FlashBack Fridays: Through the Years at 14 North Market Street 8.22.14

Charleston is a burgeoning town with a food industry to match. The city experiences a steady inhale and exhale of residents and visitors alike pining to partake in this culinary metropolis and driving the need for diverse options to quell their hunger.

With this sentiment in mind, we searched through the old restaurant reviews from The Post and Courier. Among them we found the write up for Market East Bistro and were curious to uncover what types of establishments have occupied this location–14 North Market Street–over the years.

The review of Market East Bistro written by Jane Kronsberg ran on Thursday, February 13, 1997. This was Konsberg’s second review of the bistro since its opening, and she wrote fondly of her experience once again. The lunch and dinner selections highlighted the many seafood options available at this accessible but refined bistro. As one patron was quoted in the review, the food and service were good and the prices “extremely reasonable.”

After the closure of Market East Bistro, Vintage Restaurant and Wine Bar took over the spot. Owned by Kevin Kelley, who was also the wine director, the restaurant boasted hundreds of bottles to pair with Executive Chef Thomas Clayton’s Provencal-style cuisine. Contrary to many establishments in the neighborhood, Vintage did not showcase typical Lowcountry dishes, rather offering diners a taste of France.

Cordavi then took up residence at 14 N. Market. Turning the dial to fine dining, Cordavi became known as one of Charleston’s top restaurants in its opening year, earning Esquire magazine’s nod for Top 20 New Restaurants in 2006. The establishment was written about as a leader in sophisticated haute cuisine with the potential to launch Charleston onto the culinary scene with longtime cosmopolitan players. Described as a maverick in the local dining scene, Cordavi showcased cutting edge culinary arts and was unapologetically “un-Southern,” regularly calling international ingredients to the table. Perhaps with the same surprise invoked by its creative approach, Cordavi closed leaving many lamenting a too-short stay. Read more about Cordavi in the City Paper review by writer Jeff Allen.

Another 14 N. Market Street establishment was Gilligan’s Seafood Restaurant. Gilligan’s, a family-friendly casual spot, brought a fun and lively atmosphere to the historical market and served as great place for traveling groups to dine. The bar at Gilligan’s stayed open well into the night, hosting late-night revelers in search of an affordable good time.

And finally, Burwell’s Stone Fire Grill is the current resident of 14 N. Market Street. An expansive establishment, the owners exposed the hidden history of the space by removing drywall to reveal 1800s-era cypress walls, paying homage to Market Street’s rich past. Bringing a modern twist to the traditional steakhouse, Burwell’s uses a 1,400 degree wood-fire grill and is promising an experience divergent from the overly masculine characteristics common of steakhouses. Read more about Burwell’s in this write up in the City Paper.

Looking back on the many restaurants that once called 14 N. Market Street home, we see a wide spectrum of culinary approaches. And with the diversity of palates in Charleston, coming from world travelers, vacationing families, long-time locals, and new residents, we are sure there is a place for just as many restaurant styles, themes, and cuisines and look forward to what the future might bring.