Daniel Island Passports Now Available!

A group of island residents and business owners recently joined forces to create a program aimed at promoting Daniel Island’s diverse and growing shopping and dining offerings to island and Charleston area residents.

Led by island residents Steve Ferber and Colby Hollifield, the “Passport to Daniel Island” program is a grassroots effort to help island businesses spread the word about their services. The Passport card entitles holders to receive special discounts or offers from participating businesses. A website lists current offers for easy reference.

“With 16 restaurants plus dozens of shops and service providers, Daniel Island is an active dining and shopping destination, but many who don’t live here don’t realize how much our island town has to offer,” says Ferber. “The Passport Program is designed to help get the word out to a larger audience about what’s here.”

The Passport Program kicked off in April during the Family Circle Cup, where volunteers reached out to the 18,000+ Charleston area residents who attended the week-long WTA event, offering up the cards for just $1 a piece. More than 800 cards were sold.

“The program has been well-received,” said Ferber. “Those who are familiar with the offerings of Daniel Island’s businesses are grateful for the special savings. But just as importantly, the card has provided a way to introduce new customers to the number of shops and restaurants here and has given people a reason to come back more often. Business owners are reporting that they are seeing new customers as a result of the effort.”

Hollifield and Ferber saw the need for someone to take ownership of an effort like this in order to help support island businesses, who rely on the patronage of customers coming from both on- and off-island. They took on the project as volunteers.

“We’re working now on getting the cards in the hands of employees who work at the various offices on Daniel Island, including Blackbaud and BenefitFocus,” said Ferber. “Other target audiences include Battery soccer fans who visit the island regularly in the summer for home games.”

Passport cards are available at participating downtown Daniel Island businesses, and can also be purchased at First Citizens Bank on Daniel Island. For a complete list of participating businesses, visit passporttodanielisland.com.

Charleston Restaurant Week Comes to Daniel Island

It’s time to put your New Year’s resolutions on hold: Charleston Restaurant Week is here! For nine days starting on January 14, more than 80 casual and fine dining establishments throughout the region – including three Daniel Island restaurants – are offering special three-course menus for just $20 or $30. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of the outstanding world-class dining options located in Charleston without breaking the bank.

The three Daniel Island restaurants participating in Restaurant Week fall under the “Casual Dining” category, meaning you pay just $20 for their outstanding Restaurant Week menus. Here’s a look at what they’re planning:

Queen Anne’s Revenge
One of the island’s first restaurants, QAR has become a popular destination for visitors from around the southeast who come to sample the diverse and well-prepared items on the menu, as well as the restaurant’s extensive collection of authentic pirate artifacts and art.

“Restaurant week is a great way to get new and returning guests into the restaurant and to show off my talented chef’s skills at a time that is usually slower for our business,” says General Manager Lorraine Cedotal.

Highlights from the choices on QAR’s $20 Restaurant Week menu include jalapeno corn chowder, stone crab claws with pearl oyster hushpuppies, all-natural New York Strip, butternut squash risotto with prosciutto, chocolate mousse ice cream sandwich, apple strudel and more.

Vespa
Offering an atmosphere that is both cozy and lively, Vespa offers authentic Neapolitan-style pizza right here on Daniel Island, as well as a complete menu of appetizers, salads, pastas and entrees featuring fresh, local ingredients. The $20 menu offerings at Vespa will include mussels, a variety of salads, select pizzas and housemade Tiramisu.

Daniel Island Grill
Daniel Island’s favorite watering hole also offers a diverse menu of appetizers, snacks, entrees and more in its casual indoor and outdoor dining areas. For Restaurant Week, the DIG is highlighting some of the favorite items from its menu, including wings, nachos, spinach salad, Penne Ala Vodka, a Certified Angus Burger and a Three-Layer Chocolate Mousse Cake for dessert.

Hungry yet? Charleston Restaurant Week takes place Jan. 14-22. Click here for further information.

Hammett’s Landing Dives Into Daniel Island

Hammett’s Landing opened on Seven Farms Drive in mid-June, and looking at its Facebook page, it seems like the restaurant just dove right into Daniel Island’s bustling community! Between Kids’ and Ladies’ Nights, Jr. Chef classes, live music, Happy Hours and nightly dinner specials, the folks at Hammett’s Landing have been busy.

Specializing in seafood and game, the new dining establishment is the brainchild of Bo and Tamra Hammett, who have both been involved in the restaurant business for years. After moving around the country for work, the couple decided it was time to pursue their dream of opening a family restaurant in the south.

“We were tired of moving places that we didn’t want to live, so when we sat down and discussed where we wanted to spend the rest of our lives….Charleston was our only choice,” said Tamra. “When we began searching for locations and found Daniel Island, we knew the community would be perfect for us, our family and our business.”

Hammett’s Landing boasts an eclectic menu ranging from fried alligator tail and crab fondue to blackened bourbon quail and lobster ravioli. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant takes reservations, take-out orders and catering for special events.

Do you have a Facebook page? Then become a fan of Hammett’s Landing HERE to stay updated on nightly specials and events! Also visit their website for a complete menu and hours of operation.

"What’s Eating Chuck" Grabs Lunch at Laura Albert’s

Sarah and Steve, the dynamic duo behind “What’s Eating Chuck”, a blog featuring video reviews of Charleston’s favorite dining spots, recently stopped by Laura Albert’s Tasteful Options on Daniel Island for a lunchtime feast.

The pair, with their camera woman Megan, dined on the Island Crab Cake Open-face Sandwich, the Fried Green Tomato Pesto Ham Sandwich, the “Catch of the Day” and a number of amazing-looking dessert treats.

Take a look below to see what they had to say about Laura Albert’s!

WEC – Laura Alberts from S. Murphy on Vimeo.

Stay in touch with Sarah and Steve to see what else they have to say about some of Charleston’s great restaurants by visiting http://chucktowneats.wordpress.com.

Welcome (or "Irasshaimase") to Wasabi!

Another deliciously diverse new restaurant has opened on Daniel Island. Wasabi Japanese Steak House, boasting scrumptious sushi and full-size hibachi entrees, is just the latest ethnic restaurant to call Daniel Island home.

Wasabi held its Grand Opening on September 8. Since then, the indoor and outdoor seating – as well as the spots at the sushi bar – have been filled with eager patrons ready to enjoy the long-awaited new restaurant on Seven Farms Drive.

According to manager Sunny Lau, the Daniel Island Wasabi offers  more of a “fine dining experience” than its locations in Summerville and downtown Charleston. This is obvious from the unique menu, which includes lobster tail with saikyo miso butter, quail, specialty sushi rolls, wagyu New York Strip and much, much more. The lunch menu includes specially priced favorites served with miso soup – a great deal! And the restaurant boasts a great looking bar area – perfect for an after work get together! In addition to the delicious food and drinks, the bright, spacious interior is beautifully designed, featuring an eastern influence.

Stop by Wasabi soon and try it out for yourself – we don’t think you’ll be disappointed in the food, service or ambiance. And if you’re in the mood for something else, be sure to check out one of the island’s other ethnic options: Spicy Mexican from Lana’s, authentic Italian at Sienna, fresh Mediterranean fare from Ali Baba, or the acclaimed authentic Chinese food at Dragon Palace.

Douzo Meshiagare! (Japanese for “enjoy your meal”!)

Eddie’s Bistro Makes Itself at Home on Daniel Island

When Chef Eddie Phooprasert opened his first solo venture, Eddie’s Bistro, on Daniel Island, residents and locals flocked to the new establishment in droves. Chef Eddie hasn’t looked back since – he’s been too busy!

Originally from Thailand and a student of the Cordon Bleu in Paris, Chef Eddie has made quite a name for himself by offering what most consider an unlikely fusion of foods. He has combined his influence from Asian and French cuisine with the food of the American South. The result has been extremely positive, with diners returning again and again, sometimes twice in the same day!

The wide-ranging menu includes appetizers like Crab Rangoon, Roti Prata and She-Crab Soup, and entrees like Roasted Crispy Duck, Pad Thai, Lemongrass Risotto, Grilled Mahi Mahi and Rack of Lamb. Guests should definitely save room for desserts like Eddie’s chocolate soufflé or almond-pandan soufflé.

Eddie’s Bistro is located at 162 Seven Farms Drive on Daniel Island. They are open Monday through Sunday for lunch (11:00 am – 3:00 pm) and dinner (beginning at 5:00 pm). Reservations are preferred for dinner.

A Mediterranean Hideaway Now Open on Daniel Island

After much anticipation, Ali Baba Mediterranean Deli has finally opened on Seven Farms Drive to great reviews!

The new island spot boasts a delicious (and mostly healthy!) menu, including choices like chicken souvlaki and pineapple, lamb and beef gyros, grilled vegetables, hummus and more.

Ali Baba’s colorful atmosphere incorporates rich hues and fabrics, welcoming diners to relax in a casual, exotic setting.

A fantastic addition to our dining options, Ali Baba is a Mediterranean hideaway on Daniel Island!