For Immediate Release, April 2019
What's New in the Charleston Area Spring 2019
WHAT’S NEW IN THE CHARLESTON, S.C. AREA: Spring 2019With its vibrant culture, rich history, exquisitely-preserved architecture, idyllic coastal location, celebrated dining scene, and friendly locals, Charleston, South Carolina, is one of America’s best-loved travel destinations. Readers of leading travel magazines have consistently voted for Charleston as their favorite domestic travel destination, resulting in the No. 1 Small U.S. City (2018), the No. 1 City in the World (2016) and the No. 1 City in the U.S. and Canada ranking by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013) and the No. 1 U.S. City ranking by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011).
The Charleston area is a bustling epicenter of hospitality as illustrated by the following news.
I. Accolades
II. New Restaurants
III. Restaurant News
III. Accommodations
IV. Retail
V. Tours + Exhibits
VI. Highlighted Special Events
I. ACCOLADES
No. 1 South’s Best City
Southern Living
The Worlds Most Romantic Places
CNN.com
The Thrilling Destinations You Need to Visit in 2019
DailyMail.CO.UK
Best Places to Visit in the USA
Travel.USNews.com
14 Best Places To Travel in the US in 2019
Forbes.com
II. NEW RESTAURANTS
Babas on Cannon
11 Cannon Street, Charleston | babasoncannon.com
This old-world cafe is housed in a former downtown barbershop with high-ceilings and a beautiful white marble bar. Babas on Cannon was named among “The South’s Best New Bars” in Garden & Gun. Inspired by pincho bars in Spain, aperitivos in Italy and small cafes in France, the menu includes Pickled Shrimp and Brioche Grilled Cheese. The European-style eatery serves coffee and house-made pastries in the morning, sandwiches and salads in the afternoon and proper apértivo service in the evening, including delicious wines, killer cocktails and crave-able snacks. Opened October 2018.
Baker & Brewer
94 Stuart Street, Charleston | bakerandbrewer.com
The love child of Holy City Brewing and Evo Pizzeria, Baker & Brewer pairs wood-fired pizza, a bakery and innovative craft beer all under one roof. The establishment boasts a five-barrel brewhouse, commercial and craft bakery, as well as a restaurant featuring a spacious outdoor patio. The five-barrell system serves more than 20 beers on tap. Opening Spring 2019.
Big Bad Breakfast
456 Meeting Street, Charleston | bigbadbreakfast.com/locations/charleston-sc
James Beard Award-Winning Chef John Currence will open his sixth Big Bad Breakfast (BBB) in downtown Charleston. Having grown a loyal following in Oxford, Mississippi, the restaurant became famous for its old-school atmosphere and all-day brunch concept. The Charleston BBB will be tailored to reflect the uniqueness of the Lowcountry and the menu will feature local produce, protein and artisan products. Menu items will include Tabasco Brown Sugar Bacon, Crispy Southern Fried Chicken, Original Grit Girl Grits and Anson Mills Steel Cut Oatmeal. Opening Spring 2019.
Doar Brothers
225 Meeting Street, Charleston | doarbros.com
Doar Brothers opens as Meeting Street’s newest cocktail bar. The 35-seat establishment boasts quality fare, fine spirits and modern cocktails such as the Little Darling with lemon sorbetto, cava and rose water and the French Huguenot with gin, truffles and Dolin dry. In addition, the kitchen offers light snacks including Local Snapper Crudo and Brown Butter Popcorn with truffle salt. Opened December 2018.
Estadio Charleston
33 Spring Street, Charleston | instagram.com/estadiochs
Washington D.C. based restaurant Estadio will open a second location in downtown Charleston on the site of a former church. While the dishes at Estadio Charleston will not diverge in style or theme from the D.C. spot, the forthcoming Charleston location will provide even greater opportunities to celebrate local Lowcountry ingredients into Estadio’s Spanish framework. The menu will feature favorites such as Foie Gras Scrambled Eggs with Black Truffle Butter, Salt-Cod Crudo and Galician-style Scallops and Trumpet Mushrooms. Opening Spring 2019.
Kwei Fei
1997 Maybank Highway, Charleston | kweifei.com
Kwei Fei, a popular pop-up, has opened a permanent restaurant on James Island. Inspired by the vibrant cuisine of western China the menu features Crescent Dumplings, Dry Rubbed Wings and Yu Xiang Pork Slivers. In addition, the restaurant offers a selection of beers, wines and cocktails, including a pepper-infused Sichuan Negroni. Opened November 2018.
Kid Cashew
1440 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mount Pleasant | kidcashewcharleston.com
Charlotte-based restaurant Kid Cashew has opened a second location in Mount Pleasant. The restaurant cooks Mediterranean food with no fryers, no heat lamps and no microwaves. Kid Cashew offers a wide variety of delicious options including a Chicken Avocado Sandwich and a Flame-Grilled Domestic Lamb Burger served with kasseri cheese, arugula, tzatziki and red onion marmalade on a local brioche bun. Opened October 2018.
Maison
708 King Street, Charleston | instagram.com/maisonbistrochs
The Ordinary vets, Chef de Cuisine Carlton 'Vandy' Vanderwarker and Bartender Will Love will co-own Maison, Charleston’s newest spot for authentic French cuisine. Nestled in a prime location between Leon’s Oyster Shop and Little Jack’s Tavern, Maison will open as a 60-seat french bistro located on upper King Street. The establishment will provide delicious and polished food with a high-energy atmosphere. Opening Spring 2019.
Malagón
22 Spring Street, Charleston | instagram.com/malagoncharleston
Enjoy a taste of Spain in Charleston at Malago?n, created by restaurateurs Patrick and Fanny Panella, who opened French favorite Chez Nous in Charleston in 2014. Malagón’s wine, menu and atmosphere are an ode to Spain. The new restaurant offers tapas, such as Rossejat Negro, as well as market goods including Spanish olive oil and cuttlefish ink. Opened March 2019.
Paddock & Whiskey
1962 Maybank Highway, Charleston | paddockandwhisky.com
Inspired by a passion for whiskey, neighborhood bar Paddock & Whiskey educates its patrons on the stories behind each whiskey with more than 50 bourbon options available. Executive Chef at Home Team BBQ Taylor Garrigan, winner of Food Network’s Chopped, created the snack menu that includes Muffuletta and Turkey Russian sandwiches. The restaurant features a hand-burned wood bar, a large garage-style retractable window and an outside patio. The beverage menu offers renditions of classic cocktails including Sazerac, Manhattan, Maple Old Fashioned and Brown Derby. Opened November 2018.
Pink Cactus
100 Spring Street, Charleston | instagram.com/pinkcactus.chs
Pink Cactus opened as a Mexican restaurant focusing specifically on dishes native to the south-central city of Oaxacan, Mexico. The menu includes a wide array of salsas, house-made masa tortillas, Tacos Carnitas and Pato Manchamantales. The beverage menu offers traditional Aquas Frescas and agave spirits including the Aqua De Pepino and the Flor De Jamaica. Opened March 2019.
Poke Bros
664-H1 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant | eatpokebros.com
After the soaring popularity of poké bowl food chains across America, Poke Bros has opened their eleventh location in Mount Pleasant. The restaurant serves Hawaiian style poké with mouth-watering cubed fish alongside vegetables and traditional flavorings on a bed of steamed rice. Menu items include signature bowls such as Johnny Utah, High Tide and a Build Your Own Bowl, which allows guests to customize their poké experience. Opened October 2018.
RuRu’s Tacos + Tequila
159 East Bay Street, Charleston | rurustacosclt.com
RuRu’s Tacos & Tequila is the brain-child of former Moe’s Southwest Grill Co-Owner Martin Sprock, who is no stranger to Mexican cuisine. After RuRu’s success in Charlotte, Sprock fell in love with Charleston and opened the establishment on bustling East Bay Street. The menu features starters such as a Bend & Snap Salad and I’m Nacho Bae accompanied perfectly with thirst-quenching margaritas. Opened February 2019.
The Royal Tern
3005 Maybank Highway, Charleston | theroyaltern.com
Nestled in the heart of Johns Island, The Royal Tern is a family restaurant and neighborhood eatery. The restaurant serves freshly prepared seafood and wood-fired grilled steaks, as well as seafood towers, carpaccios and ceviches from the raw bar. Opened January 2019.
Wild Common
103 Spring Street, Charleston | wildcommoncharleston.com
Wild Common, sister property to popular event venue Cannon Green, is the latest venture of Easton Porter Group. Wild Common delivers hyper-seasonal ingredients featuring bold, uncomplicated flavors displayed in artful presentations. Guests may enjoy a glimpse behind-the-scenes from an eight-seat, interactive Chef’s Counter in front of the open format kitchen, private dining at the exclusive Chef’s Table overlooking an outdoor courtyard and an intimate tasting-menu experience in the newly-designed dining room. The playful tasting menu rotates seasonally with two options for each of the four courses, while the beverage menu offers wine pairings and cocktails with creative names such as the “How Beastly the Bourgeois Is,” served with vodka, passion fruit, chili simple syrup, mint and lime. Opened March 2019.
III. RESTAURANT NEWS
Meeting at Market
120 Market Street, Charleston | belmond.com/charlestonplace
Chef Jorge Soto of Meeting at Market, located in Belmond Charleston Place, has added new flavor to the menu. The addition of four new dishes has brought more offerings to both the appetizer and sandwich selections. Soto created a comfort food favorite, Beer Cheese Fries, by using Yuengling Lager as the base of the warm cheese sauce, and garnishing with bacon and green onions. Another new dish is the Open Faced Gyro Sandwich which features Texas Toast with Tzatziki drizzle.
The Parlour at Parcel 32
442 King Street, Charleston | parcel32.com
The Parlour at Parcel 32 has opened as Charleston’s newest second-story cocktail lounge overlooking King Street. Similar to its downstairs counterpart, Parcel 32, The Parlour brings guests an inviting space to enjoy handcrafted cocktails and local cuisine. The upscale cocktail lounge features a full bar with a focus on classic libations and menu items such as Oysters Rock’d and Pecan Meal Hush Puppies. In addition, The Parlour hosts weekly specials, live music nights and pop-up events. Opened January 2019.
IV. ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel Bennett
404 King Street, Charleston | hotelbennett.com
Overlooking Charleston’s historic Marion Square, Hotel Bennett is located in the heart of downtown Charleston. This luxurious hotel features 179 guest rooms and suites, a signature restaurant with spectacular views of Marion Square and a sophisticated lounge and bar. Chef Michael Sichel of the iconic New Orleans fine-dining establishment Galatoire's serves as executive chef to Gabrielle, Hotel Bennett’s signature restaurant. Nationally renowned for his culinary expertise, Sichel has appeared in Travel Channel’s Food Paradise, Bravo TV’s Top Chef: New Orleans and has been a featured guest at the Charleston Wine + Food Festival. Hotel Bennett boasts a rooftop pool with cabanas, a luxury spa, event and meeting space, French patisserie and Camellias, a classic bar featuring reclaimed pink marble and a mirrored ceiling. Opened January 2019.
V. RETAIL
Blo Blow Dry Bar
430 King Street, Charleston | blomedry.com
Blo Blow Dry Bar specializes in catwalk-quality blowouts, updos and styling at an affordable price. The haircare service has opened their second Lowcountry location on King Street. Opened January 2019.
The Works
137 President Street, Charleston | theworkschs.com
Yoga studio The Works is moving to a brand new location on Meeting Street this spring. In the meantime, catch a sweaty vinyasa flow at one of their temporary locations downtown, on President Street, or on Sullivan’s Island. Former Co-Owner of Charleston Power Yoga Sarah Frick is the mastermind behind the unique workout concept, which encompasses a dynamic blend of powerful vinyasa yoga, meditation, breath work, plyometrics, core and strength work. Opening Spring 2019.
VII. TOURS + EXHIBITS
The Spirits of Magnolia Cemetery
70 Cunnington Avenue, Charleston | bulldogtours.com
Voted Charleston’s “Best Tour Company” nine years and counting, Bulldog Tours will launch the first-ever “Spirits of Magnolia Cemetery” tour. Home to 35,000 permanent residents including poets, artists, soldiers, politicians, bootleggers and socialites, Magnolia is Charleston’s oldest public cemetery. The tours are the first official tours of the historic site, previously off-limits to commercial tour companies. Launching Spring 2019.
Rainbow Row Walking Tour
14 Anson Street, Charleston | oldsouthcarriage.com
Old South Carriage Company has launched a Rainbow Row Walking Tour. On this tour, visitors are guaranteed to see Charleston’s iconic Rainbow Row, water views from Charleston’s iconic Battery and numerous historic mansions. The tour explores hidden alleys and quaint by-ways that are inaccessible to carriages and motor coaches.
VIII. HIGHLIGHTED SPECIAL EVENTS
72nd Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens, March 13 – April 18, 2019
historiccharleston.org
Peek behind the garden gates and porch doors of the Charleston peninsula’s most intriguing private residences during these award-winning tours and educational events. The Festival of Houses and Gardens showcases Charleston’s distinctive history, architecture, gardens and culture.
Volvo Car Open, March 30 - April 7, 2019
volvocaropen.com
The Volvo Car Open, the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America, will host its 47th event on Daniel Island. The highly anticipated competition features the best in women’s professional tennis, welcoming more than 100 of the top tennis players in the world to the Lowcountry. The nine-day tournament showcases singles draw of 56 players, a qualifying draw of 32 players and a doubles draw of 16 players. In addition, the event boasts an average attendance of 90,000.
North Charleston Arts Festival, May 1 – 5, 2019
northcharlestonartsfest.com
The North Charleston Arts Festival features five full days of events highlighting more than 100 national, regional and local artists and performers in the areas of dance, music, theatre, visual arts, crafts, photography, media arts and literature.
Spoleto Festival USA, May 24 - June 9, 2019
spoletousa.org
Since its inception in 1977, this acclaimed arts festival has illuminated traditional and unexpected venues, including the College of Charleston’s Cistern Yard, with performances by talented artists from around the world. Scores of venues hum with the energy of opera, jazz, theatre, orchestral, chamber, contemporary music, literary and visual artists during this internationally renowned compendium of talent. Residents eschew their relaxed lifestyle for a frenetically paced stint of art, culture, fashion, festivities and fine dining.
Piccolo Spoleto, May 25 - June 9, 2019
piccolospoleto.com
Produced by the City of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs, this companion to Spoleto Festival USA offers hundreds of family-friendly events open to the public. Piccolo Spoleto’s traditional program offers visual art exhibits, classical music, jazz, dance, theatre, poetry readings, children’s activities, choral music, ethnic cultural presentations, crafts and film.
