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Updating the Charleston Heatmap, September 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 White Duck Taco Shop and Union Provisions to the list. Here's the Eater Heatmap, which will change continually to always highlight where the crowds are flocking to at the moment. Presented in alphabetical order.

Added 9/4/14: White Duck Taco Shop, Union Provisions
Added 8/7/14: 167 Raw, Boxcar Betty's, Callie's Hot Little Biscuit
Added 7/3/14: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
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, Scratch Taco Boutique
Added 11/7/13: Bay Street Biergarten
Added 10/3/13: Sweet Radish Bakery

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167 Raw

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Co-owners Jesse Sandole and Kyle Norton wanted to bring a high-end seafood counter to Charleston. Chef Sean Rieflin is in the shop's tiny kitchen utilizing the fresh products to create crowd favorites like lobster rolls and tuna poke. The menu and the space may be small, but the team at 167 Raw puts out a might meal from the ocean's bounty.

Bay Street Biergarten

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Bay Street Biergarten has crowds 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.

Boxcar Betty's

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Winning reviews and amassing fans across the Lowcountry, Boxcar Betty's is becoming the go-to spot for fried chicken sandwiches. That's right, they pretty much only do poultry on bread, but they do it really, really well.

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.

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit

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Long time admirers of Callie's Charleston Biscuits rejoiced when they heard that owner Carrie Morey was to open a small shop on King Street. Now, Callie's Hot Little Biscuit is the place to be for breakfast staples, tomato pies, and fried chicken on Fridays.

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.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

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For those not familiar with the Ohio-based chain, know that owner Jeni Britton Bauer and her employees wake up with one thought, "How can we make a better ice cream today?" One taste of the locally-sourced ingredients can confirm their handiwork. Food & Wine once stated, "No one makes ice cream like Jeni Britton Bauer." Some limited addition flavors to check out soon include the Charleston-inspired flavor of sweet cream with rum molasses and peanuts. For beer lovers, there's an impressive saison with sunflower seeds and golden flax option.

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 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, duck confit tacos, and inventive specials from chef Blake Joyal, in a low-key atmosphere.

Union Provisions

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Though they recently lost their opening chef, American bistro Union Provisions is packed nightly with curious King Street revelers. The restaurant serves small plates of high-end ingredients meant to be shared. Co-owners Ben Russell-Schlesinger and Robert Young wanted an approachable eatery for all types of folks.

White Duck Taco Shop

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Fans of the White Duck Taco Shop in Asheville no longer need to make the mountain trek to North Carolina, as James Island now has their very own quack-worthy taqueria. The menu is similar to the original location, so patrons will find creative tortilla fillings, like lamb gyro, Thai peanut chicken, or Korean beef bulgogi.

167 Raw

Co-owners Jesse Sandole and Kyle Norton wanted to bring a high-end seafood counter to Charleston. Chef Sean Rieflin is in the shop's tiny kitchen utilizing the fresh products to create crowd favorites like lobster rolls and tuna poke. The menu and the space may be small, but the team at 167 Raw puts out a might meal from the ocean's bounty.

Bay Street Biergarten

Bay Street Biergarten has crowds 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.

Boxcar Betty's

Winning reviews and amassing fans across the Lowcountry, Boxcar Betty's is becoming the go-to spot for fried chicken sandwiches. That's right, they pretty much only do poultry on bread, but they do it really, really well.

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.

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit

Long time admirers of Callie's Charleston Biscuits rejoiced when they heard that owner Carrie Morey was to open a small shop on King Street. Now, Callie's Hot Little Biscuit is the place to be for breakfast staples, tomato pies, and fried chicken on Fridays.

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.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

For those not familiar with the Ohio-based chain, know that owner Jeni Britton Bauer and her employees wake up with one thought, "How can we make a better ice cream today?" One taste of the locally-sourced ingredients can confirm their handiwork. Food & Wine once stated, "No one makes ice cream like Jeni Britton Bauer." Some limited addition flavors to check out soon include the Charleston-inspired flavor of sweet cream with rum molasses and peanuts. For beer lovers, there's an impressive saison with sunflower seeds and golden flax option.

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 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, duck confit tacos, and inventive specials from chef Blake Joyal, in a low-key atmosphere.

Union Provisions

Though they recently lost their opening chef, American bistro Union Provisions is packed nightly with curious King Street revelers. The restaurant serves small plates of high-end ingredients meant to be shared. Co-owners Ben Russell-Schlesinger and Robert Young wanted an approachable eatery for all types of folks.

White Duck Taco Shop

Fans of the White Duck Taco Shop in Asheville no longer need to make the mountain trek to North Carolina, as James Island now has their very own quack-worthy taqueria. The menu is similar to the original location, so patrons will find creative tortilla fillings, like lamb gyro, Thai peanut chicken, or Korean beef bulgogi.

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