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