Coming soon to Coming Street: Two Borough's Larder

Heather and Josh Keeler love being part of a neighborhood.  That is the reason they signed the lease on a run down commercial building on Coming St in the Elliotborough Neighborhood of Downtown Charleston SC.  Josh graduated from the New England Culinary Institute  in Vermont where people are famous for their independent spirits, including the growing number of organic farmers, entrepreneurs, the melee of artists and writers, and alternative energy producers.  The experience which he describes as the "happiest point in his cooking career" would leave Josh with the goal of one day opening a restarant that would become an integral part of a community: connecting the town to the country and making the local produce available to folks in the city while supporting area growers and producers.  After school Josh went to work for Starr Restaurant Group in Philadelphia, which is responsible for some of the most glamorous establishments in the business including Morimoto and Alma de Cuba.  He honed his skills in the corporate realm but couldn't wait to bring it a little closer to home.  Heather has deep roots in the restaurant biz, and grew up working in restaurants owned by her parents and grandparents, it's natural for her to open her own place.  Last week the couple showed me around the shell of a former barber shop on Coming St that will soon become the home of Two Borough's Larder  .  They enthusiasticly describe their concept, which to me seems brilliant.  The building has two commercial spaces with two entrances that they have merged into one business.  One side serving food restaurant style and the other superb cuisine to take out.  Josh is all about seasonal and local so the menu will change constantly based on what is fresh and tasty.  A few staples such as porchetta and braised local greens or Italian pork rolled with fennel will remain staples on the revolving menu best described as regional American cuisine.  They plan to feature coffee and breakfast all day for folks on the go or to eat in and also lunch and a happy hour menu with small plates from 3-7pm.  They like the idea of large family style dinners a couple of nights a week if there is a demand.  They pair the delicous food with house made sodas, bottled teas, small vinyard wines in the $8-$15 per bottle range as well as some rare regional beers (nothing easily found in your local grocery store!).   Wine tastings with cheese and house made charcuterie plates along with fresh pastas in the case to take and make and bulk olive oil REFILLS!  Regarding the renovation:  they are utilising reclaimed brick from a factory in Alabama, wooden shelves from barns in North Carolina, the antique counter from a building in NYC along with recycled doors and glass brick.  The look:  vintage industrial.   The taste: fresh and local.  I can't wait till opening day!