400 Old Towne Road, Charleston. $15-$20. 843-795-4386.

Farmers Market : The Post and Courier will host a weekly farmers and craft market each Sunday featuring local vendors, artisans and food trucks.10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, March 31. King & Columbus Visitors Parking Lot, 134 Columbus St., downtown Charleston. Free. 843-937-5904. 
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