Kiki & Rye’s Menu Innovative and Divine

Belle Hall Eatery Offers Up Eclectic Mix & Sunday Brunch

By: Jeff Walker, Restaurant Review

If God has a food court inside the Pearly Gates, there’s a distinct possibility that Kiki & Rye have a cafe on the premises, because their food is outright heavenly. In a location in Belle Hall Shopping Center that used to house two former pizzerias, Kiki & Rye are serving up what can only be described as upscale comfort food.

Although they’ve been at 656-G Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant for over a year and a half, Kiki & Rye spent several months navigating the onset of COVID-19 and the ever-changing protocols surrounding the pandemic. They did however keep afloat, doing what many in food & beverage have done, offering to-go orders, as well as occasional catering meals to complement the frequent dine in patrons.

With the pandemic subsiding and antsy foodies ready to eat out, Kiki & Rye a sister restaurant to Community Table (part of their Free Reign concept) in I’On welcome diners who want to enjoy an appetizing and eye appealing menu. Owners Kelleanne and Ryan Jones offer up an amazing new ALL-DAY menu, ideal for lunch, dinner, weekday happy hour (4-6pm), or just plain mid or late day cravings that will leave you fully satisfied.

The beauty of their menu is no matter whether you order an appetizer, salad, sandwich, or entree, they all eat like a hearty meal. Several could be shared by a couple of light eaters. Their White Bean Hummus served with Flatbread is like nothing you’ll experience in Charleston. An exquisite mix of fried chickpeas, garlic confit (slow-cooked), and pickled chilies seasoned with basil all in a white bean mash blend.

The Cast Iron Carolina Shrimp off the starter menu has a combined Caribbean low country and southwest feel to it. A half dozen plump local shrimp tossed in a combination of smoked jalapeno sofrito, garden fresh herbs, chimichurri aioli (a piquant marinade typically containing parsley, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, & chili pepper). At $15 it makes an ideal small plate especially when accompanied with a glass of wine.

The remaining five signature appetizers easily cure hungry appetites including the Spanish Octopus presented over soft red cabbage and mashed sweet plantains with a healthy dollop of sultana & lime jam (citric raisin medley). A unique taste that’s quite filling.

If you’re looking to get re-energized the Power Salad has all the right stuff. A colorful array of kale, spinach, farro (grain), bulgur (wheat), avocado, beets, pickled blueberries, and hard cooked eggs, cloaked in aged balsamic & olive oil, with an intoxicating lemon dill tzatziki sauce aka zesty Greek yogurt blend. Sweet and tangy, and an excellent way to excite the taste buds.

By far the most sumptuous entree on their all-day menu is their Beef Shortrib Pot au Feu (French boiled dinner of meat and vegetables). Succulent and mouthwatering short ribs blanketed over whipped potatoes, glazed carrots, and garlicky green beans, served with a side of parsley & horseradish gremolata (a green sauce made of chopped parsley, lemon zest, and garlic) typically served with braised meat. At $27 it’s worth every last bite.

Their four signature sandwiches including the Garden Grilled Cheese (goat & cheddar with caramelized onions, roasted mushrooms, spinach and tomato), and their half pound Burger (short rib, brisket & beef blend) come on a toasted brioche roll, with your choice of salad or potato wedges. All sandwiches $18 and under.

Have you saved room for post meal decadence? I would. Kiki & Rye have three on the dessert list that are tantalizing. The bourbon infused Upside Down Apple Cake wrapped around cheesecake mousse and coated with pralines easily satisfies a sweet tooth. Chocolate lovers may opt for the Chocolate Tres Leches Pie, in laymen’s term it’s a three-cream layered sponge type cake slash pie slathered in dark Belgian sweet creamy chocolate ganache. Divine!

There are several decent food & drink establishments in Belle Hall Shopping Center. There’s a damn good sports bar, one offering all day breakfast, and a couple that focus on Mexican and Italian fare. However, Kiki & Rye is the lone eatery in the popular Long Point Road shopping center tendering an eclectic menu.

Don’t confuse an elite bill of fare with being overpriced. The Mediterranean Sea Bass tops out at $28. Half & full salads range from $8 to $16 depending on your choice. Their Cauliflower & Parmesan soup eats like an ample meal for just $10. Plenty of options, with four kid’s meals under $12 including Grilled Marinated Steak. No doubt it would fill a light adult eater.

Kiki & Rye have everything diners crave. Great food, a nice wine and beer selection, excellent staff, and tasteful ambiance. For those who may have visited their location when it was any of the former eateries, you’ll be simply blown away with the transformation. To their credit, Kiki & Rye kept the wood-fired oven which is the centerpiece to their kitchen and further enhances several of their already incredible dishes.

Their motif is soft and inviting. It’s both roomy yet cozy inside, ideal for a business lunch or a intimate dinner. When the weather cooperates their open-air patio adjacent to Belle Hall’s lone pond provides a scenic backdrop for diners.

Belle Hall Shopping Center offers a variety of shopping and customer service-related businesses, as well as several food & drink options, but if you’re seeking a relaxed meal with idyllic surroundings, then I strongly recommend Kiki & Rye. Much of the credit for their eclectic menu has to do with their relatively young, yet seasoned Executive Chef Dominique Hase, with General Manager Alex Neller making sure patrons are well attended too.

Kiki & Rye’s website says it best, ‘Quality meets approachability’. Open Tues-Fri 11-9pm and Sun for brunch 10a-3pm featuring live music. Daily weekday happy hour Tues-Fri 4-6pm offering half priced appetizers and drink specials at the bar. Thursday is Kids Night with $12 burgers. Closed Mondays to better prepare for the week ahead and grab much needed downtime. For more visit https://kikiandrye.com/

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