{"id":1586,"date":"2026-06-15T20:37:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T20:37:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586"},"modified":"2026-06-15T20:37:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T20:37:13","slug":"is-the-best-new-restaurant-in-the-us-in-sc-it-was-nominated-for-2026-james-beard-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586","title":{"rendered":"Is the best new restaurant in the US in SC? It was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award"},"content":{"rendered":"<article><!-- --><!-- --><!-- WPS-5038 -- removed the script from WPS and added the placeholder for trinity player --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- CONTENT --><!--[--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>There are plenty of great restaurants and eateries that grace South Carolina\u2019s presence, but some are outstanding and even award-winning.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1584\">Gov. Gavin Newsom says DOJ interviewed associates and family \u2018trying to find\u2019 a crime<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>One restaurant in SC in particular may soon receive one of the nation\u2019s greatest culinary honors, the James Beard Best New Restaurant Award.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>For nearly four decades, the James Beard Awards have served as the pinnacle of culinary recognition in the U.S. A restaurant that wins the Best New Restaurant Award demonstrates supreme excellence in its food, atmosphere, service, hospitality and overall operations.<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s the restaurant that was nominated for the award:<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<h2>SC restaurant finalist for James Beard Awards<\/h2>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Based in Charleston, Merci is a little French bistro that made a big enough impression to be a finalist for the James Beard Awards. They are one of 10 restaurants that were nominated, and they are the only SC restaurant that was nominated for 2026\u2019s Best New Restaurant.<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Merci opened last year in March and has served hungry Charleston residents European-inspired seasonal plates highlighting local purveyors and Old World techniques in a cozy and convivial setting.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>The bistro frequently updates its menu to include small plates, entrees and desserts, along with wine, beer and non-alcoholic specialties. The minds behind the food are Chef Michael and Courtney Zentner.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>While their menu changes daily, you can expect delicious salads, chicken, duck and even beef wellington. If you want to experience a French meal that was nominated for its excellence, book a reservation here.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1582\">Historic, wildlife-rich plantation near Columbia targeted for state protection<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re located at 28 Pitt St, Charleston, SC 29401.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>There is another SC eatery that was nominated for a James Beard Award, but this time it\u2019s a bakery. Here\u2019s where it\u2019s located.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<h2>SC\u2019s Outstanding Bakery nomination<\/h2>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Also located in Charleston, Welton\u2019s Tiny Bakeshop was a finalist for this year\u2019s Outstanding Bakery award.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>The cute bakery opened back in 2022 and specializes in sustainable, naturally leavened breads and pastries made with locally sourced ingredients. It\u2019s less than 1,000 square feet, but the interior is welcoming, comforting and there is a lot of love and attention put into the shop, according to their website.<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>On their menu they serve coffee and espresso, as well as classic pastries such as croissants, sugar buns, kolaches, cookies, cakes, and much more. Menus are subject to change. Their pastries can sell out fast, so if you want to grab one, make sure to go early in the day.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Their address is 684 King St, Charleston, SC 29403.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>The ceremony announcing the winners of the James Beard Awards will take place at the Lyric Opera of Chicago tonight. If either SC eatery wins an award, we will follow up with another story.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1580\">Hip-hop legends to headline lineup that will hold concert in Columbia<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--]--><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is the best new restaurant in South Carolina? A local restaurant was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award. Here\u2019s where it\u2019s located.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1585,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1586","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-south-carolina"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Is the best new restaurant in the US in SC? It was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award - US Moving Experts<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Is the best new restaurant in the US in SC? It was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award - US Moving Experts\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Is the best new restaurant in South Carolina? A local restaurant was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award. Here\u2019s where it\u2019s located.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"US Moving Experts\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-15T20:37:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?p=1586#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?p=1586\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d4595f9a47af262eb0de41137cae39b6\"},\"headline\":\"Is the best new restaurant in the US in SC? It was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-15T20:37:13+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?p=1586\"},\"wordCount\":497,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?p=1586#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/e78c99562a15c13e5663fa5406cb56b1.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"South Carolina\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?p=1586#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?p=1586\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?p=1586\",\"name\":\"Is the best new restaurant in the US in SC? It was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award - US Moving Experts\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?p=1586#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?p=1586#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/e78c99562a15c13e5663fa5406cb56b1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-15T20:37:13+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d4595f9a47af262eb0de41137cae39b6\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?p=1586#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?p=1586\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?p=1586#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/e78c99562a15c13e5663fa5406cb56b1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/e78c99562a15c13e5663fa5406cb56b1.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":674,\"caption\":\"Sandra Felix, Sqirl\u2019s chef de cuisine, finishes a plate of beet agnolotti at the restaurant in Los Angeles, June 5, 2026. Sqirl, at the height of its fame, was one of those places where tourists, particularly from New York, came to both understand and misunderstand Los Angeles. (Julie Goldstone\\\/The New York Times)\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?p=1586#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Is the best new restaurant in the US in SC? It was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"US Moving Experts\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d4595f9a47af262eb0de41137cae39b6\",\"name\":\"admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"admin\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/usmovingexpertss.com\\\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Is the best new restaurant in the US in SC? It was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award - US Moving Experts","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Is the best new restaurant in the US in SC? It was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award - US Moving Experts","og_description":"Is the best new restaurant in South Carolina? A local restaurant was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award. Here\u2019s where it\u2019s located.","og_url":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586","og_site_name":"US Moving Experts","article_published_time":"2026-06-15T20:37:13+00:00","author":"admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586"},"author":{"name":"admin","@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/#\/schema\/person\/d4595f9a47af262eb0de41137cae39b6"},"headline":"Is the best new restaurant in the US in SC? It was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award","datePublished":"2026-06-15T20:37:13+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586"},"wordCount":497,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/e78c99562a15c13e5663fa5406cb56b1.jpg","articleSection":["South Carolina"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586","url":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586","name":"Is the best new restaurant in the US in SC? It was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award - US Moving Experts","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/e78c99562a15c13e5663fa5406cb56b1.jpg","datePublished":"2026-06-15T20:37:13+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/#\/schema\/person\/d4595f9a47af262eb0de41137cae39b6"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/e78c99562a15c13e5663fa5406cb56b1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/e78c99562a15c13e5663fa5406cb56b1.jpg","width":1200,"height":674,"caption":"Sandra Felix, Sqirl\u2019s chef de cuisine, finishes a plate of beet agnolotti at the restaurant in Los Angeles, June 5, 2026. Sqirl, at the height of its fame, was one of those places where tourists, particularly from New York, came to both understand and misunderstand Los Angeles. (Julie Goldstone\/The New York Times)"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=1586#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Is the best new restaurant in the US in SC? It was nominated for 2026 James Beard Award"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/","name":"US Moving Experts","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/#\/schema\/person\/d4595f9a47af262eb0de41137cae39b6","name":"admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"admin"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com"],"url":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?author=1"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1586","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1586"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1586\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1585"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1586"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}