For Immediate Release, July 2017
What's New in the Charleston Area Summer 2017
WHAT’S NEW IN THE CHARLESTON, S.C. AREA: SUMMER 2017With 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 City in the U.S. and Canada ranking by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013) and No. 1 Top U.S. City ranking by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards (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
IV. Accommodations
V. Venues
VI. Retail + Specialty Products
VII. Attractions
VIII. Highlighted Special Events
I. ACCOLADES
South’s Best City
Southern Living 2017 South’s Best Awards
30 Most Colorful Beach Towns Around the World
HarpersBazaar.com
No. 1 Best City for Culture in the United States
Travel + Leisure
The 20 Best Cities for Shopping
Travel + Leisure
No. 2 Best Cities for Food in the U.S.
Travel + Leisure 2016 World’s Best Awards
World’s Most Romantic Cities
Food & Wine
II. NEW RESTAURANTS
Chubby Fish
252 Coming Street, Charleston | facebook.com/chubby-fish
Chubby Fish, a boutique seafood restaurant, highlights daily catches from local fishermen. This 1,300 square foot space features an eight-seat chef's counter, 48-seat dining room and vast craft beer program. The seafood-heavy menu features dishes including Chicken Fried Yellowtail Collars, Softshell Crab Rice Bowls and Smoked Scallop Crudo. Opened April 2017.
Edison
1014 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston | edisonjamesisland.com
Edison, a casual cafe located in James Island, highlights a combination of French, Southern, Vietnamese and Italian cuisine. The eclectic menu features dishes such as Smoked Sausage Pops, Pho Tacos and Tokyo Shrimp. Opened May 2017.
Fatty’s Beer Works
1436 Meeting Street, Charleston | followfatty.com
This brewery and tasting room features high quality craft beers, including 20 beers on tap, with a focus on sours and German style brews. Beers served on tap include First Shot IPA and Musket Mule among others. Opened April 2017.
Félix
550 King Street, Charleston | felixchs.com
Restaurateur Félix Landrum is bringing a Parisian-inspired cocktail bar to King Street. Félix will offer specialty cocktails along with classic French small plates for lunch and dinner. Menu items include Coq Au Vin and Steak Frites. Opening Summer 2017.
Graft
700 King Street, Suite B, Charleston
Acclaimed Sommeliers Femi Oyediran and Miles White are opening a wine bar and shop on upper King Street. Graft, situated between Leon’s Oyster Shop and Pancito & Lefty, will be a hip hangout to sip and savor phenomenal wine. Opening Fall 2017.
Gentry Bar & Room
276 King Street, Charleston | gentrybar.com
Sip Southern spirits while enjoying Gullah-inspired specialities, including Spiced Okra Chips and Carolina Gold Gnocchi, at Gentry Bar, Charleston’s newest luxury bar that exudes Southern gentility. Opened April 2017.
Harbinger Cafe & Bakery
1107 King Street, Charleston | theharbingercafe.com
Harbinger Cafe brings sweet and savory dishes, coffee and cocktails to the Wagener Terrace neighborhood. This cozy daytime cafe offers a rotating menu of locally sourced breakfast and lunch fares, as well as happy hour drinks starting at 4 PM. Menu items include Whipped Ricotta and Honey Parfaits, Seasonal Frittatas and Tartines. Opened June 2017.
Juliet
654 King Street, Charleston | julietchs.com
Co-owners of Collective Coffee Co., Liz and Sinan Aktar, have transformed the former Butcher & Bee location into an easy-going Italian eatery. Executive Pizzaiolo Tommaso Damasco has made pizzas all over Italy. Juliet’s menu features pizza, pasta and other Italian classics including Octopus & Potato Salad, Rigatoni al Pomodoro and Margherita Pizza. Opened May 2017.
Myth Cafe
84 Society Street | cafemyth.com
Family-friendly eatery Myth Cafe offers a variety of affordable breakfast and lunch bites in Downtown Charleston. Menu items include Ham and Cheese Omelets, Smoked Salmon Bagels and Turkish Coffee. Opened April 2017.
NICO
201 Coleman Boulevard, Charleston | nicoshemcreek.com
Former Fish Chef and Culinary Executive Director Nico Romo will be opening a lively French oyster bar featuring wood-fired seafood. NICO will offer classic raw bar fare and French brasserie cuisine. Opening Summer 2017.
Purlieu
237 Fishburne Street, Charleston
Acclaimed Chef John Zucker will combine traditional European cooking with Lowcountry classic cuisine to create one-of-a-kind dishes at his newest restaurant, Purlieu. Menu items will include Ouefs en Cocotte, Chicken Liver Mousse and Braised Lamb Neck with Herb Dumplings. Opening Summer 2017.
III. RESTAURANT NEWS
Benny Ravello’s
520 King Street, Charleston | bennysva.com
Virginia-based restaurant Benny Ravello’s recently opened its second location in the heart of Charleston on King Street. This late night pizza parlor features 14-inch slices and 28-inch full pies. Guests can enjoy both take-out and dine-in seating. Opened April 2017.
Martha Lou’s Kitchen No. 2 Love and Happiness Catering
2000-Q McMillan Ave, North Charleston | marthalouskitchen.com
Martha Lou Gadsden’s granddaughter, Melanie Alston, opened a second location of Martha Lou’s Kitchen, a favored spot for soul food by local and visitors alike, in North Charleston. Guests can enjoy the acclaimed fried chicken as well as lima beans, chitterlings and cornbread. In addition, the menu boasts new vegetarian dishes. Opened April 2017.
Tradesman Brewing
1647 King Street, Charleston | tradesmanbrewing.com
James Island’s Tradesman Brewing is moving to a new location on King Street that features additional space for seating and parking, a larger outdoor patio and larger brewing capacity. Opening May 2017.
IV. ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel Bennett
404 King Street, Charleston | hotelbennett.com
Overlooking Charleston’s historic Marion Square, Hotel Bennett will be located in the heart of downtown Charleston. This luxurious hotel will feature 179 guestrooms and suites, a signature restaurant with spectacular views of Marion Square and a sophisticated lounge and bar. In addition to a rooftop pool with cabanas, Hotel Bennett will boast a luxury spa, event and meeting space, French patisserie and Charleston’s first classic Ladies Bar, boasting a reclaimed pink marble and a mirrored ceiling. Opening Spring 2018.
VENUES
Drayton Hall
3380 Ashley River Road, Charleston | draytonhall.com
Drayton Hall will be expanding its visitor experience through the construction of a new visitor center, education center, 19th century caretaker’s house and an interpretive garden. The visitor center will include an orientation hall, museum shop and exhibition galleries. The galleries will exhibit Drayton Hall’s internationally significant furniture, artwork, manuscripts and archaeological finds for the first time in history. Opening Spring 2018.
The Bend
3775 Azalea Drive, North Charleston | thebendcharleston.com
Charleston’s newest and most anticipated venue dates back to the 1600s and is now a 17-acre natural gathering place. Guest can enjoy a scenic waterfront view alongside the banks of the Ashley River while participating in cultural, musical and learning events. Opened April 2017.
VI. RETAIL + SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
Cannonborough Collective
185A St. Philip Street, Charleston | facebook.com/cannonboroughcollective.com
Local bloggers Charleston Weekender and The Tiny Tassel opened a balloon and gift shop in the heart of downtown Charleston. Cannonborough Collective is a shared space featuring local Charleston retailers such as Park & Madison, Oysters All Around and The Blue Root. Opened May 2017.
Miller Gallery
149 ½ East Bay Street, Charleston | millergallerychs.com
Charleston’s newest contemporary art gallery will be situated in the heart of the French Quarter. Miller Gallery will exhibit art from early and mid-career local and international artists including sculptures, drawings and mixed media artwork. Opening June 2017.
VII. ATTRACTIONS
Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery at South Carolina Aquarium
100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston | scaquarium.org/recovery
The new Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery provides guests the opportunity to view real-life rehabilitation of sick and injured sea turtles first-hand. The expanded Sea Turtle Care Center features upgraded tanks, an improved medical facility, interactive mock medical stations, and a classroom and object theater. In addition, the new McNair Center serves as the Aquarium’s in-house research facility for sea turtle knowledge. Opened May 2017.
HIGHLIGHTED SPECIAL EVENTS
Patriots Point 4th of July Blast, July 4
patriotspoint.org
The U.S.S. Yorktown, home of the Congressional Medal of Honor Museum, is a fitting host for this patriotic celebration that includes live music and a professional fireworks show.
Charleston Restaurant Week, September 7 – 18
charlestonrestaurantassociation.com
Charleston Restaurant Week, executed by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association, Inc. (GCRA), is one of the most highly anticipated culinary events in the Charleston area. This event provides patrons the chance to appreciate and savor the world-renowned cuisine of the Lowcountry with prix fixe menus and pricing.
9th Annual Lowcountry Jazz Festival, September 1 – 3
lowcountryjazzfestival.com
The Lowcountry Jazz Festival features three days of world-class jazz performances in the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. The festival is the primary fundraiser for Closing Gap in Health Care, a nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to decrease health disparities among the underserved.
34th Annual Moja Arts Festival, September 28 - October 8
mojafestival.com
The streets of Charleston sway with the captivating rhythm of African music while the smell of Caribbean cuisine permeates the air during this 10-day celebration of Gullah culture named for the Swahili word meaning “one.”
41st Annual Fall Tours of Homes & Gardens, October 5 – 29
preservationsociety.org
Peek at heirloom silver and meander through carefully cultivated boxwoods during these docent-led tours that invite guests into some of the Charleston area’s most historic and architecturally significant dwellings.
