Thanks everyone for your input...looks like we'll eat our way through some of the best restaurants in Charleston...I guess it deserves the award of "the most mannerly city"!

I was in Charleston several years ago but still remember some great food I ate at Carolina's Restaurant and at 82 Queen Street. I had these websites achived!
http://www.americascuisine.com/charl...linasinfo.html

http://www.82queen.com/

I can report that I had an excellent lunch yesterday at Poogan's Porch!

I ate the lunch special of Lasagna which was excellent and started with a cup of She Crab Soup.

My girlfriend had Shrimp & Grits which was also excellent and started with a cup of Manhattan Clam Chowder.

We ate a place called "Sticky Fingers" and had the BBQ sampler. YUM.

I'm bumping this very old message because I'll be in Charleston on business this week and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a solo traveller who doesn't want to break the bank (or look pathetically alone!) at dinner. Bocci's, 39 Rue de Jean and Fast & French all look interesting to me.

I'll be staying at the Doubletree Suites and will not have a car to give you an idea of my location.

Your location is prime walking distance to about a 100 restaurants.

Justine's Kitchen and Poogans Porch are two of my favorites that will not break the bank. Soul food/low country/southern/seafood.

To get to both restaurants exit to the right outside the Doubletree, walk the 1/4 block down Church Street to Market Street. Walk right on Market Street on very short block to Meeting Street.

To get to Jestine's Kitchen, go right on Meeting about 4 blocks and it is on the left side of the street on the corner of Wentworth and Meeting Street.

To get to Poogan's Porch, go left on Meeting Street at Market about 5 blocks and take a right on Queeen Street. The restaurant is 1/2 block off Meeting on Queen.

T-Bonz is right around the corner from the hotel on Market.

More upscale and excellent, Penninsula Grill in the Planters Inn. The hotel sits on the corner of Market and Meeting.

SNOB is also excellent.

I like Hyman's for the crispy whole baby flounder.

I did a recent trip report on Charleston if you click on my name you may find some useful tips.

I'm also bumping this post-but wanting same general info. I want a place for the night we arrive that is within a block or two of either French Quarter Inn or the Harborview. I'm not looking for fancy food-just some really great tasting southern style food and a quaint or pleasant surrounding. It will be 8 or after before we get there and I don't want to walk too far with Mom. Any suggestions?

I'll second 82 Queen St. Wonderful food in a lovely setting. Indoor and courtyard dining.

My son is at the C of C so we go there quite often. We have eaten at Rue St.Jean a lot it is not brilliant but the mussels are really good and though I love Magnolia's I have found it variable. Your answers were very helpful as we are always looking for new restaurants. Charleston is just wonderful - you are so lucky to be relocating there.

I'd like to thank everyone for their help with Charleston restaurants. I'm back from my business trip there and the food was great! Here's where I ate and what I thought:

Poogan's Porch: Amazing! I had a cup of gumbo and the duck and both were just incredible. Fantastic biscuits.

Cru Cafe: Also very good. Great atmosphere and very friendly staff.

Fast & French: Perfect for a quick, good lunch and I didn't feel at all awkward dining alone.

Tommy Condon's: I think that was name of this Irish place, which I resorted to when Jestine's was too packed. OK, but nothing too special. I should have been more patient and waited for Jestine's!

Bakers Cafe for breakfast. 82 Queen for lunch (in the courtyard) and Cypress for dinner. Can't go wrong.

How come no one writes about Hanks? GoTravel - is Hank's still there?
I would recommend looking at chowhound. I have gotten a lot of good advice there on restaurants and like anything you have to sift through a bit but it is worth it.

Hank's is still there.

I was wondering about Hank's too-anybody??

Good to hear Hank's is still there. It is not often mentioned here so I suspect it is more of a Charleston-native place. Outstanding service and food though it has been about a year and a 1/2 since I've been. Ranks up there w/ "one of the best meals" I've ever had - also one of the priciest.

We spent some time in Charleston three years ago. Our favorite restaurant was Fulton Five. We were in Charleston four nights and had dinner there twice. Terrific food and service. Small restaurant and at that time seemed to be a favorite of locals. I have recommended this restuarant to many people visiting Charleston and they all have enjoyed it.

Bocci's gets a vote from me. I really enjoyed this place!
Audrey in NC.

I live in Charleston and here are my favorites.l

1. Sermets's Corner--the fish with homemade pasta-
2. Mondo/s Delight--James Island
wonderful artichoke appetizer and all chef specials
3. Cintra delicious appetizer of butternut squash ravioli wonderful
4. Anson's thai flounder unforgettable and she-crab soup
5.Fulton Five and SNOB for lunch

Upscale n Sieena on Daniel Island

ENJOY

I heard the best kitchen in town is GT's Cucina.

:-D

What is GT crucina???