In a city where the locals traditionally "eat at home," Charleston's transition to a dining destination in the last quarter century is nothing shy of remarkable. Today, it's hard to imagine a city that takes its food—and wine—more seriously than this magnificent South Carolina coastal community. In fact, the city's second favorite pastime seems to be the search for the perfect meal served with its perfect wine companion.
No doubt, Southern hospitality is at its best when a sommelier or knowledgeable waitperson helps diners find the perfect wine, chosen to match the restaurant's own cuisine and ambience. In the Holy City, where fine dining options are plentiful, perhaps the experts at Wine Spectator can help the weary traveler in search of the perfect pair narrow the field.
Wine Spectator has identified a number of Lowcountry restaurants that merit one of its prestigious awards. Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence recognizes a restaurant's commitment to a fine wine list, with a sufficient selection of better producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Award of Excellence lists typically offer at least 80 selections.
The Best of Award of Excellence was created to give special recognition to those restaurants that clearly exceed Wine Spectator's basic category. These lists display vintage depth, vertical offerings of several top wines, excellent breadth from major wine-growing regions and typically 400 or more selections.
The publication's highest award is the Grand Award, which is given to those restaurants that show an uncompromising, passionate devotion to quality. These lists show serious depth of mature vintages, outstanding breadth in their vertical offerings, excellent harmony with the menu, superior organization and presentation and 1,250 or more selections.
Charleston's list of award winners continues to grow each year. Here are a few of the Lowcountry's most recent (2009) award winners that will put wine lovers hot on the trail of the perfect pair.
Blossom Café holds an Award of Excellence. Located at 171 E. Bay St. in downtown Charleston, the restaurant serves seafood. Specializing in wines from California and Italy, it offers 150 selections, with an inventory of 2,400 bottles.
Charleston Grill
Circa 1886 holds an Award of Excellence. Located at 149 Wentworth St. in downtown Charleston, the restaurant serves contemporary cuisine. Specializing in wines from California, it offers 330 selections, with an inventory of 1,650 bottles.
Cypress Lowcountry Grille holds an Award of Excellence. Located at 167 E. Bay St. in downtown Charleston, the restaurant serves regional cuisine. Specializing in wines from California and France, it offers 320 selections, with an inventory of 6,000 bottles.
High Cotton
Magnolias holds an Award of Excellence. Located at 185 E. Bay St. in downtown Charleston, the restaurant serves American cuisine. Specializing in wines from California and France, it offers 200 selections, with an inventory of 3,000 bottles.
McCrady's in an historic Georgian house, originally built in 1778, McCrady's serves up award-winning Southern cuisine with their extensive wine list.
Muse
Oak SteakhouseA favorite of locals, Oak is a refined New York-style Italian restaurant located in downtown Charleston. It has earned a brilliant reputation since opening its doors in 2005.
Poogan's Porch
Slightly North Of Broad
Social Restaurant
Tristan Grill
Past winners of the Wine Spectator awards and legondary local Charleston restaurants, well worth mentioning:
82 Queen holds an Award of Excellence from previous years. Located at 82 Queen St. in downtown Charleston, the restaurant serves regional cuisine. Specializing in wines from California and France, it offers 125 selections, with an inventory of 1,200 bottles.
The Ocean Room holds an Award of Excellence. Located at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island, the restaurant serves American cuisine. Specializing in wines from California and France, it offers 480 selections, with an inventory of 5,025 bottles.
Peninsula Grill holds an Award of Excellence. Located at 112 N. Market St. in downtown Charleston, the restaurant serves regional cuisine. Specializing in wines from California and France, it offers 275 selections, with an inventory of 5,760 bottles.
Water's Edge Restaurant received 2003/2005 Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence. The most comprehensive wine and champagne list in the Mt. Pleasant area. Over 450 selections of affordably priced wines from around the world. Enjoy the beauty of Shem Creek at sunset inside or outside creek-side. Arrive by boat!
Housed in a spectacular setting on Broad Street which features arched doors, eighteen foot ceilings, mahogany paneling and 150 year old heart of pine floors. The menu, composed of traditional items such as Steak Tartare, Shrimp Cocktail, Porterhouse and New York Strip, appears to offer classic steakhouse fare. At second glance, it weaves Italian flavors and dishes throughout. Serving dinner Monday through Saturday, 5pm until 11pm. Sunday Brunch 11 am until 3pm.
Inventive cuisine. Fresh from the farm. Named one of the Top Ten Restaurants in North America by Opinionated About Dining. McCrady's Restaurant, located in an historic 1778 Georgian public house, offers an award-winning dining experience with the best of new Southern cuisine. Chef Sean Brock's (2008 James Beard Rising Star Chef Nominee) sensationally presented dishes one of Charleston's most extensive wine lists. Private dining available in the spectacular Long Room, Gallery, Chef's Room, and Cypress Room.
In a city where the locals traditionally "eat at home," Charleston's transition to a dining destination in the last quarter century is nothing shy of remarkable. Today, it's hard to imagine a city that takes its food—and wine—more seriously than this magnificent South Carolina coastal community. In fact, the city's second favorite pastime seems to be the search for the perfect meal served with its perfect wine companion.
Housed in a spectacular setting on Broad Street which features arched doors, eighteen foot ceilings, mahogany paneling and 150 year old heart of pine floors. The menu, composed of traditional items such as Steak Tartare, Shrimp Cocktail, Porterhouse and New York Strip, appears to offer classic steakhouse fare. At second glance, it weaves Italian flavors and dishes throughout. Serving dinner Monday through Saturday, 5pm until 11pm. Sunday Brunch 11 am until 3pm.
Inventive cuisine. Fresh from the farm. Named one of the Top Ten Restaurants in North America by Opinionated About Dining. McCrady's Restaurant, located in an historic 1778 Georgian public house, offers an award-winning dining experience with the best of new Southern cuisine. Chef Sean Brock's (2008 James Beard Rising Star Chef Nominee) sensationally presented dishes one of Charleston's most extensive wine lists. Private dining available in the spectacular Long Room, Gallery, Chef's Room, and Cypress Room.
