Charleston: Five Favorite Restaurants?
 

I have to go to Charleston (I know, poor me) for a week of software training. DH is going with me the weekend prior to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary. We have been a before, but always love to hear about fun, new restaurants or old favorites. We like casual dining--where the natives go--as well as fine dining, so dives are welcome too. Your suggestions are much appreciated!

#1 Magnolia's

#2 S.N.O.B.

#3 Anson's

#4 The Boathouse

#5 California Pizza Kitchen

Thank you, Elsiemoo! Have you ever eaten at FIG or Fish?

Magnolia's was our favorite too. :)

No, marysmommy, but have heard good things about FIG. The new one (for me) is going to be Peninsula Grill on Christmas Eve this year (going to Charleston for Christmas ... :)) Everybody raves about it ... can't wait. Magnolia's will be Christmas Day ... Have a wonderful week in Charleston.

No, marysmommy, but have heard good things about FIG. The new one (for me) is going to be Peninsula Grill on Christmas Eve this year (going to Charleston for Christmas ... :) ) Everybody raves about it ... can't wait. Magnolia's will be Christmas Day ... Have a wonderful week in Charleston.

I think my first experience with Magnolias was about 10 years ago. My wife and I had heard wonderful things about it from some friends and we decided to try it.

I was looking at the dinner menu when the waiter came over. I asked him about the Cajun clam chowder and what he thought about it. He said something like "The New York Times food critic who was here several weeks ago really loved it." I realized that I was in no ordinary restaurant and the entire meal later confirmed this. Everything was superb!

Oh yes, the Cajun clam chowder was outstanding. I wanted to lick the bowl clean - if you know what I mean.

Thanks so much for the Magnolia's endorsement. That sounds wonderful--we can't wait! We're also going to try FIG and will write a trip report when we get back.

Since we have a rental car, I think we may go to a couple of other off the beaten path places that the Times recently reported on: See Wee Restaurant and Gullah Cuisine.

ELSIEMOO, we stayed at the Planter's Inn last year and had a fabulous dinner at Peninsula Grill. Their signature oyster dish is out of this world and the atmosphere is perfect for a holiday celebration! Have a fabulous time!

Happy holidays everyone!

FAVOURITE restaurant:
1) Sticky Fingers (order the pulled pork)
It makes me want to move to Charleston (well, that and the fact Charleston is a beautiful city).

nosocks, there are 19 cities in the SE you could move to if you like it that much - http://www.stickyfingersonline.com/locate.asp

My nephew and I really enjoyed Magnolia's years ago - and he still talks about it! :-)

A friend also suggested Hominy Grill--has anyone been there?

Yes, Sticky Fingers is now a chain but it originated in Charleston (and yes, I do know they are from Tenn.).

I have been to many of the higher end restaurants in Charleston, which many are listed above, so I though I would list a more "casual dining" restaurant which is what the OP asked.

I appreciate it--DH and I trade off on fine dining and casual dining, so I need both. His idea of a fantastic evening is to kick back at Hyman's with a beer and boiled peanuts and just order from the bar. I enjoy that too, but not every night!

Do take a look at escargot's trip report on her recent visit to Charleston. She did an excellent job and reviewed FIG very nicely.

I love Magnolia's. I also enjoy Hominy Grill (especially brunch), Peninsula, High Cotton, Blossom's, and Ansons.

Treat yourself to a gelato at King and St. George.

Happy anniversary!

Well, I'll probably get strung up for treason for saying this, but we enjoyed our bucket of boiled shrimp at Bubba Gump's Shrimp Co.

Mom picked it and I said "yes" because it was "her trip". But, we really enjoyed it. I wish I were there right now with a bucket of shrimp and a cold beer. (Well, really I wish I were at GoT's with her 4 pounds of shrimp and cold beer :-) )

I absolutely second Starrsville! The first time we went to Charleston, we were really hungry, BubbaGumps was RIGHT THERE. My DH loved their coconut shrimp ... and I had some basket or bucket of fried shrimp. Fun place, yummy food! :) We didn't plan to eat there but .... then we were glad we did.

Hank's--great service, fantastic food.

If you find yourself on Daniel Island at any time during your visit, I recommend Sienna for fine dining.

http://www.siennadining.com/

Also, another vote for Hominy Grill for breakfast.

Cool! My training is at Blackbaud, which is on Daniel Island, so I'll definitely go there. Thanks for the suggestion!

For casual dining, I would recommend Jestine's Kitchen at 251 Meeting Street. Reviewers call it "Lowcountry cuisine" but I would just call it great comfort food! I was only there once, but I still think about the pecan chicken and the Coca-cola cake. It's open for lunch and dinner, and they don't take reservations.

Poogan's Porch for brunch
Jestine's Kitchen
SNOB
Penninsula Grill
Hanks
Andolini's Pizza
Hominy Grill

I could name about 20 more restaurants because we eat in Charleston so much but I don't want to overload you with information.

You really just can't screw up cold boiled shrimp with good cocktail sauce (mine) and cold beer can you?

Two places to avoid eating: Fleet Landing (but go there for drinks, fabulous view on an old government Navy Pier out over Charleston Harbor) and The Noisy Oyster.

The only thing I like to eat at Hymans is the Crispy Fish but SNOB makes a pan fried one that is awsome. It is basically a whole fried baby flounder.

What great ideas! I'm there nine nights, so this will come in very handy. Thank you so much!

We have reservations at FIG, Peninsula Grill, and SNOB for New Years weekend. I just found out that my brother, his wife, and 3 year old may be coming now, too. Are FIG and SNOB okay places to bring a child? I assume Peninsula Grill is not child-friendly since it's in the "fine dining" category. Thanks!

Yes, you will see families in SNOB.

And not a word about Al Di La, a half mile south of the bridge just off Savannah Highway. The best Italian. Weekend reservations necessary.

I will second the recs of SNOB, Peninsula Grill, and Hominy Grill. The places that are currently on the top of my list to try are FIG and La Fourchette. I have heard great things about both.

If you find yourself out roaming
around and in need of a snack, check out Cupcake on upper King St. Cupcakes so good that it's hard to stop with just one!

Since it sound like you will have a car, another great casual place is the Boulevard Diner just across the bridge in Mt. Pleasant.

One of the best if not the best Rack of Lamb dinners I have ever had was at SNOB. My friend and I went there thanks to GoTravel..I don't remember what my friend had but I do know we really loved our dinners.

Thanks for all the fabulous recommendations! I used as many as I could and saved all of them for my next trip. I just posted the trip report under a separate posting, if you'd like to check out where we went.

1. Grill 225
2. Tristan
3. 39 Rue de Jean
4. Sticky Fingers
5. Mills House Sunday Brunch

We just returned from 3 delicious nights in Charleston so wanted to post reviews of our favorite places:

1) SNOB - We ate here on New Years Eve, and it was amazing. The mushroom and gnocchi appetizer was out of this world. I had the scallops and lobster entree and my husband had the beef tenderloin. The Kahlua Pots de Creme for dessert was so good that I just e-mailed the restaurant for the recipe.

2) FIG - Another delicious meal. I had triggerfish and my husband had the duck.

3) Poogan's Porch - Fantastic brunch..some of the best shrimp and grits I've ever had.

4) Virginia's on King - Eat here for a good po' boy and she-crab soup.

5) Blossom - Husband had a pizza which was just okay, but I had the crab ravioli which was so rich and creamy that I could only eat a few bites, but it was definitely worth it!