A Culinary Adventure: Charleston’s Restaurant Week

There’s nothing quite like Restaurant Week in Charleston—a week-long celebration of the city’s vibrant food scene, where local chefs pull out all the stops to deliver unforgettable dining experiences. This year, we embarked on a delicious journey, savoring incredible dishes from some of the city’s finest restaurants. From expertly plated appetizers to show-stopping entrées and decadent desserts, every meal was a masterpiece. Let’s dive into our mouthwatering adventure!

RESTAURANT WEEK 2025 was designed to breathe new life into the local dining scene during what is traditionally a slower time for restaurants. This highly anticipated event encourages food lovers to explore new spots, revisit old favorites, and experience the creativity of local chefs at an incredible value.

Each participating restaurant curates a special prix fixe menu, featuring a selection of two appetizers, two entrées, and two desserts—all crafted to showcase the best of their culinary talent. These multi-course meals are offered at a set price, making it easier than ever for diners to indulge in high-quality dishes without breaking the bank.

Beyond the delicious food, Restaurant Week serves as a celebration of Charleston’s vibrant culinary scene, giving both locals and visitors the perfect excuse to support the hardworking chefs, kitchen staff, and restaurateurs who make our city a true food destination. Whether you're a fan of fine dining, classic comfort food, or something adventurous, this week-long event is a win-win for both diners and the local restaurant industry!

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Kicking Off in Style at 1010 Bridge | RESTAURANT WEEK 2025

We couldn’t have asked for a better start than 1010 Bridge Restaurant & Catering. Helmed by James Beard Award-winning Chef Paul Smith, this spot is known for its elegant yet comforting dishes, and our meal was nothing short of spectacular.

1010 Bridge Website

What We Indulged In

🥣 Appetizers

Butternut Squash Bisque – Velvety smooth with a touch of bleu cheese and chili-maple pepitas for a perfect balance of sweet and savory.

Winter Burrata Caprese – A seasonal twist featuring delicata squash, preserved tomatoes, and honey balsamic.

🍽 Entrées

Dijon & Dill-Crusted Salmon – Served with 1010’s signature potatoes, winter vegetables, and a dreamy lemon-herb cream sauce.

Braised Wagyu Beef Short Rib – Fall-apart tender and nestled atop creamy Parmesan risotto, paired with winter vegetables and a luscious red wine jus.

🍰 Desserts

Brown Butter Almond Financier – A rich and nutty cake draped in chocolate ganache with a cherry rhubarb compote.

Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake – Light, moist, and perfectly paired with buttermilk anglaise, preserved berries, and Chantilly cream.

This meal set the bar incredibly high, and we left eager to see what the rest of the week had in store!

An Unforgettable Evening at SoHo’s

Our next stop took us to SoHo’s, where bold flavors and expertly crafted dishes awaited. This meal was a knockout from start to finish, with every plate delivering a punch of flavor and finesse.

SoHo's Website

What We Savored

🥢 Appetizers

Fried Calamari – Crispy, golden, and served with a sweet chili sauce that hit all the right notes.

Teriyaki-Grilled Chicken Kabobs – Juicy and smoky, packed with colorful peppers and onions, all coated in a rich teriyaki glaze.

🍝 Entrées

Braised Beef Short Rib Ragu – A comforting, soul-warming dish featuring slow-braised beef tossed in a robust, herb-infused homemade ragu with silky pappardelle pasta.

Miso-Mustard Swordfish – Perfectly seared swordfish resting on crispy fried rice, julienned vegetables, and just the right amount of red chili heat.

🍫 Desserts

Chocolate Pastry with French Meringue – A rich, indulgent chocolate experience with a delicate meringue center, ganache base, and dark chocolate chips.

11-Layer Vanilla Crepe Cake – Delicately stacked layers of crepes with airy whipped cream, creating a dessert that was as light as it was luxurious.

SoHo’s delivered on every front, making this meal one of the standout highlights of our week.

A Grand Finale at Ristorante Abruzzi

To wrap up this incredible culinary journey, we dined at Ristorante Abruzzi, where Chef Chase Collier—currently nominated for a James Beard Award—brought his signature Italian craftsmanship to life. This meal was the perfect send-off to an unforgettable week.

Ristorante Abruzzi Website

What We Enjoyed

🥗 Appetizers

Cranberry & Goat Cheese Salad – A fresh, vibrant start with baby lettuce, kale, and radicchio, tossed with warm cranberry vinaigrette, creamy goat cheese, toasted almonds, and crunchy croutons.

Smoked Trout Ravioli Fritti – Lightly crisped ravioli filled with smoked trout and served with a bright, citrusy lemon-dill crème fraîche.

🍷 Entrées

Grilled Mahi – Expertly grilled and accompanied by roasted red pepper risotto, baby carrots, and basil pesto for a perfectly balanced plate.

Venison Ragu – A rich, slow-simmered venison ragu served over radiatore pasta, finished with San Marzano tomatoes, citrus-jalapeño gremolata, and shaved Parmesan. Rustic and unforgettable!

🍐 Desserts

Red Wine Poached Pear – Elegant and refined, featuring a tender pear infused with red wine, served alongside whipped mascarpone and a Marcona almond crumble.

Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding – Warm, comforting, and made with Charleston Bread brioche, topped with Ellen’s vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.

Charleston’s Restaurant Week: A Celebration of Culinary Excellence

As this incredible week of dining comes to an end, we can’t help but feel grateful to live in a city that celebrates food with such passion and creativity. Each restaurant we visited showcased the incredible talent of Charleston’s chefs, proving once again that our local dining scene is something truly special.

From the award-winning mastery of Paul Smith at 1010 Bridge, to the bold flavors of SoHo’s, to the Italian artistry of Chase Collier at Ristorante Abruzzi, every bite reminded us why we love this week so much. Until next year, we’ll be dreaming of these incredible meals!

🍽️ Which Restaurant Week dish was your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

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RESTAURANT WEEK 2025 | charleston, wv