Frannie & The Fox

By Libby Willians, @Plate.South

It’s been a hot minute since I got to review a Charleston restaurant – full on Tastemakers style. So grab a drink and get ready because this meal was novel worthy!

Frannie & the Fox is located inside of the new Emeline Hotel in downtown Charleston, so close to the City Market, you can hear the horses whinnying from their stations waiting to pull the curious tourists around the city.

The hotel is exquisite with a sophisticated lobby and some extremely well appointed rooms (don’t mind that view!). Their high end coffee shop would be an amazing way to start any day off right. Just walking into the lobby of the hotel makes you feel like you need your fancy pants on. (Don’t worry…I made it work. Aside from my “medical grade mask” that I was made fun of wearing by a friend of mine. It’s cool…coolllllll. Time to up my mask game!)

We snuck into the restaurant for a lovely seated dinner with SO MANY GREAT OPTIONS, I have been having food cravings for a week. Starting with this amazing and refreshing cocktail!

One of my favorite parts of the restaurant is this little speakeasy section where you can sit inside and socially distance. Ring the bell for the bartender and he pops through a little window, takes your order, and passes your drink on over to you while you watch them make woodfired pizzas in the kitchen across the way from you. HECK YEAH! Now that’s some social distancing I can get behind. It’s very private and totally secretive.

They have a lovely dining room, but my favorite part was the enormous outdoor patio they have. There is also cute little area tucked away from the diners for private events. Such a great place to host a birthday party or intimate wedding. 

But let’s talk about the food. Oh, sweet lovely Gods who want me to be happy…thank you for the food that is Frannie & the Fox. The menu is Italian inspired, with wood fired pizzas and fresh, interesting combinations of foods, and some amazing wine pairings.

Some of my favorite items on the menu were the crab fritters. I had never had anything quite like this, but it was delicious. The golden crust was light enough to pair with the delicate crab on the inside. This was NOT to be missed.

Also of note for our first course – the heirloom tomato toast. Maybe it was the summeryness of the PERFECTLY DRESSED heirloom tomatoes and the whipped ricotta. Maybe it was crisp Sauvignon Blanc wine pairing. Or maybe it was just damn fine food. But I am here to tell you this – I was not mad about it. 

And those clamssss…man were they good! Brothy goodness all up in here! With a focaccia for dipping…HECK YEAHHHH!

Next we tried an array of from the SECONDS section. The red snapper was one of my favorite dishes of the night. Paired with perfectly roasted potatoes and an olive tapenade, the flavors were perfect together.

And of course the pizza…holy.moly. The PIZZA! Friends. those pizzas are worth going for alone. We tried the taleggio and pepperoni. It would be an omission of dramatic proportions if I didn’t express to you that these were – HAND TO GOD – some of the best pizzas I have ever had. Just don’t forget the wine! We paired this with a Nerello Mascalese. MMMMMmmmm.

We also had 3…that’s right THREE…desserts. All delicious. None photographed…because apparently I can’t focus when dessert lands in front of me. But multiple desserts are the reason you go with a big crowd…you get to try everything. After a long and fulfilling evening, I decided I really enjoyed the panna cotta for it’s simple, delicate and creamy end to the evening. Oh…the madiera did not hurt either. 

If there is anything that could pull me out of a Covid funk, it’s gonna have to be a night at Frannie and the Fox. As a matter of fact, I am feeling kind of funky now. Better make a reservation with my man. 

$1 from every Negroni sold August 20-September 20 will go to the amazing Windwood Farm– which works to provide help, hope and healing to abused and neglected boys in SC.

Frannie & the Fox is located at
181 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401

HOURS
Tuesday – Thursday, 5 – 10 pm
Friday & Saturday, 5 – 11 pm

Happy Hour is available Tuesday – Friday 3pm-5pm

Closed Sunday/Monday
Reservations recommended.