Our taste-and-tell guide to some of the latest food and beverage openings in Charleston
Kairos
While fast-casual eateries abound around town, John Ondo, former chef-owner of Lana, and partner Cary Chastain, who owns and operates all area Moe’s franchises, noticed something missing in the mix: Greek food. At their new Mount Pleasant eatery, Kairos (which translates to “supreme moment” in Greek), diners order at the counter, selecting a salad, Basmati rice, or pita as a base, then adding protein from a choice of roasted lamb; chicken; meatballs; or addictive, fried-in-house falafel. Down the line, a large selection of spreads and toppings is fair game for dressing the dishes, ranging from crave-worthy red pepper feta and tzatziki to traditional tabbouleh and chickpea salad. Try to restrain yourself from piling on everything, though, and leave room for a few slices of pita dipped into hummus—a supreme moment indeed. http://kairosgreekkitchen.com/
Goulette
Upon first arrival, guests at Goulette, housed in the former Lana space, may imagine they’ve stumbled into a sunny café in Southern France. Bold blue walls accented in ochre wrap around the dining room, while a vase of sunflowers draws the eyes to the bar. It’s there that you’ll likely find owner Perig Goulet, who after helming upscale French eatery La Fourchette for eight years on King Street (the restaurant closed in 2013) is excited to cultivate a laid-back, neighborhood vibe at his new spot, serving a menu that’s “More Southern France and less Parisian,” he says. Some items carried over from his previous place, including a Niçoise salad tossed with green beans, soft-boiled eggs, anchovies, and tuna confit. The talents of chef Kyle Yarbough, former pitmaster at Cumberland Smokehouse, are displayed in entrees of steak, lamb, and rotisserie chicken, all served with Bibb salad and pommes frites.
