Vickery's downtown location closes

Vickery's downtown closes

After 18 years, Vickery's at 15 Beaufain St., Charleston has closed.

The Shem Creek location will continue to operate. General Manager Geof Wisdom said the 18-year-old restaurant hasn't suffered from the recession but needs to move closer to the city's social center, which has gradually spread up the peninsula.

The Beaufain Street restaurant, tucked away one block from King Street and surrounded by a maze of one-way streets, could reopen in a more visible location by the end of the year.

Brewski at Wasabi-D.I.

The Daniel Island location of Wasabi Japanese Restaurant will host a six course tasting menu with appropriate beers for each course today.

The cost is $48.

Wasabi Daniel Island is at 194 Seven Farms Drive. 388-8828, www.wasabi-di.com.

Sizzle at Circa 1886

In addition to a $42 menu at Charleston restaurant Circa 1886 all month, Wentworth Mansion hosts its annual Sizzling Southern Celebration on Sunday, featuring classic Southern fare such as fried chicken, corn, baked beans and RC Cola cake with a modern twist from Circa 1886 Executive Chef Marc Collins.

The event, which begins at 7:30 p.m. on the lawn of Wentworth Mansion, serves classic libations and delicacies hot off the grill while the music of jazz soloist Michael Meseck plays on. After dinner, guests head to the mansion's cupola, which offers panoramic views of the city, to watch Charleston's fireworks display.

The cost is $70 per person, including a glass of champagne but excluding tax, gratuity and additional beverages. For reservations, call 853-7828.

As American as apple pie

The Woodlands Inn at 125 Parsons Road, Summerville, will celebrate the Fourth with barbecue, beer, music, art and kid-friendly events. Tickets are available at the inn until Friday and at the door Sunday. Cost: $8 adults, $3 children. Tickets at the door are $10 adults, $5 children. The event runs 4-8:30 p.m. Just in time for you to enjoy the splendor in sky at the town's fireworks display. 875-2600, www.woodlandsinn.com.

High C silenced

Robert's of Charleston has served its final meal, and chef-owner Robert Dickson brought down the house last week. But as the "old order changeth, giving place to new" the restaurant and stage that you knew as Robert's will become the Gin Joint, a new restaurant birthed by MariElena and Joe Raya, daughter and son-in-law of Dickson. An opening date has not been set. The Gin Joint will open at 182 East Bay St.

Restaurant Week

Made popular during political conventions, Restaurant Weeks at one time priced their menus to correspond to the date of the calendar year. The concept caught the fancy of the dining-out public, and Restaurant Weeks have been embraced by cities across the U.S. Look for special pricing, meal deals, multicourse dining experiences and value all in the name of dining out Sept. 8-19. Visit the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association's website at www.greatercharlestonrestaurantassociation.com.

Mellow Mushroom sprouting

Joshua Broome, Michael Shem-Tov and Johnny Hudgins, have signed a lease to expand Mellow Mushroom to West Ashley. The new Mellow Mushroom will be at 19 Magnolia Drive in the Old Ashley Theater. The owners expect to open in the new at the beginning of 2011.

Chef in the house

It sure beats cooking! The popular Artisan Meat Share Grill Pack developed by Cypress chef Craig Deihl now is available. To reserve your "share" of four all local beef burger patties, four house-made bratwurst, two smoked barbecue chicken quarters, pound of pulled smoked pork, pound of beef brisket, pint of pickled vegetables and pint of barbecue sauce -- enough to feed a hungry crowd of 10-12 -- call 973-4012, ext. 265 to reserve. The $50 packages will be available for pickup on Thursday and Friday.

Get out of the heat!

Crave Kitchen and Cocktails will offer a three-course dinner for $17 plus tax and gratuity. The early bird menu is available 5-6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Crave is at 1968 Riviera Drive, Mount Pleasant. 884-1177, www.cravemtp.com.

Mark your calendars

Liberty tap Room will begin lunch service in the fall. It is open noon-until Saturdays and Sundays. Liberty Tap Room is at 1028 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mount Pleasant 971-7777, www.tbonz.com.

Free food at Sticky Fingers

Local restaurant chain Sticky Fingers is launching its annual "Feast for Free" contest. Entry forms are available at the restaurants and online at www.stickyfingers.com. The winning entry will be selected Aug. 15, and that lucky 'cue-monger will receive a gift card worth $25 per day in food at Sticky Fingers until year's end.

Barkin' and quackin' in West Ashley

Dog & Duck has found a new "blind" in West Ashley. This popular Mount Pleasant pub will open in the space once occupied by Bobby Hartin's Sports Grill at 1124 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. 881-3056, www.dogandduckfamilypubs.com.

Star power, Page Six

"Southern Food: The Movie" is a joint venture with Joe York and food writer John

T. Edge. And rumored to be starring in this bio-pic of Southern foodways? None other than chef Sean Brock of McCrady's Restaurant.

Rocket man

Johnny Rockets will launch another outpost of the iconic burger and shake shack complete with vintage '50s-style uniforms. JR will open at 4840 Tanger Outlet Blvd., North Charleston, July 19, and if the lines at the Minneapolis location are an indicator, we have not lost our love for the quintessential flavors of hot burgers and cold shakes.

Beach blanket barbecue

Home Team BBQ has launched Beach to Go Packs. So place your order and take your 'cue, sliders or wings to the beach. Home Team BBQ is at 2209 Middle St., Sullivan's Island. To order, call 883-3131 or click www.HomeTeamBBQ.com. Sand optional.