Thank you all for your "heartfelt" assisstance. I guess by "Charleston" experience, I mean atmosphere of the venue, and wonderful examples of local specialties. For instance, I can find fine French or Italian dining here in Toronto, or for that matter, food from countless countries/ethnic backgrounds in the world, but I'm sure it would be next to impossible to find she-crab soup or shrimp on grits here. So that's the combination I'm looking for. Local flavor in the surroundings, and local, excellent dishes.

After reading that you're looking for "local flavor in the surroundings and local, excellent dishes", I am seconding leahinsc's recommendation of the Hominy Grill. It's a bit off the beaten tourist path and has a wonderful down home atmosphere. With its white beaded board walls and mismatched chairs, it sort of reminds me of a cheerful grandmother's kitchen. The food there is southern cooking with a slightly modern twist. Their shrimp and grits are my favorite version of the dish.

Perhaps I should have said "Patrick, don't be so defensive". No one is unfriendly. I just thought writing it that way would sugarcoat it. The only person responding to my comment, was you. Therefore, I rest my case.
P. S. Why the quotation marks around animosity. I did not use that word.

Sorry about the quotation marks. I tend to use a lot of them to actually quote, to indicate a sort of slang word, or simply to emphasize.

And frankly I don't think it's necessarily defensive to further explain what you mean. I felt I was clarifying why I made the suggestion I did. And I'm sorry, but when I've explained in my first post that we were the only "tourists" (oops, see, there I go again) on the whole second floor, and then have someone say the place is too touristy, it seemed I needed to re-explain my situation. If someone said North Florida is cool in January and then someone else said it's warm, I don't think it would be overly defensive to give statistics of what the actual temperatures are.

I just think that on an opinion type board, people need to be aware that they are going to get at least two different opinions of almost anything. And I don't see why that's bad, or why either side trying to explain their opinion is bad either. Just so it doesn't resort to some bad mouthing or name calling. Certainly here it was neither.

I agree with the 82 Queen or Poogan's Porch for a Charleston experience. They are charming, old South type places, that remind you of having a mint julip. And since you will be visiting for the day, they are both located in the area where you may enjoying walking through the homes, market, shops, etc.
SNOB is very nice too, but a more modern Charleston.
I had brunch at Hominy Grill this past weekend, and really enjoyed it. But, it is kinda out of the way, especially for a one day visit.
Whatever you select, enjoy your visit.

Hi Patrick
Point taken. It is a forum, and it is helpful to have different opinions/viewpoints. I find out so much from these posts. Thanks to you and other posters.
Annie