Charleston Grill: A New Look and Menu
Walk into the renewed Charleston Grill, Charleston Place Hotel’s nationally renowned restaurant, and you’ll think, “elegant, sexy and relaxing.” The award-winning hotel was renovated in 2007, creating a fresh product that appeals to a variety of palates. With its new look, menu and the music, Charleston Grill has even more to offer its guests.
The Look
The stenciled hardwood floors, silver-washed and beige leather chairs, and the mahogany walls with silver leaf trim add a soft touch to the Mobil Four-Star restaurant. It’s a different feel from the restaurant’s rustic pre-renovation look. Bursts of color from Jonathan Green’s paintings and Executive Chef Robert Waggoner’s photographs add extra flavor to the walls. According to Waggoner, an idea surrounding the change was to create a place for guests “that’s casual and fun, and where you can still have a good time.”
The Music
The soothing sounds of live jazz bands flow through Charleston Grill beginning at 7 p.m. nightly. The Frank Duvall Jazz Trio plays Monday through Wednesday nights. The Quentin Baxter Jazz Ensemble is on tap nightly Thursday through Saturday. Sunday nights are low key with the Bob Williams Duo on classical guitar and violin.
The Menu
Charleston Grill’s innovative menu is divided into four quadrants: Pure, Lush, Cosmopolitan and Southern. Appetizers, entrees and sides are choices under each menu style. “We listened to what our diners want, feel and think, then changed the menu to appeal to more than just the fine dining side,” says Waggoner.
The Pure menu is simple, created for those who dine out regularly. Rich, French-influenced dishes like Squab en Croute and Foie Gras are incorporated in the Lush segment. Diners can find exotic dishes inspired by flavors from around the world on the cosmopolitan menu. Waggoner’s play on Southern cuisine can include grits, corn pudding, collard greens and pork tenderloin with sautéed turnip greens. With the new menu, Waggoner says, “It would be tough to come in and not be able to find something to eat.”
Visit the Charleston Grill website.