Where’s the best food in Charleston? Seabrook and bad downtown Charleston neighborhoods.

Congratulations to current/past OM clients that were recognized by the Charleston City Paper in their “Best Of” issue.

City Paper - Eating Out

Best Wine Selection – Social
This upscale downtown hotspot takes its vino menu seriously.

Best New Restaurant – Lucca
Was there any doubt that Ken Vedrinski’s amazing little trattoria in the ‘hood would win? We didn’t think so. The food is astounding, affordable, and hidden from the tourists. What could be more appealing to local foodies?

Best Cheese Plate – Lucca
Ken Vedrinski doesn’t just fix a cheese plate — you know the kind where some chef plops down three or four meager slices on a cold plate and charges you eight bucks for the favor — this man composes cheese plates. He loads them up with slabs of cheese — good cheese, aged cheese, cheese that has been hand-selected by experts like Manoli Davani over at Avondale Wine & Cheese and delivered to Vedrinski’s door at the peak of flavor. Then he hooks them up with, well, “treatments” — a melting robiola, just warm, oozing over fresh slices of apple, fruit compotes dashed across the plate, disparate flavors melded together in ways that make you wonder if you can ever eat cheese again without kicking yourself for not just heading uptown and sniffing out Lucca once more.

Best Place to Eat In a Bad Neighborhood – Lucca
Sienna’s star chef Ken Vedrinski teased us with rumors of a new restaurant downtown, and we finally got it this year with Trattoria Lucca. The fact that it’s located in a less-than-desirable part of town hasn’t kept anyone away — months later, you’ve still got to plan in advance if you want a table. Serving up modern Italian fare with Vedrinski’s signature flair, the place is surprisingly affordable — most entrées will run you less than $20. And the traditional-style Sunday Suppers are not to be missed.

Best Reason to Drive to Seabrook – Red Sky
Kiawah and Seabrook have always had a few star restaurants that do a brisk business with the tourists without giving locals much reason to drive out. But back in the fall, Seabrook got a new addition with Red Sky. Just before you get to the imposing gates of the affluent island community, Red Sky sits in a small building with a gas pump out front and a snack shop next door. Though it’s got a refreshingly casual feel, Chef Matt Bolus’ creations are modern and creative — particularly the appetizers; try the seared scallop served with vanilla-spiked sweet potato puree, lobster jus, and truffles, topped with a spoonful of caviar. Don’t let the islands intimidate you — Red Sky is worth the trip.

–Lee Deas