My Top 3 Restaurant Challenge in Charleston, SC

The results are in for my Top 3 Restaurant Challenge in Charleston, SC! Charleston has so many great restaurants, but three stand above the rest in terms of service, food choices, and most importantly for us with food allergies, attention to food allergies. Each of these three restaurants are extremely difficult to get reservations on any given night, so I highly recommend using the Open Table App to reserve your table.

I narrowed my Top 3 down to:

- Husk Restaurant, 76 Queen St.
- Edmund's Oast, 1081 Morrison Dr.
- Halls Chophouse, 434 King St.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Ok, ok, so I could not pick one clear winner. I have had great experiences at all three and depending on the evening, any of the three could slide into that number one spot. However, for my Top 3 Challenge, I will break down each restaurant and rank them according to the Challenge Dining Experience.

Husk Restaurant's Pork Dish

HUSK RESTAURANT is consistently named one of the top restaurants in the country. I know why... fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a menu that keeps you guessing what great dishes will be available that evening.

Pros:
- Love the Farm to Table Aspect (check the chalk board near the hostess stand for a list of ingredient sources)
- Constantly changing the menu to give diners a chance to always try something new
- Very good with food allergies (Dined during Restaurant Week last year and even with a prix fixe menu, there were gluten free options)

Cons:
- With the changing menu, it is very possible that your favorite Husk dish may not be on the menu that evening. That was the case during my Top 3 Challenge. I love the Pork Belly Dish, and it was not available that night. My meal was very good, but was not the dish I was craving when I arrived.

Because I was hoping for the Pork Belly, Husk landed at #3 in my Top 3 Challenge. Numbers 1 and 2 were more difficult to determine. Both Edmund's Oast and Halls Chophouse go above and beyond to serve those of us with food allergies, and that is why they are my top 2! I love being able to dine in a restaurant that has amazing service and know I am going to get a safe, delicious meal without making me feel like I have a million requests or accommodations.

Edmund's Oast's Charcuterie Board with Gluten Free Bread

EDMUND'S OAST is a newcomer to Charleston, opening last year, but comes in strong with great small plate items and tasty options.

Pros:
- Julia Ingram, Pastry Chef at Edmund's Oast, is gluten free and makes all the desserts gluten free as well as the most amazing gluten free bread
- Julia's fiancee is head chef, Andy Henderson. Andy really gets gluten free and while most dishes are naturally gluten free, all dishes can be modified to be gluten free
- The Charcuterie Fresh Board is the most amazing thing ever... get the gluten free bread to go with it!
- Order the Pickled Shrimp, on gluten free bread, of course!
- Owner Scott Shor takes great care in making sure all diners are having a great experience at Edmund's Oast and has a well trained staff who is happy to make sure your meal is food allergy free.
- Did I mention the gluten free desserts??
- Did I mention the gluten free bread??

Cons:
- Edmund's Oast has over 40 beers on tap (and is nationally known for its own beer brewing), but does not have any gluten free beers. They do have two cider options, but they are not on tap.

Halls Chophouse's Fried Green Tomatoes

HALLS CHOPHOUSE is THE place to go for a steak in Charleston. It is also the place to go for outstanding service and a fabulous gluten free meal.

Pros:
- Halls is family owned and co-owner Billy Hall wants to make sure you have a fantastic meal with fantastic service every time you dine with them. He will greet you when you walk through the door and be the first person to ask you how your dining experience was as you leave. His servers are well trained and very attentive (During one of my dining experiences, a near-by diner started choking. Before anyone realized, our server rushed over and gave the man the Heimlich Maneuver, saving his life!).
- Without even making it a big deal, Halls uses gluten free rice flour to fry with so all fried items are gluten free. You must order the Fried Green Tomatoes. They are out of this world! I keep saying I am going to just order four plates of them on my next trip!
- The steaks are top notch! I really love Halls Prime Rib, since I find it very difficult to find gluten free Prime Rib, due to the aus jus. Halls takes great care to prepare it safely. It is a top seller and tends to run out, as evidenced by my Top 3 Challenge visit, but I was able to enjoy a fabulous Filet instead.

Cons:
- No gluten free bread. With all the gluten free options at Halls (did I mention the Fried Green Tomatoes?!?), gluten free bread would be awesome!

As you can see, it is too difficult to choose just one. Each restaurant is so different, but one thing is the same, they accommodate for food allergies. I love how each, especially Edmund's Oast and Halls, don't make a big deal out of their accommodations, allowing us with food allergies to feel normal among other diners. For a food item to be automatically gluten free or have a gluten free substitution, gives those without food allergies a chance to realize that our "special" food can be delicious.

With Edmund's Oast and Halls Chophouse, depending on the night and what I am craving, either one could be my number one restaurant in Charleston. With all the great choices in this "foodie" city, these two go above and beyond, not only with food allergy accommodation, but with world class food. Check them out and let me know your Top 3 Restaurants in Charleston, SC!

EAT: Fig, Charleston, SC

At FIG Restaurant in Charleston, SC, Food Is Good! Being one of the hardest reservations to obtain in downtown Charleston, I was excited to check the place out. Small and quaint, FIG does not disappoint. There was no gluten free menu, but our server was very knowledgeable and checked the ingredients for us on several dishes. Most of the dishes at FIG are automatically gluten free, except for the obvious bread, as they make all of their dishes in house.

We started the meal with the Keegan-Filion Farm Chicken Liver Pâté. The Pâté itself is gluten free, but is accompanied with broiche (bread and definitely not gluten free). Instead, our server brought us a plate of the maxim potatoes, usually served with the Beef Tartare, which are gluten free and the only item fried in the fryer. The potato "chips" were a nice addition to the Pâté, along with pickles and dijon.

I ordered the Slow Baked Beeliner Snapper with cabbage, black trumpet mushroom, pecan, fino sherry. The dish is naturally gluten and corn free and came highly recommended by our server. The snapper had a light taste and was a good size portion.

My dinner companion ordered the Fish Stew in Cocotte with white shrimp, squid, mussels, Charleston Gold Rice, and rouille on the side. The strew was gluten free as well and was very flavorful. The broth was not as thick as I thought it would be (more like a soup than a stew), but was chock full of shrimp and mussels.

We ordered a side of the Roasted Beets. Orange in color, not deep red you normally see with pickled beets, and they had a nice flavor.

The food at FIG is good, and I really appreciated our server being knowledgeable about food allergies. Definitely in my top 5 restaurants in Charleston. A must check out, but make your reservations early due to the difficulty to get a table.

FIG
232 Meeting St.
Charleston, SC 29401
843.805.5900
http://www.eatatfig.com/

EAT: Burwell's Stone Fire Grill, Charleston, SC

Burwell's Stone Fire Grill is a hip downtown Charleston, SC steakhouse. With a large bar area and two levels of dining, its prime location near the City Market. Burwell's does not have a gluten free menu, but our server was knowledgeable about ingredients and checked with the chef on any questions we had. She pointed out several "safe" meals as suggestions. 

We had to start the meal with the "On the rocks" Flight of Flavor appetizer. A 700 degree lava stone is brought to the table where you cook your own filet tips. It was my favorite part of the meal! The filet tips did not have any rub on them, making them gluten free. You just placed the tips on the lava stone until they were cooked to your desired temperature. The sauces that accompanied the dish were also gluten free. 

I ordered the gluten free Holy City Hog, braized pork with Fuji Apple Butter, Winter Greens, and Blackberry Glaze. The pork was tender and the Fuji Apple Butter was amazing. Will definitely order a bowl of it next time!

My dinner companion ordered the gluten free Wagyu Hangar Steak that had been aged 35 days. It was cooked to a perfect medium rare and was tasty. 

As a side, we ordered the gluten free Baby Beets, Fennel, Vanilla, and Almonds dish. The beets were very good and the combination of flavors worked well together.

I am looking forward to my next visit to Burwell's. John Thomas, the owner, was making the rounds and refilling water, which is always nice to see upper management making sure everyone is enjoying their meals. I appreciated their knowledge of gluten free to prepare as safe a meal as possible. 

Burwell's Stone Fire Grill

14 North Market St. 

Charleston, SC 29401

843.737.8700

www.burwellscharleston.com

EAT: Flying Fish Market and Grill, Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach, SC

When at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, SC for a concert or a day of shopping, be sure to check out the Flying Fish Market and Grill. Complete with a gluten free menu, this seafood restaurant has a good selection and a nice atmosphere. The restaurant has a large bar area and big windows for nice views of Barefoot Landing.

I ordered the Jambalaya from the Gluten Free Menu. It was very tasty with sauteed chicken and shrimp, smoked sausage, okra, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and rice.

My dinner companion ordered the gluten free Build Your Own Boil and added Little Neck Clams and PEI Mussels, minus the corn on the cob. It was a generous portion and also had potatoes and smoked sausage.

The Flying Fish Market and Grill is a great option when at Barefoot Landing. It is not a chain, but it is one of several restaurants located in North and South Carolina owned by the Homegrown Hospitality Group.

Flying Fish Market and Grill

Barefoot Landing 

4744 Hwy 17 South

North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

843.663.3474

http://www.flyingfishmarket.com/

EAT: Barsa Tapas Lounge and Bar, Charleston, SC

Need a little Spanish infusion in downtown Charleston, SC? Look no further than Barsa Tapas Lounge and Bar. Barsa is a great place to sample a bunch of different menu items. Even though it does not have a gluten free menu, our server, Jamie, was knowledgeable and pointed out which menu items were safe. 

We started out with the Roasted Beet Salad. It was very tasty and topped with mixed greens, walnuts, and a yogurt vinagretta. The beets were nicely roasted and had a good flavor. 

Next, we ordered the Roasted Olives with garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Wow! Not sure if I have ever had warmed olives, but I may be hooked!

We tried the Pork Ribs with Citrus Mojo. Jamie checked on their gluten and corn free status with the chef, and since everything is made in house, they were safe. The sauce on the ribs had a good flavor, but I thought the portion size (3 ribs) was an odd number to share tapas style. 

For our "main" meal, we decided upon the Seafood Spanish Paella. We ordered the medium size and were only able to eat about half between the two of us (hello, leftovers!). The Paella had shrimp, clams, mussels, and a local fish that was very tasty. The rice also had chorizo sausage added. Even though we were dining late and there were only a couple other tables of diners, Jamie informed us that the paella takes 45 minutes to cook, so be sure to put that order in first so your food will arrive in succession. 

Barsa has a great vibe, a corner lounge with a large bar. It does carry Crispin Gluten Free Cider for those interested in a gluten free adult beverage. Despite the lack of a gluten free menu, I was impressed that Jamie knew which menu items were safe, and the tapas style offered the ability to share and try a variety of menu items. 

Barsa Tapas, Lounge, and Bar
630 King St.
Charleston, SC 29403
843.577.5393
http://barsacharleston.com/

EAT: Home Team BBQ, Charleston, SC

I don't want to say that I am a BBQ conisoiur being from the BBQ capital of the world, North Carolina, but I kind of am. I do really enjoy trying BBQ from other parts of the country and have found some great options outside my home state. Home Team BBQ in Charleston is no exception. I checked out the Sullivan's Island location for lunch (HTBBQ also has a West Ashley location). 

Home Team BBQ is similar to one of my favorite BBQ establishments, Southern Soul BBQ in St. Simons Island, GA (both regularly participated in cook-offs between each other) and both have won numerous national awards for their BBQ. I was really excited when I started to explain my food allergies to the server who promptly brought a gluten free menu. It is great to know that the vinegars used on the meats are gluten free. 

I decided upon the pulled pork plate. It comes with two sides. The gluten free menu limits the side options, but there are still several to choose from. With my other food allergies, I was even more limited (no coleslaw or potato salad - mayo (egg) based), so I went with two sides of collards. My photo does not depict how massive the plate was, but the portion size was quite large. The pork was tasty, not dry and had a light vinegar base on it. There were other homemade sauces on the table to add if you so desired. 

My lunch companion ordered the two meat plate with beef brisket and ribs, all gluten free. The coleslaw and mashed potatoes were his sides. The brisket was tender and had a great flavor. The ribs were good as well. 

Let me know what you think about Home Team BBQ and where your favorite BBQ joint is located!

Home Team BBQ
2209 Middle Street
Sullivans Island, SC
843.883.3131

1205 Ashley River Rd.
West Ashley, SC
843.225.7427
http://www.hometeambbq.com/

EAT UPDATE: Edmund's Oast, Charleston, SC

Edmund's Oast is quickly becoming one of my favorite restaurants in Charleston, SC! I had such a great meal there last time, I had to check it out again!  See my previous blog about Edmund's Oast here.  We arrived early for our reservation to request our favorite seat with a view of the kitchen (Dinner and a Show!). With just a short wait at the bar, our table was ready.

Speaking of the bar, they have 48 different beers and sodas on tap!? What a cool backdrop for the bar! However, there are no gluten free beers and ciders on tap and none in bottles. We did enjoy the fermented pineapple wine (not as sweet as you would think!) and one of the Cannonborough sodas on tap with Cruzan Rum.

When dining at Edmund's Oast, one must order the charcuterie board. The meats change regularly and we had completely different meats than last time. Our server, Lindsey, informed the chef, who made some modifications to ensure our board was gluten and corn free. It arrived with our favorite gluten free bread made by Sweet Radish Bakeshop, which consists of teff, oats, and almond flour. Some of the best gluten free bread I have tasted!

I saw the fried flounder on the menu during our last visit and after chatting with Lindsey, I found out that it is dusted in rice flour and fried in rice bran oil. It is already gluten free without modifications! This trip, we decided to try it out and yum, it is delicious! The dark sauce on the plate is gluten free tamari. The greens on top had a great flavor and really complimented the flounder. Also, it is pretty cool to have the whole fish delivered to your table!

Just like the last trip, we could not pass up on the Heritage Chicken and Carolina Gold Rice Porridge. It is perfect for a winter evening. 

We were stuffed and passed on dessert, but Edmund's Oast has a great selection of gluten free desserts from Sweet Radish Bakeshop. We saw several chocolate brownies prepared during our meal (gluten free minus the graham cracker sprinkled on top) and homemade pumpkin ice cream (we must have looked eager for a sample, as the chef gave us a small spoon taste). Yum! Nice flavor and not overly sweet. 

I continue to be impressed with Edmund's Oast and how accommodating it is for food allergies. Our server was very knowledgeable and when unsure, double-checked with the chef. Every step was made to ensure we had the safest meal possible. With the addition of a gluten free beer or cider option, it would definitely rival any top restaurant in Charleston and beyond... but it kind of already does!

Edmund's Oast
1081 Morrison Dr.
Charleston, SC 29403
843.727.1145
edmundsoast.com

EAT: Edmund's Oast, Charleston, SC

Edmund's Oast, located on Morrison Dr. in downtown Charleston, SC, is in an up and coming part of downtown. But, unlike many downtown Charleston restaurants, it has its own parking lot! I was excited to try out another potentially great restaurant in Charleston (have not been disappointed yet), but what really makes Edmund's Oast a great place for us food allergy warriors is the fact that the chef's girlfriend owns Sweet Radish Gluten Free Bakershop (See my Blog)! Not only does Edmund's Oast carry Sweet Radish gluten free bread and dessert options, they totally get the "allergy thing." Even though there is not a gluten free menu, our server was very knowledgeable and checked on any questions we had that he could not answer.

I almost died laughing at where we were seated. Could we have gotten a better seat in the house to "watch" over the preparation of the food?? Almost like dinner and a show! It was fun to watch the staff prepare each dish and of course, ask what dish is that?

Pre-meal, two small samplings of roasted sweet potatoes with honey were delivered to our table. Now, I am not sure if this is commonplace or if our mention of food allergies and questions about certain menu items prompted this delicious pre-dinner treat to be delivered to our table. Either way, it was a great way to start the meal!

We ordered the Charcuterie Board as an appetizer. The selection of meats was delivered on a large plank and served with bread. Even though we had stated we were gluten and corn free, I thought for sure that they had forgotten and brought the bread anyway (not the first time that has happened!). Not the case, as the bread was gluten free and corn free from Sweet Radish Bakery. Wow, both were excellent!

On a chilly night, the Heritage Chicken and Carolina Gold Rice Porridge was perfect. Mixed in were jumbo lump blue crab and young onions. It was very filling and enough for two to share.

Since many of the menu items at Edmund's Oast are set up like tapas, we also tried the Surryano Ham and Acorn Squash. The ham was very tasty, but I thought the squash could have been cooked longer, as I like my squash a little less crunchy.

Edmund's Oast did a great job of accommodating for food allergies and even had several gluten free dessert items from Sweet Radish Bakeshop. Despite being full, we tried the Pistachio Cookies with rose water and creme fraiche. It was my first cookie sandwich in years. After a couple of bites, though, I had to surrender and take the rest home.

Definitely check out this fun restaurant and bring your non-gluten free friends too, as they have a large selection of beers on tap. Edmund's Oast is also part of the FIG restaurant family and prides itself on working with local farms to bring its customers the finest ingredients.

Edmund's Oast
1081 Morrison Dr.
Charleston, SC 29403
843.727.1145
edmundsoast.com

EAT: Halls Chophouse, Charleston, SC

For a great steak when in Charleston, SC, head to Halls Chophouse on King St. A dimly lit two-story restaurant, Halls is famous for its steaks and its southern hospitality. Upon entering the restaurant, my dinner companion and I were warmly greeted not only by Billy Hall, son of owners Jeanne and Bill Hall, Sr., but also great live music from the piano in the corner. Billy welcomed us and found us a seat at the bar for the few minute wait for our reserved table to be available. Even on a Sunday evening, Halls was packed, but not overly noisy and the piano music gave the room a nice ambiance.

Steve, our server, was very knowledgeable about the menu, despite the lack of a gluten free menu. He assured us he could assist us in finding a great gluten free meal. In fact, Steve said that all fried items are dusted in rice flour and cooked in rice bran oil, so all fried items are gluten free! How awesome! Why is this not publicized?! Unless it is an obvious gluten item, like the pre-meal bread, pasta, and most desserts, it will be gluten free. Armed with this knowledge, we anxiously ordered the fried green tomatoes. They did not disappoint! Topped with crab, shrimp, and bacon succatash (minus the corn), the tomatoes were so perfect, we debated ordering another!

For the main meal, I ordered the Petite Filet (8oz). It was a nice medium (maybe more medium rare, which was ok by me) and very tender and flavorful. One of the best filets I have had in a long time. Something to note is that when ordering a steak, no sides come with it, so be sure to order a side or two. I recommend the Fried Green Tomatoes!

My dinner companion ordered the 24oz. Bone-In Rib Eye. It was a large slice and very juicy with a great flavor.

I was really impressed with Steve's knowledge of the menu and the gluten free options available. He even saved another diner from choking during our meal. He quickly did the Heimlich before many of the diners even knew what was going on. My dinner companion and I vowed to cut our meat in small pieces and chew completely before swallowing, but felt safe that Steve could assist us if needed. Stuffed from the great meal, Billy was there at the front door as we left to make sure we had a great time and to thank us for dining at Halls. Don't worry, Billy, we will be back soon! Thanks for taking great care of us!

Halls Chophouse
 434 King St.
Charleston, SC 29403
843.727.0090
http://hallschophouse.com

EAT: Second Trip to Husk Restaurant During Charleston Restaurant Week

I finally had the opportunity to return to Husk Restsurant in Charleston, SC for dinner. I had a fantastic meal the last time I ate at Husk for lunch, so I was eager to return to one of the top restaurants in the country to see of it lives up to the hype and up to my first experience. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. 

Last week was Charleston Restaurant Week. I highly recommend checking out as many restaurants as possible during this annual event. I wish I had, as the popular restaurants book early (my reservation was made a month in advance, unaware of Restaurant Week). Participating restaurants offer a multiple-course prix fixe menu, so no substitutions or normal menu items available. At first, with all my food allergies, I was a little apprehensive about the menu. I knew if Husk had the entree from my first trip, I was definitely getting that again. I thought I would probably have to skip dessert since the options did not look allergen free on the menu. A chat with my server and I found out there was a gluten free and corn free option for each course!

For the first course, I ordered the Carolina Gold Risotto with smoky tomatoes, sweet peas, and goat's milk feta, minus the soft poached egg. Super tasty! Since I am corn free, risotto (rice) has become a new favorite. It had a consistency of grits, the only thing this Southern girl misses corn-wise, and a lot of flavor.

My dinner companion ordered gluten free as well and chose the Marinated Nectarines with Surryano Ham, Roasted Sweet Corn, Frilly Mustard Greens, Toasted VA Peanuts, and Honey Ricotta. With the addition of corn, I had to pass on a sample, but he said it was quite good. I loved the presentation with the wooden bowl! He did comment that my risotto was the winner of the two.

For the main course, we both decided on the VA Heritage Pork with creamy Sea Island Red Peas and Smoky Butterbeans, Mustard Greens, and Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes. The pork shoulder dish was very similar to my lunch entree I had during my first visit to Husk and it was just as good.

Now, for dessert! All of the choices looked gluten-tastic on the menu, but our server quickly pointed out that the Chocolate Fudge Cake and Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream was flourless and gluten free. Yum! What a finish to a fantastic meal! The chocolate cake was really good, but I have had better. The ice cream, on the other hand, was OMG! I don't eat dairy by choice, except for certain cheeses, but the ice cream was a must splurge. It had real mint flavor, like the way mint is muddled in a mojito, not that fake mint flavor you find in most ice creams.

All in all, my second trip to Husk lived up to the hype. It is my favorite restaurant in Charleston so far, and I will definitely be back. I am also looking forward to checking out Charleston Restaurant Week next year. What a great opportunity to take in the local cuisine!

Husk Restaurant

76 Queen St. 

Charleston, SC 

843.577.2500

www.huskrestaurant.com

EAT: Water's Edge, Charleston, SC

What is the best way to get to a restaurant? Drive a boat! At Water's Edge in Shem Creek, Charleston, SC, you can park your boat right outside at the dock. Although not dog friendly like several other restaurants along Shem Creek, Water's Edge has great outdoor seating and an outdoor bar. From the restaurants I have visited on Shem Creek, it is a little more dressy, although the outdoor bar is casual, and the first one I encountered with a gluten free menu. 

After a round of golf and an afternoon on the boat, I was hungry for some great seafood. Water's Edge has a great selection of fresh, local catch. Since we were dressed pretty casual from the boat, we sat outside in the covered bar area with a view of Shem Creek. I ordered the gluten free seafood paella, which had lobster, shrimp, clams, scallops, and mussels over saffron rice in a rich tomato broth. Delicious and not too spicy. The best part: there was a whole lobster tail in the dish!

My dinner companion ordered the gluten free Herb Seared Grouper served over goat cheese mashed potatoes and asparagus with a citrus herb beurre blanc. Very light and tasty, but I thought the paella was much better. Must have been exactly what I wanted!

Water's Edge is a great place for a nice dinner or a casual drink and meal outside, whether arriving by car or by boat. Their newly added gluten free menu has a good variety of options. It is definitely on my short list of choices for dinner on my next boating adventure!

Water's Edge 

1407 Shrimp Boat Lane

Mount Pleasant, SC

843.884.4074