The Old Town Hall Restaurant’s staff includes co-owner and server Angelina Surina, Chef Mike Culley and Deb Phelps who, along with her husband Mike Phelps, are also co-owners. (Photo/Barbara Ball)
RIDGEWAY – The Town of Ridgeway is anchored once again by a full service restaurant that features steak, lava shrimp, salads, wings, pizza and several absolutely fabulous desserts.
The new owners, locals Deb and Mike Phelps and Angelina Surina, formerly of Russia, offer upscale casual dining, a full bar with both draft beers and a rotating array of craft beers such as Sweet Josie Brown. The walls of the newly redecorated restaurant are hung with artwork on consignment by Charleston artist Emily Stein. And the front dining area offers a great conversation starter, a clear view of the old Ruff Hardware Store across the street.
The crown jewel of the eatery, Deb Phelps said, is Chef Mike Culley, formerly with 82 Queen in Charleston and other fine dining establishments. Going on for a while about Culley’s expertise in the kitchen, Phelps said he’s full of culinary surprises, like the chipotle pimiento cheese dip and his ‘cheesecake of the moment,’ which changes flavors and toppings frequently.
“But whatever the flavor or topping,” Phelps said with delight, “the basic cheesecake melts in your mouth. It’s really wonderful, light and full of flavor.”
Other dessert offerings include crème brulee and chocolate mousse.
Phelps said she and her partners wanted to keep the restaurant’s traditional name, “because we used to come here when it was owned by Lisa Caplan several years ago, and we just had so much fun here.” And the fun continues since the Phelpses and Surina opened during Pig on the Ridge two weeks ago.
“We’ve had great community support,” Phelps told The Voice. “We’ve had so many favorable comments on the food, the décor and the service. Our goal is to create a dining atmosphere that compliments the town and keeps the town’s tradition in focus.”
The restaurant is located at 140 S. Palmer St. in the center of town and is open Tuesday – Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. –midnight (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.).
A Sunday brunch featuring eggs Benedict and the chef’s specialty, French toast that’s crusty on the outside and soft inside, is served from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Reservations on Sundays are recommended.
For more information, go to [email protected].
