Charleston - great value near Charleston Place Hotel

[BarnNB]

I'm in Charleston next week with some work colleagues, staying at the Charleston Place hotel.

My co-workers enjoy good food, but aren't hardcore foodies. They'll let me pick the restaurants so long as the checks don't get too high. We're all on a per diem from our employer.

Any great deals within walking / short taxi ride of Meeting and Market streets? I see Fish has a Tuesday prix fixe meal, Carolina's has some happy hour specials, and Jestine's is very close.

Any other recommendations in the area?

Thanks so much!

[Southerner]

We just ate at High Cotton today at lunch. I highly recommend the maple braised collared greens. They were fantastic. I got them with the pimento cheese sauce covered burger. One of the best burgers I have had. Great lunch spot.

For dinner we ate at Magnolia's last night. Great food and service. You won't go wrong.
Tonight we ate at Peninsula Grill. Peninsula Grill is fantastic. It's probably my favorite restaurant anywhere.

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Peninsula Grill
112 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401

[drbyyz]

It has been awhile since I've eaten in Charleston, but 2 of my favorites are Charleston Grill and 39 Rue de John. Both are very close to where you are staying. CG is right across the street and 39 is about 5 or 6 blocks up. These two places are a little on the pricier side though, not sure what your per diem budget is.
A cheaper lunch type option would be Hyman's seafood...It's a little touristy but they food is good and it's just a fun place to go.
I was never too impressed by the food at Fleet Landing, but it's a great place to go have drinks, awesome view and a large selection.
The only bad dining experience that I remember having in Charleston was a place called Wasabi. Over priced for very sub par food and AWFUL service.
A few others have mentioned Hominy Grill, I have never been there myself but have only heard great things about it and it's on Food Network and Travel Channel all the time.

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Hominy Grill
207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

Charleston Grill
224 King Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar
186 Concord Street, Charleston, SC 29401

[MyNextMeal]

Cru Cafe, Mercato, or La Fourchette would be my recommendations.

I prefer PEARLZ to Amen Street if you want a more casual meal. I've only had drinks at FLEET LANDING so I can't speak for the food but it would also be a nice fun place to go to.

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La Fourchette
Charleston, SC, Charleston, SC

Mercato
102 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401

[birgator]

Toast has an anniversary special running all month, $6.99 for some main courses that don't look too bad. It's on Meeting, but I haven't been. Anyone else?

Then there's Fast and French, good value meals at dinner with nightly specials. Broad Street.

Basil is not expensive, but not sure you want to have Thai when in Charleston. King Street.

[Sue in Mt P]

I have never been to Toast, but it's #1 on Tripadvisor, whatever that means!

I'm going to Husk tonight and Cypress Thursday so I'll post reviews. I loooooove restaurant week.

[Mayor of Melonville]

I had breakfast recently at Toast. Bad service and the absolute worst rendition of biscuits & gravy I've eve experienced. Perhaps lunch and dinner are better.

[Sue in Mt P]

It's certainly not the best place in town!

[Sue in Mt P]

Brunch is good at High Cotton and cheaper than dinner. it really is good.

I like Jestine's and Hominy Grill.

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Hominy Grill
207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

[NANCY]

La Fourchette, about 1/2 mile north of CP on King is an great little french bistro. The frites cooked in duck fat and the hanger steak are excellent. For some reason this place doesn't get a lot of chatter on Chowhound, but I've always had delicious food in an atmosphere that is very much like being in Lyon or Paris.

http://www.lafourchettecharleston.com/

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La Fourchette
Charleston, SC, Charleston, SC

[Mayor of Melonville]

We had a great meal at Magnolia's recently.

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Magnolias
185 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

[pemma]

Fleet Landing is a big casual place that is not too expensive.

http://www.fleetlanding.net/index.php

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Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar
186 Concord Street, Charleston, SC 29401

[Littleman]

Go to Amen Street for good seafood. High Cotton is a great restaurant also. Toast is a good casual joint. Sweetwater is good for breakfast or lunch.

Amen Street Seafood and Raw Bar @ 205 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 843 - 853 - 8600.
http://www.amenstreet.com/
High Cotton Maverick Bar and Grill @ 199 East Bay St., Charleston, SC. 843 - 724 - 3815.
http://www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/highcotton/index.html
Toast Restaurant @ 155 Meeting St., Charleston, SC. 843 - 534 - 0043.
http://www.toastofcharleston.com/
Sweetwater Cafe @ 137 Market St., Charleston, SC. 843 - 723 - 7121.
http://www.sweetwatersc.com/

[jla1960]

The OP should note that High Cotton only has one entree priced less than $22 and most are in the mid to upper $20's.

[cheesehead in recovery]

I was in Charleston about 2 weeks ago and we were taken to Amen Street....didn't impress us. Service was not what it could have been, and menu was marginal and pricy.

We did hear Hominy Grill was great.

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Hominy Grill
207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

[explorechs]

Definitely check out Charleston Restaurant Week as birgator suggests. More than 100 restaurants are offering three course menus for either $20 or $30. You can preview all of the menu options here:

http://www.charlestonrestaurantweek.com/

[jla1960]

Hominy Grill would be a good choice. I don't think they have any particular specials, but their entrees range from $8 to $17.

[birgator]

Perhaps you may be interested in Charleston Restaurant Week, January 14-22 (or are you arriving after the 22nd?). Fixed priced menus at some of Charleston's best, three courses for $20 or $30 depending. Lots of them within walking distance.

http://www.charlestonrestaurantweek.com/

You will need to cab it to Hominy -- and back.

[BarnNB]

I arrive on the last day of restaurant week. So close, but yet so far...