139-B
Market Street, a private dinner &social club.
Anxious
trepidation, yep that's what I felt while climbing the steps at 139-
B Market Street last week to meet the infamous chef Brett McKee. We
had talked before on several occasions and kept up with each other in
social media, but never met. A Carolina version of Chef Gordon Ramsay
vision wafted through my head. You see that's what rumor mills do.
Brett
met me warmly and I immediately felt comfortable in his presence. I
clicked the recorder on while he breezed me through his new venue.
While I'll admit the room was charged by his presence, a lot of the
energy came from the bustle of what appears to be a promising new
venture for Brett McKee. The building's old world charm echoed in the
studio room that housed the first level's kitchen and dining area.
Whitewash knock out on the brick walls could barely contain it's
stories, centuries of Charleston living.
Just
a few minutes in and Brett's phone was ringing and dancing on the
table. He apologized, saying that he had to take the call. I didn't
mind, actually I would have missed some of 139-B's charm had he not.
I peered out of the street front window as I heard the clomp, clomp
of a carriage coming down Market Street, Palmetto fronds were
whisping in front of the Gucci store across from 139-B. It just feels
right. Something good, something old world meets new and something
"Oh so Charleston" is going on here.
While
the table in the dining room was staged with flutes, plates and
napkins — the incoming calls and round table meeting in the room
beside me wasn't. Parties were being booked while menu's, staff and
wine list were being discussed.
OK,
so 139-B structurally has what it takes — let's see what's at the
wheel. Brett came back from his call and without missing a beat,
picked up where he left off. Without hardly a breath between
sentences (so glad I had the recorder) he proceeded to portray his
vision room by room and — for years out.
Brett
has been on the uptake and following new dreams since he left the Oak
Restaurant. The ideas that led to this establishment were fueled by
his success in the private sector doing intimate home gatherings,
dinners and cooking classes throughout the low country.
“My
clients/friends would ask, Brett, when are you going to open up a
place we can come to?" to which he explained to them over and
over. "I don't want to go back into a restaurant."
Over
the course of these past few years he discovered a new calling. “I
found that I love the experience of the smaller, intimate social
gatherings. They remind me of my life in Brooklyn, NY. Everything
happened around the table, in closer groups. I found when I left
these local private cooking classes and dinner parties, that I had
made friends. Not something that happens in the kitchen of the
restaurant. Charleston is growing by leaps and bounds in popularity,
not in structure. There is only so far you can go in town with
limited building space. We're going to end up with 100 restaurants in
town and 10 chefs to run them all."
Brett
is transparent about his past woes. "I sacrificed years of my
life, my health and relationships, in the F&B biz. Even though
that is what I know, it’s what I do. It had to change. This is me
now, I’m comfortable with this. 139-B is about offering what I love
and do best without sacrificing my life or my family's. I am
healthier than I have ever been. I don't drink, party, smoke. If I am
not here, I am with my family or finding ways to give back to the
community. That is my life now. This place, these walls, I can come
and go as I plan for the select events and members of this
clandestine group and —so can the members of 139-B.”
His
family are all on-board, it's a collaborative effort involving 2
single parents, 6 girls and a granddaughter. Some of his girls work
with him as well. Brett's fiancé/partner Kathy Downey is an intricate piece
of the puzzle here as well. One such event that her hand's are all
over is the upcoming Valentines Singles banquet and with Charleston
being on the hot list across the nation and world now as a top
desired wedding venue, there will be opportunities galore to offer as
well at 139-B. "We are coordinating with almost every single top
wedding planner in the city." Brett explained.
This
private dinner social club will offer an environment that encourages
the pace of leisure,of building relationships and socializing with
wonderful food. It's not a crescendo to drunkenness. It’s a place
where 150 members can gather, vetting and dining comfortably with the
assurance of private security. Brett explains "No one is going
to crash your event from the street, you can enjoy your evening
without the un-expected threats in public dining such as someone
hitting on your partner while you are in the restroom, or spilling a
drink on you as they stumble past. Another benefit of the closeness
in numbers is that the staff and I will know and catering to their
personal likes and dislikes. Not as easily attained in the restaurant
world. Allergies, wine selections, birthday’s, anniversary's,
milestone’s, favorites wine, dinner choices to name a few"
I
was taken aback actually at what the venue offers for the price of
membership. $1000.00 gets you a membership and six scheduled events a
month to include two dinners, two rooftop events, and two brunches.
In addition, they'll have access to the building's two bedrooms and
rooftop terrace. If a member wants to book 139-B Market for any event
(big or small) it would cost $500 less than the regular booking fee
of $1500 during the week and $3000 on the weekend. And that is with
Chef Brett cooking.
I
came away from the meeting excited for Brett McKee and 139-B Market,
and more so for it's members. They are in for one hell of a virgin
cruise with him. 139-B is sure to produce sub-groups and interest for
expansion in so many areas.
139-B
Market Street, Charleston.
Upcoming
Events:
Are
you "Single in the City" and want an upscale alternative to
the Charleston nightlife scene on Valentine's evening? Come meet
other sophisticated singles in a beautiful exclusive setting, while
enjoying amazing food prepared by Celebrity Chef Brett McKee. Join us
for Hors D'oeuvres, a premium open bar under the stars on the rooftop
terrace, interactive meetings, music and dancing. Cupid promises a
few Valentine's surprises. Tickets info at shopinsanelygood.com
139-B is the
venue for an incredible Mardi Gras party coming up on February 21.
The Charleston Shoe Krewe's inaugural Mardi Gras Fete on Saturday,
Feb 21. Premium open bar, live music, dancing, and lots of revelry.
You can get your tickets here:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1148185
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