Tag: Charleston

Two great hotels that reflect two things I am a fan of

Anyone who knows me and my blog will know I have always been a fan of Philippe Starck. I am especially a fan of his hotels. So of course I was delighted to hear about this new place he is working on, the Maison Heler hotel (shown above) in Metz in the north of France. It’s fantastic and fantastical, as many of his hotels are / were.  It’s worthwhile to read this here and check out the lots more great photos.

While I am a fan of Starck, I aslo a fan of the city of Charleston. Which leads me to point out another great hotel, The Nickel, that has just opened up in that city.

Just as the Maison Heler is a reflection of Starck, the Nickel hotel is a reflection of Charleston. Other than that, they are both very different hotels. To see what I mean, check out this piece here. That piece too is filed with details on the hotel, not to mention great photos.

If you liked those two hotels, I recommend you head over to the website Design-Milk for many more great hotel stories.

P.S. For even more on hotels, specifically hotels next to railways, read this.

My Charleston Favorites, 2025 edition


Chubby fish interior

I was recently in Charleston, S.C., a city I love.

I’ve written about Charleston several times here, but I am sure some people might wonder, what do I recommend for anyone visiting Charleston? Here’s a short list for the start of 2025. It’s far from exhausting.

  1. Maison. Simply the best French food I’ve eaten anywhere in North America, save Le Bernardin. Sit at the bar: the bartenders are tremendous. Get them to make you a french negroni to start, and then have them recommend wine by the glass as you go. The salmon tartar is a great starter, as is the french onion croquet. Not sure about things? Get the steak frites. But it pay to try something a bit more adventurous. And if you want more French food, hit up
  2. Fast and French. If Maison is fine dining, this is fun dining. Go for lunch and rub elbows in their cozy downtown space. If it’s too cozy, you need to go to…
  3. The Ordinary. Make it easy and get a seafood tower. Get a table on the second floor if you can and look out over the place. But no where is a bad seat. It’s a big place.
  4. Renzo’s has delicious pizza and great wines, though it is not a big place, so you may have to wait. Speaking of that, you should try to go to…
  5. Chubbyfish (shown above) if you can ever get in, it’s superb. It may be easier to head over to…
  6. Santis for margueritas and TexMex food. It’s a super fun atmosphere too.
  7. Ted’s Butcher Block makes superb sandwiches every day of the week and on Saturdays, superb burgers. Grab some meat and cheese and wine to bring home for later. If you need options, then….
  8. Cow Sheep Cow also has excellent provisions, including cheese and wine. Need a corkscrew? They have great ones. Likewise,  go to…
  9. Monarch Wines for a bottle of something special. After that, go next door to…
  10. Harbinger and grab a coffee and a cookie. Or head over to…
  11. Sightsee, which also has amazing coffee. A beautiful space too. Then head downtown to wander along…
  12. King St. So much to see here, but make sure you pop into…
  13. Candlefish. It’s a great place for souvenirs and gifts. I recommend their library for a classic candle, though everything there is great. Speaking of great products…
  14. J Stark is loaded with them. You can’t go wrong with any of their bags or wallets. Even their key chains are wonderful. While you are in that part of Charleston, grab some food at…
  15. EVO or Odd Duck. Or if you are driving and hungry, go to…
  16. Cookout. Their hamburgers and chili fries can’t be beat. Love milkshakes? Then you definitely need to go.
  17. Munkle is just one of the great local brewers there. Stop by for a pint. If you are lucky…
  18. Doughboyz will be onsite selling their pizzas from their truck. Get the pepperoni. You’ll be glad you did. Did I forget…
  19. Rodney’s or Lewis’s for BBQ? I did not. Nor should you.
  20. Hampton Park is never a bad idea, either. Grab a coffee from Sightsee or Harbinger and then wander around or just snag a bench and relax.

A long list, and I could easily double it. Go to Charleston when you can.

 

Six cool things to start off your Monday

  1. This obit of Red Paden, the “Juke Joint ‘King’ Who Kept the Blues Alive” is great not just because of the man himself, but the culture and history his life embodied. Well worth a read. (Image above from that article by Rory Doyle.)
  2. For fans of David Byrne (like myself) who like to dance (not me), here’s how to dance like David using this easy to follow instructional video.
  3. For fans of Rubik cubes and those who want to solve them.
  4. Here’s a piece on the world’s smallest car which comes as a kit that you can build yourself. Amazing.
  5. I love Charleston and I love maps, so I really love these 7 amazing illustrated maps of that city. (Map by Lucy Davey from this article.)
  6. This was as good of a story on the month of January as I could imagine. From the Paris Review.

 

Cook Out is coming. Get ready!

If you have not heard of Cook Out, you a) likely have not been to the U.S. South b) have been missing out! Whenever I can get down there I try to make one visit for a burger and chili fries. It’s fantastic. I would eat there all the time if I could.

Well good news: I might be able to. According to Slate, the Cook Out fast-food chain is expanding! Hey if Chick-fil-A can get to Toronto, maybe Cook Out can too. The thought of it is thrilling!

If you do get a chance to go to a Cook Out, I highly recommend it. Until then, read the Slate piece to find out more about this fine fast food place.

P.S. No, the burgers do not come with googly eyes. Slate did that. 🙂

The New York Times whips down to Charleston, S.C. again for 36 hours

I love the the New York Times,  I love Charleston, and I love their 36 hours travel series, so I was keen to read this: 36 Hours in Charleston, South Carolina: Things to Do and See. I was also curious to see how it compare it their 2016 version: 36 Hours in Charleston, S.C. and their somewhat 2008 version, Visiting Charleston, S.C., on a Budget.

Overall it’s a good guide, but some of the restaurants they recommend are not necessarily the best of the city. While I don’t recommend you read the comments section, one person had good advice: “Go to FIG, go to 167 Raw, The Ordinary, Maison, Melfi, The Grocery, Doar Brothers for a cocktail, Sorelle, Verns, Edmunds Oast, Lewis BBQ, Rodneys BBQ….there are probably 30-40 restaurants in this town I would go to instead of Fleet. Sullivans has beautiful beaches and OD is good for brunch. But just good. Also, go see Folly Beach. Funky and boho. The Gaillard is our large concert hall but also look to see who’s playing at Music Hall or Music Farm. Go out to some of the Breweries on Upper Morrison and Spruill. ” Well said. I’d add Chubbyfish (if you can get in), and Santis. Butcher & Bee used to be good: now it’s gone. If you want some cool stuff to take home, head over to J. Stark: their bags are fantastic, and their store is beautiful.

Charleston is a great city, and I’m glad the Times is featuring it. But if you are looking for places to eat, either talk to a local or check out Eater for the Carolinas. You’ll be glad you did.

The beauty of Charleston

I suppose I should specify which Charleston, but to me there is only one, and that one is in South Carolina. It really is filled with beauty and color. Like that door you see above.

I came across this blog, Just a Girl Blog, and she has posted some wonderful views of the city here Best of Charleston: Doors and here: Best of Charleston: Gardens. Someday I’ll post my photos of that wonderful city and put them a link to them here. Meanwhile, go and enjoy those. Better yet, make a trip there and see them for yourself.

(Image a link to Just a Girl Blog.)