Charleston Dining District

Local Charleston Chef Jeremiah Bacon Heading to the Legendary James Beard House

One of the finest chefs in Charleston, S.C. – a city filled with culinary excellence – will soon take his craft to the prestigious James Beard House. Executive chef Jeremiah Bacon of Oak Steakhouse and the recently opened The Macintosh, will cook at the renowned establishment February 2nd as part of Carnivores’ Delight, a celebration of beef hosted by the Certified Angus Beef ®brand.

Regarded as the Carnegie Hall of culinary professionals, the James Beard House has hosted dinners by many of the most notable chefs in the world. Bacon will prepare a Certified Angus Beef ® brand Prime Cap of Ribeye with Aligot Potatoes, Sweet Potato Coins, Butter-glazed Kohlrabi and Sauce Bordelaise.

“Jeremiah is one of the finest chefs in Charleston, and I’m excited to share the kitchen with him,” said Scott Popovic, corporate chef for the Certified Angus Beef ® brand. “The dinner is a chance for guests to reignite their love affair with beef and they will experience beef at its very best.”

In addition to Popovic, Bacon will be joined by Mark Stark of Stark Steakhouse in Santa Rosa, CA; Cindy Hutson of Ortanique on the Mile in Miami, FL; Darryl Harmon of Water Works Restaurant & Lounge in Philadelphia, PA; and pastry chef Megan Romano of Chocolate and Spice Bakery and Café in Las Vegas, NV.

The Cocktail Club Nominated in Two Categories for the 2012 Nightclub & Bar Awards

 The Cocktail Club, an Indigo Road Restaurant Group concept, has been named a finalist in two categories for the 2012 National Nightclub and Bar Awards: Jasmine Beck for Bartender of the Year and The Cocktail Club as Cocktail Lounge of the Year.

The annual Nightclub & Bar Awards celebrate the nightlife industry’s top venues and talents across the country. Past winners have included Eastern Standard in Boston, Mass.; Webster Hall in New York City and Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco, Cal. 

“We are incredibly gratified to see such a huge professional following for the 2012 Nightclub & Bar Awards,” says Megan Hernandez, Digital Content Director for Nightclub & Bar Media Group. “The finalists and winners highlight exactly the characteristics this competition applauds: quality, creativity, financial success and, of course, patron value.”

The finalists and winners will be featured on Nightclub.com; the winners will be chosen at the end of January and will have the chance to attend the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, March 12-14.

Restaurant Week Continues Through January at Barsa

 Charleston Restaurant Week may be over but at Barsa Tapas, Lounge, & Bar, it continues all month long! Barsa is offering a special 4-course menu for $30 the includes 2 tapas, an entree, and dessert. Be sure to ask your server for this special menu when you arrive. 

 Barsa Tapas, Lounge, & Bar is located at 58 Line Street in the Upper King Design District. For reservations, call 843-577-5393. 

Halls Chophouse Awarded AAA Four Diamond Rating

Congratulations to Halls Chophouse who won the prestigous AAA Four Diamond Award again this year. This rating is among the most well-known and respected in the global travel industry. Four Diamond restaurants account for just 2.8 percent of 27,000 AAA Rated restaurants.

Make reservations at Halls for the best hospitality in town and a superior steakhouse experience. Halls Chophouse is located at 434 King Street in downtown Charleston.

 

Halls Chophouse Lives Up to It's Award-Winning Reputation

"Delectable, rich, & unforgettable" are just some of the words used to describe this customer's experience at Halls Chophouse. Doug Hammond recentely wrote a fantastic blog that makes it easy to see why Halls was named one of the Top 100 Restaurants in the US:

"From the reviews, I was expecting a warm reception, what we received was so much more than that, we were met and greeted at the front door with firm handshakes and a sincere welcome, by not one, but two members of the Hall Family. Immediately, Billy Hall offered to take our coats and told us to feel free to visit the bar and that our table was ready for us whenever we were ready to be seated. Allow me to set the stage for you, we are in Historic Downtown Charleston on a Saturday night dining in one of the most popular restaurants in town, they are jam packed with diners and not only have we been properly greeted at the front door by two people whose last name matches the name on the sign, but they have made us feel like they are on our schedule and we are guests within the Hall household, not their family business. For crying out loud, they hung our coats in the hall closet. .....

Michelle and I both started off with Halls chop salad, a wonderful marriage of greens, black eyed peas, celery, feta cheese and a heavenly green peppercorn buttermilk dressing. We both ordered steaks, Michelle had the petite filet mignon and I had the dry aged rib eye. Once again, rather than just taking our order and asking us for our doneness preference, our waitress quizzed us on what we were looking for in terms of internal temperature of the meat, and then I was blown away when she said to me, “would you prefer a leaner rib eye, or one with a fair amount of marbling?” Really, I thought, are you serious, you mean I can choose that? 

The steaks did not disappoint and at Halls the side orders are served family style so we enjoyed a generous dish of pepper jack grits to compliment our steaks. Finally, we decided to share a piece of whiskey bread pudding, after all, as one of my fellow bloggers had recently written, “it’s so good I get emotional.” 

 Continue on to the full review HERE. Visit Halls Chophouse at 434 King Street today for an unforgettable dining experience. Click here to make online reservations through OpenTable .

Osteria La Bottiglia to Host Wine Dinner with Goat Sheep Cow

On Wednesday January 25, join Osteria la Bottiglia and Charleston's favorite purveyor of specialty cheeses, charcuterie and accompaniments Goat Sheep Cow, for a fabulous wine dinner. Massimiliano Sarrocchi will serve four delicious Italian courses from soup to pasta, a cheese plate and dessert, each accompanied by a luscious wine pairing for just $51 per person. 

To reserve your spot at the Italian table, call Osteria la Bottiglia at 843-727-4158 today. Seating is limited, and the event is sure to sell out quickly. Charleston Restaurant Week will be over; time to sit down to a real feast with your favorite friends.

Osteria is located at 420 King Street in Charleston's Upper King Design District.

Closed 4 Business Among Top 100 Beer Bars in the US

Each year Draft Magazine narrows down America's 100 Best Beer Bars in the country and this year Closed for Business made the cut! The article in the January 2012 issue features bars from all regions of the US. The South is home to many on the list, but Closed For Business was the only South Carolina and Charleston Bar nominated.

Stop by Closed for Business at 453 King Street to see what all the fuss is about! Choose from 42 taps and counting of unusual, rare and one-of-a-kind beers from South Carolina and beyond. 

Carolina's Bistro 3 for $40 Restaurant Week Menu

For a contemporary twist on Lowcountry cuisine, head to Carolina's Southern Bistro. During Charleston Restaurant Week from January 12-22, they will be offering a great 3 course selection for $40. The menu for the week is as follows:

FIRST COURSE: (Choice of) Chef’s Soup of the Day OR Carolina’s Bibb Salad.

SECOND COURSE: (Choice of)

• Crab Cakes with Field Peas, Grilled Radicchio, Shaved Apple, Toasted Almond, Red Onion, and Bacon Vinaigrette
• Pan Roasted Tile Fish with Charred Farm Potato, Butter Braised Radish, Brussels Sprout Leaves, and Beurre Rouge
• Pan Sauteed Flounder with Fingerling Potato Coins, Country Ham, Beech Mushrooms, Frisee, Capers Island Clams, and Scallion Butter
• Pan Roasted Scallops with Roasted Celeriac, Maitake Mushrooms, Pear Toasted Pistachios, Sweet Potato Puree, and Cider Gastrique
• Carolina Shrimp & Grits with Anson Mills Stone Ground Grits, Onion, Sweet Peppers, and Andouille
• Pan Roasted Free Range Chicken from Keegan-Filion Farm with Bright Light Swiss Chard, Prosciutto, Grilled Cornbread, Golden Raisins,Pine Nuts, and Pan Jus
• Pot au Feu with Red Wine Braised Short Rib, Fingerling Potato, Root Vegetables, Marrow Toast, and Braising Jus
• Grilled Hanger Steak with Salt Roasted Smashed Fingerling Potatoes, Cherry Tomato, Spinach, Charred Sweet Onions,and Bacon Butter Sauce 

THIRD COURSE: Carolina’s Pecan Brittle Basket with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Seasonal Fresh Fruits, Chocolate & Caramel Sauce.

 Carolina's Bistro is located at 10 Exchange St. in the French Quarter District of downtown Charleston. Call (843) 724.3800 to make a reservation.

 

3 for $20 at Old Towne Grille & Seafood for CRW

Old Towne Grill & Seafood is offering a fabulous 3-course menu for $20 during Charleston Restaurant Week, January 12-22. In addition to some of the best Greek dishes you will ever enjoy, their menu includes a broad array of options to suit everyone's tastes: 

APPETIZERS: (Choose one)

• Calamari: Fried Baby Squid served with Lemon and Cocktail Sauce
• Spanakopita: Fine Layers of Fillo Baked with Spinach and Feta Cheese
• Hummus: A Zesty Dip of Blended Garbanzo Beans, Sesame, and Savory Spices topped with Diced Veggies and Served wtih Pita Bread
• Gyro: Slices of Gyro Meat topped with Chopped Vegetablse and Tzatziki Sauce

ENTRÉES: (Choose one) Entrees served with Potatoes, Rice, or Fries

• Shrimp and Grits: Shrimp Sauteed with Scallions, Mushrooms, and Bacon over Cheese Grits
• Slow Roasted Chicken: Their famous Chicken slowly roasted over their grill for 3-4 hours
• Spanakopita: Fine Layers of Fillo Baked with Spinach and Feta Cheese
• Gyro Platter: Their delicious Gyro Meat served on Pita Bread topped with Vegetables and Tzatziki Sauce
• Grilled Shrimp: Jumbo Shrimp lightly sauteed with Spices and Lemon Sauce

DESSERTS: (Choose one)

• Baklava: Their classic Greek Dessert made with Honey, Nuts, and Fillo Leaf
• New York Cheesecake: Creamy Cheesecake topped with Rich Whipped Cream
• Galactobourico: Honey Custard topped with Fillo Leaf

 Old Towne Grill and Seafood is located at 229 King Street in the King Street Fashion District. For reservations, call 843-723-8170.

3 for $20 Charleston Restaurant Week Deal at Fish

You have until Sunday, January 22nd to check out the amazing specials going on at select restaurants for Charleston Restaurant Week. Why not try the 3 for $20 deal going on at Fish?

The menu this week includes:

FIRST COURSE: (Choice of) Coconut Onions Soup with Frog Leg Rangoon OR Steam Bun Duck Prosciutto.

SECOND COURSE: (Choice of) Local Strip Bass with Squash Coconut Rice, Roasted Winter Garden, and Brown Butter Sauce OR Beef Bourgignon with Roasted Potato, and Mirpoix Vegetables.

THIRD COURSE: (Choice of) Butternut Squash Crème Brulee OR Fried Candied Ginger Beignet.

 Fish Restaurant is located at 442 King Street in the Upper King Street Design District. This is the perfect time to try Fish's innovative and always delicious cuisine.  Make reservations online here or call 843.722.4374.

Try a Contemporary Twist on Japanese Cuisine at O-Ku During Charleston Restaurant Week

From January 12-22, O-Ku Sushi will be offering three unique & tantilizing courses for just $30 as part of Charleston Restaurant Week. Don't miss out on this delicious opportunity. The menu for the week is as follows:

FIRST COURSE: (Choice of) Kabocha Bisquem a Japanese Acorn Squash Bisque with Toasted Macademia Nut and Chives OR Trio of Crudo with Big Eye Tuna, Escolar, and Scottish Salmon with Fig Balsamic, Orange Olive Oil, Mizuna, Volcanic Red Salt, and Ginger Soy.

SECOND COURSE: (Choice of) Chicken Yaki Udon with Mushrooms, Onion, Baby Bok Choy, Asparagus, and Chili Oyster Soy Sauce OR Sushi Combination.

THIRD COURSE: (Choice of) Chocolate Custard Crème OR Duo of Mochi Ice Cream.

O-Ku Sushi is located at 463 King Street in the Upper King Design District. Be sure to stop by before Charleston Restaurant Week is over. You can make reservations online here or by calling 843.737.0112.

3 for $30 Special at The Macintosh

If you haven't tried The Macintosh's soulful American cuisine, now is the perfect time. From January 12th-22nd, Chef Bacon has created a special 3-course menu for $30 for Charleston Restaurant Week. The menu is as follows:

FIRST COURSE:

• Salad of Young Greens, Smoked Ricotta, Red Onion, Easter Egg Radish, Lemon Vinaigrette, and Milk Cracker
• Rutabaga Soup with Braised Oxtail

ENTREES:

• Crispy Duck Leg with White Bean Cassoulet
• Mark Marhefka- Vermilion Snapper with Warm Fingerling Potato Salad, Kennerty Farms Mizuna, and Sauce Gribiche 

DESSERT: Carrot Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing & Caramel 

The Macintosh is located at 479B King Street in downtown Charleston. To make a reservation, call (843) 789-4299, or click here to make reservations online. 

Mellow Mushroom Participating in Charleston Restaurant Week with 3 for $20 deal

Mellow Mushroom will be participating in Charleston Restaurant Week for the first time with a special promotion running January 12-22. You won't find a deal much better than this. Choose an appetizer, salad, and pizza from above for just $20!

Mellow Mushroom is located at 309 King Street in downtown Charleston. 

3-Courses for $30 at Muse During CRW

Charleston Restaurant Week is back and runs from January 12th to the 22nd. Be sure to stop into Muse Restaurant & Wine Bar to try their handcrafted 3-course menu for $30. Pair it with one of their many wine selections for a perfect evening. The menu is as follows:

STARTERS: Beef Carpaccio with Fried Capers, Shallot, Arugula Frisee Salad, & Truffle Oil OR Arencini Stuffed with Spinach & Asiago Cheese topped with a Tomato Coulis OR Roasted Vegetable Salad with Roasted Winter Vegetables over Greens with Ricotta Salata, Fennel & a Sherry Vinaigrette OR Shrimp & Bay Scallops Thyme Poached & served over Squid Ink Pearl Pasta with Fried Leeks.

ENTREES: Wreckfish Prosciutto Crusted & Baked, served over Haricots Verts & Fingerling Potatoes in a Lemon Meuniere OR Pork Loin Braised & served with Red Pearl Onions, a Pecorino Polenta Cake, Baby Carrots, & a Rosemary Jus OR Basil Herb Gnudi Served with Butternut Squash, Roasted Beech Mushrooms & Brown Butter OR Cacciucco Tuscan Seafood Stew of Shrimp, Scallops, Mussels, Local Fish, Oregano, Garlic, Parsley, Tomatoes, & Wine served with Crostini.

DESSERTS: Ricotta Cheesecake Topped with Candied Clementines OR Chocolate Raspberry Semifreddo With Crushed Pistachios OR Zeppole- The Traditional Neopolitan Fritters served with a Honey Mascarpone.

 Muse Restaurant & Wine Bar is at 82 Society Street in the King Street Fashion District. To make reservations, call (843) 577-1102 or click here to make reservations online.

 

Charleston Restaurant Week: 3 for $40 at Halls Chophouse

Don't forget to make reservations this week at Halls Chophouse  to enjoy their 3-Course Charleston Restaurant Week menu for only $40! The menu, which runs from January 12th-22nd is as follows:

FIRST COURSE: (Choice of) She Crab Soup OR Simple Greens Salad.

ENTRÉE: (Choice of) Filet Mignon OR Wild Salmon, Cedar Planked with Tomato,Dill & Cucumber Yogurt Sauce. Both are accompanied by Saute Summer Squash and Mashed Potatoes.

DESSERT: (Choice of) Chocolate Pate OR Southern Strawberry Shortcake.

 Halls Chophouse is located at 434 King Street in the Upper King Street Design District. Click here to make online reservations or call 843-727-0090.

Sample 3 Courses at Chai's Lounge for $25 This Week

Chai's Lounge will be offering a special 3-Course Menu for $25 during Charleston Restaurant Week January 12-22. Pair it with a refreshing cocktail & Chai's indulgent ambience for a wonderful evening. The menu is as follows:

FIRST COURSE: Butternut Squash-Creme Fraiche Terrine with Crab Salad, Arugula Pesto, and Tarragon OR Salad of Roasted Red Beets and Baby Arugula with Goat Cheese, Candied Pistachios, and Pickled Golden Beets OR House Made "Bacon" with Buttermilk, Apple Butter, and Cornbread Streusel.

SECOND COURSE: Roasted Airline Chicken Breast with Potato Gnocchi, Confit, Glazed "Mirepoix", and Chicken Veloute OR Butternut Squash Risotto with Roasted Shiitake Mushroom, Carmelized Onion Jus, and Parmigiano Reggiano OR Braised Beef Short Rib en Cocotte with Stone Ground Grits, Root Vegetables, and Jus OR Pan-Roasted Mahi Mahi with Red Curry, Savoy Cabbage, Coconut, Eggplant, and Scallions.

THIRD COURSE: Tres Leche Cake with Dulce de Leche, Malted Milk, White Chocolate, and Caramel Ice Cream OR S'mores, Smoked Salt Graham Cracker, Chocolate, and Marshmallow.

Chai's Lounge is located at 462 King Street in the Upper King Design District. Call 843-722-7313 to make reservations. 

Charleston Restaurant Week Special at Amen Street

 Amen Street Fish and Raw Bar will be offering a 3 for $30 special from January 12th-22nd during Charleston Restaurant Week. If you haven't been here yet, this is the perfect time to give the Best Fish, Raw Bar, and Seafood Restaurant in Charleston a try. The menu for the week is as follows:

FIRST COURSE: (Choice of One) Chopped Salad with Romaine, Radicchio, Cherries, Toasted Almonds, & Candied Garlic Vinaigrette OR She Crab Soup.

SECOND COURSE: (Choice of One) Crab Cakes with Whipped Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, & Sweet Onion Remoulade OR Shrimp & Grits with Tasso & Roasted Tomato Cream OR Pan Roasted Golden Tilefish with Steamed Rice, & Oyster Stew.

THIRD COURSE: (Choice of One) Coconut Pie OR Chocolate Terrine.

 Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar is located at 205 East Bay Street in the French Quarter District. Click here to make reservations at the restaurant for Charleston Restaurant Week. 

3 for $20 Special at the Swamp Fox during CRW

Charleston Restaurant Week, from January 12-22 is a great opportunity to enjoy the world-renowned cuisine of the Lowcountry as participating restaurants offer prix fixe menus consisting of three items for one price. That week, the Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar in the historic Francis Marion Hotel has created a lovely 3-course menu for $20:

APPETIZERS: (Choice of) Charleston She Crab Soup with Lump Crabmeat and Sherry; Fried Green Tomatoes with Crisp and Flavorful Breading, Served with Fresh Goat Cheese and Sweet-Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Jelly over a Bed of Baby Greens; OR Charleston Crab Cake Accented with Bell Pepper and Onion, Served with a Spicy Rémoulade Sauce.

ENTREES: (Choice of) Award Winning Shrimp and Grits in a Lobster and Tasso Ham Gravy with Bell Peppers and Vidalia Onions over Stone Ground Anson Mill’s Pepper Jack Grits; Chicken and Dumplings with Local Vegetables and Prestige Farms Chicken in a Flavorful Herb Gravy; Apple Wood Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin Served with Mash Potatoes and Braised Collard Greens, Finished with an Apple Cider Demi; OR Southern Fried Flounder Golden Brown Filets with a Spicy Carolina Peach Glaze, Served with Red Rice and Sautéed Green Beans.

DESSERTS: (Choice of) Caramel Apple Tart of Granny Smith Apples, Cream Cheese, and Puff Pastry Served with an Apple Cider Reduction; Banana Pudding with Alternating Layers of Vanilla Wafers and Bourbon Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream; OR Chocolate Crème Brulee with Rich Chocolate Custard Topped with a Hard Caramel Served with Fresh Berries. 

The Swamp Fox Restaurant and Bar is located at 387 King St. in the Upper King District on the bottom floor of the Francis Marion Hotel. For reservations, Call (843) 724-8888.

Osteria la Bottiglia Menu Choices for Charleston Restaurant Week This Month

 Osteria la Bottiglia is serving up two 3-course menus of your choice for just $30 during Charleston Restaurant Week January 12-22. Stop by the restaurant and enjoy these savory Italian offerings:

MENU 1: Traditional Sicilian Fish Soup, Rigatoni Pasta with Shrimp and Spinach in a Saffron Cream Sauce, and House Dessert

MENU 2: Sliced Northern Italian Beef Carpaccio with Artichokes and Arugula, Handmade Italian Sausage Ravioli with Wild Mushroom Cream Sauce, and House Dessert.

 Osteria la Bottiglia is located at 420 King Street in the Upper KIng Design District in historic downtown Charleston. For Charleston Restaurant Week reservations, call 843-727-4158.

 

Try Il Cortile Del Re's 3-Course Menu During Charleston Restaurant Week - Jan. 12-22

Charleston Restaurant Week is back for 2012 and for more than a week, you can try some delicious discounted menus at your favorite restaurants or try something new!  From January 12th to the 22nd be sure to stop by Il Cortile del Re who will be offering an amazing 3-course menu for $30: 

APPETIZERS: Cozze Alla Diavola- Sauteed Mussels in a Spicy Tomato/Garlic Broth topped with Fresh Parsley OR Insalate Italiana- Mixed Greens, Shredded Carrots, Roasted Peppers, Black Olives, and Tomatoes in a Red Wine Vinegar Dressing.

ENTREES: Coscio D'Agnello Al Forno- Braised Lamb Shank served over Garlic Mashed Potatoes in a Sage/Pancette Lamb Jus OR Penne Ai Tre Sapori- Penne Pasta with Sauteed Asparagus, Pancetta, and Wild Mushrooms in a Light Cream Sauce.

DESSERTS: Housemade Tiramisu OR Lemon Sorbet.

 Il Cortile del Re is located at 193-A King Street in the King Street Antique District. To make reservations, call 843-853-1888.