2012: A Foodmantic Odyssey

Well, another year in the books, time to look back and give some Foodmancing awards to our favorites in the Greater Charleston area:

Best Summerville Restaurant:

Perfectly Frank's - The little hot dog joint that could keeps on chugging with a diverse and exciting menu.

Best North Charleston Restaurant:

Cork Neighborhood Bistro - The Girl's favorite shrimp & grits keeps this restaurant at the top of North Chuck dining.

Best West Ashley Restaurant: 

Riso Noodle House - The Asian-German fusion, combined with the pictorial secret Chinese menu, make this strip mall restaurant tops in West Ashley.

Best John's Island Restaurant: 

Angel Oak - The fried chicken alone makes the trip worthwhile, but the entire menu is loaded with favorites.

Best Mt. Pleasant Restaurant:

The Girl has told me we don't go to that side of the bridge enough to make a legitimate decision.

Best Folly Beach Restaurant:

The 'Wich Doctor - From the noodle of the day, to a pork belly sandwich the size of your face, the eclectic and inspired (and cheap) menu will blow you away.

Best James Island Restaurant:

The Lot - We may have lost El Bohio, but the farm-to-table excellence that replaces it makes the world a little sunnier.

Best Charleston Restaurant Under $20:

Co Restaurant - The Vietnamese inspired fare (especially the pork belly buns) will take you straight to happy town.

Best Charleston Restaurant Over $20:

The MacIntosh - Chef Bacon's King Street masterpiece always brings the flavors.

Best Food Truck: 

AutoBanh - The Curry Tofu. Nuff said.

Best Food Trend:

Asian Invasion - From Banh Mi to Vietnamese to Southeast Asian street food, Charleston is finally getting the ethnic diversity it deserves.

Best Chef 2012:

Jeremy Holst, Anson - We trust in this man, and all that he does. So should you.

Best New Restaurant:

Co Restaurant - The Girl truly madly deeply loves everything they do.

Saddest Closing:

The Woodlands - The Summerville institution, and perennial 5 Star, was sold and shuttered in a move that absolutely disgusts me. BOOOOO!

The Ultimate Frankenmeal

This is a five-course tasting menu designed by The Girl. The courses are selected from different restaurants to show you what her ultimate dinner would be.

Amuse

Scallops at The MacIntosh (Or anywhere Chef Bacon makes them). Best scallops in town. Period.

Appetizer

Pimento Cheese at Anson

Fish Course

Fish of the day with grits at Anson (seeing a trend?)

Meat Course:

The Deckle at The MacIntosh

Side Dish:

Lobster Mac & Cheese at Oak Steakhouse

Dessert:

Creme Brûlée at Circa 1886


Thank you so much to everyone that made 2012 such an incredible year. The local farmers, incredible chefs, supportive friends, you my wonderful readers and most importantly The Girl for putting up with me for yet another year. I wish you all Good Dinning in 2013!