“For me the compliment I like to hear the most is the rice is good, fresh and tasty. I put my heart into it. For Japanese people this is very very important.”

“Our concept is minimalism and my goal is to introduce Charleston to a new era of contermporary japanese food…not so spicy, not too greasy, always mild, to help the customer enjoy the natural flavor of this fish.”

Finding a light red appropriate for summer months and warm weather food can be a bit challenging. Side Yard Pinot Noir 2007 from the Pfalz region of Germany is an outstanding selection that won’t break the bank. A cool climate Pinot, there’s no mistaking it for a California one. This one is very light with soft tannins and pleasant blackberry and cherry aromas. If drinking outside, try putting a slight chill on the bottle for delicious results.

Available downtown at O’hara & Flynn, La Fourchette, Muse and Tasty Thai and Sushi

Charleston resident for 9 years and a cabbie for almost 3, Nathan Wesley Israel is a surly driver who hurls pearls of wisdom at happy customers all day long. He just can’t stand to think of his people going off in the wrong direction. We caught up with him to find out what people want to know and what advice he gives. “First question. ‘What are you in the mood for? Do you want to stay on the Peninsula, Are you more prone to drink or to eat?’ ….Depending on their answer I take them different places”

1. Sweet Tea – Jestine’s. They really know how to do tea right there, they don’t make it too sweet.

2. Bar’s Off the Peninsula - If they want a really good bar atmosphere off the Peninsula, I send them to Water’s Edge or to Red’s Ice on Shem Creek.

3. Universal People Pleaser – If there is one place on the peninsula worth the hype and worth every penny its Hominy Grill.

4. Seafood - The Wreck of Richard and Charlene in Mt. Pleasant. If your seafood is coming on a paper plate it’s got to be good.

5. During the heat of the day – Get off the peninsula head towards Folly or Sullivan’s, either side it doesn’t matter.

6. Sightseeing - If their in that hokie kind of tourist mode, I just dump’em off somewhere in the Market. But if they really want to know Charleston, I say, ‘Do it on foot. Let Charleston find you!’

7. Dusk – At the end of the day going into the night, I say, ‘If you go to the Rooftop Pavilion at East Bay and Market, its twenty degrees cooler than anywhere else.’

Any more questions? You’ll have to take a cab and ask him yourself. Email him at natis321@gmail.com, he gets it on his phone.

You’ve had such quick success, what is your background?
I graduated from FIDM fashion school in Los Angeles.

When did you start designing suits?
October 2007 is when I decided to take it really seriously. I got a space downtown, I hired a PR fi rm and I produced my fi rst line without any orders.

bathing suits?
I just love fashion in general. I was a ballerina growing up and I lifeguarded. I was always in a bathing suits so it just seemed natural. I love summer, I don’t ever see myself designing winter coats, but, also I thought there was room in the industry for bathing suits.

Your fabric is so beautiful and one ofthe things that makes your suits so special, how did you source that?
I knew what I wanted so I was looking for the fabric for a couple of years. Something very soft and comfortable. I searched and searched and searched and found the fabric in Italy.

You grew up in Poland. How did you come to the U.S.?
My mom is a physical therapist and she got a job so, my parents came to Delaware for what was supposed to be one year. I actually stayed in Warsaw, in ballerina boarding school. After 4 years, my parents still had not returned, so I decided to come over and join them. I was 14 then.

So, how did you end up in Charleston?
My husband came here when he was little and he brought me here a couple of times, I just fell in love with it. It’ been great…if I was starting in New York, it would be easier to give up.

Now you have been picked up by Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters?
Yes its great exposure, they each ordered about 300 pieces total and they both sold out.

Do you have any influences?
My mother was big infl uence she was a very stylish lady that is where I got the bug I suppose.

Marysia swimwear is available locally at Sally Bettes Resort Shop and Thera M. on Daniel Island.
Bikinis start at around $200 for a set ; 1 pieces cost around $160. Cover ups from $160 to $329.

Hop Art IPA
Coast Brewery’s number one seller is really good and available all over town. It pours an orange murky color full. The balance of sweet malt, piney hops citrus and spice are all very nice. 7.7% ABV! Available at Closed for Business, Beer Exchange, The Griffon, Chai’s, BeerWorks, Whole Foods

Watermelon Wheat
A summertime ale from Palmetto Brewery. This is a wheat beer accented with watermelons grown on John’s Island, SC. When summer’s in the beer-view mirror, this one will make you nostalgic! (Also, with each purchase, a percentage will go to the Charleston Animal Society) Available at The Griffon, Liberty Tap Room, The Beer Exchange, Piggly Wiggly, and Whole Foods.

New South’s Red Ale
An American Pale Ale crafted for T-Bonz restaurant group. It’s a tasty, easy-to-drink Red perfect for washing down fried seafood. Malty and refreshing for sure and always cold! There’s a reason this one stays around. Available at T-Bonz, Pearlz or Liberty Tap Room (Mt. Pleasant)

Charleston’s newest wine and cheese bar meets antique shop. With a wide variety of wines from around the world plus an impressive cheese and charcuterie “bin,” this place pleases all palettes. Stay a while. Chat with Patrick about the wine, or with Fanny about the cheese. Ask about the $15 Colt 45; it’s the new French paradox. And, if you like the chair you are sitting in, put it on your tab. All the furniture is for sale too. –Seth Amos