ch ch charleston, part 3

it's no secret i love charleston. i've been quite a few times in the last few years and even shared some of my favorite wedding spots and other culinary musts. well i recently visited my beloved southern city yet again and discovered a few more destinations that i suggest anyone considering a trip check out. first of all, you're going to need a nice place to stay. look no further than zero george—a recently restored and newly-opened boutique hotel in a beautiful historic property. kudos to lynn and her  husband dean on dreaming this one up. the location is great too, with it being close to downtown and among the charming homes of the ansonborough neighborhood. and yes, that's the beautiful room i had the privilege of staying in when i was there. could it be any lovelier? or more conducive to the best sleep you could ask for?

speaking of ansonborough, make a reservation at anson's, just a few blocks away. the staff and food are equally delightful.

the macintosh on king street is a new spot not to be missed. it's busy without being loud and the food and drinks all sound so good it's hard to choose. the best move? go with a few people so you can order a few dishes and share. the cocktail club upstairs is a fun lounge and they made a pretty mean manhattan with rye.

want a break from the traditional southern fare? try xiao bao biscuit, for some asian soul food. order the okonomiyaki with egg. you'll thank me later.

i had never experienced chicken and waffles, and when i reviewed the menu at the rarebit it was obvious that i wouldn't be able to resist. the result? a blissful plate of one strange yet delightful combination.

my final suggestion is one i only found out about on my final day in town (thanks sideshow press for the tip!). but i know it'll be one of the first places i go to on my next trip. after all, coffee is the one thing i can't start my day without. black tap brews good joe and ambiance. i wanted to sit in the sunny cafe and people watch for hours.

i'm already thinking of my next trip to the holy city. it's never soon enough, and there are always new places to unearth and new months to experience the city during. i'm excited about future trips to check out cannon green, which is a new urban venue in the works that will house a pretty big guest list smack in the middle of the city.