FlashBack Fridays: The Colony House Review 10.31.14

Review Date: Thursday, December 26, 1991

Located at 35 Prioleau Street at Waterfront Park, The Colony House was “an old standby,” with a lengthy history.

 The Colony House was opened by the late Bill Snipes, who had previously opened The Sergeant and The Flag Room in the 1950s. Under his direction, the restaurant focused on beef, seafood, and traditional Southern dishes.

During the 1970s, Franz Meier, Chris Weihs, and Harry Waddington purchased The Colony House and shifted the focus to wine and international cuisine. The trio established The Wine Cellar, an addition to the main dining room that featured a French menu with a wine list that was exceptionally robust for the time.

After nearly 20 years, The Colony House was purchased by Dick Elliott of Maverick Southern Kitchens, who reopened the restaurant by hosting a fund-raising event for the Charleston Arts Council.

Jane Kronsberg visited the restaurant on more than one occasions. This review was written while under Elliott’s ownership. Kronsberg made note that the restaurant had been through a multitude of changes over the years, but it remained the dining room of choice for politicians and other important members of the community. Under new ownership, the menu once again featured traditional Lowcountry dishes, offering everything from soup and salad to seafood, beef, poultry, and pasta.

Kronsberg commented that The Colony House wine list was arranged according to suggested food pairings, which she surmised was designed to help American diners who were only recently introduced to sizable wine lists.

Three years after Kronsberg’s visit, The Colony House shuttered, bringing to a close a four-decade history of one of Charleston’s earliest fine dining establishments.

In 1994, The Harbor Club opened in its place.