The Watch Menu: Full of Southern Favorites With International Flair

Recently named one of "2016's Hottest Hotels," by Vogue, The Restoration on Wentworth Street wanted to open a restaurant to serve not only guests, but as a place for locals to hang out. The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits is located on the seventh floor of The Restoration property, which makes them the highest eatery on the peninsula, and the space has arguably one of the best views — everyone who has worked on the project tells us that the sunset sights are beyond amazing. The windows and decks give guests a panoramic sweep of the entire downtown.

Chef Chad Anderson (previously of The Macintosh and Oak Atlanta) was tasked with creating a menu that reflected Lowcountry products, new Southern flavors, and a cosmopolitan feeling. There's one menu for the whole day and offerings range from small plates to large entrees to snacks, like a chicken skin dish that will make you rethink why you ever bothered with wings (the skins are coated in a house-made hot sauce and sprinkled with blue cheese and celery and carrot slices). Entrees read like a relaxed neighborhood restaurant with shrimp and grits, a half chicken, steak frites, seasonal vegetable salad, and a burger with truffle fries. There are also comfort food items, like a lobster mac n' cheese, that you'd want to order if you were staying at the hotel and just had a long flight to Charleston.

Food and beverage manager Rob DeLeo created the cocktail menu with Charleston history and flavors in mind. The libations use local liquor purveyors and are easily quaffable on these unseasonably warm days. DeLeo says the program is growing, and they've recruited veteran bartenders from other local establishments to staff the bar.

The Restoration is in a soft opening period now, but the restaurant/bar is ready for visitors. The Watch opens daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Patrons enter the elevator at 77-79 Wentworth St. to get to the establishment.

Below is the full menu.