Sneak Preview: The Frogmore Brings Southern Hospitality to Hyde Square

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CJ Reese, who like a large majority of the staff lives in or very near JP, tends bar.

Chris Helms

File photo: CJ Reese, who like a large majority of the staff lives in or very near JP, tends bar at the Frogmore.

CJ Reese, who like a large majority of the staff lives in or very near JP, tends bar.

Chris Helms

CJ Reese, who like a large majority of the staff lives in or very near JP, tends bar.

The Frogmore, a coastal Carolina-style restaurant and bar, has adopted the pineapple as a symbol of how it hopes to integrate into Hyde Square. For southerners, the pineapple means hospitality. The pineapple is also a sign of the Latino culture in Hyde Square, and you'll see it displayed prominently on signs around the neighborhood.

On Tuesday, the Frogmore held a preview for friends, family and media. The 365 Centre St. restaurant opens to the general public on Thursday.

The Lowcountry kitchen succeeds Centre Street Sanctuary, which closed in March. Sanctuary's owner, Adam Rutstein, is part of the team launching The Frogmore. The Frogmore retains the church pew seating and choir box bar from Sanctuary's interior.

"We were trying to keep some of the hominess," Rutstein said while visiting tables during the preview night.

Other co-owners also mingled Tuesday as the first dishes came out of One side of the restaurant is tricked out more formally, while the bar side has a more casual air. One side of the restaurant is tricked out more formally, while the bar side has a more casual air.[/caption]

The owners say they're hiring as many JP people as possible for the 20 to 25 jobs that will initially be needed. A survey of front of house and back of house staff seemed to bear that out, with almost all saying they live in or very close to JP.

Co-owner Homans, who for years lived on nearby Oakview Terrace, said the Southern restaurant aims to fit in as part of JP's diversity. For instance, he sees a resonance between the fresh vegetables, fruits and seafood in their dishes with the same sorts of ingredients that animate the Caribbean cuisines on offer in JP.

"We are first and foremost a neighborhood restaurant," Homans said.

The pineapple, a symbol of hospitality in both southern and Latino cultures, adorns the Hyde Square spot inside and out.

Chris Helms

The pineapple, a symbol of hospitality in both southern and Latino cultures, adorns the Hyde Square spot inside and out.

Oh, and about the name. Frogmore stew is a Lowcountry classic. You'll find the sausage, corn and shrimp dish at the center of the new spot's menu. Also known as Frogmore stew, AKA Lowcountry boil, is the dish that gives its name to the restaurant. Frogmore stew, AKA Lowcountry boil, is the dish that gives its name to the restaurant.[/caption]

The top of the menu on Tuesday, June 30, 2015.

Chris Helms

The top of the menu on Tuesday, June 30, 2015.

When you sit down at The Frogmore, they'll bring you boiled peanuts.

Chris Helms

When you sit down at The Frogmore, they'll bring you boiled peanuts.

A "Low Country, High Society" — The Frogmore has a cordials license, not a full booze license, so like JP's Ten Tables, it creates drinks like this mix of pisco, curacao, dry vermouth and strawberry shrub.

Chris Helms

A "Low Country, High Society" — The Frogmore has a cordials license, not a full booze license, so like JP's Ten Tables, it creates drinks like this mix of pisco, curacao, dry vermouth and strawberry shrub.

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