Upper King Charleston: Keeping Up With King St. From the Charleston Mercury: Sneaking Up On You

Keeping Up With King Street

Don’t look now but the holidays are rapidly descending. This year will be very interesting with Thanksgiving quickly—like the very next day—leading to Black Friday November 29, the City’s Christmas Tree lighting November 30, and the Christmas Parade December 1. Hanukkah begins the day before Thanksgiving and ends December 5. Blink twice and you’ll miss Christmas!

We’ll start to see hints of the holidays at the November 10 2nd Sunday on King Street where I’ve heard there may be an early appearance by Santa. In December the elves that bring 2nd Sunday downtown year ‘round will do it three times in a row for your holiday pleasure. The additional Sunday closures will take place December 15 and December 22 and will keep the same format as always, officially 1:00-5:00 PM but come at noon so you don’t miss a thing. Or come at 11:00 when I’m told there is the best shopping.

The additional Sundays are part of a downtown shopping, dining and holiday campaign to support businesses across the Peninsula. Now in its fourth year, 2nd Sunday has become the most attended regularly scheduled event in Charleston and the best sales day of the month for many downtown retailers, restaurants and attractions.

There are a couple of holiday websites you’ll want to check for news all season, www.christmasonkingstreet.com and www.christmasincharleston.com.

Upper King Street’s retailers, galleries and other businesses are putting together a special event called Upper King Street Shop and Art Stroll that will take place each month on the Third Friday. Art Mecca of Charleston, Seeking Indigo, Michael Mitchell Gallery, Butterfly Women’s Consignment Boutique, Magnifilous Toy Emporium and others will plan special events, serve refreshments and invite the public for fun during the family friendly hours of 4:00-8:00 PM. Watch the Upper King Website, www.upperkingdesigndistrict.com to see who’s doing what.

It’s sad to see La Fourchette close. Perig Goulet, Chef and owner, recently announced that he sold his iconic French Bistro to Hall Hospitality Group LLC. "I always welcome change and after eight years it's time for me to relax a bit and take a vacation," said Goulet. In 2011 La Fourchette was named one of the "Three Best French Bistros in North America" by The Cooking Channel's Unique Eats.

Goulet is best known for his warm welcome, charming accent and traditional bistro recipes, many of them from his mother's table in Brittany. "This is a nice opportunity for me to explore my ideas about Charleston dining, especially for the locals who have been so kind to me. I will be back. Bonsoir y'all."

I’ll miss the cassoulet, the duck pate, the Salade Verte with Perig’s own vinaigrette, the frites with Perig’s own mayonnaise, the French music and the aroma of his kitchen. Let’s hope he comes back soon.

Hall Hospitality Group LLC, owners of Halls Chophouse and Rita's Seaside Grille on Folly Beach, has not formalized plans for the neighboring space, but we know it’s in good hands.

What I’m drinking these days: Good Coffee Company of Charleston’s Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. I pick up a pound or three at an alarming rate. It’s too easy to pull into their parking lot at 11 Fulton Street and run in to say hello and see what’s freshly roasted.