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Eat & Drink

Pakistani Restaurant Opening in Downtown Charleston

Ma’am Saab, a Pakistani Restaurant is coming to downtown Charleston. 

Ma’am Saab first began as a pop-up at the popular exploratory restaurant venue Workshop Charleston and was widely popular amongst patrons. The concept was even able to deliver food to customers during the pandemic while Workshop was closed.

Raheel Gauba, co-owner of Ma’am Saab, said “Workshop was a true incubator. It truly served its purpose. We got 10 years worth of experience in one year.”

According to Maryam Gauba, chef and co-owner of Ma’am Saab, is eager to continue to share her culture and love of food with Charleston. She said, “Growing up in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, one can say that I have enjoyed some of the most flavorful foods from an early age….Ma’am Saab was born out of my incurable insistence to share the flavors I crave with my fellow Charlestonians.”

The new restaurant will be located at 251 Meeting Street, where they will be taking the place of Jestine’s Kitchen, a beloved Charleston staple that was forced to close during the pandemic.

Ma’am Saab is expected to open this summer – either by July or August.

Eat & Drink

Two New Restaurants Coming to Downtown Charleston

Even though numerous businesses have suffered immensely throughout the past year, there seems to be some hope. The restaurant scene in downtown Charleston is coming alive again and adding some fresh new faces. Check out these two new restaurants coming to Charleston this spring.

Coterie, located in downtown Charleston, recently opened at 17 Warren Street. Coterie serves up a fusion of Indian and American cuisine with a southern twist like their Okra and Paneer Malai or Bombay Shrimp and Grits. They also have delicious craft cocktails and provide outdoor seating for patrons to enjoy. The restaurant is open from 5:00pm – 11:00 pm for dinner service. 

Brasserie le Banque is set to open this spring at 1 Broad Street. This French brasserie, owned by the Indigo Road Hospitality Group, will serve classic French pastries for breakfast in combination with a coffee bar and will also provide lunch and dinner for restaurant-goers.

News

Long-standing Downtown Restaurant Closing Its Doors

A long-standing restaurant situated in the heart of downtown Charleston will soon be closing their doors. 

The Macintosh, which is located on Upper King Street, will officially be closing on March 7th after serving their staple brunch menu to patrons. The restaurant has been in business for over a decade and helped get Charleston’s food scene noticed by tourists and critics alike.

While the COVID-19 pandemic was not the primary reason they chose to close their doors, it certainly played a part in the ultimate decision. 

In a statement on the decision to close The Macintosh, Steve Palmer, founder and partner of The Indigo Road restaurant group, said, “The Macintosh’s moment in time has come and gone. Our tastes have changed: We’re just in a different universe now…Sales is the ultimate report card, I believe the restaurant would be in a different place had COVID not happened, but COVID is not the reason.”

While The Macintosh will be closing, the Cocktail Club located above the restaurant will remain open.

Eat & Drink

Where to Find the Best Cajun/Creole Food in Charleston

Cajun/Creole food isn’t just for Mardi Gras! These Charleston-based restaurants are serving up some of the best southern Louisiana staples all year round. 

LoLA

Located in North Charleston’s Park Circle, LoLA is home to Low Country Louisiana cuisine. Some of LoLA’s staples include Creole Jambalaya, Shrimp and Andouille Mac and Cheese and Classic Muffuletta. Finish off your meal with a delicious dessert of Beignets for a classic Creole sweet treat.

Cafe Roux

Cafe Roux, a self-proclaimed “mobile kitchen,” is famous for their traditional southern Louisiana food. Order their Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, Blackened Alligator or Creole Red Beans and Rice and get transported straight to New Orleans. You can either place an order online or visit the food truck on Sullivan’s Island.

Charleston Caribbean Creole

The Charleston Caribbean Creole food truck fuses both Caribbean and Creole food. From Creole Fried Catfish Baskets to Charleston Creole Gumbo to Crawfish Tacos, Charleston Caribbean Creole has it all. The food truck is normally stationed at 3316 Ashley Phosphate Road but occasionally travels to other areas around the Charleston area. Check out their online calendar to see where you can catch them next.

Gillie’s Seafood

Who knew James Island was home to some of the best Creole/Cajun food in Charleston? Gillie’s Seafood, located at 805 Folly Road, has an extensive Creole menu. Try their Seafood Purloo, Okra Gumbo or Catfish Charleston – you won’t be disappointed.

Eat & Drink

Charleston’s Restaurant Week Has Begun

South Carolina’s annual restaurant week has officially begun. Each year the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association hosts a week-long celebration of local restaurants in various cities across the state, where participating restaurants provide special menus and pricing on some of their most popular items. 

This year’s event will last from January 7th to January 17th. Foodies can find either lunch or dinner menus ranging in price from $10 to $55 depending on the number of courses and chosen restaurant.

Some of this year’s participating restaurants include 5 Church, Grace and Grit, High Cotton, Slightly North of Broad and Vicious Biscuit. Each restaurant has fully customized their restaurant week menu to create a tailored and indulgent experience for restaurant-goers.

It’s no secret the restaurant industry has suffered immensely during the course of the past year so we encourage people to support some of Charleston’s local hotspots during this year’s restaurant week.

Hungry to help out? Click here for a full list of participating restaurants and their restaurant week menus.

 

Eat & Drink

Charleston Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Meals

A variety of Charleston restaurants are serving up delicious Thanksgiving dinners for you and your family to enjoy this year. Choose between a sit-down dinner at your favorite Charleston hotspot or pick up some side dishes to round out your Thanksgiving meal. 

For those individuals who do not want to lift a finger this Thanksgiving holiday, many Charleston restaurants are also providing full Thanksgiving meals to go. Here are some Charleston restaurants serving up Thanksgiving meals around town.

Caviar & Bananas

A full a la carte menu provides you with the power to pick and choose what you want for your Thanksgiving meal. From whole turkeys to cornbread dressing to mashed potatoes and gravy to blueberry cobbler, you can find something for everyone. Be sure to place your order by November 21st. 

Crave Kitchen and Cocktails

Offering a “Take and Bake” menu, Crave Kitchen and Cocktails can do most of the heavy lifting on Thanksgiving. Pick an entree, appetizer, two sides, and a dessert to complete your Thanksgiving dinner this year. They are also offering options for both pick-up and delivery.

The Dewberry/Henrietta’s

Looking for a sit-down dinner in someone else’s dining room other than your own? The Dewberry is providing a family-style Thanksgiving meal in the beautiful dining room at Henrietta’s. Make a reservation for either 1:00 PM, 3:30 PM, or 6:00 PM.

Edmund’s Oast

For just $245, you can get a full Thanksgiving Dinner package to go. Edmund’s Oast is providing classic dishes like green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. They are also adding their staple beer Something Cold to their package in addition to three bottles of wine – all of which are available for curbside pickup on Thanksgiving Day.

High Cotton

Traditional Thanksgiving dishes meet southern staples at High Cotton’s sit down Thanksgiving meal. Enjoy classic dishes like stuffing, sweet potatoes, and corn pudding, or opt for Charleston favorites like shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and broiled oysters. High Cotton will be open on Thanksgiving day from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM so, be sure to make a reservation soon.

Other Charleston restaurants offering Thanksgiving meals and side dishes include Butcher & Bee, Dockery’s, Home Team BBQ, Magnolia’s, Mercantile and Mash, and Zero Restaurant.

 

Eat & Drink

Have a Plant-Based Diet? Charleston’s Got You Covered.

Featured Image: Gnome Cafe

Gnome Cafe

Gnome exists to show you the power of plant-based food! For both breakfast and lunch, they use high-quality ingredients to serve up bold flavors to satisfy any craving.

Dellz Uptown

A Charleston staple, Dellz Uptown has mastered the art of creating classic, feel-good foods like pizza and nachos that are also friendly to vegetarian and vegan eaters. Their Vegan Jazzy Pizza is a must-have. Be sure to try one of their smoothies for the ultimate experience.

The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

Another great option for those with plant-based diets is The Harbinger. With a kitchen that features locally-sourced, seasonal dishes alongside a bakery with fresh pastries, including gluten-free options!

 

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A well balanced meal if you ask me. ?? ? ?

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Huriyali

Creating food with your health in mind, Huriyali serves up some of the freshest plant-based food in Charleston. From fresh-pressed juice and nut milk to creative deli favorites, you can trust that your health is in good hands when eating at Huriyali!

 

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Cuz who packs a lunch on a Monday?!✨??? #goldenbudhabowlwithcurry

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Tu

Grounded in tradition and culture, Tu delivers delicious dinners from the Indian Subcontinent. Tu takes classic dishes and gives them a unique twist while still paying homage to their origins, a challenging task. The team at Tu works hard to develop relationships with local fishermen and farmers to ensure the quality of their entire menu.

Butcher and Bee

Butcher and Bee started out as a small shop specializing in gourmet sandwiches but has quickly grown into a full menu with a new location serving up a mix of unique and exciting dishes, many of which are vegetarian and vegan-friendly. Using local and sustainable ingredients is a culture and mindset that Butcher and Bee makes a priority.

 

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That moment when you see your dinner approaching the table ?

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Eat & Drink

insta-worthy dishes Charleston

Become A Foodstagrammer With These Insta-Worthy Dishes In Charleston

Feature Image: King Street Dispensary/FB

Who hasn’t ordered a dish just becuase it would make a great IG pic that will cause a serious case of FOMO for all your followers? Don’t worry, us too. And since Charleston is a culinary destination and everyone lives by the cardinal rule of ‘Gramming before grubbing these days we’re picking out some of the most-insta worthy dishes around the Holy City.

King Street Dispensary

Order: The Dispensary Burger

If you haven’t tried this burger, you’re missing out! For only $6 on Wednesday, you’ll get two double bacon-crusted patties topped with melted cheese on a delicious bun and a side of truffle fries (that are quite possibly the most addicting fries you will ever eat) along with a pic that will qualify you as a major foodstagrammer. If your followers weren’t hungry before, they will be after they double-tap this pic.

 

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Saltwater Cowboys

Order: The Trashcan Nachos

Trying to up your game from a still image to a fire boomerang or drool-worthy Insta story? Head over to Saltwater Cowboys on Shem Creek and order the Trashcan Nachos. Make sure your phone is ready because when the server lifts the can and reveals the mouth-watering layers of tortilla chips, black beans, pico, sour cream and drizzled queso, you won’t want to miss a beat. 

 

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The Daily

Order: The Avocado Toast

Look up the definition of millennial and we’re pretty sure you’ll find the words Instagram and avocado toast somewhere. And, if you want Insta-worthy avocado toast, The Daily is where you need to go. They start with a slice of crunchy sourdough bread and top it with zesty avocado spread, then leave it up to you to add tomato, bacon, or an egg for a tasty Instsa snack. Tip: snap a pic from an above angle for optimal aesthetics.

 

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Leon’s Oyster Shop

Order: The Char-Grilled Oysters

Even if you’re not an oyster fan, these chargrilled oysters prepared with butter, parmesan cheese, lemon, and parsley are hard to pass up. They’ll have you flagging down your server for another order before you can even finish your first. The presentation of this dish is just as amazing as the oysters themselves.

 

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We know it’ll be hard to avoid taking a bite of any of these dishes before ‘gramming but don’t forget. ‘Gram before grub.