In keeping with Eater tradition, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types and bloggers. To kick it off in Charleston, Eater asked the group eight questions, ranging from the restaurants they frequent most to the biggest surprises of the year. Responses are in no particular order, and readers are encouraged to leave answers in the comments.
[Photo of The Ordinary: Squire Fox]
Q: What are the top restaurant newcomers of 2013?
Robert Moss, author of Going Lardcore and restaurant critic for City Paper:
Coda del Pesce
Charles Powell, author of Foodmancing The Girl:
Really hate to jump on with everyone else...but The Ordinary.
Angela Hanyak, writer and restaurant critic for City Paper:
Xiao Bao Biscuit. No other place excited locals and tourists in equal measure quite like Xiao Bao. Charlestonians have been struggling to pronounce "okonomiyaki" ever since.
Jeff Allen, restaurant critic for Charleston Magazine:
Coda del Pesce
Eric Doksa, writer and restaurant critic for City Paper:
It's still very new, but from what I've seen (and eaten), The Granary should have a big year. This is the stage Brannon Florie has been waiting for.
Erin Perkins, editor Eater Charleston:
It's hard to deny the impact and national press The Ordinary and Xiao Bao Biscuit brought to Charleston this year.