Even as we enter a new decade, it’s comforting to think that we can count on some things to stay the same — the annual winter restaurant week kicks off this Thurs. Jan. 9, running through Sun. Jan. 19. As we’ve noted before, not all deals are created equal; many of these restaurants are better suited for a la carte offerings, not a pre fixe menu. But some new spots are worth checking out, and some standbys are still serving up solid steals. Here are our best bets:
Newcomers
Delaney Oyster House has a $40-per-person deal — that’s not bad considering the restaurant’s regular menu price point. Diners can choose from three shucker’s select oysters or three peel-and-eat shrimp; a house Caesar or lobster bisque; the daily catch with Sea Island red peas, ham hock, and roasted squash or PEI mussels; and hummingbird ice cream cone or the Asian pear sorbet.
New Mt. Pleasant steakhouse Butcher & the Boar is offering a three-course for $45 deal. Choose from steak tartare or Caesar salad to start; a 12 oz. N.Y. strip with warm potato salad, spinach, bleu cheese, and demi or Atlantic salmon with potato puree, fennel, mache, tangerine, and fennel pollen; and everyone gets chocolate cheesecake with sorghum caramel and malt crumble for dessert. Add $10 for a wine pairing.
Folly Road newcomer Jalisco’s Taqueria & Tequila is serving up both lunch and dinner specials: two tacos and side for $10 (lunch) and an entree plus dessert for $20 (dinner).
MESU, Upper King’s latest eatery specializing in Mexican and sushi, has a two course for $20 menu. First course options include chips and salsa trio, chips and queso, and ginger spiced chicken wings; entree options include a variety of sushi rolls, plus a choice of two tacos with street corn.
Oldies but goodies
Basil is always a Restaurant Week fave. Their downtown, Mt. Pleasant, and North Charleston locations are all offering a three-for-$25 deal. First course choices include soup or salad or appetizers like egg rolls, fresh basil rolls, and fried wontons; entrees like pad Thai, Asian sea bass, and a variety of curries, noodles, and rice dishes; and a rotating dessert option.
CO on King St. is offering either three courses for $20 or four for $25. You can also add a three-course sake pairing for $17. First course choices include edamame and spicy crab rangoon; second course choices are green papaya salad and curry laksa broth; third course choices are pad Thai, Korean rice bowl, or pho. The optional fourth course is for sweet tooth fiends — strawberry spring rolls with Nutella.
Waterfront dining is even sweeter when you’re getting a deal. Head to Fleet Landing for three courses for $30. Apps include lump crab bruschetta, pimento cheese or crab dip, and Fleet Landing stuffed hush puppies; choice of entrees including Lowcountry boil, crispy whole fried Southern flounder, or Charleston shrimp and grits; and key lime pie or chocolate torte for dessert.
A night out
Just because you’re ordering from a prix fixe menu doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun with it — participating restaurants like Nico Oysters + Seafood offer multi-course meals that you’ll probably want to pair with a special bottle of vino. It may not be the cheapest meal in town, but you’ll still save some buckaroos. Nico offers three courses for $40; first course options include half a dozen blackberry oysters, crab onion soup, OT tuna oyster, or beef tartare; octopus, mussels ‘vin rouge,’ cheese puff, and tuna tartare make up the second course offerings; and third course choices include duck confit, beef filet, sea scallops, or trout almondine.
At Hank’s Seafood downtown, choose three courses for $45. First course options include she crab soup, soup of the day, six James River (Va.) oysters, or a house salad; second course entrees include a grilled swordfish, fried shrimp platter, buttermilk fried chicken, shrimp and grits, or the market fish; and diners finish the evening with a nightly rotating dessert section.
Josephine’s $39 pre-fixe menu includes a first course choice of Burden Creek whipped goat cheese, shrimp de jonghe, or steak tartare; second course options of baby beets and burrata or curry roasted squash; and third course selections of sea scallops, ricotta cavatelli, bistro filet, or crispy baked polenta.
Stay cool. Support City Paper.
City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.
