Downtown Charleston’s dynamic dining destination, the Macintosh, has just been named one of Esquire magazine’s 2012 Best New Restaurants – the second Indigo Road restaurant to receive the publication’s highly coveted award. Recognized as a gold standard in the industry, the prestigious Esquire list has been on the forefront of discovering the nation’s most exceptional newcomers for the past 28 years. Celebrated author, columnist and food critic John Mariani is the reviewer behind the esteemed picks.
To accept the honor at Esquire’s New York City awards ceremony was the Macintosh’s James Beard semifinalist, executive chef-and-partner Jeremiah Bacon, and Indigo Road managing partner Steve Palmer. “Our team at the Macintosh has made an incredible effort to put in the time, work and love it takes to establish this restaurant as a major contender in the world of progressive American cuisine. This award makes it all worth it,” said Palmer.
Opened a mere year ago in September 2011, the Macintosh serves guests a seasonally rotating menu of elevated American dishes in a comfortable space lined with reclaimed cypress wood and unfinished historic brick. Under the guiding hand of Jeremiah Bacon, the Macintosh’s menu is defined by its commitment to the farmers, fishermen and purveyors of South Carolina’s Lowcountry region.
“The Macintosh allows us the independence to experiment and develop a more personal style of rustic American cuisine on a daily changing menu. The Macintosh concept is something I have wanted to do for years back in my hometown,” says Bacon.
The Macintosh marks another triumph for the Indigo Road, which has amassed significant national recognition for its successful collection of restaurants. In 2010, Esquire awarded O-Ku, Indigo Road’s trendy Asian culinary hotspot, a Best New Restaurant honor. In addition to landing a position on Esquire’s Best New Restaurants lineup this year, the Macintosh also carved out a spot for itself on Bon Appetit’s 50 Best New Restaurants of 2012 list, following recognition by the James Beard Foundation as a 2012 semifinalist for Best New Restaurant.
About Steve Palmer
An Atlanta native, Steve Palmer formed the Indigo Road, a Charleston-based hospitality group, in 2009. Prior to forming the Indigo Road, Palmer served as vice president of food and beverage, and later, lead developer for Ginn Clubs and Resorts, where he developed over $100 million worth of hotel and club space. Prior to his time at Ginn Resorts, Palmer enjoyed a position as manager of the revered Peninsula Grill in Charleston, S.C., which garnered a Relais & Châteaux designation and recognition as one of the country’s best restaurants in Esquire, USA Today and Wine Spectator under his guiding hand. He was also a member of the opening management teams at Charleston favorites Magnolias and Blossom, as well as Canoe in Atlanta, which received a James Beard nomination for Best New Restaurant in 1996 and was named one of the Top Five Most-Anticipated Restaurant openings in 1995 by USA Today. Additionally, Palmer co-created the largest private dining wine cellar in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel chain at their St. Louis location, earning praise from Wine Spectator and Santé magazine.
About Jeremiah Bacon
A Charleston native and College of Charleston alumnus, Bacon attended the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, N.Y. After graduating from the CIA in 1999, Bacon moved to New York City where he worked for legendary restaurants such as River Café, and ILO in midtown Manhattan. Bacon left ILO to join the staff at Le Bernardin, the famed seafood restaurant of celebrity chef Eric Ripert. In 2004, Bacon was part of the opening crew of Per Se, which along with Le Bernadin, earned Four Stars from the New York Times and Three Michelin Stars. Bacon returned to the Lowcountry in 2007 as executive chef of Carolina’s and joined the Indigo Road team in November 2010. In 2012, Bacon received recognition as a semifinalist for best chef in the Southeast by the James Beard Foundation.
About the Macintosh
The Macintosh opened in September 2011 in downtown Charleston, S.C. Located beneath its sister lounge, the Cocktail Club, and bearing the one-time name of the alley that runs alongside the building, the Macintosh explores the breadth of Lowcountry flavors in a comfortable setting. Executive chef and partner Jeremiah Bacon showcases his talent for creating upscale American cuisine using the seasonal bounty provided by his local farmers and fishermen throughout the Macintosh’s menu. For more information, visit www.themacintoshcharleston.com <http://www.themacintoshcharleston.com/> .
About The Indigo Road Restaurant Group
The Indigo Road operates four locationsin downtown Charleston,S.C, Oak Steakhouse, O-Ku, the Cocktail Club and the Macintosh. In September 2012, the Indigo Road will open its first restaurant outside of Charleston, the Oak Table, in Columbia, S.C. Led by managing partner, Steve Palmer, the established hospitality group operates with the highest attention to service and a dedication to the utmost in superior customer experience. As culinary and industry leaders, the Indigo Road also specializes in restaurant and hotel consulting services providing customized solutions for each. For more information, visit www.theindigoroad.com <http://www.theindigoroad.com/> .
