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First Seating: King and Prince Shows Off On Opening Night

Monday, May 14th, 2012

Will McGough will make you hungry for our Georgia grown ingredients in this post on his Wake and Wander blog!

First Seating: King and Prince Shows Off On Opening Night

Posted on April 19, 2012 by willmcgough

I arrived at the King and Prince Resort on St. Simons (off the coast ofGeorgia) knowing that I would be participating in a Southern Culinary Showcase, but I had no idea they would put on such a performance the first night.

I actually contributed to the meal – I sautéed the shrimp and prepared the pork, tomato, and corn gravy to accompany the grits. In the past, grits was a dish that reminded me of something served at a bad diner, dry and bland, but when the chef passed me the heavy cream, I knew we were officially in the south.

The brand new Executive Chef Jeff Kaplan (he’s been on the island for ten days) and his crew allowed me to have some fun flipping the shrimp, but eventually it was time for me to step aside, let them do their thing. As the courses began to roll out of the kitchen, I was more than happy to get my tail back to the table.

We started with a spread of Artisan cheeses from Sweet Grass Dairy(Thomasville, GA), paired ridiculously well with local honeys and jams – you can’t really beat a well-thought sweet/salt combo (more info and photos to come… I am going to attend a honey tasting later in the trip).

The main course of shrimp and grits was easily the best version I’ve ever had – it was creamy and the Georgia shrimp are naturally sweet (noticeably so compared to shrimp from other regions… more to come on this later as well).

The first course of fresh oysters stole the show in terms of creativity – they were served with sweet corn and asparagus. Again, the traditional salty-sea taste of the oysters combined with the burst of sweetness in the corn jumped off my palate, and the crunch of the asparagus provided the texture (a good way for first timers to get over the “sliminess” of oysters).

One of the great things I’m realizing about Georgia is the pleasant balance in its signature fare. For every Southern-style comfort dish with heavy cream, there’s a piece of fish or a fresh peach providing a light complement/alternative.

Or you can say screw it – you’re on vacation – and toss the peaches into a crème brulee. What I said about my experience in St. Barths also applies to this version of the classic dessert (see photo):

Had I been in a room by myself, my tongue would have been on the dish.

First two photos courtesy of Desiree Miller:

 

 

 


Apalachicola oysters with sweet corn, asparagus, tomato, cilantro vinaigrette.


Blackberry sorbet with blackberry liqueur (palate cleanser).

Shrimp and Grits

Cay Rum (Dominican Republic)

Candied Peach Creme Brulee.

 

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Do Something Special For Mom!

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

She has many names…

From the outset, her name is Mommy. She’s the one who catches you when you fall and
makes sure to take care of you each and every day. As time goes further on, her name
becomes Mom, and she is that amazing person who supports, defends, protects, and loves
you with all her heart and soul. This is the woman who deserves a celebration! This is the
woman who is all things to all people, and it is her day to shine.

At the King and Prince Resort located on the beautiful St. Simon’s Island in Georgia, the
incredible staff has made sure that on this Mother’s Day, that wonderful woman you love
will be pampered and treated like the true ‘Queen’ she is.

On May 13th, 2012 Enjoy
Mother’s Day Brunch

The King and Prince

at

This amazing feast will begin with Starters that will simply make the mouth water, as
Mom takes her seat and stares out at the beautiful sun shining off the Atlantic. From
Toasted & Glazed Nuts, Sugared Red & Green Grapes, Spiced Apple Rings, Marinated &
Pickled Vegetables, Pastrami Smoked Salmon, Imported & Domestic Olives & Cheeses,
Almond Crusted Apricot Stuffed Baked Brie, Wild Georgia Spicy Shrimp Remoulade on
Molasses Butter Pumpernickel Toast, Chilled Wild Georgia Shrimp to Strawberry & Brie
Bruschetta – she will be offered a truly amazing beginning to a stunning meal.
For her Salad and Soup choice she will be able to splurge on so many choices, including:
Tropical Ambrosia Salad, Ricotta Pesto Tortellini Salad, Baby Spinach with Georgia
Peaches & Pecans, Traditional Caesar Salad and Mixed Field Greens with Assorted
Dressing; Cream of Potato and Bacon Soup & Albondigas Soup.

Beside her plate she may entice her senses with the most amazing and mouth-watering
breads that the stunning chefs at the King and Prince can provide. Cinnamon, Lemon
Poppy Seed and Chocolate Swirl Bread, Sweet Potato Rolls, Orange-Date, Cranberry
Apple, Blueberry and Chocolate Muffins!

And no Brunch can be without that traditional Breakfast Fare of everything from Chef
Prepared Omelets, Breakfast Sausage Patties, Apple Wood Smoked Bacon, Cheese
Grits, Momma’s Cinnamon French Toast, Belgian Waffles, Lyonnais Potatoes to Quiche
Lorraine.

Then, the royal feast continues with choices of Main Entrees that would put even the
gods to shame. Chef Carved Asian Breast of Duck, Peach Marmalade Glazed Ham,
Spicy Pineapple Glazed Snapper, Creole Florida Black Grouper, Artichoke Chicken
Piccata and Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin Tips in a Fontina Fonduta Sauce – with
a myriad f Sides to choose from: Roasted Green Beans with Sundried Tomato, Goat
Cheese, & Olives, Asian Vegetable Stir-Fry, Baked Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Smoked
Gouda & Bacon, Green Onion Wild Rice and Roasted Red Pepper Garlic Angel Hair

Pasta.

Then comes the unforgettable slice of Heaven…desert. Bourbon Pecan Bread Pudding,
Carrot Cake, Triple Chocolate Cake, Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Mini Key Lime
Pie, Mini Oreo Cookie Cheesecake, Fresh Apple Pie, Caramel Cake, German Chocolate
Cake, Chocolate Covered Strawberries and Lemon Bars.

This is it! This is the ‘best of the best’ which
is exactly what that lovely woman named Mom
deserves!

The King and Prince Resort
Reservations Suggested: 912-268-5967

Adults $39.93, Children 6-10 $15
5 & Under Free

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Southern Culinary Traditions

Friday, April 20th, 2012

Southern Culinary Traditions

 

Shrimp and Grits…most northerners might cringe at the thought of eating such a thing, at least I did.  That was until I experienced one of the most exquisite and memorable meals in my life at the King & Prince Beach and Golf Resort.  Shrimp and Grits, from the Kings Tavern have a flavor and aroma that is divine.

 

Shrimp and grits began as a seasonal shrimper’s breakfast.  Low country, shrimp were cooked with bacon grease and poured over creamy grits, where it became known as breakfast shrimp.  Being a travel writer and going on Fam trips to different regions of the country, I have the opportunity to try all types of ethic foods.   I find myself sitting at a table among other writers from all over the U.S., gathered at St. Simons Island, Georgia to experience a true Southern Culinary Tradition

 

The evening began with cocktails by Thirteenth Colony Distillery of Americus, and Artisan Cheeses by Sweet Grass Dairy, brought to us from Thomasville, Georgia.  This special event was presented in the original historical wing of the resort, called the Solarium.  To me this is the most inspirational part of the King and Prince Resort

 

Sous Chef Dwayne Austell chose a volunteer out of our group to participate in creating a delightful meal of Shrimp and Grits.  Together they began by sautéing fresh Wild Georgia Shrimp with a bit of Cajun seasoning, creating an atmosphere of aromatic pleasure.

 

 

This culinary presentation was created by the Executive Chef Jeff Kaplan and his Sous Chef’s Paula Murphy & Dwayne Austell. Together created a sensual experience that sent the taste buds dancing, and the sheer aroma moved the soul.  The presentations were a visual wonder of artistry.

 

 

From there we went on to Oysters on the Half Shell, Sweet Corn, Asparagus, Tomato, Cilantro Vinaigrette  and Chardonnay, Frog Town Cellars, Dahlonega, Ga 2008

 

After the first course, The Intermezzo we were presented with Blackberry Sorbet, Mist of Blackberry Liqueur, which was out of this world.

 

The entrée was Wild Georgia Low Country Shrimp and Grits and Sangiovese, Frog Town Cellars, Dahlonega, Ga 2008 and finished of with Sugar Marsh Cottage Petit Fours.

 

This was an unbelievable and delightful way to start four days of adventure at the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort.  Our host and severs were some of the best I have ever experienced.

 

There are many recipes for shrimp and grits all over the Internet, cooked every way imaginable.  If you would like to try and make it for yourself, here is the recipe from the Chef.

 

King and Prince Shrimp & Grits in a Tasso Cream Sauce Recipe:

 

Ingredients:

1 cup heaving cream

1/3 cup tasso ham 

 ¼ cup kernel corn

¼ cup diced tomatoes 

2 tablespoons chopped green onions 

½ cup wild Georgia shrimp

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

¼ cup asiago cheese

salt and pepper to taste

olive oil

 

Preparation:  In a sauce pan, sauté the Georgia shrimp with Cajun seasoning using olive oil.  In another pan, sauté tasso ham, corn, tomatoes, and green onions: add heavy cream and asiago cheese: let simmer two minutes.  Add shrimp and serve over stone ground grits of your choice. 

To witness the ‘best of the best’ and make immediate reservations, head to:

 

http://www.kingandprince.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/kingandprince

http://www.facebook.com/TheKingandPrince

http://blog.kingandprince.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/KingandPrince1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kingandprinceresort/

http://www.kingandprince.com/

 

 

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

201 Arnold Road
St. Simons Island, Georgia 31522
(912) 638-3631: Phone

(800) 342-0212: Reservations
(912) 638-7699: Fax

Source:  http://gignewsonline.com/2012/04/20/southern-culinary-traditions/

 

 

 

 

 

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The King and Prince’s Newly Restored Pools

Monday, March 26th, 2012

We are excited to announce the opening of our new state-of-the-art luxurious oceanfront pools!  All through the winter, the pools were renovated and we have been anxiously awaiting the finished product.  Along with the pools, we have opened the Ocean Terrace Grille for a true oceanfront dining experience.  The terrace, just steps away from the ocean, is an ultra casual dining option.

Michael Johnson, Vice-President of Resort Operations, states “The staff of our Resort has been anticipating the unveiling of this spectacular pool complex renewal for many months. We are all thrilled with the results created by our designers and landscaping artisans. Excitement is high as we eagerly await our Spring and Summer guests’ arrival, anticipating their desires whatever their age.”

The new pool complex includes three unique pool offerings surrounded by various seating options for swimmers, readers and water spectators. It will tempt all of the senses with well designed amenities:

  • Sound – ambient music system that allows guests to also enjoy the waves crashing beyond the Hotel’s sea wall
  • Smell – landscaping that embraces aromatic flowers and indigenous plantings
  • Sight – broad open sightlines for pool guests and guestrooms around the deck
  • Touch – contemporary new finishes throughout the deck, pool and outdoor seating
  • Taste – the new Ocean Terrace Grille offers a refreshing menu of Southern culinary traditions

This past weekend we had our fist visitors to the complex and they loved it!

The first children jumping in the new pool!

 

Simon & Sam, the first swimmers

 

Sundeck

 

Lounge Chairs under Pergola

 

Lounge Chairs by Pool

 

Children's Wading Pool

 

Sandbox

 

Oval Pool

 

Kids in Wading Pool

 

Deck overlooking the beach

 

Ocean Terrace Grille

 

Ocean Terrace Grille

 

Pools

 

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Explore the Golden Isle of St. Simons

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

A great article by Carolyn Burns Bass posted in Greer’s OC about The King and Prince Resort and what to see and do on St. Simons Island.

Explore the Golden Isle of St. Simons

01.20.12

Review by Carolyn Burns Bass

It’s not hard to understand why this stretch of the Georgia coast is known as the Golden Isles. Miles of marsh grass wave in the breeze, carved by streams, rivers, and inlets to form a jigsaw puzzle of islands. The sun rises like a glittering coin over the Atlantic and blankets the marshlands in gold and amber as it sets over the isles. Poised on the mouth of the sound leading up to the bustling port city of Brunswick, is St. Simons Island, the largest of Georgia’s Golden Isles.

The Spanish named the island and the sound after a Catholic saint during 16th century exploration of the Southeastern coastline. You can see Spanish influences throughout the region, including the architecture. Mediterranean arches, turrets, clay tiles and stucco make haunting backdrops for the Spanish moss dripping off the massive trees overarching the buildings and lining the streets and lanes. The island has maintained its quaint seaside charm through decades of development in the islands and cities surrounding this wild island treasure.

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

The jewel of this golden isle is the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort. Perched on the white sandy shore near the mouth of St. Simons Sound, this historic hotel offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the coastline stretching north and south. Built in 1935 as a private dance club for the well-heeled of the area, it added lodging to its original structure in 1941 and opened to the public as a hotel. There was nothing as magnificent as The King and Prince anywhere along the Southeast coast when it was built and even today it rises above many of the cookie-cutter resorts now dotting the coast and the Isles.

A spacious, bright and airy lobby greets you from the main entry of the King and Prince. You can see the Mediterranean design in the arches that line the coastal stretch of the lobby interior. Natural wood bannisters, trim and ceiling beams encasing dark embossed tin tiles add warmth to the lobby’s light interior. Just beyond the reception desk is a fountain, surrounded by palms, lush greenery and flowers, and an indoor pool and whirlpool (one of five pools located throughout the resort).

Guests at the King and Prince have a deluxe array of choices in room types to meet budget or family needs. Oceanfront rooms in the historic building are only steps from the beach, with spacious bathrooms and separate sitting areas. Luxury amenities such as in-room Keurig coffee stations, Bath & Body Works toiletries, and large flat screen televisions are standard in every room. Stretching beyond the historic main building are the Beach Villas. These roomy accommodations offer two- or three-bedroom apartment size villas with master bedrooms, full kitchens, dining areas and private patios or balconies.

Stepping up the game in privacy and luxury at the King and Prince are the Residences, which comprise of six individual houses spread throughout the resort to include quaint beach cottages and even executive-level houses with ample meeting and entertaining areas (with as many as five bedrooms!).

Scenic and Challenging Golf

Competing with beach and ocean activities on St. Simons Island are the resort’s tennis courts, pools and golf course. While the formal name of the King and Prince includes “golf resort,” the greens are actually a bit of a drive to the northern-most end of the island. Known as the Hampton Club, this golf course shuttles hotel guests straught to the course for a day of golf among the salt marshes, swampy lagoons, towering palmettos and grand oaks draped with Spanish moss.

The course was renovated in 2009 with renewal in turf and design enhancements to the original 18-hole, 72-par design. Four of the holes sit upon individual marsh islands accessible by elevated cart bridges, making for challenging play. Practice areas include a driving range, putting green and a chipping green, and golfers can grab lunch or post game cocktails in the roomy clubhouse. You can take a virtual flyover of the entire course from the resort’s website for an overview of this distinctive course.

Georgia Coastal Cuisine at its Finest

Director of food and beverage, Vinny D’Agostino, revitalized the King and Prince’s food culture when he joined the staff in May 2011. A master sommelier and culinary arts graduate from Johnson and Wales University, D’Agostino brought more than two decades of creative culinary experience from some of the nation’s top hotels and restaurants. Food was the centerpiece of D’Agostino’s large Italian family, inspiring his passion for taste, texture and temptation, and it shows in everything he prepares or directs. Be sure to try D’Agostino’s signature shrimp and grits, made with Georgia’s wild white shrimp and Tasso ham in a spicy cream sauce that wraps the tongue in savory delight.

The King and Prince is renowned throughout the Golden Isles for its Friday night seafood buffet and its sumptuous Sunday brunch. Set in the resort’s Delegal room, the Friday night seafood buffet features various preparations of the region’s distinctive wild white shrimp, plus platters of crab legs, chilled and steamed; oysters, both fried and on the half-shell; clams and mussels, along with entrees of salmon, catfish, tilapia, sole, grouper and other chef selections. Sunday brunch includes an omelet bar, plus a wide variety of southern comfort foods such as grits, plain, creamy with cheese, or spiced to delight with shrimp; smoked BBQ ribs; buttermilk fried chicken; succulent pot roast and gravy, crispy fried catfish and plenty of other chef surprises.

The Delegal room itself is a thing of beauty. Commanding the eye is the view of the Atlantic from the windows lining the oceanfront wall. Set above the oceanfront windows and around the entire room are eleven spectacular stained glass windows depicting the history of St. Simons island.

Additional dining choices at the King and Prince include the King’s Tavern set in the hotel’s turret lined with oceanfront windows for stunning ocean views, the Atrium Café where snacks and refreshments, along with barista-prepared coffees and teas are served, plus the seasonal (March through October) Paradise Beach Bar and Grill located beachside with casual fare and cocktail service.

More to Do and See On St. Simons

Guests not getting enough exercise running or strolling along the beach, bicycling through town, or browsing through the myriad shops on St. Simons, have free access to treadmills, ellipticals, free weights, and exercise balls in the fitness facility next to the tennis courts.

Set only steps away from the beach guests may rejuvenate body and soul in the Royal Treatment Cottage, an intimate retreat house with a full menu of massage therapies. Lunch can be ordered from the concierge and enjoyed in the quiet of the cottage.

Out and about in St. Simons you’ll find boutiques and souvenir stores, coffeehouses and cafes, candy stores and cocktail happy hours. You can rent a bicycle at Ocean Motion (walking distance from the King and Prince) and pedal around the Island’s 21 miles winding bike paths.

Hop on the Lighthouse Trolley for a guided tour of St. Simons island. The trolley can take you from the Coast Guard station, now a Maritime Museum with history of the island–including its fascinating mission as a coast watching and training facility during WWII–to the working lighthouse; to the picturesque Christ Church, the first English church in Georgia; around town and through the moss-lined lanes from the north end to the south. If you’re lucky to get Cap Fielding as your trolley guide, you’re in for a treat with his arcane knowledge of the region’s colorful history.

On the Water Excitement

Travelers seeking new experiences can get thrills and chills from a shrimping trip on the waters off St. Simons island on The Lady Jane, a former working shrimp boat now USCG certified to carry passengers. The Lady Jane, run by Captain Larry Credle, is an educational and tourism expedition not to be missed.

Guests board The Lady Jane in nearby Brunswick, then head into the waters of St. Simons Sound. Once clear of the marshes, Captain Credle drops his shrimp net and trawls until he figures he’s got a good catch. The net drips with surprise when lifted, then released on the ship’s sorting deck. All hands aboard have a chance to sort the treasures in the net, the jewel of the catch being the wild white Georgia shrimp. It’s not unusual for the net to bring up stingrays, puffer fish, several varieties of flounder, shrimp and crab—including the distinctive horseshoe crabs–plus beautiful whelks. A naturalist on board identifies the different fish in the catch, including the occasional catch of a loggerhead sea turtle. When turtles are caught, they are weighed, measured, and photographed, then released. The details are sent to the Georgia Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Everything but the wild white shrimp is released back into the sea. While cruising back to harbor on The Lady Jane, a shipmate cleans and shells the shrimp, then serves it fresh on a platter with homemade cocktail sauce and lemon. Seafood doesn’t get fresher than this.

Getting to St. Simons Island

St. Simons Island is easily accessible from international airports at Savannah/Hilton Head to the north and Jacksonville to the south, while Delta brings in three flights a day to nearby Brunswick Golden Isles Airport.

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, 201 Arnold Rd., St. Simons Island, GA 31522, 912-638-3631, www.kingandprince.com.

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TibbettsTravel: King and Prince

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

Read below to see Christine Tibbetts’ article from TibbettsTravel about exploring St. Simons and activities and The King and Prince Resort & Golf Course.

King and Prince: A forward-looking resort with history on St. Simons Island

Sunday, December 11, 2011

By Christine Tibbetts

ST. SIMONS, Georgia — Elegance and longevity. Fresh new cuisine wrapping around 76 years of resort history on a barrier island that began forming 200 million years ago.

Grand combination for a holiday at the King and Prince beach and golf resort on St. Simons Island.

Some pleasant places are only fancy; this one has depth too, and neighbors who stay. Here’s how that translates to tourists.

Long-time pleasures keep on happening but change filters in, everything hand-in-hand on this handsome property and throughout the barrier island.

For example: the King and Prince has long served peach cobbler for breakfast. Tradition continues. Now they’re also squeezing juice from their courtyard grapefruit trees for a Prohibition cocktail reflecting one of their historic eras.

Seven decades of menus and history with more in the making.

Well-balanced spirits are only one passion of the new King and Prince cuisine director. Fresh Georgia foods are too, and wines from near and far.

Vinny D’Agostino is his name, steeped in the flavors of his Italian family and schooled at Johnson and Wales College of Culinary Arts in Providence, Rhode Island and North Miami.

A member of the Court of Master Sommeliers, D’Agostino holds a string of accolades from Bon Appetit and Food and Wine magazines for restaurants and bars he’s owned and operated.

Wild Georgia shrimp join many King and Prince menu items including this low country boil accented with olive branches from Georgia Olive Farms in Lakeland

He speaks as easily of his time as a youth on family farms and vineyards in Fornelli, Italy as he does now about the wonders of wild Georgia shrimp.

“Food and drink,” D’Agostino says, “are tied to the history of place in so many significant ways.  Our menus reflect that, and our chefs incorporate their Island family histories along with their professional training.”

Fine eating happens often, at the resort and around the island. In between meals, I listened to local stories on the Lighthouse Trolley, first-person tales since the owner/driver Cap Fendig hails from a family arriving here in the 1800s.

When I’m getting local history from someone whose granddaughter goes to the same elementary school he did, plus his grandfather, I feel grounded.

St. Simons Island is a different experience from resorts with passing-through, seasonal workers.

This bit of the Georgia coast has more residents than visitors:  65 percent full time, Fendig said.

Everyone I talked to loves the tidal marshes, maritime forests, freshwater sloughs and the spartina sugar cane grasses that make local shrimp sweet. They gather at Neptune Park, which visitors do too, so mixing it up is an easy pleasure.

There’s a pier for fishing and gazing and a smooth brick walkway hugging the water, leading to the lighthouse. Talk to Curt Smith; he’s the modern executive version of a light station keeper and an enthusiastic St. Simons Island historian.

Picnic tables and trees galore make Neptune Park a lingering place; for $7.00 get an all-day pass to the big swimming pool.

I walked the bricks twice after way too much breakfast at Sandcastle Café. 

Tidal marshes are incubators for so many species that this Georgia coast is one of the 20 most diverse in the world.

That where Tim and Melissa Wellford have been serving legendary eggs, muffins, grits with or without shrimp, French toast, sausage, bacon and more for 24 years.

 
This is yet another St. Simons Island kind of place to share good conversation with residents.
 

Local people seem honored to live on a barrier island; Fendig says only two percent of the world’s coasts have barrier islands. Made me feel like a new frontier explorer.

Georgia has 15 barrier islands; four are auto accessible. Good idea to be OK with bridges when you go. 1924 was the first year St. Simons was connected by a causeway to the mainland.

Short and wide is the nature of these islands; North Carolina’s Outer Banks are long and ribbon-like.

Curious facts like that are easy to pick up at the Coast Guard Maritime Museum, a handsome Colonial Revival style structure, one of 80 built as WPA projects.

Definitely watch the documentary to understand the territory; National Geographic says this coast is one of the 20 most diverse in the world.  Museum exhibits are clear and clean, not too much reading, good graphics.

The Coast Guard Station turned Maritime Center features clear, concise, handsome exhibits, about St. Simons Island ecosystems and history.

One section pinpoints a different kind of amazing history: World War II right off this coast. German subs targeting the beaches. Two oil tankers sank.  Dogs trained as defense partners for sentry guards.

Then return to the King and Prince with a different eye knowing today’s elegant pale yellow resort became a radar training school.

The hotel opened to the public July 2, 1941 and in the winter of 1942 was reserved solely for the U.S. Navy and the war effort.

This was the gathering place for families learning their sailor had died because nearby Jacksonville, Fla. was the military point of return.

Looking up in the former ballroom to stained glass window scenes installed in 1938 when this was a private club, and looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, I mused about that war effort, and ours today.

King and Prince staff seem well versed in that history, and proud to be part of a place that sacrificed for the nation. My musing? Who is sharing any thing or any place today? Only our troops?

Travel takes my heart and soul to new places. Then the opportunity is

Shrimp and grits recipe at the King and Prince: long tradition using local wild Georgia shrimp.

mine to act on the thoughts the journeys trigger.

Lighter thoughts swirled in the ballroom too, wishing the King and Prince would reinstitute dancing dominant there decades ago.

My New Jersey parents waltzed often at the nearby Cloister Hotel on Sea Island but I found a gentler, more personable charm at the King and Prince.

Elegance to enjoy, exquisite details shared with pleasure seem the formula here. Bud St. Pierre has directed the sales and marketing for 10 years, happy he and his wife are raising young sons on this barrier island.

“We hire nice people here,” he said with almost a giggle. And I observed hotel and resort staff treating each other like they thought so too.

Many choices at the King and Prince for where to rest starting with oceanfront suites, villas, towers and rooms with balconies overlooking the tennis courts.

G.W. and I stayed in the luxurious Tabby House, a separate structure with space to share and a kitchen; could have brought some of the family.

The Meadows is also a stand-alone house, this one rich with fine and folk art and lots of levels and stairways.

Allow sufficient time when you reserve accommodations to savor the options.

Allow time, too, to explore the tidal waters on the Lady Jane. She’s an eco boat, gathering detailed information to provide the Department of Natural Resources.
 
Up came the 20-foot-wide net and into a waist high table went the contents

"I never met a blue crab that wasn't angry," says Clifford Credle, naturalist on the Lady Jane shrimp boat in waters near Brunswick.

twice on my morning cruise.

Look fast because back into the water is the mission, tallying life and returning to nature.

Exceptional catches require measuring, like the green sea turtle weighing 30 pounds that surprised Clifford Credle, my 18-year-old eco guide who started learning the estuary life when he was nine with his dad Larry who captains this vessel.

Wild Georgia shrimp caught in this net don’t go back to sea; they’re cooked five minutes later and served to Lady Jane passengers.

A King and Prince holiday merges easily with St. Simons Island discoveries, not always the case with resort vacations. Sometimes they lock you in, or so it feels. Isolated.

I think I figured out the difference. King and Prince personnel really live on this island. I kept seeing them in community places as well as the hotel and grounds.

Even food and beverage director Vinny. Saw him, chowing down on ribs and Brunswick stew at Southern Soul BBQ.  Good sign I thought, the pile of local oak in the front yard. Separate smokers for each kind of meat.

Four holes on the Hampton Club course involve the marshes, carefully constructed and monitored to respect and preserve this ecosystem.

I’m no golfer but the King and Prince’s Hampton Club gave me hope.  Most encouraging lesson I’ve ever had was with General Manager and Head Pro Rick Mattox.

He just received a major PGA award for outstanding integrity, charity, mentoring and service to community.  Golfers would recognize the Bill Strabaugh award name.

For real golfers, this course features four holes playing through the marsh, built and maintained with strict regulations, Mattox says. Marsh golf is not to be found anywhere else.

Wannabe golfers like me have a good chance of being allowed to borrow a cart in the late afternoon and experience the beauty of greens and marsh.  The view stretches forever.

Driving to the Hampton Club offers a chance to see island ecosystems, and to visit at least three historic sites: Fort Frederica, Christ Church and the Wesley Memorial and Gardens.

 

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Time for Good Food

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

Rachel writes in her blog, “Time for Good Food,” about her trip to St. Simons and all the sites she saw and food she ate at The King and Prince.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Inspired by St. Simon’s Island

 
A week ago today I was at St. Simon’s Island, Georgia taking in the beautiful scenery and stuffing my belly with delicious food. Magical sounds cliché, but it really was an amazing trip that I won’t soon forget. I was invited by The King and Prince Resort and their publicist Leigh Cort, along with other journalists and bloggers from around the country, to be a part of a media trip focused on Southern culinary traditions. My friend Nikiwas also one of the journalists, so we rode down together.For someone like me who is enamored with history, food and the idea of eating locally and sustainably, it was sheer heaven. I learned so much, tasted so much and am so inspired, this is going to have to be several posts. Maybe a trilogy? You’ll see what I mean in a minute.

Christ Church - the most visited attraction on St. Simons Island

 
I vaguely remember spending a day sightseeing on St. Simon’s Island as a child. One memory that stands out is visiting the moss draped Christ Church and its cemetery. I was excited to get to see it again all these years later. The parish was founded in 1736, though the current church building dates to 1884. A walk through Christ Church’s cemetery inspired prolific Georgia writer, Eugenia Price, to pen her first historical novel The Beloved Invader. The book brought to life the church’s rector Anson Dodge, Jr. and led to additional books, New Moon Rising and Lighthouse – known as the St. Simon’s Trilogy. Interestingly, Price stayed at The King and Prince in 1961 when she discovered the island that would define her career as a writer. Tourists still come to St. Simon’s today inspired by her books. Who knows, maybe I’ll be inspired to write a historical novel, but for now I’ll settle on a trilogy of blog posts. This first: an overview rich with photos.

The exterior of The King and Prince's historic hotel building.

The King and Prince was built in 1935 and is the only oceanfront hotel on the island. I think that’s what sets St. Simon’s apart from other tourist destinations. It doesn’t feel touristy. You won’t find the high-rise condominiums and tacky beach stores. It’s quiet, laid back, upscale in some ways, but unassuming.Naturally, it’s a popular destination for weddings and romantic getaways. However, I’m totally inspired to take my family back there.

A wedding photo shoot I happened to catch out the window.

The beach is great, but there are also miles and miles of golden marshlands that are especially beautiful at sunset. Growing abundantly in the marshlands and estuaries is Spartina, the golden hued grass that gives St. Simon’s Island and other nearby barrier islands their nickname, “The Golden Isles.”

Marshlands at dusk.

And there’s the Lighthouse. And the cute village with shops and restaurants. And the waterfront park. And the Maritime Museum that is housed in a former Coast Guard Station.

Oceanfront park with St. Simons Lighthouse in the background.Maritime Center and Museum

 
I could go on and on, but I know you are probably wondering: what about the food? This is a food blog after all! Most of our meals were served at The King and Prince under the direction of its Food and Beverage Director, Vinny D’Agostino. While on staff for just a short while, D’Agostino is making great strides in bringing local farmers and food artisans ”to the table” to enhance the dining program at the resort. Honestly, going in to this I was not expecting the food to be that great. I’ve had some pretty bland, uninspiring hotel food in the past — but I have to say that the food I tasted at the King and Prince was really delicious. The shrimp and grits, I swear, may have been the best I ever tasted. I’m going to attempt to make them at home and share the recipe with you in the next post in my trilogy!

Shrimp and Grits made highlighted with Tasso ham, fresh corn and tomato.

One afternoon we had the pleasure of meeting food growers and artisans from around the state and sampling their fare. The most exciting thing I tasted was the first pressing of olive oil made from Georgia-grown olives thanks to Georgia Olive Farms. It’s so new that it isn’t even on the market yet. We also tasted cheese from Flat Creek Lodge, muscadine wine from Still Pond Vineyards, 13th Colony Distillery liquors, chocolates from Sugar Marsh Cottage, Wild Georgia Shrimp, Savannah Bee Company honey and peach products from Lane Southern Orchards — to name a few. I’ll definitely share more with you. Remember, my trilogy?

Georgia made products we tasted.

On our final day at the King and Prince, we ate breakfast in the elegant Delegal Room — once the ballroom of the old resort. I imagined how many dances, weddings, receptions and important events must have taken place in this stained glass adorned room with sweeping ocean views. I doctored this photo up a bit to look “old,” much like the actual historic photos that lined the lobby hallway and are featured in each guest room. It makes me feel happy.

Pretending it's 1951

I love places with a sense of history, natural beauty and authentic Southern charm. You will definitely find that at The King and Prince and on St. Simon’s Island. Now, time for a short disclaimer: The King and Prince provided me with a complimentary stay and meals, but did not pay me to write this or endorse the resort in any way. By being a gracious host, showing me the island and sharing the spotlight with other local businesses and attractions, they made me fall in love. I’ll definitely be back!

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Posted in St Simons Island, St. Simons Island Activities, St. Simons Island History, The King and Prince Resort, The King and Prince Restaurants, Travel Reviews | 2 Comments »

King and Prince Shrimp & Grits in Tasso Cream Sauce

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Marc d’Entremont writes an article at Suite101 about his visit to The King and Prince Resort and eating their Shrimp & Grits, a Southern Culinary Tradition.

King and Prince Resort’s Shrimp and Grits in a Tasso Cream Sauce

The King & Prince Beach & Golf Resort, St. Simons Island, GA, finesses a classic dish served in every southern dinner elevating Shrimp and Grits to stardom.
 

Shrimp & Grits in a Tasso Cream Sauce- Marc d’Entremont

It was the end of a pleasant sunny early November day in the now quiet off-season of St. Simons Island, one of Georgia’s premier barrier island destinations. The elegant 1935 King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort , listed on the National Historic Register and Historic Hotels of America, set a table befitting its Old World heritage. The formal place settings with an array of flatware and crystal stemware lay on starched white linen lit by softly glowing candles. The guests are not what the media would identify as royalty or even VIPs. We’re nearly two dozen jaded, or nearly jaded, travel and food journalists – critics to the core.

Southern Culinary Traditions

We were the guests of The King and Prince. Our four day tour to explore the culinary traditions of southeastern Georgia was organized by Leigh Cort Publicity. Such media trips involve a considerable amount of activity, not the least of which is eating and drinking. To make an impression worthy of an article the fare has to be more than just free.

Tradition versus an Old Standby

Personally my foodie radar was picking up more an old diner standby rather than a fine tradition when the itinerary indicated that dinner would include a Shrimp and Grits cooking demonstration. Google any of a dozen recipes and discover everything from bullion cubes to extra sharp cheddar used to mask tasteless farm raised frozen shrimp mounded on top of instant grits. Believe me I’ve had my full of disappointing versions.

Chef Dwayne Austell and Vinny D’Agostino

It took only a moment after entering the dining room for my nose to detect a subtle aroma of warm smoked meat. It was emanating from the chafing dish that was keeping the sauce at serving temperature. I should have guessed that a Johnson & Wales University graduate, Vinny D’Agostino, Food and Beverage Director, and Georgia Low Country native Sous Chef Dwayne Austell would rise above the ordinary.

Wild Shrimp and Tasso Ham

Quality ingredients are essential for a great dish and there is no comparison between farm raised and wild shrimp. Fortunately, much of America’s shrimp is wild and the package will be labeled appropriately. The high tides and lush nutrient rich salt marshes of low country and barrier islands provide an excellent clean environment for Georgia’s abundant shrimp. The Georgia White Shrimp is especially plump, meaty and flavorful. Yet the secret to Chef Austell’s outstanding Shrimp and Grits is the addition of smoky, cured Tasso ham – an essential ingredient in much of southern cajun cuisine. What is actually a pork butt rather than a ham gives the cajun spiced light cream sauce a rich flavor that lingers in the mouth.

The Recipe – for 2 servings

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2/3rd cup diced Tasso ham
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen kernel corn
  • 1/2 cup seeded diced tomatoes
  • 4 Tablespoons diced green onions
  • 4 to 6 ounces fresh shelled wild shrimp
  • 2 Tablespoons cajun seasoning mix
  • 1/2 cup grated asiago cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • olive oil
  • cooked grits

Preparation:

  1. First prepare grits using the best recipe I know for Creamy Stone Ground Grits
  2. Add just enough olive oil to lightly cover the bottom of two saute pans and heat over medium setting.
  3. In one pan add the shrimp and cajun seasoning. Saute no more than 5 minutes. Overcooking results in tough shrimp.
  4. In the second pan add the ham and corn and saute for a couple minutes. Add the tomatoes and green onions, combine and saute a few minutes more. Add the heavy cream and asiago cheese. Bring to a simmer and cook for two minutes.
  5. Combine the shrimp and all the pan juices into the sauce.
  6. Serve over the prepared grits.

Wine Pairing

Vinny D’Agostino, a sommelier as well, paired the entree with a nice Georgia Chardonnay from Frogtown Cellars. The minimal acidity of a Chardonnay, preferably unoaked, works well with the creamy sauce. A California or Washington State Chardonnay would be a fine substitute since Georgia wines are not widely distributed.

Even if you’re not dining a few hundred feet from the ocean, this fine recipe from the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort can conjure memories of warm lazy days under oak trees dripping with Spanish Moss and sea gulls laughing overhead.

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Posted in King and Prince History, St Simons Island Restaurants, The King and Prince Resort, The King and Prince Restaurants, Travel Reviews | No Comments »

Georgia Made, Georgia Grown

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

Last week The King and Prince hosted an event for food writers featuring Georgia grown food.  We invited ten vendors from around Georgia to speak about their products.  It was a wonderful experience for all that participated.  We learned the history behind the product and the means of production, but also what led each speaker to the industry. They even brought samples for everyone to try!

1. Flat Creek Lodge- Make their own traditional aritsan cheeses and much more.  They have won numerous awards in cheese competitions throughout the country and it is made in Swainsboro, Georiga.

2. Thirteenth Colony Distilleries- Georgia’s only craft distillery.  Their products are Plantation Vodka, Southern Gin, Southern Vodka and Southern Corn Whiskey. They also demonstrated delicious cocktails with their hand crafted spirits.

3. Savannah Bee- Beekeeper and owner Ted Dennard has been keeping bees since he was a child.  He talked about his passion for honey and how he launched his business.  Not only do they make pure delicious honey, but they also have a body care line including hand cream, soaps and lip balms made from honey!

4. Georgia Olive Growers- The attendees of the event had the pleasure of tasting olive oil from the first olive pressing in Georgia.  This is the first harvest of olives on the east coast since the 1800s.

5. Lane Southern Orchards- They have been growing peaches for over a hundred years and have 2,500 acres of peach orchards! We learned all about harvesting peaches.

6. Sugar Marsh Cottage- Gourmet sweets and specialty confections made 30 minutes from St. Simons in Darien.

7. Still Pond Winery- They produce eleven types of Muscadine Wines.  We learned about the health benefits of these wonderful wines.

8. Vidalia Onion- “America’s favorite sweet onion,” a crop that orginated in Georgia during the depression.

9. Wild Georgia Shrimp- Along with a sampling of shrimp, we heard about shrimping history, what makes the wild Georgia shrimp taste so good and why wild shrimp are better than farm raised shrimp.

10. St. Simons Sweets- A local sweets store right here on St. Simons makes their own sweets.  We learned about the history of Georgia pecans.

Olive Tea Brewing

Honeycomb

Low Country Boil with Crab & Wild Georgia Shrimp

As a part of our goal to transform to ”Farm to Table” products in our Restaurant, we plan to highlight each of these Georgia products in our Restaurant for a week in the upcoming months.

*Photos courtesy of Christine & G.W. Tibbetts

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Posted in St Simons Island, St Simons Island Restaurants, The King and Prince Resort, The King and Prince Restaurants | 3 Comments »

Nashville Unleashed Returns! Audition to Perform with the Artisits!

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

The Nashville Unleashed country music tour is returning to The King and Prince on November 12th. Jack & Diane, creators of Nashville Unleased, are back with a couple of Nashville performing songwriters, Justin Zimmer and Mark Stephen Jones. The event will be on November 12th in the oceanfront Delegal Dining Room at The King and Prince Resort.  Doors open at 7 PM and tickets cost $40 and include gourmet dessert. Visit www.nashvilleunleashed.com for tickets.

Presenting St. Simons Idol!

Compete for a chance to perform a song with the Nashville Unleashed artists!  Auditions will be at Open Mic Night at Palm Coast Coffee Cafe in the Village on St. Simons on Monday November 7th at 8:30 PM.  Eight finalists will be chosen for the final auditions on November 12th from 12-2 PM at The King and Prince Resort.  The winner will get to perform with Nashville Unleashed that evening and receive a song writing session with the artists! You must be a songwriter, play acoustic guitar and sing country, blues, jazz, folk and/or adult contemporary. Please contact Christina at 912-399-1417 or butrflydancer@hotmail.com for information about the auditions.

 

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Posted in St Simons Island, St Simons Island Restaurants, St. Simons Island Events, The King and Prince Resort, The King and Prince Restaurants | No Comments »

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