Vivian

If Julia Child cooked like a Southern belle, the result would be something like Vivian. In practice, that means rich dishes like the Nordic deviled eggs, smoked oysters, crab dip, and scallop quenelle, making this cerulean-blue dining room the perfect bet for a romantic dinner. There are also less buttery options (though if you ask to substitute dairy out of anything, you’ll get shut down). Local produce and Carolina-caught seafood really shine in the salade de saison, the seasonal crudo dish, and the seared tilefish that’s always on the menu. 

While dinner and craft cocktails are Vivian’s main draw, the weekly Sunday brunch, which offers everything from French pastry boards and lobster parfait to fried chicken biscuits, is another great time to stop by.