Welcome to our very first installment of Charleston Moms EATS!
Each month, we’ll be highlighting the goodness that is local food in the Lowcountry. It might be a particular dish, a unique drink, or a new restaurant that needs to be on your must-try list.
First up…
Annie O Love’s Cafe of Sweet Abundance
Sometime in February, I heard through the Facebook grapevine that there was a really cool vegan and gluten-free dessert shop that had just opened in West Ashley. Immediately, I searched Facebook and Instagram to see what I could find out about this bakery! I am an omnivore but I love trying new and different foods especially if it is healthy and delicious…and I soon discovered Annie O Love’s exceeded my expectations!
Annie Oswald is the mastermind, owner, and chef behind the café. She is a Charleston native who has worked in the restaurant industry for 20 years and, throughout her experience and personal struggles with addiction, became vegan around six years ago. Annie is also very conscious of how the restaurant industry negatively affects the environment in regards to waste and does her part as best as she can to reduce her carbon footprint.
When you go, the current fresh made cookie list is on the wall written in chalk. The cookie names are amazing…Hunka Hunka Burnin’ Love Child, High Vibin’ Key Lime’n, and Gangsta O’ Love are just a few! If you love chocolate and sea salt, you have to get Apocalypse Cacao which is officially my new favorite cookie. She does not skimp on the sea salt, making the perfect combination salty and sweet!
I also had the privilege of trying the Peanut Butter Apocalypse Cheesecake, which is the cheesecake mural painted on the entire side of the building, so I knew I had to try it. This cheesecake has a crust of brownie batter, chocolate chip cookie dough IN the cheesecake, and covered in chocolate sprinkled with sea salt! Annie also let me taste one of her newest creations, Back Dat Peach Up! It tasted like the best southern peach cobbler with a perfect, crunchy topping made into a cookie.
Just look at Annie O Love’s Instagram page and drool over her stories! You can see her add all the fresh, delectable ingredients into her huge mixing bowl…you will soon be running to get a taste and I’ll see you in there!
Annie O Love’s is located at 1901 Ashley River Road, Charleston, 29407.
