Daniel & Bethany Heinze: Vern's (Charleston, SC)

Vern's in Charleston, SC represents the culmination of Daniel and Bethany Henize's years of experience. They have worked in lauded restaurants around the country, including the now-closed Charleston institution McCrady's, as well as Animal, Jon & Vinny's, and Gjusta in Los Angeles. Located in a quaint corner building from the 1880s and named after Daniel's grandfather, the menu emphasizes of-the-moment seasonal ingredients and shareable plates. The wine program focuses on small producers with organic and biodynamic practices, and glasses clink all evening in a dining room that feels like a relaxed dinner party at a chef's residence more than one of the hottest restaurants to open in the city in the last five years. The love that this couple has for an industry that has been through the wringer recently is evident, and their commitment to excellence already at Vern's provides hope that the art of dining out and dining well has staying power.