Charleston Grill: A culinary work of art
Four-Star eatery serves imaginative dishes highlighting local vendors
By Jennifer Thompson
CHARLESTON – When seeking an uber memorable restaurant for a special occasion, or to simply taste some of the best food in the city, Charleston Grill must be considered. Located in the opulent The Charleston Place hotel, the Forbes Four-Star restaurant has long been – and continues to be – recognized as one of the best fine dining experiences in the country.
Charleston Grill has been helmed by nationally renowned Chef Michelle Weaver. In January 2023, Weaver stepped into a new role as the culinary ambassador for Charleston Place and all its dining options, turning the reins over to her mentee, Chef de Cuisine Suzy Castelloe. By all accounts, the transition has seamlessly continued the originality and food quality from one talented chef to the next.
Castelloe’s food journey started at home, spending weeks with her grandmother. Together they cooked all the family recipes, with her grandmother sharing the unwritten tips and tricks for each dish, fostering a love of food and its creation in her granddaughter.
Going forward, Castelloe says she learned skills and techniques from all the chefs she has worked alongside.
“Every chef has their own way of doing things. I always tell new cooks starting out to learn from as many different people as possible and always be looking for a new way or more efficient way to accomplish a task, which then can be passed on to the next generation as they come along.”
Castelloe joined Charleston Grill eight years ago. She worked as line cook, sous chef, and then executive sou chef. The mentorship between Weaver and Castelloe was invaluable.
“I learned an enormous amount about how the fine dining restaurant world operated, as well as how we operate within the confines of The Charleston Place hotel. She helped me hone my menu development through constant feedback on flavors, plating design, and recipe development.”
They continue to have a close working relationship. Where previously Castelloe would present individual dishes, “like snacks,” and receive guidance, now she presents the full menu. The two have a tasting of each dish and share feedback or needed adjustments.
The menu is marked by imaginative dishes highlighting the local purveyors and vendors.
“Charleston is blessed to have such great local farmers, fishermen, and purveyors close at hand. It is often making a choice between two wonderful ingredients that is the difficult part. Whenever possible, we work with partners such as Growfood Carolina, a hub for local small farmers and artisans to distribute their goods to area restaurants. We also work directly with some of the vendors and artisans, such as Lowcountry Oyster Company. Of course, Limehouse Produce and Crosby’s Seafood are daily calls for vegetables and seafood.”
With the focus on seasonality and ingredients at their select height of flavor, the menu is a continued work of art.
“For me, inspiration for a new menu item can come from any number of sources,” Castelloe said. “I read lots of cookbooks and am always searching for new ways to create a memorable culinary experience for each of our guests. A lot of times I will find one element of a dish, like a sauce or spice profile, that sparks the initial creation of a new dish. This spark then morphs over many different iterations and a lot of trial-and-error into the final item for the menu.
“There is no overriding cuisine or theme to our current menu or its design. Our aim is to take a worldly approach to food, highlighting local products available here in the Lowcountry as much as possible,” Castelloe described.
Charleston is a city filled with great restaurants and The Charleston Grill is at the top of the list. The talent of the chef, the quality of every ingredient, and the presentation has earned them numerous accolades. The 1,100-label wine cellar, the largest in the area, meets the standard of excellence set by the kitchen. Live music and fine dining service might sound stuffy; The Charleston Grill is anything but. It is warm, hospitable, and reviews are filled with raves of their server by name.
“In our efforts to create an experience for our guests, it is the memories of something familiar that we re-invent in a new and unique way with the hopes of creating a new memory for everyone,“ Castelloe said.
Charleston Grill is located in The Charleston Place at 224 King St. The lounge is open Wednesday to Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m.; and the dining room Wednesday to Sunday 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The Vintner Room can be reserved for large parties up to 20 people.