Extra Virgin Oven, North Charleston, SC

Local Ingredients Key to Spectacular Gourmet Pizza

by Jennifer Heisler | July 26, 2010

I admit I was a bit skeptical about finding a good pizza place. After all, “good” pizza means so many things to different people, from Chicago deep-dish loaded with toppings to greasy jumbo slices. And of course the standard delivery options. But since I met a friend for lunch at Extra Virgin Oven (EVO) in North Charleston, I may never eat pizza from anywhere else ever again.

It wasn’t blistering hot so …

C.A. Magwood & Sons, Mt. Pleasant, SC

Continuing South Carolina's Shrimping Tradition

by William Mancke | July 13, 2010

I, like many people, absolutely adore shrimp.  I can eat them morning, noon and night with no problem in the least.  I’ve had shrimp prepared pretty much every way one can serve them and I’ve tasted them everywhere ranging from right here in South Carolina to Galway, Ireland and Nathon, Thailand. 

I was recently fortunate enough to get in contact with Captain Wayne Magwood, owner and operator of C.A. Magwood Jr. & …

FIG, Charleston, SC

This downtown neighborhood restaurant uses the best in Lowcountry ingredients to create pure flavor

by Melanie Mathos | June 20, 2010

There is something to be said for picking vegetables at the height of their ripeness and season. Fruits and vegetables picked at their prime are more flavorful, more nutritious, and are of better quality all around.

Mike Lata, chef/owner of FIG (food is good) and winner of the 2009 James Beard award for Best Chef in the Southeast, has centered his culinary career on finding that magic moment and bringing food from the …

Carolina Billfish Classic, Charleston, SC

Anglers have a chance to win over $2 million with a state record fish

by Melanie Mathos | June 14, 2010

Fishermen and women from all over the Southeast will gather to take part in the hunt for the iconic Billfish at the Carolina Billfish Classic on June 23 to 26.

Headquartered at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, home of the South Carolina State Record Blue Marlin, there will also be satellite locations at Harbour Town Yacht Basin, Hilton Head Island, SC, and Georgetown Landing Marina, Georgetown, SC. The tournament plans to …

Trophy Lakes, John’s Island, SC

Record-setting water-ski lake and private disc golf course tucked away on John’s Island

by Melanie Mathos | June 09, 2010

Voted best ski lake in the world by Waterski Magazine, Trophy Lakes was built in 1988 and has had more records than any other ski lake in history. Trophy Lakes was built more than 30 years ago by skiers for skiers. Owners Kim Bryant and Alan Sanner have held record tournaments since 1991. The two gleaming lakes have two slalom courses and one jump. Lake 1 is 275 feet wide by 2250 feet long with …

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island, SC

Golfing at its finest on the coast of South Carolina

by Melanie Mathos | June 07, 2010

The Carolina coast is home to some of the country’s finest golf courses – many of which are located at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Voted the #1 Golf Resort by Golf World Magazine, the Resort features five award-winning courses designed by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Gary Player, and Clyde Johnston. Its famed Ocean Course will play host to South Carolina’s first major tournament, the PGA Championship in 2012.

With …

Samos Taverna, Mt. Pleasant, SC

Greek cuisine that is an ode to the old country

by Melanie Mathos | June 02, 2010

Food is an integral part of the Greek culture. In fact, everything revolves around it—as it should! It is meant to be enjoyed slowly and shared with good friends, conversation and wine. Some of the most popular restaurants in Greece offer “meze” or small plates so patrons can sample a little of everything.

Samos Taverna, located at 819 Coleman Boulevard in Mt. Pleasant, has recreated its namesake island atmosphere with a menu that …

White Point Gardens at The Battery, Charleston, SC

When it comes to destination weddings, Charleston, South Carolina has it all

by Melanie Mathos | May 31, 2010

Charleston is consistently named as one of the top spots for destination weddings. One look around and it’s easy to understand why. Nicknamed “The Holy City” because of its history of religious tolerance, Charleston is home to awe-inspiring churches in nearly every denomination. It is also surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches, historic plantations, and lavish mansions.

So what is a bride-to-be to do?? A wedding …

Reggae Nights Summer Concert Series, James Island and North Charleston, SC

Celebrate summer with the rhythm of the islands at Charleston County Parks

by Melanie Mathos | May 30, 2010

Now that summer has unofficially arrived, it’s time to enjoy all that Charleston has to offer. After the long, cold winter we’ve had, this summer is sure to be even more of a celebration of music, food, fun, and the outdoors than usual. You can catch live music just about everywhere in Charleston on any given night, but be sure to mark your calendars for the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission’s Reggae …

South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston, SC

Charleston aquarium helps wildlife affected by Gulf Coast oil spill

by Melanie Mathos | May 24, 2010

Even though Charleston is an Atlantic city, we are just as connected to our neighboring cities as the waterways are intertwined. That is why when the South Carolina Aquarium was asked to help deal with the aftermath of the oil spill, the answer was undoubtedly yes.

The staff’s specific expertise in sea turtle rehabilitation and rescue were called upon by NOAA and the Aquarium responded by sending its veterinarian to Gulfport, Mississippi to …

Folly Beach, SC

Living it up on The Edge of America

by Melanie Mathos | May 20, 2010

Folly Beach, commonly referred to as “The Edge of America” is a laid-back island community with some of the best surf waves on the Carolina coast.

The ingredients that make this barrier island so special come both from the natural beauty, but also the surf community that has embraced it.

If you follow Folly Road all the way to the end, you will see the Holiday Inn, the island’s largest and only …

2010 Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston, SC

Charleston’s premier arts festival kicks off Memorial Day weekend

by Melanie Mathos | May 17, 2010

The 34th annual Spoleto Festival USA will kick off May 28 and will run through June 13. This 17-day celebration of art is Charleston’s signature arts event and has had an economic impact of $1.2 billion in its lifetime, attracting 70,000 attendees each year.

Spoleto Festival USA was founded in 1977 by Pulitzer Prize-winning Italian composer Gian Carlo Menotti, Christopher Keene, and others who sought to create an American counterpart to their annual …

Carnival Fantasy, Charleston, SC

Cruise to the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, right from historic Charleston

by Melanie Mathos | May 15, 2010

Starting on May 23, the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy will operate five, six, and seven-day cruises departing from Charleston with stops in tropical destinations like the Bahamas, Bermuda, Key West, and the Caribbean.

The Carnival Fantasy has 1,026 staterooms, 10 decks, and holds more than 2000 passengers. Staterooms have been recently renovated with new décor and flat panel TVs. The ship deck features a resort-style pool, the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat Area, the Carnival …

Piccolo Fringe, Charleston, SC

76 shows, 16 days, 3 venues, fun, fun, funny!

by Melanie Mathos | May 11, 2010

I just got an email from my friends at Theatre 99, and it looks like they have one heck of a deal for advance purchase tickets for this year’s 10^th anniversary Piccolo Fringe festival. Part of the Piccolo Spoleto Arts Festival, Piccolo Fringe 2010 celebrates the art of funny from May 28 to June 12.

As if you need another reason to enjoy the lighter side of Spoleto, Theater 99 just …

Pecha Kucha Night, Charleston, SC

Part show-and-tell, part happy hour, pure inspiration

by Melanie Mathos | May 08, 2010

Ok, trust me. The next Pecha Kucha Night “PKN6” is being held on May 19, 2010 at 7:30 in an undisclosed location in downtown Charleston; tickets are $5; and you should get them now before they sell out.

Still not convinced? Read on.

Pecha Kucha Night provides a behind-the-scenes look at Charleston’s creative community. Japanese for “the sound of conversation,” Pecha Kucha is a global showcase for …

The Spa at Charleston Place, Charleston, SC

A spa oasis in the heart of downtown Charleston

by Melanie Mathos | May 03, 2010

When it comes to luxury in Charleston, Charleston Place is hard to beat. From the hotel to the restaurants, shopping, and banquet facilities, a Charleston Place experience is full of opulent touches that make you feel like royalty.

It should be no surprise that The Spa at Charleston Place is hailed as one of the best spas in town by locals and visitors alike. The added benefit of staying at the …

4th Annual First Flush Festeaval, Wadmalaw Island, SC

A homegrown musical celebration at America’s only tea garden

by Melanie Mathos | April 29, 2010

For last year’s First Flush Festeaval, the weather couldn’t have been nicer, the music any better, or the tea any sweeter. This year’s event welcoming the tea harvest on Sunday, May 16 is lining up to be an equally festive occasion.

This annual event held at the Charleston Tea Plantation marks the beginning of the tea harvest at America’s only tea garden. "First flush" refers to the growth of new leaves on the …

Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ, Charleston and Sullivan’s Island, SC

BBQ, brews, and blues make this neighborhood spot a favorite for food and fun

by Melanie Mathos | April 26, 2010

With two locations in the Charleston area, Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ is much more than just a rib joint. The menus at both the West Ashley and Sullivan’s Island locations feature award-winning BBQ, dry-rubbed ribs, chicken, tacos, salads, sandwiches, soups, delicious homemade sides, and a full bar.

If debating which BBQ sauce is best has become a family sport, this is a great place to go—you get your choice of five! …

French Quarter Art Walk, Charleston, SC

Enjoy an evening of art, artists, and refreshments in downtown Charleston

by Melanie Mathos | April 24, 2010

On the evening of the first Fridays in March, May, October, and December, the French Quarter in downtown Charleston comes alive as all of its magnificent galleries stay open for a seasonal art walk. This free event is held from 5 to 8 pm and involves more than 30 galleries representing 500 artists—all within walking distance.

Mark your calendars—the next French Quarter Art Walk will be held May 7. Organized by the

Charleston RiverDogs, Charleston, SC

Minor League Baseball and family fun at The Joe

by Melanie Mathos | April 19, 2010

Did you know Minor League Baseball draws more fans than the NBA or NFL? On any given night, more than 4000 fans pack into the Joseph P. Riley Park in downtown Charleston to see the Charleston RiverDogs play America’s favorite sport, baseball.

A member of the Class A South Atlantic League, the Charleston RiverDogs is an affiliate of the New York Yankees. Since the 1980 season, 10 RiverDogs players have gone …

Charleston Farmers Market, Charleston, SC

Produce doesn’t get any fresher than this!

by Melanie Mathos | April 16, 2010

Calling all locavores! If you want to get a true taste of our fine city, make sure you go where the locals go on Saturday mornings—the Charleston Farmers Market.

This year’s market kicked off on April 3 and will continue through December 19 in downtown Charleston. Pack up the pup, bring the kids, there’s something for everyone. Held each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Marion Square, between King, Meeting, …

Sesame Burgers & Beer, Charleston and North Charleston, SC

Build a burger masterpiece and open sesame!

by Melanie Mathos | April 14, 2010

With two locations to choose from, Sesame Burgers & Beer is a family-friendly restaurant and bar where you can get great eats on a budget.

Starters and snacks include housemade pimento cheese with chargrilled flatbread and mixed olives, hush puppies, and my favorite, Blue’s Corn on the Cob—slow-cooked in milk and chargrilled, then topped with chipotle butter and cotija cheese with a lime wedge. Mmmm… Just like elotes in Mexico! There are …

Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston, SC

Modern Masters exhibit opens with preview street party

by Melanie Mathos | April 07, 2010

Located in Charleston’s historic district, the Gibbes Museum of Art is home to a collection of more than 10,000 works, with a focus on American art with a Charleston or Southern connection. Throughout the year, the Gibbes presents special exhibitions, and this month will debut Modern Masters from the Ferguson Collection.

Selected from the private collection of prominent art enthusiasts Esther and James Ferguson, Modern Masters will be featured in the Main …

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC

The azaleas are in full bloom at this botanical wonderland

by Melanie Mathos | April 05, 2010

When is the last time you strolled? I mean, really strolled…along trails with light filtering through Spanish moss-draped oak trees, through a colorful cornucopia of blooming flowers in the brightest peaches, reds, and pinks imaginable?

The gardens at Magnolia Plantation are the last large-scale romantic gardens left in the United States. Designed to “take the viewer to a place where emotions takes precedent over reason,” Magnolia Gardens has awed tourists from around …

Blue Angels Flight Demonstration, Charleston and Mt. Pleasant, SC

Shows to serve as grand finale to Charleston's Navy Week

by Melanie Mathos | April 03, 2010

Since the group's inception in 1946, more than 463 million fans have watched in awe as the Blue Angels danced through the sky in a choreographed masterpiece of an air show.

Now, Charleston and Mt. Pleasant are bringing the Blue Angels to the Lowcountry as part of the Charleston Navy Week celebration. The shows will take place on April 17 and 18 over the Charleston Harbor. The Blue Angels are only scheduled …

Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, Charleston, SC

100 years of heritage in the Holy City

by Melanie Mathos | March 29, 2010

The Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity in “The Holy City” of Charleston, South Carolina, recently marked the end of its year-long Centennial celebration, commemorating 100 years of faith, heritage and culture. The Orthodox Church is the world’s second largest Christian denomination, with approximately 300 million members.

As you drive over one of the various bridges connecting the peninsular city to surrounding areas, it is apparent why Charleston is hailed as The …

Extra Virgin Oven (EVO), North Charleston, SC

Wood-fired pizza topped with local love

by Melanie Mathos | March 27, 2010

There are many kinds of pizza—deep dish, thin crust, Chicago, New York—but EVO deserves a category of its own. Now a booming restaurant, EVO started as a pizza cart, complete with a mobile wood-burning oven. Its Neapolitan pizza became so popular that EVO made a permanent home in the heart of the Park Circle business district at 1075 East Montague five years ago .

Though great pizza and beer are the reasons most locals …

2010 Family Circle Cup, Charleston, SC

Top tennis pros to compete for the Cup in Charleston

by Melanie Mathos | March 22, 2010

The WTA Tour will be making a stop in Charleston for the 38th annual Family Circle Cup on April 10 to 18 at the Family Circle Tennis Center on Daniel Island.

This year’s player field drew top women’s tennis pros including Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, and Victoria Azarenka, and will see the return of Family Circle Cup favorites Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharapova, and top-ranked American Melanie Oudin.

With $700,000 in …

McCrady’s, Charleston, SC

Historic dining and inventive cuisine, fresh from the farm

by Melanie Mathos | March 20, 2010

Charleston has a wealth of farms and is surrounded by beautiful Atlantic waters full of fresh seafood. It is for this reason that many of the world’s finest restaurants are located on the historic peninsula that is home to downtown Charleston. 

McCrady’s has earned its reputation among the finest, in part for its commitment to using as many sustainable, local products as possible. The menu takes you on a culinary tour of South …

Flowertown Festival, Summerville, SC

Family fun abounds at this spring celebration

by Melanie Mathos | March 17, 2010

Springtime is a special time of year in South Carolina. It’s when shades of pink, purple, white and peach start to emerge from winter’s sleepy landscape. The South comes alive with flowers, and one in particular is celebrated with zeal—the arrival of the azalea.

Each Spring, the Flowertown Festival is held in Summerville, just a short drive from Charleston. This family-friendly event has been held for 30 years and has emerged as …

Mt. Pleasant/Charleston KOA, Mt. Pleasant, SC

The perfect place for a family-friendy South Carolina camping vacation

by Melanie Mathos | March 13, 2010

For family travel on a budget, camping is a great way to stay. KOA Mt. Pleasant/Charleston offers a beautiful, serene setting, just off the Coastal Highway, making it ideal for an "in-town" camping adventure. While offering tent and camper sites, KOA also features a variety of modern, clean and affordable "kabins". The popular campground features a unique "Kamping Kaboose" with bunk beds, a futon, kitchenette, and bathroom. This railcar will delight any child …

Madra Rua Irish Pub, North Charleston, SC

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in true Irish spirit

by Melanie Mathos | March 08, 2010

When it comes to authentic Irish food and fun, you’re not going to get much closer than Madra Rua Irish Pub. Reminiscent of a Dublin pub, Madra Rua transports you to Temple Bar with its dark wood bar, perfectly poured Guinness, delicious Irish fare and friendly faces. This popular Pub is located at 1034 East Montague Ave. in Park Circle, a charming neighborhood and business district in North Charleston.

Open daily …

Charleston Twestival, Charleston, SC

Twitter + Festival = Twestival: Social media for social good in downtown Charleston

by Melanie Mathos | March 03, 2010

On March 25, 2010, philanthropy and social media-minded people will gather around the globe in over 300 communities to raise money and awareness for Concern Worldwide through a one-of-a-kind fundraising event called Twestival Global. Charleston is hosting its first ever Twestival with an aim to help the community “tweet. meet. give.” (Non-social-media types welcome as well.)

The Thursday event will kickoff at 1 p.m. with a donation yoga class in

College of Charleston, Charleston, SC

Charleston’s historic college provides a distinct education experience

by Melanie Mathos | March 01, 2010

With 17 colleges in the greater Charleston area, prospective students have a lot of choices. Perhaps none though with as rich a history and college experience as the College of Charleston. Founded in 1770, the College of Charleston is the oldest educational institution south of Virginia, the 13th-oldest in the United States, and is the nation’s first municipal college. 

With a focus on liberal arts, sciences, education and business, "C of C" as the locals …

2010 Charleston Fashion Week, Charleston, SC

Fashion designers invade downtown Charleston for this ode to style

by Melanie Mathos | February 24, 2010

Any Project Runway fans out there? You may remember Season 6 finalists Carol Hannah Whitfield and Gordana Gehlhausen. Well, before they were contestants on the Survivoresque reality show, their designs were strutted down the runway during Charleston Fashion Week.

The 4th annual Charleston Fashion Week (CFW) is a five-night celebration of the region’s flourishing retail and design community. If you've ever strolled down King Street, or visited any of of the …

Gaulart et Maliclet Café Restaurant, Charleston, SC

Fast and French in downtown Charleston

by Melanie Mathos | February 22, 2010

Chances are that when you step into this popular Broad Street café in downtown Charleston, you won’t be able to take too many more steps. There is usually a line of lunch-goers waiting patiently for their seat at one of the community bars. 

Luckily, the line moves fast, and if you’re fortunate enough to make friends in line, you may be able to sit by them as a friend and I recently did. The older gentleman we …

2010 BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival, Charleston, SC

A celebration of culinary proportions in downtown Charleston

by Melanie Mathos | February 20, 2010

Food is an integral part of Charleston culture. So much so, in fact, that our city plays host to one of the top-rated food and wine festivals in the country.

Lowcountry cuisine is rich in tradition and flavor and showcases the bounty of locally-produced food. Each year, we celebrate Southern food and sample wine and food from all over the country at the Charleston Wine + Food Festival.

This year’s festival will be held …

Travel Guide to Charleston, SC

Why you should visit Charleston, South Carolina

by Melanie Mathos | February 15, 2010

Although there are plenty of tourist hot spots throughout the greater Charleston area, the real beauty of the Lowcountry is found a bit off the beaten path. From natural areas like the Angel Oak Park with its majestic 1500-year-old oak tree to restaurants like Bowen's Island, where you can get fresh oysters with the locals—Charleston is full of secrets, just waiting to be discovered.

Don’t just take my word for it… Charleston is …

Five Loaves Cafe, Charleston, SC

Scrumptious soup, fresh salads, and mouth-watering sandwiches await at this Charleston cafe

by Melanie Mathos | February 11, 2010

I’m going to let you in on a little secret—one that locals hold close and only disclose on a “need-to-know” basis. Ok, maybe I’m being a little dramatic, but you’ll understand why when you visit Five Loaves Café. After all, the very name of this popular café group is inspired by a miracle performed by Jesus in Matthew 14:12-21.
 
Five Loaves Café takes soup, salad and sandwiches to a new level. Each …

First Annual Abita Mardi Gras Pub Crawl, Charleston, SC

Crawling around downtown Charleston on Fat Tuesday

by Melanie Mathos | February 08, 2010

Can’t make it to Bourbon Street this year? Abita Beer is bringing a taste of Louisiana to Charleston. On February 16—Fat Tuesday—bring your own krewe of revelers and bounce (or crawl) around the pubs of Charleston.
 
Registration for the First Annual Abita Mardi Gras Pub Crawl will take place at O’Malleys Bar and Grille from 5:30 to 6:30, during which time you can fuel up with some pre-crawl munchies.
 

2010 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Charleston, SC

A 3-day celebration of nature in downtown Charleston

by Melanie Mathos | February 03, 2010

With more than 40,000 attendees, Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) is the largest single annual event that takes place in South Carolina. In its 28th year, the event features over 500 artists and exhibitors from around the world including experts in wildlife and masters in nature-inspired art, as well as conservation research and environmental education.

The 2010 Exposition will take place from February 12 to 14 with special VIP events from February …

Moe’s Downtown Tavern, Charleston, SC

This Charleston local favorite delivers it up on game day

by Melanie Mathos | February 01, 2010

If you are going to park it in front of a TV for multiple hours to watch the game, why not do it up right? Head to Moe's. (No, not in Springfield, Homer, right here in Charleston—doh!)

Moe's Downtown Tavern and the original Moe's Crosstown Tavern are two of Charleston’s favorite watering holes. Both taverns have received multiple “Best of Charleston” honors by the Charleston City Paper. The original Moe's was even …

Angel Oak Park, John’s Island, SC

Lowcountry treasure awaits after a scenic John’s Island drive

by Melanie Mathos | January 27, 2010

Sometimes, the best destinations don’t require tickets or waiting in lines—just a drive down a dusty road.

Located on beautiful, and mostly rural, John’s Island, along the way to Kiawah and Seabrook islands, you will find Angel Oak Park, home to what is storied to be the oldest living organism east of the Mississippi. When you see it, it’s easy to believe that this towering Southern live …

The Inn at Middleton Place, Charleston, SC

Nature, history and romance meet at this modern marvel in the woods

by Melanie Mathos | January 25, 2010

When it comes to romantic getaways, there are endless choices in Charleston. You can have pure luxury, historic flare, beachside serenity, or distinct Lowcountry beauty. This destination combines the best of all worlds.

Located adjacent to the historic Middleton Place plantation and just 20 minutes from downtown Charleston, The Inn at Middleton Place provides a secluded, yet convenient location for a romantic getaway.

The Inn’s award-winning contemporary design a la Frank Lloyd …

2010 Lowcountry Oyster Festival, Mt. Pleasant, SC

Find your pearl at the world’s largest oyster festival

by Melanie Mathos | January 20, 2010

Pull out your galoshes and get your shucking knives out—it’s oyster time!

More than 10,000 guests will descend on the back lawn of Boone Hall Plantation to devour 65,000 pounds of oysters at the Lowcountry Oyster Festival. This 27^th annual event will be held on Sunday, January 31 from 10:30 am to 5 pm. The festival has been named one of the “top 20 events in the southeast” by the

The Glass Onion, Charleston, SC

Where the Lowcountry meets New Orleans

by Melanie Mathos | January 18, 2010

Seven varieties of Po'boys, jambalaya, pickled okra, bread pudding, and brunch with live jazz…Are you sure we’re in Charleston?

The Glass Onion was welcomed with open arms to the Charleston culinary scene in 2008 and has quickly become a “restaurant darling” for its commitment to local, natural, and seasonal ingredients. Add to that hormone-free meats, local shrimp, and even an all-green wine list, and you have a restaurant that is the …

2010 Charleston Comedy Festival, Charleston, SC

Nothing warms you up like a good laugh

by Melanie Mathos | January 13, 2010

This winter has been cold for the South. According to Weather Underground, the present stretch of cold weather in downtown Charleston is tied for the longest streak of temperatures at or below 34 degrees. All the more reason to warm up with a good laugh!

If you’re visiting Charleston this month, you’re in luck. The 7^th Annual Charleston Comedy Festival is being held from January 20 to 23 with 38 shows running …

Charles Towne Landing, Charleston, SC

Visit historic Charleston where it all began

by Melanie Mathos | January 11, 2010

When I moved to Charleston, I didn’t realize that I was discovering the same neighborhood that served as the “birthplace of the Carolinas colony.” In 1670, 148 colonists found the same special part of Charleston along the Ashley River, and established the first permanent European settlement in the Carolina province at Albemarle Point, or Charles Towne Landing.

Located in what is now modern-day West Ashley, across the bridge and a short ride from peninsular downtown …

Charleston Chef’s Table

A new book by Holly Herrick serves as an in-depth guide to the foodie streets of Charleston

by Lisa Rogak | January 11, 2010

Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef and food writer Holly Herrick’s newly-published book Charleston Chef’s Table: Extraordinary Recipes From the Heart of the Old South is an epicurean love letter to the city she calls home. Profiling over 60 of Charleston’s top restaurants with recipes from each one, Herrick leads readers on a tour of the Holy City’s culinary luminaries. “Charleston is a magical place for many reasons,” Herrick says, “but its food is a definite …

Tristan Restaurant, Charleston, SC

With new chef Nate Whiting on board, a good restaurant becomes great.

by Lisa Rogak | January 07, 2010

Though it’s located right amid the bustling tourist chaos of Market Street, once you step inside, Tristan is a welcome oasis of calm. The décor is elegantly understated without being stuffy, and you can watch the cooks work in the open kitchen even from across the room.

The cuisine at Tristan was always up there compared with other fine-dining establishments in the Holy City, but when owner Steven Harris snatched chef Nate Whiting away …

Ravenel Bridge, Charleston, SC

It's easy to get your exercise on such a stunning bridge

by Lisa Rogak | January 04, 2010

Someone recently referred to the Arthur Ravenel Bridge spanning the Cooper River as the free health club for the entire city. Indeed, the eight-lane bridge with a shared pedestrian/bicycle lane is crammed with people almost every hour of the day or night.

Built in 2005 to replace two crumbling bridges—one dating from 1966, the other from 1929—the new bridge is 2-1/2 miles long and 200 feet high, with a slope of 4%. The towers reach to …

Fleet Landing Restaurant, Charleston, SC

Sit out on the deck and watch for dolphins frolicking in the Cooper River

by Lisa Rogak | December 31, 2009

Even though Charleston is surrounded by water, there are only a handful of restaurants in the city where it’s possible to eat outside while you perch over a bay, river, or ocean.

Fleet Landing is the only restaurant in downtown Charleston where you can sit outside on a deck that juts out right over the water.

Seafood of every imaginable stripe with a decidedly lowcountry twist is the rule here: Whether you choose hush …

New Year’s Celebration in Marion Square, Charleston, SC

Happy New Year, Charleston!

by Lisa Rogak | December 28, 2009

This New Year’s, head to Marion Square for a celebration that starts before the sun goes down.

The annual family-friendly and alcohol-free welcome to the New Year begins at 4 p.m. with a variety of live music from country to jazz and gospel. In the Kidsfest tent, you’ll find facepainting, arts and craftmaking activities, and an African dance group.

Across the street at the Second Presbyterian Church, those who prefer a quieter way to …

Alluette’s Cafe, Charleston, SC

Holistic soul food isn't an oxymoron at Alluette's

by Lisa Rogak | December 24, 2009

Tucked off Meeting Street just a few blocks north of Marion Square sits a Pepto Bismol pink storefront with a sign that reads Alluette’s Café.

It seems quintessentially Southern, especially when you see the sign that says Soul Food in the window, but once you step inside, you know that there is nothing ordinary about the cuisine—ever heard of holistic soul food and a no-pork cafe?—or the proprietor, Alluette Jones-Smalls, a trim woman with short-cropped salt-and-pepper hair …

Christmas Tree at Marion Square, Charleston, SC

The Christmas Tree in the Holy City's main gathering place draws fans from all over

by Lisa Rogak | December 21, 2009

The official Christmas Tree of Charleston stands 60 feet high and is situated smack in the middle of Marion Square – the town common for the city.

As is befitting the tree that serves as the focal point of holiday celebrations in the city that’s been consistently named the most polite and friendliest city in the nation for over a decade, this is one tree you can literally reach out and touch.

And you can walk …

Halls Chophouse, Charleston, SC

Dining at Charleston's newest steakhouse is all in the family

by Lisa Rogak | December 18, 2009

Veteran restaurateur Tom Hall, his wife Jeanne, and sons Billy and Tommy, converged on Charleston last spring to launch Halls Chophouse, the only high-end steakhouse in Charleston’s Upper King Design District.

Fine dining with personality is the Halls’ motto, and the building and décor – engineered by Jeanne – accomplishes that in spades. With a soaring two-story staircase, exposed brick, and leather banquettes, the place feels like a turn-of-the-century gentlemen’s club. 

But of course, you go …

James Island Holiday Festival of Lights, Charleston, SC

Celebrate the 20th year of Charleston's premiere light show

by Lisa Rogak | December 15, 2009

Charleston is a place that is serious about its Christmas -- what else would you expect from a place known as the Holy City? -- but even before the exhibits and parades go on in the rest of the city, one event is already at full tilt only two weeks after Halloween.

For many residents, the Christmas season doesn't officially begin until they've paid a visit to the Holiday Festival of Lights at James …