As you know from some of my previous blogs, Charleston is a dining joy - Lowcountry buffets, waterfront discoveries, coconut cake utopia. As I worked my way through town, I sampled some mighty fine mac and cheese along with collard greens, corn bread and other savory Southern sides. But, it wasn’t until I ventured to Cru Cafe that I sampled the best mac and cheese ever, in my humble opinion.

It all started innocently enough. I had already received a couple of recommendations to dine at the spot, but was warned to make a reservation, even for lunch. The cute little café looked inviting, painted pink and situated in an old house, with a wide verandah for alfresco dining.

Strangely, I opted for the Angus Burger Au Poivre—sublime with pepper jack and caramelized onions—as my lunch choice that day. (I admit, I was overdosing on Lowcountry delights and decided to take a break.) But, I was allotted a side dish with my meal, and the four-cheese macaroni beckoned. I knew I was on to something when the waiter winked and said, “Great choice.”

The creamy, cheesy concoction sent my taste buds spinning into overdrive. What is it, I wondered, that makes this mac and cheese so special? I was trying to figure out what cheeses were used in the recipe and couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Our friendly waiter tried to make me guess all four, and I failed miserably. “It’s aged cheddar, fontina, mozzarella and pepper jack,” he finally fessed up.

Oh, and by the way, my burger was awesome, too. The way my luck was going, I decided to try dessert. I went with the flourless chocolate torte, an indulgence you won’t want to share and a blog-worthy topic in itself. 

Although I didn’t sample them, other items that grabbed my attention were mesclun fried goat cheese, white wine truffled mussels and a coconut fried oyster wrap with chipotle. Although Cru does comfort food well, salads and sandwiches also are part of the mix. One word of advice: don’t be in a hurry if you eat here—the place is popular and service is unrushed.