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

Touching a Heart with the Power of the Written Word in a Bottled Message

The story I am now going to relate is the kind you like to share with others. It is a unique, uplifting story. It shows the power the written word has on those who understand the message it conveys. Someone could say the happening is just a coincidence, an occurrence of events that happen at the same time by total accident. But then, it has been said, "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous. As to which explanation is practical, I leave it to you to decide for yourself.

I have made it a practice to release wine bottles containing a message into Charleston's coastal waters from time to time. Charleston's coastline offers a variety of places for an entry point of a bottled message. My favorite drop-in point is the outgoing tidal currents of Breach Inlet accompanied by an off-shore breeze. The messages are lines of poetry I have written about dealing with life's struggles and hope of better days, included is my email address. Thus far, I have sent out three and received two responses from those who have found them. One bottle, released a year ago, remains undiscovered. This story has to do with the first bottle I released into the ocean with this printed image and words.

It was a month from the time I set this particular bottle afloat on the ocean currents to the time of its discovery. So, it did not travel any great distances in that one month. It possibly floundered around off-shore until an ocean wind brought it in. A woman found it while walking on the beach, something she does often to cope with a loss in her life. Her words pull at your heartstrings. What were the chances my bottle and message would be found by an individual who would appreciate it the most due to their own personal ordeal? I was glad to hear the right person found the bottle and the message.

Following is the original email I received:

"I found your message in a bottle.....a green bottle on the shore. Where did u release it? If u don't mind me asking... I lost the love of my life 3 years ago in aug. and I walk that beach for therapy to deal with losing him. I have released a balloon there once with a message inside, and was touched by your poem...It was a cool thing to find. Take care." Sent from my IPhone

Estuary waters and tidal rivers surround Charleston. It is rich with stories associated with its long maritime history. I have not read any stories about discovered messages inside bottles in the Charleston area, but I am sure some exist.

Someday you may be walking on one of the beautiful beaches of Charleston and unexpectedly see the top of a corked bottle sticking out of the sand. Upon pulling the bottle from its final resting place after its solitary journey on the ocean currents, you discover a message within. Maybe, it could be a record-breaking message in a bottle dating back hundreds of years, or it could be one of mine. If it is mine, I look forward to hearing from you.

Summerville's Sweetest Week of the Year Begins With Hold My Tea Bar Crawl--Join in on the Fun

The sweetest week of the year in The Birthplace of Sweet Tea is soon to begin. The annual Sweet Tea Festival hosted by Summerville Dream will take place Saturday, September 17th beginning at 2 pm. There will be plenty of sweet tea and food, and of course, the opportunity to explore the many unique shops, boutiques and vendor booths. Also, a full day of music is scheduled for your entertainment.

HUTCHINSON SQUARE STAGE:

2:00pm Summer Royalty (RandB, Pop, Funk, Jazz Fusion)

4:00pm Forty Mile Detour (Americana / Southern Rock)

6:00 Noah Grove and the Space Ark (Alternative Rock)

SHORT CENTRAL AVENUE STAGE:

2:00 Paul Stone Project (Blues)

4:00 Big Daddy Cade Duo (BB King Tribute)

6:00 Jig Wiggler and Friends (Rock / Classic Rock)

However, the celebrating will begin on the 12th, when participating local bars will compete in the Annual Hold My Tea Bar Crawl in conjunction with the 2022 Sweet Tea Cocktail Contest. You will have an opportunity to drink the competing bars special sweet tea cocktail presentation during the week and ending on the 17th. After, you can vote for your favorite drink on Visit Summerville's Instagram. 

A bingo card will be provided for the contest. You can pick it up at the Summerville Visitor Center or any of the participating bars when it begins on the 12th. The instructions for the contest is printed on the card. Get seven spaces in a row or diagonally, take it to the Summerville Visitor Center, and redeem it for a Summerville swag prize, while supplies last. Here is a picture of the bingo card.

Here is a list of the participating bars: Laura, Cambria Hotel Summerville, Five Loaves Cafe, Hilton Garden Inn, The Azalea Bar and Garden, Frothy beard Offworld, Montreux Bar and Grill, Day Drink Brunch Lounge, and Sweetwater One Twenty Three. Their address is on the back of the card. 

The winner last year was Five Loaves Cafe with a crafted cocktail called Summerville Sweetini by Gabby Owca. Other participants were Spilling The Southern Tea crafted by Amy Heid/Hilton Garden Bar, Cherry Tale crafted by Jacob Billings/Cambria Bar, Southern Rhoots by Rachel Enzaldo/Montreux Bar and Grill, and Sweetwater Raspberry Basil Mule by Laura Walling/Sweetwater One Twenty Three. Enjoy my pictures from last year.

Montreux Bar and Grill

Southern Rhoots

Sweetwater One Twenty Three

Spilling The Southern Tea, Hilton Garden Bar

Join me for the fun. I look forward to meeting you during the week. When you see me, say hi. We will clang glasses and share Summerville stories, like the Summerville Light or The Phantom Flight Over Summerville. See you then. 

Summerville's Restaurant Scene is Growing--It is About to Add to Its Competitive Edge

Over the past year, the property on the corner of N Magnolia and E 3rd North Street has been the site of a great deal of activity. Summerville residents traveling this busy side street intersection have been spectators of a stunning metamorphosis. The historic house's outdoor garden area has undergone an exquisite transformation into a spacious pavered piazza surrounded by a decorative, black-poled fence with a large water fountain for a visual centerpiece. Reminiscent of piazzas in Italy, the space is a fitting outdoor seating area for the local family-owned Italian restaurant soon to open its door to the community's visitors and residents called La Rustica.

Inside the historic house, the reconstruction of its living space is moving along at a steady pace. Once the floor plan work ends, it will be a plush dining area with a full bar. Decorative ceilings, lighting fixtures from Italy, mirrored walls, and a fresco are just some of the features that will enhance the dining aura. The kitchen, where the preparation of the family's time-tested recipes will take place, is already completed. The front porch will accommodate patrons desiring a covered outdoor experience.

The day I visited and took pictures, the owner--a polite, accommodating gray-headed gentleman with a firm handshake--was hard at work. We chatted a bit about our town. His gratitude and love for Summerville were a part of his expressions.

La Rustica Restaurant is accepting applications for all positions, front and back of house.

Enjoy the pictures. They are just a tantalizing glimpse of what will be another quality restaurant coming to the town at the heart of it all. Once the restaurant is near completion, possibly September, I will write a detailed article about its owners and story.

You will see La Rustica at the 9th Summerville Italian Feast on Sunday, October 9.

315 N Magnolia Street, Summerville, SC

On Your Next Trip to Western North Carolina, Check Out the Area's Newest Award Winning Winery

Many Lowcountry residents take a weekend road trip to the mountains of western North Carolina for a reprieve from the heat of the summer months to enjoy the many cooling waterfalls and hiking trails of Pisgah Forest and Dupont State Forest. After a morning of recreation, the late afternoon hours are the perfect time to savor another cultural amenity the mountains around Hendersonville offer, fantastic wine vineyards. One of the area's newest wineries was recently awarded top honors in a USA Today Readers' Choice poll.

After a scenic drive and a wrong turn on Green Mountain Road--even GPS occasionally gets it wrong--we could see the winery's tasting building perched high above the road on the side of the mountain. Just ahead, the sign marking the entrance to Stone Ashe Vineyards. We ascended the long, curving driveway to the spacious parking area. Rows of grape vines covered the sloping terrain beyond the perimeter of the pavement in a symmetric blocking pattern--a future harvest to be crushed, pressed, clarified, aged, and bottled.

We entered the 3100-square-foot Chalet-designed building trimmed with cedar timbers, which included a catering kitchen, bar, covered patio, and deck. A 25-foot cathedral ceiling framed with Douglas fir timbers towered high above the tasting floor beyond the bar. There were plenty of wood tables for sitting with a large stone fireplace on one wall surrounded by a compliment of comfortable seating. Large windows afforded beautiful views of the surrounding mountain vistas. 

When it comes to wine, you could put almost anything in front of me, and I would think it was good. My friend, more refined and knowledgeable about wine than me, made the perfect choice of a slightly bubbly 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rose Wine.

We chose to sit on the open patio on black Adirondack furniture. The view from our chairs was majestic, overlooking the descending vineyard and valley with lightning streaking down onto the surrounding high peaks. The company rewarding and the wine refreshingly dry.

Beginning in 2010, Craig and Tina Little left their careers to pursue a dream. They started their search for American soil that would match their beloved Bordeaux region of France. After three years, they found the ideal site. They discovered an area in North Carolina near Hendersonville rich in 'stony ashe' soil providing internal drainage, steep slopes for high-density planting and external irrigation, and a micro-climate suited for efficient photosynthesis and elegantly balanced fruit. Their find would cover 67 acres of beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain real estate. The couple then mated grapevine clones from France with California rootstock, and Stone Ashe Vineyards became a reality.

Wine tasting is from 12-6 Thursday through Monday and is $15 per person. You will get to choose five wines to sample from their current selections. The staff was friendly and polite, and the facility was clean and beautiful. Reservations are not required unless you plan on coming with a party of five or more. Locally sourced charcuterie boards and snack boxes (spicy pimento or hummus) are available to purchase and paired with any of their wines.

Stone Ashe Vineyards offers seven wines on its website: 2019 Petit Verdot-$44.00, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc-$38.00, 2021 Chardonnay-$29.00, 2021 Riesling-$28.00, 2021 Cabernet Franc Rosé-$29.00, 2019 Coppedge Hill-$44.00, and 2019 Davenport-$40.00.

Stone Ashe Vineyards has a full catering kitchen that can serve wedding receptions and special events such as private events, bachelorette parties, and corporate outings. Its modern farmhouse motif and warm decor are the product of Polish + Pop Design of Charleston, S.C. For information, visit the website or call 828-551-5643. It is located at 736 Green Mountain Road.

Stone Ashe Vineyards was named the Best New Winery of 2022 in a USA Today Readers' Choice poll that ended July 18. This North Carolina viticulture jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains gives California's Napa Valley wineries a run for their money.