Foodie Heaven: Circa 1886 in Charleston, South Carolina, Where to Eat
water fountains, palmetto trees and church steeples in Charleston, SC
The word is out!
The #1 city in the United States to visit – – for FOUR years in a row, is CHARLESTON, S.C., ranked by Conde Naste’s “Traveler” magazine and ‘Travel and Leisure’ magazine!
And there are numerous reasons why this phenomenon has taken place:
Charleston offers tons of American history (not just the Civil War, but also its paramount importance in turning the American Revolutionary War from losing to winning against the British), authentic Southern culture, a vibrant foodie and restaurant scene rivaling NYC and any of the larger U.S. foodie cities, superb weather, excellent theatre (Spoleto USA), exclusive and unique shopping . . . and above all: GREAT SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY & friendliness!
This year, there was only one city around the planet that ranked higher than Charleston for tourism: Florence, Italy! SERIOUSLY! For those of us in South Carolina, this is a huge recognition of excellence! We are seriously proud of Charleston and everything that the residents and businesses have done to make it such a world-class destination!
Charleston is simply an amazing place to visit!
And that’s exactly what we did this weekend. We snuck away for a brief weekend vacay escape to Charleston. While there, we never stopped for one moment so that we could experience as much as we could.
Truth be told, we’ve been to Charleston countless times, and each time we’ve set out to experience different eateries and cultural/historical tours. This trip was no exception. Actually, this visit was one of our BEST times in the city! Charleston never bores anyone! Plus, after you see some of the historical sites, you’ll never go hungry for authentic, delicious, Lowcountry Southern food in Charleston . . . guaranteed!
charming horse-drawn carriages for viewing historical sites
Many of us who know and love the city of Charleston, SC vividly remember in our minds the hypnotic Spanish moss hanging from live oaks, swaying gently in the warm coastal breezes amidst classical antebellum (pre-Civil War) architecture, and the slower pace of its natives . . . who speak with a thick, heavy dialect as smooth and gentle as the flowing waters of the Cooper and Ashley rivers surrounding Charleston that empty into the sea.
Charleston, SC is the epitomy of Southern charm and class . . . and when one visits, it’s as if you are taken back to a time of days long ago when life was simpler, slower and engaged with greater respect towards another.
Today, Charleston has become a foodie paradise for everyone, and not just for Southerners. In fact Charleston is not only a hot culinary scene, it is a city that has a dining scene that just keeps getting more brilliant and blazing every day. Charleston’s top-ranked eateries continue to create and serve the most extraordinary locally-sourced farm-to-table, seasonal, mouthwatering ‘Lowcountry’ culture cuisine.
For this, our most recent visit, we decided to indulge ourselves and celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary at the top 2 ranked eating establishments in Charleston (according to the contributors of TripAdvisor). We experienced foodie heaven in Circa 1886 and Hall’s Chophouse.
First let me share about our experience at Circa 1886. My next post will be all about the fabulous #1 eatery in Charleston: Hall’s Chophouse!
Circa 1886 has been heralded as one of the top 2014 Excellence Award-Winning restaurants around the world according to Trip Advisor reviewers (#12 in the USA). I must say that our experience was simply a beautiful and delicious (what I write about, remember) dining experience that we highly recommend to any of you for that perfect special occasion!
If you are seeking Southern charm combined with an outstanding dining experience, Circa 1886 is the fine dining eatery that you must experience when in Charleston.
A man and his family from a (not blue blood) humble background purchased the beautiful Wentworth Mansion and not only converted the mansion into a luxury hotel, but also added a superb restaurant into the restored carriage house of the old property.
Wentworth Mansion – restored into a luxury boutique hotel
Walking up to the property is awe-inspiring to say the least in regard to the ancient home’s immense size and classical beauty!
Walking around to the restaurant, one is able to see the mansion’s architectural beauty and feel enticed to venture inside to view it’s treasures (which is possible to visit until 9:00 PM, after which it is only open to those who lodge in the mansion).
top ranked Circa 1886 restaurant is part of the Wentworth Mansion Hotel
Circa 1886 is housed in the old carriage house and horse stables
Continue walking past the mansion and guests easily find the restaurant in what was once the horse stables and carriage house.
our table for the evening — tucked in a little private enclave
beautiful, subtle lighting inside our secluded table created a romantic aviance
an exquisite and quaint dining atmosphere
We loved the soft, subtle, sage-colored wain skoting on the walls of the interior decor.
Circa 1886 menu features local, seasonal specialties from the Lowcountry of S.C. (except for the antelope)
creamiest of cream of collard soup with Italian cheese base — amazing!
for an appetizer: fried green tomatoes with artisanal cheese
veal chop with balsamic reduction and couscous with panko crust
a perfect filet with mustard peppercorn demi-glace, similar to what we enjoyed in Modena, Italy
the ultimate dessert: pear crisp soufflé with caramel sauce and praline crumbles . . . oh my!
If you’re in Charleston, S.C. or planning on visiting the city and looking for an intimate, delicious evening of fine dining, do make a reservation for Circa 1886! (click on link ‘Circa 1886!’) for menu and more. You will truly be in for a special, memorable South Carolinian dining experience!
Read more about Circa 1886’s accolades: Ranked as the #12th best restaurant in the U.S.A. according to the 2014 TripAdvisor Awards!
I’m so glad you wrote a post about Charleston, Roz! I loved seeing the pictures of it on Instagram, and it was great to learn even more in your post. That restaurant/hotel sounds amazing. What a wonderful place to celebrate your anniversary. I hope to travel to the south someday. That’s one area I’ve never been to, and look forward to visiting.
It was really a fun weekend Shari. These mini-escapes are good for the soul! Good thing we walked everywhere, cuz we sure ate like pigs! 🙂
xo
Roz
Thanks Roz for the recommendation. You have me drooling. I’m long overdue for a return visit to Charleston and now I have a great idea of where to eat.
Linda, Sorry for this late reply, but yes, you need to visit Charleston, but remember the best time (for weather) is in May or October….otherwise, it’s either too hot or too cold. I know that you’ll love it though!
Roz
oh I am so glad you had such a wonderful time and the food, the scenery- it all looks amazing and so beautiful!
It was a great break, if only for a few days Jessica. I need to visit New Orleans someday, since we visited the French Quarter of Charleston, but it is not nearly as old as the F.Q. in New Orleans, nor does it have the same atmosphere, music, and food. But we love to visit historical and cultural places with good eats and lots of walking. I know that we’d find the uniqueness of N.O.L.A. just as enjoyable!
xo
Roz
I LOVE this post, Roz. I have heard so many wonderful things about Charleston and it’s high on my travel list. Your meal looks divine.
Thanks so much Cathy! Such a sweet compliment! I do hope that you can make it to Charleston and S.C. for that matter for some of your future travels. Let me know if you need a free tour guide!!!!
Hey Roz, great post! And, Happy Anniversary! I tell everyone and anyone I meet in NY-( in the salon, café, and even my daughter’s friends,) why we moved to Charleston, and you said it all! Love this post and I may forward it to a few people I know. Also, I have not eaten at the Circa 1886 yet, ( additional 9 new restaurants have opened this year) but heard so much about it and have recommended that hotel to friends too. So happy you shared your experience. Thanks again! xoxo Anna and Liz
Hi Anna and Liz,
Oh I know that you’ll love Circa 1886! It was amazing! You are so fortunate to live in Charleston! Wish we could have stayed longer. I thought of contacting you, but we were literally in and out with 2 packed days. I always say to my husband, ‘we never give ourselves enough time to enjoy Charleston’. That certainly needs to be changed!
xoxo
Roz
I know, you need to stay longer, and please do contact me the next time you come to town. As I tell my friends ” Charleston is no longer a secret” – “the word is definitely out!” Lol…. xox anna
I promise I’ll get in touch with you! I look forward to it!!!!
xo
Roz
Seeing this and your Facebook posts, it sounds like you had a great weekend celebration. We have an upcoming visit planned so I’m interested in your thoughts via your posts.
Larry, We had one of the best visits to Charleston this weekend. The weather was perfect, the tours were interesting and the food just fabulous. I think I gained 10 pounds. Let me know what you think if you go! I enjoy your recommendations during your travels too!
Roz
Indeed like a food paradise! Love how they present the food! Thanks for sharing, Roz.
Happy Sunday!
Angie
Thanks Angie! I have been so busy for the last 2 months that I finally had to (literally) take a break in order to post something foodie-oriented! Thanks for your friendship and dedication!
xo
Roz