For Immediate Release, June 2018
What's New in the Charleston Area Summer 2018
WHAT’S NEW IN THE CHARLESTON, S.C. AREA: Summer 2018With its vibrant culture, rich history, exquisitely-preserved architecture, idyllic coastal location, celebrated dining scene, and friendly locals, Charleston, South Carolinais 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 (2017), 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 (2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013) and No. 1 U.S. City ranking by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards (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
IV. Accommodations
V. Tours + Exhibits
VI. Highlighted Special Events
I. ACCOLADES
#1 South’s Best City
Southern Living South’s Best Awards
The Prettiest Cities in America
BusinessInsider.com
The 50 Best Places to Live in America
BusinessInsider.com
Top-Rated Vacation Destinations in North America
Expedia.com
15 Best Getaways for a Girls Weekend
RedBookMag.com
II. NEW RESTAURANTS
Balao
16 North Market Street, Charleston | balaoseafood.com
Rooftop restaurant and brainchild of the team behind Burwell's Stone Fire Grill, Balao opened with a dynamic seafood menu on Market Street. To access the upstairs restaurant, customers enter through Burwell’s (think of Balao as a hidden speakeasy). The menu showcases fresh, locally sourced dishes, such as Ceviche, Ahi Tuna Nachos and Berenjenas La Taberna. The restaurant features cocktails perfect for rooftop season, including Summer Rosé, Frangelicao and The Irie. Opened April 2018.
Broom Wagon Coffee
1630 Ashley Hall Road, Charleston | broomwagoncoffee.com
Broom Wagon Coffee has opened as a small, family-based roastery serving micro-batch and specialty coffee. Owner Jeremias Paul placed eighth at the U.S. Coffee Roasters Championship in 2017, securing the highest ranking of a coffee roaster in the Southeast. Classified as a specialty coffee producer, Broom Wagon serves coffee and espresso drinks made especially for the Charleston area. In addition to beverages, their menu features Avocado Toast, Peanut Butter Banana Waffles and Roasted Garlic Hummus. Opened June 2018.
Chubby Fish
252 Coming Street, Charleston | facebook.com/chubby-fish
Chubby Fish, a boutique seafood restaurant, will highlight daily catches from local Lowcountry fishermen. This 1,300 square-foot space will feature an eight-seat chef's counter, 48-seat dining room and a vast craft beer program. The seafood-heavy menu will include dishes such as Chicken Fried Yellowtail Collars, Soft Shell Crab Rice Bowls and Smoked Scallop Crudo. Opening Summer 2018.
Daps
280 Ashley Avenue, Charleston | dapsbreakfast.com
Daps is an all-day breakfast establishment located in the west side of the Charleston peninsula. The casual atmosphere features rustic wooden tables and quirky wall art, accompanied by a beverage menu including breakfast wines and mimosas on-tap. Other menu items include a Chickpea Folded Egg Sandwich, The Father, Son & The Holy Toast and The Breakfast Burrito. Opened April 2018.
DECO
28 Ann Street, Charleston | decocharleston.com
DECO Nightclub is Charleston’s newest upscale dance club. The 5,000 square-foot space boasts an expansive dance floor, a large granite bar, mirrored DJ booth and 12 raised VIP booths. The VIP tables hold 20 people comfortably and come with a bottle service experience for guests to enjoy. In addition to a nightclub, DECO serves as a venue for wedding receptions, birthday celebrations and corporate events. Opened April 2018.
El Jefe Texican Cantina
468 King Street, Charleston | eljefechs.com
El Jefe Texican Cantina has opened on upper King Street as the newest Tex-Mex restaurant downtown. The 4,500 square-foot space features booth, table and bar seating where guests can enjoy a laid-back atmosphere. The menu consists of Texican-inspired dishes such as Ribeye Steak Tacos, the Texican Pho and Hot Sizzler Plates. Customers can choose from a selection of signature handcrafted cocktails including the El Jefe Super Premium Margarita and the Nitro-Rita, mixed at the table and frozen with liquid nitrogen. Opened May 2018.
Joséphine Wine Bar
64 Spring Street, Charleston | josephinewinebar.com
Located in the Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood, Joséphine Wine Bar will open as a chef-driven, modern French bar and bistro. Its name comes from the first French empress who was said to have possessed the best wines of her time. The bistro’s wine list will focus heavily on wines from France. Joséphine will feature Parisian-inspired dishes such as Black Pepper Whipped Fromage de Vache and Chicken a la Plancha. Opening Summer 2018.
Middle Street Market
2213 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island |middlestreetmarket.com
Owned and operated by the Home Team BBQ team, Middle Street Market opened on Sullivan’s Island just in time for summer. Everything on the shelves of Middle Street Market has been carefully curated from local vendors to provide visitors an authentic taste of Charleston. The market menu features made-to-order sandwiches, salad, sides and gourmet snack options, including the Bachman’s Cubano and Miss Peggy’s Chicken Salad. Opened May 2018.
Nimbo Pizza
161 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston | nimbopizza.com
Nimbo Pizza, an easy-going Italian eatery, has opened in the heart of the Medical University of South Carolina campus. The menu is creatively space-themed with items such as Cheesy Crater Fries, Houston We Have a Pizza and the Rocketman Meatball Hoagie. The restaurant provides free delivery to the MUSC campus and express delivery around the peninsula. Opened April 2018.
Parcel 32
442 King Street, Charleston | parcel32.com
Housed in a historic Charleston single house, Parcel 32 is a Lowcountry eatery featuring the flavors and heritage of the coastal South in a refined, yet laid-back, atmosphere. Executive Chef Shaun Sells is nationally recognized for his culinary expertise, named a top “30 Under 30” Chef by Zagat and nominated for a Rising Star by StarChefs. Parcel 32’s menu showcases produce from local farms and fishermen, including menu items such as Cast Iron Seared Steak Fish, Josper Open Broiler Hen and Chilled Corn Silk Poached Shrimp. Opened June 2018.
Playa Taco
735 Coleman Blvd, Mount Pleasant | playataco.net
Located in the heart of Mount Pleasant, Playa Taco blends SoCal culture with traditional Mexican cuisine to create a new spin on tacos and tapas. From the Grilled Street Corn to the Adobo Chicken Taco, the menu includes everything you need to curb those taco cravings. Opened April 2018.
Revival
162 East Bay St, Charleston | revivalcharleston.com
Charleston's art hotel, The Vendue, has opened its newest restaurant, Revival, providing modern Southern cuisine. With Executive Chef Forrest Parker at the helm, the restaurant's menu focuses on recipes and ingredients highlighting South Carolina's past, including Jimmy Red grits and the Bradford Watermelon. Former upscale dining option at The Vendue, Drawing Room, has been converted to a lobby lounge serving daily breakfast and evening cocktails. Opened June 2018.
The Establishment
28 Broad Street, Charleston | establishmentchs.com
The Establishment opens on bustling Broad Street in the historic James Gregorie House, which dates back to 1791. The restaurant features an 18-seat bar, 140-seat dining room with an open kitchen, a chef’s communal table and a private dining room. Formerly of FIG and The Park Cafe, Chef Matt Canter’s menu features coastal flavors and local seafood, including a Triggerfish Crudo with Calabrian Chile and a Nantucket Bay Scallop with Meyer Lemon. Opened May 2018.
The Proof Pool Bar
1503 King St, Charleston | workshopcharleston.com/events
Each Saturday, find Craig Nelson and Sam Gabrielli of acclaimed King Street cocktail bar Proof serving up frozen drinks, summer-inspired cocktails, fun drinks for kids and a curated selection of wine and beer on the outdoor patio of trendy Charleston food court Workshop. Opened April 2018.
Tradd’s
167 East Bay Street, Charleston | instagram.com/tradds
Fleet Landing co-owners Tradd and Weesie Newton will open Tradd’s as a traditional American eatery on Charleston’s historic East Bay Street. Tradd’s first floor dining room will feature an intimate champagne bar alongside a menu of “old-school favorites.” The second floor will serve as an event space for parties and gatherings. Opening Summer 2018.
Uncork
476 King Street, Charleston | uncorkcharleston.com
Uncork has opened on upper King Street as a self-serve wine bar. With a state-of-the-art wine dispensing system, customers choose from one-ounce, two-ounce or four-ounce pours from more than 40 wines on-tap. The menu features a wide variety of wines including selections from Lebanon, South Africa and Greece. In addition to beverages, Uncork serves light snacks including Charcuterie, Black Capelin Iceland Caviar and a plethora of macaroons prepared by Saveurs Du Monde. Opened June 2018.
III. RESTAURANT NEWS
Tavern & Table
100 Church St, Mt Pleasant | tavernandtable.com
Chef Ray England has joined Tavern & Table as the new executive chef. Chef England has worked with the Tavern & Table team to develop a new and exciting menu full of delicious Lowcountry eats such as Bull’s Bay Oysters, a Roasted Beet Salad and a Surf and Turf Burger topped with Lobster Fondue, shrimp and crab. Chef England’s menu debuted June 2018.
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 will feature 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 will serve as executive chef to 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. The Hotel Bennett will boast a rooftop pool with cabanas, a luxury spa, event and meeting space, French patisserie and Charleston’s first classic Ladies Bar, featuring reclaimed pink marble and a mirrored ceiling. Opening Fall 2018.
Hotel Indigo
250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd | mountpleasantlyindigo.com
Hotel Indigo, located just minutes from downtown Charleston will open as a modern, boutique-style hotel with 158 rooms that will provide guests with an unmatched Charleston experience. Hotel Indigo will boast 6,000 square-feet of meeting space, a full-service restaurant featuring local dishes, a gym, complete with a yoga room, and a resort-style pool. The hotel’s location will make for a quick and comfortable drive to Charleston’s beautiful beaches, award-winning golf courses, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, plantations, gardens and numerous other Charleston area attractions. Opening July 2018.
V. TOURS + EXHIBITS
South Carolina Historical Society Museum
100 Meeting Street, Charleston | schistory.org/museum/#exhibits
The South Carolina Historical Society (SCHS) will unveil the new South Carolina Historical Society Museum in the fully-renovated Robert Mills Fireproof Building in downtown Charleston. Drawing from the society's vast archives, much of which has never been displayed publicly, the new museum will showcase 300+ years of South Carolina history through the artifacts, personal treasures and hand-written accounts of those who experienced it themselves. The Robert Mills Fireproof Building is a National Historic Monument that was constructed in 1826 by Robert Mills – America's first architect and creator of The Washington Monument. Hailed by Architectural Digest as one of the "Most Noteworthy Museums Opening This Year," the new SCHS Museum will open this fall following a $6.8 million dollar renovation of the building. Opening September 2018.
VI. HIGHLIGHTED SPECIAL EVENTS
Patriots Point 4th of July Blast, July 4, 2018
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 5 – 16, 2018
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.
10th Annual Lowcountry Jazz Festival, September 1 – 2, 2018
lowcountryjazzfestival.com
The Lowcountry Jazz Festival, South Carolina's premiere annual Smooth Jazz event, celebrates its 10th Anniversary in 2018 in a dynamic new venue - the Charleston Gaillard Center - and with a stellar lineup of superstar artists and up and coming instrumentalists and vocalists. The festival continues its Labor Day weekend tradition, kicking off Saturday, September 1.
Shaggin' on the Cooper, April 28 - September 8, 2018
charlestoncountyparks.com/shaggin
Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready for Shaggin’ on the Cooper! Live music of all varieties will fill the air as local bands perform throughout the season at the Mount Pleasant Pier, the perfect spot to catch cool breezes, beautiful scenery and views of Charleston Harbor and the Ravenel Bridge.
35th Annual Moja Arts Festival, September 27 - October 7, 2018
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.”
