I had just enough time in my brief stay to duck into Mercato, a cozy and casual Italian restaurant with romantic decor – Venetian plaster-look walls, leather-wrapped chairs and booths, dim art deco chandeliers – and live music most nights. Our food was unremarkable; risotto with blue crab had a nice regional air to it, but it needed seasoning. Still, for a nice drink, perhaps some wine and one of the chewy-crust pizzas, well, you could do lots worse. 102 Market St., 843-722-6393; mercatocharleston.com
Other places to consider
FIG: James Beard award-winner Mike Lata’s neighborhood restaurant means Food Is Good (yet another acronym), and it certainly is here. Loads of regional American specialties in industrial- rustic surroundings. Garlic soup and ricotta gnocchi with lamb Bolognese are highlights. 228 Meeting St., 843-805-5900; eatatfig.com
Sticky Fingers: A barbecue joint for the indecisive, Sticky Fingers (which has locations in Georgia, Tennessee and both Carolinas) serves hickory-smoked ribs, pulled pork and beef brisket in a variety of styles: Memphis (wet or dry), tangy Tennessee style, sweet Carolina style and so on. All the sauces are available by the bottle, of course. 235 Meeting St., 843-853-7427; stickyfingers.com
Jestine’s Kitchen: Just look for the long line of waiting diners and you’ll have found this iconic Southern restaurant, whose 40-seat, frill-free but comfortable dining room fills up quickly, especially at lunch. Load up on fried green tomatoes, gumbo, fried chicken, mac and cheese, Coca-Cola cake and sweet tea. You won’t spend much. 102 N. Market St., 843-722-6393.
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