The Most Anticipated Charleston Restaurant Openings, Winter 2016

Healthy eating resolutions, big credit card bills, and chilly temps may tempt you to stay in this season, but there will be many new openings around Charleston to interest you. Chefs, restaurateurs, and investors aren't slowing down just yet. While deadlines always shift, this is what we're expecting to see in the next three months.

LITTLE jack's Tavern

Location: 710 King St., downtown
Key Players: Restaurateurs Brooks Reitz and Tim Mink
Projected Opening: January
According to co-owner Brooks Reitz, Little Jack's "will be a classic tavern serving familiar but smart pub standards and a full bar with an emphasis on classic cocktails." Expect perfect Manhattans, thoroughly-researched burgers, pastrami on rye, and hours for lunch and dinner.

[Eater Charleston]

PANCITO & LEFTY

Location: 708 King St., downtown
Key Players: Restaurateur Jimmy Poole and chef Robert Berry
Projected Opening: February 
Jimmy Poole and Robert Berry are renovating the former Zappo's Pizza space to become their ideal Mexican restaurant, complete with a lively atmosphere, tequila and mezcal drinks, and, of course, tacos.

[Provided]

HAROLD'S CABIN

Location: 247 Congress St., downtown
Key Players: Co-owner John Schumacher and chef Justin Moore 
Projected Opening: Winter
Proprietor John Schumacher plans to honor the history of the building and the original owner Harold Jacobs' concept with a locally-sourced comestibles shop and two floors of dining space. The menu will focus on Lowcountry products and produce and will include the famous Harold's snowballs that so many people remember enjoying at the original establishment.

[Rendering of Harold's Cabin Provided]

LEWIS BARBECUE

Location: 464 Nassau St., downtown
Key Players: John Lewis 
Projected Opening: March
John Lewis, the acclaimed pitmaster of La Barbecue in Austin, will bring Texas-style brisket to Charleston later this year. If the long lines for his summer pop-ups are indication, the Holy City is ready for Lewis's brand of beef. The brick-and-mortar location will be tricked out with one of Lewis's custom-designed smokers, and the menu features smoked classics like brisket, beef and pork ribs, "Texas hot guts" sausages, plus pulled pork shoulder and basic sides like potato salad and slaw.

[Stitch Design Co.]

STEMS AND SKINS

Location: 1070 E. Montague Ave., Park Circle
Key Players: Co-owners Matt Tunstall and Justin Croxall
Projected Opening: Winter
Two big players in the Charleston wine world are teaming up to bring prime varietals to Park Circle imbibers. Sommelier Matt Tunstall left his post at Southern eatery Husk in July to join Bull Street Gourmet owner/executive chef Justin Croxall to create wine bar Stems and Skins. Tunstall will be the face of the bar, pouring wines for guests and educating visitors with his extensive wine knowledge. They also plan to serve light snacks to pair with the beverages.

[Stems and Skins]

Cane Rhum Bar + Caribbean Kitchen

Location: 251 East Bay St., downtown
Key Players: Chef/owner Paul Yellin
Projected Opening: Winter
"The Rhum Chef," Paul Yellin, took on the task of transforming the former Big John's Tavern space into a bar/restaurant with a "laid back tropical oasis" feeling. The concept Cane Rhum Bar + Caribbean Kitchen will obviously serve rum drinks and Caribbean cuisine. It will be a slice of island life on East Bay Street.

[Eater Charleston]

Turquoise restaurant

Location: 357 King St., downtown
Key Players: Owner Recep Dinli
Projected Opening: January
Proprietor Recep Dinli and his family were encouraged to bring traditional Turkish cuisine to Charleston after opening Turkish home decor and fashion store Kissmet at 177 King St. The menu will offer traditional Turkish foods ranging from breakfast to dinner. Look for homemade börek, pide, mezze plates, and more.

[Eater Charleston]

the darling oyster bar

Location: 513 King St., Downtown
Key Players: Co-owners Ben Russell-Schlesinger and Robert Young, restaurant advisor Nathan Thurston, and chef Joe DiMaio
Projected Opening: Early 2016
When small plates shop Union Provisions shuttered, the owners decided to flip the script and turn the space into a casual(ish) raw bar and fried seafood house. The full menu hasn't been released, but the teasers for the opening include shellfish pot pie, oyster spaghetti, fried flounder sandwiches, and more.

[Brian Stetson]

Also, keep an eye on:
• 60 Bull Cafe (Downtown)
• 843 Korean BBQ & Sushi House (North Charleston)
• Delish! Bakery & Bistro (Downtown)
• Crooked Crown (Downtown)
• Crust Wood Fired Pizza (Summerville)
• Farmer & Exchange (Downtown)
• Fill Restaurant & Piano Bar (Mount Pleasant)
• Generalísimo (Downtown)
• Home Team BBQ (Downtown)
• Le Farfalle (Downtown)
• Luke's Craft Pizza (Downtown)
• Oyster House on Market (Downtown)
• Pacific Box & Crate (Downtown)
• Peace Pies (Downtown)
• Rumored Sean Brock Burger Shop (Downtown)
• Saint Alban (Reopening Downtown)
• Seed (Downtown)
• Superica (Unknown)
• The Dewberry (Downtown)
• The Rise Coffee Bar (Downtown)
• The Workshop (Downtown)
• WildFlour Pastry (West Ashley)
• Westside Deli (Downtown)