The Charleston Restaurants We Loved in April
If there’s one thing you must know about the people who work at Resy, it’s that we genuinely love restaurants …
This month, Team Resy filled up on oysters, bellied up to sushi counters, were wowed by escargots, and celebrated birthdays, pregnancies, and everything in between.
My husband and I are expecting our first baby later this month…
… so we’ve been trying to get out as much as possible before their arrival. Cue a late dinner at the bar at Edmund’s Oast, where we’ve been coming for years. I’m always impressed by the team and the food every single time. It’s one of the best places in the city for a steakhouse meal without the crazy prices.
— Lana Auerbach, Sr. Support Manager
It’s the closest thing I’ve found in Charleston…
… that scratches the itch of that (in)famous West Coast burger chain. I’m talking about the tavern burger from Little Jack’s Tavern, a nostalgic little restaurant tucked away on upper Meeting Street. Little Jack’s is retro and cozy, and serves up great, no-frills vibes if you’re in for a late lunch. Also, don’t sleep on the fish and chips if you’re looking for something else — casual comfort at its best.
— Grayden Kough, Restaurant Partnerships Manager
Loved it so much, I went twice just this month…
First, there was brunch at Park & Grove, where I enjoyed a delicious huevos rancheros bowl that was packed with flavor — though my favorite part of the meal might’ve been sipping the Charleston Fog (their take on a London Fog with a lavender-infused toasted marshmallow). And then, there was dinner — pan-seared, skin-on salmon with a cocktail that night — which we enjoyed out on their lovely patio. It’s a perfect stop after an evening walk around Hampton Park.
— Meghan Emery, Sr. Support Manager
For one of the best hidden gems in all of Charleston… .
.. head to Shiki. We love sitting at the sushi counter for the full experience. We started with the edamame and seaweed salad — both predictably delicious — but the real standout was the $70 sushi and sashimi omakase, which we paired with a bottle of Gönc Winery’s War Pig orange wine. We ended with fried red bean ice cream, which was the perfect end to the perfect meal.
— Meghan Angelo, Hospitality Coordinator
I had another outstanding meal…
… at one of my favorite restaurants in Charleston: Vern’s. It’s a spot that my family loves to go to when they’re in town and it is undoubtably worth setting a notification 30 days in advance to make a reservation. We love the neighborhood feel in Elliotborough, and Vern’s has a cozy and memorable vibe. We had great service and ordered nearly the entire menu, which is great for sharing when you’re a larger party (we were five diners total).
The escargots were the stars. Delicately placed in puff pastry and served over a rich butter and chive sauce, they’re an excellent pair with the warm allium bread. Our favorite entrée was the rabbit campanelli, which was much more approachable than one might think — the pan sauce underneath, the al dente pasta, and the braised rabbit finished with grated parmesan and black pepper are a perfect combination and always a go-to. We finished with strawberry granita with whipped crème fraîche; a refreshing end to a great meal.
— Daniel Skala, Sales Development Representative
To celebrate both the big and little things in life…
… I highly recommend Vern’s. I recently dined there to send some friends off before a big East Coast move, and couldn’t think of a more perfect place to celebrate our many years of friendship together. The space is cozy and intimate, and some of our highlights included the bitter lettuces, spring-forward rigatoni, perfectly cooked bavette steak, and a strawberry dessert, which should not be missed if you see it on the menu.
— Lana Auerbach, Sr. Support Manager
I am a huge oyster fanatic…
… so needless to say, bivalves had to be on the tab when visiting Nico. I specifically enjoyed the Island Creek and the Lowcountry Cup oysters (they’re on the saltier side, which I prefer), which paired perfectly with the mignonette and house hot sauces. We also ordered the Lyonnaise salad and the mussels Provençal (we were in a very shellfish-y mood).
— Nick DeFrancisco, Account Associate
We had an amazing dining experience…
… at The Harlow. The food was top-notch and the cocktails were perfectly crafted. What really made the night special was the personal touch from the staff: everyone signed a handwritten note to wish us a happy birthday, which was such a thoughtful and unexpected gesture. Great service, great atmosphere, and an all-around memorable night.
— Brian Tooker, Sales Development Representative
We took date night to the suburbs…
… and enjoyed a nice Sunday dinner at Abbracci in Mount Pleasant. The restaurant is beautifully designed with service to match. I loved their non-alcoholic options; the amaro falso from St. Agrestis is always a must for me. We really enjoyed the chicken al mattone — the skin was perfectly crispy and the croutons soaked up the flavor.
— Lana Auerbach, Sr. Resy Support Manager
One of my favorite salads in town…
… is the West Texas wedge (do add steak!) from Rancho Lewis — the sheer size of it might be my favorite thing about this dish. We also enjoyed the El Duo appetizer (guacamole and chile con queso with stone-ground tortillas, a weekday lunch special), which is always a table favorite.
— Meghan Emery, Sr. Support Manager
Hands down the best sushi restaurant in Charleston…
Sushi-Wa operates at a truly high level, in the same vein as the omakase experiences you’d find in Japan. This was my second visit, and the best things we ate were the hamachi (young yellowtail) and A5 Wagyu beef nigiri. I love sitting at the counter and chatting with the co-owners — it’s a great vibe and it always feels very personal.
— Victor Pedro, Hospitality Coordinator
