I’On Eatery Offering Up Weekend Fare Seven Days A Week
By: Jeff Walker, Business Review
Aside from a romantic candlelit dinner for two, perhaps the most ideal meal is brunch. What’s not to like about brunch? The name alone exudes charm. It’s the ideal marriage of breakfast and lunch. Often a three to five hour window to dine on both early morning and midday favorites, with many specialty food items added to the menu.
While brunch is usually left to either Saturday or Sundays at many restaurants, Community Table in Mount Pleasant has taken the dining concept to the ultimate level. The quaint eatery tucked just inside the entrance to the I’On (off Mathis Ferry) neighborhood offers brunch four hours a day, seven days a week. I know your mind is already blown just reading that, someone doing brunch every day, ‘it’s crazy’, and at Community Table it’s ‘crazy good’.
The brainchild of Ryan and Kelleanne Jones, Community Table offers up an eclectic blend of everyday comfort foods, with a little bit of a twist for the adventurous palate. Kelleanne likes to say it’s an approachable menu for those with varying tastes.
The husband and wife team discovered Charleston a few years back (2016), bringing a lifetime of food service with them to the low country. Having owned their own restaurant for seven years, and a catering business for ten, the Connecticut couple easily honed their hospitality skills before venturing south.
Truth be known, both Kelleanne and Ryan have been in food service since high school. What’s that old saying ‘if you love what you do than you never really work for a living’. The Jones’ were meant to create in the kitchen, and entertain people in the dining room.
The two had been eying the I’On location for years, and after further sharpening their talents for a few months in 2019 at the Workshop on 1503 King Street, their dream location became available. They immediately jumped at the chance. Opened in November of last year, Community Table has received nothing but stellar reviews, with many people popping in more than once a week.
As stated, the menu is a mix of traditional and distinctive creations. Whether you prefer old school or want to take a stroll on the more creative side, Community Table has plenty of menu options for everyone.
You can play it safe with Steak & Eggs. The presentation and preparation might be a little different but it’s incredible nonetheless. Thin and tender marinated hanger steak (butcher’s cut) draped over half cut skillet potatoes, all under two eggs any way you want them. I suggest sunny-side up, so the warm and yellow yolk will further enhance the flavor of the entrée’. Perfectly seasoned and extra yummy!
Another safe bet is the Smoked Fried Chicken. It should already tweak your interest, mainly because it’s a comfort food. Savory coated poultry laying on top two fluffy cornbread waffles with a dab maple butter, drizzling with an orange & honey thyme glaze. Damn straight it will satisfy your sweet tooth!
If you crave a true taste sensation at 11am in the morning, than I recommend the Beets & Feta dish. A colorful array of salt roasted beets surrounded by candied prosciutto, whipped feta, petite orange slices, garnished with fresh mint and pistachio. An ideal blend of sweet & salty. In case you’re unaware, roasted veggies are all the rage, and roasting beets brings their unique flavor to the surface.
Another dish that might wake you up is the Smoked Salmon Tacos. A flavorful medley of diced onion, tomato, capers (fruity floral buds), combined with in crumbly eggs and smoked salmon, blanketed by a house-made corn tortilla. It’s all slathered in dill creme fraiche, aka a rich and pungent seasoned sour cream sauce, ideally prepared to complement seafood dishes.
You’ll find over a dozen mix and match signature entrees on the bill of fare. Several salads to entice you, including a nice Baby Iceberg complete with steakhouse bacon, aged bleu cheese, chives, tomatoes, dressed in green goddess ranch. Those not straying far from the norm would no doubt enjoy the CT Burger, topped with cheddar cheese on a brioche bun. The Breakfast BLT or the Bacon & Eggs that includes grilled bread (fancy toast) with bacon jam is appetizing.
CT’s knowledgeable mixologist will blend your favorite adult beverage. It’s amazing how well brunch goes with a screwdriver, a mimosa, or a subtle glass of wine. Like a hearty lager or IPA, Community Table carries over a dozen craft beers and hard ciders, many from Charleston and the southeast, that easily complement your meal.
The dinner menu served 4-9pm daily is equaling appealing. Carnivores have several options including Braised Beef Short Rib, NY Strip Steak, and Long Island Duck Breast. Vegans might enjoy Handmade Agnolotti (stuffed pasta) or a few signature salads. The kids menu includes mac n’ cheese, chicken fingers or a cheeseburger, served with either fries or orange wedges. Community Table provides many options for families.
Want to enjoy a lite bite, try their daily happy hour (4-6pm Mon-Fri) specials such as $3 Taco Tuesdays, or Wing It Wednesdays where you can chow down on a dozen wings for just $7. Great place to enjoy a glass of wine or a cold brew with a hearty snack after work.
The beauty with having daily brunch at Community Table is the amount of advantages you can undertake. Maybe you’re meeting a client away from the office than Community Table is a pleasant alternative in a relaxed setting. Perhaps you’re a ‘moms morning out’ looking for a unique space to entertain ten or more. You can bring in a wedding party, your book club, or maybe have a small business employee brunch.
The overall ambiance at Community Table reflects Kelleanne’s interior design flare. A warm and seafaring rustic look that brings both New England and coastal South Carolina together. Plenty of pastel hues and light colored décor’. Eight padded chair style stools surround an inviting bar, complete with two screens for catching up on the game. Background music reflects classic rock and pop, with volume soft enough to engage in meaningful conversation at the table.
The main well lit dining room (plenty of windows) is adjacent to a more intimate room, ideal for hosting small groups. Community Table has it all. They have a perfect location, a pleasant atmosphere, scrumptious food well presented, a dedicated staff, and most of all they think outside the box.
You’ll spend a couple of dollars more than you would at the chain diners or fast food places, but as soon as the food hits your taste buds you’ll realize the difference. The Steak & Eggs brunch entrée’ (highest $$ on the day time menu) is just $18, so quite reasonable for the amount of food and the quality.
If you live east of the Cooper dining at Community Table is a no-brainer. If you’re over in Mount Pleasant for business, or to have a meal with a friend and want a memorable meal than Community Table is an option. Most definitely if you’re resigned to weekend brunch, than I would put Community Table on your dining radar. Visit their site at https://communitytablechs.com/
