The Spoletians Are Coming!

Where to eat in Charleston.

“In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Since 1977, there have been 17 days every spring when creative souls from around the world gather in Charleston to imagine and celebrate the arts. The artist's world is limitless, and for those of us who visit or live in Charleston, for a couple of weeks this spring, it will be on our doorstep, and the world will be a better place. 

Artists and audiences will gather in the Holy City—in our streets, in the city’s theaters, and under the moss-draped oaks—to celebrate the beauty of the place we call “home.”

Art is a collaboration between God and the artist and is best viewed through the veil of the soul.

Under the direction of founder and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Mena Mark Hanna, the Charleston festival, inspired by the one founded in Spoleto, Italy, has not just gained a place of renown but has become a global sensation, a testament to the power of art to unite people across borders.  

Hanna wants the festival to focus on the Southeast's cultural uniqueness. Our region's food is rich and diverse, and we should be able to see it in our art as well.

Once again, this year, the city's artistic energy will peak for 17 days from May 22 to June 9th with a round-the-clock menu of visual arts and music. From the end of May to the beginning of June, Spoleto dominates the city as one of America’s premier performing arts festivals.

Under the guidance of Gian Carlo Menotti, Spoleto was the first music festival to feature such a diverse array of cultural happenings, from chamber music to avant-garde theater to classical theater, ballet, and symphonic music. This rich variety of artistic offerings is sure to inspire and captivate all who attend.

Where to Eat During Charleston’s Celebration

The number one question everyone asks me is, “Where do we eat?” With so many exciting places coming on the scene every month, it’s hard to know where to go. I can only tell you where I love to go whenever I’m in the city and a few I’ve tried lately.

Cru Cafe

https://crucafe.com/ 18 Pinckney St.

It never disappoints and is the creation of renowned Le Cordon Bleu graduate Chef John Zucker. It’s a little off the beaten path in a classic 18th-century Charleston single-style home. Their Thai Seafood Risotto is one of their most popular dishes, along with Chinese Chicken salad and Duck Confit Salad.

The soft-shell crab is the finest ever! Oh my!!!!!

The Ordinary

544 King Street, eattheordinary.com

James Beard, the award-winning chef/owner, Mike Lata, created the Ordinary to be a shrine that showcases a sense of place through impeccably sourced fresh, local seafood. He created this ambiance in extraordinary ways.

Housed in a former 19th-century bank, The Ordinary is anything but with its massive arched windows and celestially high ceilings that lend an air of elegance, an oyster bar that serves local oysters, each one cold, fresh, briny, and delicious. The oysters become incomprehensibly divine with one of Lata’s masterfully created mignonettes.

You may want to try Lata’s whimsical fish schnitzel, which combines local fish breaded and served with butter, lemon, and caper sauce.

Slightly North of the Broad

https://www.snobcharleston.com/

192 East Bay Street

I love this eclectic Lowcountry bistro, which combines an abundance of fresh local ingredients. The cuisine is rooted in the bounty of local farmers, fishermen, and producers. Executive chef Russ Moore creates dishes like oyster stew and heritage farm pork chop with crispy confit potatoes. Sister restaurants include Hall’s Chophouse, High Cotton, and Rita’s Seaside Grille. Quality is served throughout this list of restaurants.

The Chubby Fish, 252 Coming Street

Try it for an amazing experience. James London, the chef, was recently named the 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist for globetrotting creations such as Grilled Oysters with crab fat curry and cashews.

Delaney Oyster House, 115 Calhoun, in the Historic District, is a homey locale in a historic house serving seafood specialties and a raw bar. It’s truly a curated seafood delight.

The menu features a variety of seafood, some with a Latin tilt and all sparkling fresh; dishes include Roasted Oysters with Creole Butter and Hushpuppy Crumble and Royal Red Shrimp with Bucatini.

A true standout is their blue crab rice, which melds a traditional Lowcountry rice preparation with Chef Chamil Velasquez’s Puerto Rican sofrito. Very unique and delicious.

The Wild Olive, 2867 Maybank Hwy., Johns Island

A short drive out of Charleston will be worth it to experience Wild Olive. After passing the River Road intersection of Maybank Highway, the traffic onto Johns Island seems to open up a bit, but be careful to slow down because it’s easy to run right by it. Must-try dishes here include Tender agnolotti, charred octopus, fresh vegetables, and classics such as veal scallopini with marsala. If you see mushroom-parmesan bisque on the menu, order it. You’ll thank me later.

Take a trip north to Georgetown.

While in Charleston, It’s easy to venture north or south for a side trip. About an hour north, the historic town of Georgetown is a fishing mecca with tranquil coastal rivers.

Hotel George and Restaurant The Independent, in Georgetown’s historic district, sits along its storied waterfront. The George connects the world to its magical waterways, sea islands, and the gifts of life along the water. It’s inspiring, sparkling, and enduring.

The Independent features a spin on Southern dishes such as She-Crab soup, BBQ Clams, Skillet Corn Bread with Honey Butter, Blackened Flounder with Lump Crab and Andouille Sausage Pilaf, and Hummingbird Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Icing, Salted Caramel Sauce, and Spiced Pecans. All are so delicious that they justify a trip to the city on their own and strictly Southern.