The September Hit List: Zero, Edmund’s Oast Exchange, CO, and More

The Park Cafe was a well-established and well-loved spot for the neighborhood, but it took a hiatus and grew up from a casual cafe to a full-grown restaurant. With Chef Ramon Taimanglo (formerly of Peninsula Grill) at the helm, the menu shifts with the seasons, but may we suggest if they have fried oysters you order two servings — they’re that good. There are also other clean eats, from locally-sourced seafood to Park Cafe’s avocado toast, which remains on the rebooted menu. With a space this sleek and sexy, Wagener Terrace has become the recipient of a new hotspot with the soul of a longtime local.

Tucked into a long narrow space on King — and very close to COFC — many folks walk by on the daily without realizing the deliciousness that resides within this industrial-chic gem. Regulars return for the spicy pho, pork and crab spring rolls, and curry shrimp at lunch and dinner, but there’s a bustling bar scene and take out business, too. Bar seats easily accommodate solo diners, and upstairs, larger tables are great for a party, especially if your party loves to share a green papaya salad and some spring rolls, followed by a Moscow Mule. CO has you covered. 

This restaurant opened in 2009 and became the first Certified Green Restaurant in the state in 2013, composting 85 percent of their waste and developing long standing relationships with local purveyors that keep their carbon footprint light. But that’s all going on behind the scenes: Taking center stage is chef Jacques Larson’s menu and ode to Italian classics, with handmade pastas, a hearty wine list, and a deft hand with seasonal ingredients, no matter the season. It’s one of the few restaurants locals will drive from downtown to visit; one bite and you’ll know why.  

Located in the tony Zero George hotel, Zero Restaurant + Bar is of the fanciest dining experiences in town.  The menu shifts nightly, employing all the tools of modern cuisine from foams to infused broths to high-level construction of dishes that defy expectations.  Satisfying flavor combinations and ample courses allow the combined with beautiful setting of Zero George will satisfy both body (well, mouth) and soul. Our suggestion is to enjoy the expertly curated wine pairings with chef Vinson Petrillo’s inventive tasting menu for the full effect.

Tucked in a cobalt blue building on a busy stretch of Upper King, Maison is where industry folks who dream about French food and wine want to eat on their nights off. It’s menu always includes escargot, nightly seafood specials, seasonal vegetables, and one helluva cocktail program. Chef Vandy Vanderwalker — formerly of The Ordinary — has consistently delivered since opening his own spot. The best way to keep up with the current menu is Instagram, or just skip the scrolling and let the staff steer you in the right direction.  

Call 843-990-9165 for reservations.

Located in the same building as Edmund’s Oast, this wine and beer shop has morphed through the years into a great place to enjoy a low key glass of wine, or snacks from Chef Bob Cook next door. Enjoy wine classes and tastings from sommelier Sarah O’Kelley, sip a special release Edmund’s draft while you shop for local gifts and goodies, and in general, hang like the locals do. Doesn’t everyone sip wine or beer while shopping then head home with to-go fried chicken meal to pair with those bubbles you just bought?

In a block of hotels and nightlife hotspots, Felix offers a Rue de Respite during the daylight hours. Enjoy a decadent Raclette burger and pomme frites during happy hour, cocktails on draft anytime, and a croque monsieur or deviled eggs at brunch. Felix offers plenty of options throughout the day, and if you’re looking to chase the Green Fairy late night, too, they have absinthe fountains and mixed cocktails to help you find her. 

While dining at Al Di La is just as cozy and welcoming as a pasta diner at your house, the restaurant has plenty of classics that you don’t have to cook yourself. From cacio e pepe to bolognese, this beloved neighborhood spot in West Ashley has been welcoming guests for years. There’s plenty to love, from happy hour specials and wood fired pizzas, to a charming patio with a grape arbor trellis, made for a glass of wine with friends or first date nights, especially if you stay for dessert and share a slice of tiramisu. 

A mecca for clean eats, this spot just off King Street is more than the sum of its sprouts. First, it’s beautiful, with a light-filled dining room, expansive bar, and crafty elements that show attention to detail, all the way down to the superbly-scented bathroom soap. Second, all eaters will feel welcome: From vegan to pescatarian to omnivore, this menu has something for everyone. Every table should start with a shared plate of Buffalo cauliflower “wings,” that are addictively spicy, fried, and served with bleu cheese. Then sandwich, salad, or bowl your way through to dessert, where once again we have a suggestion: The orange popsicle cocktail, offering a nostalgic grad school flavor with a grown up dose of Galliano and vodka. 

If the cow mural and the custom smokers didn’t already clue you in, the line out the door on the daily will alert you that this barbecue spot is serious business, and seriously delicious for both the bbq nerd and the casual enthusiast. Pitmaster John Lewis brought his Texas style from  Austin’s La Barbecue to the Lowcountry, recreating a slice of Texas culture in the process. There’s hot guts sausage, a corn pudding with a cult following, and the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth brisket to be found outside of the Lone Star State. Pick your proteins as you go, then find a seat, and grab plenty of napkins. You might need a nap afterwards, or maybe you’ll get in line again for another round. Whatever your pick, you’ll walk away knowing the power of smoked meat.