Upper King Charleston

One martini lunch at the Swamp Fox

This martini is Shrimp and Grits by Swamp Fox Executive Chef Simon Andrews, soon to be national news (more to come on that). It's a delicious and perfect lunch and one of our favorite Upper King Design District choices.
    Chef Simon has worked his magic at the historic Francis Marion Hotel since 1998. In addition to the Swamp Fox Restaurant, he oversees the culinary program for the hotel, enchanting many wedding and business guests with his culinary skills.
    Born in Ireland and inspired by the great chefs of Europe, he immigrated to the United States to attend the Culinary Institute of America.
    Andrews was Executive Sous Chef at Sfuzzi, a prestigious Italian Bistro on East 56th Street in New York, and subsequently opened two additional Sfuzzi Restaurants in South Hampton and the World Trade Center.
    Lured by the regional cuisines of the south, he became Executive Sous Chef at Sanderling, a luxury resort catering to the Outer Banks most sophisticated palettes. Later Chef Simon assumed the demanding position of Resort Chef at Kiawah Island before settling in Charleston at the historic Francis Marion Hotel.
    And we're glad he's here. Especially for the Shrimp and Grits Martini. Amen.

Upper King Design Walk to kick off Charleston Home Market

This year's Design Walk will be even more special as it kicks off the new Charleston Home Market, hosted by Charleston Magazine and Charleston Home. The first-of-its-kind design event features the work of Charleston’s decorative arts designers and craftsmen, offering everything from contemporary furniture and glass to innovative lighting and textiles. A scaled-down, homegrown version of the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, North Carolina, Charleston Home Market will add a local stop to fall buying trips by pairing Southeastern interior designers, architects, and buyers with Charleston-made goods and the local talents who create them.    
            Honorary Chairman: Legendary blacksmith and ornamental ironworker Philip Simmons.
            Guest Speakers: International antiques expert Judith Miller, renowned Southern interiors author Susan Sully, and American College of the Building Arts founder John Paul Huguley.
            Upper King Design District Fall Design Walk October 23, 5-8 pm.   
            Charleston Home Market Trade Day October 24, 10-5 pm.   
            Charleston Home Market Open to the Public October 25, 10-5 pm.
            Sign up for our e-newsletter (upper right column) or check back for more details about all the special events planned for Design Walk and Charleston Home Market.   

Farmer's Market and Upper King Street in the New York Times

The New York Times featured Charleston's Farmers Market (recently voted No. 5 in the country--more to come on that) and several of our Upper King Design District businesses in the Escapes Section today.
    "The palmetto-lined row of century-old retail spaces north of Marion Square has become a magnet for new restaurants, boutiques and home design businesses...you’ll find pioneering retailers like Andrea Serrano, a Brooklyn native who moved to Charleston three years back with her husband, Gustavo, to open B’zar, a lower Manhattan-worthy streetwear boutique.
    "Wonderland, a children’s boutique, and Global Awakening, an eclectic little shop that sells organic cotton clothing, jewelry fashioned by local craftsmen and unusual goods like soaps ($5.99) from the Enterprising Kitchen.
    "Just behind Upper King lies St. Philip Street, gateway to the ivy- and oak-draped College of Charleston and the lower peninsula’s gorgeous historic neighborhoods. You may want to stop into the Redux Contemporary Art Studios, a nonprofit gallery.
    "For dinner, take a [Carta Dash bus] for $1.25 back up to King Street to Monza for Neapolitan-style pizzas ($7 to $12) topped with local cheeses, meats and vegetables, or to Raval, a dark and sumptuous little wine and tapas bar.
    Readers may remember the March, 2007 article, 36 Hours in Charleston, in which the Times staff found Coast, but the rest of our 'Soho of the South' went largely undiscovered. We've been found!

Lay it down. Let it Go. Fall in Love. Al Green at the Charleston Music Hall

This coming Saturday at 8:00 pm, the Charleston Music Hall will host An Intimate Evening with Al Green. Proceeds will benefit the MUSC Children's Hospital Fund. For tickets, contact etix.com.

"Green's voice remains lithe magic."--Billboard

"His new album, 'Lay it Down' is a stone classic." Boston Globe

"Now he has returned to that smooth soul template, but with some 21st century help." Wall Street Journal

Apple Store opens on King Street

The opening of our new Apple Store at 301 King Street--Middle Kingdom, so to speak--brings such joy to those of us who use "the computer for the rest of us", we couldn't resist telling you about it. Welcome to the neighborhood, Apple Store, from Upper King Design District! The store opens Saturday, July 26.

Photo courtesy Charleston.net.

Upper King Street as see in...

Look for our favorite city in the August issue of Conde Naste Traveler. "So it is, on my last night in town, that I find myself at Chai's, a Thai restaurant run by a Cambodian, sharing drinks and appetizers... Chai's is a key rendesvous on the reborn Upper King Street, currently the most vibrant scene in town." At left, our favorite dish at Chai's, the Cucumber Salad. Look at that shrimp! Add some Duck Confit Lettuce Wraps and Lamb Lollipops while you're at it. Heaven.

Charleston Ballet Theatre Dance School and Summer Workshops

Want to give your child excellent coordination, flexibility, self-discipline, poise and confidence for life? Whether you choose classical ballet, contemporary ballet, modern dance, jazz or musical theatre, the Charleston Ballet Theatre Dance School will give your child every skill needed to dance, both technically and artistically. And, you'll give them art--in the form of fairytales, music, dance and theater. Classes range from Kinderdance for 3 and 4-year olds to C2/D with Pointe for ages 13+. Visit the Charleston Ballet site to download schedules and registration forms, Email School Director Patricia Cantwell, or call 843.723.7334. Classes are held at the Ballet's Black Box Theatre at 477 King Street in the Upper King Design District, and in Mount Pleasant at 598 Belle Station Blvd.

Upper King Street as see in...

Lisa Rogak is a member of International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) and the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). When Lisa writes an article about the best places to eat, drink, stay and play, she knows! Homestyles Magazine's feature about the Holy City features some of our favorite Upper King Street spots, like 39 Rue de Jean, Fish, Raval, and Blue Bicycle Books.
    Rogak has written over 40 books, most recently  A Boy Named Shel, The Life and Times of Shel Silverstein, and edited the book Barack Obama, In His Own Words, both available at Blue Bicycle Books.

Email us for a pdf copy of the City Watch article.

Upper King Design District as seen in WWD

Often called "the fashion bible," Womens' Wear Daily serves as the voice of authority, international newswire and agent of change for the fashion, beauty and retail industries. In a June article about retail in Charleston, another about Upper King Street's very SoHo evolution, and some interesting statistics, WWD  cites...
Blue Bicycle Books... Stacks of used, rare and children's books, a bike in every room, a gray cat lurking about, plenty of comfortable chairs
Ellington... Babette, Crea and Kathleen Summers, design services, even live Jazz
Kudu Coffee... African coffees and sweets from local bakeries, WiFi, live performances, screening room and open-mike nights
Basil and Chai's ... They called it right when they said crowds line up and love it.
Felice Designs and Wonderland also get some ink as "mom and pop, boutique-y type shops" that create the hip atmosphere of Upper King Street.
    Now let's all go to Fuel and try their fish tacos. The terribly cool Caribbean cantina is at Cannon and Rutledge. There's bocci!
    Email us for a pdf of all three articles.

Art and Wine at The Trusted Palate

Wednesday July 16th, The Trusted Palate will host Tim Hussey's Show - aRCHIVE

Tim Hussey is an award-winning and internationally recognized editorial illustrator.  He has painted live sets for MTV, and his work has appeared in most every major publication from Rolling Stone to Ray Gun to the New York Times.  He was art director at GQ, Musician and Outside magazines, and taught at the School of Visual Arts in New York.  He received American Illustration’s “Top 20 Images of the Year” award, and has been recognized by Print Magazine and Communication Arts. He is a member of picturemechanics.com, a consortium of the top illustrators in nation.
    Hussey's paintings have been exhibited in solo and double shows in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit, South Carolina, Santa Fe, and most recently the Shepard Fairey’s Gallery Subliminal Projects in L.A., Art Basel in Miami and the Zeitgeist Gallery in Nashville. His fine art can be found in several books including Mark Murphy’s Dialogue, and Why? and Steve Heller’s Handwritten.
    The show will feature past paintings and new photography from Hussey's collection.
    A reception will be held from 7:00-9:00 pm at The Trusted Palate, 563 King Street. Parking is available at the Visitor's Center Garage.

Bret Lott Booksigning at Blue Bicycle Books

Bret Lott will sign copies of his new novel Ancient Highway, Saturday, July 19, 1-3 pm, at Blue Bicycle Books. Best-selling novelist Lott is a Professor of English and writer in residence at the College of Charleston. His newest novel, Ancient Highway "brilliantly weaves together the hopes and regrets of three characters from three generations as they reconcile who they are and who they might have been," said publisher, Random House.

Lott is the author of 11 books, most recently the story collection The Difference Between Women and Men (Random House, July 2005), Before We Get Started: A Practical Memoir of the Writer's Life (Ballantine Books, 2005), and the bestselling novel A Song I Knew by Heart (Random House, 2004). Lott's book, Jewel was featured in Oprah's Book Club in 1999 which brought much-deserved notoriety to the respected author.

His short stories and essays have been widely anthologized, and have appeared in such journals as The Yale Review, Story, New York Times, Boston Globe, Antioch Review, Gettysburg Review, Chicago Tribune, Iowa Review and The Southern Review. His work also has been read on National Public Radio. Lott is a member of the National Council on the Arts.

Patrick Properties donates homes to MPFD

As reported in the Moultrie News yesterday, Patrick Properties donated two homes to the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department recently to be used for fire and safety training purposes. "Firefighters have one of the most important jobs in our community, and we're pleased to be able to support them," said Randall Goldman, Managing Partner.
    For more Patrick Properties in the news, see Kyle Stock's article in the Post and Courier, Full Speed Ahead at Patrick, in which the many restorations of PP are discussed.
    Patrick Properties also owns Lowndes Grove, The William Aiken House and The American Theatre. You may have seen Lownes Grove featured in a recent Throwdown with Bobby Flay, where Bobby challenged Peninsula Grill chef Robert Carter for his delightful coconut cake recipe. We won't say who won, but judges Kevin Jordan of Kennedy's Market and cookbook author and Chair-Emeritus of the Charleston Food and Wine Festival Nathalie Dupree know their sugar-laden treats. And the setting was beautiful.
    Fans of Fish Restaurant on Upper King Street will be relieved to know that renovations are expected to be complete in September, when we can all resume our enjoyment of local, sustainable and flavorful seafood in an even more chic and stylish atmosphere.

Sale at Lesesne

Lesesne's "Two Years Old 20% off Sale" begins Saturday. It's a Do Not Miss occasion with everything in the store marked down, including Neal Van Dalen Designs beautiful hand crafted furniture, all papers, cards, linens --everything! The sale lasts until July 19th. Look for the Lesesne Banner over the door. There's plenty of street parking on Upper King, or you can park at the Charleston Visitor's Center garage. If you attend the sale on the first or last day, take in the Charleston Farmer's Market at the Calhoun end of Upper King Street, then cure your 4:00 pm blood sugar drop with a pick-me-up expresso at Kudu Coffee House. Use their free wireless to login to www.upperkingdesigndistrict.com and comment about your beautiful day on historic and trendy Upper King. You might win something. Who knows?

Virginia's Restaurant Cooks for CFADA

Virginia's on King has partnered with the Ella Richardson Gallery as part of the Charleston Fine Art Dealers Association Pallete and Palate Stroll Friday, July 11th. The event begins at 5:30 pm and is part of CFADA's Studio Series, benefitting its visual arts scholarship fund. Virginia's will serve pulled pork sliders on sweet potato biscuits, pimento cheese, she-crab soup and a sampling of fudge to the guests. Purchase your tickets at Smith-Killian Fine Art, or any CFADA dealer, or call 843.853.0708 for more information.

Warehouse Sale at Nancy Koltes at Home

Look for great savings at Nancy Koltes at Home from July 11 to August 10 with linens, loungewear and other great finds at exceptional markdowns. It's sale season on Upper King Street!
Nancy Koltes was the first to combine an American sensibility with Italian craftsmanship. The result is a luxurious collection in the finest natural fibers that captures the warmth and spirit of the American lifestyle.

Morris Square in the News

Morris Square is one of the talked-about properties changing the Charleston Design District these days. With its mix of homes, condos, commercial and park space in one beautiful block bounded by Morris, Smith, Marion and Jasper streets, it's helping shape the character of UKDD. Check out this article in the Post and Courier.

Pajama Party at Global Awakening

Make a difference in a child's life with a simple pair of pajamas or a book. Global Awakening is a proud drop-off point for the Charleston Chapter of the Pajama Program. The program provides pj's and books to vulnerable youngsters living in difficult circumstances for a warmer and more nurturing bedtime environment. Donations in Charleston benefit area orphanages as well as My Sisters House and Crisis Ministries. Bring new pajamas, new books or your financial contributions to Global Awakening, 499 King Street, from 11-6, Monday through Saturday, or call 843.577.8579 for special arrangements.

Sale at Putumayo

Spring merchandise is now 50% off at Putumayo. Know any Putumayo employees? Well, get to know them because name-dropping saves you an additional 15% on Putumayo and Whitewash sale clothing. Hint: Ask for Doreen!

Prime Upper King Retail, Office and Penthouse Space

Prime South is creating a beautiful addition to Upper King Street, our SoHo of the South, with this property at 466 King. The location encompasses 3325 s.f. of upscale retail space, 6700 s.f. of office space and one magnificent rooftop condo. Contact Patrick Price, 843.722.4450 for information.

Cool leather designs at Morris Sokol Furniture

Experience the cool, buttery softness of Four Hands leather at Morris Sokol Furniture. Four Hands is a perrenial winner of the industry's ARTS Award for Accent Furniture, and began the Learn to Live Foundation, an educational program to help educate girls in India.  On hand at Morris Sokol, the Stafford 3 Seater Sofa, a leather and oak foundation piece for your most cherished family space. Available in cigar--what a great name for a beautiful, earthy color. Summer doesn't have to be all about pastels!

Cupcake, as seen on MTV

Cupcake was recently featured as the favorite dessert for coming of age in luxury on MTV's My Super Sweet 16. You don't have to be sweet 16 to appreciate a Cupcake. Stop by either of their two locations, 433 King Street or the newest, 644D Long Point Road in the Belle Hall Center.

Francis Marion Hotel and Toni Morrison Society

The Francis Marion Hotel will host registration and feature special room rates for the Toni Morrison Society's Fifth Biennial Conference, "Toni Morrison and Modernism" July 24-27.

The conference will explore modernism from many perspectives in the fiction of Morrison, expanding traditional notions of European and American modernism in literature, history and philosophy. According to the Society, "The setting in Charleston, the largest port entry of enslaved Africans and a site rich in the history, art and music of the Gullah culture, allows a treasure of ways to explore how Africans re-created themselves in the New World."

Winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize for Literature, Morrison will read from her new book "A Mercy" at 8 pm July 25 at the College of Charleston's Sottile Theatre. Tickets for the event may be reserved by calling the College of Charleston's Office of Institutional Diversity at 953-5079.

Registration will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 24 at the Francis Marion. All events are open to the public. For more information, click here.

Pop over to Blue Bicycle Books, just one block north of the Francis Marion Hotel, for copies of Morrison's books. Local author and bookstore owner Jonathan Sanchez will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

If it's Friday, this must be CHOCOLATE!

Every day is sweet and special at Cupcake. With two locations (Upper King Street and Belle Hall in Mt. Pleasant) offering the same fresh, delicious and beautiful treats, you don't have to wonder where your bliss will come from today. Chocolate. Or perhaps s'mores? While you're there, wander in to Blue Bicycle Books, pet the cat and pick up a copy of Ron Rocz's Seeing Charleston, A Field Guide to Photographing a World Class City, published by Joggling Board Press.

Upper King Design District Property

There's a beautiful retail space available in Upper King Street's prestigious Courtyards on King. The beautifully restored project includes twin historic three story buildings dating back to 1803. Huge windows and brick walls make this space uniquely suited for any type of retail, and proximity to Marion Square and the Visitors Center generate great traffic.

Contact Patrick Price at Prime South Group for details. 843.722.4450.

Write of Summer at Blue Bicycle Books

Write of Summer is a camp where young writers find their voices in joyous, fun and creative week-long morning sessions. Conducted by UKDD's own Jonathan Sachez, writer and owner of Blue Bicycle Books, the sessions include exercises from a wide rage of cources and include a trip to the Gibbes Museum of Art for inspiration.

Sessions Schedule
July 14-18, Grades 3-6 at Blue Bicycle Books
July 21-25, Grades 3-6 at Russell House Conference Center in Mt. Pleasant
July 28-August 1, Grades 7-9 at Russell House Conference Center
August 4-8, Grades 10-12 at Russell House Conference Center
August 11-15, Grades 3-6 at Blue Bicycle Books

Class size is limited, so book early. Call 843.722.2666 or email jonathansanchez@aya.yale.edu.

Don't Panic, Felice Designs does Mother's Day

Felice Killian of Felice Designs has whipped up a beautiful piece for Mother's Day. It's called Yellow Mardi Gras, and is made of hand-blown glass beads accented by sterling silver pieces and swarovski crystals.The price is $750.

Felice is located at 424 King Street, right next to Blue Bicycle Books, another likely place to discover Mother's Day treasures. Among the thousands of titles, a fashion find: Pocketbook! Co-owner Lauren Sanchez creates beautiful hand-sewn purses. Shown: Bounce Clutch, $40 includes shipping.

The Constructed Image at Redux Contemporary Art Center

Redux Contemporary Art Center's newest exhibition is "The Constructed Image", which opened May 8th and may be viewed through June 7. The event is free and open to the public.

Redux is proud to present this group exhibition of five American photographers who challenge the nature of truth as documented by the photograph. The Constructed Image will explore works made by contemporary photographers who employ digital manipulation, traditional photographic manipulation or the use of models and sets to create a new photographic reality. Each artist calls into question how truth is recorded and conveyed to the viewer through imagery, and the subsequent effect of constructed imagery in contemporary society. Featured artists include:

Luis Gispert
Lori Nix
Daniel Gordon
Chris Scarborough
Nathan Baker

Redux is located at 136 Philip Street, just off King in UKDD.

Global Awakening celecbrates World Fair Trade Day

Join Global Awakening in celebrating Fair Trade on May 10, 2008 from 12-5pm. Fair Trade means a fair price for farmers and artisans, a better future for our planet, and a tastier, higher quality product for you.  On Saturday, May 10, Global Awakening will join with people from 70 countries worldwide to celebrate World Fair Trade Day and highlight the importance and benefits of Fair Trade. They’re trying to set the World Record for the World’s Largest Fair Trade Coffee Break: at 3pm Eastern Standard Time, Fair Trade supporters around the world will take a break to enjoy a cup of Fair Trade coffee.  Hope you'll join us!

What tastes better with a 3:00 cup of Fair Trade coffee than a locally made delicious cupcake from--you guessed it--Cupcake. Now available in mini, regular and mega sizes.

Tiger Lily in the News

Manny and Clara Gonzales of Upper King Design District's Tiger Lily Florist are featured on the cover of the April issue of Floral Management, the magazine of the Society of American Florists.
    The feature story on Manny and Clara Gonzales of Tiger Lily focuses on the couple’s latest marketing strategy, the launch of their Black Market Designs line. The article “Mining for Gold” discusses how the owners faced the current decline in consumer spending not by reducing prices but by creating a line to appeal to upscale clients.
    The Black Market Designs line features exotic, hard-to-find flowers flown in weekly from places as far away as Israel, China and Holland. Prices range from $150 to $350 for an arrangement.
    “We hope this article about our new line and business philosophy will be an inspiration for our peers to think outside the box and continue to set the bar higher for floral service,” Manny Gonzales said.
    This isn't the first time Manny and Clara have been on the cover of the national magazine. They've also been featured for their excellent funeral designs and unique handling of those significant events.

Charleston Farmers Market in Full Swing

The Twentieth Annual Charleston Farmers Market opens every Saturday from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm through December in beautiful Marion Square at King and Calhoun Streets. Nestled beneath beautiful trees with plenty of room for families to gather and children and dogs to play, the Farmers Market offers an abundance of the freshest local produce, plants, herbs and cut flowers.

The Farmers Market also offers an amazing assortment of juried arts and crafts, providing the best selection and most talented local artisans. The celebrated Charleston Farmers Market is produced by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs and is dedicated to the support and advocacy of Lowcountry Farmers and Growers.


CHARLESTON FARMERS MARKET WEEKLY FEATURES INCLUDE:

The Lowcountry’s Finest Local Produce * Artisan’s Alley * Ask a Master Gardener from the Clemson Extension Service * FacePainting * Pony Rides for Children * Jump Castles * Vendor Demonstrations

The 2008 Charleston Farmers Market Poster, "Tomato Seed," was created by Lisa Shimko.