Elite Traveler March-April 2018

EXPLORE CHARLESTON

Cocktail culture It’s no secret that Charleston likes to imbibe. Blame it on the heat, but the Holy City gets thirsty. With nicknames for every type of tippling, this port town calls drinking while putting on your outfit “a dresser” and sipping while in transport “a traveler.” Whether it’s iced tea or the perfect cocktail, a cold libation is part of the Charlestonian tradition.

DELECTABLE DINING

1. FIG Envisioned as a neighborhood bistro, Fig (Food Is Good) has never let its many awards go to its head. Though chef Mike Lata is a James Beard award winner and the restaurant continues to collect accolades, the champion of fresh local produce remains laid-back. A required pilgrimage for foodies, Fig offers dishes such as poached Carolina shrimp, chicken liver pâté and mustard-crusted swordfish. Expect to see residents vying for your table. eatatfig.com 2. HUSK Chef Sean Brock won’t serve an ingredient at Husk if it doesn’t come from the South. An ode to Dixie, this universally touted restaurant (once featured in Elite Traveler ’s Top 100 Restaurant awards) has a daily changing menu that dishes up reconceived recipes from grandma’s kitchen. From deviled eggs with house-pickled okra to North Carolina chicken and biscuits and slow- cooked pork ribs, this welcoming spot lures locals and tourists alike. huskrestaurant.com 3. THE OBSTINATE DAUGHTER On Sullivan’s Island, just a short drive from downtown, you can tour another part of Charleston, including historic Fort Moultrie. After your adventure, fuel up at The Obstinate Daughter, which offers rustic Italian fare infused with regional seafood, created by chef Jacques Larson. Buzzing with joyful locals, this spot gets well-earned praise for its wood-fired pizzas (try one with local clams and fennel) and inspired pasta dishes, such as lemon pappardelle with lobster and shrimp. theobstinatedaughter.com 4. BUTCHER & BEE If restaurant buildings were metaphors for the food they serve, Butcher & Bee’s barn/ industrial shelter on Morrison Street would foretell its fashionable menu, drawn from the season’s bounty. With very healthy breakfast selections, the eatery doles out less virtuous fare for dinner. Try all 14 of the mezze plates for $60 — or order an entrée sourced from a local ranch, such as grilled quail or lamb tartare. butcherandbee.com 5. PENINSULA GRILL The 12-layer coconut cake may be the undisputed star of this highly rated eatery, but the preamble to dessert is quite the journey. Featuring inventive twists on Lowcountry cuisine from she-crab soup to lobster and steak, the restaurant has swanky, adult appeal — the kind of place you want to go for a celebration. Try for a table on the patio, illuminated by carriage lights. peninsulagrill.com

Dewberry Bar

Formerly the midcentury L Mendel Rivers Federal Building, The Dewberry Charleston overlooks Marion Square. Envisioned by owner John Dewberry as “Southern reimagined,” the hotel’s style blends indigenous Lowcountry details with au courant design— for example, modern art and exquisite antiques. A place that makes you want to dress up, its bar, helmed by wunderkind barman Ryan Casey, mixes the best Old Fashioned in town. thedewberrycharleston.com

492 In the historic downtown area, this romantic haven of Charleston chic has a courtyard on King Street. A culinary buff’s fantasy, its handcrafted cocktail list ensures you’ll stay for two rounds, at least. Try the Muhammad Ali, a spicy concoction with bourbon, honey, lemon and habanero. Or opt for the herbaceous Sage It Ain’t So, with gin, crème de cassis and, of course, sage. 492king.com

5Church They don’t call Charleston the Holy City because of the piety of its citizens; the nickname derives from its abundance of churches. So it’s not a huge surprise that a decommissioned house of worship on bustlingMarket Street is now occupied by 5Church. An atmospheric bar that also serves NewAmerican cuisine by chef Jamie Lynch (of Top Chef season 14 fame), this gourmet mecca has stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings and the entire text of The Art of War handwritten on its wall. Go for brunch, accompanied by a spicy Carolina Reaper Bloody Mary. 5churchcharleston.com Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits The ample seventh-floor rooftop terrace at Watch, in The Restoration hotel on Wentworth Street, is the place for sunset drinks. Tempting libations are listed by ingredients only — so consider this mash-up: aged rum, pear and Charleston-blend hot tea to warm you up, or bring out your inner wild child with a mix of tequila, sassafras, cherry brandy and a Cabernet float. therestorationhotel.com Ms Rose’s Sip like a Southerner at Ms Rose’s, a neighborhood hangout in the West Ashley area. While sweet tea is always popular in the heat, try yours spiked with locally made spirits. Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka comes in peach, raspberry and original, or opt for the Jazz Island Spiked Tea. What to nibble with your drinks? House-made crab cakes and fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese. msroses.com

Photos Andrew Cebulka, Matthew Williams