LOCAL LOVE LIST: CHARLESTON WINE + FOOD
Our Charleston Wine + Food Festival (@chswineandfood) Local Love List! Y’all. We have been DYING to try Zero Restaurant + Bar (@zerogeorgest) since we first moved to Charleston.
We joined our fellow CHSWFF Street Team member, Andrea Serrano (@charlestonshopcurator), as we visited this discretely tucked away gem to try Chef Petrillo’s sensational Tasting Menu, which includes a wine pairing for each course.
Are y’all ready for a cozy read full of dazzling dishes? Pair a glass of wine for this Local Love … because I Love That For You.
ZERO RESTAURANT + BAR: COZY SOPHISTICATION
This luxury boutique hotel, restored in 1804, is located in the heart of downtown Charleston and only a few blocks away from our house.
As usual, the four of us were caught wandering around with a sense of wonder. Yes, Zero George is in the hustle-and-bustle of Downtown Charleston. But immediately upon entering through the gates, you’ll feel transported into a quiet and sophisticated oasis forcing you to instinctually take a deep breath of relaxation.
The vibe pours into the most elegant, refined, and intimate environment of Zero Restaurant + Bar.
Throughout the evening, each of us found ourselves exploring. Although it was our first visit, the people, such as our server Jessa and the manager Katherine were unbelievable, made us feel like everyone is family.
After first noticing a piece from our favorite poet Marcus Amaker (@charlestonpoet) placed in the bathroom, we found ourselves in the next room welcomed with open arms by Chef Vinson Petrillo and his team. It’s the cutest/dream kitchen we’ve ever seen, y’all.
WHAT WE LOVE FOR YOU
What makes Zero Restaurant so unique? Many restaurants tout fresh and local ingredients, but you might find Chef Petrillo checking on the herbs and vegetables from their own garden before dinner service. Now that’s what we call fresh.
We were lucky to enjoy Chef’s Three-Course Gaillard Tasting Menu and felt honored to enjoy a night the four of us will never forget.
The contemporary American menu changes frequently to reflect the Chef’s inspiration stemming from the freshest available ingredients. It must be noted, however, that this is not just a dinner but an experience.
CUISINE & COCKTAILS: IMAGINATIVE INNOVATION
What can you expect at Zero Restaurant? First, y’all MUST partake in Chef’s Tasting Menu if at all possible. We saw creativity and quality at it’s finest.
Don’t worry a bit if you have dietary restrictions, because they will craft the menu and still exceed any expectations. Side note: the Happy Hour is KILLER.
Those at Zero Restaurant are also full of fascinating knowledge. For example, “gluten” can be a trigger word for many. The questions that pop into our heads are endless. But at Zero George, their pasta is made with flour from Italy and those with Celiac have had no issues with these noodles. The care they put into the menu and those enjoying it runs deep, y’all.
What else runs deep? The passion and adventure in each of Vinson’s dishes. Ian was slightly confused when a beautiful, adorably tiny pot was placed alongside the first course dishes. Turns out it wasn’t decor, but instead the freshest Roasted Beets with couscous we’ve ever tasted.
The flow of the evening set the tone. Starting with a “Snacks Course,” we each selected a cocktail to our liking. Michael’s choice, The Alter Ego, ended up the table favorite. The Habanero Citrus Foam paired with Lavender, Burlesque Bitters and Hendricks Gin provided the perfect bite of spice.
After the snacks and cocktails came the wines carefully crafted with the first, second, and dessert courses.
We put full trust in the hands of the experts. Although we have more knowledge than ever from the Edmund’s Oast Exchange Wine Tasting during our first CHSWFF Local Love List, they sure know the perfect pairings.
WHAT WE LOVE FOR YOU
We’re not the only ones raving about Zero Restaurant. Featured in Condé Naste and Town & Country as one of the best restaurants in Charleston, we know our experience is not contrary to popular opinion.
Michael had the Beef Wellington – a Grass-Wood Tenderloin with Pimento Black Garlic and Summer Truffles – and was an absolute showstopper. Liz jumped in on the pasta made with flour from Italy and savored the Burnt Wheat Cavatelli Pasta with Summer Truffles and Crispy Serrano Ham, which beautifully paired with a Chianti Classico.
After making it through the First and Second Courses, not to mention the “snacks,” we somehow made room for dessert. It wasn’t just a single dessert but a utopia of every delicious concoction one could imagine. Presented with a Tres Leches cake, a S’mores Treat, Apple Sweet Popcorn, and the cutest Apple Butters Gummy Bears, we left zero evidence of dessert reaching our table in any shape or form.
We were sad to part from our new family for the night and left only knowing we’d be back soon. All of us had such a memorable and exquisite night and are so grateful for the experience.
To explore this experience as we did, check out the Zero Restaurant + Bar events during Charleston Wine + Food below.
Zero Restaurant + Bar Signature Dinner on Thursday, March 7 from 5-11:00 p.m. – ALL SEATINGS SOLD OUT
Join Zero George Executive Chef Vinson Petrillo as he welcomes Chef Suzanne Cupps of Union Square Hospitality. This intimate, multi-coursed dining experience will feature an artfully presented menu, highlighting locally sourced ingredients and innovative techniques served in Zero Restaurant’s chic and upscale hotel dining room.