Crista & Brennan
Things To Do
Vicious Biscuit Mount Pleasant
These are some of our favorite biscuits! Brennan gets the Vicious Benny, and Crista gets a different biscuit every time! Would highly recommend the butter and jelly bar. They are very busy, so give yourself ample time. They are much slower later in the day, and just as good!
Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream
This is one of our absolute must stops!!! Brennan loves their ice cream and often asks for it on a weekly basis. During our healthy eating, this is the treat that Brennan looks most forward to. Crista and Brennan always get the sundaes, because it is the biggest bang for your buck! Don't let them fool you... you can pick any ice cream flavor that you like! Food wise, you cannot go wrong with this deli! They are known for the huge salads, burgers, and sandwiches. Crista personally loves their chicken salad and Brennan loves the club sandwich. Where doesn't he love a club?!
California Dreaming
This is the only restaurant besides Fleet Landing downtown that is on the water! The views at sunset are amazing, sometimes you can even catch the dolphins eating their dinner. Crista spent her summers in college working as a hostess, and still loves paying her old friends a visit and cherishes all the relationships made during her time at this restaurant. We highly recommend the soups and salads. They are most known for their salads, and Crista's opinion is that you HAVE to get the house dressing. Their croissants are another must. As an entrée we generally split the chicken tenders and then pick another dish to have. Their chicken tenders are OUT OF THIS WORLD! You have to get the sauce though. With this restaurant you can either go for a really cheap meal or a really expensive meal. There is plenty of variety.
Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar
The famous Carmella's! We love paying Carmella's a visit, but it is definitely a treat. Their cakes are insanely delicious, and you could most definitely split it between 2 or 3 people. They are known for being Charleston's best dessert bar. This place is fun, different, and delicious. It may look like a long line, but it moves very quickly. Grab a cake and then go take it to another one of our favorite spots... the pier at Waterfront Park and the Pineapple Fountain.
Home Team BBQ
This is strictly Brennan's recommendation!!! Crista doesn't care to eat too too much BBQ. However, if you are going to eat Charleston BBQ this is one of our favorite spots. The wings are an absolute must, and if they offer it the Fried Ribs are heavenly. Be sure to explore the sauces. Of course, if anyone mentions Home Team they also mention their alcoholic beverage. The Game Changer. Give it a go, but don't drink too many! Crista loves their Frozen Irish Coffee though, so that is her pick!
Daniel Island
This place is probably the most special place to Brennan and Crista. This is where Brennan asked Crista to be his girlfriend. The two frequently walked around the island early on in their relationship, and now if Brennan is scheduling a date... it involves walking the island. The trails are great, the houses are better, and best of all, it is so quiet and the sights are unreal.
Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q
This is Crista's pick for BBQ places. It definitely does not get as much talk as Home Team, and that is because it is a totally different scene. This is like family dinner BBQ. You must get their cheese biscuits. Crista loves all of the sides and the pulled chicken, and Brennan loves the brisket. We are pretty certain that people would go here just for the biscuits.
Baguette Magic
If you are in this area, then no questions asked... you must stop by!! Be sure that it is somewhat early in the day, because they do sell out of their most popular pastries. This authentic French bakery is everything and more. Crista loves their B.E.P. sandwich with a Honey Lavender Latte, while Brennan always goes for the Pimento Cheese Grit Bowl. Either get a sampling of the pastries, or take some home. You cannot go wrong with this precious shop!
Los Reyes Mexican Restaurant
This did not get mentioned by Brennan, which is what is most shocking. This is our absolute all time favorite Mexican restaurant. Dare I say... unlimited queso?!! Yes people! You heard it right. Every day during lunch they offer a Mexican buffet. It is so reasonably priced, and it has everything you want and more. This restaurant is where Allie chose to eat for her birthday and then 10 hours later she went into labor with Crista's nephew Jack. This restaurant is where Crista and Brennan took Brennan's family for lunch, right before Brennan got down on one knee. (He ate very little that day, and now I know why... Plus Momma Angela was scared that he was going to drip salsa and queso on his nice white polo.) This is the couples go to spot on a Friday evening. Buffet or no buffet. You cannot go wrong with anything on their menu!
Stono Market and Tomato Shed Cafe
This is another one of our favorite spots to take people!! Every day they have 3 different specials, and then they keep their same simpler menu. Tomato Shed offers a cute little Charleston store, and a local market. We love Tomato Shed because it is just good home cooking vibes. To us it is a hidden gem, mostly for the locals, and for the tourists that know what they are doing! Crista loves the tomato pie and squash casserole. Brennan tends to go for the burgers and anything that involves the pimento cheese!! Check out the desserts too, because everything is made in house by hand.
Angel Oak Tree
Low Tide Brewing
Brennan is a great spokesmen for this brewery! He would tell you to get the Aloha Beaches. Crista spent much of her time at this brewery, and met some of her closest friends in one of Charleston's best breweries. Honestly, try to get a seat at the bar and if it is Zach or Steve tell them that you are here for my wedding. The bartenders are truly just the best humans on the planet. Best of all, Low Tide offers lots of entertainment. Check their schedule, but they have Bingo, Trivia, Goat Yoga, Candle Classes, Festivals of all sorts, and sometimes live music!
Wild Olive Restaurant
This is another one of the couples favorite date night spots! They like to save this one for special occasions, or take people here when people pay them a visit in Charleston. Crista's favorite cuisine is authentic Italian, and this place does not disappoint. You cannot go wrong with any of the main courses. For appetizers we strongly recommend the bread appetizer with the bean dip. BUT!!!! YOU MUST! We repeat..... YOU MUST get the smashed potatoes. The most devine dish. Wild Olive offers a great assortment of wine to go along with your meals. So don't miss out on this hidden gem. The service is fantastic, the food even better, and the atmosphere is just splendid. Make sure that you get reservations, or else you will not be able to get in. Another thing to consider, they do not allow you to sit at the table for long. I believe they limit your time at the table to an hour and a half. They have to keep the reservations flowing and people moving.
Park Circle
Looking for late night fun?!?! Pay Park Circle a visit! Looking for a place to eat a nice dinner?!?!?! Pay Park Circle a visit! You cannot go wrong with these restaurants and the bar scene is enjoyable as well. Depending on what is going on, you generally don't have to fight anyone to get into places. You typically don't pay covers, and best of all it is just good, clean, chill, fun! If parking is hard to find, they do have a large parking lot that is close to Commonhouse. We love Park Circle, and this is where we came to celebrate our engagement after Brennan proposed.
Angel Oak Restaurant and Bar
Another great southern cooking restaurant. We love the ambiance of this place. The food is so flavorful, and best of all it is a good quality restaurant in West Ashley! They are known for their Fried Chicken, and it definitely doesn't miss its mark. I would recommend looking into a reservation, because it is pretty small inside!
Betty Lou's Bistro
If you are looking for a fantastic seafood platter, this is your place! Crista has lived in Charleston basically her whole life, and there is not a single place that she would seek out to find seafood... except for this place. This by no means is a tourist trap. This is a local's paradise, and we are protecting it with all that we have! This is one of Crista's favorite places to recommend. It is beyond flavorful in everything that they cook. It is the perfect place for a small family meal or a date night. It is a small restaurant, but they offer some of the most incredible dishes. You are going to get a true Charleston, southern hospitality, experience here and you will not leave hungry.