Things That Bring You To The Lowcountry-Taste of Charleston And The Scrumptious Summerville Kitchen Tour

Isle of Palms

When I tell people I am from Ohio, the subsequent response is always, "What brought you to Charleston?" I have to admit, before the first time vacationing on the beautiful Isle of Palms, I didn't give much thought to the idea of leaving Ohio. Well, maybe a passing thought or two. Having lived near Lake Erie all those years, water and the beach were always a part of my life along with the excellent fishing Ohio waters provided. But Ohio summers pass by quickly and the long Northeastern Ohio winters curtail such activities. The sun is seldom seen from November to March due to the Lake Erie affect.

Fall, indisputably, is a pretty time in the North with the patchwork of colorful leaves and pleasant days of Indian Summer, but spells of cooler weather are a reminder of the bone chilling cold not far away in the North Coast lake-effect winter. Leaving for work in the morning was always a chore, hacking the ice off the car and driving the slippery roads. Sometimes my face got so cold my lips could barely move to speak. The melting snow that would freeze on my mustache often left me looking like a walrus. To sum it up, given a choice between frostbite and sweating, I'll take the sweating any day of the week. Frostbite is painful, sweating is not. Stick your fingers or toes into a fire ant mound and you will get a slight hint of just how painful frostbite can be.

So, the obvious answer to the aforementioned question could be, "The weather." Not so fast. The very first time I came to the Charleston area and stuck my feet in the sands of the Wild Dunes beachfront on the Isle of Palms and later set my feet on the rooftop of the Boathouse Restaurant looking out over Breach Inlet, the weather is no longer so obvious of a response. Needless to say, I was won over by the sheer beauty of its beaches, marshes and barrier islands.

Shem Creek

Folly Island

So, the answer now becomes, "The weather and coastal beauty." Not so fast. I took the short trip from the Isle of Palms to the the heart of Charleston, the Old Market. Market Street was crowded and lined with horse drawn carriages. I paid the fee and boarded the carriage assigned by a colored ball to travel through the French Quarter and the Battery along the waterfront. The ride introduced me to the charm and history that permeates every cobblestone, brick and iron gate of Charleston's past. A past that is intricately woven into the present. Love the story about the house designed with an architectural split personality and the one with a mortar shell still in its attic.

Battery house

Charleston has an abundance of everything I like, but there is more. Apart from all the water activities, coastal beauty, and wealth of the kind of history I enjoy, Charleston is a vibrant party town. There are events and festivals scheduled year round, all outfitted for showcasing the best that Charleston has to offer and highlighting why so many Northerners have made it their home. After all, Charleston is the number one destination of choice by vacationers.

This beautiful time of year when the temperatures retreat to a comfortable range offers a grand selection of events that cater to the five senses. Beginning today, The Boone Hall Plantation, America's most photographed plantation, will be hosting one of those yearly events showcasing the Lowcountry's finest restaurants. The Southern Living Taste of Charleston, hosted by the Charleston Restaurant Association is a 3-day event beginning Friday, September 28 and ending on Sunday, September 30. The Main Event on Sunday will feature 50 casual and fine dining restaurants serving sample size portions plus beer and wine. There will be a specialty and imported beer tasting tent, live entertainment, the legendary “Waiters’ Race” and the children’s area. Gates will open 10:30am. For more information go to Taste of Charleston.

Another event highlighting the Lowcountry's superb culinary delights, just down the road from Charleston, is The Tenth Annual Scrumptious Summerville Kitchen Tour scheduled for Sunday, October 7, 2012. The Kitchen Tour has an additional feature. Besides sampling gourmet treats prepared by premiere LowCountry chefs, you will have the unique opportunity to tour some of the grand homes, cottages and gardens in Summerville. Also, local musicians are scheduled to perform in each home or garden and area florists will grace the interior decor with floral arrangements. The homes may be toured from 1:30 to 5:30pm. The proceeds will benefit Children In Crisis, Inc. Tour is along West Carolina Avenue.

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"The 39 Steps" Will Tickle Your Funny Bone-Now Playing At The James F. Dean Theater In Summerville

Scene changes are very challenging for any stage play and even more so when the characters are very mobile. It is a challenge not only for the set designer leading up to opening night but also the stage crew once the show begins. Through the progression of the play, it is vitally important to ensure a non-stop enjoyable viewing experience for the audience. Alfred Hitchcock's film, "The 39 Steps", takes you on an adventure where the main character, Richard Hannay, starts at a theater, ends up being chased by the police, jumping off a train, jumping through windows, riding in a vehicle, fleeing to a house, staying at an inn, and ending up at a theater after all is said and done. Now, adapt all of  that changing of geography to a stage production and a need for creativity is essential.

The Flowertown Players were successful at meeting this challenge in their comedic adaptation of "The 39 Steps" employing only two scene changes, a furnished room and a theater back stage. In addition, stage props, such as giant wooden letter blocks, were incorporated to address Richard Hannay's ability to get from one place to the other. Since the main actors would be playing multiple roles, different hats were utilized. Also, to maintain a non-stop comedic experience, the stage crew was integrated into play in various ways. An added musical feature I enjoyed was the use of a piano throughout the play reminiscent of the silent era of films. Victoria Malone, on the piano, did a superb job in keeping up the tempo of action and creating anticipation. At one point, she thew some Andy Griffith into the mix.

Mr. Memory played by Chad Estel

"The 39 Steps" was a major British film. In keeping with the integrity of the original production, the actors had to employ varying accents, mainly British. I was satisfied with their application, but if you were to ask a truly British native, they probably would have a problem trying to place the accent to a region and most likely would find it to be "just a bit muddled". Deacon Gerard gets a "thumbs up" for his multiple renditions of the varying tongues of Great Britain.

One of the more notable scenes of the play was where Richard(Patrick Hawkins) and Pamela(Joanna Cretella) are being taken away by two policemen in a car, played by Deacon Gerard and Chad Estel. They had the audience laughing with their sound effects and hijinks. Other comedic scenes of note involved the murder of Annabella Smith(Joanna Cretella), the train scene, some sheep, and the scene where Deacon and Chad change characters and hats in rapid fire.

Joanna Cretella, Deacon Gerard, Patrick Hawkins, and Chad Estel

Joseph Ruta, in his youth liked playing with wooden letter blocks, is the director of this comedic parody. Jason Olsen is the assistant director. The two of them did a fine job in putting it all together and creating a fun time not only for the cast and crew, but more importantly the audience. Last but not least, he stage crew played a vital part in the plays success. So, hats off to Alex Baily, Chris Berry, Olivia Bolt, Kayla Callahan, Liz Gouge, Darcy Herilihy, and Andriana Melendez. Olivia Bolt played other various parts as well as Darcy Herilihy, who also played Margaret.

Stage crew

The audience laughed throughout the play. There was a young man sitting next to me laughing and when you succeed at getting the younger generation to laugh at an older Hitchcock production, you have done well. It is absolutely worth taking an evening out of your busy schedule and drive to the James F. Dean Theatre in Summerville to find out the meaning of the 39 Steps. You will laugh too.
Purchase tickets.

First Sweet Tea Festival In Summerville Was A Huge Success On Third Thursday

"How sweet it is." This was a favorite saying of my Uncle Glen, probably one of the most likable people I have ever known. He would say it after victory. I now use it in reference to the drink that is considered the table wine of the South, sweet tea. Before moving to Charleston, I only knew of iced tea as either sweetened by adding your own sugar or simply the way it was commonly served up North, unsweetened. I fondly remember tearing those little sugar packets you get at restaurants apart to sweeten my serving of iced tea. I was totally unaware of the existence of sweet tea. Simply but truthfully, outside of the southern states most people have never even heard of sweet tea.

Summerville celebrated its first Sweet Tea Festival this past week during the Third Thursday festivities. Several Summerville restaurants participated in a sweet tea challenge. Attendees could purchase a commemorative Sweet Tea Mug for $5 and try all the various restaurant's sweet tea drinks for free. After sampling all of the contending restaurants, you could vote for your favorite one at the Summerville D.R.E.A.M. table. I do not know the results, but my vote was between Oscars and This Whole House. Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming response, there was a shortage of mugs. I had to settle for a $1 plastic glass to sample all the entrees. Judging by the crowd in town that night, the festival was a success.

 

It was time to pick a restaurant for a bite to eat. We stepped around the corner from Hutchinson Square unto W. Richardson. As you head up W. Richardson, the first restaurant you encounter is the Continental Corner Greek Restaurant. Since I had never eaten there, the choice was a no brainer. Although outside seating is very limited, there being only two tables, one table was available, so we took it.

The server greeted us and placed the menus on the table with a drink list. A debate arose concerning the correct pronunciation of gyro? I used to think it was gyro with a "g" but a few years ago I was told the "g" was silent. How do you answer?

We chose the wraps, one with lamb and the other with beef. As we ate, we watched the crowds walk past and listened to the ambiance of the night. A Cinderella Carriage passed by several times, Chelsea Summers was singing at her mother's store, and the Montreux was gearing up for the late night crowd.

The time passed by quickly. The wraps were very good. The beef was tender and the lamb more tender. Our bill was around $30 including drinks and wine. There was just enough time to do a limited amount of shopping on Short Central before heading back to Hutchinson Square.

The activity on Hutchinson Square was winding down. All the various tables and tents were in the process of packing up. Many of the businesses had already closed or were closing up, except for Summerville's Third Thursday hot spot, Accent on Wine, where the after crowd mingled for some light conversation and vino. Inside and out, the tables were filled. We joined them and saluted the night with a drink of our own.

It was a successful night for all the business establishments in Summerville. It was also opening night for "The 39 Steps" at the James F. Dean Theatre. "The 39 Steps" is a comedic twist on Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film. I will be attending the show on Friday, September 21st. Stay tuned for my review. And don't forget to purchase your tickets.

A Milestone Celebrated By Singer/ Songwriter Chelsea Summers And The Next Addition Of Third Thursday

Friends and fans of Chelsea Summers gathered at the Montreux Bar and Grill, a Summerville hot spot, on Saturday, September 15 to celebrate a milestone. The milestone was the release of Chelsea's first CD, "Unspoken". It contains 5 songs, all original works by Chelsea. The CD was produced by The Sound Factory in Charleston. She is accompanied by Jeff Peeks, producer and engineer, and Adam Gochnauer. Photography for the cover and inset was beautifully done by Robyn Leigh Photography.

Chelsea, age 16 and a student of Ashley Ridge High School, is a dedicated singer/songwriter with a driving passion for her chosen craft. She plays regularly at various locations throughout the Summerville/Charleston area. A Charleston radio station, 105.5 The Bridge, played one of her songs back in August. She is presently working on songs for CD number two. Several articles featuring Chelsea have been written by the Summerville Journal Scene and yours truly; enthusiastic, committed follower and proud owner of an original Chelsea Summers t-shirt.

Chelsea was kept busy through the evening posing for pictures with fans and signing CD's. She also performed some of her songs. One of the highlights for Chelsea was being presented with a framed picture arrangement containing a copy of the CD and photos from the sleeve created by Donovan's Custom Framing of Summerville. It was great rubbing shoulders with the good people of Summerville, literally speaking because maneuvering through the large crowd of Chelsea lovers was tricky. Also, snuck a quick game of ping-pong in while I was there. The party was a winner. Congratulations to Chelsea on her success and to her supporting, proud parents, Bill and Aura Lee. The breaded mushrooms were fantastic.

 

The Montreux Bar and Grill was voted the best bar, best hangout, and best happy hour in 2010. There is something going on every day of the week including a Tuesday Cornhole Tournament and a Thursday Game Night. Eddie Bush has made appearances here. Chelsea is scheduled to return Friday, October 5th at 6pm. For the complete line of eats, drinks, and live music go to Montreux Bar and Grill. It is located at 127 West Richardson Ave in Summerville.

Don't forget Thursday, September 20th is the next edition of Third Thursday. This is a Summerville tradition hosted by Summerville D.R.E.A.M. Live music and entertainment will be at various locations, such as Hutchinson Square and Short Central. Chelsea can usually be seen playing for the crowds at her mother's store on West Richardson, Aura Lee's Jewelry, Handbags & Accessories. The main event of this Third Thursday will be the new Sweet Tea Festival put on by the Summerville Restaurant Association. Sweet tea is the table wine of the South and you will have a chance to vote for your favorite. Eleven restaurants will be highlighting their menu favorites. It all starts at 5pm.

So, mark your calendars and come out for some good old Southern hospitality and fun. Where else can you get free wine and cheese at every turn of the corner, courtesy of Summerville's business establishments. I'll be there. When you see me, if we haven't as of yet met, be sure to introduce yourself. We'll shake hands and crack a cold one. Remember, it's a vacation everyday in the Lowcountry and it's summer in Summerville all year round.

82 Queen And A Historic Carriage Ride-Completely Charleston During Charleston's Restaurant Week

It was a beautiful day for a Charleston carriage ride. It would be Keri's first. We selected Old South Carriage Tours to be our guide and purchased the tickets for $22 each. While waiting to board our carriage, we spent time talking with one of the guides about the horses and met Samson, a massively large gelding, 22 hands tall. Samson at first was attentive but after awhile became bored with our conversation and went to lean against one of the walls in his stall. It was time to board the carriage.

The guide introduced herself and informed us of our horses name, Dave. We pulled out onto the road and headed to the area where a machine randomly selects a colored ball. The colored ball drawn denotes the route the guide must take to regulate carriage traffic in any given location in the city. Ours was a red ball. Our carriage would be traveling to the Battery starting at Mills House Hotel, winding through White Point Gardens and back.

The guide was very entertaining and informative. I give her high marks. Dave didn't like making the scheduled stops and would push the carriage backwards to express his disapproval. After doing this tour repeatedly through the day you would probably feel the same way. The tour reached its conclusion. It was picture time. Keri, an experienced equestrian and horse lover, posed with Dave. We moved on and took a brief walk on King Street where Second Sunday had just come to an end. It was now time to walk to our restaurant destination on Queen Street, our Restaurant Week selection.

No landscaped walkway leading to a large porch and entrance greets you on arrival, no huge sign displaying its name. Two brass numbers on the street wall are all you have to go on aside from a tiny sign on the opened gate. If you are not paying attention you could unknowingly walk right past it and end up on busy King Street. It is 82 Queen. It can't get any simpler. The restaurant's address is its name.

Looking in from the street, you look up a narrow, beautifully landscaped alleyway. Alleys are common features in Charleston and part of its picturesque charm. At the end we could see a couple of well-dressed young ladies and after navigating the alley, we discovered they were the hostesses for the restaurant. We informed them of our 5:45pm reservation. With reservation confirmed, one of them asked what our preference would be, inside or out. Since it was a beautiful night, we said outside. The hostess led us on our way to the table. The outside dining area was a large white-trellised patio with green plants growing everywhere. Tables were strategically placed to maximize space. Overhead fans kept the area cool and comfortable.

 

Shortly after being seated we were brought the bread. Keri pointed to the four pieces and we both smiled. The amusement had to do with a previous visit to another restaurant where they only brought us out three pieces of bread, emphasis on "only". If you want to know why that was amusing, read my article about 82 Queen's neighbor restaurant the Husk.

Sonia, our server, greeted us next and handed us the menu. She gave a summary of each selection and took our drink order. I chose the Firefly Fruit Cocktail and my company, a wine person, picked Folonari Pinot Grigio. No surprise. We were undecided about our selections and took a little time. We sipped the drinks and Keri engaged in the traditional 'taste your drink' practice. She said, "I taste ice tea." I disbelievingly said, "Are you sure, I only saw vodka and fruit juices on the list of ingredients." "Nope, there's ice tea," she confidently reconfirmed. Well, the controversy needed settling. Ice tea is as common to Charleston as Rainbow Row, but in a vodka drink? I questioned the server on her return and she retrieved the drink list. The list of ingredients read: Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, Monin pomegranate mix, cranberry juice, lemonade. Firefly is a local distillery on Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina and the tea comes from the Charleston Tea Plantation; a pure southern blend through and through. It's a good thing I didn't bet the house.

It was time for our 3 for $30 selections. First choice was She Crab Soup laced with Sherry. I may get in trouble with the locals for saying this, but I have been in Charleston for seven years and this was the first time I ordered she crab soup. What better place than 82 Queen for this first. It was superb and the Sherry a refreshing touch. No wonder it is called award winning. For our second selection, I chose the Barbados Style Fish Tostada and Keri picked Grilled Pork Chop. Barbados Style Fish Tostada consisted of the catch of the day with mild red chili sauce on baby greens, crispy tortilla, grilled pineapple, black bean salsa, Cilantro Lime Sour Cream. The chili sauce and salsa added a pleasant tomato taste, not too spicy. The fish wasn't anything extraordinary. I had no clue what specie it was and I didn't ask. Keri gave the pork chop a thumbs up. I liked the caramelized plantains from her dish. Key lime pie was the dessert.

Barbados Style Fish Tostada

Grilled Pork Chop

The whole staff from the front end to the server were professional. Sonia was very hospitable and very attentive, did everything with a pleasant smile. There was one issue but the management went above and beyond to correct it. The outside restaurant atmosphere was beautifully Charleston. Although I did not get to see the main dining area, I am sure it was equally enjoyable. It was Charleston Restaurant Week, so it was a 3 for $30 deal with a total bill of $86. The Pinot Grigio was $8 a glass and the Firefly Fruit Cocktail was $10. Reservations are suggested but from what I saw they will not turn away walk-ins. We saw a walk-in in the beginning and bumped into them leaving. 82 Queen is one address you will need to check out if for any reason, at least for the she crab soup. If you are feeling festive, order a Firefly Fruit Cocktail and clink your glasses to the number one destination in the nation and its top restaurants. Celebrate Charleston.

The Flowertown Players Salute A Cultural Icon Of Mystery Thrillers With Their Production of "The 39 Steps"

It was Colonel Mustard, with the candlestick, in the billiard room. I spent many hours during my youth solving by deduction the mystery of which three cards containing the name, the weapon, and the room were slid into the secret envelope. The game was Clue, originally published by a game company called Parker Brothers. Among family members and friends I had become somewhat of a sleuth, in the likeness of Sherlock Holmes. An important key to success was to pay close attention to what your opponents were doing to assist you in your room to room search. Often, what solutions they posed was a bonus clue for you. Misdirection was always a strategic ploy. The one factor you had least control of was the roll of the dice. The higher the roll, the quicker you moved around the board. The quicker you moved from room to room, the more clues you acquired.

When I wasn't playing Clue, I was watching a show that featured dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Time magazine named this show one of "The 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME". The originator of this television series also produced some of my favorite movies such as the The Rear Window, The Birds, and a delightfully amusing dark comedy The Trouble With Harry. Harry just didn't want to go away, even after he was found dead by a little boy played by Jerry Mathers. The mystery was to solve the perplexing question of "Who did it." There were three possible suspects who incriminated themselves. The three banded together along with a local artist to conceal Harry's body from the authorities while they tried to figure out who really did it, or maybe they all had a hand in his demise.
    
This film director and producer became a cultural icon and his silhouette was easily recognizable as a trademark. The caricature drawing, composed of just nine strokes, was his own creation. He made brief cameo appearances in his movies designed to engage you with the challenge of spotting him. Many of his movies employed the plot device known as a "MacGuffin". He did more than any director to shape modern cinema. He is described as the most influential filmmaker of all time and widely regarded as one of cinema's most significant artists. All this information should have easily clued you the person is Alfred Hitchcock and the show-Alfred Hitchcock Presents. This September 20th his genius is coming to Summerville in the form of a stage performance called The 39 Steps adapted from the movie of the same name.

The original movie, filmed in 1935, was a British thriller rife with murder and mystery. The film opens at a London theater where "Mr Memory" is performing. Shots are fired. There is panic in the theater. Richard Hannay, attending the show, finds himself unexpectedly confronted by a frightened Annabella Smith. Annabella convinces Richard to take her to his home. She tells him she is a spy in danger from assassins and mentions the "39 steps". Later, Annabella bursts into Richard's bedroom fatally stabbed in the back. Richard flees on the advice of Annabella with a map she was holding and soon finds out he is accused of her murder. The chase begins and the plot thickens.

The stage is being set for "The 39 Steps"

The Flowertown Players at the James F. Dean Theatre have incorporated another component to The 39 Steps. Their presentation will add the element of comedy in the form of a parady. Exactly how they pull that off, you will have to buy a ticket to find out. One thing is for sure, it will be entertaining. The four main actors will be playing many different characters. Like the silent movies of a bygone era, piano music will accompany the action as it unfolds on stage. It contains complicated plot lines, so complete attention is a necessity.

Come and see what all the hats are about

Show times for The 39 Steps will be September 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 at 8:00 pm and September 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 2:00 pm. Ticket prices are $25. The cast consists of Richard: Patrick Hawkins, Annabelle/Pamela: Joanna Cresella, Margaret: Darcy Herlihy, Clown: Chad Estel, Clown: Deacan Gerard. Stage Hands: Keely Eastwood, Olivia Bolt, Jackie Gonda, Heather Pallay. Get your tickets before they mysteriously disappear.

September Is Tasty In Charleston-Charleston Restaurant Week And The Southern Living Taste Of Charleston

Sullivan's Island near the lighthouse

Yesterday, I enjoyed a beautiful Charleston September day on Sullivan's Island. But before I detail my late day trip to the island of "The Gold Bug", I am going to retrace this typing of printed letters to the event's inception. It all started with a discussion over cooking burgers on the grill, the original plan, or driving out to Poe's Tavern. The sudden change in desire evolved around the sudden urge of wanting to stick my feet in some cool sand and warm, salty water. Sand and water won the debate and got into the car to make the trip from Summerville to the beautiful beach-front island that lies at the entrance to the Charleston Harbor. Charlestonians of the 19th and early 20th century often boated to this island to escape the summertime heat of the city.

As I approached the business section of Sullivan's Island, the location of Poe's Tavern, something I had mentally considered before beginning this excursion became a reality. This time of year Poe's usually attracts a large crowd, so a wait was a strong possibility, but getting a table right away takes a back seat to finding a close parking spot. This night was no exception. I slowed the car on our approach looking to both sides of the road for an empty spot to pull into. My dinner partner shouted out, "There's one," but by the time I reacted to it, the cars behind forced me past the prized parking spot and my dinner partner would follow up with, "You missed it."  A couple more of the same and we conceded to parking a bit down the road.

Poe's was alive with the chatter of its patrons. It filled the warm, humid island air. We were fortunate some outside seating was available immediately, which would have been my preference anyway. We were seated at a table near the adjacent parking lot away from most of the crowd. Somewhat intimate and surrounded by plants, it was a good table to be seated at, if you didn't mind watching the cars pull in and out of the lot. A fan pointed at the table made it delightfully comfortable. We listened to the waitress site the specials and we chose Nachos covered with chili and a copia sandwich with fries. Our drink accompaniment was a couple of beers, a Blue Moon and a Mich Ultra. We shared light conversation and at one point played name that flower.

Dinner completed and a few pictures recorded, we took the short walk from Middle Street down Station 221/2 Street to the beach. There was a pleasant breeze coming off the ocean. The sand was cool and the water was warm. The riotous surf splashing on the shoreline was music to my ears. Small fish were scooting from the land-locked water to the ocean as the waves passed back and forth over the sand between. The setting sun highlighted the walk down the beach to the rocks near the lighthouse and back. More conversation, and more pictures.

Sullivan's Island beach

Sun setting over the beach at Sullivan's Island

The evening was capped off kicking our feet up with a couple of beers and a heavily dosed vodka and cranberry on the rooftop of the Boathouse Restaurant on the Isle of Palms at Breech Inlet. A beautiful breeze coming off the ocean through the inlet cooled the air. At first, I obsessed about driving my car over the curb at the gas station near Poe's, but the relaxing atmosphere quickly carried those thoughts away over the backwaters of the Isle of Palms. In the distance the lighted Authur Ravenel Bridge stood like a sentinel overshadowing the Cooper River and the gateway to the Charleston harbor. While viewing Charleston in the distance, it dawned on me it was Restaurant Week in Charleston, one of the most highly anticipated culinary events in the Charleston area.

Boathouse Restaurant in an earlier picture

Authur Ravenel Bridge in the distance taken from the Boathouse Restaurant

Charleston consistently ranks as one of the top dining destinations in the world. Charleston Restaurant Week affords everyone the opportunity to sample the menus of the top restaurants at special rates consisting of three items for $20, $30 or $40 depending on the restaurant. The Boathouse at Breach Inlet is on the list, but I didn't see Poe's Tavern on the list, as of yet. More restaurants get added each day. I already have my sights set on Circa 1886 or 82 Queen. Charleston Restaurant Week runs September 5th through 16th. Make your reservations now. The event is organized by the Charleston Restaurant Association (CRA). This is the list of participating restaurants. Charleston area hotels are offering discounts between 20-30% off nightly accommodations September 5th to 15th.

Charleston's culinary celebrations  in September will finish with the Southern Living Taste of Charleston at Boone Hall Plantation September 27th to 30th. For more information go toTaste of Charleston.