New SouthPark restaurant Southern Pecan is now open in former Wolfgang Puck space

This is owner Monte Smith’s third restaurant venture in the SouthPark area. Smith is also behind the popular brunch spot Café Monte and upscale steakhouse The Palm.

Monte says guests can expect gourmet dishes that are southern, but not “Charlestonian.”

“I think there’s something on the menu for everybody, to be honest, from younger people to more sophisticated diners,” he says.

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Vibe: The atmosphere is casual yet sophisticated and soulful. Every booth is partitioned off by glass with Gulf Coast-inspired art.

Food: Southern Pecan is open for lunch and dinner. Menu highlights include the veal rib chop ($38.95) and the filet of ribeye ($32), both only available for dinner. Other dishes include:

• Roasted poblano pimento cheese ($9.95) – served hot or cold with chips and oven-roasted flatbread.
• Louisiana BBQ shrimp ($14.95) – jumbo grilled shrimp served with New Orleans BBQ jus.
• Seafood gumbo ($9.95) – shrimp, fresh fish, crawfish, and andouille sausage.

• Catfish po’boy ($14.95) – served with choice of side.
• Southern Pecan shrimp boil ($18.95) – Gulf shrimp, roasted corn, potato, and pole beans in a spicy shrimp jus.

Drinks: For drinks, you can expect Low Country-inspired cocktails like the Crimson Tide Sour ($14), the Bayou “Sazerac” ($14), and the Muddy Water’s Punch ($14).

Hours: Southern Pecan is open for lunch and dinner every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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