Royal Frenchmen Hotel and Bar

The old adage about not judging a book by its cover couldn’t be more apt for this little restaurant in Bywater. An unassuming front advertising "natural wines and garden patio" leads to a quaint bar where Chefs Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith start the meal with a few pleasant bites. Once inside the intimate dining room, the contemporary tasting kicks into high gear with a griddled cornbread cake smeared with butter aged and cultured in-house. The combination is outrageously satisfying. A series of petite courses follows, each one showcasing refined sauces and bold flavors. Carolina Gold rice w