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Updating the Charleston Heatmap, June 2014

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More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: Where should I eat right now? What are the new restaurants? What's everyone talking about? While the Eater 18 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not a chronicle of the 'it' places of the moment. The map welcomes newcomers Leon's Oyster Shop and Swig & Swine to the list. Here's the Eater Heat Map, which will change continually to always highlight where the crowds are flocking to at the moment.


Added 6/5/14: Leon's Oyster Shop, Swig & Swine
Added 5/1/14: The Palace Hotel, Brasserie GiGi
Added 4/3/14: The Obstinate Daughter, Chez Nous
Added 3/6/14: Edmund's Oast, The Park Café
Added 2/6/14: Lee Lee's Hot Kitchen, The Farmbar, Vincent Chicco's
Added 1/2/14: The Granary
Added 12/5/13: Bohemian Bull Tavern And Beer Garden and Scratch Taco Boutique
Added 11/7/13: Bay Street Biergarten
Added 10/3/13: Sweet Radish Bakery
Added 9/5/13: Indaco, The Southern General, Coda Del Pesce
Added 8/1/13: Básico
Added 7/11/13: Salt at Station 22, Warehouse
Added 6/6/13: Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House

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Bay Street Biergarten

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Bay Street Biergarten has everyone in Charleston clamoring to try out the tap tables and Bavarian-inspired/Southern-made food. The enormous space on East Bay houses a large selection of craft beers, tables for big parties and a jovial atmosphere.

brasserie gigi

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The newest project from chef Frank McMahon, Brasserie Gigi, opened in the old Mercato space, which was transformed into a French bistro, with leather booths, aged mirrors, and a Parisian-style zinc bar. Fans of salad Niçoise, steak frites, and seafood towers will feel right at home in the soft glow at Brasserie Gigi.

Chez Nous

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From the co-owners of cozy wine bar Bin 152, Chez Nous is rustic and French, with European style seating, a small bar, and an even tinier upstairs. Chef Jill Mathias and Juan Cassalett are behind the stove, serving a selection of two appetizers, two entrees and two desserts. The restaurant has been open less than a month, but is already becoming the most Instagrammed eatery on the peninsula.

Edmund's Oast

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Since they opened on February 14, brewpub Edmund's Oast is packed full of crowds nightly, but that shouldn't stop you from gawking at the magnificent interiors while trying to grab a seat at the bar. With the combination of chef Andy Henderson's thoughtful cuisine, bartender Jayce McConnell's unique cocktails, and brewer Cameron Read's suds, it's no wonder this place is popular. If you forget to make a reservation, Sunday brunch starts at 10:00 a.m., and you're sure to steal a seat before the crowds wake.
The latest restaurant from the Indigo Road Group, Indaco is the hip spot to visit for pizza, pasta, and negronis. The pies feature perfectly crisp crusts and the toppings are inventive. Dishes are thoughtful derivations of classic Italian flavors. And they just opened their patio in time for spring.

Lee Lee's Hot Kitchen

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If restauranteur Karalee Nielsen Fallert has a hand in the project, then it's usually a fair bet it will soon be the talk of the town. Her newest place, Lee Lee's Hot Kitchen is no different. The crowds are traveling to President Street to sample chef Lily Lei's Chinese fare and liking it. First reports are to to try the kale salad and Shanghai noodles. The super stylized interiors, covered in vintage firecracker posters and red birdcages, are worth a trip for anyone interested in quirky design.

Leon's Oyster Shop

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Combine fancy champagne, cheap beer, fried chicken, and a casual raw bar all housed in an old auto body shop and you'd find Leon's Oyster Shop. The menu has plenty of salads for the lunch crowds and soft serve for the kids. Restaurateurs Tim Mink and Brooks Reitz put a lot of thought into every detail of this latest eatery, so go marvel at the wondrous interiors.

Swig & Swine

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The most recent barbecue place to hit Charleston, Swig & Swine packed in the crowds as soon as they opened their doors. Meats are pulled from the smoker at different intervals of the day to ensure the freshest cuts around. The menu has standards, like pork belly, brisket, pork, turkey, ribs, and house-made sausages, and the chalkboard listing allows chef Anthony DiBernado to change up his offerings daily.

The Granary

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The Granary is the newest project from chef Brannon Florie of The Rarebit fame. Florie's restaurant, located in Mount Pleasant, has a farm-to-table menu with a focus on house-made charcuterie. Look for duck and waffles or the Fatboy on the brunch menu.

The Obstinate Daughter

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The latest endeavor from the Wild Olive crew, The Obstinate Daughter, offers updated Italian at the beach. Executive chef Jacques Larson and chef de cuisine Will Fincher (formally of pizza place Monza) head the kitchen. Expect Italian-influenced small plates, traditional pastas, and wood-fired pizzas.

The Palace Hotel

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Like your bars a little gritty and your drinks cheap? Head to The Palace Hotel on Hanover Street. Since opening, this former snack shop has hipsters flocking to the Eastside for fancy hotdogs from consulting chef Eva Keilty and a low-key atmosphere.

Bay Street Biergarten

Bay Street Biergarten has everyone in Charleston clamoring to try out the tap tables and Bavarian-inspired/Southern-made food. The enormous space on East Bay houses a large selection of craft beers, tables for big parties and a jovial atmosphere.

brasserie gigi

The newest project from chef Frank McMahon, Brasserie Gigi, opened in the old Mercato space, which was transformed into a French bistro, with leather booths, aged mirrors, and a Parisian-style zinc bar. Fans of salad Niçoise, steak frites, and seafood towers will feel right at home in the soft glow at Brasserie Gigi.

Chez Nous

From the co-owners of cozy wine bar Bin 152, Chez Nous is rustic and French, with European style seating, a small bar, and an even tinier upstairs. Chef Jill Mathias and Juan Cassalett are behind the stove, serving a selection of two appetizers, two entrees and two desserts. The restaurant has been open less than a month, but is already becoming the most Instagrammed eatery on the peninsula.

Edmund's Oast

Since they opened on February 14, brewpub Edmund's Oast is packed full of crowds nightly, but that shouldn't stop you from gawking at the magnificent interiors while trying to grab a seat at the bar. With the combination of chef Andy Henderson's thoughtful cuisine, bartender Jayce McConnell's unique cocktails, and brewer Cameron Read's suds, it's no wonder this place is popular. If you forget to make a reservation, Sunday brunch starts at 10:00 a.m., and you're sure to steal a seat before the crowds wake.

Indaco

The latest restaurant from the Indigo Road Group, Indaco is the hip spot to visit for pizza, pasta, and negronis. The pies feature perfectly crisp crusts and the toppings are inventive. Dishes are thoughtful derivations of classic Italian flavors. And they just opened their patio in time for spring.

Lee Lee's Hot Kitchen

If restauranteur Karalee Nielsen Fallert has a hand in the project, then it's usually a fair bet it will soon be the talk of the town. Her newest place, Lee Lee's Hot Kitchen is no different. The crowds are traveling to President Street to sample chef Lily Lei's Chinese fare and liking it. First reports are to to try the kale salad and Shanghai noodles. The super stylized interiors, covered in vintage firecracker posters and red birdcages, are worth a trip for anyone interested in quirky design.

Leon's Oyster Shop

Combine fancy champagne, cheap beer, fried chicken, and a casual raw bar all housed in an old auto body shop and you'd find Leon's Oyster Shop. The menu has plenty of salads for the lunch crowds and soft serve for the kids. Restaurateurs Tim Mink and Brooks Reitz put a lot of thought into every detail of this latest eatery, so go marvel at the wondrous interiors.

Swig & Swine

The most recent barbecue place to hit Charleston, Swig & Swine packed in the crowds as soon as they opened their doors. Meats are pulled from the smoker at different intervals of the day to ensure the freshest cuts around. The menu has standards, like pork belly, brisket, pork, turkey, ribs, and house-made sausages, and the chalkboard listing allows chef Anthony DiBernado to change up his offerings daily.

The Granary

The Granary is the newest project from chef Brannon Florie of The Rarebit fame. Florie's restaurant, located in Mount Pleasant, has a farm-to-table menu with a focus on house-made charcuterie. Look for duck and waffles or the Fatboy on the brunch menu.

The Obstinate Daughter

The latest endeavor from the Wild Olive crew, The Obstinate Daughter, offers updated Italian at the beach. Executive chef Jacques Larson and chef de cuisine Will Fincher (formally of pizza place Monza) head the kitchen. Expect Italian-influenced small plates, traditional pastas, and wood-fired pizzas.

The Palace Hotel

Like your bars a little gritty and your drinks cheap? Head to The Palace Hotel on Hanover Street. Since opening, this former snack shop has hipsters flocking to the Eastside for fancy hotdogs from consulting chef Eva Keilty and a low-key atmosphere.

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