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There's No Place Like Charleston

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WH ERE TH E WILD PL ACES ARE: A LO O K AT DEWEES , CAPERS , AN D BU LL ISL AN DS IN DU LGE IN A STAYCATIO N AT TH E CH ARLESTO N PL ACE LI F E + C U LTU R E

LO CAL N EIGH BO RH O O DS: AROU N D PARK CIRCLE WAN DER-FU LL: A ROU N DU P O F MUST-TRY E ATERI ES TO E XPLO RE

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C H AR L E S TON ’S HAPP Y PL ACE SE A F O O D • BB Q • DRINK S • HAPPINE S S Whether it’s the casual atmosphere, breathtaking views, refreshing cocktails, or the good vibe crowd, SWC is THE place to be.

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Lifestyle Letter

April 2023 PUBLISHER

Katy Derbyshire | katy.derbyshire@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Lauren McDuffie | lauren.mcduffie@citylifestyle.com

We live in an efficiency and productivity-obsessed age. And I admit - I fall into the trap sometimes, too. The trap of believing the only things worth doing are those for which I can make an exact calculation of the time, effort and investment it will cost me. The things that result in the highest level of control and least amount of uncertainty. But. Is that how we really want to walk through our lives? Being in utter control of every situation, of every day, may sound nice on paper, but in practice, it can leave us feeling hollow and unfulfilled. So, how do we protect ourselves from falling into this trap? We'd like to think the trap door lies somewhere in the unknown, in the open-hearted and open-minded pursuits of discovery, mystery, and adventure. We must leave some room for exploring, for trying new places and things, for being a beginner, even for getting a little bit lost. It is those unstructured, unplanned, and open-ended times that give us the grounds to truly grow. In the last few months, I've really been analyzing how our family operates as a unit and what we love spending our time doing. The way I made this more clear, was to first focus on the things that I don't love spending time on. It may be too many busy weeknights away from home or not enough dinners around the table together. But I've noticed that adventure doesn't have to be big and splashy. It can be quiet, as simple as playing a new board game, walking a new trail, or enjoying the cuisine from a culture we've yet to experience. Adventure can be found in embracing the big/little mysteries that are around us, all the time. We just have to get comfortable with stepping into the unknown and the unfamiliar, into the wild. Our hope is that this issue encourages you to make room for exploration. To prioritize time away from your regularly scheduled programming. To lose yourself on a trail or in a book. To schedule that trip or staycation you’ve been thinking about, to make time for the things that matter most to you, but often come last on the calendar. Consider these pages our permission slips to get just a little bit lost this month ... Happy April!

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Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise Proverbs 3:5-6 Charleston City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Charleston area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Charleston City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable,

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APRIL 2023

inside the issue The Explore Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

18 There's No Place Like Charleston

Lifestyle Letter

A downtown "staycation" affords locals a new way to experience and explore

Business Monthly

the Holy City.

Locally Sourced T R AV EL

Must See T R AV EL

Hot Spot LI FE + C U LT U R E

Local’s Choice LI FE + C U LT U R E

26 Wild, Wild Lowcountry

Dewees Island resident, Judy Fairchild, shares her knowledge of this magical area, just beyond IOP.

34 Around Park Circle

Rounding up some of the hip North Charleston neighborhood's best spots.

40 Wander-full

Explore the world's most delicious flavors without ever leaving Charleston.

O N T H E C OV E R

All smiles when checking in to the family and pet-friendly Charleston Place hotel.

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APRIL 2023

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

The Dede & B.V. Team Stays One Step Ahead Leading with a culture of compassion and employing a proven, resultsdriven system, The Dede and B.V. Team at Carolina One Real Estate represents excellence through and through. With an incredibly direct communication style and consistent, honest feedback, this team believes in being effective without being aggressive. Furthermore, their service extends beyond closing, as they will be your lifelong advocates and advisors, anticipating snags and delivering solutions before they become your problem. dedeandbv.com Photography dedeandbv.com

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Staycationland A staycation at The Charleston Place affords a fresh way to explore the Holy City. ARTICLE BY LAUREN MCDUFFIE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED My 40th birthday is rapidly approaching - a fact that is utterly unbelievable to me albeit no less true, despite my disbelief. So, I’ve felt compelled to mark this major decade shift in a big way, with something befitting the milestone. We’ve spun the globe, my husband and I, pondering which destination should/could stand as the perfect backdrop to some sort of big birthday adventure. I’d set my hopes on the exotic, assuming that only a faraway place would fit the bill. We do this, don't we? When seeking adventure we look elsewhere, the notion of “exploration“ conjuring visions of exotic, far-flung places. We want to get

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away, to get lost. But what if it can be easier than all that? What if the best way to get lost is by staying right where you are?

ENTER THE STAYCATION. Sometimes the greatest discoveries require little more than a change of perspective. Viewing our own towns through a fresh lens can help us perceive them differently, cracking open a wider, more enriching landscape for experience to grow. It’s like when you listen to your favorite song performed by different artists. With each version comes a deeper connection,

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"We’ve put together a unique set of experiences all designed to bring people together, in a time when many people are feeling divided or disconnected from each other.” - Founder, Ben Navarro

you notice nuances and bits of meaning you may have previously missed. The same can be said of a simple change of place when it comes to exploring your hometown. When we remove the blinders from our busy lives and show up fully present, it’s amazing what discoveries will unfurl. In many cases, our own hometowns can provide deeply fulfilling chances for exploring and there are few places as rich with opportunity for exploration as Charleston. You just have to know how to do it right, and who to bring along for the ride. Recently, on an otherwise ordinary Thursday morning, I walked through the doors of The Charleston Place for a tour, and I was promptly and unexpectedly swept off my feet. How have I never been here? I gaped. As I made my way through the vast hotel, my initial sense of wide-eyed wonder settled into a kind of happy resolve. From the feeling you get as soon as you walk through the doors, to the sounds (hello, lobby pianist), and even the smells (they have the most alluring fragrance), this hotel stopped me in my birthday planning tracks. Maybe these big getaway plans of mine didn’t need to be so fussy, so far away. Maybe the great 40th birthday adventure could happen right here? Yes, I thought, as I walked into the sun-splashed rooftop pool deck. This must be the place. Often referred to as “Charleston’s Living Room,” The Charleston Place is intended to be a hub, giving both out-of-town guests and locals a haven of sorts, a place for connection and community right in

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the heart of historic downtown. A gathering spot from which the whole of the city and its endless offerings can be explored, experienced, and enjoyed. But what does a staycation at The Charleston Place actually look like? I quickly gained an appreciation for the consistently high caliber of service you’ll benefit from during your stay. From check-in to check-out, they’ve leveled up the notion of what a hotel stay can be. After checking into your room (they have more than any other downtown property), you can make yourself comfortable with their seemingly infinite array of luxurious amenities, head to any number of the property’s fine dining and designer shopping options, and finally drift off to the sort of contented sleep we usually only dream about. Your new, temporary surroundings have been designed to help you explore with the greatest of ease, your burdens and usual busyness just fading into the background, With the sunrise, comes this renewed sense of place. Like Dorothy in Oz, you’re still home, but in a dreamier version of it. It’s brighter, and just a little more magical. You get to set out on this road of discovery while remaining in the familiar all at once. Yes, a new Charleston awaits, and it's shining with a fresh technicolor glow. It’s been there all along, but this time you get to explore it fully rested and cared for, with a team of dedicated people who are ready and waiting to, politely, blow your mind. While I appreciate the hotel for all of the grand luxuries it affords … the spa and

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rooftop pool, the cozy robes and soaking tubs, the sweeping city views … what really makes a stay unforgettable to me are the smaller, quieter moments; the subtle, impeccable details that truly differentiate. Maybe it was the warm, tip-of-the-hat greeting from Sam, the kind-eyed doorman. Perhaps it was the complementary (reusable) bottle of water passed to me from a friendly staff member during a brief hallway encounter. Or, maybe it was how many of its people seem so happy to simply be there. From staff members to guests alike, the atmosphere in this place contains an almost tangible sense of joy. When a big percentage of a hotel’s staff has worked there for many years, you know that’s a good sign. It’s not all just a ruse, not just smoke and mirrors. It’s deeper than that, here. But beyond the award-winning dining options, world-class spa, decked out fitness center, and myriad other enticing amenities, it was the hotel’s curated list of experiential excursions that most excited me. From chartered boat and yacht rides to biscuit making classes with Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit, there’s a bevy of fun, Charleston-centric activities that have been hand-picked, just for guests. I was struck by the fact that, as a Charleston resident, many of these are versions of experiences that I could technically enjoy any time … but I don’t. I’ve wandered Charleston’s historic streets more times than I could possibly count. Typically it’s for work, or to show off the city’s iconic landmarks to the steady stream of visitors we’ve enjoyed since moving here three years ago. But rarely do I ever do it simply to explore. I never do it just because. “Just because-ing” is an elusive, shimmering sort of notion in which I tend not to indulge very often. I never take

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the carriage ride, or sign up for the culinary tour I’ve been dying to try. I’ve yet to stop in any of the lovely art galleries lining Broad Street or try my hand at crabbing a truly exciting concept to this formerly land-locked resident. I’ve fallen into the “there’s always tomorrow,” trap of putting things off until another time. Akin to procrastination, this type of avoidance runs rampant around these parts, a truth I’ve come to fully appreciate after asking several friends and neighbors if they’re guilty of it, too. We get swept away by our bustling, full lives and place these types of things squarely on the proverbial back burner, saving them for a later time that may or may not ever arrive. So, a good antidote to this strain of procrastination can be found by adding a healthy shot of intentionality into our days, by setting out to fully absorb the ample opportunities for discovery that are, quite literally, all around us. And so, when you’ve had your fill of all the Holy City has to offer - see things from this newer, fresher perspective - you get to come back to the hotel and unwind. How better to fully soak up and savor a day of exploring than to do so from a perch at the Thoroughbred Club’s handsome bar, dreamed up by talented local designer, Cortney Bishop. Or maybe from a table at the Charleston Grill … Or better yet, seeing how this is a hotel, an order from room service might be just the ticket. Point is? The options abound, but don’t head home just yet. Don’t break the spell. Home will be there in the morning. Somewhere over the rainbow (row) and tucked in amongst many a charming bricked road, The Charleston Place awaits your arrival, and your little dog’s, too, pet-friendly place that it is. Woven into the very fabric of this city, it stands as the

perfect backdrop for a weekend of local adventuring. The heart of this hotel beats for Charleston, its devotion to the city and its people is clear for all to see. So, put those exotic destinations aside for now, and stay put. Stay in Charleston. This city has it all and then some, and there’s still no place quite like it.

Woven into the very fabric of this city, it stands as the perfect backdrop for a weekend of local adventuring.

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Where the Wild Places Are Our barrier islands aren’t just for the birds.

ARTICLE BY PAMELA JOUAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY REGGIE AND JUDY FAIRCHILD

Just north of the Isle of Palms is an undiscovered world to many of us who live a smallcarbon footprint away. There are miles of undeveloped coastline, bone-yard beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, managed wetlands, and a vast array of wildlife. These are some of the barrier islands of South Carolina, namely Dewees, Capers, and Bulls, and they are all accessible by boat. Explore a 60-mile stretch of undeveloped coastline, the largest on the Eastern Seaboard, and parts of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge designated as a world heritage shorebird reserve. These are the types of distinctions people travel around the world for; we have no idea how fortunate we are to have them in our own backyard. First up, Dewees: a private residential island that was put into a conservation easement in 1975, a twenty-minute ferry ride

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from IOP, and a ‘middleman’ between its fully developed southern neighbor and the undeveloped places farther afield. Dewees Island resident and master naturalist Judy Fairchild calls it “living gently in an ecosystem.” Fairchild first discovered Dewees as part of a bigger move from the Mid-Atlantic to the Charleston area. Landing first in Mount Pleasant, she and her husband and their three teenage kids made a full-time commitment to live on Dewees 15 years ago, where homes are built with sustainable materials, around existing trees and wetlands, and do not have yards. It wasn’t always easy: the kids took the ferry daily to school, and there are no stores or restaurants on the island. But you have unparalleled access to nature that Fairchild, once a teacher in Washington D.C. and who has always had a penchant for environmental

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education, finds non-negotiable. We are talking alligators and great blue herons, willets and shorebirds and warblers, as well as coyotes, raccoons, and whitetailed deer. During the pandemic, Fairchild started to stream sunrises, in part to give her own day structure, and found an international audience interested in her videos. This morphed into one minute nature walks (naturewalkswithjudy.com) which she calls “nature video haikus” because they encompass a piece of information in a 60-second video format. Today, she works with companies like the Coastal Expeditions Foundation to Zoom into classrooms in underserved communities to help students, who don’t have easy access to nature, connect in ways they might not think about. While Dewees Island is technically not accessible to non-residents (you have to know someone who lives there if you want to visit) you can get a glimpse of life there if you take a tour of some of the other barrier islands that share similar ecosystems. Capers Island is next, a state park, as Fairchild explains, where you can camp overnight with a state permit. “Sometimes, people who are kayaking from IOP to Capers land on Dewees by accident,” she smiles. At three miles long and one mile wide, this tiny island is the destination for flocks of migrating shorebirds, nesting Wilson’s Plovers, and American Oystercatchers. With living and petrified palmetto and oak trees scattered on the narrow front beach, mostlycourtesy of Hurricane Hugo, these tree skeletons are a huge draw for budding photographers. You’ll find more of these sun and salt-bleached trees that resemble bones on Bulls Island that boasts 66,000 acres of wildlife refuge and is the largest of the barrier islands within the Cape Romain area. Originally called Oneiscau by the Sewee tribe of Native Americans who lived there through the early 1700s, there is no camping allowed,maybe in part because it houses the largest concentration of alligators north of the Everglades! There are over 275 species of birds on Bull Island, and today, it is a protected area for dolphins, wood storks, sea turtles, eagles, and more. If you have an affinity for islands shaped by tides and time, as well as pink-dusted sunsets, there are two eco tour companies that can help you discover the wild fringes of the South Carolina coastline: Coastal Expeditions (coastalexpeditions.com) and Barrier Island Eco Tours (barrierislandecotours.com). They both offer an array of seafaring adventures with naturalist guides, and you just might find yourself racing the wind in the company of a pair of best-selling

Angela May and Mary Alice Monroe

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“Nature is magic, but it’s easy to miss when we’re not intentional about getting outdoors ... go outside and look for wild things ..." - Mary Alice Monroe authors who recently turned their attention to bringing the likes of Dewees Island to life within the pages of their latest series for kids called THE ISLANDERS. Mary Alice Monroe is a New York Times bestselling author of nearly 30 books, including the BEACH HOUSE series. She lives on IOP which she has often cited as a source ofinspiration for many of her books. In 2021, she and Angela May, founder of May Media and PR agency and a former award-winning television news journalist, co-authored their first book geared towards 9–12-year-olds, called The Islanders. It was an instant hit, and they are currently working on book number three. The series follows a group of summer friends and their adventures together on Dewees Island. While neither of them lives there, “thanks to the kindness of friends who do, we’ve been able to visit this barrier island where residents put nature first,” explained Angela May. “The wild beauty of the Lowcountry is on full display and for us, this place sparks wonder and imagination–a perfect source of inspiration for our stories.” You don’t have to be a child to be spellbound by the magic of nature. Both authors are adamant

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about reminding all of us to take the time to explore. “You need to take a moment to disconnect from the busyness of technology,” emphasizes Mary Alice Monroe. “Go outside and look for wild things (big and small) in your backyard or your local park. It’s more fun when you do it with friends and family.” Because we are lucky “in the Lowcountry to have access to trails and creeks, rivers, and beaches, and even national forests,” as May observes, we really don’t have an excuse. “Nature is magic, but it’s easy to miss when we’re not intentional about getting outdoors,” she adds. Both aforementioned tour companies have convenient locations in IOP. “One of the best ways to enjoy the Lowcountry is by water,” says Monroe, who has taken several Barrier Island Eco Tours to Capers Island, while May has taken her kids to Bulls with Coastal Expeditions. Fairchild calls her home on Dewees Island her “happy place.” Even if you don’t want to live in a place that’s only accessible by boat, treat yourself and explore the places that are often just beyond a stone’s throw away. Take a chance to stay informed, mindful, and inspired by what all we have been given.

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Around Park Circle ROUNDING UP SOME MUST-SEE SPOTS IN THE HOT NORTH CHARLESTON NEIGHBORHOOD.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN NESCO

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Spend any time at all in North Charleston's Park Circle neighborhood and a theme begins to take shape. It's subtle at first, as if others are onto something that you’re not. But if you dig deeper, you quickly come to realize that the undercurrent flowing through this place, the root system of it, is the people. I’ll just come out and say it, Park Circle is cool. It has dozens of restaurants, eateries, breweries, and funky boutique shops. Then there's the design of it, a 300 hundred foot in diameter circular garden with 8 roads coming off it like spokes on a ship’s wheel. And with a bit of research, you come to find that it was planned in the early 1900s by the North Charleston Lands Corp. and P.J. Berkmans Co. of Augusta, GA, one of the South’s first landscape architecture

firms, as part of the City Beautiful movement. But, as I mentioned, it's the community and the sense of common purpose that makes it special. I spent the afternoon on E. Montague Avenue shopping and communing with local owners who coincidentally enough, all seemed to know each other. They also seem to share similar opinions about what makes Park Circle great. My first stop is Commonhouse Aleworks where I met up with owner Pearce Fleming. One of the first analogies he used to describe Park Circle was, “The rising tide lifts all boats,” a term coined by JFK to convey the idea that if the economy improves, the financial position of those in that economy will improve as well. And I got the sense that Park Circle is the poster child for the statement; a self-regulating, self-contributing economy that understands that if the whole succeeds then the pieces will as well. “The neighborhood works best together,” he says. “Everyone is invested in serving the community, staying connected to one another, and showing visitors what Park Circle has to offer." There is no finer example of this than the St. Patty’s Day Season Parade that takes place the Tuesday before the official celebration. Pearce started it a few years back as a day to support his friends and food service colleagues at Madra Rua when the building burned down in early 2019. The following year it was to pay homage to a restaurant friend who was tragically killed. Now, it is an annual tradition to remember and celebrate the things that mean the most. CONTINUED >

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My next stop was Gray Cat Music and for anyone who thinks vinyl is dead, I can assure you it is not. The staff knows music like no other. “Park City just feels local,” says Drew Anderson, the shop’s owner. “It’s artsy, walkable, accessible, and has a vibe like no other. Most business owners here are also residents. So, we are not only invested in our shops but also our community, which is why so many people tend to visit or live here.” Madison Hughes at Park Pets feels the same. “There is always something going on in the community." This includes the Rockabillaque Festival, St. Patrick’s Day Block Party & Parade, North Charleston Arts Festival, and the Fall Food Truck Festival at Firefly Distillery. I stop in for a Flat White at Orange Spot Coffeehouse before making my way to Black Octopus Mercantile, an eclectic clothing

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shop who has supplied goods for a Hallmark movie, the hit show Outer Banks, and even has a few celebrity clients. “This place offers things for all ages,” says owner Missy Johnson. “It is the most creative, diverse, and accessible place I know.” My last stop is The Station Park Circle, who describe themselves as a reclaimed home marketplace with over 40 vendors. “We like to say that we are carefully curated goods with Southern charm,” says Roni Payer, the daughter-in-law of Sharon, the owner. There is something for everyone here, a place where the hunt is sometimes just as satisfying as the find. As I left Park Circle it was easy to see why so many flock here. Great food, shopping, atmosphere, environment, and people. Honestly, what more could you ask for.

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Wander-full Explore the world's most delicious flavors without ever leaving Charleston.

ARTICLE BY CORLEY FRIERSON PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Wanderlust. That urge to break away from everyday life and experience something unknown. We’ve all felt it, but sometimes the logistics of planning a vacation can seem overwhelming and daunting. To simplify, we’ve selected some destinations that don't require a ticket of any sort, just an appetite and a willingness to try something new. Here, we’ve rounded up some local restaurants boasting gorgeous global flavors. Travel the world via its flavors and iconic dishes, without ever leaving the Lowcountry.

CAFECITO

Cuban 471 King St, Charleston SC Take a trip to Cuba with this Charleston cafe and sandwich shop. The owners (husband and wife duo Kathy & Lane Atkins) hail from Miami, and they opened Cafecito after moving to the Holy City. The menu is a nod to Kathy’s Cuban heritage with traditional cafecito (dark roast espresso sweetened with a thick sugar foam), and pressed Cuban sandwiches. Hot tip, “If you want the true Cuban breakfast experience, order…a tostada (pressed Cuban bread with butter), and dunk that tostada in your café con leche.”

LEYLA FINE LEBANESE CUISINE

Lebanese 298 King St. This upscale, Middle Eastern restaurant positions tables right by the windows, so diners can watch passersby. The menu covers small plates and entrees: think tabbouleh, hummus, falafel, and shawarma. Don’t miss out on their homemade Manteh. These thin flour dumplings are filled with seasoned meat, fried, and served with yogurt, a delightfully warm and comforting addition to any dinner.

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PINK BELLIES

Vietnamese 595 King Street, Charleston SC Pink Bellies, a Charleston food truckturned restaurant, boasts a menu of modernized Vietnamese food. This electric Asian spot on King Street offers both an intimate dining experience, and a lively environment. Chef/Owner Thai Phi has created a menu that includes interpretations of his parents’ and grandparents’ Vietnamese cuisine. From a Pho burger to their “OG” garlic noodles, you’ll be able to get a true taste of Asian food without leaving the Peninsula.

EL MOLINO SUPERMERCADO

Mexican 1610 Sam Rittenberg Blvd Suite 301 Behind the doors of this Hispanic supermarket, you’ll find more than groceries. At El Molino Supermercado there're aisles of ingredients to craft a homespun Mexican, as well as a butcher shop, bakery, and taqueria. If you’re looking for an authentic Mexican taco, place an order here. The homemade tortillas are made daily, and tacos are served with a side of fresh avocado salsa. CONTINUED > AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C H A R L E STO N S C

JASMINE THAI KITCHEN

1440 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mt Pleasant SC The South Asian country of Thailand is represented in Mount Pleasant by Jasmine Thai Kitchen. Created by owner Siwinee Suksri, this cozy but trendy restaurant has an extensive menu accompanied by a top-notch staff. The Tom Kha soup and its combination of rice noodles, mushrooms, tomatoes, scallion, and cilantro comes highly recommended. Don’t be afraid to customize things! Many of their dishes allow you to adjust the spice level to your preference.

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