Charleston, SC restaurants

[BethML]

We're off to vacation in Kiawah Island, S.C. on Saturday for a week and I was hoping to tap your wisdom for some restaurant recommendations for Charleston. (We plan to drive into the city a few times during our stay.)

We like all kinds of foods and we don't have a preference in terms of casual or fancy, although I'd like to skip steakhouses. Thanks for any suggestions!

Beth

[LynnSC]

Hi,
I was just in Charleston a couple of months ago. I went to a convention for a few days. We ate at California Dreaming-DELICIOUS! I know it is a chain resturant but have delicious salads. We also ate at Shem Creek (sp?) Bar and Grill. They had really good seafood. I can't remember the name of the other place we went. I was there a couple of years ago and ate at "The One-Eyed Parrott". It is on one of the islands, I am not sure which one. Anyway, it looks like a dump , or at least it did them but it is delicious!!!!!!!!!! YOu will have a great time. I live about 2 1/2 hours from Charleston and would love to go more often. Try to check out the Hunley while you are there. I don't know where you live or if you have heard about it. It is a confederate submarine that was raised last Fall . The archeologist are uncovering lots of interesting artifacts. Don't know if it is still open to the public. I wanted to go but it wasn't open while we were there. There is a website for it to. I can find it for you if you would like. Have a great trip!
Lynn

[kabs]

Beth, my boyfriend and I lived in Charleston for a while, and we are always talking about our favorite restaurants that we miss soooooo much. I am so jealous that you will be in Charleston! It's a great town to visit! Here's my list of not-to-miss places to check out.

For fantastic seafood, prepared wonderfully, go to Hank's. It's downtown. A little pricier, kind of a hip atmoshere.

There is also the Boathouse, ironically NOT located on the water. Neat atmoshpere with all kinds of boat-y type decor. This place has a great raw bar with a nice seletion of oysters. Also can be a little pricey.

82 Queen- go here for LowCountry specialties like BBQ shrimp and grits. Food is prepared nicely, but the draw of this place is to eat in the outdoor courtyard. Little white lights in the trees, candles, set back off the street. Very romantic.

If you want to have a down-home LowCountry style feast and are not worried about calories consumed, try SeeWee, it is located in Wando (about a 20 minute drive from downtown). It is literally a shack. They bring platters of food with all the fixin's. Hush Puppies to die for!

These are a few of my favorites, although, I am thinking of more places as I go along. Have a great time, and let us know where you end of going!

Kim

[GayeC]

Charleston is restaurant heaven! Magnolia's is wonderful. My sister lives in Charleston and her current favorite is Hank's (casual name but not a casual restaurant). I have heard good things about Slightly North of Broad but have not been there. The Trawler is fun if you want to do the big, casual, fried seafood sort of restaurant. Have a great vacation. Gaye

[BethML]

Yay! Thank you all so much for the great suggestions. I'm even more excited to go now and check them out. I'll share the info with DH and I'm sure we'll be getting some great food very soon! Thanks again.

Beth

[BethML]

Yay! Thank you all so much for the great suggestions. I'm even more excited to go now and check them out. I'll share the info with DH and I'm sure we'll be getting some great food very soon! Thanks again.

Beth

[Beth H]

Charleston is wonderful. If you're staying out at Kiawah, make sure you eat at the Rosebank Cafe -- it's at Bohicket Marina (a couple of minutes from the Kiawah gate). It looks small and unassuming, but their food is wonderful (entrees in the $16 - 22 range)! It gets crowded, and I'm not sure they take reservations. Another place out near Kiawah is Red Sky -- excellent for lunch. It is right by the gate to Seabrook Island. There is another "local" kind of place called John's Island Cafe about a 15 minute drive from Kiawah -- great fried seafood, homemade pies. It's on Maybank Highway (small, simple) -- someone should be able to direct you. There are restaurants on Kiawah, but I've never heard super great things about them, and they are pricey.

As for downtown, I would second the votes for Magnolia's and Hank's -- both great for special meals. I also would mention the Charleston Grille that is in the Charleston Place Hotel. Also pricey, but fantastic food, service, and atmosphere. Louis's is another upscale place with inventive menu -- Louis Osteen is the chef/owner, and he has won a lot of awards for his cooking. A fun, casual place downtown is Southend Brewery -- it's a neat building, and they have good food and beer. It's reasonably priced. I also have heard good things about Slightly North of Broad, but have not eaten there. I also have heard that Poogan's Porch (mentioned in an above post) has fallen on hard times recently and is not a great place to eat anymore.

I don't know if you've been to Kiawah before -- it's about a 45 minute drive between the island and downtown (from the interior of the island). The road out to Kiawah and Seabrook is kind of winding and dark at night. I spend a lot of time at Seabrook, and typically we'll go into Charleston twice during a visit -- once during the day, and once at night.

Enjoy -- Kiawah is beautiful, as is Charleston!

[HUNGRY!]

Beth, My favorite resturaunt in Charleston hands down is called Poogan's Porch. It's a little out of the way, but it has the BEST food!!! (Not Cooking Light style, but that's what vacations are for!). Its on Queen Street near downtown. Its in the phone book if you wanted to go there! Try the fried alligator!

[HUNGRY!]

My favorite resturant hands down in Charleston is Poogan's Porch. Its a small place near down town with the best food I've ever had! (Not light!! But that's what vacation is for, I guess!). Its on Queen street and is in the phone book if you want to go.