Husk alters the essence of Southern cuisine and is centrally located in historic downtown Charleston. Husk explores an ingredient-driven cuisine that begins with the rediscovery of heirloom products and redefines what it means to cook and eat in the South.

Husk responsibly develops menus by starting with a larder of regional foods and playing to what local purveyors have seasonally available at any given time. With a rustic wall of firewood to fuel the open kitchen's wood-fired oven and a big chalkboard listing artisanal products currently furnishing the kitchen, the entrance beckons. The food, like the décor in this historic late-nineteenth-century residence, is modern in design and interpretation.

There are several restrictions on what can be served at Husk. It's not coming through the door if it's not from the South. "It's not about rediscovering Southern cooking; it's about examining the truth of Southern food," says the chef. This modern approach results in dishes like Carolina Gold Crab Rice with Benton's Bacon, Tomato Jam, and Crab Roe, as well as new classics like South Carolina Shrimp and Choppee Okra Stew with Carolina Gold Rice and Flowering Basil, Kentuckyaki Glazed Pig's Ear Lettuce Wraps with Sweet Vinegar Cucumber and Red Onion, and Southern Fried Chicken Skins with Pimento Cheese "Ranch" and Scallions, and Southern Fried Chicken.

• Website: huskrestaurant.com/home
• Address: 76 Queen St.Charleston, SC 29401
• Phone number: 843.577.2500

Alodia's Cucina Italiana, with outlets in Lexington and Irmo, is a restaurant founded on the love of an Italian family. In Irmo, proprietor Adam Huneau's first restaurant has been wowing taste buds with his authentic Italian cuisine, which is based on recipes from his family's cookbook. His newest location in Lexington is sure to keep the Alodia's tradition of excellence alive and well.

Alodia's fare and ambiance reverberate with the smells and pleasures of Old Italy, as it is named for his Great-Grandmother. The menu's foundation is fresh sauces and pastas, which have brought generations together. Adam is committed to make his restaurants as warm and inviting as his own family's kitchen. Despite the hardships of the Great Depression and World War II, Alodia was able to cook for her nine children because of her love of food and family. Her children were strong by her food, but her family was reinforced by her love.

• Website: alodias.com
• Address: 2736 N Lake Dr, Columbia, SC 29212
• Phone number: (803) 781-9814

Halls Chophouse Charleston first opened its doors in 2009, but the Hall family's quest for excellent hospitality began far earlier. With his wife Jeanne by his side, Bill Hall spent more than forty years of his career operating hotels and restaurants in Pinehurst, Hilton Head Island, Sea Island, Napa Valley, and Pebble Beach. Mr. and Mrs. Hall chose to settle in the Lowcountry and operate a restaurant after their daughter Stacey relocated to the Holy City to attend the College of Charleston. Halls Chophouse had it all: the best steaks money could buy, a wide wine list, and hearty family-style sides, but it was the service and friendliness of the employees that made them stand out. Halls Chophouse Charleston now has three sister establishments in Greenville, Columbia, Nexton (Summerville), and Nashville, which will open soon. Slightly North of Broad, High Cotton, Rita's Seaside Grille, and Halls Signature Events are also owned and operated by the Hall family.

Only USDA Prime Steaks from Allen Brothers of Chicago, the preeminent producer of the finest prime meats, are served at Halls Chophouse. Allen Brothers' steaks are hand-selected, meticulously aged, and hand-cut to precise portion standards.

• Website: www.hallschophouse.com
• Address: 550 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601
• Phone number: (864) 335-4200

From exclusive board meetings and business retreats to private dinners and major festivities, The Willcox excels in combining the ideal environment with flawless service. The well-appointed rooms and on-site expert event planners can help you prepare every detail of an unforgettable experience for your guests. They'll work with you to design the perfect event, whether it's a gala dinner that everyone speaks about for months or the perfect nibbles for mid-morning munchies.

The Willcox has inspired generations of fairytale weddings by providing unrivaled personal care, trademark attention, and the expertise of a certified Southern Living wedding planner. From the ceremony to the perfect wedding reception, to extra events such as bridal showers, afternoon teas, and rehearsal dinners, their professionals will custom create the whole experience with you. They have great suggestions for taking extra care of your out-of-town guests and making them feel welcome as well.

The kitchen has a stellar reputation thanks to their chefs' innovative abilities. Although the executive chef draws influence from his overseas experiences, the food remains American. Whether you're lounging poolside, in the lobby's pleasant club atmosphere, or in the dining room, you can be confident that your meal will be memorable and that your service will be prompt and courteous.

• Website: thewillcox.com/restaurant
• Address: 100 Colleton Ave SW, Aiken, SC 29801
• Phone number: (803) 648-1898

Grits & Grocery, which appears to be in the middle of nowhere, is well worth the trip. You'll notice a huge rooster out near the road when you arrive. It's a foreshadowing of wonderful things to come, such as the dish pictured above. If there's a line, don't be startled or disheartened; once you've eaten here, you'll agree it's well worth the wait. At Grits and Groceries, everything you eat is handcrafted with love and local ingredients. The Trulls are always market-inspired, finding their items within a 100-mile radius and modifying their menu if they can't locate what they're looking for.

Both an indoor dining space and an outside patio are available at the restaurant. There's even a brand-new event barn that can accommodate larger groups. They have a normal lunch menu as well as a constantly changing list of weekly specials, so you'll never be bored with what's on offer.

• Website: gritsandgroceries.com
• Address: 2440 Due West Hwy, Belton, SC 29627
• Phone number: (864) 296-3316

The Patrick Square branch, which opened in October 2014, is an upscale dining choice for surrounding residents, with a casual pizzeria across the street. There is plenty of free parking. The restaurant is a fantastic alternative for after-work drinks or a peaceful anniversary dinner for two, as it is surrounded by single family homes, town homes, and upmarket commercial offices.

Rick Erwin's Clemson has established itself as a local favorite for great cuisine, an extensive wine list, and a laid-back bar packed with familiar friends. When you walk into our restaurant, you'll be surrounded by Clemson tradition and treated like family. While the restaurants are known for serving the best steaks and seafood, they also feature a menu that reflects southern tradition as well as upmarket favorites. It would be their pleasure and joy to welcome you for a Tiger victory, a special night out, or cocktails with friends at the bar!

• Website: rickerwinsclemson.com
• Address: 127 Market Street, Clemson, SC 29631
• Phone number: (864) 654-9466

Coast, located in the brand-new Sea Pines Beach Club, offers an unrivaled culinary experience alongside a beautiful view of the ocean — the only site on Hilton Head Island to do so. The salt air brings the flavors of their comprehensive cuisine to life while the waves rush in on the beach just steps away. Because the ocean is such an important element of the Coast experience, their seafood dishes are among the freshest and most appealing on Hilton Head Island. Their chefs have crafted a menu as imaginative as the vistas, from fresh East Coast oysters and distinctive Lobster & Shrimp Pasta to fish tacos and signature seafood platters to the deep tastes of their Sapelo Island Crew Stew.

Coast is housed in the Sea Pines Beach Club, a newly constructed Lowcountry architectural marvel with first-class service. Along with Coast's gourmet cuisine and Ocean Lounge's beachfront elegance, the Beach Club is a paradise for residents and visitors alike, complete with a surf shop, surfside market, and a plethora of amenities that make for an outstanding oceanside experience.

• Website: www.coastoceanfrontdining.com
• Address: 87 N Sea Pines Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
• Phone number: (843) 842-1888

Millpond Steakhouse is located in historic Boykin, South Carolina. They offer a unique and serene dining experience unlike anything else in the state, located just a few miles from Camden and a short 30 minute journey from Columbia! Though their steaks are their claim to fame, they also serve a wide range of American food in a historic and breathtakingly beautiful setting.

Millpond Steak House in Boykin, dubbed a "destination restaurant," is more than that. It has history, good dining, breathtaking vistas, excellent service, and an isolated setting that makes you feel a million miles away from it all. Mill Pond is one of those dinners you'll remember for a long time, thanks to its beautiful dining rooms, delicious food, and breathtaking vistas. A big part of the story you'll tell will revolve around how isolated of this location is - and how it was well worth the effort to get here.

• Website: www.millpondsteakhouse.com
• Address: 84 State Rd S-28-2, Rembert, SC 29128
• Phone number: (803) 425-8825

Thoroughbreds Chophouse & Seafood Grille has been regarded as the best fine dining restaurant in Myrtle Beach for nearly 30 years by locals and visitors alike. From the beginning, the family has pledged to provide only the highest quality cuisine and outstanding service to their visitors. The team of over forty culinary specialists, all of whom are like-minded, is committed to delivering on that promise. They encourage you to come inside and enjoy great dining that no other restaurant on the Grand Strand can match.

They change their menu several times a year to keep up with market trends. This also gives them the option to use seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The kitchen is outfitted with the most cutting-edge culinary technology available. The broad menu is sure to satisfy even the most sophisticated palates, thanks to an educated team of experienced chefs from across the country.

• Website: thoroughbredsrestaurant.com
• Address: 9706 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
• Phone number: (843) 497-2636