by Lauren Blake
Charleston has a coveted dining scene that is dangerously accessible from Charlotte, and the list of cool places to go is long. In around three-and-a-half hours by car, Charlotteans can arrive in the Holy City to gorge on satiating meals courtesy of James Beard award-winning eateries and enjoy sips in an unparalleled cocktail scene. Though there are a slew of restaurants to find delectable snacks and sips, here are just a few of the newest, rave-worthy locales I stumbled upon during a recent jaunt to the city named top in the U.S. by the 2012 Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards.
This Macintosh has just enough of a trendy atmosphere to be hip, without sacrificing food and flavor. The interior is best described as Lowcountry sophistication, highlighted by exposed brick, warm wood surfaces and Southern-inspired light fixtures. The restaurant serves dinner and Sunday brunch, which both offer a delectable assortment of menu items. The scallops were the best I’ve ever had and I can still taste the savory snapper weeks after my meal there. Go for brunch or dinner … or both. You will not be disappointed.
Located conveniently close to The Macintosh, as in above, is The Cocktail Club. The dimly lit and hip bar boasts farm-to-shaker cocktails, which focus on house-made infusions and fresh-squeezed juices. Enjoy the indoor ambiance or step outdoors on to the rooftop terrace to enjoy cocktails in the warm Charleston air.
I went to The Green Door after a local chef’s recommendation. He warned me to go only if I was “open to trying new things.” With that said, I was a bit apprehensive yet extremely curious about the restaurant that was inspired from the famous Charleston food truck, Roti Rolls.
The atmosphere was quirky and extremely laid back, which is a nice change from the slew of refined and sophisticated restaurants in Charleston. We cozied up to a neon-colored booth and enjoyed the funky artwork spread throughout the place. The menu is far from typical. We enjoyed spiced chickpeas, dusted in spices, as well as a special that featured coconut rice, roti (a savory Indian Bread) and stewed vegetables. Though The Green Door is far from glamorous, the food is exquisite and well worth the trip.
The Ordinary has received quite the buzz since it opened late last year. Housed in a beautiful old bank building, the two story restaurant features a sprawling bar and multiple booths downstairs with more intimate table seating on the second level. The menu boasts delicious hot and cold seafood options ranging from baked oysters and BBQ white shrimp to stone crab claws and Maine lobster minute ceviche.
From the creators of The Macintosh, O-Ku, and Oak Steakhouse is a brand new Italian concept called Indaco. Though I didn’t get the chance to visit, I felt I had to mention this new eatery as all of the other Indigo Road restaurants are fantastic. The menu focuses on traditional Italian fare, with a locally-sourced flair.
This is hands down the best place to score a cocktail in Charleston. In addition to offering a cocktail menu (with options like a “Really Old Fashioned” made with Pappy Van Winkle 20 year for $50 a pop), guests are encouraged to order a “Bartender’s Choice,”, in which one picks two adjectives to suit their drinking desires. A few options include floral, smokey, herbal, sweet, refreshing, and spicy. The bar is big on craft ice (yes, there is such a thing) and the cocktails are fitted with a clear piece of ice that not only accents the drink, but also fits the glass in which it is served. Oh, and not all cocktails are $20 and up. The Bartender’s Choice drinks are just $10.
