r0xyyyy

I'll be visiting the Charleston area next weekend (from NYC!) for a wedding. Getting in Thursday, staying until Sunday. I'll be staying in a rented house with the bride's family Thursday through Sunday morning near Hollywood, close to the venue, but my boyfriend and I have decided to stay for an extra night into Monday...

We're free to roam on our own ALL day Sunday (we have a car rented) and are staying at Charleston Place Hotel on Sunday night. Need three tips:

1) What to do during the day on Sunday? Note: I LOVE a good brunch, particularly with unlimited/bottomless mimosas (does that exist in Charleston?). But what else?
2) Dinner suggestions on a Sunday night for two
3) Bar suggestions on a Sunday night, post-dinner

Any help would be appreciated! My boyfriend and I are 26/27 yrs old, by the way! Just trying to have fun but also experience the city for the beauty I hear it holds!

suewoo

Since you have such a short time I say skip the beaches and concentrate on the Historic District. Charleston Place is very nice.

1) Take a carriage ride first thing. Just go to the corner of Meeting and Anson and get in line. My favorite brunch is at High Cotton. No bottomless mimosas but in the heat, you'll want to limit your intake : D. I like the island cocktail there. If you want a view and a little less upscale, go to Fleet Landing.

2) For dinner look at Peninsula Grill. It's right across from the hotel and it's excellent. Also look at Magnolia's or 82 Queen for something a little more traditional.

3) Cypress has a beautiful upstairs bar. Stars Grill Room, Vendue Inn and Market Pavilion have rooftop bars.

Be sure to take time just to walk around. Charleston really is special. And don't expect much down in Hollywood! It's pretty remote. I think I know where you'll be-I've been to several weddings out there, and the venue is lovely. But remote.

Gretchen

Check whether the wedding party will be having anything on Sunday for out of towners. It is pretty common in the south to have a brunch the day after the wedding. Of course, you can always opt out of it. Sue has given you all the dish! Have fun--you'll want to come back!!

Gretchen

Sue, if they had any free time on Friday--or if the wedding is in the evening, could they go to a plantation from Hollywood?
I just looked at a cool map of Charleston area and sort of put some things together I hadn't really known.

suewoo

Hey, Gretchen,

It's certainly possible, but it's a little tricky. and the roads are dark. 17 crawls with police on weekends (apparently Hollywood can get busy) so I'm not sure I'd suggest doing that when night driving is necessary.

swalter518

I agree with Suewoo's suggestions. (She's never led me wrong on my visits!) For a more causal meal, Jestine's is great- out of this world pecan crusted chicken.

suewoo

Hey swaler518!

suewoo

Ok so I tried to back it up on the iPad and it submitted instead. Let me try again.

Hi, swalter518! Did I see you're planning another trip?

And Gretchen, I misread your post. Yes, Hollywood is not too far from plantation row. If the visits are in the day no prob.

There is a really great place called Fish Net. It's hard to see, but it's right next to Dodges chicken where you turn to get from 17 over to 68. Not at all fancy but excellent shrimp fried while you wait. FYI for those driving south of town.

r0xyyyy

Thank you all so much for your suggestions! I should really turn on my email notifications - I didn't think anyone had responded to my post yet! Haha.

The wedding is actually ON a plantation in Hollywood (Olde Wide Awake Plantation) which I'm very excited about as we'll get to experience that very up close and personal! Which means that we're also very okay with sticking to downtown Charleston Sunday.

I've read great reviews about Peninsula Grill and 82 Queen. How would you compare the both of those to Husk, FIG and Poogan's Porch? I know that most of them are all American cuisine, with Poogan's and 82 Queen focusing on true Southern style fare, correct? I guess that's our catch... Coming from NYC, we get to constantly experience all sorts of genres of food, so getting a REAL lowcountry, South Carolinian dinner with a more high-end, romantic atmosphere is ideal. Seems like an oxymoron though - does a place like that exist?

Sue - I will absolutely keep an eye on High Cotton for brunch. The menu is RIGHT in line with mine and my boyfriend's tastes. Thanks for that suggestion, as well as the rooftop bars... In love with them!

suewoo

All of them are traditional-you'll get real Southern food, believe me. Poogan's is okay. It used to be ahead of its time. Now it's just ok, and I think you'd be happier elsewhere. 82 Queen has a lovely patio and is my favorite for outdoor seating. Husk runs up and down. FIG is my favorite restaurant in Charleston. It's been consistently great, farm-to-table before it was so trendy. The pate is the best I've ever had.

But you want high end romantic, book Peninsula Grill. It's wonderful. The coconut cake is outstanding.

Take a look at the menus on line, understanding that FIG, Peninsula and High Cotton all will have fresh specials that won't be listed.