Chew on This: Local Restaurant News

Restaurant Week

It is time to be thinking about reservations.

The dates for the latest installment of Charleston Restaurant Week have been released — Sept. 5-16 — and restaurants are already signing on.

Charleston Restaurant Week, executed by the Charleston Restaurant Association, is an opportunity to enjoy the world-renowned cuisine of the Lowcountry, as participating restaurants offer prix-fixe menus. There will be three pricing categories: three items for $20, $30 or $40.

Go to www.CharlestonRestaurantAssociation.com.

Fundraiser dinner

Circa 1886, 149 Wentworth St., will host a special dinner and auction Aug. 16.

This annual event has become one of the biggest local fundraisers of its kind, raising nearly $35,000 to date for Louie’s Kids, a local nonprofit that aims to end childhood obesity.

This year’s dinner theme is Master & Apprentice, and joining Circa 1886 chef Marc Collins in the kitchen will be Santiago “Jimmy” de la Cruz, executive chef of The Club at Cimarron in Misson, Texas.

De la Cruz will serve as the “master” and Collins as the “apprentice.” Together, the chefs will present a five-course, prix-fixe dinner with paired wines.

In addition to the dinner, there will be a live auction component, which will include goodies from Croghan’s Jewel Box, a paddleboard and an apprentice cooking class at Circa 1886 with Collins.

Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $80, $50 of which goes to Louie’s Kids and is tax deductible. Cost excludes tax and gratuity. To reserve a spot, call 853-7828 or go to www.circa1886.com.

Women’s event

Join the Center for Women and Skirt! Magazine in celebrating a woman’s right to vote 6-9 p.m. Aug. 26 at a party in Alhambra Hall, 131 Middle St., Mount Pleasant.

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and wine, music by the Local Honeys, have your picture taken in the photo booth and be eligible to win a door prize just by showing up.

You’ll be able to register to vote or update your existing voter registration on-site, as well as meet the local women who are running for or hold an elected office.

This event is a fundraiser for the Women’s Leadership Institute, a monthly program series put on by the Center for Women.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the door. Be among the first 100 to purchase a ticket and receive a special Skirt! goody bag.

Check out www.c4women.org.

Via Veneto

Sample the foods and wine of Venice as Osteria la Bottiglia, 420 King St., hosts a regional wine dinner featuring Veneto wine.

Massi Sarrocchi and his staff will be serving four courses paired with regional wines.

The dinner starts at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 727-4158. The cost is $58, plus tax and gratuity.

Crayons and Crabs

Gather up your donation of school supplies and take them to any area Crab Shack for a chance to win tickets, dinner and limo service to Hootie & the Blowfish’s annual Homegrown benefit concert.

The concert will be held Aug. 17 at the Family Circle Stadium on Daniel Island.

One winner will be chosen from each of the three Crab Shack locations on Aug. 15. The locations are, Folly Beach Crab Shack, 26 Center St.; West Ashley Crab Shack, 1901 Ashley River Road; and Coosaw Creek Crab Shack, 8486 Dorchester Road, North Charleston.

Check out www.crabshacks.com.

Raising dough

CiCi’s Pizza locations in the state are participating in a fundraiser for Special Olympics South Carolina.

Through Aug. 13, guests are asked to purchase and personalize logos that read, “Buy a Smile, Be a Fan,” for $1. All proceeds benefit the state’s Special Olympics programs.

On Aug. 13, participating CiCi’s Pizza locations will donate 10 percent of that day’s sales to Special Olympics South Carolina.

Now open

Angel Oak Restaurant has opened at 3669 Savannah Highway. Owners Jay and Nicole Kees are serving a lunch buffet 11 a.m.-4 p.m., supper 4 p.m.-close and Sunday brunch beginning at 8 a.m. The restaurant is closed Mondays. On the menu: Southern classics, local ingredients and seasonal cooking. Call 556-7525 or go to www.angeloakrestaurant.com.

Baroni’s Pizza has opened a second location in Mount Pleasant at 1220 Ben Sawyer Blvd. They are open daily, serving New York-style pizzas, calzones, salads and sandwiches. Call 388-3382.

Under construction

A “hurricane-themed” bar is under construction on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. A September opening is planned.

The former Sunfire Grill and Bistro in West Ashley is sporting a new look as Miss Rose’s comes to life at 1090 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. This 4,800-square-foot restaurant featuring the foods of the American South plans to open in September, according to Dave Bucks, director of operations at Tristan, a sister restaurant.

Closed

Piccadilly at 2411 Mall Drive in North Charleston has closed. The comfort food, cafeteria-style restaurant opened in this location in 1997. The building has been sold.