Halloween Round Up

October 29, 2015

Halloween in Charleston is a revelation. There’s really nothing like it anywhere else in the country. Or probably there is, but I never want to leave Charleston during Halloween to find out.

I love this city!

Here are some fun things happening around the (haunted) holy city this weekend:

Friday 10/30

Warehouse

Night 1 of Warehouse’s 3rd annual Halloween bash. Starts at 10 pm. Features music from DJ Rehab. There will also be a COAST Brewing Company Tap Takeover, Cocktails from High Wire Distilling Co. & Cannonborough Beverage Co., and Spooky Eats from Chef Emily Hahn!

Joe Riley Park

6 pm: Come out to Joe Riley Park on Friday, October 30th to watch the Disney phenomenon, Frozen. Gates open at 6pm with the movie starting at 7pm. Hair braiding, snowcones, crafts, and photo ops with Anna and Elsa! Tickets are $5, children 3 & under are FREE!

Saturday 10/31

Persimmon Cafe

4 pm – 9 pm: Pregame in costume at Persimmon and receive a “scarewich” plus a beer or wine for only $10!

Crave Kitchen & Cocktails

5:30 pm – until: Crave is teaming up with Charleston’s Pepper Palace for a 3-course Halloween-themed feast fit for diners who DARE. The special menu will feature three courses of deliciously painful dishes! Tickets for the 3-course food menu are available for pre-sale at $30 each ($35 per person the night of).

Cocktail Club

6 pm – 2 am: The Cocktail Club is hosting “The Side Show” Halloween Party adorned with all things creepy carnival and circus. Needless to say, there will be plenty of bearded ladies and clowns to go around during this free event that is open to the public. Drink specials will be available and prizes will be awarded for best dressed guest.

Taco Boy

6 pm – until: Costume contest to take home $1,000 for best individual costume and $500 gift card for best group costume! Winners will be announced at 11PM. The Green Thieves play from 2 pm – 5 pm. 21+ after 6 pm (don’t forget your IDs). $5 cover. DJ Natty Heavy at 8 pm.

Craft Conundrum

6 pm – until: Halloween costume contest with grand prize of a $300 bar tab – so bring your A game! They’ll have awesome, fun, crazy, barbaric, and insane #LiveMusic from Blackstone. The gigantic candy bowl will be ready. Food Truck TBA. Don’t miss out!

Charleston City Jail

7 pm – 11 pm: Come out and experience the greatest Halloween event in Downtown Charleston! Food, open bar, haunted house, laser light show, multiple lounge areas, multiple DJ’s. VIP Available. 21 and up. Tickets: General Admission – $80, VIP – $150

O-Ku

9 pm – until: Celebrate the spookiest day of the year with the team at O-Ku at their annual Halloween Party. Spend the evening dancing to a DJ and don’t forget to participate in the costume contest for cash prizes and giveaways.

Bar Mash

9 pm – 2 am: Join newly opened Bar Mash on Halloween for their American Horror Story Whiskey Ward Halloween party. The event is free and open to the public for those brave enough to face the Whiskey Ward. Enjoy drink specials and dress your best as a prize will be awarded to the patron with the best costume.

Tattooed Moose

9 pm – until: Halloween dance party featuring gravy chugging contest, $5 perfect storm cocktails (made with Kraken Spiced Rum + Megan’s Homemade Ginger Beer), DJ Klev Starr, prizes, and fun! No cover.

Warehouse

10 pm – until: Night 2 of Warehouse’s 3rd annual Halloween bash, featuring music from DJ Rehab. There will also be a COAST Brewing Company Tap Takeover, Cocktails from High Wire Distilling Co. & Cannonborough Beverage Co., and Spooky Eats from Chef Emily Hahn!

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Got an event that I missed? Let me know in the comments!

Charleston Restaurant News Restaurant Openings

Cove Bar & Grille Grand Opening 10/23

October 23, 2015

Attention oyster lovers! Cove Bar & Grille in North Charleston is celebrating its grand opening tonight with a ribbon cutting by North Chuck mayor Keith Summey, live entertainment, menu specials and more! The fun starts at 5pm!

Charleston Restaurant News Restaurant Openings

5Church Opening in Charleston

October 19, 2015

5Church Charleston is scheduled to open Fall 2015 in a historic old church (Church of the Redeemer and Harriet Pickney House) in downtown’s bustling Market Street district. Offering New-American cuisine, creative craft cocktails and visually-stunning décor, 5Church Charleston will be open for dinner, lunch and brunch. The restaurant’s award-winning food, top-rate service and nationally-acclaimed design will mimic its sister property in Charlotte, N.C., which opened in 2012.

What happened to 1-2-3-and-4Church?

“Our team’s desire to do business in Charleston pre-dates 5Church’s existence in Charlotte,” says Owner Patrick Whalen. “We chose Charleston because we want 5Church to be counted amongst the culinary elite and for anyone living in the Southeast, Charleston is the stronghold for great restaurants.”

5Church Charleston’s elaborate, modern décor features awe-inspiring stained glass windows, a white concrete bar, black leather banquettes, eye-catching chandeliers and large-scale pop-art. The crown jewel of the restaurant’s interior is the hand-painted written verbiage of Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” in its entirety on the church’s ceiling. 5Church Charleston will seat 200 guests with an outdoor patio and bar area, as well as a private dining room available for events.

Jamie Lynch, who is both a partner and the restaurant’s executive chef, boasts an impressive culinary background including Le Cirque, Aureole and Café Boulud, as well as Blue and Barrington’s in Charlotte. Since opening 5Church in Charlotte, he has been recognized as Charlotte Magazine’s Best Chef for the past three consecutive years. The 5Church Charleston menu will feature many 5Church favorites such as the famed “60 Second” NY Strip Steak and 5Church Lamb Burger with red onion marmalade and gorgonzola fondue, along with new, locally sourced dishes unique to the Charleston restaurant. A 150-bottle wine list curated by an in-house certified sommelier and a selection of specialty cocktails and craft beers will complement Lynch’s menu.

“Our success at 5Church has been built on addressing the three critical components of dining out: ambiance, service and food,” says Owner and Marketing Director Alejandro Torio, who along with Whalen and Lynch, recently moved to Charleston to operate the restaurant locally. “5Church offers a very high level of all three of these factors, blending unique and creative interiors, top-notch cuisine and exceptional service to create an elevated culinary experience for diners.”

5Church Charleston is located at 32 N. Market Street, near the corner of East Bay Street. For more information, please visit www.5churchcharleston.com, call 843.937.8666, or follow the restaurant onFacebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Charleston Restaurant News Events

Bay Street Biergarten’s 2nd Birthday

October 18, 2015

On Friday Oct 30, Charleston’s premier German bier haus, Bay Street Biergarten, will be celebrating their second anniversary in style with $4 bier and drink specials along with complimentary cake, champagne toast, and DJ Rehab.

The Terrible Twos!

Always committed to supporting the Charleston community, Bay St. Biergarten will be donating funds for Susan G. Komen LowCountry with a “Pretty in Pink” specialty cocktail of vodka, champagne, pomegranate, and pineapple. Also Baker Motors will be bringing out a Rolls-Royce Ghost that you can sign for $1 with all proceeds are being donated to Susan G. Komen LowCountry.

Charleston Restaurant News

Halls Chophouse Named #5 Best Restaurant in US

October 17, 2015

Halls Chophouse was recently named the #5 Best Restaurant in America via TripAdvisor’s 2015 Travelers’ Choice Awards.

It’s my #1 restaurant, though.

TripAdvisor’s 2015 Travelers’ Choice Awards honored 356 restaurants in total, including the top 25 in the world and dedicated lists for Asia, Canada, Europe, India, South America, South Pacific, the U.K. and the U.S. The awards are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers worldwide. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for restaurants around the world, gathered over a 12-month period.

Click here for a full list of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award winners.

Charleston Restaurant News

“Taste of Hutson Alley” Coming November 12

October 16, 2015

Holy City Hospitality, a locally-owned hospitality company announces the inaugural Taste of Hutson Alley, celebrating the historic alleyway between John and Hutson Street. Taking place on Thursday, Nov. 12, the event begins with heavy hors d’oeuvre sampling followed by a progressive dinner featuring wine pairings from Vincent Chicco’s and Michael’s on the Alley.

Progressive dinners are the best kind of dinners.

“Adorned by fig ivy, vintage lanterns and palmetto trees, Hutson Alley is one of the city’s most charming hideaways amid the excitement of Charleston’s Upper King Street neighborhood,” shares Marty Wall, managing director at Holy City Hospitality. “With lights glowing from above, we can’t wait to showcase the alley with delicious food, wine and signature cocktails from the five establishments that inhabit it.”

Event Details:

First Course

Vincent Chicco’s housemade burrata served with roasted tomatoes, saba, aged balsamic and marinated olives
*Paired with Cabreo La Pietra Chardonnay, Tuscany, Italy 2013

Second Course

Michael’s on the Alley – wagyu filet with garlic potato puree, asparagus and bordelaise *Paired with Masi Agricola Brolo Campofiorin Oro Rosso Del Veronese, Veneto, Italy 2010

Third Course

Peanut butter chocolate mousse with candied pistachios and orange anglaise
*Paired with Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy 2013

Sign me up!

Pre-sale tickets are available now until Oct. 25, and prices are $40 for the sampling and $75 for the progressive dinner. Regular ticket pricing runs from Oct. 26 – Nov. 8, and prices are $45 for the sampling and $80 for the progressive dinner. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the event website.

Charleston Restaurant News Events

Barony Tavern’s Pietra Santa Wine Dinner 10/19/15

October 15, 2015

Executive Chef Robert Carter continues Barony Tavern’s successful monthly wine dinner series and again invites guests to join for a dinner perfectly paired with wines from Pietra Santa Winery on Monday, Oct. 19. Pietra Santa Winery is a renowned producer of Italian varieties of wine, including Cabernet, Merlot and Zinfandel from California’s Central Coast region. A representative from the Pietra Santa winery, Alicia Seay, will visit diners tableside to explain the characteristics of each wine and the methodology of the food pairing.

I like wine and I like dinner. Good combo!

Patrons are welcome to make reservations any time between 6:30-8:30 p.m. to enjoy an expertly-prepared four-course meal paired with a selection of Pietra Santa wines.

“Pietra Santa is a family-run estate producing wonderful artisanal wines made only from the finest grapes and sustainable farming methods,” says Carter. “Guests will be treated to these exceptional wine offerings alongside a menu of meat and seafood dishes specifically created to compliment each wine’s distinguished flavor profile.”

Please see below for the complete Barony Tavern Pietra Santa Wine Dinner menu.

1^st Course:

Pistachio Crusted Local Grouper: Orzo with Spinach and Black Olives, Tomato Broth
* Pietra Santa Chardonnay

2^nd Course:

Grilled Norwegian Salmon: Mushroom Risotto, Red Wine Braised Collard Greens, Wild Berry Jus
*Pietra Santa Pinot Noir

3^rd Course:

Prime Rib of Beef: Blue Cheese Potato Cake, Grilled Asparagus, Dried Cherry Compote
*Pietra Santa Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

4^th Course:

Chocolate-Cherry Bombe: Vanilla Anglaise

Price is $65/person. Reservations are recommended but walk-ins are welcome. To make a reservation, please call 843.297.4246. For more information on Barony Tavern, please visitwww.baronytavern.com.

Charleston Restaurant News Events

Back to the Future Happy Hour at Bay Street Biergarten

October 13, 2015

I have been waiting 30 years for this event, and it’s finally (almost here)! The inner nerd in me is rejoicing. Bay St Biergarten will be hosting a Back to the Future happy hour on 10/21/15 from 4-7 pm.

1.21 Gigawatts!

30 years ago Doc, Marty McFly, and Jennifer traveled to the future in the DeLorean to Oct 21, 2015. In a little under two weeks, Charleston’s German bier haus, Bay St Biergarten, will be hosting a Welcome Party for the gang with a special throwback happy hour. The future may not have hover boards, or self-tying Nikes, and (it’s not looking good for the Cubs to win the World Series either), but Bay St. Biergarten will be offering a 1985 themed tap take-over on their self serving bier wall (who goes to the bartender for biers in the future any way). All biers on the wall will be 1985 prices so are friends from the past won’t have another thing to get accustomed to with all the other changes they will be experiencing.

Charleston Restaurant News Events

Charleston Mac Off 10/24/15

October 12, 2015

Saturday, October 24th, A Snappy Event will host the 6th annual Mac Off competition from 2 to 7 p.m. at The Grove at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, located at 40 Patriots Point Road. Yours truly will be one of the critics in the “Critic’s Choice” competition this year. I get to judge a mac & cheese contest! All my dreams are coming true.

*swoon*

No other food combines love, comfort, and Southern roots like mac and cheese. This melt in your mouth mainstay is a classic that is served as a side dish, a pasta entrée, a casserole, fried appetizer or even dessert on many Charleston menus. The Mac Off gives tribute to our Southern love of this versatile cheesy dish and seeks to crown the best of the best in Charleston.

Last year, 6,000 people gathered to sample traditional and gourmet offerings of mac and cheese and award bragging rights to “The Best Mac & Cheese” in Charleston. This year, local restaurants and chefs will compete for the title again.

Event attendees will have the opportunity to savor over 20 delectable macaroni and cheese samples and cast a vote for their favorite at the end of the event. A guest panel of local celebrity judges will also choose their favorite and present two awards at the end of the competition: Best Mac and Cheese in Charleston: Food Critics Choice (which I will be judging!), and Best Mac and Cheese in Charleston: People’s Choice.

Some of this year’s participating competitors include Roti Rolls, Bohemian Bull, The Loophole, Southerly Restaurant and Patio, Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House, The Fish House, Charleston Artisan Cheese House, Smoky Oak, The Shelter among others.

However, macaroni and cheese isn’t the only attraction at the festival. This year live music will be provided by Banana Pancakes and Bootless, our second-annual Home Grown Cooks competition will showcase local home chefs, and this year the Mac Off takes mac and cheese eating to a whole new level with the first macaroni and cheese eating competition sponsored by Charleston Artisan Cheese House. Attendees will also enjoy a farmer’s market-inspired Vendor Village hosting local artisans and craftsmen and a Kid’s Zone sponsored by Annie’s Nannies and HOPE Acres Rescue.

Tickets are $10.00 in advance and can be purchased online at www.charlestonmacoff.com. Food and Beverage tickets will be sold for $1.00 within the event. Tickets can be used to purchase Mac and Cheese, Beer, Wine and Soda. Part of the proceeds from this event will benefit Lowcountry Local First, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to cultivate an environment of success for local independent businesses and farmers. Through its Buy Local, Eat Local and Local Works Initiatives, LLF raises awareness about the positive fiscal and societal benefits of supporting a local living economy and assists local businesses with enhancing their growth and visibility.

Charleston Restaurant News

Bay St Biergarten Flood Victims Fundraiser

October 7, 2015

After the historic rains that Charleston, and South Carolina received over the weekend, Bay St. Biergarten is hosting a Flood Relief Fundraiser this Friday Oct. 9 from 10pm – 2am with music DJ Precise. 100% of proceeds from sales of Brooklyn Brewing’s Sorachi Ace and Palmetto Brewing’s Aftershock, plus a portion of all sales during the party, will go towards the flood relief.