Charleston, SC recs

[Nathan_V]

just back from Savannah and Charleston, the former a waste of time. Love Charleston, second visit. Agree that Covid seems a non-issue, as I felt completely irresponsible in a couple places where we were packed in and without any safeguards. This includes FIG, good but not great this visit.
…
FIG was solid but not real inventive. Last visit was better in 2017. Reservation system difficult. Real crowded. Real crowded.

Yeah, I’ve never liked Savannah and doubt I’ll ever go again of my own accord.

FIG is totally dated (not inventive by today’s standard) but expertly executed (both of our dishes, from 2004, were perfectly cooked and balanced). Again, I’m in awe of a restaurant that has been around for so long and is still so busy and executing at a high level. This is a very tough and fickle business. We were in the dining room and I didn’t find it crowded (although almost all tables were full when we arrived) at all but we had a late reservation. In fact, I was wondering why they didn’t have more seats. They could have squeezed in 8 or more no problem. The round tables make that more difficult.

[M.Kaplan]

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[K_John_Joseph]

I’ll be in Charleston in early May to take my mom on a little mother-son trip for her 70th. She likes champagne and seafood and grew up in New Orleans and Galveston. I’ve read every post on this thread. Was thinking Husk one night, then Leon’s and 167 Raw for lunch the next two days. Need two more dinner recos. Staying at Emeline.

I’m a little leery of Fig, given comments here. Can do Zero George and Circa 1886. I’d love a little guidance or confirmation that the lineup would be solid and varied enough, but would also like some thoughts on best things for visitors to do? Tours, museums, fun rooftop cocktails, must see parts of the city…that kind of stuff.

Thanks in advance for the input.

Cheers

[Dennis_Atick]

I’ll be in Charleston in early May to take my mom on a little mother-son trip for her 70th. She likes champagne and seafood and grew up in New Orleans and Galveston. I’ve read every post on this thread. Was thinking Husk one night, then Leon’s and 167 Raw for lunch the next two days. Need two more dinner recos. Staying at Emeline.

I’m a little leery of Fig, given comments here. Can do Zero George and Circa 1886. I’d love a little guidance or confirmation that the lineup would be solid and varied enough, but would also like some thoughts on best things for visitors to do? Tours, museums, fun rooftop cocktails, must see parts of the city…that kind of stuff.

Thanks in advance for the input.

Cheers

Husk has jumped the shark imo. I would not be leery of FIG, but that’s just my opinion. I’d definitely hit the Ordinary if you are ok with more seafood. I’ve heard good things about Tippling House and Chasing Sage for newer places, but I have not been.

Driving out to Sullivan’s Island is a nice change of pace when weather is good. Easy drive from downtown if you have a car.
Obstinate Daughter on the island is very good eats.

[Nathan_V]

I’ll be in Charleston in early May to take my mom on a little mother-son trip for her 70th. She likes champagne and seafood and grew up in New Orleans and Galveston. I’ve read every post on this thread. Was thinking Husk one night, then Leon’s and 167 Raw for lunch the next two days. Need two more dinner recos. Staying at Emeline.

I’m a little leery of Fig, given comments here. Can do Zero George and Circa 1886. I’d love a little guidance or confirmation that the lineup would be solid and varied enough, but would also like some thoughts on best things for visitors to do? Tours, museums, fun rooftop cocktails, must see parts of the city…that kind of stuff.

Thanks in advance for the input.

Cheers

Husk has jumped the shark imo. I would not be leery of FIG, but that’s just my opinion. I’d definitely hit the Ordinary if you are ok with more seafood. I’ve heard good things about Tippling House and Chasing Sage for newer places, but I have not been.

Driving out to Sullivan’s Island is a nice change of pace when weather is good. Easy drive from downtown if you have a car.
Obstinate Daughter on the island is very good eats.

Yeah, I would second Dennis. I was just in Charleston and would take my mother to both FIG and the Ordinary. I’d also take her to Chez Nous. Maybe not Chubby Fish if only because it’s louder and more of a scene.

[Steve_Crawford]

I’ll be in Charleston in early May to take my mom on a little mother-son trip for her 70th. She likes champagne and seafood and grew up in New Orleans and Galveston. I’ve read every post on this thread. Was thinking Husk one night, then Leon’s and 167 Raw for lunch the next two days. Need two more dinner recos. Staying at Emeline.

I’m a little leery of Fig, given comments here. Can do Zero George and Circa 1886. I’d love a little guidance or confirmation that the lineup would be solid and varied enough, but would also like some thoughts on best things for visitors to do? Tours, museums, fun rooftop cocktails, must see parts of the city…that kind of stuff.

Thanks in advance for the input.

Cheers

Husk has jumped the shark imo. I would not be leery of FIG, but that’s just my opinion. I’d definitely hit the Ordinary if you are ok with more seafood. I’ve heard good things about Tippling House and Chasing Sage for newer places, but I have not been.

Driving out to Sullivan’s Island is a nice change of pace when weather is good. Easy drive from downtown if you have a car.
Obstinate Daughter on the island is very good eats.

Yeah, I would second Dennis. I was just in Charleston and would take my mother to both FIG and the Ordinary. I’d also take her to Chez Nous. Maybe not Chubby Fish if only because it’s louder and more of a scene.

i would certainly say FIG has jumped the shark as well. it’s just like husk, living off the previous reputation. and the decor looks like shît and in an unironic way.

[Nathan_V]

Husk has jumped the shark imo. I would not be leery of FIG, but that’s just my opinion. I’d definitely hit the Ordinary if you are ok with more seafood. I’ve heard good things about Tippling House and Chasing Sage for newer places, but I have not been.

Driving out to Sullivan’s Island is a nice change of pace when weather is good. Easy drive from downtown if you have a car.
Obstinate Daughter on the island is very good eats.

Yeah, I would second Dennis. I was just in Charleston and would take my mother to both FIG and the Ordinary. I’d also take her to Chez Nous. Maybe not Chubby Fish if only because it’s louder and more of a scene.

i would certainly say FIG has jumped the shark as well. it’s just like husk, living off the previous reputation. and the decor looks like shît and in an unironic way.

It’s not the most design-y, no. However, the food is well executed, the room comfortable and my service has always been excellent. Furthermore, I’ve always found things to drink on the list. It’s more of a staple and a classic than something trendy that jumped the shark.

[Paul_Jaouen]

I was in Charleston last month. Food at Fig was fine. Same with Revival and The Ordinary. Circa 1886 is very special. We had a very good lunch at SNOB. This was the first restaurant we went to in Charleston many years ago. We were underwhelmed with The Grocery.

[Nathan_V]

I was in Charleston last month. Food at Fig was fine. Same with Revival and The Ordinary. Circa 1886 is very special. We had a very good lunch at SNOB. This was the first restaurant we went to in Charleston many years ago. We were underwhelmed with The Grocery.

I looked at the menu at Circa 1886 and it seemed like the traditional southern food + fancy ingredients schtick (which I’ve had a lot of living in the south). I didn’t see anything that jumped out so I’m curious what the special dishes were that you had. In the end, the wine list wasn’t for me so that made the decision. Maybe we should try it the next time down.

[James_Lyon]

We just returned from a holiday visit to Charleston for a few days last week. We did the usual line up of Little Jack’s, Leon’s, Husk, 167Raw, Circa 1886, FIG, Chez Nous and to go from Lewis. Everything was great. Some places mentioned in this thread are not open for lunch, so I would double check. Also, enjoyed lunch on Shem Creek at Vickery’s one day. Talk about a place that needs some updating, but it was good. Wine at Bin 152 a few nights before dinner and drinks at the Gin Joint before dinner at FIG.

Husk is still very good. I thought that the chicken entrée was excellent. The wine list and bourbon lists were OK. Corkage was $25, I think or waived.

Leon’s is great for oysters, fried chicken and champagne.

FIG was terrific. Probably our best dinner there in a while and it’s always very good. We ended up getting 4 starter courses and split an entrée which might be the way to go moving forward. $40 firm corkage fee. The service is top notch.

167Raw for oysters, tuna burger and Charles Towne Fermentory Sun Gazer IPA is my favorite lunch DT. If you are going, plan on an hour or two wait and plan accordingly. There’s plenty to do in that area, so it’s never a problem for us. Bin 120, antique shops, shopping, etc. are all within a 5 minute walk to 167Raw, so it’s easy to pass the time.

Circa 1886 is always great. Yes, it’s southern food, but elevated in my opinion. The menu is broken into 4 categories with a starter course, main entrée and dessert. If I remember correctly, the categories are European influence, Native influence, African influence and current day Charleston. Diners can mix and match throughout the categories and a chef’s tasting menu is available as well. There’s a nice video on their website that talks about the menu. Excellent service and probably the best wine list in DT. If you stay at a sister property to Circa, a 3 course menu is available for $55.

Chez Nous has a very limited daily menu, so check Instagram around 11 AM. The menu and pictures of the courses are usually posted before noon. If you see something that interests you, go go go. You will not be disappointed. The typical menu consists of 2 starters, 2 entrees and 2 desserts. That’s it.

I wanted to visit the Ordinary, but they were closed for lunch during our stay. Zero George is excellent as well.

There are plenty of rooftop bars in Charleston. I would suggest the Gin Joint and Doar Brothers for cocktails. Although both are operating with limited hours.

Other ideas would include breweries. Charles Towne Fermentory, Edmunds Oast and Westbrook would be my favorites.

Day trips to the nearby beaches, Fort Sumter, Patriots Point and the Hunley submarine exhibit would be worthy of consideration.

[Steve_Crawford]

We just returned from a holiday visit to Charleston for a few days last week. We did the usual line up of Little Jack’s, Leon’s, Husk, 167Raw, Circa 1886, FIG, Chez Nous and to go from Lewis. Everything was great. Some places mentioned in this thread are not open for lunch, so I would double check. Also, enjoyed lunch on Shem Creek at Vickery’s one day. Talk about a place that needs some updating, but it was good. Wine at Bin 152 a few nights before dinner and drinks at the Gin Joint before dinner at FIG.

Husk is still very good. I thought that the chicken entrée was excellent. The wine list and bourbon lists were OK. Corkage was $25, I think or waived.

Leon’s is great for oysters, fried chicken and champagne.

FIG was terrific. Probably our best dinner there in a while and it’s always very good. We ended up getting 4 starter courses and split an entrée which might be the way to go moving forward. $40 firm corkage fee. The service is top notch.

167Raw for oysters, tuna burger and Charles Towne Fermentory Sun Gazer IPA is my favorite lunch DT. If you are going, plan on an hour or two wait and plan accordingly. There’s plenty to do in that area, so it’s never a problem for us. Bin 120, antique shops, shopping, etc. are all within a 5 minute walk to 167Raw, so it’s easy to pass the time.

Circa 1886 is always great. Yes, it’s southern food, but elevated in my opinion. The menu is broken into 4 categories with a starter course, main entrée and dessert. If I remember correctly, the categories are European influence, Native influence, African influence and current day Charleston. Diners can mix and match throughout the categories and a chef’s tasting menu is available as well. There’s a nice video on their website that talks about the menu. Excellent service and probably the best wine list in DT. If you stay at a sister property to Circa, a 3 course menu is available for $55.

Chez Nous has a very limited daily menu, so check Instagram around 11 AM. The menu and pictures of the courses are usually posted before noon. If you see something that interests you, go go go. You will not be disappointed. The typical menu consists of 2 starters, 2 entrees and 2 desserts. That’s it.

I wanted to visit the Ordinary, but they were closed for lunch during our stay. Zero George is excellent as well.

There are plenty of rooftop bars in Charleston. I would suggest the Gin Joint and Doar Brothers for cocktails. Although both are operating with limited hours.

Other ideas would include breweries. Charles Towne Fermentory, Edmunds Oast and Westbrook would be my favorites.

Day trips to the nearby beaches, Fort Sumter, Patriots Point and the Hunley submarine exhibit would be worthy of consideration.

thanks for this. we usually go to charles towne fermentory and westbrook as well. edmunds oast i think isn’t in the same tier as these two.
and im glad you had a better time at FIG than I did.

[Paul_Jaouen]

I was in Charleston last month. Food at Fig was fine. Same with Revival and The Ordinary. Circa 1886 is very special. We had a very good lunch at SNOB. This was the first restaurant we went to in Charleston many years ago. We were underwhelmed with The Grocery.

I looked at the menu at Circa 1886 and it seemed like the traditional southern food + fancy ingredients schtick (which I’ve had a lot of living in the south). I didn’t see anything that jumped out so I’m curious what the special dishes were that you had. In the end, the wine list wasn’t for me so that made the decision. Maybe we should try it the next time down.

Their grilled cheese app is crazy good and needs to be for $39 and very different. I don’t think preserved rabbit is traditional southern food and neither is a chicken fried duck breast. The chestnut sauce on the venison was so so good as was the venison.

I’ve always brought my own wines when dining in Charleston. This was the first time I didn’t do that and it was a major regret. Most wine lists are heavy on new world wines of recent vintages. That is not what I like to drink.

[James_Lyon]

thanks for this. we usually go to charles towne fermentory and westbrook as well. edmunds oast i think isn’t in the same tier as these two.
and im glad you had a better time at FIG than I did.

Sorry, I would disagree. I’m not a huge sour fan, but Edmunds Oast makes world class sours.

And looking at Untappd, not that the rankings matter, but CTF - 4.06, Westbrook - 4.01 and EO - 3.90. My preference would be CTF for IPA’s, Westbrook for stouts and EO for sours.

[Steve_Crawford]

thanks for this. we usually go to charles towne fermentory and westbrook as well. edmunds oast i think isn’t in the same tier as these two.
and im glad you had a better time at FIG than I did.

My preference would be CTF for IPA’s, Westbrook for stouts and EO for sours.

we actually agree

[Nathan_V]

I was in Charleston last month. Food at Fig was fine. Same with Revival and The Ordinary. Circa 1886 is very special. We had a very good lunch at SNOB. This was the first restaurant we went to in Charleston many years ago. We were underwhelmed with The Grocery.

I looked at the menu at Circa 1886 and it seemed like the traditional southern food + fancy ingredients schtick (which I’ve had a lot of living in the south). I didn’t see anything that jumped out so I’m curious what the special dishes were that you had. In the end, the wine list wasn’t for me so that made the decision. Maybe we should try it the next time down.

Their grilled cheese app is crazy good and needs to be for $39 and very different. I don’t think preserved rabbit is traditional southern food and neither is a chicken fried duck breast. The chestnut sauce on the venison was so so good as was the venison.

I’ve always brought my own wines when dining in Charleston. This was the first time I didn’t do that and it was a major regret. Most wine lists are heavy on new world wines of recent vintages. That is not what I like to drink.

Cool, thanks. I would have ordered the rabbit had we gone. Anything chicken fried is Southern by the grace of God.

I never bring wine but found really great stuff to drink at FIG (Pattes Loup Butteaux, Kelly Fox Pinot Blanc) and the Ordinary (Prevost Les Beguines, Georges Remy Le Mont de Tauxieres, among others). We brought a bottle of Tondonia Gravonia to Chubby Fish that I bought that day at Graft, so I did BYO something. Otherwise had stuff I hadn’t heard of and nothing worth remembering. Chasing Sage was tough, we had great cocktails and luckily they had a Dirty & Rowdy on the list.

[Tom_G_l_a_s_g_o_w]

I’ll be in Charleston in early May to take my mom on a little mother-son trip for her 70th. She likes champagne and seafood and grew up in New Orleans and Galveston. I’ve read every post on this thread. Was thinking Husk one night, then Leon’s and 167 Raw for lunch the next two days. Need two more dinner recos. Staying at Emeline.

I’m a little leery of Fig, given comments here. Can do Zero George and Circa 1886. I’d love a little guidance or confirmation that the lineup would be solid and varied enough, but would also like some thoughts on best things for visitors to do? Tours, museums, fun rooftop cocktails, must see parts of the city…that kind of stuff.

Thanks in advance for the input.

Cheers

Good time for mom to visit, it’s not Hurricane season.

[Scott_Brunson]

Living here does not suck

Has anyone tried Azur?

[James_Lyon]

Or Greenville, SC with the second Lewis BBQ outpost…

I haven’t eaten at Azur, but I’ll be back in a couple of weeks for the Ryan Adams concert. I’ll add it to the list…

[TreyS]

Headed to Charleston in a couple months and interested to see if anyone has been to Sushi Wa or Honeysuckle Rose?

These restaurants intrigued me the most, but also open to prioritize some of the others mentioned here if these aren’t recommended. Thanks for the insight.

[Joe_Dulworth]

I’d check with @Scott_Brunson