If you go to Charleston …

IF YOU GO

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Louie Favorite / lfavorite@ajc.com

Watershed chef Scott Peacock is a fan of the city of Charleston; he’ll be appearing there during its Food + Wine festival in March.

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On the menu for “foodie” couples

Those who can’t make it for Valentine’s Day weekend have another very romantic option a few weeks later. The Charleston Food + Wine Festival (www.charlestonfoodandwine.com; March 5-8) provides a particularly tasty and romantic time for a quick trip to the Lowcountry. Star local and visiting chefs (think Bobby Flay and Sara Moulton) make the fourth version of this event better than ever.

The long weekend’s “King Street Sip + Stroll” is particularly popular with couples, where there’s an opportunity to taste interesting wines and appetizers while shopping on King Street. Shoppers should look for Stolzle wine glasses in Charleston shops and restaurants and Le Creuset cookware at the namesake King Street store — both respected “foodie” companies run their U.S. operations out of the Charleston area.

A number of other events are ideal for couples, with food and wine tastings, lots of demonstrations, intimate evening events, and a dine-around highlighting the work of local and visiting chefs and wine experts. Watershed’s super chef Scott Peacock said: “I find Charleston to be very romantic. It’s a great place to wander around and get lost in the beauty and mystery.” Peacock’s Decatur restaurant is celebrating a decade of Southern cooking, and he’ll be a guest chef at Charleston’s Hominy Grill during March’s Charleston Food + Wine Festival. Other Atlanta-area chefs heading to Charleston for the dine-around and more include: Richard Blais, Joel Antunes, Kevin Rathbun, Linton Hopkins, Marvin Woods and Gerry Klaskala, and Hugh Acheson from over in Athens.

WHERE TO EAT

• Tristan. Entrees $26-$55, 55 South Market St., 843-534-2155, www.tristandining.com.

• Fish. Entrees $17-$26, 442 King St., 843-722-3474, www.fishrestaurant.net.

• Trattoria Lucca. Entrees $14-$20, 41 Bogard St., 843-973-3323, www.trattorialuccadining.com.

• Charleston Grill. Entrees $28-$48, 224 King St., 843-577-4522, www.charlestongrill.com.

• Peninsula Grill. Entrees $25-$39, 112 North Market St., 843-723-0700, www.peninsulagrill.com.

• Circa 1886. Entrees $25-$40, 149 Wentworth St., 843-853-7828, www.circa1886.com.

• Maverick Southern Kitchens. Featuring the varied downtown dining of upscale High Cotton and creative Slightly North of Broad. Both on East Bay Street, www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com. Couples may also want to consider a cooking class at their Charleston Cooks location on East Bay Street (including several special “Couples Night” offerings).

• Hospitality Management Group. This trio of dining venues features an array of delectable downtown options on East Bay Street with varying atmospheres, menus and prices. www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com.

WHERE TO SLEEP

The romantic month of February, and beyond, generally leads to some varying packages ideal for visiting couples. Charlestowne Hotels has a range of romantic offerings, including “Just the Two of Us” at highly recommended French Quarter Inn — including two nights in a deluxe room, a private carriage tour for two, a $75 gift certificate at tasty Tristan, champagne and chocolates upon arrival, an afternoon wine and cheese reception, and a gourmet in-room continental breakfast each morning.

The Charming Inns group (see below) has many packages, including a two-night package at Fulton Lane Inn through March 4 that includes deluxe accommodations and dinner for two at Circa 1886 (starting at $560). For a splurge, their Wentworth Mansion February package includes accommodations at the luxury hotel, a dozen red roses, candlelight turndown, and a $150 gift certificate at adjacent Circa 1886 restaurant. It starts at $595 anytime in February, though it’s $995 per night (two-night minimum) over Valentine’s Day weekend (with dinner for two at Circa 1886 on Valentine’s Day instead of the gift certificate).

For something truly unique, couples who book a comprehensive seven-hour health assessment at King Street’s Cenegenics Carolinas (www.cenegenics-carolinas.com) in February receive a complimentary dinner for two at Circa 1886 and discounted rates at Wentworth Mansion.

Recommended romantic accommodations options include:

• Charleston Place. Doubles from $389, 205 Meeting St., 843-722-4900 or 1-800-611-5545, www.charlestonplacehotel.com.

• Market Pavilion. Doubles from $209, 225 East Bay St., 843-723-0500 or 877-440-2250, www.marketpavilion.com.

• Wentworth Mansion. Doubles from $470, 149 Wentworth St., 843-853-1886 or 1-800-466-1886, www.charminginns.com.

• Planter’s Inn. Doubles from $275, 112 North Market St., 843-722-2345 or 1-800-845-7082, www.plantersinn.com.

• Lowndes Grove. Doubles from $275, 266 St. Margaret St., 843-853-1810 or 877-307-9243, www.lowndesgrove.com.

• William Aiken House. Doubles from $275, 456 King St., 843-853-1810 or 877-307-9243, www.williamaikenhouse.com.

• Charming Inns (varied options). Doubles from $139, www.charminginns.com.

• Charlestowne Hotels (varied options). Doubles from $75, www.charlestownehotels.com.

• The Inn at Middleton Place. Doubles from $179, 4290 Ashley River Road, 843-556-0500 or 1-800-543-4774, www.theinnatmiddletonplace.com.

• Wild Dunes Resort. Doubles from $100, 5757 Palm Boulevard, Isle of Palms, 877-221-0901, www.wildduneresort.com.

• Woodlands Resort & Inn. Doubles from $325, 125 Parsons Road, Summerville, 843-875-2600 or 1-800-774-9999, www.woodlandsinn.com.

• The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island. Doubles $273-$545, One Sanctuary Beach Drive, Kiawah Island, 843-768-6000 or 877-683-1234, www.thesanctuary.com.

INFORMATION

Contact the Charleston Area Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29403; 843-853-8000 or 1-800-774-0006; www.charlestoncvb.com.