Imagine enjoying a leisurely walking tour of downtown Charleston with a guide offering a humorous, but highly informative, take on the city's history as you stroll its pretty streets.
Now picture yourself stopping in five popular restaurants along the way to sample delicious small plates paired, if you'd like, with a variety of adult libations.
Sound like fun? I promise it is! I've been on three different Mountain State Food Tours now - and each one has been even better than the last.
I'm probably more excited about this new local culinary offering than I have been for any new restaurant opening in quite some time. It's an incredibly fun way to explore the city's sights, sounds and tastes. Just how fun? We'll get to that in a minute.
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Before we do, in the interest of full disclosure, it's important to note this new company is owned and operated by my "boss" here at the newspaper, Lifestyles Editor Maria Young, and her husband, Michael.
But rest assured, she did not ask me to write this piece and also didn't edit it before publication. She's reading it for the first time this morning, just like you. True story.
I'm the one who insisted on sharing my tour experiences, because this is something you do not want to miss. I've seen and taken similar tours in larger cities across the country, so I'm downright giddy we now have them here.
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The concept is simple, but the rewards are many. The company offers twice-weekly (on Tuesday and Saturdays), three-hour guided walking "food tours" for up to 16 people that pair history with good eats. You'll cover about 1.5 miles at a comfortable pace - learning some little-known facts about the buildings you see and the city you're in - stopping in five different downtown restaurants in the process.
At each place, special seating has been reserved for the tour group, so you walk right in and are enjoying each place's signature dishes in minutes. Chefs or owners at some stops are also on hand to greet you, tell you a little about their restaurant and explain the specific dishes you're about to enjoy. Then some 20 minutes later you're off to your next stop, where more history (and food!) await.
The specific lineup of restaurants changes from time to time, and I highly recommend not asking where you'll be going in advance. Just let the tour unfold as you take it - it's much more fun that way.
But I can tell you I've enjoyed a delicious selection of Pan-Asian fare at Ichiban, a mouthwatering flock of tacos at Black Sheep Burrito & Brews, sliders and addictively good deep-fried pickles at Celsius and signature soup and slaws at Blossom Dairy.
So far, both downtown tours I've been on have started at Adelphia Sports Bar & Grille (where you'll sink your teeth into five-time Taste-of-ALL Charleston "Best Appetizer" winner, Deep Fried Feta Bites) and have ended at Ellen's Homemade Ice Cream (where you get your pick of any, yes any, scoop on the menu).
There's also a neat twist on the current Saturday evening tour being offered that I won't reveal. But I will tease you with this: You get to enjoy a dish from my favorite Charleston restaurant, Noah's Eclectic Bistro, but it's served in a unique downtown location - not in the restaurant itself.
That stop alone was worth the price of admission for me. The crab-crusted tempura scallop with sweet soy and spicy mayo served at (nope, still not telling) was all sorts of umami and heaven. The blend of Napa cabbage, carrots, snow peas, red cabbage, garlic and shallots it was served on rendered me speechless. And the chilled pinot served with it? Perfect.
While many sign up for the food (and you'll be plenty full by the end of the night, don't worry) most walk away from each tour impressed by how much they enjoyed the history side of things. Michael delivers fascinating tidbits with his endearing wit and whimsy, and you'll hear a chorus of "I never knew that!" throughout the evening.
I've lived in Charleston some 25 years now and still learn new facts about my city on each tour I take. Some things pointed out I've easily walked by hundreds of times and never noticed before, so it's a pretty eye-opening experience as well.
Tours are a steal at just $49-55, depending on the restaurant lineup that night, plus only $15 more to add alcohol pairings at four of the five stops. Better still, no two tours are the same. Whether it's your first tour or your fifth, you're in for a new experience.
In addition to the tours, specially themed excursions also are offered from time to time, including a recent celebratory Sunday "brunch bus" tour that shuttled some 40 guests for brunch (and adult beverages!) at Starlings Coffee & Provisions, Black Sheep and Lola's - all aboard one of the city's historic trolleys.
Now, how cool is that?
Boss or not, Mountain State Food Tours is an exciting addition to the city's growing culinary scene. I'm already planning my next excursion and, based on great word of mouth, have a long list of friends who are ready to explore with me.
IF YOU GO: Mountain State Food Tours currently offers tours from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (304) 308-6996 or visit www.mountainstatefoodtours.com.
Steven Keith writes a weekly food column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail and an occasional food blog at blogs.wvgazettemail.com/foodguy/. He can be reached at 304-380-6096 or by e-mail at wvfoodguy@aol.com. You can also follow him on Facebook as "WV Food Guy" and on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest as "WVFoodGuy".