Snow Monkeys Delivers Fancy Plates With Nostalgia on Johns Island | Eater Carolinas

"Tasting menu-level fare in a casual strip-mall setting pairs seasonal Southern ingredients with hints of Japanese flavors, all presented with artful plating that looks fancy even though you don’t need to be. The scallop crudo is a build-your-own wrap, with bibb lettuce stacked with a shiso leaf, green apple, and chive as the base; spoon on creme fraiche, then add crispy shallots and pieces of raw scallop for an interactive start to the meal. The kabocha salad is so autumnal that it feels like falling into a pile of crunchy leaves, with roasted squash topped with thinly sliced Asian pear, pumpkin seed, and Parmesan. Most of the menu is gluten-free, including the ricotta gnocchi; the fluffy dumplings come with roasted carrots and rutabaga with brown butter crumble, making for a sumptuous dish, especially if you stay away from wheat flour products. Despite being tucked away in a strip mall, tall ceilings and dark walls make the space feel grand; an open kitchen with a chef’s counter anchors the back, tan banquettes with plush pillows replace white tablecloths, and Japanese watercolor paper painted by chef Zach Woody adds a personal touch. On a recent Wednesday night, patrons seemed like Johns Island or Kiawah locals sharing plates and bottles of wine." - Erin Perkins