Unquestionably one of America’s great destinations—for history, dining, shopping, culture—travelers are a guaranteed a rich experience in charming Charleston, South Carolina. On a recent weekend I browsed for crafts in the City Market and window-shopped up and down picturesque King Street, visited America’s oldest museum (the Charleston Museum), and admired the interiors of three carefully preserved historic houses.
But along with absorbing the ongoing aspects of “Explore Charleston” I was introduced to the Southern classic’s all-encompassing range of opportunities. Besides providing admission to the expected attractions, the Tourist Office booked me to experience a trendy hotel, a sophisticated wine bar, a luxury pop up, and a Pakistani restaurant, non-traditional activities which showed off the variety of options available in the cosmopolitan city.
Emeline is ideally located, situated just steps from the renowned open-air market. A four-story hotel, its broad lobby stocked with curios on display, a Keep Shop selling gifts, and entrances to popular dining spots: Clerks Coffee Company and Frannie & The Fox which attracts crowds to dine on brick-oven pizza in its fire pit courtyard. Evening hours refreshments are served in The Den.
After enjoying a citrusy welcome drink offered at check-in, I went up to a fourth-floor suite, with a dining/seating/T.V. viewing area, spacious dressing room and bath, and bedroom with a king size bed facing a second broad screen television set and a wood and wicker storage unit. There is a fridge, but no mini-bar since snacks and soft drinks are complimentary—colas, mixed nuts, and chocolate chip cookies by local purveyors.
Besides morning coffee served in Emeline’s lobby, on each floor in the corridor, there are “nooks” where coffee, tea, fountain water, and fresh fruit are available all day. The third-floor Fitness Center never closes, there are bicycles to reserve for spins around the city.
Saint Urban’s is a cosmopolitan European-inspired wine bar that lures a range of local residents to the quiet I’ON “world apart” section of Mount Pleasant where they nibble and imbibe along the marble cocktail bar, on the patio, at wood grained tables surrounded by walls of uncorked bottles in an candlelit atmosphere evoking a private club.
Named for the patron saint of vintners, the café features a rotating menu of charcuterie and artisanal cheeses selected to complement a “passionately curated” list of wines. Sourced primarily from overseas and selected to be easy-drinking, each label is tasted by proprietor Warren Johnson who describes his choices as “clean and Old World.” Changing every week, the hyper-seasonal farmhouse cheeses may be Alpine Alpha Tolman, mousse-like La Tur, full-flavored Prairie Breeze cheddar. Tinned seafoods are offered, and charcuteries might include Soppressata Salami, Spicy Coppa. Among cocktails, their version of the Old Fashioned is a specialty, and rarely seen chocolate bars are offered for “dessert.”
Unexpected in the deep South is the amazingly delicious cuisine of the state’s first Pakistani restaurant Ma’am Saab. A short walk from the Market, the storefront serves authentic cuisine at tables and along the marble bar. Signature cocktails are innovative and inventive. Bartender Christian concocts his own syrups in-house to flavor Party in Lahore a tropical martini, an orange creamsickle-inspired Khatta Meetha, and the honey lime gin Junglee Janwar. His tasty espresso martini is actually flavored with chai/tea.
Ma’am Saab translates to “boss lady,” and from the kitchen, wonderful dishes are created by chef Maryam Ghaznavi, the co-owner/”boss”. I could have made a whole meal of starters—minty eggplant fritters Aubergine Pakora Chaat, Shakka Kandi Chaat tamarind sweet potatoes, and the amazing Masala Salad which is a mix of cabbage, coconut, peanuts, and vegetables. But that proceeded to golden curry Butter Chicken, and ground beef Chapli Kabab, winding up with naan bread served with a selection of chutneys featuring chili, date, garlic, mint. It’s a truly tasty adventure in dining.
Another dining option, open until mid-April, is The Whitman at the Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-up. Just across the bay, Miami’s exclusive high-fashion shopping center has created a temporary showcase—a lush mini-version of its collection of luxury designer shops, offering visitors the opportunity to experience shopping and dining in a tropically landscaped high-fashion mall.
After browsing through boutiques of Tiffany, Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Golden Goose, Lanvin, Etro, and more, shoppers can dine at tables indoors or in the balmy courtyard at the restaurant named for Stanley Whitman who founded the forerunner luxury shopping mall, now in its 60th anniversary year. The menu mixes updated classics—Caesar Salad, Beef Short Rib—with local favorites Crispy Rock Shrimp, She-Crab Soup. The Sticky Toffee Pudding is renowned. High Tea and Specialty Cocktails are also served.
