Excuse the proselytizing, but Two Boroughs Larder is an amazing little place that deserves to be celebrated for many things. First of all, there’s the space, which hits the right note between rustic and modern. Then there are the owners, a cute couple named Josh and Heather Keeler, who should be commended for their optimism. The Great Recession isn’t that far behind us, and these kids are putting everything they’ve got into making their new restaurant go.
Finally — and perhaps most importantly — there’s the food. Carefully sourced ingredients, skilled techniques in the kitchen, and plenty of surprises on the menu make Two Boroughs a place worth visiting often. A recent meal had us feasting on a flavorful Thakkali Curry made with Carolina Gold Rice, fresh heirloom pumpkin, and garbanzo beans with a house roti. It was a standout, even when compared to such dishes as cumin-scented lamb belly and the Keegan Filion pork plate (with belly, crispy head torchon, and fried ears too). Josh also makes a mean scrapple and serves it up on a hard roll, topped with a farm egg and some cheddar.
Since opening, the menu has expanded with lots of new options, including cheese and meat plates. They also have their beer and wine license now (a protest by a nearby church sent them to Columbia to jump through some hoops) and a respectable list of options (only one wine is over $50). They’ve added a 3-5-7 happy hour from 3-7 p.m. with wines, drafts, and eats in each price point, from a $3 Stone IPA to a $7 crispy pig head plate.
And next Sat. Oct. 1, they’ll be throwing the doors open for a vegetarian-friendly pig and lamb roast. You read that right. For $10 you can get a plate of meat and sides, or you can simply load up on the veggies. Heather says they’re not sure what those will be yet, since they’ll wait to see what’s available as the time draws near, but you can expect the vegetables to be done right. The current menu has roasted zucchini, Easter egg radishes, and baby carrots with marcona almond pesto. Josh’s roasted okra is my favorite, so let’s hope that makes an appearance.
The roast is their way of throwing a grand opening party and making it affordable for the folks in the neighborhood to stop by for a plate of delicious food and a cold glass of beer (they’ll have $1 drafts and $2 wines). We think it’s a great way for you to spend your Saturday afternoon. Jim Algar will be playing music, and we guarantee the lamb and pig will be smoky and delicious.
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