Some updates about Charleston, from a local. Your Place lost its lease in the little shack at the end of the Market. Locals poured in at the end of 2004 for what they thought was their very last burger, but they found a new location at the last minute and relocated. They're now in the "Rainbow Market" just a few steps away from their old location. Still good, even if it's lost some of the old character. Carolina's did not burn down. I ate there just recently. They've updated their dining room and their menu, and Mama Rose Durden is still whipping up awesome fusion cuisine. The best "locals only" spot, hands down, is Al di La, a fantastic Italian trattoria in West Ashley (off the peninsula), but worth the trouble to find. Chef John Marshall is so awesome. A couple new restaurants in Mt. Pleasant (across the big new bridge) have opened that everyone's buzzing about — Red Drum Gastropub, run by Ben Berryhill, formerly of Cafe Annie in Houston. He's brought real Southwestern cuisine to a town that's woefully lacking much diversity (I'm going Saturday night for my first time). Central has also opened, it's near Isle of Palms. Big, diverse menu. Cool dining room. Haven't eaten there yet, but they've gotten a good review from my food critic (Charleston City Paper) and the daily newspaper's critic. Tristan changed hands recently and reopened with a brand new menu, that's getting kudos. Chef Ciaran Duffy has a really diverse menu with game selections. We've got a couple new upscale steakhouses downtown — Oak and Mo Sussman's. I've eaten at both and didn't feel like they were worth the extravagant costs. Personally, if I'm gonna spend that much coin I'd rather go to Peninsula Grill.