Esquire Shows Charleston Some Lovin'

Prestigious Esquire Magazine showed Charleston some lovin' earlier this week by awarding two local establishments as part of their 2012 Best New Restaurants. The Macintosh in downtown Charleston and Carter's Kitchen in Mount Pleasant were bestowed this highly coveted award Monday night at Esquire's awards ceremony in New York City.

Opened in September 2011, The Macintosh features the Lowcountry cuisine of Executive Chef and partner Jeremiah Bacon and showcases his talent for creating upscale American dishes using the varied flavors of seasonal ingredients by local farmers and fisherman. The Macintosh is part of The Indigo Road Restaurant Group which also operates Charleston favorites Oak Steakhouse, O-Ku and The Cocktail Club. 

Carter's Kitchen, located on the square in I'On in Mount Pleasant, is the brainchild of chef extraordinaire, Robert Carter, formerly of Peninsula Grill. Opened since February, 2012, Carter's Kitchen features Southern ingredients and traditions that are an ode to Carter's childhood with a contemporary twist. Think pimento cheese, pickled shrimp and fried okra served alongside creative fare such as baby kale Caesar salad and duck leg confit.

Neither chef are strangers to cooking accolades. Chef Carter was presented an honory doctorate from his alma mater, Johnson & Wales University, in 1999 and was honored with the Culinary Legend Award by the BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival. He has also appeared on television programs including "Throwdown with Bobby Flay", "Iron Chef America", and "The Martha Steward Show".

Chef Bacon was a nominee for 2012 Best Chef in the Southeast by the James Beard Foundation and The Macintosh was named Bon Appetit's 50 Best New Restaurants of 2012 and a 2012 semifinalist for Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation.