New West Ashley Restaurant Patois Draws Inspiration from Caribbean

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. For all the restaurants in the summer and fall of 2020, check out this list.

May 13, 2021

WEST ASHLEY — Former Spanglish Cocina + Bar is now Caribbean restaurant Patois. Spanglish founders Lynda and Tomas Prado surrendered their portion of the restaurant and moved to Greenville, amid reports of financial troubles with the business. Chef Mike Fitzhugh is now at the helm with a menu of flavors ranging from the West Indies to Mexico. Items include pernil, empanadas, shrimp ceviche, Cuban sandwiches, and more. Currently, the restaurant is BYOB. Status: Certified open. 652 St. Andrews Boulevard; website.

UPPER KING — Indian restaurant Coterie took over the former trattoria Pane e Vino spot on Warren Street. The menu features traditional Indian dishes with a few Southern twists, like country captain tikka or Bombay shrimp and grits. Status: Certified open. 17 Warren Street; website.

DANIEL ISLAND — Waterfront restaurant the Kingstide offers two stories of seafood dining to Daniel Island residents and visitors. The kitchen serves classic raw bar items like oysters and stone crab claws, appetizers from smoked fish dip to seafood sausage, lobster rolls, shrimp po’ boys, fisherman’s stew, local trout, shellfish pasta dishes, a steak for that one friend that doesn’t like seafood, and more. Status: Certified open. 32 River Landing Drive; website.

UPPER KING — Vietnamese restaurant Pink Bellies almost broke the internet when online orders started last week. Garlic noodle fans were desperate to be among the first to order takeout from chef Thai Phi’s new King Street restaurant. The dining room isn’t open yet, but those in need of pho or spicy lamb dumplings for carryout on Thursdays through Sundays. Status: Certified open for takeout. 595 King Street; website.

LOWER KING — Celebrity chef Vivian Howard recently opened her second restaurant in Charleston. Lenoir draws from Howard’s home of Lenoir County, North Carolina, but also from the mind of executive chef Tyson Detzler (previously of the Obstinate Daughter). Menu items include Howard’s signature blueberry barbecue chicken wings, local crudo with buttermilk nuoc cham, butterbean agnolotti in a country ham broth, cornmeal-dusted catfish, and more. Status: Certified open. 68 Wentworth Street; website.

March 15, 2021

FRENCH QUARTER — The owners of long-standing bakery Macaroon Boutique, Fabrice Rizzo and Fabienne Docco, have opened another Charleston business named Le Chambertin. The petite cafe sits just off Broad Street and serves a daily lunch, along with coffee, pastries, breads, and imported goods from France. The couple says they wanted it to feel like dining in small shop nestled in Burgundy. To them, the relationship with their patrons is the most important part of the business. There’s no website or social media, so customers have to stop in to check out the day’s offerings. Status: Certified open. 113 Church Street

WEST ASHLEY — New Chinese spot Old Li’s Restaurant offers more than the average takeout establishment found in the Lowcountry. Old Li’s menu includes dishes like squirrel fish, Dongpo pork, and spicy crayfish. Status: Certified open. 1662 Savannah Highway, Unit 105; website.

MEDICAL DISTRICT — Bar/restaurant Laurel serves Spanish and Portuguese plates in a handsome, convivial space. Status: Certified open. 161 Rutledge Avenue; website.

EASTSIDE — Eastside Bagel is now Dos Taqueria. From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., the space sells breakfast burritos, street tacos, horchata, and more. Status: Certified open. 8 Line Street; website.

NORTH CHARLESTON — Chef Raul Sanchez is back with Maya Del Sol Kitchen in North Charleston. The restaurant offers Mexican brunch, lunch, and reservation-only tasting menu dinners. Status: Certified open. 1813 Reynolds Avenue; Facebook.

March 2, 2021

WESTSIDE — Mamas’ Boys Sandwich Emporium is the second concept from restaurateurs Jeremiah Schenzel and Nicholas Dowling of Daps Breakfast + Imbibe. They will sell hearty sandwiches and hot dogs from a ghost kitchen, which means the food is only for pickup or delivery (coming soon through UberEats). The menu includes takes on classic deli fare, like a meatball sub, a chorizo chili dog, an Italian sandwich with Duke’s mayo, and more. Status: Certified open. 280 Ashley Avenue, Unit A; website.

MOUNT PLEASANT — Stuck in traffic on the way to Sullivan’s Island? Now there’s Ty’s Roadside Coastal Kitchen on the way for those who need a food break. The new Coleman Boulevard restaurant offers wood-fired items like pizzas, chicken, burgers, steaks, and more. Status: Certified open. 713 Coleman Boulevard; website.

DANIEL ISLAND — From restaurant group Indigo Road, the Dime offers coffees, teas, and pasties to the Daniel Island set. Status: Certified open. 30 Landing River Drive; website.

JAMES ISLAND — Chef Shaun Brian (formerly of Parcel 32) and Oyster Point Seafood owner Chris John come together for the fresh new seafood market CudaCo with some can’t-miss takeout items. Customers can choose from items like a daily crudo, local fish spread with Ritz crackers, fried fish sandwiches, sticky rice bowls with raw fish, smoked oyster soup, and more. Status: Certified open. 765 Folly Road; website.

WESTSIDE — Bodega Toda combines Mexican concept Semilla, fried chicken set-up Street Bird, and Charleston Burger Co. all under one roof. Customers can order a variety of take-out items from one platform. Status: Certified open. 218 President Street; website.

NORTH CHARLESTON — Restaurateurs Nathan and Chasity Brown opened Daddy’s Girl Bakery on Reynolds Avenue to help revitalize a once vibrant hub of economic activity and community business in North Charleston. The bakery offers cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, and more. Status: Certified open. 2021B Reynolds Avenue; website.

WESTSIDE — French restaurant Saveurs du Monde has a new location at the Westedge complex. Chef Xavier Yvernogeau was brought on to develop the menu. Expect rich items like foie gras brûlée, burgers with black truffles, and lobster bisque. Status: Certified open. 22 WestEdge Street; website.