Charleston lodging and restaurants

Robert_M_yers · November 28, 2019, 8:15pm

I’m a wannabe Charlestonian – have been going multiple times a year for two decades now. Things have changed a lot including adding lots of good restaurants . No longer do people scoff at me when I tell them that Charleston has one of the best food scenes in the country. In fact, two top chefs in DC were sous-chefs at McCrady’s during their long run as “the place” in Charleston.

A lot has already been covered above. One of our favorite things to do is grab some Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits (download the app and don’t stand in line – there is a location in the Market), some coffee and sit on a bench in Washington Square for breakfast. The park is surrounded by tea olives which are in bloom during fall & winter. Their jasmine like fragrance is the best!!

Scott is dead on about Lewis’ brisket, but I prefer Rodney Scott’s ribs. Locals are about 50/50 on which place they prefer, but most mention the brisket at Lewis’. Both places can have long lines, but if you go just before noon or close to 2pm the wait is shorter. I’m also a huge fan of the Grocery.

Informal places not yet mentioned:

Minero for lunch is a must for my wife and daughter.

Both Hank’s & 39 Rue de Jean are close to where you are staying. They are touristy, but the food is good.

Indaco – rustic Italian - never disappoints.

Caviar & Bananas is a Dean and DeLuca knockoff, but you can get a great bite there. They have a scaled down location in the airport if you want something before your flight.

The Bar at Husk is worth a stop for a midday drink and a bite. Most Charleston bars take mixology very seriously and you can find a great cocktail anywhere to be honest. When we first starting visiting, SC laws required all bar/restaurant spirits to be sold in miniature form. It was comical IMO. Once it went away around ’06 or ‘07, mixology really took off within a few years. Some bartenders had to learn how to mix drinks instead of dumping an entire miniature into a drink, but being able to truly mix a drink probably created the enthusiasm that’s still in place today.

I sent an email to a “local” friend asking about the Chophouse brunch and will PM you when I get a response. Dinner there is stellar!!

BTW – pedicabs are a great way to get around.

Ken, thanks for the write up. I was wondering if you ever heard back from your friend regarding the ChopHouse gospel brunch?

Paul_Miller · November 28, 2019, 8:38pm

We’ve stayed at the King Charles Inn. Nice and well located.

Ken_McNamara · December 2, 2019, 2:00pm

I apologize for not DM’ing you - had to take an unexpected emergency trip and forgot. Yes, they go with some regularity and look forward to it!!

Since you already had lodging I didn’t write about it, but we like Wentworth a lot as well as The Restoration. We’ve stayed at the Harbour View annually with the kids for about a decade now to get a few nights in town before heading to Kiawah. I’d like to try Hotel Bennett. A lot of top staff in Charleston as well as Kiawah bolted for there when it opened. Had a really nice meal in their restaurant Gabrielle last spring. The wine list was weak, but I’m certain it would’ve improved by now.

If you go to Charleston Grill then you want table 46. They have 3 two tops that are great tables.

I’d like to try Zero George, friends love it…

You really can’t go too wrong where you stay or where you eat. Just get into a “real” conversation with locals and they will point in you in good directions. Charleston has a great vibe of wanting to showcase their hospitality.

Robert_M_yers · December 2, 2019, 2:04pm

Thanks! I’ll keep the reservation then, it sounds like a good time.

Robert_M_yers · December 16, 2019, 2:52am

Thought I’d follow up with our experiences.

We didn’t really go out to eat as much as I thought due to the early shows, but our favorite by far was Lewis. That place has some incredible meats and a great patio to hang out on. Rodney Scott’s on the other hand was super disappointing, I know it’s blasphemy but to me it was basically like any city bbq here. ( I know I know the accolades). We Ordered two pounds of ribs and I couldn’t get them off the bones with my teeth! Turkey was good though, chicken and pork were just ok, but all was very Smokey if you like that style.

Halls chophouse was a very fun time for gospel brunch. Food was just fine, but the atmosphere was what we were after and that delivered. I’d ask to sit downstairs if that what your after.

First trip to Charleston, and we definitely need to return when food can be more of the focus. Thanks all for the guidance.

Robert_M_yers · December 16, 2019, 2:55am

Here’s what $100 will buy you at Lewis but I didn’t mind one bit after I tasted that brisket and beef rib!

Neal.Mollen · December 17, 2019, 7:57pm

that price is kinda crazy

M_Taylor · December 17, 2019, 9:49pm

How is the Renaissance Hotel?

M_Taylor · December 17, 2019, 9:52pm

Checked the menu, and I recall Lewis when he was a pitmaster here in Austin. The per pound prices are consistent with what we pay in Austin for BBQ. Some are a little lower, but not by much

Chris_Blum · December 17, 2019, 9:57pm

Stayed at the French Quarter inn. It was great, especially the location and the Little patios for breakfast.

Steve_Gautier · December 17, 2019, 10:12pm

We stayed there this past spring. Good location. Hotel was nice. Room was spacious and had a fridge. Breakfast buffet was small and lacking.