Charleston Living Magazine May-June 2024

May / June 2024 

Sand & Surf 

Lowcountry Beach Guide 

Preppy Summer 

Color, Stripes and Summer Suiting 

Good 

Morning 

Charleston’s 

Best Brunches 

$4.50 US 

Must-Visit 

Museums 

Interior 

Designers 

Spoleto 

Festival 

May/June 2024 | 1

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294 STREET KING STREET | CHARLESTON, | CHARLESTON, SC 29401 SC 

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Features 

MAY | JUNE 2024 

68 

Never-Seen-Before Shows 

Spoleto Festival’s groundbreaking 

world premieres & star-studded lineup 

for the 2024 season 

By Spoleto Festival USA Press Room 

74 

Between the Biscuit 

Best Brunch in Charleston 

By Jenna Ley-Jamison 

80 

Urban Oasis 

The Lowcountry landscape inspires a 

Wagener Terrace whole-house remodel 

By Emily Shiffer 

88 

History Around Every Corner 

Charleston’s Top Museums 

By Daria Smith 

PHOTO GIBBS ART MUSEUM/MCG PHOTOGRAPHY 


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DEPARTMENTS | MAY/JUNE 2024 

13 

Buzz 

13 Late Afternoon at The 

Ordinary Angela Trotta 

Thomas transports viewers to 

Charleston haunts and more 

with her detailed works of realism 

14 Calendar 

Our five musts from this 

issue’s calendar of events 

16 Events 

Your guide to planning your 

social calendar 

26 Entertainment Reviews 

of new movies and music 

28 Staff Picks 

Good books for seasonal 

reading 

55 

Well Styled 

55 Art-full Fashion 

Spring trends to try 

56 Women of Impact 

American Heart 

Association’s local “Women 

of Impact and “Teen of 

Impact” nominees 

58 Interior Designer 

Profiles 

Meet several local designers 

62 Fashion 

Color, stripes and summer 

suiting mark the season 

95 

Food+Drink 

95 Swordfish 

Served over Jackson 

Wonder Butterbean Bush 

lima beans at Bearcat. 

96 Dining Out 

Bearcat joins a growing 

cadre of eateries bringing 

elevated dining to West 

Ashley 

98 In the Kitchen 

Summertime and the 

eating’s easy 

104 Restaurant Guide 

The best spots for eating 

and drinking in Charleston 

110 

Travel 

110 Savoring Ireland 

Culinary exploration at 

Anantara The Marker- 

Dublin 

Fundamentals 

10 Reader Services 

12 Editor’s Letter 

112 The Last Reflection 

32 History The many lives 

of Confederate Home and 

College at 62 Broad Street 

36 Benchmark Keeping up 

with the Charleston Metro 

area population increase over 

the past decade 

42 Art Seen 

Angela Trotta Thomas 

transports viewers to Charleston 

haunts and more with her 

detailed works of realism 

Sand & Surf 


Preppy Summer 


Good 

Morning 


Best Brunches 

47 Design Furnishings 

dedicated to your furry friends 

48 Beach Guide Charleston 

Area Beach Guide 

52 Southern Drawl 

Longtime Charleston 

landscape architect helps 

create responsible built 

environment 

48 

$4.50 US 

Must-Visit 

Museums 

Interior 

Designers 

Spoleto 

Festival 

ON THE COVER » 

Folly Beach is a popular spot 

for surfers. 

Photo by DOUG HICKOK 

for Explore Charleston 



CEO & Publisher 

Robert Sweeney 

Executive Director of Operations 

Emily Sweeney 

■ ■ ■ 

Managing Editor 

Jenny Peterson 

■ ■ ■ 

Senior Account Executives 

Carolyn Silecchia 

Art Director 

Carl Turner 

Graphic Designers 

Andrea Spaeth 

Shanna Thomson 

Carl Turner 

Travel Director 

Katie McElveen 

Contributing Writers 

Holly Bader, Holly Fisher, Denise K. James, 

Monica Kreber, Jenna Ley-Jamison, Tim 

Lowry, Katie McElveen, Jenny Peterson, 

Anne Wolfe Postic, Jessica Rodgers, Liesel 

Schmidt, Emily Shiffer, Fanny Slater, Daria 

Smith, Wendy Swat Snyder, Barry Waldman, 

E.C. Waldron 

Photographers 

Aleece Sophia, Jim Somerset, Fanny Slater 

■ ■ ■ 

Customer Service: (843) 856-2532 

Charleston Living (Vol. 13, No. 4) is published 

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or part, without written permission. We are not 

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“Amen Evening”, Oil on Linen, 24” x 30” 

JUDY WALTERS 

judywaltersfineart.com | (606) 477-0877 

CHARLESTON ARTIST | GUILD GALLERY | 160 E. BAY | SUITE 102 | CHARLESTON, SC 

PERSPECTIVE GALLERY | 1055 JOHNNIE DODDS BLVD | SUITE 50 | MT PLEASANT, SC 


FROM THE EDITOR 

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Sand & Surf 


Preppy Summer 


Good 

Morning 


Best Brunches 

Must-Visit 

Museums 

Interior 

Designers 

Spoleto 

Festival 

Museums Make a 

Lifelong Impression 

I have distinct memories of 

museum exhibits I visited as a child—my 

favorite being a model of the bedroom of 

George Washington, our country’s first 

president, chamber pot and all, on display in 

the 1990s at the New Orleans Museum of Art. 

I was fortunate to grow up in an area 

with a rich cultural history and I always 

poured over the informative plaques affixed 

to artwork and exhibits, learning about people, 

places and things in a way that captured 

my attention far more than a history book. 

No pun intended, there’s a fine art in 

drawing in viewers to an exhibit with very 

few words, letting their eyes and ears fill in 

the rest. 

Our feature on Charleston’s Top Museums 

(p. 88) includes important Charleston 

cultural institutions that allow viewers to 

broaden their perspective of the lives of the 

people who came before us, and the lives of 

those around us now. 

The International African American 

Museum is a deeply moving tribute to 

the history of Africans and enslaved people—100,000 

of whom took their first steps 

on U.S. soil on the very spot the museum was 

built. The exhibits are thoughtful, sometimes 

uncomfortable yet always powerful. A reproduction 

of a praise house sheds light on the 

incredible ability of the enslaved people to 

keep their faith intact. 

The Charleston Museum—America’s 

first museum—has artifacts that are hundreds 

of years old on display, plus a North Atlantic 

right whale skeleton that hangs from the 

ceiling in the museum’s lobby. The whale met 

its fate in the Charleston Harbor in the year 

1880 when its presence attracted more than 60 

boats and it was eventually killed by whalers. 

At the Halsey Institute of Contemporary 

Art, highly-curated art and installation 

exhibits often revolve around a theme—like 

nature or love—with artists interpreting the 

theme in ways I never thought possible. It’s a 

joy to see how others think and create. 

It’s an absolute treasure to have such 

culture and history, masterpieces and artifacts 

on display in our fine city and I hope 

you can plan your visit this season. To further 

inspire you, our fashion shoot on page 62 

took place at the Gibbs Museum of Art— 

beautiful clothes and models with priceless 

artwork in the background. 

Another cultural experience to look forward 

to this season is Spoleto Festival USA, 

my personal favorite event of the year, always 

a feast for the eyes and ears. It’s a festival 

where the audience walks away with a new 

perspective on life and art. 

Like exhibits in museums, these performances 

make an impression that lasts a lifetime. 

Check out page 68 for the highlights of 

the 17-day festival. 

See you out there! 

Jenny Peterson 

Managing Editor 

editor@charlestonlivingmag.com 

We welcome your comments. Please 

send us your feedback to “Letters to the 

Editor,” Charleston Living magazine, 

3853 Colonel Vanderhorst Circle, Mt. 

Pleasant, SC 29466 or you can email us 

at editor@charlestonlivingmag.com. 

Find Us Online! 

Visit us on our website at 

charlestonlivingmag.com 

facebook.com and instagram.com 

@charlestonlivingmagazine 

Our last issue listed an incorrect address for 

Findings. The curated store is located at 1410 

Shucker Circle, suite 1109, Mt. Pleasant 

PHOTO SHANNON OLEKSAK PHOTOGRAPHY 


Buzz 

YOUR LOCAL RUNDOWN ON NEWS AND CULTURE 

Late Afternoon at 

The Ordinary 

Angela Trotta Thomas transports viewers to 

Charleston haunts and more with her detailed 

works of realism 

See page 42 

PHOTO “LATE AFTERNOON AT THE ORDINARY 40X30 OIL 


BUZZ 

CALENDAR 

The Reveal: 

MAY-JUNE 

Our five musts from this issue’s calendar of events. 

Charleston RiverDogs 

Now through September 

53rd Annual Charleston 

Greek Festival 

May 10-12 

Enjoy a weekend-long celebration of fun and 

Greek culture with Greek food, wine, live 

music, dance performances and more. There 

will be a large selection of authentic Greek 

food and drinks, pastries, gyros, hearty dinners, 

Greek coffee, beer and wine for purchase. 

General admission is $5 per adult; $3 

for seniors, students and military members; 

children 12 and under are free. There will 

be free parking and free shuttle service from 

The Citadel parking lots. Friday 5-10 p.m., 

Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday noon-6 

p.m. Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy 

Trinity, 30 Race Street. Purchase tickets at 

www.charlestongreekfestival.com. 

Play ball! Celebrating its 30th anniversary 

this year, the Charleston RiverDogs play 

at the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in downtown 

Charleston, one of the premier fields 

in Minor League Baseball, with a view of 

the Ashley River. Home games are held 

Tuesdays-Sundays. Standard start times will 

be 7:05 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 6:05 p.m. 

Saturdays and 5:05 p.m. Sundays. Ticket 

prices vary. 360 Fishburne St. For tickets, 

visit www.milb.com/charleston. 

Spoleto Festival USA 

May 22- June 9 

For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto 

Festival USA fills Charleston’s historic 

theaters, churches and outdoor spaces with 

performances by renowned artists as well 

as emerging performers in opera, theater, 

dance and chamber, symphonic, choral and 

jazz music. Highlights this year include 

performances by cellist Yo-Yo Ma and a 

modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet by 

the L.A. Dance Project. For a full schedule 

and tickets, visit www.spoletousa.org. 

16th Annual Chef ’s Potluck 

June 2 

A popular fundraising event to support 

Lowcountry Local First, the 16th annual 

Chef ’s Potluck will take place at the Porter 

Room at Holy City Brewery. More than 15 

participating local chefs will work with local 

farmers, fishermen and ranchers to bring 

attendees the freshest, local ingredients the 

Lowcountry has to offer with delicious bites 

and sips. 1021 Aragon Ave, North Charleston. 

4-7 p.m. Tickets start at $130. 

www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org. 

Charleston Heart Ball 

May 10 

The American Heart Association’s annual 

Heart Ball includes dinner, dancing, live 

and silent auctions and more. This year’s 

theme is Roaring 20’s, as the American 

Heart Association celebrates its centennial 

year. Charleston Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun 

Street. 6-10 p.m. Learn more at 

www.heart.org/charlestonscheartball. 

PHOTO GREEK FESTIVAL, HELEN STATHAKIS MICHAEL; SPOLETO, EMILYBUTLERPHOTOGRAPHY 


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BUZZ 

EVENTS 

“Classic Martinis” 24x18 oil 

Charleston 

Bar and Restaurant 

Paintings 

Private Commissions Available 

Juneteenth Family Fest 


Celebrate freedom, culture and community at the 4th Annual Juneteenth Family Fest at the 

Riverfront Park in North Charleston for a day-long celebration open to all. From 3 p.m. onward, 

immerse yourself in live performances, vibrant black art displays, engaging children’s 

games and tantalizing cultural cuisine. Explore booths from non-profit organizations and local 

goods and services vendors. Cap off the festivities with a spectacular fireworks show, perfect for 

enjoying with family and friends. Come one, come all, and let’s make memories at Juneteenth 

Family Fest. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit JFFCharleston.com. 

Looking to fill your social calendar? 

We’ve got the rundown on how to stay entertained 

this spring season. 

“Enthralled” 20x20 oil (Charleston Place) 

AngelaTrottaThomas.com 

Instagram: AngelaTrottaThomasArtist 

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ReinertFineArt.com 843.694.2445 

179 & 181 King Street, Charleston, SC 29401 


MAY 

Charleston RiverDogs 

Now through September 

Play ball! Celebrating its 30th anniversary 

this year, the Charleston RiverDogs play at 

the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in downtown 

Charleston, one of the premier fields in Minor 

League Baseball, with a view of the Ashley 

River. Home games are held Tuesdays- 

Sundays. Standard start times will be 7:05 

p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 6:05 p.m. Saturdays 

and 5:05 p.m. Sundays. Ticket prices vary. 

360 Fishburne St. For tickets, visit www.milb. 

com/charleston. 

Garden Strolls and Wine Tasting at 

Middleton Place 

May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 

Spend Wednesday evenings exploring 

America’s Oldest Landscaped Gardens with 

a glass of wine in hand. Each week highlights 

different wines and regions. Tickets are $35 

in advance and $40 on site. 5:30-7:30 p.m. 

4300 Ashley River Rd. Buy tickets at www. 

middletonplace.org. 

41st Annual North Charleston Arts Fest 


Enjoy five days of events highlighting regional 

and local artists and performers in the areas 

of dance, music, theatre, visual arts and literature 

in a variety of venues, including libraries, 

businesses, 

community 

centers and 

parks. North 


Arts Fest 

offers something 

for everyone, including concerts, theatre 

presentations, dance performances, children’s 

programs, demonstrations, exhibitions and 

more. www.northcharlestonartsfest.com.

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BUZZ 

EVENTS 

Cheers on the Pier 

May 2 & May 9 

Wind down at the Mount Pleasant Pier with 

live music, craft beer, good friends and a gorgeous 

sunset from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free admission. 

Blankets and chairs are welcome. 71 

Harry M. Hallman Jr. Blvd. www.ccprc.com. 

Moonlight Mixers on the Folly Beach Pier 

May 3 & June 14 

Dance the night away under the stars at 

the Folly Beach Pier during the Moonlight 

Mixers. There will be music, beverages available 

for purchase and a view of the Atlantic 

Ocean. 7-10 p.m. Advance tickets are $10 

per person. Day-of tickets are $15 per person 

if the event hasn’t sold out. Children 3 and 

under are free. 101 E. Arctic Avenue. www. 

ccprc.com. 

Charleston Heart Ball 


The American Heart Association’s annual 

Heart Ball includes dinner, dancing, live and 

silent auctions and more. This year’s theme 

is Roaring 20’s, as the American Heart 

Association celebrates its centennial year. 

Charleston Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun 

Street. 6-10 p.m. Learn more at www.heart. 

org/charlestonscheartball. 

360 MEETING STREET 

CHARLESTONMUSEUM.ORG 843-722-2996 

53rd Annual Charleston Greek Festival 


Enjoy a weekendlong 

celebration 

of fun and Greek 

culture with 

Greek food, wine, 

live music, dance 

performances 

and more. There will be a large selection of 

authentic Greek food and drinks, pastries, 

gyros, hearty dinners, Greek coffee, beer and 

wine for purchase. General admission is $5 

per adult; $3 for seniors, students and military 

members; children 12 and under are free. 

There will be free parking and free shuttle 

service from The Citadel parking lots. Friday 

5-10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 

noon-6 p.m. Greek Orthodox Church of 

the Holy Trinity, 30 Race Street. Purchase 

tickets at www.charlestongreekfestival.com. 

Family Day at Middleton Place 


Learn about the many skills the free and enslaved 

people practiced throughout the Lowcountry’s 

history. Families can enjoy demonstrations 

and hands-on activities including 

horse trimming by Fox & Cedar Farms, in- 

PHOTO HELEN STATHAKIS MICHAEL 



BUZZ 

EVENTS 

I ONCE WAS AN 

HERMÈS SCARF 

I ONCE WAS A 

GUCCI SCARF 

digo dying, wool felting crafting, colonial 

games, blacksmithing, crafts, hands-on brick 

making and more. Events are included with 

general admission. Children 13 and under get 

in free the day of the event. 4300 Ashley River 

Road, Charleston. www.middletonplace.org. 

Sweetgrass Basket Weaving Workshop 


Join local artisan Sarah 

Edwards-Hammond for 

in-depth instruction on 

sweetgrass basketry, which 

has been an integral part of 

the Lowcountry’s Gullah 

Geechee community since the 17th century. 

Reservations required. $125 for non-museum 

members, $75 for museum members. 9:30 

a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The Charleston Museum, 360 

Meeting Street. www.charlestonmuseum.org. 

377 king street, charleston 

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Thanks for Voting us Best for 9 Years! 

Lowcountry Rhythms - Charleston Jazz 

Orchestra + Lowcountry Voices 


A musical celebration of the Lowcountry! 

The Charleston Jazz Orchestra will weave 

together rich history and treasured African 

and Gullah-Geechie culture and showcase 

locally-inspired arrangements combined with 

the big band sound. Two shows, 5 p.m. and 8 

p.m. Tickets start at $10. Charleston Music 

Hall, 37 John St. www.charlestonjazz.com. 

Cast Off Fishing Tournaments 

May 11 & 25; June 15 & 22 

Cast Off Fishing Tournaments award the biggest 

three by weight, biggest youth catch (12 & 

under) and best five fish total weight. The event 

will be held at the Mount Pleasant Pier on May 

11 and June 15 from 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.; The Folly 

Beach Fishing Pier will host the tournament on 

May 25 and June 22, from 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. No 

preregistration required. Register onsite the 

morning of each tournament. Fees are $12 for 

ages 13 & up; $9 for miliary members, youth 

3-12 and seniors 60 and up; $5 for fishing pass 

members. www.ccprc.com. 

Dancing on the Cooper 


Dance the night away under the stars at 

the Mount Pleasant Pier. A local band will 

perform a variety of music including beach/ 

shag, funk/soul, rock, country, Motown, 60’s, 

70’s, 80’s and today’s greatest hits. Advance 

tickets are $10 per person. Day-of tickets are 

$15 per person if the event hasn’t sold out. 

Children 3 and under are free. 71 Harry M. 

Hallman Jr. Blvd. www.ccprc.com. 



BUZZ 

EVENTS 

Elisa Harkins: Teach Me a Song 

APRIL 5 - JULY 20 

Spandita Malik: Meshes of Resistance 

APRIL 5 - JULY 20 

THE ART OF NOW. FREE FOR ALL . 

LEARN MORE AT: HALSEY.COFC.EDU 

Spoleto Festival USA 

May 22- June 9 

For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto 

Festival USA fills Charleston’s historic theaters, 

churches and outdoor spaces with performances 

by renowned artists as well as emerging 

performers in opera, theater, dance and 

chamber, symphonic, choral and jazz music. 

Highlights this year include performances by 

cellist Yo-Yo Ma and a modern adaptation of 

Romeo and Juliet by the L.A. Dance Project. 

For a full schedule and tickets, visit 

www.spoletousa.org 

Chow Town - Food Truck Rodeo 


The Town of Seabrook Island’s annual food 

truck rodeo will feature local food trucks, vendors, 

artisans and local musicians. 5 – 8 p.m. 

Town Hall, 2001 Seabrook Island Rd. 

Juneteenth Freedom Day 


Join us at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens 

for a Juneteenth Freedom Day event. In 

partnership with the Slave Dwelling Project, 

there will be interpretation seminars, demonstrations 

and a gospel performance included 

with admission. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. 3550 Ashley 

River Road. www.magnoliaplantation.com. 

Memorial Day Weekend Music on the Green 

May 24 & 25 

Join Freshfields Village on Memorial Day 

Weekend for a special two-night music on the 

green concert series. The free family-friendly 

concerts feature a variety of music from regional 

bands including Carolina Beach music, 

Motown, Top 40, country and more. 6-9 p.m. 

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and 

chairs. 165 Village Green Ln., Kiawah. 

Summerville’s Premier Garden Center 

Sit in the shade of your own beautiful, Japanese maple this summer. 

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the purchase of one of our large 

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Piccolo Spoleto 

May 24 – June 9 

Coinciding with Spoleto Festival USA, Piccolo 

Spoleto is a beloved tradition of events 

throughout Charleston that includes a sunset 

serenade with The Charleston Symphony at 8 

p.m. on May 24, a patriotic parade with Seed & 

Feed Marching Abominable community band 

from Atlanta on May 25 at 11 a.m. at Marion 

Square, a Pajama March on May 25 from 

10:30 p.m. until midnight at the U.S. Custom 

House on East Bay, children’s programs and 

much more. www.piccolospoleto.com. 

Plants | Trees | Mulch | Garden Décor | Gift Shops 

Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm 

410 E 5th N St, Summerville 843-725-9383 flowertowngardencenterllc.com 

The Pixies and Modest Mouse 


Indie Rock superstars The Pixies and Modest 

Mouse will headline a concert at Firefly Dis- 


License# IHCP-1023 

tillery with special guest Cat Power. Firefly 

concerts are held outdoors on a five-acre grass 

field. Chairs and blankets welcome; food and 

beverages will be available for purchase. 5:30 

p.m. 4201 Spruill Ave., North Charleston. 

www.fireflydistillery.com 

Reggae Nights 


The Reggae Nights Summer Concert Series 

at James Island County Park features traditional 

old-school roots reggae in a beautiful 

outdoor setting. Bring your chairs and blankets. 

Food, beverages and vendors will sell 

items for purchase. Gates open at 7:30 p.m.; 

music will be held from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. Advance 

tickets are $20 per car. Onsite tickets 

are $30 per vehicle, if not sold out. 871 Riverland 

Drive. www.ccprc.com. 

Music on the Green 

Fridays starting on May 31 

The weekly Music on the Green Concert Series 

at Freshfields Village will be held on Fridays 

from 6 to 9 p.m. The free, family friendly 

concerts feature a variety of music from regional 

bands including Carolina Beach music, 

Motown, Top 40, Country and more. Guests 

are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. 

www.freshfieldsvillage.com 

JUNE 

Charleston Pride Parade 


Celebrate Pride at the annual pride parade in 

downtown Charleston! The parade starts at 9 

a.m. from Wragg Square on 

Ann Street and walks down 

King Street to Market Street 

and includes walking groups 

and floats. The street will be 

closed to vehicular traffic. 

Register to participate and get more information 

at www.charlestonpride.org. 

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Sand Sculpting Competition 


Marvel at the masterful work of individual, 

group and family sand sculpting teams on the 

Front Beach on Isle of Palms at 9 a.m. or register 

your own team! Winners will be awarded 

in a variety of categories. www.iop.net. 

16th annual Chef ’s Potluck 


A popular fundraising event to support Lowcountry 

Local First, the 16th annual Chef ’s 

Potluck will take place at the Porter Room at 

Holy City Brewery. More than 15 participat- 


BUZZ 

EVENTS 

ing local chefs will work with local farmers, 

fishermen and ranchers to bring attendees 

the freshest, local ingredients the Lowcountry 

has to offer with delicious bites and sips. 

1021 Aragon Ave, North Charleston. 4-7 

p.m. Tickets start at $130. www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org 

Serving Moms, Babies and 

Families For Over 37 Years. 

Lowcountry Pregnancy Center exists to provide 

life-affirming reproductive health and family services 

in a compassionate Christian environment. 

7481 Northside Dr., Ste. B . N. Charleston . 843.863.1510 

www.lpcfriends.com 

John Fogerty The Celebration Tour 


As the leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival 

(CCR), John Fogerty melds blues, country, 

pop, rockabilly, R&B, swamp boogie and 

Southern rock ‘n’ roll. The Grammy winner 

and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee will 

perform songs from his Creedence Clearwater 

Revival catalog at The Celebration Tour. 

Tickets start at $39. 6:30 p.m. Credit One 

Stadium, 7596, 161 Seven Farms Drive, Daniel 

Island. www.creditonestadium.com 

Charleston Carifest 

June 13-16 

Charleston Carifest is a Caribbean Carnival 

celebration in honor of Caribbean American 

Heritage Month with three days of cultural 

food, fun, music and costumes. A street parade 

will be held on June 15 at 4 p.m. starting 

in front of the Charleston Museum on John 

Street and will march to Brittlebank Park for 

a Carnival Day event from 3-11 p.m. that will 

include vendors, a children’s area, cultural music 

and special guests. For tickets visit www. 

charlestoncarifest.com. 

Office 

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1121 Park West Blvd, Ste B, Mt Pleasant, SC 29466 

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(843) 856-1888 

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and commission-based services. Select items or services may be excluded. Cannot 

combine other offers. One-time use per customer. Valid in-store at participating 

locations only. Offer is subject to change without notice. Each location is individually 

owned and operated. ©2024 Annex Brands, Inc. Expires: 7/14/24 

Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series 


The Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series 

at James Island County Park features a 600- 

yard freshwater swim, 12-mile bike ride and 

5K flat run. Over 30,000 people have raced 

the series over the years, and the series has 

been honored as one of the Top Ten Charleston 

Signature Sport Events by the Charleston 

Metro Sports Council. Ages 12 and up. Registration 

starts at $66 per athlete. 7:15 a.m. 

Register at www.ccprc.com 

Yoga Fest 


Celebrate the Summer Solstice! Guests will 

enjoy a yoga class in the meadow at James 

Island County Park, a performance by Acro- 

CharlestonSC and live reggae music by Mystic 

Vibrations. Advance registration is $30 per 

person for ages 13 and up and includes an adult 

beverage, food item and event T-shirt. Children 

ages 12 and under are free. 6-8 p.m. 871 

Riverland Drive. Register at www.ccprc.com. • 


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BUZZ | ENTERTAINMENT 

Reviews: Movies & Music 

DENISE K. JAMES ON NEW FILMS AND MUSIC 

Beyonce 

Cowboy Carter, Columbia 

I’ve probably confessed this in my column before, 

but I have never been a fan of Beyonce, at least 

not since Destiny’s Child—I’m a 90s kid, after all. 

Sure, she’s always had a beautiful voice, but her 

overproduced pop never did it for me. Until now. 

Her new country album, Cowboy Carter, has me 

reconsidering Queen Bey. Singles like “Daughter” 

and “Texas Hold Em” on this surprising new record 

have allowed me to see Beyonce for the versatile 

entertainer she is. I’m not saying I’ll join the hive 

at this point, but I can at least understand the buzz. 

Apples Never Fall 

Starring Allison Brie, Jake Lacy, Annette Bening; Peacock 

3 Stars 

Being a fan of author Lynn Moriarty’s book-to-TV adaptations—HBO’s Big Little Lies and 

the less-amazing-but-still-enjoyable Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu—I knew I was going to 

give her latest, now on Peacock, a try. Of course, I first had to squelch my HBO snobbery and 

the doubt that a newer, less popular service like Peacock would create an original series worth 

my time. Seven episodes later, I must report there’s a few bad apples inside this barrel…but it 

might not be completely spoiled. 

Fans of Man Men will be delighted to see Allison Brie (Pete Cambell’s strong-willed 

wife, Trudy Campbell) playing eldest child Amy Delaney—until they realize Amy is the least 

interesting character of the Delaney crew. Far more intriguing are the three other kids, Logan, 

Booke and Troy, who harbor more secrets than their free-spirited sister. The seven-episode 

miniseries starts with a pilot introducing the family and their mystery: Matriarch Joy Delaney 

has vanished and is presumed to be dead. Right from the beginning of the show, we see her 

children have a fierce devotion to her—and a lot of bitterness teetering towards hatred for their 

father, Stan. 

The show then sets up the next six episodes, all named after a family member and focused 

on their point of view, to solve the mystery. Did Stan murder his wife in a fit of rage? Was it 

their strange (but culinarily gifted) houseguest, Savannah? I plowed through the whole miniseries 

like the show was a beach novel, mediocrely-written but you just want to see what happens. 

While there are a few surprises as far as secrets of characters being revealed, the failing 

of Apples is in the lack of the darkness required if you thought your father killed your mother. 

Sure, Stan is a jerk on the tennis court, and he has moments of nasty aggression—but the 

show really misses the mark on depicting his children’s horror, anguish and fear. Without that 

emotional depth, this is not a truly great piece of television. 

But perhaps truly great television is not the point here. With the glut of modern streaming 

options, we hope for the best from all the competition at all times. But 30 years ago, it was 

typical to have low-quality, soapy TV as part of the rotation—you know, with laugh tracks, 

bad music and a simple-enough conclusion to make viewers feel smart. While Apples is too 

dramatic for laugh tracks, the cheesy background music and the unshocking moment of truth 

have solidified this one as an easy, breezy, perhaps forgettable watch. • 

Decemberists 

As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again, Yagg Records 

The Decemberists have released their first album 

in six years, and let’s just say the title fits. The 

lyrics-forward, melodic work of this band is the 

same as ever, and that’s not exactly a bad thing 

given the current instability of our world. Songs 

like “Burial Ground” and “Joan in the Garden” (a 

whopping 19 minutes of atmospheric bliss) are 

reminiscent of all our favorite indie tunes from 

years back. Could they have gotten more creative 

with their sound? Yes. But are we all secretly pining 

for a bygone era? Also yes. 

APPLES NEVER FALL, VINCE VALITUTTI/PEACOCK; COWBOY CARTER/ BLAIR CALDWELL; 

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BUZZ | STAFF PICKS 

When Cicadas Cry 

Charleston lawyer debuts first novel, a Southern legal thriller 

By JENNY PETERSON 

Caroline Cleveland grew up in the town of Walterboro, SC, about 50 miles 

from downtown Charleston. It’s a small Southern town dotted with churches and long dirt 

roads and is the setting for her debut novel, When Cicads Cry, a Southern legal thriller. 

The book starts off with a grisly murder scene 

in a church after-hours with a suspect, a 

young black man named Sam Jenkins, found 

by authorities standing over a young white 

woman’s body, with literal blood on his hands. 

Sam declares his innocence and his 

grandfather, Eli Jenkins, hires Zach Strander, 

a young white bootstrapping lawyer from 

Charleston to take on the high-profile case in 

the small town. Eli met Zach at a free legal 

clinic and happened to keep his business card. 

Zach warily decides to take the case and we 

learn he has his own redemption story. 

Tension builds as readers toggle between 

narrators Zach and the real murderer—seemingly 

a bystander in the courtroom watching it all 

unfold—which adds to the tension and intrigue. 

The fast-paced courtroom drama delves 

into racial issues with many familiar references 

to the real-life Lowcountry—mentions of 

the Post and Courier newspaper, Mother Emmanual 

AME church, Pluff Mud beer and 

of course, cicadas, whose nighttime rhythmic 

buzzing represents the distinct sound of the 

summer for many in the South. The insects 

are mentioned throughout the novel, from 

the street name where the church is located to 

their buzzing being noted by main characters 

during moments of reflection. 

Woven into Sam’s court proceedings are 

colorful small-town local characters, including 

judges, police officers and investigators. 

Eli is also a lovable grandfather—a man who 

has been around the block long enough to 

know the odds are stacked against his grandson, 

yet puts his faith in the young lawyer. 

Eli’s friend, Colleton Burns, a fellow oldtimer 

and retired criminal lawyer, is enlisted to 

help assist with the case, offering comic relief 

and a trained hand at dealing with the local law 

enforcement. Zach’s whip-smart love interest, 

Addie, also proves to be a valuable asset. 

It turns out, the murder case isn’t as cutand-dry 

as it appears. A chilling separate cold 

case unfolds during the trial that’s bigger than 


anyone could have imagined. 

This Southern legal thriller is Cleveland’s 

love letter to her days growing up in 

Walterboro reading books and eventually attending 

law school. Now living in Charleston, 

she practices employment law at the firm she 

founded, Cleveland & Conley, LLC, representing 

public employers, including members 

of law enforcement. It’s clear in the novel that 

Cleveland has a grasp on the court’s due process 

with a knack for dialogue. 

“I think fiction, at its best, imitates real 

life,” Cleveland said. “Sometimes when I’m 

reading John Grisham’s books, I wonder if he’s 

stumbled across my high school yearbook.” 

The idea for When Cicadas Cry had been 

in her mind for years, but she began writing 

it in earnest in 2017 and already has plans to 

write more books—even possibly a sequel. 

Cleveland says it’s kismet that When 

Cicadas Cry officially comes out on May 7, 

there will be an expected record-breaking 

emergence of billion of cicadas throughout 

the South. 

“As I worked to weave a sense of place 

into the story, cicadas followed naturally since 

their whirring dominates our skies here in 

the late spring and early summer,” Cleveland 

said. “I had no way of knowing that this year, a 

large 17-year brood and a large 13-year brood 

would emerge simultaneously. I am choosing 

to see that as a good omen!” • 

Check out Caroline Cleveland’s press events for 

the release of When Cicadas Cry to meet the author 

and pick up a copy. 

Buxton Books 

160 King St., Charleston 

Monday, May 6 

6 p.m. 

Main Street Reads 

115 S Main St, Summerville 

Tuesday, May 7 

6:30 p.m. 

Second Sunday 

King Street, Charleston 

Sunday, May 12 

1 p.m. 

Itinerant Literate Books 

4824 Chateau Ave., North Charleston 

Thursday, June 27 

7 p.m.

Charleston Myrtle Beach 

Hilton Head Island 

seabags.com 


BUZZ | STAFF PICKS 

A New Chapter 

Page turners to mark the seasonal changing of the guards 

By HOLLY BADER 

Sinister Spring 

By Agatha Christie 

This collection of stories by Agatha Christie is short enough to hold your attention span in the days of 

lengthening sun but addictive enough to keep you reading through allergy-induced watery eyes. No one does it 

better than the Queen of Crime herself, and this collection is a great reminder of why Christie is still the bestselling 

author of all time. 

Parable of the Sower 

By Octavia Butler 

Published in 1993, “Parable of the Sower” begins in 2024, in a dystopian world where economic and climate 

crises have led to social calamity. Throughout the novel, Butler’s characters work not only to survive, but also 

to help themselves and others learn to thrive despite this new phase of humanity. This is a perfect novel for the 

season of rising temperatures, a reminder to ask ourselves the important question: what do we owe to Earth’s 

future generations? And what do we owe to each other? 

Your Utopia 

By Bora Chung 

This collection of offbeat short stories by one of South Korea’s most popular writers will have you screaming 

“WHAT?!?” in about twelve different inflections. If you’re looking for something new to try out this summer, 

then you can’t pick any imagination more fertile than Bora Chung’s to delve into. This book is a wonderful 

balm to the soul, a cure for when you become jaded and convinced that “everything’s been done before.” Trust 

me, it hasn’t. 

Notes on Shapeshifting 

By Gabi Abrão 

This slim volume is the kind of book that is bought by the handful so that it can be passed around to friends. 

Swimming between genres as both poetry and prose, this book acts as a talisman to its readers. It’s a book that 

both alleviates the weight of being human and inspires you to decorate your home with flowers. What more 

could we ask for during a summer solstice? 


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BUZZ | HISTORY 

‘A Home for Mothers, Widows, and 

Daughters of the Confederate Soldiers’ 

The many lives of Confederate Home and College at 62 Broad Street 

By TIM LOWRY » Photos by JENNY PETERSON 

On March 4, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address. 

Similar to his remarks at the dedication of the federal cemetery at Gettysburg, his speech 

would be brief, but nonetheless profound. He concluded his address by expressing his great 

desire for the nation’s healing after the terrible Civil War. He hoped “to bind up the nation’s 

wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphan.” 

Just a few weeks later when the war came to 

an end, it was overwhelmingly clear that the 

great task of rebuilding the American South 

would require plenty of determination and 

willing sacrifice. During the war years, the 

City of Charleston had suffered bombardment 

from Union cannon fire during a siege 

that had lasted 567 days. If the city, in a state 

of nearly complete ruin, was to care for its 

own widows and orphans, the first challenge 

would be finding suitable shelter for those 

who had been left destitute by the war. 

It was in this historic moment that 

Amarinthia Yates Snowden, along with 

her sister Isabell Y. Snowden, founded a 

charitable organization that continues to 

the present day. Amarinthia had devoted 

herself to the Confederate cause with fundraising 

efforts that contributed hundreds 

of thousands of dollars to the southern war 

effort and by serving in a Soldier’s Relief 

Association that was praised by Generals 

Beauregard and Lee. 

However, even though she had been 

an ardent supporter of the Confederacy, her 

most lasting legacy would be much more 

akin to Union President Abraham Lincoln’s 

vision of healing. 

Almost miraculously, the large building 

at what is now 62 Broad Street had survived 

the war. From the beginning, the property 

The plaque above the door of the Confederate Home 

and College memorializes the contributions from 

both North and South to rebuilding after the 1886 

earthquake ; the courtyard of the Confederate Home. 


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BUZZ | HISTORY 

Period items decorate gathering spaces at the Confederate Home. 

had always been a place of rest and hospitality. 

During the formative years of the new 

state of South Carolina, the property had 

been a tenement where Lt. Governor William 

Bull had rooms before the great fire 

of 1796. The burned-out lot was eventually 

acquired by Gilbert Chalmers who erected 

a handsome double tenement with a covered 

passageway running through the property to 

what is now Chalmers Street. He bequeathed 

the property to his daughter, the wife of 

Governor John Geddes. Geddes entertained 

President James Monroe at the property 

during his state visit in 1819. He built commercial 

shops at the Chalmers Street end of 

the passageway. It is said, although tax and 

sales records refute the claim, that due to his 

lavish entertaining, the governor was forced 

to sell the property to retire debt. 

In the mid 1830s, Angus Stewart 

purchased the property and established the 

Carolina Hotel on its west side, linking 

the Broad Street building to the Chalmers 

Street shops. He soon sold it to Archibald 

McKenzie who added a second story above 

the shops. Its two large rooms became the 

courtroom for the U.S. District Court and 

chambers for the presiding judge. Neither 

the court system nor the hotel operations 

survived the war. 

In 1867, a group of nine determined 

women and a Huguenot minister began 

meeting in the Church Street home of 

Amarinthia and Isabella Snowden with the 

goal of establishing “A Home for Mothers, 

Widows, and Daughters of the Confederate 

Soldiers.” The ten organizers had only one 

dollar in funds, contributed by a Baltimore 

widow. With the bankrupt McKenzie estate 

in foreclosure, the Snowden sisters mortgaged 

their home in order to purchase 62 

Broad Street. 

From this humble background grew 

an institution that has served hundreds of 

women for more than 150 years. The goals 

of the organization, now known as the Confederate 

Home and College, have changed 

through the years, but the building and 

courtyard garden, nearly hidden from passersby, 

have always provided a respite for 

women in need. 

The “Mothers, Widows, and Daughters” 

who stayed at the home paid little or nothing 

for their care. The founders scrambled to 

raise funds from across the country. When it 

was found that city schools could not provide 

an adequate education for the girls living 

at the Home, a school, staffed by College 

of Charleston teachers, was soon established. 

By April 1868, the Home had 50 pupils. It 

continued until 1923, when the College of 

Charleston began accepting women. 

In 1886, Charleston suffered a devastating 

earthquake that badly damaged the 

Confederate Home. People from many states 

donated funds to have the building restored 

so that the work of supporting and educating 

women could continue. The building was 

remodeled in the Second Empire Style by 

New York architect E.R. Rutledge and bears 

a plaque stating that the Confederate Home 

had been “restored by the people of the Union.” 

Some historians see this notation in 

stone as evidence of the beginnings of a restored 

goodwill between the North and the 

South. By that date, the Confederate Home 

had cared for 211 impoverished widows and 

educated more than 2,000 girls. 

The Confederate Home dormitories 

and classrooms were converted into apartments 

and continue to serve as home for 

qualified senior citizens who rent living 

space at nominal prices today. 

As property values rise in the historic 

district, affordable housing for retirees on a 

limited, fixed income is a vital mission. The 

Confederate Home Board also continues to 

support education by providing scholarships 

to qualified young people attending local 

colleges. Supporting the work of the Confederate 

Home, artists and writers rent studio 

space at the property. Their comings and 

goings and creative work make for a colorful 

and vibrant atmosphere. 

Additionally, the property now incorporates 

the historic former U.S. District 

Court room and chambers of Judge Andrew 

Gordon Magrath and a double drawing 

room reminiscent of the glory days of the 

Governor John Geddes era. 

These beautifully restored rooms, along 

with the professionally landscaped courtyard, 

can be rented for weddings, meetings, 

and special events. 

62 Broad Street with its history of 

hospitality, its legacy as a home for those in 

need, and its continued mission of education 

and culture is part of the fulfillment of 

President Abraham Lincoln’s great desire for 

communities to be made whole and healthy 

through the efforts of people from across the 

country. 

Keep up with the home on Instagram 

@62BroadStreet. • 

Storyteller Tim Lowry is a Southern raconteur 

from Summerville. Learn more at www.storytellertimlowry.com. 


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BUZZ | BENCHMARK 

How The Lowcountry Has Grown 

Keeping up with the Charleston Metro area population increase over the past decade 

R 

emember Charleston way 

back in April 2014? Perhaps you 

don’t, if you’re among the 100,000 

new residents who have arrived since then. 

What a time that was. Popular restaurants 

included Jestine’s Kitchen on Meeting 

Street, McCrady’s, Blossom and Cypress on 

East Bay, Hominy Grill on Rutledge, Fat 

Hen on James Island and Martha Lou’s 

Gullah-Geechee Kitchen on Morrison 

Drive. Among their replacements: Rodney 

Scott’s BBQ, Jackrabbit Filly, Chubby Fish, 

Kwei Fei and The Ordinary. 

Icons of longevity, then-current mayors 

Joe Riley of Charleston, Keith Summey of 

By BARRY WALDMAN 

North Charleston and Michael Heitzler of 

Goose Creek had logged nine decades of 

service among them. Summerville’s longtime 

mayor, Berlin G. Myers, had recently 

retired; the current mayor is the fourth in 

the decade since. Governor Nikki Haley was 

gearing up for re-election. 

No one needed to shed a tear at the 

mention of historic Mother Emmanuel 

church, no cruise ships anchored at the 

port and no Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans 

were manufactured in South Carolina. The 

Charleston Battery won championships at 

the nation’s first soccer-only venue, Blackbaud 

Stadium, now a pile of rubble. The 

world’s best female tennis players competed 

at the Family Circle Cup in Family Circle 

Stadium, now called Credit One. 

The area was booming, the population 

up 29% from 10 years earlier, but 25% less 

than today. Ohio seemed to be the primary 

culprit, emptying into the Lowcountry to 

the point where the minor league baseball 

team The Charleston RiverDogs even sponsored 

a Go Back to Ohio night, tongues 

firmly implanted where Big League Chew 

ordinarily resides. Today, the deluge of migrants 

entering the Lowcountry is fueled by 

the New York metro; Ohio is not even in the 

top 10 of recent transplants, according to the 

Old South Carriage Co. brings a group 

on a carriage tour South of Broad. 

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY EXPLORE CHARLESTON 


Charleston Regional Development Alliance. 

That flood of humans served as rocket 

fuel for home prices, more than doubling 

them in just a decade, about twice the rate 

of wage growth during that time. That has 

accelerated pressure in local communities to 

identify affordable and attainable housing 

solutions as young people are increasingly 

left behind in the area real estate market. 

Since 2014, the Cainhoy peninsula 

adjacent to Daniel Island has exploded 

with development, highlighted (or lowlighted, 

depending on your perspective) by 

the 18,000-home Point Hope development 

now underway. Nexton, then a forested tract 

on the edge of Summerville, was poised 

to break ground, setting the stage for the 

3,000-home (and growing) master-planned 

behemoth it is today, dotted with retail, 

schools and commercial development to 

support the burgeoning community. 

The large, planned developments of Nexton, 

Carnes Crossroads, Cane Bay and Crowfield 

Plantation all sprouted prior to 2014, but 

their tentacles have grown in the last 10 years, 

along with Google’s expansion and the general 

march of manufacturing up I-26. 

If you were to draw a line at the top of 

the Charleston area 10 years ago, it would 

probably have encompassed the upper 

reaches of Moncks Corner and Summerville. 

Today, hundreds of area residents travel to 

Volvo in Ridgeville, where a new battery 

recycling plant is under construction, pushing 

the line farther north to I-95. St. George, 

Harleyville and Pinnopolis no longer feel so 

far away. 

The towns of Hollywood to the south 

and Awendaw up the coast have taken notice 

and shut the doors to most new development. 

Awendaw fears the inexorable march 

of population from Mt. Pleasant while Hollywood 

eyes the gathering storm of development 

down 17 from West Ashley. 

Many on Johns Island wish their 

community had done likewise, now that 

a network of traffic snarls serves as a daily 

reminder of what’s been lost to development 

in the last decade. Many current residents 

moved to Johns Island just a few years ago 

for the rural feel not too distant from urban 

life, but now urban life has arrived at their 

door and prices have skyrocketed. The hope 

is that a new pitchfork interchange just completed 

at Maybank Highway and River Road 

will quell some of the tie-ups, but no one has 

any illusions about a smooth commute coming 

anytime soon. The Mark Clark Extension 

that would extend the I-526 interstate from 

West Ashley across Johns Island and James 

Island with an aim to alleviate traffic recently 

advanced with the State Infrastructure Bank 

and Joint Bond Review Committee agreeing 

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to $75 million in funding to kickstart the 

project, but it still faces hurdles. 

If North Charleston was the epicenter 

of the region in 2014, today it’s more like 

Goose Creek, 10 miles farther north along 

Rt. 52. Situated roughly halfway between 

major manufacturing employers Volvo and 

Boeing, it is home to the Carnes Crossroads 

master-planned community and the 936- 

home Laurel Bay development now under 

construction. With a supportive city government, 

large and small developments have 

swelled the population to 49,000, now the 

state’s eighth largest municipality. 

More importantly, says Goose Creek 

Mayor Greg Habib, the city is taking note 

and setting its growth goals to embrace proportional 

commercial expansion, affording 

residents the services they need for everyday 

home life—often within walking distance. 

That includes supermarkets, schools, profes- 

When it was built in 1986 for $78 million, The Charleston Place Hotel 

between King and Meeting Streets near the Charleston Market was 

subsidized through grantsto be an attraction to bring more people to the 

area. In 2021, it sold for $350 million to Beemok Hospitality Group, 

which will continue it as a hotel with enhanced amenities. 

PHOTO EXPLORE CHARLESTON 

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sional services, cultural, recreational and dining 

options. 

“I shouldn’t have to drive 20 minutes to 

get something I need,” Habib said. 

In addition, businesses require fewer 

municipal services and pay higher taxes than 

residences, supporting police, fire, recreation 

and sanitation services that residents expect. 

As a result of the city’s acceleration of commercial 

development, Goose Creek’s hospitality 

tax revenues have doubled in the last 

five years to $3 million. 

The philosophy of proactively shaping 

growth within the city’s boundaries is exemplified 

by the $50 million public-partnership 

established between the city and an investment 

group to create commercial and public 

space in “uptown” Carnes Crossroads. With 

a grand lawn and promenade, the city will be 

able to host events and festivals. A planned 

66,000 square feet of commercial space will 

provide retail, commercial and hospitality 

services to residents of that community. 

“Growth is not inevitable; it’s something 

you have to cultivate,” Habib said. “Places 

that are not growing are instead dying.” 

That’s the last 10 years; what about the 

next 10? The Cainhoy peninsula is sure to 

pulse with new and expanded development, 

turning Clements Ferry Road into major 

shopping corridor Sam Rittenburg Jr. The 

northern boundary of the Charleston metro 

will creep closer to Orangeburg. The planned 

Lowcountry Rapid Transit bus line from 

Ladson to downtown Charleston will whisk 

thousands of people to and fro, and the roads 

will hardly notice. And, says Habib, sprawl 

will continue unless area leaders build consensus 

on denser growth in the urban cores. • 

The BBQ & Brews Festival in Goose Creek 

draws a crowd. The city is now the state’s eighthlargest 

municipality. 

PHOTO CITY OF GOOSE CREEK 


Charleston’s Growth 

by the Numbers 

Working it Out 

The Charleston region’s labor force is growing 3X faster 

than the U.S. average, to more than 830,000 total residents. 

More than 30 people move to the region every day 

-Charleston Regional Development Alliance 

New Faces 

Total Population by city and percent 

growth from 2010 to 2019 

City of Charleston – 137,566 residents (↑14%) 

City of North Charleston – 115,382 residents (↑18%) 

Town of Mount Pleasant – 91,684 residents (↑34%) 

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BUZZ | ART SEEN 

Magic in the Details 

Angela Trotta Thomas transports viewers to Charleston haunts and more 

with her detailed works of realism 

By LIESEL SCHMIDT 

WTrotta Thomas’s paintings, the first 

word that springs to mind is details. 

The swirled pattern on wallpaper, the sun 

dappled profile of a little girl, the light from 

a bank of windows reflected on the linoleum 

When one views Angela 

floor of a café. Details. 

As a child, Trotta Thomas never 

dreamed of growing up to become anything 

else but an artist, of picking up a paintbrush 

or a pencil every day and tapping into flow 

to create whatever was in her mind’s eye. 

“I knew I wanted to be an artist from 

the first grade,” she notes. “Many of my fellow 

students requested that I draw for them 

every day in school. It was very early positive 

reinforcement.” 

That positive reinforcement followed 

the Pennsylvania native as she pursued an 

undergraduate degree in illustration from 

Kutztown University and a master’s degree 

from Marywood University in studio arts 

and painting. From there, she forged a tenyear 

career in the commercial realm, working 

in mixed media for that first decade before 

moving on to dip her brush in watercolor. 

It wasn’t until the early 2000s that Trotta 

Thomas moved from watercolors to oils, after 

her commissioned clients began regularly 

requesting it. 

Be it in mixed media, watercolor or oil, 

the artist has proven that she possesses an 

adept skill and mastery of her craft—and an 

undeniable dedication to detail. 

That detailed work has served her well 

both in her commercial career as well as that 

as a fine artist. In fact, over the course of her 

40 years painting, Trotta Thomas has spent 

30 years of them licensed by Lionel Trains 

to create paintings of their iconic toy trains, 

capturing the essence of the oldest toy company 

in the U.S. on the canvas in ways that 

evoke childhood memories for the viewer 

and even depicting images of days gone by, 

when trains played so central a role in travel. 

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ANGELA TROTTA THOMAS 


Evoking memories and resonating 

in the emotions of her viewers is high on 

Trotta Thomas’s priorities as a painter whose 

style follows the strictures of realism. 

“I love being able to move people when 

they view my paintings,” she says. “I am always 

delighted when they relate to a painting 

that takes them back to cherished memory, 

and I constantly strive to evoke feelings 

of warmth and remind people of happy or 

treasured places from their lifetime. I strive 

to capture a dreamlike state with my paint 

application, which more effectively takes the 

viewer to another time and place.” 

As she has spent the last 15 years living 

in the Charleston area, her creativity has 

found an incredible well of inspiration in the 

Holy City. 

“I absolutely love depicting Charleston’s 

charm in my paintings,” says Trotta Thomas, 

who relocated from Pennsylvania with her 

husband, Bob. “From the beautiful streets 

downtown to the bars and restaurants, I find 

inspiration wherever I go. I have created an 

(Left): Grill 225 24x36 oil. A depiction of the restaurant bar inside the Market Pavilion Hotel; (Above): 

Thoroughbreds 30x30 oil, of the bar inside Charleston Place Hotel; All American 12x36 oil. Angela Trotta 

Thomas has spent 30 years of them licensed by Lionel Trains to create paintings of their iconic toy trains. 

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entire series of bar and restaurant paintings 

of local restaurants and haven’t even 

scratched the surface yet. There is endless 

reference for an artist in this beautiful city.” 

She adds, “My life, my career and my 

hobby are my art. They are one in the same 

for me. I have always derived enjoyment 

in doing things that my subject matter depicts, 

so living here in Charleston has been 

incredible. My husband and I have never 

looked back since we moved from Pennsylvania. 

We love it here.” 

Her appreciation for her surroundings is 

apparent in the results that culminate on the 

canvas—captured snippets of life in the city, 

breathtaking views of architecture of the historic 

streets, elegant interiors that bring viewers 

into the rooms of Charleston’s elegant homes. 

Regardless of what she paints, however, 

Trotta Thomas is on a constant quest 

to learn more about her craft, to better her 

own skill each day, with every new canvas 

that she sets upon. 

“Each painting is a brand-new painting, 

with a new approach,” she says of what she, 

as an artist, considers her greatest challenge. 

“There is an incredible challenge in accepting 

this and pushing through the start of a new 

painting. Still, I am continually inspired 

by my strong desire to create and to learn 

something new about painting every day, in 

whatever form that may take.” 

Trotta Thomas is a member of Oil 

Painters of America (OPA), National Oil 

and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) and 

American Women Artists (AWA). Her gallery 

work is represented by Reinert Fine Art 

Gallery in Charleston, while the full body of 

her work can be viewed online at her website, 

angelatrottathomas.com. • 

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BUZZ | DESIGN 

Dog Décor 

Furnishings dedicated to your furry friends 

W 

hen a dog drinks out of an ornate engraved bowl 

or climbs into a raised embossed bed to sleep, do they 

realize they are special to their humans? “You bet they do—at 

least mine does,” said Karen Patrohay, talking about her 

family’s Shi-Poo, Sunshine. 

A French bulldog coffee table 

reading glasses holder. Photo by 

Joanna Madden, owner of Findings 

in Mt. Pleasant. 

Patrohay is the owner of Michael’s Barkery 

on Daniel Island. The pet specialty business 

has been booming for years, but Patrohay 

said the isolation of Covid made fur babies 

even more important to everyone. 

Her family’s store opened right before 

the pandemic and went from dog food 

pickup at the curb to a full bakery operation, 

grooming services and pet clothing, like tiedyed 

t-shirts and tutus. 

Family Integration 

Son Michael was the inspiration for the 

baked goods. He made baking dog treats 

his senior business project in high school. 

He was also the inspiration for the mission 

By E.C.WALDRON 

of the Barkery: Michael has an intellectual 

disability, and so do several of the store’s employees. 

The Barkery is a place that provides 

opportunities for adults with cognitive 

disabilities. 

And this store provides the high-end 

pet home products with a neighborhood 

feel. One of the essential design elements 

are stylish “toy boxes” where all the furry, 

squeaky things can be stashed when company 

comes—unless it’s a doggie play date, 

of course. 

There are also dog-shaped planters, and 

photo frames with your breed’s name, all 

ready for their close-up. 

“We have matching ceramic bowls 

that match the treat canisters and even have 

matching place mats,” said Patrohay. 

Reason Behind the Designs 

Some of the feeding options are based on 

research and benefit the health of a canine. 

Food bowls come in many heights because it 

has been found taller dogs digest food better 

when they are not straining down to get at 

their meal. 

“For Great Danes we have a nice big 

one with tall legs,” said Patrohay, “and many 

come in all kinds of colors. Some are robin 

egg blue and some are hand rubbed, for a 

white-washed look..” 

Every small business owner must be 

wise about what they order from suppliers 

with the eye for a decent profit. Patrohay 

said she had to think twice before ordering a 

dog love seat which would retail for around 

$600. It was as big as a small couch. 

“It took up a lot of space in our store, 

but everybody absolutely loved it and they 

loved putting their dogs on it and taking 

their pictures and sure enough, it sold.” 

For those who want to celebrate or 

commemorate a particular beloved canine, 

there are a lot of options. Michael’s Barkery 

doesn’t stock many statues, but you can go 

online and buy one on Etsy for instance. 

Never Forget Them 

There are statues of ceramic, bronze, wood 

and even clay. Some are to size, and for outside 

the home: , such as a lifesize Doberman 

to stand guard. A wooden girl and her dog 

in an embrace for a daughter’s bookshelf. A 

statue of a beloved poodle to pay homage 

after the pet’s death. Options range from a 

cake topper of your favorite pet for $11, to a 

life-size bronze Rottweiler for $1,200. 

You can send a photo of your pup to 

a particular business on Etsy, and they can 

paint or sculpt your best friend perfectly. 

Shopping online does give you more 

options in certain ways—but at the Barkery 

on Daniel Island, you get to show off your 

pride and joy in person or on your phone. 

And for the pup, there’s one word for 

visiting Michael’s Barkery on a doggie 

shopping trip: Woof! Especially when your 

special Fido gets a delicious piece of handbaked 

dog cake! • 


BUZZ | BEACH GUIDE 

Sand, Surf & Saltwater 

Charleston Area Beach Guide 

By HOLLY FISHER 

M 

illions visit Charleston each year, drawn to her 

history, culture, restaurants and good ol’ Southern charm. 

While the area’s beaches sit at the edges of this popular tourist 

destination, Charleston’s beaches and views of the Atlantic 

Ocean are a destination unto themselves. Many people flock to 

the sand and shore for fun in the sun. 


Folly Beach is a popular 

spot for surfers. 

Charleston is home to several small, distinct 

beach communities. Each has its own personality, 

amenities and allure. But all of them are 

incredible places to relax, splash and surf, or 

cool off with a cold drink and a great meal. 

Loggerhead sea turtles lay their eggs on the 

shores of many of our beaches. Don’t disturb 

any marked nests and, if you’re staying on the 

beach during the summer, be sure to leave 

your porch lights off at night. You don’t want 

to confuse any turtle hatchlings using the 

moonlight to find their way to the ocean. 

Now, slide on your flip flops and let’s go! 

Folly Beach 

Grab your surfboard and head over to this 

laid-back beach the locals love. Shops, restaurants 

and bars line Center Street, giving 

Folly Beach a funky vibe. Have breakfast at 

Folly Beach staple Lost Dog Cafe. Grab a 

burger or lobster roll for lunch at Rita’s Seaside 

Grill. End the day with a cocktail and 

fried shrimp plate at Pier 101 Restaurant 

& Bar or The Tides, both overlooking the 

ocean. Take a sunset walk to the northeast 

point of the beach for the best view of the 

Morris Island Lighthouse. 

Enjoy the amenities of Folly Beach 

County Park with its boardwalk, seasonal 

lifeguards, restrooms and outdoor showers. 

The park is located on the west end of the 

island. Note that parking on Folly Beach can 

get tricky. Public parking and spaces at the 

county park fill up fast in the summer, so 

plan to start your beach day early. For additional 

parking tips and rules, visit www. 

parkfollybeach.org. 

Don’t miss the new Folly Beach Fishing 

Pier that stretches more than 1,000 feet into 

the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Rent a rod on-site for some of the area’s best 

saltwater fishing or simply enjoy the incredible 

ocean views. 

If you’re traveling with pets, note that 

dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 

a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 1 to Sept. 30. At all 

other times, dogs must be leashed. 

PHOTO DOUG HICKOK; ANDREW CEBULKA FOR EXPLORE CHARLESTON.

A popular fishing perch, the new Folly Pier is 7,500 square 

feet with a diamond-shaped platform at the end with 

spectacular Atlantic Ocean views. 

The Morris Island Lighthouse on Folly 

Beach, can be viewed following a quartermile 

walk from the northern end of the 

island at the end of East Ashley Avenue. 


BUZZ | BEACH GUIDE 

Surfers pose for a selfie on Isle of Palms. 

Isle of Palms 

Just a few minutes from Mount Pleasant, the 

Isle of Palms is a popular destination for families 

and those looking for a traditional beach 

vacation. You’ll have plenty to do on IOP. 

Walk the beach collecting seashells and sand 

dollars (leave the live critters on the beach 

please!) Keep your eyes peeled for ospreys, 

pelicans and dolphins playing in the surf. 

Enjoy a variety of dining options from 

casual seafood and cocktails at Coconut Joe’s 

to Southern staples like shrimp and grits at 

Acme Lowcountry Kitchen. Take in the best 

sunset views at Islander 71 Fish House & 

Deck Bar next to the IOP Marina. Check 

out The Windjammer for evening live music 

with beach views. 

Isle of Palms has plenty of local shops 

where you can pick up a souvenir T-shirt, 

boogie board, buckets for building sandcastles 

or gifts. 

The Isle of Palms County Park is a great 

option if you’re visiting with kids. The park 

is centrally located with seasonal lifeguards, 

restrooms and outdoor showers. There’s also 

a playground and picnic area with grills. 

If you’re not staying on IOP, plan to 

arrive early. Parking is limited and traffic 

quickly backs up on the IOP Connector 

from Mount Pleasant. Public parking is 

available and the county park has a number 

of parking spots (for a fee). 

Sullivan’s Island 

Sullivan’s Island is a quaint little beach town 

with about 2,000 residents. Its pristine beaches 

and delicious restaurants make it a favorite 

among Charleston area locals. It’s also conveniently 

connected to the Isle Palms by the 

sparkling waters of Breach Inlet. 

Sullivan’s Island has few short-term 

rentals and no hotels, so you may want to 

stay in Mount Pleasant and plan a day trip 

to this beach. While you’re there, visit Fort 

Moultrie National Historical Park to learn 

about the fort’s storied history from 1809 to 

1947. Rent bikes and explore the abundant 

natural scenery. Shop at Sandpiper Gallery 

with its selection of paintings, jewelry and 

pottery. And be sure to visit Goldbug for a 

selection of apparel, jewelry and accessories. 

When you’ve worked up an appetite 

riding your bike or playing in the surf and 

sand, try one of the island’s favorite restaurants. 

High Thyme offers an eclectic mix of 

American fare in a laid-back atmosphere. 

Home Team BBQ is a meat-lover’s must. 

And, of course, there’s Poe’s Tavern, serving 

up burgers and fries amidst Edgar Allan Poe 

themed decor. Cool off with the popular 

frosé from The Co-Op, a market and cafe on 

Middle Street. 

If you plan to take your pup to Sullivan’s 

Island, note that dogs are not allowed on the 

beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 1 through 

Sept. 30. 

Kiawah Island 

The only public beach access on this gated 

island is via Beachwalker County Park located 

on the west end of this 10-mile beach. 

Other areas of the beach are private and accessible 

only to property owners or renters. 

Beachwalker Park offers ocean access 

and a river view. The park has a boardwalk, 

seasonal lifeguards, restrooms, outdoors 

showers and a picnic area with grills. Beach 

chair, umbrella and boogie board rentals are 

available seasonally. Dogs must be leashed at 

all times within Kiawah Beachwalker Park. 

Plan to visit the nearby Freshfields 

Village, an outdoor shopping center where 

you can browse boutiques of art, clothing, 

souvenirs, books, candles and jewelry. While 

you’re there, dine on tacos, ice cream, pizza 

and more. Plus, the village hosts a number of 

outdoor concerts, special events and festivals 

throughout the year. 

For a luxury vacation, book a stay at Kiawah 

Island Golf Resort with its five-star accommodations 

and world-class golf course. • 

PHOTO KATHIE ALLEN/PIXABAY; KIAWAH, TOM HOPKINS STUDIO; SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, GREG WATKINS. 


The Sturgeon moon supermoon taken 

on Sullivan’s Island with a view of the 

Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse. 

Kiawah Island is an unspoiled barrier 

island and beach with the only public 

access to non-residents via a county park. 


BUZZ | SOUTHERN DRAWL 

Amy Chico, PLA, HLA, Inc.; Emma Souder, AIA, Owner, 

Red Iron Architects; Jill Moore, Inclusive Play Specialist, 

Landscape Structures; Derrick Robbins, Owner, Robbins 

Construction Group; Councilman Ron Brinson, City of North 

Charleston; Joellen Roger, AIA, Red Iron Architects; former 

Mayor Keith Summey at the ribbon-cutting for the inclusive 

playground in Park Circle. 

Groundbreaking 

Longtime Charleston landscape architect helps create responsible built environment 

By JENNY PETERSON 

For the past 27 years, Amy Chico has had a hand in helping shape Charleston’s 

environment. She has worked her way up to Senior Vice President with HLA, a prominent Charleston 

surveying, land planning, civil engineering, wetland permitting and landscape architecture firm. 

When she started, she was a minority in the 

male-driven field in the late 1990s. Last year, 

however, she was part of a strong woman-led 

team that planned and designed the City 

of North Charleston’s Park Circle project, 

with one of the world’s largest inclusive 

playgrounds that opened late last year and 

includes an inclusive baseball field, a farmers 

market pavilion, nature garden, open green 

space and walking trails. 

“I love seeing a project come to life from 

when you see it on a plan and then see it in 

person,” Chico said. “Recently I was driving 

around Oakfield on Johns Island and, as I 

drove, I knew exactly where all the streets 

were laid out because I worked on the master 

plan.” 

Chico grew up in Columbia, Maryland, 

in the suburbs between Baltimore and 

Washington, D.C., in a 1970s-era planned 

community. Chico enjoyed village centers, 

neighborhood pools and interconnected 

bike paths. 

At West Virginia University, a freshman-year 

introduction to landscape architecture 

class led to a passion for the profession 

and she earned a bachelor of science in landscape 

architecture, with a focus on planning. 

“Our program had a strong focus on 

design theory — a lot of people think landscape 

architecture is all about landscaping 

your backyard, but we were studying art 

and site engineering and how to apply it as 

environmental design to improve the quality 

of life. The upfront site research and master 

planning is what I really like,” Chico said. 

PHOTO 


Amy Chico 

Senior Vice 

President, Director 

of Landscape 

Architecture at HLA 

Hometown 

Columbia, Maryland 

Education 

Bachelor of Science 

in Landscape 

Architecture, West 

Virginia University 

Family 

Warren Chico 

(Husband), two 

daughters, Amelia, 

(20) & Julia (17) 

Hobbies 

Volunteering at 

Charleston Habitat 

for Humanity. I am 

fortunate to serve 

on their board of 

directors, listening 

to books on tape and 

podcasts, working out 

with friends 


BUZZ | SOUTHERN DRAWL 

Merrill Coulter, Project Manager, 

Robbins Construction Group; 

Adriana Carson, Sr. Project 

Director, HLA; Amy Chico, 

PLA, HLA, Inc. 

After graduating in 1995, Chico worked 

for a female landscape architect and then a 

larger engineering firm in Maryland before 

deciding to move to Charleston along with 

a sorority sister. 

Chico began sending out her resume 

locally, including sending a letter to a very 

famous Charlestonian—longtime mayor Joe 

Riley, asking about job opportunities. 

“I didn’t know who he was, but saw he 

was an honorary landscape architect and was 

listed in the American Society of Landscape 

Architects and I sent him my resume,” Chico 

laughs. “They were not hiring for the city, but 

I got a very nice letter back from him.” 

Chico’s first job in Charleston was for 

a small firm that focused only on civil engineering. 

She then saw an ad in the newspaper 

for a job at HLA that would allow her to focus 

more on landscape architecture. The rest 

is history. 

“I will be celebrating 27 years with HLA 

in May,” Chico said. 

The firm has surveying, civil engineering, 

and landscape architecture experts 

in-house and a reputation to be a true 

partner with developers and land owners 

building large and small-scale projects in the 

Charleston area in industrial, commercial, 

and residential markets. 

“HLA’s focuses on community betterment, 

it’s great to have all three disciplines 

under one roof as we work together on a 

project right from the start,” Chico said. 

As senior vice-president and director 

of the landscape architecture department, 

her job involves working with clients from 

the beginning, gathering information about 


the scope of their desired project, identifying 

any environmental constraints and working 

through city and county ordinances and 

regulations including evaluating the existing 

conditions, setbacks, buffers, water and sewer 

feasibility, parking, wetlands and much more. 

After nearly three decades, Chico is an expert 

at the preparation and work that goes into 

permitting the Charleston environment. 

“It’s doing due diligence and site analysis 

research,” Chico said. “It’s creating a vision 

for a client and determining the potential for 

their property.” 

Despite the tedious work that goes into 

seeing these projects to fruition —including 

navigating the city’s and county’s extensive 

permitting process—the reward is a carefully-planned 

and well-enjoyed development 

that adds to the Charleston landscape, a 

place she holds close to her heart, where she 

found her lifelong career, met her husband 

and raised her two daughters. 

The large and expansive inclusive playground 

in North Charleston’s Park Circle 

neighborhood was a groundbreaking project 

in many ways—including that it happened to 

have a predominately women-led leadership 

and design team deeply involved in the project 

that included Kathy Kackley, the Deputy 

Director of the Recreation Department at 

the City of North Charleston, Emma Souder 

and Joellen Rogers from Red Iron Architects, 

Adriana Carson and Kat Stafford from HLA 

and Denise Badillo, Director of Procurement 

for the City of North Charleston. 

Trends in Development 

Chico is excited that there has been a push in 

the Charleston area to bring a larger variety 

of housing products to the market to hopefully 

start creating more affordable housing 

options. 

“It can be achieved by increasing density, 

mixing housing types, and offering developer 

incentives,” Chico said. “To improve 

housing affordability, it does not require subsidized 

housing by the government. It can be 

improved by bringing more housing options 

to the market, through well-designed policies 

and reduced permitting delay.” 

Chico regularly volunteers for Charleston 

Habitat for Humanity and serves on 

their Board, where their mission is to build 

homes for purchase by a homeowner making 

between 35 and 80 percent of the median 

income (AMI) and are selected based 

on their need. 

“Homeownership can change someone’s 

life and the life of their generations to 

come,” she said. 

Other design trends by developers are 

to thoughtfully include more green space 

and gathering spaces, like adding promenades 

and open space for events like outdoor 

movie nights. Chico has worked with 

many developers and landowners, including 

applying for grant money that can be used 

for adding green space. She said there has 

also been a stronger focus on using native 

plants in landscape designs for long-term 

sustainability. 

“Developers aren’t putting in community 

pools (as much), but they’re putting in 

gathering spaces, whether it’s for playing 

bocce ball or a picnic pavilion. One project 

we did on Johns Island even involved a community 

garden,” Chico said. “Having open 

plazas in a commercial center has been a 

trend, like the one under design at Southwind 

Station on Johns Island.” 

A new Low Tide brewery relocation 

and expansion project on Johns Island, that 

HLA is working on, will have expansive 

green space and event space and will allow 

for an interconnection to future greenways 

to surrounding neighborhoods, perfect for 

bicycles and golf carts. 

“They are adding amenities that are attractive 

for young families and there will be 

space for a future playground,” Chico said. 

“In this development world, it’s exciting to 

hear about and work on a wide range of projects 

before they are known to the general 

public. These are projects that have a positive 

economic development impact or smaller affordable 

housing projects that could change 

lives in our Charleston community. •

Well Styled 

WOMEN OF IMPACT | INTERIOR DESIGN | FASHION 

Art-full 

Fashion 

Spring trends to try 

See page 62 

PHOTO ALEECE SOPHIA 


WELL STYLED | WOMEN OF IMPACT 

T 

Go Red for Women 

American Heart Association’s local “Women of Impact and 

“Teen of Impact” nominees 

By JESSICA RODGERS 

he American Heart Association’s Woman of Impact is an annual initiative 

to drive awareness and raise funds for women’s heart health in local communities. Individuals 

around the country are nominated to take part in the campaign, which launched on National Wear 

Red Day in February. Nominees leverage their networks and influence to educate women on their 

risks, raise critical dollars to help fund lifesaving research and advocate for the health and well-being 

of women. Together they are a relentless force against cardiovascular disease, the No. 1 killer of 

women. Local nominees for this year are Philicia Baugh, Hillary Blevins, Zyra Bond, Katie Brennan, 

Dr. Paula Orr, Monique Wilsondebriano and Teen of Impact Nominee Amber Wilsondebriano. 

Philicia Baugh 

Philicia Baugh is a multifaceted individual 

with a diverse background in real estate investment, 

entrepreneurship, public speaking and 

community service. She has been recognized 

as a 40 under 40 Award Recipient by both 

the Fayetteville Observer and the Charleston 

Regional Business Journal. Baugh is involved 

in various local and national boards. Her 

passion and commitment to make a difference 

is evident through her founding of the 

first transitional home in South Carolina for 

homeless mothers with newborns. In her free 

time, she enjoys gardening, practicing and 

teaching yoga, traveling and spending quality 

time with her family. 

Hillary Blevins 

Hillary Blevins is a principal member of Hudson 

Capital Investments, LLC in Charleston. 

Her duties include serving as asset manager 

for a $250 million multifamily portfolio and 

principal developer for $50 million in ground 

up construction for multifamily units. Prior 

to joining Hudson Capital, Blevins worked 

for Greystar Management in Texas. Blevins 

is passionate about creating opportunities in 

her industry for others. She has served on 

several boards, including Commercial Real 

Estate Women (CREW) and the YMCA of 

Greater Charleston. 

Zyra Bond 

Originally from Kosovo (formerly Yugoslavia), 

Zyra Bond’s family embarked on a 

transformative journey through Switzerland 

and Germany. She eventually ended up in 

the Lowcountry, which she loves deeply and 

is proud to call home. After a successful law 

career, Bond left to pursue a career in aesthetics 

and holistic skincare. With a unique 

approach to beauty and skincare, Bond 

founded LipsticknBlush in Beaufort. She 

aims to empower women through natural 

solutions. Bond believes in following your 

heart and embracing the beauty of both the 

journey and the destination. 

PHOTOS BY CHRIS HANCLOSKY WITH COASTAL CREEK MEDIA 


Katie Brennan 

Originally from Wisconsin, Katie Brennan 

has spent the majority of her career in pharmacy 

benefit management. She currently 

leads the growth efforts along the east coast 

for CarelonRx. Brennan is very passionate 

about driving healthcare and medication 

access and affordability for American families, 

especially in rural areas. She takes great 

pride in seeing improved outcomes for her 

clients. Katie enjoys spending time with her 

husband, two children and two dogs in her 

free time. 

Amber Wilsondebriano 

At just 18 years old, Amber Wilsondebriano 

has already made an incredible impact 

in the community. Her efforts in community 

engagement and advocacy led to her 

Dr. Paula Orr 

A native of Baltimore, Dr. Paula Orr has called 

Charleston home for the last 26 years. Dr. 

Orr is the owner and physician of Charleston 

Women’s Wellness Center and is the medical 

director for Charleston Health and Wellness 

Medi-Spa. Her practice specializes in preventative 

and alternative health for women in gynecology 

that includes hormone replacement 

therapy and weight management. Dr. Orr is 

very active in the community and has served 

on several boards including the Susan G. 

Komen Foundation and MUSC Health. She 

has also received numerous accolades including 

40 under 40 for the Charleston Regional 

Business Journal, National Council of Negro 

Women’s Outstanding Community Leader 

award in medicine and the MOJA Arts Festival 

Community Tribute for her contributions 

in medicine. Dr. Orr has four adult children 

and one grand dog. 

being a Teen of Impact nominee, the first in 

Charleston. Wilsondebriano made history as 

the first black homecoming queen at Porter- 

Guad. With a 4.66 GPA, her leadership also 

includes serving as the co-president of the 

Chinese Club, president of the Art Club and 

Vice President of the Porter-Guad Black 

Excellence Society. She has made national 

headlines and has been featured on Good 

Morning America, CNN, Essence, Black 

Enterprise and the Jennifer Hudson Show. 

A dynamic and inspiring speaker, Wilsondebriano 

is on a mission to empower young 

individuals to lead with heart and courage. • 

Monique Wilsondebriano 

Monique Wilsondebriano has been an 

entrepreneur as long as she can remember. 

Her latest venture was driven by a yearning 

for healthier products and a passion for 

food. Alongside her husband, she founded 

Charleston Gourmet Burger Company. Her 

company has been featured on QVC, Food 

Network, Good Morning America, The 

Today Show, Better Homes & Gardens, Essence 

and many more. Wilsondebriano was 

named one of Charleston’s Most Influential 

People of 2022 by the Charleston Business 

Magazine. She is on a mission to help others 

by providing the knowledge necessary for 

anyone to achieve their dreams. 

The American Heart 

Association’s annual Go 

Red for Women Luncheon 

will be held on May 30 as a 

culminating fundraising effort. 

It will be held at the Gaillard 

Center from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

The event includes a hearthealthy 

lunch, expo, auction, 

fashion show, and more as the 

American Heart Association 

celebrates its centennial year. 

Learn more about how to get 

involved at www.heart.org/ 

charlestongored. 


INTERIOR DESIGNER PROFILE 

Open for appointments Monday-Friday, walk-ins available 

S 

pecializing in the highest quality 

interior and exterior shutters, window treatments, screen 

systems, motorized shades and canopies as well as pergolas, 

All About Windows has built a solid reputation for great service, 

expertise and superior products across the Charleston area. When 

the torch was passed from the original owner to Erica Geddie in 

2022, that tradition of excellence continued in her hands. 

“I started with the company when my oldest daughter 

was just a baby,” Geddie says. “It was tough, but I managed 

to push through and over come every obstacle thrown my 

way. After about 12 years working there, I found myself as the 

owner and operator of All About Windows, after the former 

owner decided it was time to retire.” 

Geddie was a natural fit, as she has a great affinity for 

people. Client relations is a large part of her role as the owner 

of the company as well as an industry expert. 

“My job entails meeting with clients and helping them 

sort through a wide variety of fabrics, styles and product options 

we offer,” she says. “I absolutely love getting to meet new 

people. I like hearing their stories and helping them choose 

the right products for their home. I also make it a point to 

stay up to date with the newest and best products, to ensure 

that we maintain our edge and reputation.” 

As much as All About Windows is Geddie’s work, it is 

also a passion. 

“Bringing people’s visions to life is incredibly rewarding,” 

she said. “I can’t explain the joy I get from seeing clients’ faces 

light up when they see their home finally coming together, or 

from the handwritten letters I get from clients, thanking me.” 

All About Windows is a family-owned and operated business 

providing a full range of both commercial and residential 

services and options in a wide variety of products and lines. 

When it comes to a particular favorite project, Geddie says, “It’s 

hard to pick and choose which projects I am most proud of. A 

lot of time and effort goes into each project, and I feel like I try 

my best to make each one better than the last. All of our clients 

deserve that level of attention and dedication. In the future, we 

are hoping to grow our exterior side even further, and we also 

hope to expand our reach beyond the areas we currently serve.” 

Stylish window treatments and more at All About Windows 

490 Deanna Lane Suite A, Charleston | 843-216-5677 | allaboutwindowssc.com 



form Your Outdoor 

to a Relaxing Oasis! 

mprehensive expert service from taking 

ents and providing a design plan, to 

ring all your items to your home. 

ore: www.backyardretreatssc.com 

ohnnie Dodds Blvd, 

t Pleasant, SC 

6-0049 

Monday-Friday: 10-5, Saturday: 10-4, Closed Sunday 

O 

ver the past decade, the trend of 

outdoor living has grown by leaps and bounds, seeing a 

marked increase since COVID. Rather than empty, 

underutilized spaces, people are taking advantage of their 

backyards and creating outdoor spaces as well-kitted as the 

indoors, complete with kitchens, furniture and entertainment. 

Twenty-eight years ago when Backyard Retreat was 

founded by Sharon Campbell, the company built a reputation 

as a local source for beautiful outdoor furniture and décor in 

the Charleston area, offering clients everything they needed 

to create the backyards of their dreams. Now in the hands of 

Campbell’s daughter Darla Miller, Backyard Retreats continues 

to provide high-quality products from a wide variety of 

manufacturers as well as expert exterior design services. 

Boasting 25 years of experience selling outdoor furniture, 

Miller is an exterior designer whose passion for her work 

shows in her leadership of the company. 

“I love helping clients create their own backyard retreat,” 

says Miller, who credits her parents for instilling a passion 

for the industry. “When I graduated college 25 years ago, I 

started working for my mom, and helping her over the years 

and learning from her expertise has helped me become the 

exterior design expert I am today. I really do love our industry, 

and when you love what you do, it’s fun to come to work.” 

She adds, “Selling outdoor furniture is really a fun job, 

but more than that, I enjoy creating relationships with my 

customers and seeing their porches and patios become places 

of comfort and relaxation.” 

To set the company apart, Miller purposely tries to show 

furniture on the floor that can’t be found online or at competing 

businesses. Miller is particularly proud of a few recent 

commercial outdoor design projects. 

“I’m not afraid of color,” says the designer of her own aesthetic. 

“When you’re working with an outside porch and pool 

area, it’s fun to be a little different, and we love working with 

unique projects. Whomever the client and whatever their vision, 

however, we listen and bring those ideas to life as best as 

we can. Interior designers know the inside of the home, but 

my whole life has been devoted to the casual furniture industry. 

If you need help with your outdoor spaces, we are your place.” 

Creating perfect backyard and outdoor spaces at Backyard Retreats 

554 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mount Pleasant | 843-856-0049 | backyardretreatssc.com 



Andrea Lavigne, 

principal designer 

and owner 

Blending diverse styles seamlessly 

with distinct Charlestonian aesthetics 

at Decorating Den Interiors 

W 

hile becoming an interior designer 

may not have been Andrea Lavigne’s original focus 

when she started university, her path began to shift 

when she realized her passion for the industry 

“I majored in business and hotel management from a university 

in Hungary, and one of the mandatory aspects of the curriculum was 

designing commercial and industrial kitchens for hotels and restaurants. 

By the time I finished university, my focus had totally shifted 

from business management to design. I stuck with it, and by 2002, I 

was living in Canada and had started my own interior design firm.” 

Now a franchisee of Decorating Den Interiors’ nationwide 

network, Andrea Lavigne Design based in Charleston stands 

on the brand’s 50-year reputation for quality and excellence in 

the luxury space, bringing Andrea’s own expertise, white glove, 

personalized care and passion to bear with her clients. 

“I approach each new client challenge with an unwavering 

commitment to delivering exceptional results,” she says. “I love 

seeing the joy and excitement on my clients’ faces and sharing 

their enthusiasm when they see their completed project for the 

first time. My number one priority is to make the entire design 

process enjoyable for my clients. They can sit back and relax and 

know that I will take care of everything, from the initial vision 

through planning, purchasing and procurement to completion 

with white glove delivery.” 

She adds, “I consider every one of my projects as my baby. 

To create a masterpiece from the ground up that the homeowner 

is proud of is extremely satisfying. My approach stands out 

because of my dedication to creating ergonomically functional 

and aesthetically-pleasing spaces. I carefully balance practicality 

and design to ensure optimal use of space while still maintaining 

the desired look, feel and decor. One of my key differentiators is 

a strong understanding of my clients’ needs—for instance, the 

need to update from a standard Northern style to a lighter, more 

coastal look fitting to South Carolina. My expertise lies in my 

ability to blend diverse styles seamlessly with the distinct Charlestonian 

aesthetics by incorporating elements from clients’ previous 

homes or favored design trends while ensuring cohesion 

with the local design style and traditions. This approach allows 

my clients to maintain a sense of familiarity while embracing the 

Charleston lifestyle. My brand stands out for its commitment to 

understanding individual needs, meticulous attention to detail 

and a seamless blend of form and function, ensuring each project 

is not just visually stunning but also deeply meaningful.” 

Charleston | 843-469-8583 | andrealavigne.com 



Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m, Sunday, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. 

A unique marketplace with 50 

unique home décor boutiques at 

Modern Manor 

T 

he Charleston area is deeply rooted 

in history—and its architecture tells a tale in ways that 

nothing else can. Part of Mount Pleasant’s architectural 

heritage, The Boone Hall Market was once a hub of the community, 

and it was only fitting that it would find new life as something 

beautiful in the hands of business partners Karen Massarotti and 

Jessica Wiley, who own Modern Manor, a unique marketplace 

with 50 unique boutiques under one roof. 

“As entrepreneurs, we have backgrounds in interior design,” 

says Wiley, a former teacher with a natural talent for aesthetics 

and a deep passion for creative expression. Massarotti, meanwhile, 

brought her background in interior design and construction, a 

wealth of skills as well as an invaluable network to the marketplace. 

“When we saw that the historic Boone Hall building was 

available, we decided to open a collection of boutiques that would 

offer an array of home goods, furnishings, antiques, apparel and 

gifts,” Wiley said. “We also saw the perfect opportunity to open 

a coffee shop that would provide pastries and sandwiches, as well 

as a variety of coffees, wine and beer—all to be enjoyed under the 

trees on our open Southern outdoor patio.” 

Clearly, theirs was a vision for more than simply a brick-andmortar 

store. Rather, Massarotti and Wiley wanted to create a 

unique, central source for all things beautiful that was also a gathering 

place to form community and connection—a singular shopping 

experience that would set the Modern Manor name apart. 

“Aside from our unique business model, we offer home decor 

in our store that other stores don’t carry,” says Wiley, who opened 

the business with Massarotti in 2024. “It’s important for us to 

find relevant brands and furnishings that resonate with our community 

but are not a repeat of what other stores or boutiques carry.” 

A shared passion is a uniting force between the two women, 

who have built a successful company on that foundation, fortified 

with their respective expertise and talents. 

“Our passion is design, and we love offering the community 

of North Mount Pleasant a space where they can find items for 

themselves and their homes. We’re pleased that the community 

shops local and supports a women-owned business. Building 

relationships with our customer base is vital to us, and we 

look forward to growing and evolving as we settle in.” 

In addition to home decor, lighting, art, furniture, live 

plants, apparel and antiques within its spaces, Modern Manor 

also comprises a makeup boutique as well as the café, with 

more plans to expand in the works. 

2521 North Highway 17, Mt. Pleasant | 843-936-2457 | modern-manor.shop 


Preppy Summer 

Color, stripes and 

summer suiting 

mark the season 

Fontana blue sparkle 

ribbed tank, $24; Francis 

and Benedict orange 

maxi skirt with fuchsia, 

blue and olive flowers, 

$65; Jack Rogers gold 

wedge espadrille, $24; 

pink three-tier jewel drop 

earrings, $12; canary 

yellow diamond costume 

ring, $28; multi-shape 

and colored diamond 

bracelet, $38; silver bangles 

set of 3, $18; San Diego 

Hat hot pink hat, $65, at 

Reinvented, 847 Savannah 

Hwy. Charleston. Terme 

large crossbody in glossy 

white, $159, at Ushamama, 

196 King St. Charleston. 


Strut & Bolt i’on the prize 

emerald green dress, $145; 

St. Armanda white palm 

leaf earrings, $28, at 

Harbor Bee Boutique, 

harborbeeboutique.com. 

Stylist’s shoes. 

Artic Greyson whimsical world 

polo, $118; PT Torino lavender 

stretch pants, $395; Brighton 

navy elastic cord belt, $71; 

Shinola runwell watch, $595, at 

M. Dumas and Sons, 294 King 

St. Charleston. Stylist’s shoes. 

Photographer: Aleece Sophia 

Fashion Director/Stylist: Lynn Cabrera 

HMUA: Rosa Martinez 

Models: Miles Letissier and Anna Holloway 

with Directions USA 

Production Assistant: Avery Hanson 

Location: The Gibbes Museum of Art 


FRNCH multi-color mary lou shirt, 

$104.99; Mono B blue kenzie tank, $19.99; 

FRNCH multicolor mary lou shorts, 

$85.99; Beach by Matisse ville green 

sandals, $36.99; yellow flower shower 

earrings, $18.99; three-layer gold chain 

necklace, $24.99; black sunglasses, $29.99, 

at E. Blackhurst, 145 King St. Charleston. 

Faffia Azzurro tote, $189, at Ushamama, 

196 King St. Charleston. 


Purple scarf with ivory floral pattern, $24; 

gold leaf dangle earrings, $28; olive green 

& dusty coral beaded bracelet, $24; gold 

link bracelet, $24; three-layer green wooden 

necklace, $30; gold chain with pearls 

necklace, $28; 3 layer tiny gold heart chain 

necklace, $28, at Findings, 1410 Shucker 

Cir #1109 Mt. Pleasant. Stylist’s pants. 


On him: Respoke blue & white 

striped linen t-shirt embellished 

with designer silk, $195; Respoke 

kawa pink mule espadrille, $445, 

377 King St. Charleston. Stylist 

pants & belt. 

On her: Ralph Lauren 100% pink 

Italian linen embellished with 

Hermes silk, $495; Respoke mese 

cream modern wedge espadrille, 

$545, at Respoke, 377 King St. 

Charleston. Stylist pants. 


Canali chartreuse micro check 

kei jacket, $2,795; Gianette 

white denim button front shirt, 

$295; Maghanni andromeda 

taupe leather belt, $150; Kiton 

green pattern special order 

pocket square, $250, at M. 

Dumas & Sons, 294 King St. 

Charleston. Stylist pants. 

May/June 2024 | 67 

March/April 2024 | 67

M 

Spoleto 

Never-Seen-Before Shows 

Spoleto Festival’s groundbreaking world premieres & star-studded 

lineup for the 2024 season 

By Spoleto Festival USA Press Room 

More than 100 performances will be held across the Holy City for 17 days 

and nights from May 24-June 9 during the annual Spoleto Festival USA, the country’s 

premier performing arts festival. The star-studded lineup for 2024, held at Charleston’s historic 

theaters, churches and outdoor spaces, will include performances from celebrated artists at the 

forefront of their craft. 

Australia-based contemporary circus 

company Casus Creations will explore 

the transformative power of human 

connection in their mesmerizing stage 

show Apricity. 

PHOTO ROBERT BLACKBURN 


A bold, multidisciplinary 

reenvisioning of Shakespeare’s tragedy 

Romeo and Juliet is set in a modern 

metropolis with dancers from L.A. 

Dance Project. 

PHOTO SASHA ISRAEL 

Spoleto Festival USA’s ambitious 2024 

program includes the world premiere of a 

commissioned original opera Ruinous Gods, 

the return of cellist Yo-Yo Ma to the Festival 

in a new program conceived by the iconic 

musician, the world premiere of the original 

play The Song of Rome by Denis O’Hare 

and Lisa Peterson (co-authors of 2023’s An 

Iliad), Benjamin Millepied and L.A. Dance 

Project’s inventive multimedia interpretation 

of Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo & Juliet performed 

for the first time with live orchestra, 

and performances by nationally touring acts: 

Jason Isbell, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sasha 

Velour, plus much more. 

“Art is the connective tissue of our society,” 

says Spoleto Festival USA’s General 

Director and CEO, Mena Mark Hanna. “By 

coming together to experience the 48th 

Spoleto, we have a rich opportunity to explore 

our shared humanity as we contemplate 

challenges to our very social framework, including 

immigration, democracy, and basic 

human rights.” 

The Festival will commence with the 

world premiere of Spoleto’s full-length 

original chamber opera, Ruinous Gods. 

Composed by Layale Chaker with a libretto 

by Lisa Schlesinger, Ruinous Gods examines 

the traumatic impact of displacement on 

refugees. The groundbreaking opera pushes 

the boundaries of form and structure with 

Grammy Awardwinning 

singersongwriter 

Aoife 

O’Donovan will 

perform with members 

of the Spoleto Festival 

USA Chorus. 

sung and spoken-word sections and a genredefying 

score that weaves Arabic Maqam 

and Western classical music traditions with 

diverse Middle Eastern influences, jazz, and 

improvisation. Four performances will take 

place in the College of Charleston’s Sottile 

Theatre. 

The Festival’s opening weekend also features 

two performances by Old Crow Medicine 

Show, the Grammy Award-winning 

six-piece American roots revival band who 

celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2023. 

This performance, under the stars in the College 

of Charleston’s Cistern Yard, will kick off 

the Festival’s Front Row Series, which also 

includes multi-instrumentalist Trombone 

Shorty, gold-certified artist Amos Lee and 

Billboard chart-topping duo Watchhouse. 

Also on the series: Aoife O’Donovan (of the 

folk-roots trio I’m With Her) performs a 

solo show of selections from her upcoming 

album All My Friends, in the Sottile Theatre 

accompanied by the Spoleto Festival USA 

Orchestra and four-time Grammy Awardwinner 

and rock and roll icon Jason Isbell 

will wrap up the Festival in two nights of 

intimate acoustic performances. 


Spoleto 

Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless 

tale “The Ugly Duckling” will 

illuminate the stage in a spellbinding 

production from America’s Got 

Talent semifinalists Lightwire Theater. 

One of the best-known cellists of his 

generation, Yo-Yo Ma, returns to Spoleto for 

his sixth Festival appearance, his first return 

since 1986. Performing works inspired by a 

five-year, six-continent journey, paired with 

stimulating conversation, Ma will take the 

stage at the Charleston Gaillard Center with 

a performance that asks audience members 

to consider the great questions of life and art: 

What has brought us here? And where will 

we choose to go next? 

The Festival will premiere two theater 

productions, Dark Noon and The Song of 

Rome. The breakaway hit of the Edinburgh 

Festival Fringe making its U.S debut, Dark 

Noon is an outsider’s perspective on American 

history performed by seven South African 

actors in a fictional film production. Four 

performances will take place in Festival Hall. 

The world premiere of The Song of Rome, a 

new work co-written and co-directed by prolific 

actor Denis O’Hare (Take Me Out, True 

Blood) with his writing partner Lisa Peterson, 

explores the fall of the democratic republic in 

ancient Rome. A companion piece to the acclaimed 

play An Iliad presented at last year’s 

The legendary cellist 

Yo-Yo Ma 

will return 

to the 

Spoleto 

stage. 

Festival, The Song of Rome will be performed 

six times in The Dock Street Theatre. 

A production of Romeo and Juliet by 

the L.A. Dance Project, choreographed by 

Benjamin Millepied (Black Swan, Dune), 

combining cinema, dance, and theater, will 

be presented at four performances over two 

days at the Charleston Gaillard Center. 

Prokofiev’s score will be performed live by 

the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra under 

the direction of Timothy Myers, the firsttime 

this production will be experienced with 

live music. 

Australia-based contemporary circus 

company Casus Creations will perform the 

North American premiere of Apricity, a mesmerizing 

stage show with aerial apparatuses, 

acrobatics, music, and humor for five performances 

at Festival Hall. Contemplating the 

transformative power of human connection, 

Apricity is inspired by the image of the winter 

sun breaking through the cold. 

Music, song, dance, and drama will collide 

at two separate performances during the 

Festival. Winner of the ninth season of Ru- 

Paul’s Drag Race, Sasha Velour will present 

The Big Reveal Live Show!, an immersive 

experience composed of classic drag, intimate 

storytelling, live art, and video experimentation 

at the Charleston Gaillard Center. Plus, 

Tony Award-winner John Cameron Mitchell 

PHOTO JASON BELL 


Two-time Grammy award 

winners Old Crow Medicine 

Show will play at the College 

of Charleston Cistern Yard. 

PHOTO ADAM STRAUGHN 

Grammy Awardnominated 

conguero 

and batá drum master 

Pedrito Martinez will 

perform a mix of Afro- 

Cuban rhythms and 

cutting-edge dance 

music. 

(Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and cabaret 

star Amber Martin will present Cassette 

Roulette, an interactive evening of songs, 

stories, and characters, all chosen by the hand 

of fate and the audience-spun roulette wheel 

at Festival Hall. 

Acclaimed composer and cellist, Paul 

Wiancko will debut as Charles L. and Andrea 

E. Director of Chamber Music at the 

2024 Festival. Wiancko will host 33 performances 

of the beloved Bank of America 

Chamber Music series at the historic Dock 

Street Theatre consisting of music ranging 

from 12th-century composer saint Hildegard 

von Bingen and tragic/romantic icon 

Franz Schubert to modern-day musical rebel 

Tomeka Reid and Grammy-nominated 

composer and steel drum player Andy 

Akiho. Paul will also welcome composer-inresidence 

Reena Esmail to present a selection 

of her work including the world premiere of 

her new string quartet. 

Conductor Timothy Myers steps into 

his first year as Music Director for the 

Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, one of 

the most prestigious ensembles for earlycareer 

professional musicians. The orchestra’s 

two-concert showcase will commence with 

Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 which 

also features the world premiere of Grammynominee 

Nathalie Joachim’s cello concerto 

with guest soloist Seth Parker Woods. The 

Festival Orchestra’s program of Beethoven’s 

Symphony No. 3 also features Shostakovich’s 

Piano Concerto No. 1, performed by Inon 

Barnatan, and this year’s chamber music 

composer-in-residence, Reena Esmail’s 

Testament. 

The Spoleto Festival USA Chorus will 

present two highly anticipated performances 

at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, spanning 

classical and contemporary and featuring 

music by Spoleto chamber music composerin-residence, 

Reena Esmail, Russian masterworks, 

and Ugis Praulins’ epic Laudibus 

in Sanctis. The Chorus, composed of gifted 

vocal fellows from across the nation, will also 

join the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra for 

a performance of Joseph Haydn’s oratorio 

The Creation at the Charleston Gaillard 

Center on June 3 under the Director of Choral 

Activities Joe Miller. 

The Festival’s Jazz Series, sponsored 

by Wells Fargo, will feature performances 

by local and national touring artists. Layale 

Chaker and her ensemble Sarafand will take 

the stage at College of Charleston’s Emmett 


Spoleto 

The performance Mahler’s Fifth will 

feature a world premiere concerto by 

Grammy-nominated flutist, singer, 

and composer, Nathalie Joachim. 

Grammy award-winner Trombone 

Shorty will lead his legendary 

ensemble, Orleans Avenue, in a 

high-octane performance that 

blends New Orleans jazz with 

rock, funk and hip-hop. 


Robinson Theatre for four performances of 

two different programs blending classical 

contemporary music, jazz, Arabic maqam 

scales, and improvisation. In the Cistern 

Yard, Grammy Award-nominated conguero 

and batá drum master Pedrito Martinez will 

perform with an expanded band, vocalists, 

and dancers. Renowned drummer Terri Lyne 

Carrington and vocalist Dianne Reeves will 

unite for a performance in the Cistern Yard, 

featuring works by female jazz composers 

from Carrington’s lauded New Standards. 

The Charles Lloyd Sky Quartet will return 

to the Sottile Theatre with an all-star ensemble 

including pianist and Kennedy Center 

Artistic Director for Jazz Jason Moran. Lowcountry: 

South Carolina Music in the Gullah 

Tradition combines revered South Carolinian 

jazz musicians including Ranky Tanky 

drummer and Festival favorite Quentin Baxter, 

trumpeter Matt White, and saxophonist 

Chris Potter with three Gullah elders and a 

narrator for a musical fusion of praise house 

melodies, modern jazz, and Gullah culture 

in the Cistern Yard. Saxophonist and Mac- 

Arthur Fellow Miguel Zenón and acclaimed 

PHOTO EMILY BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Internationally celebrated drag 

performer Sasha Velour will 

perform Sasha Velour’s The Big 

Reveal Live Show! 

North Carolina duo Watchouse 

have been called torchbearers of 

contemporary folk. 

Four-time Grammy Award 

winner Jason Isbell will 

perform an intimate acoustic 

show in the College of 

Charleston Cistern yard. 

WATCHHOUSE PHOTO CHARLIE BOSS; SASHA VELOUR PHOTO ALEKEYKIM; 

PHOTO JAMES KATZ 

pianist Luis Perdomo will perform works 

from their critically acclaimed album El Arte 

Del Bolero at the Emmett Robinson Theatre. 

America’s Got Talent semifinalists 

Lightwire Theater will perform Hans Christian 

Andersen’s timeless tale The Ugly Duckling 

featuring handmade electroluminescent 

costumes and poignant choreography, set to 

music ranging from classical to pop. Six family-friendly 

performances will take place on 

June 1 and June 2 at the College of Charleston’s 

Emmet Robinson Theatre. • 

More information about these performances and 

to buy tickets (starting as low as $25) visit spoletousa.org 

or call 843-579-3100. 

Puerto Rican saxophonist Miguel 

Zenón and acclaimed Venezuelan 

pianist Luis Perdomo will perfom 

beloved boleros and jazz ballads. 

Grammy Awardwinning 

drummer 

Quentin Baxter and 

saxophonist Chris 

Potter will perform 

with a full jazz band, 

a string section, three 

Gullah elders and a 

narrator for a look at 

the vibrant Gullah 

culture. 


PHOTOS KATE BLOHM 


B 

Between the Biscuit 

Best Brunch in Charleston 

By JENNA LEY-JAMISON 

Brunch is a quintessential meal for celebration and recovery—a leisurely 

“breaking the fast” that caters to all palates and preferences, from pancakes to fried-egg-topped 

burgers, to Lowcountry staples like scratch-made scratch biscuits, pimento cheese and fried green 

tomatoes. All perfect with a mimosa or other eye-opener. We’ve rounded up the best brunch spots in 

and around Charleston that offer the finest melding of the day’s most important meals. 

KISS Cafe 

1802 Crowne Commons Way #C1, 

Johns Island 

Kiss-café.com 

“Keep It Simple and Sunnyside” at this breakfast-focused eatery, 

where every dish is made fresh to order with locally-sourced ingredients—Storey 

Farm eggs and King Bean cold brew among others. 

Owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Leslie Mastranunzio 

and chef Tim Wickey, this Johns Island joint offers something for 

everyone. Consider customer favorites like the house-brined, corn 

beef hash dish (the “Hash it Out”); the scratch-made, buttermilk 

pancake stack; or a build-your-own omelet or stone-ground grits 

bowl. The kitchen recently started pumping out NY-style bagels, 

made fresh daily and reminiscent of that Big Apple taste. Satisfy 

your sweet tooth with a number of bakery treats. With a full-service 

bar, sit back in a seat on the dog-friendly patio and sip a flight of 

mimosas or another colorful cocktail. 

(Opposite): Nunzio Perfect French Dip; (Left): “The Stack” three scratch made 

buttermilk pancakes topped with orange-infused maple syrup; (Above): three-egg 

omelet with roasted mushrooms, arugula and Gruyère at KISS Cafe. 


La Bonne Franquette 

652 St. Andrews Blvd. 


Labonnefranquettechs.com 

This French restaurant in West Ashley offers a superb weekend bistro 

brunch with dynamic dishes that change seasonally. The eatery’s 

bright, quaint interior with black-and-white tile floors and colorful 

outdoor patio offer a vibrant bistro atmosphere for sipping a mimosa, 

Bloody Mary, or other “seasonal cocktails to sit and enjoy a 

lazy weekend,” said co-owner Carly Paume. Menu options range 

from lighter fare like Vichyssoise potato soup, salads, quiches, omelets, 

a cheese board and oysters by the dozen or half-dozen. Sweet 

brunch items include the standout brioche French toast made with 

mascarpone whipped cream and mixed berries. Did we mention the 

tempting pastry case? Be sure to snag a petit fours or fruit tart for 

the ride home. 

(Above): A burger with sun-dried tomato, caramelized onion and truffle aioli; 

(Right, top to bottom): brioche French toast made with mascarpone whipped 

cream and mixed berries; The Croque Monseiur with pain de mie, ham, swiss 

and mustard cream at La Bonne Franquette. 


Vicious Biscuit 

409 W Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant & 

206 Front St., Summerville 

Viciousbiscuit.com 

Reimagine the buttermilk biscuit at this happening brunch hotspot 

with locations in Summerville and Mt. Pleasant. With a menu that 

owners say “challenges the status quo of comfort food,” unique 

menu items include “The Flame Thrower, “ served on a jalapeno and 

cheddar biscuit and “The Fat Boy,” a fried chicken and buttermilk 

biscuit topped with the restaurant’s signature pimento cheese and 

spicy honey drizzle. Indulge in unique brunch creations, whether savory, 

sweet or spicy. Top your biscuit with Southern staples like fried 

chicken, fried green tomatoes, pulled pork, hearty maple sausage 

gravy and chive or opt for the new spicy chicken, bacon and ranch 

biscuit. Entrée menu items include Lowcountry favorites like shrimp 

‘n grits, chicken ‘n waffles and other healthier “not so vicious” plates. 

(Above): The Crab Cake Benedict at Five Loaves Cafe. 

Five Loaves Cafe 

1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. #100, Mt. Pleasant & 

214 N Cedar St., Summerville 

Fiveloavescafe.com 

Whether weekend window shopping with the squad in Summerville 

or meeting up with mom in Mt. Pleasant, a wholesome brunch 

at Five Loaves Cafe is always the right idea. Brunch is served Saturday 

and Sunday in Summerville and Sundays in Mt. Pleasant 

starting at 10 a.m. Choose from among fresh salads, soups and 

sandwiches along with healthy, filling “brunchables” like cornmeal 

pancakes, Belgium style waffles, steak and eggs and tofu scramble. 

Request the chef ’s omelet of the day, feast on the “Country Skillet,” 

or splurge on the crab cake “Southern Benny” served with a fried 

green tomato and pimento cheese. Add home fries and local stone 

ground grits to your dish and let every mouthful of your meal make 

your insides smile. 

SOL Southwest Kitchen 

1651 North Main St., Summerville & 

1101 Stockade Ln., Mt Pleasant 

Solsouthwestkitchen.com 

(Above): The “Fat Boy biscuit” is a buttermilk biscuit with a crispy fried chicken 

breast, signature pimento cheese and Vicious spicy honey drizzle. 

Dine inside a world of blended food cultures— where even brunch 

is a twist of “the Southwest meets the South.” SOL’s seasonal ingredients 

and select spices, paired with its wood-fired grill, handcrafted 

cocktails and made-to-order meals are what makes this eatery a 

memorable spot for a breakfast-lunch event. On Sundays at 10:30 

a.m., start off with a citrus-basil sangria or tequila sunrise margarita 

alongside the chicken & grits made with spicy agave syrup, the 

smothered brunch burrito or red chile-glazed brunch salmon. Or 

pamper your taste buds with a sugary surprise—the banana cream 

French toast, which is a feast for both the stomach and eyes. This 

thick-cut brioche dish features fresh bananas, caramel sauce, vanilla 

pastry cream and maple syrup. 


The Junction Kitchen 

& Provisions 

4438 Spruill Ave., 

North Charleston 

thejunctionkitchen.com 

Nestled within North Charleston’s popular Park Circle scene, this 

brunch destination is perfect for foodies with alternative diets— 

gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options abound. But diet-friendly 

doesn’t mean skimping on flavor. This brunch menu, only offered 

Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., is packed with mouthwatering 

dishes, from the huevos rancheros and mom’s tomato onion 

pie to the sweet tea fried chicken with bourbon pecan butter. But 

don’t forget the “Buzzed Doughnut.” This one-of-a-kind, salty-sweet 

concoction features coffee-rubbed bacon and an over-easy egg on a 

pop biscuit doughnut complete with shredded hashbrowns and mocha 

dip. Other favorites include the cactus pork Mexican hash, shrimp and 

grits, traditional French toast, and avocado toast with citrus drizzle. 

Iron Rose at The Mills House 

115 Meeting St. #174 


ironroserestaurant.com 

Located within the storied walls of Charleston’s iconic pink hotel on 

Meeting Street downtown, Iron Rose at The Mills House recently 

debuted a new family-style brunch menu perfect for large groups 

and spring celebrations in addition to their regular brunch offering. 

Available on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. with live 

music beginning at 11 a.m., the family-style menu offers a selection 

of playful new plates and booze-filled carafes, including your choice 

of sangria, mimosa or bellini. Guests can choose from dishes like the 

morning pastry arrangement, pork belly hash browns, wild mushroom 

frittata and crispy sweet tea brined chicken thighs. The regular and 

family-style brunch menus are available online. Reservations can be 

made via Resy. 

Bodega 

23 Ann St., Charleston & 

414 W Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant 

eatdrinkbodega.com 

Bodega, a Charleston staple serving NY-styled sandwiches, Benedicts 

and other brunch fare, debuted their Mount Pleasant location in February 

offering the same brunch-focused mains served at the downtown 

location. Bodega pays homage to the ubiquitous neighborhood bodega 

and specializes in colossal, Manhattan-style sandwiches, creative 

breakfast and lunch fare, paired with lively beverages. Both have an expansive 

patio for al fresco dining and an interior dining room invoking 

a distinctly New York vibe with graffiti and colorful accents. The Mt. 

Pleasant location added a drive-thru. Open daily at 8 a.m. 

(Above): The ‘buzzed doughnut’ is a signature pop biscuit doughnut sandwich 

with coffee rubbed bacon and an over-easy egg with crispy hashbrowns and 

mocha dip at The Junction Kitchen. 

Millers All Day 

120 King St., Charleston & 

1956 Maybank HWY Suite A, James Island 

millersallday.com 

Whether touring the heart of the Holy City’s downtown shops on 

King Street or beachin’ it for the day on James Island, pop by a Millers 

All Day for top-notch brunch and bakery bites available at any 

time doors are open. Start out with sharables like a cinnamon roll or 

deviled crab fritters and move on to mains like a chicken and waffle 

salad with truffle syrup; a hot honey chicken donut with house 

pickles and peach preserves; fried bologna biscuit and any number of 

bowl options like classic tomato soup and grilled cheese or the “King 

Street” bowl with scrambled eggs, grits, pimento cheese and sausage 

gravy over home fries. 


(Above): Smoked salmon benedict at Bodega 

BODEGA PHOTO KATE BLOHM

Bohemian Bull 

1531 Folly Rd., James Island & 

2668 N. Hwy 17, Mt. Pleasant 

Bohemianbull.com 

This neighborhood hangout with expansive outdoor areas offers 

brunch on Sundays starting at 10 a.m. with sharables like whipped 

feta topped with hot honey and pecans that comes with grilled flatbread 

and donut holes, but stands out with the quality and selection 

of its burgers, many with a brunch twist. Build your own burger, 

or order from their uniquely curated list, like the “Chimi Chimi” 

burger topped with chimichuri sauce, bacon jam, beer cheese and an 

over easy egg; “That’s my jam,” with bacon jam, pepper jack pimento 

cheese and a fried green tomato, or the truffle burger that comes with 

truffle mayo, a fried onion ring, grilled baby portabella mushrooms 

and Gouda. Pair it with a creation from the bar’s creative cocktail 

menu or extensive beer list. • 

Below): The “Chimi Chimi” burger topped with chimichuri sauce, arugula, bacon 

jam, beer cheese and an over easy egg at Bohemian Bull. 




Urban 

Oasis 

The Lowcountry landscape 

inspires a Wagener Terrace 

whole-house remodel 

By EMILY SHIFFER 

Photos by JIM SOMERSET 

Rachel Levkowicz has always 

been drawn to Charleston’s 

water–a place she has sought 

solace and wellness through 

years of yoga. After growing up 

in New Orleans, she studied 

biology at College of Charleston, 

where her interest in nature 

and wildlife developed. 

An ornithology class with labs 

at local landmarks like Magnolia 

Plantation developed 

her love for Charleston’s landscapes 

and she was captivated 

with the Lowcountry and 

deep connection to nature. 

An outdoor fire pit for gathering 

in the backyard of a double lot in 

downtown Charleston. 


A neutral palette and couch from 

GDC in West Ashley allows for pops 

of color anchors the space and allows 

for pops of color. 

After graduating in 2005, she settled on Folly Beach before she 

bought her first home on James Island. In 2016, she shifted her sights 

to a move closer to downtown Charleston–and set her sights on the 

Wagener Terrace neighborhood, which she calls “urban suburban.” 

“You get all of the cool parts of living downtown Charleston, but 

with parking and more room between neighbors. It’s not crawling with 

tourists,” says Levkowicz, who loved the close access to Hampton Park, a 

space she now enjoys with her husband Sean and English cocker spaniel 

puppy, Gordy. 

After deciding she was open to a full remodel, the perfect home 

came on the market–a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom 1950s brick cottage that 

sat on a double lot that backed up to the marsh. Levkowicz made an 

offer above the asking price, sight unseen. 

“It was dilapidated, but with strong bones,” says Levkowicz. “I knew 

this was my house, and I was comfortable with a full-on gut renovation.” 

She worked with Matt O’Hara of Solid Renovations to open up 

the boxy, compartmentalized house. One room that stumped her was 

an oddly-shaped fourth bedroom that was located off the kitchen. She 

decided to remove it completely, taking down the walls to create more 

open, flowing space that has become a dining nook. 


The full house renovation 

opened the kitchen into a 

gathering space with floating 

shelves for cookware. Cabinets 

were done by Mevers and the 

light fixtures are from Pottery 

Barn. 

A dining table and banquette from 

West Elm is tucked into a sunny corner 

with views of the backyard and pool. 

“I did a lot of reconfiguring and decided to move the kitchen off 

the living room, and I took the dining room to the back of the house,” 

says Levkowicz. 

The previous kitchen became an open space with a bar, which has 

turned out to be her favorite room. 

“It has French doors. I have dance parties in that room and do yoga 

there,” she says. “I sit at the table and have coffee, look out on the marsh, 

do my daily meditation and The New York Times mini crossword.” 

Levkowicz moved into it in the spring of 2017. With two ground 

floor bedrooms, she uses one as a home office. 

She sourced interior décor from local stores including Celadon, 

Posh Provisions and the Mt. Pleasant Mall. Her art is an eclectic mix 

of local and New Orleans artists, including paintings by Julia Deckman; 

photographs by John Duckworth and Lew Brown Photography; African 

American folk art by P-nut; woven wall art by Erin Barrett, paintings 

by Rebecca Dew, drawings by Leighton Webb and Freya Cool; 

reclaimed woodwork by Mike Moyer and ceramics by Criag McMillan. 

“I am generally drawn to a somewhat neutral palette and adding 


The guest room follows 

the same color palette 

with neutral base with 

pops of color. 

pops of color with rugs, art, and pillows,” says Levkowicz. “I like to balance 

cool and warm tones. There is stainless steel in the kitchen, which 

I paired with old wooden shelves. I like modern meets earthy–texture. 

I like to bring the outside in.” 

She converted a two-room upstairs attic area into her primary 

bedroom suite. 

“I felt comfortable living in a quirky attic space because of my 

days at the College of Charleston living on Beaufain Street,” Levkowicz 

said. “It’s a nod to days living in old Charleston homes.” 

The previous owners had used the two rooms in the attic as bedrooms 

with a bathroom in the middle; Levkowicz converted one room 

near the stairs into an open sitting area/nook space, suitable for yoga 

and meditation with an open cable railing that overlooks the living 

room below. She created her cozy private primary bedroom on the 

other side. 

“The footprint and walls stayed the same, but I ripped up the carpets 

and underlying tile floor and put in hardwood,” Levkowicz said. 

The upstairs bathroom was totally gutted and renovated with new 

tile, cedarwood on the exterior walls leading to the primary bedroom 

to add texture, and a unique custom euro glass shower door that built 

on a perfect angle to fit flush with the slanted attic wall. 

“It gets hot upstairs, but the key is a new air conditioning system 

and we spray foamed all the attic crawl space,” Levkowicz said. “As a 

5’6 tall woman, I live up there just fine, but the future vision is to add 


The primary bedroom 

in the attic space. 

Artwork is placed throughout 

the home, including this 

colorful piece by local artist 

Julia Deckman. 

The floor tile in the bathroom 

was updated, but kept the 

original black-and-white theme. 

a dormer so there will be a little more head room up there for 6’1 my 

husband.”” Levkowicz said. 

Designing and landscaping her yards, both front and back, became 

another major project. For her front yard, she worked with Chip Chesnutt 

of Other Side of the River and landscape designer Sheila Wertimer 

to create a welcoming walkway and brick patio. Her backyard was curated 

alongside Joel Dodd of Artisan Landscape Services. Filled with 

native plants (like palmetto trees, purple love grass and Muhly grass) and 

outdoor furniture from Teak & Table, it’s her backyard oasis. 

Another addition to the backyard was a pool. While most are at 

least 12 feet wide, she knew she wanted something more narrow. Another 

detail she grew to embrace: a black-bottom pool. 

“I wanted a long rectangular pool to frame the view of the marsh,” 

says Levkowicz. 

Her decision on which interior finish to choose for the pool was 

discussed with Aquatica Pools & Spas Sales Director Ben Prillaman, 

who informed her that black bottom pools were more rare and they absorb 

sunlight, creating warmer water. 

“It feels more fitting to the landscape,” says Levkowicz. 

She completed her unique 11-foot wide, 34-foot long black-bottom 

pool in the spring of 2023. With massive stepping stones and a 

large deck, she hosts yoga sessions and her best friends poolside. There 

is a stone patio with a gas fire pit, and down by the marsh is another 

natural fire pit—which her husband prefers—with a sitting area to soak 


The striking black-bottom pool 

by Aquatica Pools & Spas absorbs 

more heat to maximize swimming 

temperatures throughout the year. 

up nights by the glistening water that has always restored her. She plans 

to add a pool house/mother-in-law suite in the backyard. 

“My home is my sanctuary. I sit and appreciate both the inside and 

outside of my house, feeling so much gratitude for making my dreams 

become a reality. I take it all in,” says Levkowicz. • 

Resources 

Cabinets: Mevers, Mt. Pleasant 

Light fixtures:: Carolina Lanterns, Mt. Pleasant 

Home renovation: Solid Renovations (owner Matt O’Hara) 

Pool and hardscape in 2023: Aquatica (Sales Director, Ben Prillaman) 

Front yard contractor: Other Side of the River (owner, Chip Chesnutt) 

Back yard contractor: Artisan Landscape Services (owner, Joel Dodd) 

Landscape Design: Shiela Wertimer; Yardzen & Ana/Artisan 

Landscape 


Double French doors leading from the kitchen 

to the backyard is a favorite spot for yoga and 

meditation. The rug is from Rugmasters. 

Rachel Levkowicz and her 

new puppy Gordy, an English 

Cocker Spaniel. 


History on Every Corner 

Charleston’s Top Museums 

By DARIA SMITH 

S 

Simply walking around the Holy City feels like a snapshot in time. Charleston 

has long been a crux in the modern preservation movement since its inception in 1783, taking 

care to preserve its most treasured artifacts and historical records and is home to America’s first 

museum, constituted in 1773. Charleston continues to have a vibrant museum scene, now with a 

designated Museum Mile walkable route comprised of six museums, which begins at the Charleston 

Visitor Center on Meeting Street. Read on to learn more about some of the area’s most notable 

artistic and historic attractions. 

Inside The Charleston Museum, the exhibit 

Becoming Americans explores Charleston’s role in 

the American Revolution and includes Brigadier 

General Francis Marion’s personal items. 

The Charleston Museum 

360 Meeting St., Charleston 

Nineteen individuals joined forces to collect books and publications 

from Great Britain on the eve of the American Revolution, forming 

the Charleston Library Society. In 1773, they founded the nation’s 

first museum, The Charleston Museum. The Natural History Gallery 

showcases prehistoric animal remains, including fossils of a primitive 

toothed whale and prehistoric crocodile. Permanent displays include 

the Lowcountry History Hall, Becoming Americans (Revolutionary 

War-themed), and a Civil War ‘City Under Siege’ exhibit. Catch a 

glimpse of George Washington’s christening cup in the Loeblein Gallery, 

a stunning assemblage of Charleston silver. 

“The Charleston Museum, at more than 250 years old, is considered 

America’s first museum and showcases the rich and vibrant history 

of the South Carolina Lowcountry,” says Carl Borick, Charleston 

Museum Director. “The museum boasts over 2.4 million artifacts, the 

most extensive collection of South Carolina-related treasures in the 

nation. Visitors can explore unique and meaningful exhibits in the 

museum that capture the region’s historical significance and tour our 

two National Historic Landmark Houses. The Charleston Museum 

is committed to education, preservation and immersive experiences, 

making it a must-visit for residents and visitors worldwide.” 


Installation image of La Vaughn Belle: 

When the Land Meets the Body at the Halsey 

Institute of Contemporary Art. 

Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art 

161 Calhoun St., Charleston 

GALLERY PHOTO RICK RHODES PHOTOGRAPHY; SAHAR COSTON-HARDY/IAAM;. 

Established in 1984 on the College of Charleston’s campus, the Halsey 

Institute of Contemporary Art is part of the undergraduate School of 

the Arts named after the late artist William Halsey who taught at the 

university for two decades. The Halsey presents two to three exhibitions 

a year highlighting adventurous contemporary art by emerging, midcareer, 

and oddly overlooked artists. Over the Institute’s 40 year history, 

it has shown hundreds of innovative and thought-provoking exhibitions. 

Free admission for all (donations accepted, memberships encouraged). 

International African American 

Museum 

14 Wharfside St., Charleston 

The highly-anticipated International African American Museum officially 

opened in June 2023. It details the entire story of the African 

American journey, from ancient African civilization to modern day. 

The African Ancestors Memorial Garden stretches across the grounds 

and reflects on Gadsden’s Wharf—where an estimated 40% of African 

captives entered the U.S. Thought-provoking and emotional exhibits 

bring viewers on a journey with a new perspective. 

Visual images and music on eight 

large panels at the International 

African American Museum. 

The African Roots/African Routes 

exhibit at the International African 

American Museum. 

Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon 

122 E Bay St., Charleston 

Built in 1771, the Georgian-style Old Exchange Building has served 

as a commercial exchange, custom house, post office, city hall, military 

headquarters, and museum and is now owned by the Daughters of 

the American Revolution. Everything from the signing of the U.S. 

Constitution to public slave auctions occurred here. Experience a selfguided 

exhibition along with a guided tour of the cellar. Pirates were 

held in the Court of Guard site in 1718, and American Revolution 

prisoners were secured in the Provost. 

The Provost Dungeon. 


The Kim and Jim Pallotta Main Gallery 

featuring 18th and 19th Century American 

paintings at the Gibbs Museum of Art. 

American paintings, from colonial 

portraits to Civil War-era landscapes, 

at the Gibbs Museum of Art. 

Gibbes Museum of Art 


Learn about Charleston’s history through art at one of America’s 

oldest art organizations—the Gibbes, founded in 1858 as the 

Carolina Art Association. Six to eight exhibits rotate annually with 

roughly 10,000 objects across several galleries. Art spans 350 years 

from early Colonial America to today’s contemporary works. View 

one of the country’s finest collections of tiny portraits in the Miniature 

Collection. 

Museum at Market Hall 


Operated by the Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), the Museum 

at Market Hall has sat above City Market since 1899. Hundreds of 

genuine Civil War artifacts reside in the collection, containing Confederate 

flags, uniforms, swords and other ephemera. The USS Isaac P. 

Smith flag, an exquisite 34-star U.S. flag captured during the Civil War, 

was returned to the museum in January by conservator Josh Phillips. 

Open Thursday-Sunday from 11 a.m. - 4. p.m. 


PHOTO VANESSA KAUFFMAN 

The Museum at Market Hall 

is operated by the Daughters 

of the Confederacy. 

Historic House Museums 

Downtown Charleston 

Built in 1820, the Aiken-Rhett House (48 Elizabeth St.) was constructed 

by an affluent merchant, and later owned by a rice planter and 

South Carolina Gov. William Aiken Jr. before The Historic Charleston 

Foundation purchased it. View peeling walls, ripped furniture and 

other original fixtures. 

Conversely, the neoclassical Nathaniel Russell House (51 Meeting 

St.) erected in 1808 spotlights a grand spiral staircase, formal gardens, 

intricate walls, art and antiques maintained by Historic Charleston 

Foundation. It was renovated to evoke an early-19th-century Charleston 

mansion. Russell was a Charleston trader, controversially involved 

in the slave trade. 

The Charleston Museum operates the Georgian-era Heyward- 

Washington House (87 Church St.) and the antebellum Joseph 

Manigault House (350 Meeting St.). Thomas Heyward Jr. was a signer 

of the Declaration of Independence, and George Washington lodged 

at his home in 1791. Sporting Adam-style architecture, the 1803-era 

Manigault House encased the prominent Charleston Huguenots and 

Joseph Manigault, a prosperous planter and state legislator. 

The spiral staircase at the 

Joseph Manigault House. 

The recreated 

formal gardens 

at the Heyward- 

Washington House 

features plants 

commonly used in 

the Lowcountry in 

the late 18th century. 


Patriots Point Naval & Maritime 

Museum 

40 Patriots Point Rd., Mt Pleasant 

Instituted in the 1970s, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum sits 

on the Charleston Harbor, encasing a fleet of three National Historic 

Landmark ships, the Cold War Memorial, the Congressional Medal 

of Honor Society, the agency’s official Medal of Honor Museum and 

the country’s only Vietnam Experience Exhibit. World War II aircraft 

carrier, USS Yorktown, is the 27,000-ton cornerstone with 13 decks 

amidst the 888-foot-long ship. 

The North Charleston Fire Museum 

and Educational Center 

4975 Centre Pointe Dr., North Charleston 

Dating back to the 1780s, the North Charleston Fire Museum houses 

the nation’s biggest collection of professionally-restored American 

LaFrance fire apparatuses. Discover firefighting gear and intriguing, 

interactive exhibits that are fun for the whole family. 

Summerville Museum and Research 

Center 

100 E Doty Ave., Summerville 

In the center of historic Summerville, the Summerville Museum and 

Research Center is hidden in plain sight amidst old camellias and 

azaleas. History buffs can educate themselves with displays ranging 

from Civil War activities to ancient shark teeth. Uncover the glory 

days when the town boasted fabulous inns. Learn about the Reverend 

Gadsden, the first rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. 

A tour of the Magnolia House gives an 

overview of the daily life of the family that 

lived there starting in the year 1870. 

Magnolia House Museum at 

Magnolia Plantation 

3550 Ashley River Rd., Charleston 

Founded in 1679, Magnolia Plantation is home to the last behemoth 

romantic garden left in the United States, comprising a tranquil landscape 

where people and nature coexist. It’s the only plantation on the 

Ashley River to survive both the American Revolution and the Civil 

War. Experience the wildlife center, nature train or boat tour, and historic 

home that entertained guests such as Henry Ford and Eleanor Roosevelt. 

“On the guided Magnolia House tour, you’ll learn about the Europeans 

who colonized South Carolina, the Drayton family that still 

owns the plantation today and the enslaved people who worked in 

the rice fields, the house and in the gardens,” said Kayla Hoey, Magnolia 

Plantation Public Relations Manager. “Family china, furniture, 

artwork and decor indicative of life in post-Civil War Charleston immerse 

guests in a trip through time.” 

Village Museum 

401 Pinckney St., McClellanville 

Founded by “accidental historian” Selden B. “Bud” Hill in 1999, the 

Village Museum is one of South Carolina’s preeminent small-town 

museums. Artifacts detail the history of the St. James Santee Parish, 

the village of McClellanville and Archibald Rutledge, legendary sporting 

writer and the state’s first poet laureate. There’s also a family room 

upstairs, dotted with bookshelves, for visitors to trace their genealogy. 

Preservation and education are part of Bud’s decree. 

An 1865 sculpture entitled Taking the 

Oath and Drawing Rations by John 

Rogers on display at the Summerville 

Museum and Research Center. 

Children’s Museum of the 

Lowcountry 

25 Ann St., Charleston 

Occupy the little ones at the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, 

complete with mini-slides, an art room, a pirate ship, an organic garden, 

an interactive water model of Charleston, a physics-centric exhibit and 

a two-story medieval creativity castle with a puppet theatre. 


Other Uniquely Charleston Attractions 

South Carolina Aquarium 

100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston 

Sea turtles are ancient mariners, divulging the natural history of a city 

enclosed by water. The South Carolina Aquarium portrays a breathtaking 

waterfront view with regular dolphin sightings. More than 

5,000 plants and animals live here, including river otters, sea turtles, 

horseshoe crabs, sharks, sea urchins and fresh and saltwater fish. Touch 

a horseshoe crab at the Touch Tank or feed a cownose ray at The Shallows. 

Don’t miss the two-story, 385,000-gallon Great Ocean Tank (the 

deepest in North America) or the Sea Turtle Care Center. 

“We live in an age when people are increasingly isolated from nature,” 

says Kevin Mills, South Carolina Aquarium President and CEO. 

“At the Aquarium lies a massive world created within the confines 

of a concrete building, connecting people to water, wildlife and wild 

places that they might never get the chance to experience on their own. 

The Aquarium provides a window into the wild, introducing guests to 

animals often out of sight and out of mind. 

Where else can you stand face-to-face with a rescued American bald 

eagle unable to live in the wild, peer into an array of swooping and swarming 

stingrays, or connect with a rescued sea turtle undergoing rehabilitation? 

We know that to care for species, you first must care about them.” 


concert series blends music 

and history. 



Fourteen years ago, a new type of concert series was launched called 

The Sound of Charleston that combined music and history of the 

Lowcountry in the iconic Circular Congregational Church, a National 

Historic Landmark, featuring the area’s finest singers and musicians. 

Residents and visitors hear history come to life through gospel 

spirituals, Civil War songs, Gershwin’s “Porgy & Bess” and “Rhapsody 

in Blue,” jazz and light classics of the St. Cecelia Society. “Amazing 

Grace,” composed by John Newton after worshipping in the venue, 

concludes every show. For 350 years, Charleston’s musical heritage has 

been as diverse as the people who have lived here. Now celebrating 

its 15th season, The Sound of Charleston is both entertaining and 

eeducational—and wholly unforgettable. Enjoy the concerts on select 

Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. with special performances during 

Spoleto Festival in June and during the holidays. For tickets, visit 

www.soundofcharleston.com. • – Jenny Peterson 

Up close and personal 

with a shark at the 

South Carolina 

Aquarium. 

A diver in the Great 

Ocean Tank at the 

South Carolina 

Aquarium. 

Check out our beloved sea 

turtles at the South Carolina 

Aquarium. 


Spend a year 

on the coast 

of Charleston, South Carolina 

January / February 2019 

Table forTwo 

Romantic Restaurants 

in the Lowcountry 

Dream 

Kitchens 

Transformations 

for Every Lifestyle 

SNOB’s 

Russ 

Moore 

Oceanside 

on Kiawah 

Expert 

Interior 

Design Tips 

Subscribe Today! 

The Perfect Gift for Everyone Who Loves the Coast. 


www.CharlestonLivingMag.com/subscribe 

or (843) 856-2532

Food+Drink 

DINING OUT | IN THE KITCHEN | RESTAURANT GUIDE 

Swordfish 

Served over Jackson Wonder 

Butterbean Bush lima beans 

at Bearcat. 

See page 96 

PHOTO ALEECE SOPHIA 


FOOD + DRINK | DINING OUT 

By WENDY SWAT SNYDER 

Photos by ALEECE SOPHIA 

Avant-Garde in Avondale 

Bearcat joins a growing cadre of eateries bringing elevated dining to West Ashley. 

Cscene and award-winning concepts. 

And while foodie-worthy offerings have 

become ubiquitous in the suburb of Mount 

Pleasant and points east of the Cooper River, 

Charleston is recognized 

nationally for its vibrant culinary 

curiously, the area west of the Ashley has, until 

recently, remained a practical fine dining desert. 

But options for West Ashley residents 

are on the rise, with new eateries like Bearcat 

getting the attention of the local community 

and beyond. Named after the binturong, a rare 

bear-like cat that prowls the woodlands of Asia, 

the restaurant claims an approach as fierce and 

unafraid as the bearcat. 

“We give it our all—push as hard as we 

can,” explains George Kovach, Bearcat founder 

and executive chef. “We want the menu to reflect 

what we would want to eat when we go 

out, rather than doing the same thing that most 

restaurants do. Where I come from—when I 

was in Chicago and New York—you do something 

that sets you apart.” 

A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, 

Kovach found an affinity for food cooking at his 

grandmother’s elbow and got his first restaurant 

gig at the age of 15. He discovered his passion 

during a trip to New York where he dined at 

wd~50, a leader in molecular gastronomy. 

“It was some of the most creative food 

I’d ever witnessed,” says Kovach. “They transformed 

nostalgic dishes into something that 

was innovative and new—that’s what we’re trying 

to do at Bearcat. We appropriate some of 

those techniques that may benefit a dish. A few 

of the dishes on the menu have zero modern 

technique in the preparation. We maintain a 

balance with dishes that some diners may find 

more accessible.” 

That style of cooking—what Kovach calls 

creative contemporary American food—propelled 

his move to New York, where he worked 

to hone his technique at establishments that 


embraced that approach. He would move 

on to Chicago, working as chef de cuisine at 

Michelin-starred Elizabeth Restaurant. He 

credits that stint for helping him develop the 

kind of balance that now defines his approach 

at Bearcat. Other credentials include opening 

executive pastry chef of Ever, which within a 

couple months garnered two Michelin stars; 

executive pastry chef for two Michelin-starred 

Acadia and executive pastry chef of one 

Michelin-starred Band of Bohemia. 

Chef de cuisine John Coleman grew up in 

Clemson, South Carolina, helping in the family 

kitchen and working in restaurants throughout 

his school years. He and Kovach connected in 

Charleston where he’d gotten his first exposure to 

fine dining in the avant garde kitchen of Cordavi. 

“We had similar mindsets about what 

we wanted to do personally from a food and 

restaurant standpoint—more of a grassroots 

approach,” says Coleman, whose Charleston 

credentials include Social, Edmund’s Oast, 

492, Chubby Fish, Parcel 32 and Longboard. 

“We don’t want to be bound by a concept. We 

want to go with the flow, cook what we find 

interesting and balance that with the guest’s 

expectations.” 

Both reside in the West Ashley neighborhood 

of Avondale, and felt strongly about its 

vibrant nature, and the lack of elevated dining 

options there. 

“Avondale is too close to downtown 

Charleston to not be represented in the casual 

fine dining world,” notes Coleman. 

Ideas emerged for a brick-and-mortar 

eatery, and Kovach signed a lease for the former 

Al Di La restaurant property in the heart 

of Avondale.in 2022. With the help of a few 

friends, the team undertook a complete renovation, 

demolishing the interior, and handling

(left): The dining room at Bearcat; (Right:) The 

Echo cooler cocktail; (Below, clockwise from top 

left): Bearcat founder and executive chef George 

Kovach; Grilled oysters with creamed leek and 

beef fat; Shrimp salad with seasonal pickles 

and nuoc Cham; Swordfish served over Jackson 

Wonder Butterbean Bush lima beans. 

75% of the construction—such as the chef ’s 

counter—themselves. Bearcat opened in 2023 

on Halloween Day, bringing to the local community 

what some friends describe as “punk 

rock fine dining.” 

Gone are the standard white-cloth tables. 

Inside Bearcat, a minimalist design concept 

rules. Dark hardwoods and dim lighting dominate 

the cozy dining rooms and bar, evoking an 

intimate ambiance. Outdoor dining is offered 

in a garden-like setting populated by potted 

herbs and flowering plants. 

The evening my guest and I visited Bearcat, 

our well-versed server, Brooke Weaver, 

observed that the team was so passionate, it was 

like working on a cooking show. Out from the 

exhibition kitchen came an amuse bouche—a 

treat reserved for diners at the chef ’s counter. 

Cue the applause. This evening it was chawan 

mushi, a Japanese classic that blends a savory 

egg custard with tiny mushrooms called honshimeji—what 

Kovach calls a warm soothing 

cold weather bowl. 

“We’re taking inspiration from all over the 

world,” he adds. Eggs hail from Storey Farms. 

Next out, a shrimp salad that riffs on a green 

papaya salad called som tam, substituting pickled 

daikon and carrot radish for green papaya. The 

sesame profile of nuoc cham enhanced tender 

bites of shrimp. Nearby CudaCo. Seafood House 

supplies much of the kitchen’s seafood. 

Steamboat Creek Oyster Farm on Edisto 

Island supplied the main ingredient in our next 

course—oysters that were lightly grilled and 

splashed with a lovely creamed leek sauce. 

Carolina Gold rice and local blue crab 

starred in the crab rice, chef ’s nod to the Lowcountry. 

The silky dish was well flavored with 

seasonal pickles and a Hollandaise sauce. 

A small, shareable plate of dumplings 

defied convention: black sesame paste and 

a touch of activated charcoal colored them 

black—producing an exotic and unexpected 

visual. A cashew miso, chili and lime finished 

the interesting dish. 

Bright notes of spring onions and green 

peas from Ambrose Family Farm enhanced the 

cavatelli—another small plate featuring housemade 

pasta we very much enjoyed. The veganfriendly 

dish evokes the spring season with the 

addition of leek oil, herbs and pickles. 

Our main course of swordfish was perfectly 

cooked and presented with a tasty succotash 

featuring Jackson Wonder butterbeans, fennel 

and olives. 

A cooling dish of shaved ice wowed us 

with flecks of toasted coconut, pink guava, and 

kiwi dried using a Japanese method called hoshigaki. 

Every mouthful was a surprise of contrasting 

textures and flavors. We finished every 

bite of the light and lighthearted dessert. 

Kovach and Coleman agree that all things 

Bearcat are continually evolving—for the 

future, a chef tasting menu may be in the 

works. For now, they’re happy to be changing 

the perception of dining outside of peninsula 

Charleston by offering locals another option 

west of the Ashley River. • 

Bearcat 

25 Magnolia Rd., Charleston 

843-225-0477 

www.bearcatrestaurant.com 


FOOD + DRINK | IN THE KITCHEN 

Summertime 

and the 

Photos and Recipes by 

FANNY SLATER 

Eating’s Easy 


Is it just me or is everything suddenly 

designed to be taken on the go? I blame the 

Stanley® craze. Tumbler trends aside, let’s talk 

food. We’ve fully shifted into summer weather 

which signals extended outdoor days ripe for 

picnicking. I’ve curated a compact menu of 

portable pleasures ideal for all your coolerpacked 

adventures. 

Classic Chicken Piccata 

Servings: 2-3 

Ingredients 

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, 

pounded to 1/2-inch thick 

1 teaspoon coarse salt 

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 

2 large cloves garlic, minced 

1 cup dry white wine 

1 cup lower-sodium chicken stock 

Zest and juice of 1 large lemon 

2 tablespoons capers 

2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley 

Directions: 

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and 

then dredge them in the flour. Shake off any excess. 

2. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the 

olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter over 

medium-high heat. When the butter begins 

to foam and sizzle, add the chicken, and cook 

until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. 

Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate. 

3. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the remaining 

1 tablespoon of olive oil, and swirl to coat the 

pan. Add the garlic and cook until it becomes 

lightly golden brown, about 30 seconds. Whisking 

as you pour to scrape up any brown bits from the 

bottom, add in the white wine, chicken stock, 

lemon juice and capers. Bring the mixture to a 

boil, return the chicken and its juices to the pan. Simmer 

uncovered, occasionally spooning the sauce 

onto the chicken, until it’s cooked through and 

the sauce reduces by about half, 3-5 minutes. 

4. Divide the chicken among four plates, and then 

vigorously whisk the remaining butter into the pan 

sauce. Once the butter has melted and the sauce has 

thickened, whisk in 1 tablespoon of the parsley. 

5. Season the sauce to taste with additional salt and 

pepper, and then evenly pour over the chicken 

and garnish with the remaining parsley. 

Bread & Butter Zucchini Pickles 

Yield: 2-3 16-ounce pint jars 

Ingredients 

1 pound zucchini (about 3-4 medium-size zucchini), trimmed 

1 small sweet onion (about 1/2 cup), very thinly sliced into half-moons 

1/4 cup plus one tablespoon coarse sea salt or kosher salt 

(not iodized), divided 

1 1/2 cups white distilled vinegar 

1 cup apple cider vinegar 

1/2 cup granulated sugar 

3 tablespoons light brown sugar 

2 teaspoons mustard seeds 

1/2 teaspoon celery seeds 

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 

2-3 whole allspice berries (optional) 

2-3 whole cloves (optional) 

Directions: 

1. Using a sharp knife or mandoline, slice the zucchini into 1/2-inchthick 

chips. Place the zucchini and onions in a large bowl, sprinkle 

with 1 tablespoon of the salt and toss to combine. Cover the veggies 

in a layer of ice and then pour in enough water so it comes up about 

one inch above the surface of the topmost vegetable. Soak for 2 hours. 

2. In a medium saucepot over medium heat, add the white vinegar 

and apple cider vinegar. Whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup salt the 

granulated sugar and brown sugar until dissolved, about 5 minutes. 

Bring the mixture to a boil and then remove it from heat. 

3. Drain the zucchini and onions and evenly divide them between 

sterile canning jars, so they fit comfortably. Add the mustard seeds, 

celery seeds, turmeric, allspice berries, and cloves, also evenly 

distributed between the jars. Pour the brine into the jars leaving 

1/2-inch headspace from the top. 

4. Tightly screw on the lids and process the jars in a boiling water 

bath for 10 minutes. Remove the jars from the pot (making sure 

that the lids have popped) and set them aside to cool completely 

before storing or refrigerating. 

5. Store the pickles in a cool, dry place like a pantry for up to 1 year. 

Once opened, refrigerate, and consume within about 1 month 

for best quality and flavor. 


FOOD | IN THE KITCHEN 

Avocado, Heirloom Tomato, & Cheddar Sandwiches 

Yield: 4 sandwiches 

Ingredients 

8 slices whole wheat or seeded 

multigrain sandwich bread 

8 thick deli slices of mild or 

medium cheddar cheese 

(about 8 ounces) 

1 large ripe avocado, pitted and 

lightly mashed 

2 cups lightly packed arugula 

1 large heirloom tomato, sliced 

Extra-virgin olive oil 

Coarse salt and freshly cracked 

black pepper 

1 cup lightly packed sprouts 

(such as alfalfa, clover, or radish) 

Directions: 

1. Lightly butter the bread, then preheat the oven or toaster oven to broil. 

2. Arrange 4 slices of toast on an unlined baking sheet. Top each 

with two slices of cheese. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven 

and broil until the cheese is melted (about 1 minute). 

3. Arrange the plain toasted bread slices in a row on a clean cutting board or 

work surface. Top each with even portions of the mashed avocado, arugula, 

tomatoes, a drizzle of oil, a pinch each of salt and pepper, and sprouts. 

4. Top with the remaining slices of toast melted cheese-side down. 


Ranch-Spiked 

BLT Pasta Salad 

Yield: 4 sandwiches 

Ingredients 

1 1/2 cups good-quality ranch dressing 

2 tablespoons minced green onions, 

green parts only 

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 

1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, plus more to taste 

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 

plus more to taste 

8 ounces rotini pasta (about 2 cups uncooked) 

1/2 cup chopped cooked bacon 

(about 5 ounces), divided 

2 cups roughly chopped Romaine lettuce 

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes 

1 cup cubed mild cheese (such as Swiss, 

Monterey Jack, or cheddar) 

Directions: 

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the ranch, 

green onions, parsley, dill, salt, and pepper. 

2. Cook the pasta to al dente according to 

the package instructions. Drain and add 

to the bowl with the dressing. Toss the 

noodles with the dressing until thoroughly 

coated, cover with plastic wrap, 

and refrigerate until chilled (about 1 hour). 

3. Just before serving, fold half of the bacon, 

lettuce, tomato, and cheese into the pasta 

salad. Season to taste with additional 

salt and pepper if necessary, top with 

the remaining bacon, and serve. 


Vanilla-Berry Pudding 

Yield: 4 to 6 servings (1 1/2 cups) 

Ingredients 

1 1/2 cups pitted sweet cherries 

1 1/2 cups strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped 

1 cup raspberries 

1/2 cup unsweetened black or tart 100% cherry juice 

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more to taste 

2 tablespoons minute or instant tapioca 

Directions: 

1. In a medium saucepot over medium-high heat, add the cherries, strawberries, 

raspberries, cherry juice, vanilla and sugar. Stir to combine. 

2. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and 

gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is very soft and has begun 

to break down, about 10 minutes. 

3. Place a strainer or colander over a bowl, and gently separate the cooked fruit 

from the juice. Being careful since the mixture is hot, taste and add 

additional sugar to the juice if necessary. Set aside. 

4. Add the liquid back to the pot and whisk in the tapioca. Cook according 

to package instructions until the liquid has gelled. Return the reserved 

fruit to the pot and stir to combine. 

5. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled with dollops of whipped cream 

or vanilla ice cream. 


Mocha-Coconut 

Coffee Smoothie 

Yield: 2 servings 

Ingredients 

1 cup coffee or cold brew, chilled 

or cooled to room temperature 

1-1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut 

milk beverage (not canned) 

2 teaspoons honey or agave 

2 tablespoons unsweetened 

cocoa powder 

2 ripe bananas, frozen 

1 cup ice cubes 

2 tablespoons toasted coconut flakes, 

for garnish 

Directions: 

1. In a high-powered blender, pulse 

the coffee, 1 cup of coconut milk, 

honey, cocoa powder, bananas, and 

ice cubes until frothy and smooth. 

2. Check for consistency and make 

sure the smoothie is pourable. If it’s 

too thick, add a little more coconut 

milk, a few tablespoons at a time, 

until it’s at your desired thinness. 

If it’s too thin, add more ice. 

3. Divide among glasses and garnish 

with the coconut flakes. 


Restaurant 

Guide 

OG Garlic Noodles with 

egg noodles, pulled pork, 

pickled red onions and 

sriracha at Pink Bellies. 

KFC wings, shrimp or lamb dumplings, garlic noodles 

and rotating specials. 

Xiao Bao Biscuit (D) 224 Rutledge Ave. (no phone). 

Creative, multicultural Asian cooking and specialty 

cocktails in a trendy converted gas station. Select 

lunch and dinner dishes from China, Taiwan, Thailand 

and Vietnam prepared locally and inspired by 

tradition. The menu changes seasonally, with rotating 

daily specials and family style dinner service. 

American 

Ready to Eat? 

Use our restaurant listings to find the best 

eating and drinking in Charleston. 

Blackbird Market (J) 1808 Bohicket Rd., 559-0193. 

This Johns Island local seafood and vegetable specialty 

grocery store includes a rustic café attached serving piled 

high sandwiches and plates with hefty sides including 

collards ad mac n’ cheese. Daily specials can include a 

pulled pork plate and goat cheese flatbread. 

Eli’s Table (D) 129 Meeting St., 405-5115. High-end 

bar and eatery with artful decor & locally sourced Southern 

fare for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Bold, worldly 

flavors using fresh and local ingredients, outdoor seating 

and live jazz every Thursday night. Daily breakfast 8 

am – 3 pm, lunch 11 am-5 pm and dinner 5 pm-until. 

Brunch Sat and Sun. 

Husk (D) 76 Queen St. 577-2500. An ever-changing 

menu of locally-sourced Southern dishes play to what 

local purveyors have seasonally available at any given moment. 

Situated in a restored Victorian-era home, Husk is 

a memorable Charleston location. Open for lunch Mon- 

Sat from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm and dinner daily at 5:30 pm 

with brunch on Sunday from 10 am – 2:30 pm. 

Obstinate Daughter (SI) Pizza, pasta, small plates and a 

raw bar are the focus of the menu. Changing seasonally, 

the creative menu—think redfish with farro, kale pesto 

and boiled peanuts—is rooted by the burgeoning farms 

and fishermen in the Lowcountry who supply superior 

products to the restaurant. 

R Kitchen (D) 212 Rutledge Ave.; (WA) 1337 Ashley 

River Rd., 789-4342. Reservations-only intimate atmosphere 

with seats for up to 16 guests in the kitchen 

Area restaurants provide this information to Charleston LIVING magazine. It is published according to space 

availability. No advertising or other considerations are accepted in exchange for a listing. To participate in our 

restaurant guide, call 843-856-2532. 


or 20 including the covered patio. Five courses for $60. 

Menus are tailored to guests and change daily, from filet 

to red snapper. Visit the restaurant’s Instagram page @ 

rutledgekitchen for a chalkboard photo of the menu. 

Downtown location reservations at 6 pm and 8 pm 

Tuesday-Sunday. West Ashley location reservations 

Tuesday-Saturday at 6 pm and 8 pm. 

Sermet’s Courtyard (DI) 115 River Landing Dr., 

471-1777. Upscale service and family friendly. Seasonally-rotating 

menu serves up fresh seafood, pasta, 

beef and local produce. Mon-Sat. 5-10 pm. 

Lowland Tavern (D) 36 George St., Charleston. A Southern 

tavern spanning two floors of the historic Lequeux-Williams 

home in the heart of downtown Charleston serving 

timeless classics and luxurious comfort such as pasta, steak 

and burgers from James Beard James Beard award-winning 

chef Jason Stanhope. Dinner daily. 

Asian 

Basil (MP) 1465 Long Grove Rd. 606-9642. Traditional 

Thai entrees using the freshest ingredients in a chic 

and relaxed setting. Lunch, Mon-Fri. Dinner nightly. 

O-Ku (D) 463 King St. 737-0112. Bold and stylish 

décor set the tone for this upscale sushi and Japanese 

eatery. Menu selections include Chilean sea bass and 

yellowtail carpaccio. Dinner nightly. 

Pink Bellies (D) 595 King St Ste 1. (843) 640-3132. 

Trendy neon-lit Vietnamese-American restaurant serving 

inventive cocktails and flavorful Asian fare like garlic 

Bakery 

Christophe Artisan Chocolatier (D) 90 Society St., 

297-8674, (WA) 1901 Ashely River Rd., 225-9133. 

Unique combination of French pastries, chocolate 

sculptures and hand-painted chocolate pieces. 

Kaminsky’s Dessert Café (D) 78 N Market St., Charleston. 

853-8270. Charming cafe along the historic City 

Market serving a selection of house-made desserts from a 

case with rotating slices of cake, milkshakes, dessert martinis 

and specialty coffees. Open until 11 p.m. 

Carmella’s Café and Dessert Bar (D) 198 E. Bay St., 

722-5893. A rotating case of delectable cakes and pies 

available by the slice plus dessert cocktails, gelato, sorbetto 

and wine bar. 

BBQ 

Lewis BBQ (D) 464 N Nassau St., 805-9500. The first 

thing you’ll notice when you pull up to Lewis Barbecue 

are the massive, custom-made smokers, welded by the 

pitmaster himself. Order at the counter, where John 

Lewis is slicing up true Central Texas barbecue, cut-toorder 

and daily specials to enjoy indoors or on the patio. 

Rodney Scott BBQ (D) 1011 King St., 990-9535. 

Celebrated counter-serve joint for Lowcountry-style 

slow-smoked pulled pork BBQ, chicken & ribs by 

famed pitmaster Rodney Scott. Open for lunch and 

dinner daily. 

Martin’s BBQ Joint (JI) 1622 Highland Ave. 790- 

0838. Pitmasters come in at 5 a.m. every morning at 

this James Island location and smoke a whole hog for 

20 hours over hickory hardwood coals. In addition to 

pulled pork, beef and chicken, martin’s serves up smoked 

wings, brisket, and a Southern patty melt with Pimento 

cheese. Southern sides and pies are made in-house. Enjoy 

the outdoor area and lively bar daily 11 a.m. until 9 

p.m. and open until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 

Home Team BBQ (D) 126 Williman St., 225-RIBS 

ext. 4; (WA) 1205 Ashley River Rd. 225-RIBS ext. 2; 

Locations: (D) Downtown; (DI) Daniel 

Island; (FB) Folly Beach; (IOP) Isle of 

Palms; ( J) John’s Island; ( JI) James Island; 

(KS) Kiawah/Seabrook; (MP) Mount 

Pleasant; (NC) North Charleston; (S) 

Summerville; (SI) Sullivan’s Island; (WA) 

West Ashley 

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RESTAURANT GUIDE 

(SI) 2209 Middle St., 225-RIBS ext. 3. Extensive BBQ list 

including three-meat platters and BBQ nachos in a hip, 

family-friendly atmosphere. Award-winning dry rubbed 

wings are not to be missed. A number of housemade BBQ 

sauces are available on the table to douse meat as you please. 

Bars and Taverns 

Dunleavy’s Pub (SI) 2213 Middle St., 883-9646. Traditional 

Irish-American fare offering excellent burgers, pub dogs, 

sandwiches from crab cakes to roast beef, salads and plate 

specials. Large beer selection and outdoor seating available. 

Moe’s Crosstown (D) 714 Rutledge Ave., 641-0469. 

No-frills vintage pub located near Hampton Park has 

an extensive menu of burgers, sandwiches and late-night 

menu for bar bites. A pool table and multiple TVs brings 

in sports fans and cold draft beer and happy hour specials 

brings in a regular crowd. 

Poe’s Tavern (SI) 2210 Middle St., 883-0083. Festive 

local pub serving fish tacos, sandwiches, salads and the 

best burgers on the island. Lunch and dinner daily. 

The Griffon (D) 18 Vendue Range, 723-1700. An intimate 

English pub for fish ‘n’ chips, burgers, craft beer 

and extensive appetizer list, with walls covered in signed 

dollars. Open for lunch, dinner and late night eats daily. 

Café 

60 Bull Cafe (D) 60 Bull St., 718-3145. Upscale eatery 

offers elegant deli sandwiches, soups, salads and break- 

fast bites, as well as a variety of homemade prepared 

foods, deli meats and cheeses, produce and boutique 

wines and beer. Open daily. 9 am- 9 pm. 

East Bay Deli (D) 334 E Bay St. Ste H, 723-1234. 

Mouth-watering deli sandwiches with all the trimmings 

and an abundance of side dishes and specialties are all 

the rage at East Bay Deli. Choice meats and fresh-cut 

veggies, along with oversized spuds, make this a popular 

breakfast, lunch and dinner spot. 

Five Loaves Café (MP) 1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., 

849-1043. Gourmet soups, salads and sandwiches in a 

relaxed atmosphere. Daily soup menu includes nearly 

ten rotating selections. Lunch and dinner, Mon-Sat. 

Sunday brunch 10 am to 2 pm. 

Le Chambertin (D) 113 Church Street., 843-640-3332. 

An authentic French bakery and cafe serving sandwiches, 

breakfast pastries, quiches, soups, salads, French Macaroons, 

imported gourmets and more. Open from 10 a.m. 

- 3 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. 

Saffron Café & Bakery (D) 333 E. Bay St., 722-5588. 

Freshly baked goods like breads, pastries and desserts, 

signature sandwiches and salads, pizza, housemade pasta 

and Middle Eastern specialties like saffron chicken and 

shrimp curry. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Live 

music on the weekends. 

Ted’s Butcherblock (D) 334 E Bay St., 577-0094. Oldfashioned 

butcher counter and gourmet deli has prepared 

foods to take home or eat at cafe tables. A neigh- 

borhood butcher, Ted’s offers quality meats and seafood 

handcut to order. There’s a large variety to choose from, 

including the monthly featured sandwich, paninis and 

elevated prepared foods. 

Eclectic/Fusion 

Barsa Tapas & Lounge Bar (D) 630 King St., 577- 

5393. Elevated Spanish tapas, paella & cocktails are the 

draw at this stylish lounge with rare downtown parking 

lot attached. Open daily for lunch & dinner. 

Cru Café (D) 18 Pinckney St., 534-2434. A local favorite 

serving up gourmet foods with an Asian flair like 

Chinese chicken salad and ginger glazed salmon. Indoor 

or front porch dining. Lunch & dinner Tuesday-Saturday. 

Graze (MP) 863 Houston Northcutt Blvd., 606-2493. 

Diverse eclectic cuisine with small “grazing” plates. 

Dishes include spicy tuna tataki and Korean-style 

chicken wings. Lunch & dinner Mon-Sat. 

Jack of Cups (FB) 34 Center St., 663-0042. Global and 

flavorful dishes like pumpkin curry soup, Thai noodle 

salad and a roasted poblano mac and cheese can be found 

on this seasonally-rotating menu. Enjoy a homemade 

sangria or pick from the curated beer, cocktail and wine 

list inside the cozy space or on the large outdoor patio. 

Ma’Am Saab (D) 251 Meeting St., (843) 259-2660. 

Elevated Pakistani cuisine by Chef Maryam Ghaznavi 

in a decorated space. A focused menu with a modern 

take on traditional dishes like chicken tikka and specialty 

cocktails. Lunch Friday & Saturday; Dinner Tues.-Sat. 

Red Drum (MP) 803 Coleman Blvd., 849-0313. Traditional 

Lowcountry cuisine with a Southwestern flair. 

chicken with black Oaxacan chile sauce, crab meat tostaditas 

and steaks in a casual atmosphere. Dinner Tues-Sat. 

Fine Dining 

Charleston Grill (D) 224 King St., 577-4522. Worldclass 

dining at one of Charleston’s top eateries inside the 

Belmond Charleston Place. An ever-changing menu 

from Chef Michelle Weaver is uniquely divided into 

four main groups – Social & Shared, Roots & Stems, 

Waves & Marsh, Field & Pasture. Live jazz Sat, Sun & 

Mon. Dinner nightly. 

Circa 1886 (D) 149 Wentworth St., 853-7828. Delectable 

cuisine is served up at the Wentworth Mansion 

with dishes like crabcake souffle and braised pork shank. 

Dinner Mon-Sat. 

Fig (D) 232 Meeting St., 805-5900. Nationally-acclaimed 

bistro serving fish, locally-sourced food. Menu 

changes daily with selections like fish stew provençal and 

chicken liver pâté. 

652 Saint Andrews Blvd | 843.709.7962 

www.labonnefranquettechs.com 

Gabrielle (D) 404 King St., 843-990-5460. Bold and 

flavorful Southern cuisine that celebrates local bounty 

like grilled local swordfish and grilled oysters. Located 

inside Hotel Bennett, dine for lunch and dinner daily in 

the indoor dining room or outdoor dining terrace, which 

overlooks historic Marion Square. 

High Cotton (D) 199 East Bay St., 724-3815. Southern 

cuisine offered high-fashion style, with fresh local vegetables, 

seafood and charbroiled steaks accompanied by 

tasty sauces like bearnaise and cabernet. Dinner nightly. 


Magnolia’s (D) 185 East Bay St., 577-7771. A refined 

take on traditional Southern cooking served in a warm, 

sophisticated environment. Pan seared sea scallops are 

served with a sweet corn hoe cake, pickled okra relish 

and brandy bacon cream. Lunch & dinner daily with 

Southern brunch on Sunday. 

Peninsula Grill (D) 2 Unity Alley, 577-0025. Southern 

classics served in an elegant, yet relaxed setting. Bold 

flavors and impeccable service make this a local favorite. 

First class wine list and romantic courtyard dining available. 

Dinner nightly. 

French 

39 Rue De Jean (D) 39 John St., 722-8881. A refined 

French café and bar features Parisian-inspired classics, 

including five preparations of mussels, sweetbreads, 

braised rabbit and more. 

Brasserie la Banque (D) 1 Broad St., 779-1800. Neighborhood 

French restaurant inside a historic former bank 

serves traditional French cuisine in the style of the classic 

French brasserie. 

Chez Nous (D) 6 Payne Ct., 579-3060. Pint-sized and 

romantic neighborhood spot with elevated food and wine 

from France & around Europe in a cozy space. Only six 

dishes are served for lunch & dinner and changes daily. 

Check the restaurant’s website or Instagram page to see 

what’s being served today. Closed Monday. 

Felix Cocktails et Cuisine (D) 550 King St., 203-6297. 

Plates inspired by Paris in a trendy café-inspired setting, 

served until midnight, along with versatile cocktails and 

wines by the glass. Lunch and dinner daily with classic 

French dishes and brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. with Parisian Mac et Cheese, quiches 

and more. 

Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French (D) 98 Broad St., 

577-9797. Providing French food in Charleston since 

1984 on iconic Broad Street. Lunch items include an 

open faced Croq’ Monsieur and daily lunch specials 

for $13 that include a glass of French wine. A popular 

chef special fondue is featured on Thursdays for dinner. 

Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon-Sat. Closed Sunday. 

Italian 

Indaco (D) 526 King St., 727-1228. Trendy eatery featuring 

Italian fare & wood-fired pizzas, hand-crafted pastas, 

homemade salumi and cured sausages plus a patio and 

extensive wine list. Dinner nightly and Sunday brunch. 

Now Serving Café 

Style Breakfast! 

Gourmet Sandwiches & Pizza 

Pastries & Desserts 

Gelato & Sorbetto 

Wine Bar 

Dessert Cocktails 

Le Farfelle (D) 15 Beaufain St., 212-0920. Bright and 

airy neighborhood osteria for thoughtfully sourced, reimagined 

Italian cuisine with a host of rotating freshlymade 

pastas like duck confit agnolotti and squid ink 

spaghetti. Shared plates include octopus carpaccio and 

warm rosemary focaccia. Dinner nightly. 

Melfi’s (D) 721 King St. 513-0307. Melfi’s is a trendy 

classic Italian restaurant with fresh pasta, salads, larger 

plates and inventive thin crust pizza. Sit at the long 

wooden bar, indoor and outdoor dining tables or an 

intimate pizza counter to watch the action of the two 

wood burning ovens. Reservations recommended. Dinner 

Monday-Sunday starting at 5 p.m. 

Mondo’s Italian Restaurant (JI) 915 Folly Rd., 795- 

8400. A favorite local hangout serving traditional Italian 

baked dishes like Italian sausage lasagna and housemade 

pasta with a number of sauces beyond traditional red 

8am to midnight daily 

198 E. Bay Street, Charleston • 843.722.5893 • carmellasdessertbar.com 


RESTAURANT GUIDE 

sauce, like vodka sauce over penne and gorgonzola 

cheese sauce over fresh rigatoni. Patio dining available, 

weather permitting. Dinner Mon-Sat. Closed Sunday. 

Wild Olive (J) 2867 Maybank Hwy., 737-4177. Rustic-chic 

dining with a simple menu of artisanal Italian 

dishes, excellent Italian desserts & a sizable wine list. 

Dinner nightly. 

Mediterranean 

Muse (D) 82 Society St., 577-1102. Eclectic cuisine in 

a secluded and quiet atmosphere inside a Charleston 

single house. Entrees include grilled swordfish, sea bass, 

short ribs, duck, risotto, homemade pasta & bread and a 

large wine selection. Dinner nightly. 

Stella’s (D) 114 St. Philip St., 400-0026. Classy throwback 

diner for Greek dishes and meze to share, plus 

Mediterranean Sunday brunch. Check out the whole 

fish of the day, topped with ladolemono, a traditional 

blended extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon dressing. 

Dinner daily and Sunday brunch. 

Leylas (D) 298 King. St. 501-7500. Kebabs, meze and 

other Lebanese dishes are served in an upscale-casual 

space with a wine list that includes many Lebanese 

brands. Try the pan-seared halloumi cheese, fattosh 

salad, shawermas and more. Dinner nightly. 

Mexican 

Santi’s (D) 1302 Meeting St., 722-2633; (S) 114 

Holiday Dr., 851-2885. An array of authentic Mexican 

dishes in a comfortable dining atmosphere. Voted best 

margaritas. Lunch & dinner, Mon-Sat. 

Taco Bartina (WA) 1301 Ashley River Rd. 225-7426. 

Expanded spot for all your taco and burrito cravings 

with an impressively large menu, breakfast tacos served 

all day and taco Tuesday specials. The blackened fish taco 

is not to be missed. Margaritas include housemade agave 

mix. Lunch and dinner daily. 

Taco Boy (FB) 106 E Ashley Ave., 588-9761. Fresh 

Mexican entrees like fish and fried avocado tacos and 

an array of beer, margarita selections and their famous 

frozen screwdriver. Lunch & dinner daily, along with 

weekday menu item specials. 

Pizza 

Crust Wood Fired Pizza (JI) (D) (S) 1956 Maybank 

Hwy. Locally sourced ingredients are piled atop hand 

crafted artisan pizza. Three locations in the Charleston 

area all have both indoor and outdoor seating. Fan 

favorites include the arancini, butternut pizza and the 

“Crustavore” pizza made with bacon, pepperoni, crispy 

prosciutto, sausage, hot coppa, tomato sauce and mozzarella. 

Lunch and dinner daily. 

Evo Pizza (NC) 1075 E Montague Ave., 225-1796. 

This local favorite serves creative Neapolitan-style woodfired 

pizza using seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. 

Try the adventurous pastrami and corn or pistachio pesto 

pizza or stick to classics like the margherita. Lunch & 

dinner daily. A new location, Baker & Brewer opened in 

downtown Charleston at 94 Stuart St. open for breakfast, 

lunch & dinner daily. 

Fams Brewing (JI) 1291 Folly Rd., 225-4646. Local 

pizzeria and microbrewery serving New York and 

Chicago style pizza. Pair the Chitown classic—loaded 

with mozzarella, double pepperoni, double sausage 

and chunky sauce—with an award-winning craft brew. 

Large outdoor seating area. Lunch & dinner daily. 

Seafood 

Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar (D) 205 East Bay St., 

853-8600. Traditional raw bar with fresh seafood choices 

including oysters, clams, flounder and shrimp. Extensive 

beer and wine selections. Lunch & dinner daily. 

Blu Restaurant & Bar (FB) 1 Center St., 588-6658. 

Fresh local seafood at an oceanfront setting. Spend a day 

at the beach and then enjoy tapas-style entrees. Breakfast, 

lunch & dinner daily. 

Bowen’s Island (FB) 870 Bowens Island Rd. 795-2757. 

Known for its locally-harvested oysters, fried shrimp, 

hushpuppies, Frogmore stew, flowing beer and unmatched 

view of the river, marshes and islands, locals and visitors 

flock to this one-of-a-kind counter-service restaurant with 

their appetites and cameras. Dinner 5pm - 9:30 pm Tues 

through Sat. 

Charleston Crab House (JI) 45 Wappoo Creek Dr., 

795-1963; (D) 41 Market St., 853-2900. “Family owned 

for 30 years and still crackin!” Fresh Lowcountry seafood 

served in a casual, family atmosphere. Featuring fresh 

blue crabs, snow crab legs, ahi tuna, fresh salads and sandwiches, 

seafood platters and more. Lunch & dinner daily. 

Coast (D) 39-D John St., 722-8838. Relaxed atmosphere 

with an array of fresh local seafood dishes including fresh 

ceviche and an outstanding drink list. Dinner nightly. 

Chubby Fish (D) 252 Coming St., 222-3949. Small, 

warm neighborhood eatery and raw bar offering a varied 

and rotating menu of seafood—from seafood curry to 

ceviche—and large selection of oysters alongside a creative 

wine list and desserts. No reservations, two seatings 

per night for dinner. 

The Establishment (D) 28 Broad St., 608-8295. Impeccable 

service and sophistication in the historic James 

Gregorie House serving fresh and sustainable seafood 

from Charleston and surrounding waters like swordfish 

and seafood stew. Dinner Mon-Sat. Closed Sunday. 

The Ordinary (D) 544 King St., 414-7060. Southern seafood 

hall and oyster bar located in an old bank. The fancy 

seafood menu celebrates the bounty of Coastal Carolina 

waters supporting local and regional fishermen, crabbers, 

oystermen, farmers and producers. A lively bar highlights 

the stunning space. Dinner Tues-Sun. Closed Monday. 

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Oyster House (D) 35 S Market St., 723-1151. Enjoy 

seafood favorites in one of Charleston’s original warehouse 

buildings on historic Market Street. Our raw bar 

showcases oysters from around the country, and our 

menu features Lowcountry favorites such as shrimp & 

grits, fried seafood platters, crab cakes, and more! Lunch 

& dinner daily. 


Pearlz Oyster Bar (D) 153 East Bay St., 577-5755; 

(WA) 9 Magnolia Rd., 573-2277. Fun, eclectic locations 

serving the freshest seafood in a casual dining 

atmosphere. Oysters prepared raw on the half shell, 

baked Rockefeller-style, fried or steamed are served all 

day. Lunch & dinner daily. 

The Royal Tern (J) 3005 Maybank Hwy. 718-3434. 

Nested in the heart of Johns Island, The Royal Tern is 

an elevated neighborhood eatery with daily seafood specials 

and inspired cuisine. An array of freshly-prepared 

seafood and steaks as well as seafood towers and tartares 

from the raw bar. Open for dinner Monday-Saturday. 

T.W. Graham & Co. (McClellanville) 810 Pinckney 

St. 843-887-4342. A charming, old-timey restaurant 

in the fishing village of McClellanville that only uses 

fresh catch for their platters of grilled and golden fried 

seafood along with housemade sides and pies. Lunch 

Tuesday-Sunday, lunch and dinner Friday and Saturday. 

Closed Monday. 

Southern 

82 Queen (D) 82 Queen St., 723-7591. A swanky bar 

& intimate courtyard make this refined Southern spot 

a special-occasion favorite. Favorites include grilled 

salmon, seared duck breast, Carolina crab cakes and seasonal 

mussels. Excellent wine list. Lunch & dinner daily. 

Slightly North of Broad (D) 192 East Bay St., 723- 

3424. Delicious, upscale food like grilled Carolina quail, 

oyster stew and shrimp and grits in a casual setting. 

Lunch, Mon-Fri. Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat and Sun. 

Mediteranean cuisine 

with Homemade 

Pastas & Bread 

Celiac & Vegan Options 

Outside Dining 

Indoor Dining 

75 Wines 

by the Glass 

Craft Cocktails 

Open Tuesday-Saturday 5-10pm • Bar open 5-Midnight 

82 Society Street • Charleston, SC 

843-577-1102 • www . charlestonmuse . com 

Please check our website for updates 

Virginia’s on King (D) 412 King St., 735-5800. Upscale 

yet relaxed atmosphere serving up traditional fare like 

fried chicken, deviled crab, po’boys and an array of side 

dishes. Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily. 

Steaks 

Burwell’s Stone Fire Grill (D) 14 North Market St., 

737-8700. “The next generation of steakhouses” coined by 

those in the know of beef trends, Burwell’s serves up choice 

cuts of beef, including Wagyu hanger steak, along with local 

seasonal vegetables and sustainable seafood. Great location 

on the Market. Full bar and happy hour. Dinner nightly. 

Grill 225 (D) 225 East Bay St., 266-4222. Upscale and 

fancy with private booths and white-jacketed service, 

serving up prime USDA steaks and select seafood entrees. 

Lunch & dinner daily. 

Halls Chophouse (D) 434 King St., 727-0090. Familyowned 

and high-end dining with a rich interior setting 

and impeccable service, offering up steaks cooked to 

perfection and choice seafood dishes. Dinner nightly, 

Saturday lunch and Sunday gospel brunch with signature 

steaks and Southern favorites. 

Oak Steakhouse (D) 17 Broad St., 722-4220. Upscale 

steakhouse fare in an impeccable setting, serving certified 

Angus beef and freshly-caught seafood. Awardwinning 

wine list. Dinner nightly. 

The Ocean Room at the Sanctuary (KS) 1 Sanctuary 

Drive., 768-6253. Rich mahogany sets the tone for this 

upscale eatery, serving up choice dry aged beef and fresh local 

seafood from an ever-changing menu. Dinner Tues-Sat. 

BREAKFAST | BRUNCH | LUNCH 

409 West Coleman Blvd. 206 Front Street 

Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 Summerville, SC 29486 

(843) 388-7362 

(843) 900-3351 


TRAVEL 

Savoring Ireland 

A culinary exploration at Anantara The Marker-Dublin 

By KATIE MCELVEEN 

Returning from a trip to Ireland, friends typically rave about the remarkable 

scenery, the welcoming pub culture, the music, the history and, of course, the Guinness. 

But the food? Not so much. 

My first trip to Ireland followed a similar course. I spent the first part 

of the week exploring Dublin’s sights and the second tramping along 

shady trails in the countryside. I ate well, but can’t recall a remarkable 

meal. 

My second trip was entirely different. This time, I stayed at Anantara The 

Marker-Dublin, where the culinary team, led by Executive Head Chef 

Gareth Mullins, has created a program designed to not only give guests 

a chance to taste the best of Ireland but, through a series of classes and 

field trips, explore it as well. 

The program, called Spice Spoons, is a passion project for the Dublinborn 

Mullins. “Ireland produces some of the best food in the world but 

nobody knows it,” he laughs. “We have families who have been making 

cheese, smoking salmon and raising beef for generations. I created the 

menu at Forbes Street, our restaurant at The Marker, so I could introduce 

the world to the remarkably delicious things they’re growing and 

making.” 

Our first Spice Spoons lesson was how to construct a proper Irish coffee. 

Unlike the complicated, creamy sipper often served in America, true 


(Opposite): The breakfast bounty at Anantara The Marker Dublin is filled with 

sweet, savory and healthy items. (Left, clockwise): Views from the rooftop bar; 

Chef Gareth Mullins at work at the restaurant’s open kitchen; A perfect Irish 

coffee; Anantara The Marker Hotel anchors Dublin’s Docklands neighborhood. 

PHOTO GARETH MULLINS; 

Irish coffee contains just four ingredients: Irish whisky, coffee, a single 

cube of sugar and heavy cream that’s been whisked just enough so it 

floats atop the potent brew. The drink is sipped through the cream—no 

stirring or straws allowed. 

The next day we set off early for Howth, an ancient fishing village about 

30 minutes outside Dublin. Here, we watched seals bob peacefully in 

the harbor as they awaited handouts from returning fishermen before 

boarding a fishing boat of our own to explore the jade-green Irish Sea 

and the craggy coastline speckled with sea caves and dramatic rock 

formations. Then we had a behind-the-scenes tour of the fish-smoking 

facility at Baily & Kish, the family-owned company where Mullins 

sources smoked salmon for the restaurant. After lunch—proper fish and 

chips made with the local catch, a bit of smoked salmon and a bottle 

or two of local brew—we headed back to The Marker, where Mullins 

showed us how to make his mother’s Irish soda bread. 

Dinner that night at Forbes Street gave us a chance to sample not just 

Mullins’ work, but that of his Irish partners as well, including Flaggy 

Shore oysters, steaks from fifth-generation butcher John Stone (including 

one that’s been dry-aged with Pearse Lyons whiskey) and cheeses 

from all over the country. The menu also features roasted King scallops 

with blood pudding and ravioli stuffed with Dublin Bay prawns. We 

washed it all down with wines from the “Irish Wine Geese,” a group 

of French wineries—think Barton & Gustier, Palmer and Hennessey—that, 

thanks to the 17th-century Jacobites, were founded by Irish 

immigrants to France. 

Spice Spoons isn’t the only way guests at Anantara The Marker Dublin 

can delve into Ireland’s diverse cultural traditions. Equestrians can travel 

to Irish National Stud, in Kildare, to visit with thoroughbreds and, surprisingly, 

tour the adjacent Japanese garden, which was created between 

1906 and 1910. There’s also an opportunity to join the locals for their 

morning swim at Forty Foot, a chilly bay outside of Dublin. Said to 

enhance immunity, relieve muscle pain and reduce inflammation, the 

cold water is shockingly invigorating yet strangely addictive—once I’d 

gotten used to the cold, I didn’t want to get out. Thankfully, the hotel 

provides towels, thermoses of hot coffee and gigantic robes to slip into as 

you emerge from the water. 

Ironically, the hotel itself is a composite of Ireland’s beauty: throughout 

the property, designers incorporated clever but beautifully-rendered nods 

to Ireland’s landscape, creating, for those who know where to look, a visual 

love letter to the Emerald Isle. The undulating portico, for instance, 

calls to mind the breaking waves of the Atlantic Ocean; inside, in the 

lounge, strategically-placed windows set against the structure make it feel 

as if you’re dining under the water. There are also custom terrazzo floors 

done in hues that mimic the etched Burren of County Clare, carpeting 

woven to look like Dublin’s cobbled streets and travertine in the gray of 

Irish granite. I didn’t notice the subtle cant of the hallway leading to my 

room until someone mentioned that it was designed to represent the 

hundreds of Stonehenge-like megalithic monuments that dot Ireland. 

There’s also a black pool in the spa—”Dubh Linn” means black pool in 

Gaelic—and a ceiling constructed from octagonal tiles that resemble the 

thousands of basalt pillars that comprise the Giant’s Causeway. 

Located in Dublin’s waterfront Docklands neighborhood, Anantara 

The Marker Dublin was constructed in 2013 and was fully renovated 

in 2023. The 187 rooms and suites are done in cool gray and ocean 

blue; bathrooms are fully clad Carrara marble. Photographs of fishermen—many 

from Howth—decorate the walls; soaps and shampoos are 

infused with botanicals from the Irish Sea. During the warmer months, 

a rooftop bar offers views of downtown Dublin and, in the distance, the 

foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. It’s a perfect place to contemplate 

the many facets of Ireland. • 


THE LAST REFLECTION 

Go With The Flow 

Planning a Travel Itinerary Like a Pro 

By ANNE WOLFE POSTIC 

When my youngest son was ten years old, my sister 

and I took him on a trip to New York City. Years 

later, he still remembers his favorite day. We picked 

up breakfast biscuits near our temporary Brooklyn 

home, at our temporary favorite spot. We ate on 

the train to the Whitney Museum, where we saw 

plenty of art, much of it inappropriate for a child, 

which made it a surefire hit. Then we walked to 

lunch on the High Line, a public promenade built 

along an elevated historic rail line. At the (sadly, 

now closed) restaurant, glass walls enclosed a 

menagerie of greenery and birds, and we marveled 

at the nature that surrounded us in a gloriously 

climate-controlled outdoor room. We made our 

way through Chelsea, The West Village and 

SOHO to the Brooklyn Bridge, which we walked 

across, enjoying the sunshine. We stopped at a 

Brooklyn seafood place, where we watched Fourth 

of July fireworks as we ate. It was a good day. 

The glory of that day wasn’t random, though. It was part of a carefully- 

planned itinerary, designed to maximize our exploration of the 

city. Each day had a route, and nothing was left to chance. With much 

respect for the French concept of “le droit à l’erreur” (translated, “the 

right to be mistaken), there were alternate options every day to allow 

for oversleeping, meandering, traffic, bad weather, mood changes...or 

whatever. 

The right to make mistakes on vacation is paramount. Exercising 

that right leads to culinary discoveries, new friends, unplanned 

museum visits, unique souvenir hauls and the proverbial “more.” My 

husband and I were exploring Rome with our six-year-old. We had 

failed to consider the weather. It was hot. So hot. Our son, red faced 

and groaning, couldn’t take another minute of outdoor sightseeing, so 

we called it. Abandoning our plan, we melted into the nearest museum, 

because art preservation requires copious amounts of climate control. 

We spent hours exploring, discovered some new-to-us artists, and 

caught an interactive Warhol exhibition. 

We devoured Aperol spritzes, potato chips and gelato in the cool 

museum café. The next day, that same kid couldn’t wait to get to another 

museum, and we stumbled on a temporary exhibition of Joan 

Miró’s earliest work. That kid has grown into a seventeen-year-old 

young man who still appreciates art. He has no idea his affinity began 

with sweat, misery and a subsequent search for cool air. 

There are a couple key elements to a good itinerary: creating it 

with the help of a map and scheduling enough time to make mistakes. 

Make a list of things you want to do, then put them on a map. (My 

favorite tool is Google Maps, where you can add pins to a map and 

save it for future reference.) Visualize each day, making sure you know 

how to get from place to place. (Once again, Google to the rescue. 

You’ll be able to take public transportation like a pro.) Get as detailed 

as you like, particularly on group trips. Leave time for showers, meals, 

outfit changes, whatever you can anticipate. 

Once you’ve made that itinerary? Be ready to change it. Most of 

the miserable vacation stories I hear involve relentless adherence to 

an itinerary. The rest involve a failure to make an itinerary at all. The 

key is to find the happy medium, the living itinerary. If there are two 

museums you want to see in one day, and they’re relatively close, find 

a lunch spot between them. And schedule some downtime after your 

museum visits. “Sitting in the park and watching octogenarian sports” 

is an activity, an exploration of local culture. “Wandering in and out 

of stores without buying a thing?” Also an activity. And if the first 

museum is too interesting to leave, skip the second. 

Embrace vacation as a loosely-planned adventure, because almost 

anything can be fun. One of my fondest travel memories involves a 

flat tire in the French countryside. Sure, we spent an hour wandering 

around a strip mall (but in French!) while we waited for the tow truck. 

But I told the mechanic a joke (in French!) and he actually laughed. 

(What’s the difference between your dog and your spouse? Lock them 

both in a trunk for two days. The dog will be really happy to see you 

when you open it!) It was truly one of my finest moments. I’ve eaten at 

Michelin starred restaurants that were less memorable. And we were 

late for dinner. It wasn’t on the itinerary, but we had a story, and that’s 

what vacation is all about.• 


A Record 

of Success 

in the 

Courtroom 

Attorneys (L-R): 

Alvin J. Hammer, 

Gedney M. Howe, III, 

Gedney Howe, IV 

Michael Monastra 

As one of South Carolina’s premier 

personal injury law firms, Gedney M. 

Howe III, PA has a reputation as the 

place injured people and other firms 

turn to for tough litigation cases. 

Practice Areas: 

Personal Injury 

and Criminal 

Defense 

“Litigation is hard work and we 

keep our focus on the client.” 

—Gedney Howe III, 

chosen once again to 

the South Carolina 

Super Lawyers list. 

Attorneys 

(left to right): 

Caroline West, 

Gedney M. Howe, III, 

Alvin J. Hammer 

A A RecoRd 

RecoRd of 

of SucceSS 

SucceSS 

in the 

in the couRtRoom 

couRtRoom 

The firm represents 

victims of wrongful death, 

personal injury, trucking 

and automobile accidents, 

Attorneys (left to right): 

Robert J. Wyndham, 

defective products and 

Gedney M. Howe, III 

premises liability, as well as 

and Alvin J. Hammer 

medical and government 


negligence. Howe also 

Personal Injury and 

Criminal Defense 

handles business litigation 

and criminal defense. 

As As one one of of South South Carolina’s premier personal injury law law firms, firms, Gedney Gedney M. M. Howe Howe III, III, PA PA has has 

a reputation a as as the the place place injured people and other firms turn turn to to for for tough tough litigation cases. cases. 

“Litigation is 

CHOSEN TO 2013 

is hard hard work and we keep our focus on on the the client,” says says Gedney Gedney Howe Howe III, III, 

SUPER chosen LAWYERS 

once again chosen to the once South again Carolina to the Super South Carolina Lawyers Super and Charleston Lawyers list. Best Lawyers lists. 

The firm The represents firm represents victims victims of wrongful of wrongful death, death, personal personal injury, injury, trucking trucking and and automobile accidents, 

defective accidents, products defective and products premises and liability, premises as liability, well as as medical well as and medical government and government negligence. 

negligence. Howe also Howe handles also handles business business litigation litigation and criminal and criminal defense. defense. 


Personal injury and 

Criminal Defense 

Gedney M. Howe III, P.A. | attorneys at law 

8 Chalmers Street | Charleston, SC 29401 | 843-722-8048 | www.gedneyhowe.com 


Two great opportunities 

near Mt. Pleasant 

Cedar Glen Preserve 

Looking for for your your next next home home near near Mt. Mt. 

Pleasant? Look Look no no further than than this this 

brand-new community located in in 

Cainhoy. Cedar Cedar Glen Glen Preserve offers offers 

single-family homes surrounded by by 

nature and and historic charm starting in 

the the $300's! Scan Scan the the QR QR code code to to join join 

the the VIP VIP list list for for exclusive updates. 

Scan for for 

more 

info! info! 

Scan for for 

more 

info! info! 

Wando Village 

Just Just a few a few dockable homesites 

left! left! Don’t Don’t miss miss this this premier 

neighborhood conveniently 

located along along the the Wando River River 

just just outside of Mt. of Mt. Pleasant.

Charleston Living Magazine May-June 2024

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