

10
"Merci is bound to become a Charleston classic. The sceney spot on Montague Street feels like a European neighborhood cafe with the energy of the newest hotspot in somewhere like New York, and reservations fill up as soon as they’re available. When you come for dinner, the focaccia here is a must-order. It’s layered with stracciatella, hot honey, and smoked Benton’s ham for a sweet, savory, and fluffy combo. They always have interesting and good crudos—we tried one with watermelon and tuna on our most recent visit that tasted like summer on a plate—and the beef wellington is as main-event of an entree as you’ll ever have. It comes prepared tableside, drizzled with a decadent sauce perigourdine, and served with whipped duchess potatoes." - Jai Jones