When Cypress shut down in May 2017, it was hard to imagine anything filling the venerable farm-to-table restaurant’s shoes. A year-and-a-half later, Tradd’s — now occupying the stunningly renovated space — has arrived on remarkably nimble feet. To start, the interior has been...
With standout aperit...
posted by Vanessa
Just when you thought Charleston couldn’t possibly support another small plates, European-inspired bar, along comes Babas on Cannon. With its high ceilings, full-length picture window, and white marble everywhere, elements of the airy space certainly look like they came from the Wine...
The Royal American s...
posted by Vanessa
As your eyes adjust to the dark inside the former forge warehouse on Morrison Drive, you might notice the old photo booth, stained glass church windows, or a row of five top hats hanging above the stage. Certainly it’s hard to miss the vintage painting of a naked blonde, lying on her...
Melfi’s brings a con...
posted by Vanessa
Recently, I found myself Googling things like “Brooks Reitz Crazy Bastard” and “Tim Mink Hard Start.” Hey, I didn’t write the menu. It turns out these totally harmless, not-at-all-weird searches leads one again and again to Neighbourhood, the ‘hospitality...
Papi’s Taqueri...
posted by Vanessa
“Ay, Papi!” is not something I’ve ever exclaimed … until this week. As the jubilation hit a notable peak, what can I say, except that Papi’s Taqueria made me do it. Whether Papi is a real boy or just a figurehead is unknown. Regardless, the Isle of Palms...
Two successful Charl...
posted by Vanessa
pop-up \ ‘päp-‘?p\ Phrasal verb of pop To appear or occur suddenly and unexpectedly. Used in reference to retail opportunities, dining experiences, and flashy ads promising untold sweepstakes riches, pop-ups are the surprise party of modern times. So what does it mean if a...
With its eclectic an...
posted by Vanessa
Nestled amongst the shops and eateries on the east side of Middle Street on Sullivan’s, Pier 22 is the latest in Chef Brannon Florie’s burgeoning restaurant dynasty. Sharing the upper level and some outdoor dining space with the adjacent High Thyme, Pier 22 focuses on the same mix...
Semilla puts down ro...
posted by Vanessa
If there’s ever a case to be made for the existence of a collective unconscious, the sudden proliferation of like-minded restaurants should be studied. While 2017 brought us The Summer of Pizza Pie, fall of 2018 has ushered in a veritable bounty of taco shops. Enter the latest, Semilla,...
It’s always su...
posted by Vanessa
However cliche, if a city is known for a sandwich, it’s probably a good one. Enter Yous Guys on Folly Road, focused on sharing the love with a taste of the City of Brotherly Love. Set amongst a jeweler, a seamstress, and a Brazilian wax spa, the cozy joint is brimming with Eagles and...
With an expansive me...
posted by Vanessa
Set on the less-populated east side of Coleman Boulevard, Mill Street Tavern is the latest to join the burgeoning Shem Creek Strip. In these parts, where the views are marshy and the menus are decidedly American, Mill Street is no exception. Similarly, it offers more than one bar, ample water...
Prices and portions ...
posted by Vanessa
Along with poke bowls, cold brew coffee, and mezcal, one of the most significant food trends to come down the pike as of late is the chef-driven wine bar. Forget cheese, crackers, and charcuterie, these establishments are significantly changing what it means to wine and dine, and the new...
You’ll get a t...
posted by Vanessa
Known for pisco, alpacas, and Machu Picchu, the stark, rugged landscape of Peru is about as far as one can get from the gently undulating Lowcountry. The food, however, is now available — at least in part — in a quiet end location in Sweetgrass Corner Shopping Mall in Mt. Pleasant. Much like...
At burgeoning Mexica...
posted by Vanessa
The new Cantina 76 on Coleman Boulevard is the fifth location in a seemingly burgeoning S.C. chain. With outposts in Columbia, Greenville, and Kiawah Island, the cantina offers “Mexican-inspired” fare, which seems to be another way of saying gringo chow. If flour tortillas filled...
With more focus on a...
posted by Vanessa
Despite its residency in the relatively depressing Moultrie Plaza strip mall on Coleman Boulevard, JuJu is a sleek and stylish space. Presumably named for the West African spiritual practice, the sign declares the cuisine to be “Urban American Caribbean Fusion.” Considering...
Four local pizza mak...
posted by Vanessa
Pizza is an equalizer. When tomorrow’s people look back on the strife and schisms that led to the decline and fall of our contemporary civilizations, they will laugh and ask, “Kial ne tauxga por pico?” which is Esperanto for, “Why didn’t they just meet for...
Daniel Island’...
posted by Vanessa
After opening in early December of last year, Dockery’s — a mammoth, 10,000 square foot restaurant, brewery, and music venue on Daniel Island — brought in a new chef this spring. With stints all over the place, including The Macintosh and Obstinate Daughter, chef Chad Anderson’s...
Folly’s newest...
posted by Vanessa
Let’s start with the obvious: The name is magnificent. At once self-deprecating and a clever nod to the area, Lowlife elicits a chuckle and covers a lot of sins. Like the Eggos in the chicken and waffles ($12). Eggos? By which you mean a locally sourced, hand-crafted, bespoke heirloom...
With a little ironin...
posted by Vanessa
High-backed chairs, warm lighting — both natural and electric — and exposed brick accents make Revival a sophisticated space that belies our idea of a stuffy hotel restaurant. But looking a little more closely at the interior of Revival, one may note that every table in the dining room is...
Despite a few shortc...
posted by Vanessa
When you first walk in, Chubby Fish is reminiscent of an Apple store. While both are white and airy, the vibe has little to do with aesthetics. Rather, there’s the same busy, buzzy energy and the feeling of too many people happily packed into a table-filled space. Once inside, a man...
Woodward Tavern offe...
posted by Vanessa
In 1994, Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction introduced the world to the concept of expensive milkshakes. “I’ll have the Durwood Kirby burger — bloody — and a five-dollar shake.” “Did you just order a five-dollar shake?” “Sure did.” “A shake?...