"What were your first impressions when you arrived? Bright and dominated by a long galley bar to one side, the design nods to the building's past life as a candy store. Everything's soothing, from the rotating art exhibits to the clean marble topped tables to the rainbow pastel mural on the way to the bathroom. There's plenty of room to breathe in here, and if you're taking photos for Instagram, for most of the day, the light seems just right. What’s the crowd like? The crowd seems as calm, in small duos and quartets. Some are obviously tourists, but many more are having business lunches, outings with friends or partners, and many seem familiar with the menu. What should we be drinking? There is a surprisingly strong cocktail game here–beet margarita, anyone?–and great small producer wines, but don't sleep on the wide selection of non-alcoholic beverages, either. From wellness shots to lattes, the wide range of beverages makes sticking with water a sad choice. Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss. The plant-forward trend is here to stay, and although Charleston has embraced this in plenty of dedicated spots, Basic Kitchen does it best. It first opened in 2017, and although there were always highlights, including the cauliflower wings, it took a while for this place to hit its stride (chef shuffles and a pandemic didn't help). Basic Kitchen became one of the city's best restaurants when, amidst a dearth of restaurants open for lunch, they perfected the art. There are animal protein options available, and the food is supremely satisfying—something not always achieved by a restaurant so focused on providing "good for you" food. The salmon comes in big and perfectly-cooked portions, the brunch feels celebratory without being too heavy, and the pistachio-beet dip should be ordered at every visit. And how did the front-of-house folks treat you? The staff listens to requests and are masters at accommodating dietary restrictions. There's more of a detached "we'll let you talk to your dining companion" vibe than you'd usually find in a Southern neighborhood bar, but it's still friendly and fits with the airy feel of the place. What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here? Vegetarians, lunch outings, brunch with friends, and anyone who really likes vegetables that go beyond just a wedge salad." - Stephanie Burt
