THE Foodie ISSUE






























































































Welcome to our October Food and Beverage issue! It is one of the easiest and hardest issues we put together each year. Easy because Aiken is loaded with delicious and unique dining experiences. Hard because we don’t have the space to spotlight them all! Forgive us if we missed one of your favorites, and let us know (please be nice) as there are opportunities for good eateries to be featured all year.
Since I am a dessert-first kind of gal, we started by exploring some spots to check out when you absolutely must have a sweet treat.
Hopefully by the time this issue reaches your mailbox, Dukes Bar-B-Que will be close to opening its doors for the first time since it was destroyed by fire in 2022. We caught up with Christian Judy to check on the progress of rebuilding one of Aiken’s favorite places to eat.
We got a sneak peek of Electric Eats, the new offering of Neon Fig’s Marvin Sterling and Cecelia Roust which will open in the old Aiken Brew Pub space soon. They shared a recipe you will definitely want to try.
To cap off our annual nod to all things foodie, we invited our advertising partners and friends to an anniversary soiree to thank them for their support and to get an incredible photo shoot for this issue. I knew pulling off an event of this magnitude was outside my skill set, so I brought in the big guns! Catherine Hersacher (Bespoke Fine Interiors) and Kate Van Cantfort (Southerlee Farm) perfectly planned, styled and executed a fantastic party.
It is hard to believe that beginning next week our focus will shift to the upcoming holiday season, especially as the high for today is 100 degrees, but that’s the life of a magazine publisher!
See you next month!
PUBLISHER
Gayle Bryan | gayle.bryan@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Rebecca Williams | rebecca.williams@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Ashley Elvis
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ashley Elvis, Nikita Hanif, Shelby Mayer
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Rebecca Williams, Gayle Bryan,
Rebecca Judy, Rachel Lockman
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein
CONTROLLER Gary Johnson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Collins
LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray
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Rauly and Jan Judy first purchased the Aiken location in 1996, and for generations, Dukes Bar-B-Que has been a haven for food enthusiasts and a gathering place for families and friends. The tantalizing aromas of slow-cooked meats, succulent sides and mouthwatering casseroles have long filled the bellies of South Carolina locals and travelers. Dukes is more than just a restaurant; it has been a place where milestones have been celebrated and stories exchanged over heaping plates of comfort food.
The Judy’s son, Christian, was no stranger to Dukes and grew up helping his parents with their passion, developing his own love for the restaurant, its staff, patrons and history. In 2015, his parents decided to retire, and Christian purchased the business from them. Dukes has had a blessed and successful history, and Christian was excited to carry on its heritage. Every year Dukes has seen increased business, growth and demands for more space to accommodate its rapidly enlarging customer base. Dukes even had their famous squash casserole featured in Southern Living magazine.
Driven and committed to providing customers the best experience, Christian Judy has been planning to rebuild their location since 2015.
An onslaught of obstacles continued to pop up and impede the process of expanding or updating Dukes. Unfazed by impediments, Christian moved forward continuing his search for a new location and even purchasing multiple acres to develop an updated concept. Unfortunately, calamity struck in March 2020 when Covid hit the United States. Restaurants everywhere shut down or closed permanently. Once again, Christian had to rally his team and refused to surrender. They quickly adapted, set up a makeshift drive thru for pickup orders and stayed strong through the pandemic.
As Covid regulations lifted and life started to find its new normal, it seemed that Dukes could once again resume its search for a suitable new home. However, on June 11, 2022, a raging fire consumed the majority of Dukes Bar-B-Que and left the community and its owner devastated. At a time when most business owners would have given up and walked away defeated, the community saw Christian stand tall in unwavering commitment. The flames that destroyed his building seemed to ignite an unparalleled determination in him to rebuild what was lost. He had watched his father and mother pour their hearts and souls into this business, and he vowed to see his family’s legacy rise triumphantly from the ashes.
Rebuilding Dukes was not just about reconstructing a physical space, but it was also about preserving hope for the community that continued to pour out support and love for this time-honored tradition and restaurant. After weeks and months of advisement, it was discovered that knocking the existing building down and starting anew was the most efficient next step. Plans for the new establishment went beyond replicating the past; Christian aimed to combine nostalgia with innovation. Expanded capacity, outdoor seating options and moving away from family style seating were just a few of the new offerings brought to the table.
The journey of rebuilding Dukes was marked by challenges and triumphs. Navigating through permits, design considerations and construction hurdles was no easy feat, but determination to bring back such a valuable piece of the community’s heart kept the owner moving forward. The support of the town was irreplaceable; the communities camaraderie infused the project with a renewed sense of purpose. Matt Steelman, an Aiken local, said, “Dukes is a place of peace in our community, and that echoes into our family. When I think of Dukes, I think of comfort, hospitality and community-wide connection. I am thrilled for the return of a local pillar in the days ahead. And man, I love some fried okra, corn nuggets and sweet tea!”
The story of Dukes serves as a poignant reminder that while disaster may shatter the physical, it cannot break the spirit. Dukes BarB-Que is a symbol of resilience, hope and the unbreakable bonds that tie us together. Come enjoy food, friends and their new location when they re-open this October.
Special thanks from the owner to the following local businesses that have been crucial to their rebuild: Security Federal, McMillan Pazdan and Smith, Dogwood Construction, Rock Creek, MAC Electric, Bradley Plumbing Heating and Air, Quality Heating and Air, and Unique Designs.
Pumpkin spice everything, apple cider donuts, haunted houses and, hopefully, cooler temperatures are some of the things that accompany October when it finally rolls in. Perhaps none are as eagerly anticipated by Aiken dog lovers as Downtown Dog’s Annual HOWLO-WEEN Parade and Costume Contest!
As expected, Aiken's pets and their people go all out with creative costumes. After all, Best Costume awards are on the line! Aikenites are creative, competitive and love to have a good time.
Speaking of homemade treats, Downtown Dog will have a great selection of festive Halloween goodies all month to ensure that every Aiken dog can enjoy their trick or treat.
Downtown Dog puts on the dog for their HOWL-O-WEEN Parade as they do for every event. They make sure that plenty of water and goodies are on hand for the parade and that each participant goes home with a special Halloween bag full of healthy, homemade treats.
This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, October 28th at 4 p.m. on Laurens Street in downtown Aiken and is not to be missed! Downtown Dog will accept a $10 donation for each participating pet to benefit the rescue work of Team Stinkykiss.
For a small town, Aiken offers a smorgasbord of restaurants. And when it comes to exploring the dining scene here in town, there’s perhaps no better place to start than at the end… with a tempting dessert. The sweets scene in Aiken is thriving with so many delicious and carefully designed desserts. Whether you’re looking for a midday treat or the perfect dish to cap off your dinner, you’re guaranteed to find what you’re craving somewhere in Aiken. If you’re ready to satisfy your sweet tooth, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for a round-up of some favorite dessert spots in Aiken along with a dessert (or two) that you have to try.
Park Avenue Oyster Bar & Grille, a fairly new addition to downtown Aiken, has already received tons of praise for—you guessed it—their oysters. But seafood isn’t the only thing they do well. Along with a raw bar, craft cocktails, a wine program and other fresh seafood dishes, Park Avenue Oyster Bar & Grille also offers some incredible dessert options. Next time you stop by, make sure you order up at least one slice of their cheesecake It doesn’t matter whether you have the oyster tower, some maple-bourbon grilled mahi or even a grilled ribeye, the cheesecake is the perfect finale.
If you’re on-the-go in downtown Aiken and looking for a quick treat that won’t sit too heavy, then Vampire Penguin is the way to go. This delightfully-themed dessert spot specializes in shaved snow, a version of shaved ice that practically melts away in your mouth. Shaved snow has three to four times less calories and sugar than more traditional ice cream or frozen yogurt. Plus, the majority of their offerings are gluten-free. Stop by one afternoon to enjoy a seasonal favorite (like pumpkin pie) or one of their classic year-round offerings, strawberry cheesecake or peanut butter cup.
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Want to feel like you just got plopped down right into the middle of a Parisian café? Then head over to La Parisienne French Bakery & Restaurant. This cozy spot offers a variety of options, including quiche, sandwiches and salads. But the real stars here are the French-inspired desserts. The owner himself, David Meunier, hails from France. “The things we do, you don’t find it at a grocery store,” Meunier said when asked what makes La Parisienne so special. For a little taste of Paris, drop by and grab a couple of macarons or an almond croissant.
A true Aiken establishment, Flanigan’s Ice Cream Parlor opened its doors in 2004 and has been satisfying the sweet tooth ever since. This family-owned and family-friendly ice cream parlor serves hand-dipped ice cream in 28 flavors and fresh waffle cones. You can even get a sundae, shake or malt. The shop hosts a variety of fun events throughout the year like Ice Cream for Breakfast Day in February. Can’t decide what flavor you want? Next time you stop by, be sure to try out their ice cream flight where you can choose up to five different flavors.
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What happens when you take polo and mix it with an important cause? You get the AFM Give Me Wings Tournament which is being held at the La Bourgogne Club de Polo on October 21st. This tournament is a bit of a landmark event for Aiken — it marks the first time in nearly 20 years that a 20-goal, professional tournament has been held here.
“I wanted to bring high-goal polo back to Aiken,” said David Meunier, real estate and hospitality developer, the owner of La Bourgogne and founder of the AFM Give Me Wings Foundation. Most of the time, you see 20+ goal polo tournaments being held at exclusive venues like the home of the U.S. Open in Wellington, Florida. But Meunier wanted to make our picturesque horse town the newest destination for professional polo.
Not only does this tournament include a $30,000 prize for the winner, it also benefits Meunier’s foundation. AFM Give Me Wings Foundation is a 501c charity that was born from a personal tragedy. “It’s the worst nightmare, to lose a kid,” Meunier said when asked about the origin of his foundation. In 2022, Anthony Francois Meunier, David Meunier’s son, tragically passed away in a car accident.
In honor of his son, Meunier designed AFM Give Me Wings to serve a two-fold purpose. The foundation aims
to support families in need who have lost a child by funding private, in-person therapy services. They also provide young drivers with an incredibly unique opportunity to attend driving clinics taught by two worldclass race car drivers.
“So often, young drivers save up their money because they want a fast car… a Mustang, a Corvette… but they don’t have the skills to be safe,” Meunier said about the purpose behind the driving clinics. The clinics are hosted by Simon Pagenaud, an Indianapolis 500 winner and former F1 driver and four-time IndyCar Champion Sébastien Bourdais, and they’re designed to teach young drivers valuable defensive driving techniques. “It happens very, very fast,” Meunier said. “It can be the result of a perfect storm… bad weather, driving conditions, visibility. The skills taught here could derail that perfect storm and save their lives.”
To purchase a ticket for the match or donate to the AFM Give Me Wings Foundation, you can visit afmgivemewings.com. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, hospitality options, or questions about participating in foundation services please contact info@AFMGiveMeWings.com.
A polo match is broken up into four to six periods called chukkers. Each chukker is seven and a half minutes long. At seven minutes, a warning bell signals that the chukker is almost finished. If a team scores after that seven-minute warning bell, or if the ball touches the sideboards of the polo field, the chukker ends immediately.
In order to score a point, a player must hit the ball between the goal posts — it doesn’t matter how high or low the ball is. Once a team scores, they switch directions and aim for the opposite goal.
While a 20-goal polo match may sound like it indicates the number of scores the game will entail, it’s actually connected to handicaps, a rating of polo playing skills that ranges from -2 to 10. A 20-goal tournament means that the handicaps of the four players on each team add up to 20 or below.
Fouls are important in polo but can be difficult to spot, even for professional polo players. A foul occurs if there is dangerous play, specifically when a player crosses in front of the player with the ball. When a foul occurs, the umpire blows his whistle, stopping the clock. A penalty shot is awarded depending on where the foul was committed and/or how severe the penalty was.
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GETTING TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY?
BOOK YOUR DINNER RESERVATION AT NEON FIG!
WE WILL BE OPEN AGAIN THIS YEAR FOR THANKSGIVING AFTER A GREAT TIME LAST YEAR!
CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES!
Bottomless Bottomless Mimosa Mimosa
Saturdays Saturdays available 10am-3pm available 10am-3pm TTH-SAT, H-SAT, 44-6PM -6PM
The opening of the new restaurant, Electric Eats, has sparked a lot of interest from locals. Aiken City Lifestyle caught up with owners, Cecelia Roust and Marvin Sterling-also owners of Neon Fig, to see what the buzz is all about, and Aikenites are going to be excited! Anticipating the opening this fall, the pair is busy with renovation plans. Electric Eats, located in the old brew pub building on the corner of Laurens Street and the alley, will have a downstairs bar, an upstairs bar, and a new walk-up bar on the alley side. Roust and Sterling want to have plenty of seating inside and out and want to provide their patrons with a place to enjoy an easy, approachable atmosphere. The menu will feature casual pub fare and fun,
fresh food-it will be a place to grab a beer and watch football or have a cocktail and catch up with friends. Roust says, “We want a restaurant where there is something for everyone.”
Electric Eats will be open Wednesdays through Mondays for lunch and dinner-Aiken locals will enjoy having another option on Sundays and Mondays! There will be late-night bar hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and the pair is planning to focus on sports, live music, and holiday events. Roust and Sterling seem to know just what Aiken needs in the restaurant business; Electric Eats will be a welcome addition to the alley, and Aiken’s downtown will love seeing that iconic corner come alive again!
ARTICLE BY ASHLEY ELVIS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA WILLIAMSYou can make an Electric Eats inspired dish at home!
Recipe by Cecelia Roust
Begin by skewering six 8-10 shrimp (tails on) onto 8” skewers. Keep the tail end towards the “handle” of the skewer. Dredge each shrimp skewer in all-purpose flour first, then dip into batter. Fry at 350 degrees in your choice of oil for approximately 3 minutes. Allow oil to drain before serving. Place slaw on your serving dish, arrange shrimp on top, followed by a drizzle of the Chili Crunch Mayo. Top with scallions or any garnish you like, and enjoy!
• 1 1/2 C cornmeal
• 1/2 C all-purpose flour
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/2 small yellow onion diced and sautéed
• 1 C buttermilk
• 1 egg
• Salt to taste
Directions:
Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl; mix together. Add all wet ingredients together in a separate bowl. Once both are mixed, incorporate together.
• 2 C red cabbage, shredded
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 1 C carrot, shredded
• 1 C rice wine vinegar
• 1/2 C sesame oil
• 1/4 C lime juice
• 1/4 C sugar
• 1 t salt
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl; let sit for at least one hour.
• 1 C mayo
• 1/4 C chili crunch (homemade or store bought)
• 1 T lime juice
When the Aiken City Lifestyle team started brainstorming about their anniversary celebration, they wanted to accomplish three things. First and foremost, they wanted to bring together their advertising partners to thank them for their support. Secondly, they wanted to create an inviting celebration that encouraged connections. Finally, they wanted a beautifully styled setting that could be photographed for content for their October Food and Beverage issue. Planning a major event can be daunting, especially one with so many boxes to check, so they brought in experts
- Catherine Hersacher of Bespoke Fine Interiors and Kate Van Cantfort of Southerlee Farm.
Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs was selected as the venue. They set up under stunning live oaks atop a ridge overlooking the bustling therapeutic riding facility. Hersacher set the style tone in classic white and blue buffalo check for an elevated picnic feel on the horse farm. Tabletop arrangements, sustainably grown by Van Cantfort, used seasonal blooms and herbs for refreshing styles that could withstand August temperatures. Goldenrods, asters, Thai bail,
bronze fennel, ornamental mums, heirloom zinnias, and native wildflowers such as rabbit tobacco and dog fennel filled-out arrangements in silver-plated and milk glass heirloom vessels.
Aiken City Lifestyle’s anniversary celebration featured local food freshly prepared by Chef Brandon Velie of Juniper in Ridge Spring, South Carolina. To facilitate mixing and mingling, they settled on a selection of passed hors d'oeuvres, including fried green tomatoes with buttermilk ranch, petit mushroom tarts, Juniper mini crab cakes, pulled pork tacos and Adluh grits arancini. They chose a crowd-pleasing selection of Bundtinis from Nothing Bundt Cakes of Aiken for dessert.
Cart Mart provided transportation for any guests who wanted a short tour of the impressive Great Oak facilities and more information about the vital work they do every day.
The team of Bespoke Fine Interiors and Southerlee Farm struck the tone of chic comfort, the signature feel of Aiken City Lifestyle’s events that more than checked all the boxes. CONTINUED >
Beautifully Styled by Bespoke Fine Interiors and Southerlee Farm
Open since January this year, the Wildemount restaurant (named for a land of adventure and imagination in the game Dungeons & Dragons) down on Park Avenue is quickly becoming an Aiken favorite. Still, it has an interesting story of how it came to be. Owner Sam O’Lone, who grew up in New Hampshire, began his food service career in food retail and at a local grocery store. He loved the industry and knew he wanted to stay on that path. Shortly after he moved to Aiken, Solo Vino closed, and the building became available, so O’Lone, a self-prescribed coffee snob, had the idea to turn the place into a coffee shop.
He soon met with Solo Vino owner Lou Giusto, who showed him around and explained all of the kitchen equipment, excited to have CONTINUED >
someone take over the restaurant location. As the two continued talking, O’Lone told Giusto that he wasn’t a chef and wasn’t planning on opening a restaurant in the space. But Giusto had an idea; he told O’Lone that if he wanted to open a restaurant, he would train him himself. O’Lone remembers thinking, “This is too good to be true.” And so it began. Every day, Monday through Friday from November to January, Giusto and O’Lone met for training, not only in cooking and technique but also in how to run a restaurant and business.
O’Lone now runs the front of house and cooks in the kitchen along with two chefs he has hired at Wildemount, Lee Bryant and Sean Butler. Together, the three work on an ever-changing and delicious menu that is inspired by three main things: the season, customer favorites, and fresh ingredients. O’Lone has offered warm-weather favorites like grilled meats, fish, summer squash and other seasonal vegetables this summer. As it cools
down, the menu will shift to include fall and winter-inspired bites and maybe even a Thanksgiving meal-O’Lone’s favorite meal to eat! They have a steady menu and offer specials like the 40 oz bone-in steak and a Lobster tail dish. Customer favorites tend to stay on the menu longer, and if an item isn’t moving, they get rid of it. O’Lone and his chefs want their patrons to enjoy incredible meals every time they visit.
The quality of food served in his restaurant is important to O’Lone, but so is the quality of service, and he believes that these two areas make the dining experience at Wildemount special and unique. O’Lone’s siblings help with the restaurant service, and he fully trusts them to take special care of each and every guest. O’Lone says it’s about “the whole dining experience” and that each table is taken care of, and every single plate goes out only after quality is ensured. Wildemount is small, intimate, and friendly; the food is thoughtful, delicious, and fresh.
A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.
STEEPLECHASE RACECOURSE | 6:00 PM
Get ready for movies under the stars at the Aiken Steeplechase Racecourse! Bring chairs and blankets and enjoy great food and sweets from food truck vendors. No alcohol. Movies begin at dusk. Entry is $10 per car in ADVANCE or $15 per car (cash or check only) at the gate. Passes can be purchased online or at local ticket outlets.
OCTOBER
AIKEN STEEPLECHASE RACECOURSE | 9:00 AM
Rain or shine. Registration begins at 9:00 AM, and the opening ceremony is at 9:45 AM. Please use the Red Gate address, 2020 Richland Avenue East. Contact Mark Ward for more information at 803-509-7352 or visit act.alz.org.
COLD CREEK NURSERIES | 10:00 AM
Join Cold Creek for live music, food trucks, fun and games from 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM.
WOODSIDE PLANTATION COMMUNITY GATES | 8:00 AM
OCTOBER OCTOBER 2023 CONTINUED > 48
EQUINE RESCUE OF AIKEN 532 GLENWOOD DRIVE AIKEN | 6:00 PM
100% of the proceeds benefit the rescue and help to pay for winter feed and care. Live music and dancing! Tickets are available now at Aiken Saddlery, Equine Divine, White Rose Eclectics, JC's Seafood, Equine Rescue of Aiken and on Eventbrite. Advance Tickets: $80 per person, After October 15, the ticket price is $95 per person.
ST. JOHN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | 8:00 AM
A fabulous fall family event including baked goods, plant sale, silent auction and vendors. Take advantage of the live entertainment and children's activities! Proceeds to benefit the Cumbee Center, Stand at the Crossroads, Asbury Hills Summer Camp and Inez Crain Scholarship Fund.
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Aiken