Coastal Expeditions' Shark Tooth Beach Drop on Big Crab Bank Island in Charleston Harbor--A Hunt of Fun

Shark teeth are a highly sought-after relic of the past. Like the gold rush days of the West, where miners sifted streams for the king of nuggets, shark teeth hunters sort through the tidal deposits of the barrier island beaches of Charleston in search of the mother load of shark teeth, the teeth of the Megalodon.

There are several shark teeth tours offered in Charleston by different outfitters. We chose Coastal Expeditions' Shark Tooth Beach Drop, scheduled from October 16 to March 14. The tour's destination is a man made island in Charleston Harbor called Big Crab Bank Island, formed by the dredging of the harbor. This tour is not to be confused with the Morris Island Shark Tooth Beach Drop offered beginning March 15. A mistake I made. I should have read the details that this was a trip to Shark Tooth Island, a.k.a. Big Crab Bank Island.

Coastal Expeditions' Coast Guard-certified vessel for this tour departs from their Shem Creek location. Bottlenose dolphins and Eastern brown pelicans are present to be seen as the vessel heads down Shem Creek and out into Charleston Harbor past Small Crab Bank Island. On the morning of our tour, there were no dolphins in the creek, and the pelicans were sparse, but numerous other species of birds were spotted and named by the naturalist. It is just the nature of wildlife viewing. It can be hit or miss. Wildlife makes no promises and do what they do at their leisure.

 

You will enjoy views of the downtown skyline, Ravenel Bridge, Fort Sumter, and other iconic landmarks on the trip to the island. After reaching the island, we departed directly onto the beach by way of a plank extended from the boat with the assistance of Coastal Expeditions' naturalist. He did not join the group on the hunt. I do not know if he gave any instructions to anyone on how to spot fossils in the sand.

Once on the beach, we left the group and began our search, as did most everyone else. Most of the island is a bird sanctuary. You are not allowed in those sections. The tidal deposits of tiny shells and other ocean debris were sparse and scattered across the beach. It wasn't long after starting the hunt my companion found our first shark tooth. She had the keener eye. It was strange how a fair number of clamshell bits and pieces are shaped like a shark's tooth, often fooling you into thinking you spotted one.

The majority of the group's finds were small. The chances of finding a Megalodon tooth are slim to none on Big Crab Bank Island, but not impossible. What comes to shore is dependent on the rising and falling tides. We found 10 in all, with the largest about one and a quarter inches. Other finds included interesting shells and bones.

The boat ride is relaxing. The narrative by the captain and naturalist was informative. The hunt takes patience and a keen eye. The walk on the beach the day of our trip, in the warm Charleston sun for a December day, was pleasant. The tour duration was 3 hours, which included a 30-min boat eco-tour each way. The price is $65 for adults and children 12 and under $40.

Shem Creek Flagship, 514 Mill Street, Mount Pleasant, SC

Meeting at Market in Charleston Place--An Upscale Pub That has It All

Charleston, like many cities meandering in the stream of time, has both tragically suffered and joyously celebrated through changes inflicted on it by forces beyond its control. Through the upheavals, the city has licked its wounds and rebounded.

Time, the most unrelenting of the forces, mercilessly moves in only one direction. Either the city planners seize upon the opportunistic moment or suffer ending up being a "decaying American city, a poisoned ecosystem." Joe Riley, mayor of Charleston, unflatteringly characterized the downtown district by those phrases and then, seized the moment. Charleston Place rose from a huge, sandy lot where a JC Penney once stood. The Holy City celebrated a rebirth to become what it is today.

Built in 1986, Charleston Place was the catalyst for Charleston's revival and resurgence as a world-class travel destination--voted the most popular destination in the nation to visit.. Its historic hotel along with its restaurants, cocktail lounge, spa, and retail shops created jobs and won the hearts of locals, vacationers, corporate travelers, meeting planners, and wedding planners alike.

Located inside Charleston Place and at the corner of one of the city's busiest intersections sits an upscale pub called Meeting at Market. With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the historic City Market, the pub offers a sophisticated yet relaxed viewing environment with 22 flat-screen televisions, cozy banquettes, and high-top tables. 

Its menu includes 20 rotating craft beers complimented by elevated bar fares like Duck Confit Sliders and Truffle Chicken Salad. Its menu offers good grilled bacon, Caesar salads, and blue cheese. Tasty bread pudding, fruitcake and crème brûlée declared their best dishes. It is known for its superior service, which my companion and I can attest to after our visit during our Second Sunday walk on King Street.

My culinary appetite was in the mood for simple fare, so I chose Grilled Cheese made with Sharp Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese, Bacon Jam, and Tomato($15) with a side of French Fries($8). The fries were the best I have tasted, perfectly crisp. The Grilled Cheese was simply satisfying. My companion, who is a no-nonsense lady, chose Market Fall Salad with Mesclun, Butternut Squash, Craisins, Red Onion, Toasted Pecans, Goat Cheese, and Maple Mustard Vinaigrette($15), and declared it to be awesome. For drinks, I chose a glass of Rickshaw Pinot Noir($11) and my companion chose Scarpetta Pinot Grigio($13).

A highlight of our visit, aside from the food, was our server. She showed patience while awaiting our choices, catered to all our questions and requests, and willingly engaged us in light conversation. We spent a considerable amount of time in conversation while enjoying our view through the restaurant's spacious windows of the Meeting and Market Street intersection as visitors and locals shuffled past with cell phones and packages in their hands. It was like watching a living diorama.

Meeting at Market is the perfect place to take a break from whatever you are doing on your visit to the downtown district of the King and Meeting Street area around and in Charleston Place. The prices were very reasonable for the upscale atmosphere of what is referred to as a pub. The food was well-proportioned and artfully presented. The service was impeccably tasteful, like its food. If you haven't already, give it a try. If you have, a second visit is warranted.

Monday - Friday 12pm - 11pm

Saturday and Sunday 11am - 11pm

120 Market St, Charleston, SC

Photographs by Anne-Merle Bryant

It was a Dickens of an Evening at the Historic Dock Street Theatre--Bravo Charleston Stage

It was a Dickens of an evening in the old French Quarter at Charleston's almost three hundred year old theatre venue. Standing on Church Street, positioned in front of the lighted, tall trees across the way, we had a magical view of the theatre doors and windows brightly lit with the colors of the season. The entranceway and box office lobby was busy with paying patrons filled with anticipation of what was yet to come. Their expectations would not be scrooged.

The original Dock Street Theatre opened in 1736. It was the first building designed for theatrical use in the Americas. Quite a privileged distinction that set it apart from all other theatres. One month after the it opened, Queen Street replaced Dock Street. However, the theatre retained its original name. The original theatre was probably destroyed by the Great Fire of 1740, along with many of the buildings in Charleston's French Quarter.

In 1809, it was replaced by Planter's Hotel, where wealthy planters stayed during Charleston's horse-racing season. In 1835, the wrought iron balcony and sandstone columns of the Church Street facade were added. After the Civil War, the Planter's Hotel fell into disrepair. It became a derelict building and nothing more than a shell slated for demolition.

In 1935, it went through a restoration. The new theatre was constructed within the shell of the Planter's Hotel. The new stage house and auditorium were modeled after eighteenth-century London playhouses. The local carpenters, who were put to work as a part of this Depression-era relief effort, utilized locally grown and milled native black cypress for the beautiful warm, wooden interior and used mantels salvaged from the Radcliffe-King Mansion. The theatre's second grand opening took place on November 26, 1937.

In 2007, a full-scale renovation brought the historic theater into the 21st century with state-of-the-art lighting and sound, modern heating and air conditioning, and new restrooms and seating. In addition, the theatre was made seismically secure and fully handicapped accessible. Extensive soundproofing was added to ensure that outside noises no longer intruded on performances inside. It reopened in March 2010, ready to dazzle and gratify its patrons with a taste of Broadway.

Dock Street Theatre became the home for Charleston Stage, its resident performing arts group, in 1978. Ironically, their first show in 1978 was a production of A Christmas Carol. However, this year's production is brand new, with all new sets, costumes, and updates to Wile's original script adaptation. The stunning scenery features a dozen hand-painted drops and sets created by Guest Scenic Designer Susan Crabtree, faculty member of the North Carolina School of the Arts and one of America’s premier scenic painters. Over 80 original, colorful costumes have been built by Charleston Stage's professional costume staff and designed by Guest Costume Designer Janine McCabe, chair of the College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance. While the score features many familiar traditional carols, Charleston Stage's Resident Music Director, Sam Henderson, has created new and bright arrangements and orchestrations for each number.

Guest Actor Gabriel Wright, a former Resident Actor with Charleston Stage, now appearing on behalf of the Actor's Equity Association, played the squeezing, wrenching, grasping, clutching, covetous, old sinner Ebenezer Scrooge, who was solitary as an oyster. Gabriel walked the walk and talked the talk of the old, cold-hearted miser with masterful poise. He was surrounded by an energetic and up-to-the-task cast consisting of Cody Elsensohn as Bob Cratchit, Raymond Cronley as Fred, Brietta Goodman as The Ghost of Christmas Present, K'nique Eichelberger as Young Ebenezer and The Ghost of Christmas Future, Louie Chaplin Moss as Tiny Tim, and Jenna Barricklo as Belle.

Other talents included Acting Ensemble Member Colin Waters as The Ghost of Christmas Past, and former Resident Actor Patrick Brett as Jacob Marley. Over twenty additional actors from the Resident Acting Company, Charleston Stage Performance Troupe, and local community rounded out the cast as the Ensemble.

There is nothing humbug about Charleston Stage's heartwarming adaptation of  Charles Dickens timeless story of redemption and transformation. You will be thoroughly entertained by its colorful and artistically presented production. Without a doubt, the cast successfully connected with their appreciative audience. I will give you this one parting valuable hint, pay close attention to the initial arrival of each ghost.

135 Church St, Charleston, SC

Nov. 30 - Dec. 21, 2022

Purchase tickets.

The Powerful and Mellow Sounds of Saxophonist Boney James at the Intimate Charleston Music Hall

One could sense the feel-good vibes as they approached the pleasantly lighted facade of the impressive Gothic Revival Style John Street landmark. Happy patrons were beginning to file through its welcoming doors and taking their seats, filled with anticipation of what was to come when the hour struck 8 pm. The venue's intimate auditorium would soon overflow with the powerful yet mellow sounds of Boney James' sexy sax.

The Charleston Music Hall is one of the oldest buildings on the block and was designed by Charleston architect Edward C. Jones to resemble a Medieval castle. Known historically as The Tower Depot, it was built in 1849-50 as a passenger station of the South Carolina Railroad. The building's most impressive feature was its three-story tower.

The Tower Depot was one of several buildings and part of a larger complex called the Camden Depot. It closed in 1853. Following the Civil War, the Charleston Bagging Manufacturing Company began building complex mills around the vicinity and bought the building on February 6, 1878, to include in their factory.

The Charleston earthquake of August 31, 1886 destroyed the three-story tower. Most of the building was torn down, with the remaining being used for storage. The Bagging Company closed during the Great Depression in the 1930s. The building then passed into the hand of the Chicco family.

The building sat vacant and derelict for sixty years until finally, in 1995, the Bennett-Hofford Company facilitated its amazing transformation into an arts venue called the Charleston Music Hall. They created a first-class performance space that retained the original historical Charleston-style aesthetic. Its goal is to create extraordinary musical, artistic, and theatrical experiences and promote the finest local, regional, and national acts while encouraging local and communal participation. It has hosted a myriad of acts since its opening. November 2022, the stage was set for saxophonist extraordinaire Boney James and Company.

James Oppenheim spent his early teen years in New Rochelle, NY. He took up the clarinet at age eight, switched to sax when he was ten, and also learned to play keyboards. At 19, while earning a history degree at UCLA, he started playing in the fusion band Line One. He worked in a pizza joint to pay the bills, auditioned for Prince associate Morris Day's band as a keyboardist in 1985, and got the gig.

Boney James was familiar with the difficult life of a touring musician. During a low-paying 1987 European tour with vocalist Randy Crawford, his now-famous name surfaced. "We were in Norway doing an extended gig, and it was only paying $30 a day, which didn't cut it," said James. "They said I'd end up being 'Boney' James. Sekou Bunch, the tour's bass player, kept introducing me as 'Boney.' The next thing I knew, I had a nickname. A lot of my musician friends thought of me as Boney. The record company said that Oppenheim was not very catchy and that we needed to do something with the name. I said I had a nickname, and when I told them what it was, they loved it." It became his performing name when he cut his first album. The rest is history.

Boney James is a four-time Grammy Award nominee, a Soul Train Award winner, and received two NAACP Image Award nominations for Best Jazz Album. He has sold over three million albums and accumulated four RIAA Certified Gold Records. In 2009, Billboard magazine named James one of the Top 3 Billboard Contemporary Jazz Artists of the Decade.

Boney James was outfitted in his signature apparel--a black Fedora hat, dark jeans, spiffy sneakers, and a crew neck shirt with a suit jacket. He was accompanied by Big Mike Hart on guitar, keyboardist Jonathan Richmond, drummer Omari Williams, and bass guitarist Smitty Smith. You could see and feel the chemistry between the group. In the audience, heads swayed side-to-side while bodies gyrated to the explosive rhythms. The drummer blew the roof off the building with a booming and powerful solo. Big Mike soon followed with an electrifying lick on his guitar. Boney James was phenomenal as he gracefully moved across the stage connecting with his enthralled audience.

Photos and video by Anne-Merle Bryant

37 John Street, Charleston, SC, 843-853-2252

Box Office Hours: Thursday and Friday 10 am-3 pm

Charleston Music Hall Schedule

An Awesome Charleston English Style Pub Offering a Unique Practice Impossible to Resist

People visiting Botany Bay Beach are not permitted to remove sea shells from the beach, so they hang them on the weatherworn trees. It is a way of leaving your mark, a statement that you were there.

There is a Charleston drinking establishment where patrons leave something to mark their visit. As a result, that something covers every inch of available interior wall and rafter space. That something is dollar bills, 27 years worth. There are layers upon layers of Washingtons autographed by customers marking first dates, inside jokes, anniversaries, parties, and holidays. In 2020, it was estimated to be about $50,000 worth, and the amount has grown since, and continues to grow. The unique practice is impossible to resist. 

The Griffon is a prominent staple in the community and a tribute to the locals. Many people consider it to be a Charleston legend. Two pals looking for a place to kick up their feet with their friends opened it in 1996. It was that simple. To this day, that homey feeling remains. Dan Wenz began working for the brothers close to a decade ago and purchased the business from them in 2008. He became partners with Scott London. He vowed to leave the bar unchanged. The bills that plaster the walls since its beginning are still there, at least a significant majority. 

There was a moment when necessity dictated a divergence from the norm. It was during the Covid-19 shutdowns. Seventeen employees of the Griffon became unemployed as a result. The Griffon took down some of the dollar bills on their walls to support their furloughed staff to help pay for bills and groceries.

The Griffon is acclaimed by various media outlets as being a gem to the city. Southern Living Magazine called it "Unapologetically Awesome," and Maxim Magazine added "Where to Eat, Drink, and Party in Charleston, South Carolina." It packs a lot of power in a small punch, and the press loves it as much as the people.

In its early days, the Griffon was the center of nightlife downtown. People made a loop between Charlie's Little Bar, the Rooftop at Vendue Inn, Blind Tiger, and maybe Dengate's in those days. Everyone had just been to Dengate's or the Tiger. It was a smaller pool back then. Now the area is a bit more touristy, and the college-aged crowd has migrated to Upper King with its ongoing development, now rarely seen. 

The Griffon is a bar for two distinctly different patrons: the locals and the astute tourist who asked a local. The old English-style pub appeals mostly to the working class—and there's a good reason, its lunch menu. It gets a lot of lawyers, a lot of food and beverage workers, and a lot of tourists. Quality food that's affordable is hard to find. As the neighborhood slowly transforms, the locals still flock to the Griffon because they know they can get a great meal that won't bend their credit card.

The Griffon's lunches are loaded, so they're doing really well in the good eats department. A crowd comes through its door every day. The secret is pretty simple: a meat and three veg daily special. Other items on the menu include classic comfort food, like grilled cheese, hot wings, and burgers.

The pub has served a lot of beer over its time, Bud Lights and Pabst Blue Ribbons, but have shifted more to satisfy the craft beer craze. The pub went from selling 10 cases of Bud Light a night to selling a couple of Bud Light cases and mostly draft beers. With that said, Pabst Blue Ribbon is still the number one seller.  

The Griffon is a casual beer bar with cheap food. With the restructuring of the Anchorage Inn at 26 Vendue and 24 Vendue in 2013, along with the presence of Waterfront Park, the tourist crowd flowing in from East Bay Street and through the doors of The Vendue keep the English style pub busy, not to leave unmentioned, the dedicated locals who patronize it just because they want to. Next time you are in the downtown French Quarter, visit the Griffon, have a beer, enjoy the menu, and staple a Washington on the walls of anonymity. Nobody will know you did it, except you, and that is all that matters. 

18 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC

Monday-Friday 11am-2am

Saturday and Sunday 12pm-2am

(843) 723-1700

Bonny's Hideaway on King Street is a Must Experience

Anne Bonny's story is a tale of two lives, one supported by historical documents of which there is very little, the other embellished by fiction and creative imagination. It is up to you to separate the one from the other because you will hear her name echoed in the pirate stories of Charleston, the Pink House on Chalmers Street, to name one, and the old Powder Magazine on Cumberland Street, another. Nonetheless, she is a historical figure who dared to step outside the conventional into a maelstrom of infamy. In homage to this daring woman, Jim McCourt and James Walsh, operating partners of the award-winning Prohibition, conceived Bonny's Hideaway, located next door at 549 King Street.

Bonny's Hideaway is a new Tiki-influenced concept that incorporates Irish and Caribbean cocktail cultures, including the rich history of rum in Charleston. Step through its entrance, and you will enter a comfortably lit venue with a long bar and plenty of seating running the length of its interior space. To your immediate right awaits an intimate niche dominated by a large painting of tall ships engaged in a massive battle with lush lounge seating and an area called Bonny's Bed with a view of King Street. Usually requiring a reservation, the space was appreciatively offered to us, which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Our server for the night, a very enthusiastic and engaging young lady with a darling of a personality, promptly brought us the drink and food menus. Her name, like her personality, was uniquely pleasant, Lyric. She offered suggestions and shared her favorites. She allowed us a few moments to peruse the two menus and make our choices. She was very conscientious, checking in with us often throughout our visit.

From the list of 14 drinks, I chose the Mai-garitta for $14, a blend of Lunazul Blanco, Lime, Lemon, Orgeat, Ginger, Honey, and bitters. My date, Anne-Merle, chose the Caribbe margarita for $14, a concoction of Birds eye chill tequila, mango, lime, Cointreau, and chili salt. Off the food menu, I selected the Caribbean Crush Burger Single for $12--Angus beef, peach pepper jam, Bermuda onion, and American cheese with fries. Anne-Merle chose the Yellow Curry Cauliflower for $14--golden raisins, coconut, cilantro, and mint. She described it as scrumptious. My drink was delightfully uplifting, the Angus burger was mouthwatering, and the crispy fries were the best.

When we arrived at 6:30, the crowd was light, but not for long. The Halloween partiers began to steadily flow in and fill the seats at the long, impressive bar, including the partitioned table seating along the left side opposite the bar. Stede Bonnet and pirate friends made a surprise visit. Towards the back of the establishment were themed seating areas. One wall had fireplace seating, another wall accommodated what is called the Bamboo Room, and in the back corner was the Rum Room surrounded by Rum Barrels.

The venue is very imaginative and beautifully decorated. It includes a collection of sea-inspired artwork, an antique cannon by the front door, a detailed portrait of Bonny herself, Irish whiskey barrels, and more.

Bonny's Hideaway is a must experience. The cocktails and food are fantastic. The service is top-notch. The atmosphere is a pirate's paradise. I most definitely will return many times. Cheers to Anne Bonny and owners.

549 King Street, Charleston, SC

843-793-3465

Wed-Sat: 4:00 pm – 2:00 am, Sunday: 4:00 pm – 12:00 am

Book a reservation

La Rustica is Everything Italian--Opening Reception Showcased What It has to Offer Summerville in Great Food and Quality Service

Big things have small beginnings. This axiom is true of just about everything in life and in particular, business ventures. When I first met Giulio Pellegrini, he was standing by a miter saw. Initially, I thought he was one of the tradesmen renovating the old house at the corner of N Magnolia and E 3rd N Street with the star motifs on its porch columns. I introduced myself with a handshake and asked if I could have a look around. He was very accommodating and as we chatted, I soon learned he was the owner. However, he made one thing clear, if I wanted more information, I needed to talk to the real boss, his daughter, Aimee--Managing Director at Pellegrini Restaurant Inc. By that statement, I gathered this enterprise was a family operation.

Giulio was born in Italy, where he attended art school. In 1965, he came to America and began to work as a dishwasher in a restaurant in Flint, Michigan. He would soon get a job with General Motors. However, in time, he came to own the very same restaurant where he was the dishwasher. He met Janie during this period of time and the two of them were married. He sought to become a skilled chef and Janie honed her talents to become a masterful pastry baker.

The Pellegrinis moved across the country to Seattle, Washington in the 80s. They owned various restaurants in the interim. Then in 1996, they opened a restaurant located along the waterfront of West Seattle called La Rustica. Many of its reviews described it as a very quaint little place with a great atmosphere and fantastic food in large portions. As time passed, they would eventually seek to make a change of scenery. They set their sights on the east coast and the Lowcountry of South Carolina. 

The hospitable community of Summerville caught their attention. While searching for a restaurant to buy, Aimee came across an ad about one of the town's oldest eating establishments. It was Eva's on South Main Street. A photograph highlighting the restaurant's famous view of Hutchinson Square through its front window intrigued her, but the family's final decision took them in another direction, which led them to restore and renovate the old house with the distinctive star motifs on its porch columns. Now, after a long labor of love, the desired outcome has been finally achieved, and La Rustica had its Opening Reception Saturday October 8th, to be followed by three limited soft openings by reservations on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Summerville's residents and visitors who have been anxiously but patiently awaiting this highly anticipated event can now satisfy their hunger for some quality Italian cuisine courtesy the Pellegrinis and staff.

The Opening Reception succeeded at showing off the best La Rustica has to offer. The enterprise is all about family from the floor up, Summerville's family. The Pellegrinis personally welcomed each guest and made you feel at home. The bartenders were engaging and highly skilled in their craft. The servers were graciously attentive and thorough. The food, from opening bread to closing cannoli, was visually appealing and delicious. The variety of offerings satisfied a diversified array of discerning taste buds, all the personal creations of Giulio and Janie. It was an evening of small bites, but after all was said and done, I was stuffed. My favorite was the shrimp offering and tiramisu. Good times was had by all present.

The well-designed floor plan consists of four sections. Upon entering, a quick right turn takes you to the bar area outfitted with velvety-green bar stools and round tables paired with dark green leather-covered seats. The larger main dining area is overlaid with a wood floor and topped by two chandeliers framed by decorated wood panels--the handy work of Aimee. It is followed by a smaller seating area covered with a patterned tiled floor featuring two colorful frescos. Beyond that is a step up to a plush, intimate eating space with a full wall couch dominated by mirrors. Some of the dining area's distinctive features include lighting fixtures from Italy and a Roman frieze dating back to the 13th century. Above the entrance, a round stained glass fixture that was formerly mounted in a downtown Charleston building catches your eye.

From the outdoor seating to the inside dining space, La Rustica is thoroughly Italian. The kitchen, where the preparation of Giulio's time-tested recipes take place with the assistance of Hector Arroyo, is all Italian. The desserts crafted with love and tender care, are distinctively Italian. If you are in the mood for everything Italian, La Rustica is the place you want to be.

Opens Thursday, 3-5 Happy Hour, 5-10 Dinner Service

315 N. Magnolia Street, Summerville, SC

Call 843-400-2220 for reservations 5 or more

Enjoy the pictures, they tell the whole story without a word spoken.

Melanie Correa, Photographer