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Having a tough time keeping up with all the new dining options? Welcome to the Opening Report, a regularly-updated round-up of restaurant openings big and small across the Lowcountry. Visit the fall openings for an archive of the newcomers from October through early December.
March 28, 2019
THE MARKET — The group behind Saltwater Cowboy has taken over the former Noisy Oyster space for new seafood eatery Hooked. Chef Thad Stuckey offers a range of classics, like ceviche, she crab soup, friend shrimp, PEI mussels, and more in a revamped space. Status: Certified open. 24 N Market St.; website.
CANNONBOROUGH/ELLIOTBOROUGH — Spring Street restaurant Cannon Green shut down over the summer to come back as Wild Common. The establishment has a new look, a new chef, and a new menu. Chef Orlando Pagán hopped from McCrady’s Tavern to take over the kitchen. Status: Certified open. 103 Spring St.; website.
CANNONBOROUGH/ELLIOTBOROUGH — Charleston industry vet Brooke Warden and chef Jeremy Paige bring Oaxacan cuisine to Charleston with Pink Cactus. Status: Certified open. 101A Spring St.; Instagram.
NORTH CENTRAL — From chef Vandy Vanderwarker and bar manager Will Love comes French bistro Maison. The menu changes often, but is likely to offer teak tartare, mussels bourride, and whole flounder. Status: Certified open. 708 King St.; website.
February 27, 2019
WEST ASHLEY — Betty Lou’s Bistro brings Southern favorites like she-crab soup and French classics like steak tartare to the same menu in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Status: Certified open. 2408 Ashley River Rd. ; Facebook.
MOUNT PLEASANT — New pub 713 Bar & Grill recently unlocked the doors in the former Smoke BBQ space on Coleman Boulevard. According to a recent Yelp review, the menu contains drinking-compatible snacks like maple-chipotle chicken wings, shrimp fritters , and guacamole. Status: Certified open. 713 Coleman Blvd.; Yelp.
February 22, 2019
NOMO — Popular Charleston food truck Root Note joins Workshop with Southern-meets-Thai cuisine. Look for Bangkok chicken and waffles, khao soi, and gochujang wings. Status: Certified open. 1503 King St.; Instagram.
MOUNT PLEASANT — In addition to single-origin coffee, Coorg Indian Cafe also offers cocktails, beer, wine, Indian small plates and entrees. Spicy chicken, Coorg ribs, curry lentils, and more come with naan, cucumber salad, and rice. Status: Certified open. 1440 Ben Sawyer Blvd; website.
FRENCH QUARTER — “Charlotte’s Hot Place For Swanky Tacos,” RuRu’s Tacos + Tequila expanded to Charleston with tacos, queso, fajitas, burritos, and Jasmine rice bowls. Status: Certified open. 159 East Bay St.; website.
UPPER KING — Newly renovated Monza Pizza Bar reopened with twice the seating and pizza ovens as the previous version. Many of the original dishes remain with a few new additions. Status: Certified open. 451 King St.; website.
January 29, 2019
UPPER KING — New Orleans’ chef Michael Sichel heads up old-world restaurant Gabrielle inside of the newly opened Hotel Bennett. The European-style menu includes caviar, prime steaks, duck à l’orange, red fish barigoule, gnocchi with clams, and more. The hotel also houses Camellias, La Patisserie, and a rooftop bar Fiat Lux. Status: Certified open. 404 King St.; website.
January 16, 2019
CANNONBOROUGH/ELLIOTBOROUGH — Coffee shop/cafe/bookstore 132 Spring serves breakfast and lunch with influences from Europe, Mexico, and the United States. The store carries Springbok coffee, Swedish pastries, and Taschen books. Status: Certified open. 23 Spring St.; article.
UPPER KING — Lowcountry restaurant Parcel 32 converted its private event space into a second floor bar named the Parlour. The upstairs destination provides lounge seating for those looking to sip a classic cocktail, beer, or wine. The Parlour serves a limited menu of Parcel 32’s greatest hits, including the pecan meal hush puppies and the smash burger. Status: Certified open. 442 King St.; website.
JOHNS ISLAND — Find tuna crudo, wood-fired oysters, barbecue shrimp, and ribeyes at the Royal Tern. The new Johns Island addition comes from former Coast chef David Pell and industry vets/brothers John and Ben Williams. Status: Certified open. 3005 Maybank Hwy.; website.
January 3, 2019
PARK CIRCLE — Long-standing Thai restaurant Basil expands to North Charleston with the takeover of the former Lotus Vietnamese restaurant. Now, residents can get summer rolls and pad Thai without traveling downtown or to Mount Pleasant. Status: Certified open. 1070 East Montague Ave.; website.
EASTSIDE — Experimental restaurant Tu reopened in the new year with Indian cuisine. The menu has completely changed and the cheese ice is gone in favor of chicken tikka and naan. Status: Certified open. 430 Meeting St.; website.
POP-UP — Entrepreneur Tee Somsnith brings traditional southeast Asian food to various locations around the Lowcountry with her pop-up Sap-Lai. According to the Post and Courier, Somsnith had the idea for Sap-Lai after she was asked numerous times to cater Vietnamese nail shops and co-workers parties. Status: Certified open. Instagram.
