Award-Winning Charleston Restaurant and Hotel Mark 2012 with Seasonal Events and Special Packages

CHARLESTON, SC – Charleston’s beloved Wentworth Mansion®, named one of the 2012 Top 500 Hotels in the World by Travel & Leisure and one of the Top 50 Hotels in the U.S. at the 2012 Conde Nast Readers Choice Awards, and Circa 1886, the adjacent AAA Four-Diamond, Forbes Four Star restaurant, unveil a full calendar of seasonal events and special travel packages for 2012. The calendar is subject to change throughout the year, so please call ahead to confirm details. Below is a list of events and packages on tap for the coming year. For more information on any of the calendar listings or to obtain photography or speak with a representative from Wentworth Mansion® or Circa 1886, call (888) INN-1886. 

JANUARY
Charleston Restaurant Week
Circa 1886 is one of several restaurants around the state participating in Restaurant Week, Jan. 12-22, 2012. An initiative of the Hospitality Association of South Carolina, the goal is to showcase the thriving culinary scene in the Lowcountry. Throughout the week, Circa 1886 will offer three signature courses for $30. Circa 1886 Restaurant Week menu can be viewed online at www.circa1886.com. 

Locals Only Rate
January 2—February 9
Valid throughout the month of January, residents of Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties are invited to enjoy discounted locals only rates at the Wentworth Mansion®. Specials include $199 rates for Sunday through Thursday, and two nights for the price of one at $470 on Friday and Saturday. Can’t get away for two nights? Locals are invited to stay one night (Friday or Saturday) for $279. 

FEBRUARY
Valentine’s Day Dinner
Tuesday, February 14
Circa 1886 is continually lauded as one of the most romantic spots in Charleston, and Valentine’s Day dinner here is a tradition for many. Diners can enjoy a special five-course prix fixe dinner for $100 per person, excluding beverages, tax and gratuity. 

SEWE–SC Agricultural Certified SC Grown Tent
Chef DemoFriday, February 17Executive Chef of Circa 1886 Marc Collins will take part in the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) SC Agricultural Chef Demo on Friday, February 17 at 3:00 p.m. Now in its 31st year, SEWE has grown to be the largest event of its kind in the nation, attracting over 500 artists and exhibitors from around the globe who present their offerings to over 40,000 attendees. A 3-day celebration of nature that has earned a reputation for excellence, SEWE now hosts the world’s foremost experts in wildlife and nature art, as well as conservation research and environmental education. 

13th Annual Lowcountry Food Bank Demo Chefs Feast
Sunday, February 26
Marc Collins, executive chef of Circa 1886, will be participating in the 2012 Lowcountry Food Bank Chefs’ Feast. Chefs’ Feast helps raise much-needed funds for the Lowcountry Food Bank’s childhood hunger programs, like Kids Café and BackPack Buddies. Nearly 3,000 children are served each week through both programs. Individual tickets are $175 and more information may be found by visiting http://www.lowcountryfoodbank.org/chefs-feast.
 
Sweetheart Package
February 1-29
Engagements, ceremonies, receptions and honeymoons frequently take place at the Wentworth Mansion®, and in honor of this the hotel is offering a special romance package for two throughout the month of February. The package includes a one-night stay, a dozen red roses, a candlelight turndown and three-course dinner for two at Circa 1886. The rate for every night in February except February 14 is $495, which includes tax and gratuity for dinner, but excludes beverages and room tax. The rate for Valentine’s Day (Tuesday, February 14) is $595. Minimum night stay may apply.
 
MARCH
BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival
March 1- 4
Executive Chef Marc Collins and Circa 1886 will take center stage during the seventh annual BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival, a four-day celebration of food, wine and all things Charleston. Chef Collins, who co-founded the festival in 2006, will be part of Salute to Charleston’s Chefs Opening Night Party on Thursday, March 1. Additionally, Circa 1886 will welcome guest chef Michel Nischan, executive chef of Dressing Room Restaurant in Westport, CT, and Franck-Lin Dalle of France’s Campuget Winery, for the Circa 1886 Perfectly Paired Dinner on Friday, March 2. For more information and tickets, visit www.charlestonwineandfood.com.
 
APRIL
8th Annual Historic Charleston Foundation Wine Tastings
March 30 and April 2 | 5 p.m.
During the Historic Charleston Foundation’s popular Festival of Houses and Gardens, guests can tour many of city’s historic private homes and gardens. Circa 1886 will host two wine and hors d’oeuvres tastings during the tours to benefit the organization. Tickets, available for $45 per person, are available through the Historic Charleston Foundation at 843-723-1623 or www.historiccharleston.org.
 
Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend Dinner
Thursday, April 19
Chef Collins travels to Charlotte for the bi-annual Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend, where he will be the guest chef at Bonterra for the Charlotte’s Largest Dinner Party series. Every two years the Queen City welcomes thousands of wine lovers for one of the Southeast’s largest wine events, which has raised more than $3.5 million during its history for local charities.
 
MAY / JUNE
Spoleto Festival USA Pre-and Post-Theater Dinners
May 25 – June 10 | 5-10 p.m.
Spoleto Festival USA is one of the most recognized and acclaimed art festivals in the world, drawing thousands of visitors to Charleston each spring. The festival supports new and innovative works while enhancing public appreciation of the arts – from dance and music to theater and jazz. To accommodate attendees, Circa 1886 open on Sunday, May 29 for dinner and will serve dinner a half-hour earlier at 5 p.m. and close a half hour later throughout the Festival.
 
4th Annual Louie’s Kids Big Chef / Little Chef
Thursday, June 14
Chef Marc Collins joins other top local chefs in the 4th Annual Big Chef/Little Chef, a culinary fundraiser for local non-profit Louie’s Kids, which helps fight childhood obesity. During this one-of-a-kind gastronomic evening, guests are invited to taste culinary creations courtesy of the big chefs and their little counterparts, all of whom are Louie’s Kids participants. This marks the third year Chef Collins has participated in this important fundraiser. For more info on Big Chef/Little Chef, visit www.louieskids.org.
 
JULY
7th Annual Sizzling Southern Celebration
Wednesday, July 4, 7:30 p.m.
Join Wentworth Mansion® and Circa 1886 in celebrating Independence Day in true southern fashion with libations and delicacies hot off the grill, all accompanied by a live jazz soloist. After dark, guests head to the Mansion’s cupola with panoramic views of the city to watch Charleston’s fireworks display. The cost is $70 per person, including a glass of champagne, excluding tax, gratuity and additional beverages.

Wentworth Mansion® is also offering a package for those who want to stay overnight, including a one-night stay for $499 per couple, excluding tax. The package includes the Sizzling Southern Celebration for two.
 
AUGUST
Date ‘Over’ Night
August 1-30
During the month of August, locals have a chance to be a tourist in their own town all month. Residents of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties can take advantage of this special date over night package at the Wentworth Mansion®. The package includes a three-course dinner for two at Circa 1886, as well as one night in a mansion room with a candlelight turndown. The cost of the package is $299. Dinner is not available on Sundays.
 
Good Neighbor Dinner
August 1-30
Circa 1886 will offer a three-course prix fixe dinner for $35 throughout the month for residents in the 29401 zip code. Invitations will be sent to neighbors of Circa 1886, and if recipients bring in their invitations to dinner, they will be entered to win a night’s stay at Wentworth Mansion®.
 
3rd Annual Louie’s Kids Guest Chef Benefit Dinner
Thursday, August 16 | 6:30 p.m.
In the past two years, this event has become one of the biggest local fundraisers of its kind, raising nearly $35,000 for Louie’s Kids, a local non-profit that aims to end childhood obesity. For the 2012 dinner, Chef Marc Collins will once again invite three other local guest chefs to join him for a five-course dinner paired with wines and live auction. For more info about Louie’s Kids, visit www.louieskids.org.
 
SEPTEMBER
Charleston Restaurant Week
Circa 1886 is one of several restaurants around the state participating in September Restaurant Week. An initiative of the Hospitality Association of South Carolina, the goal is to showcase the thriving culinary scene in the Lowcountry. Throughout the week, Circa 1886 will offer three signature courses for $40. The Circa 1886 Restaurant Week menu can be viewed online at www.circa1886.com.
 
DECEMBER
27th Annual Progressive Dinner
December 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20,  21, 22  | 5:30 p.m.
A much-beloved holiday tradition is back this December. For the 27th year in a row, Circa 1886 restaurant and Charming Inns will play host to the Charleston Holiday Progressive Dinner, a festive evening where diners journey by carriage to three different locations. Guests are invited to start the evening with hors d’oeuvres at Historic Kings Courtyard Inn at 198 King Street, travel to Circa 1886 restaurant at 149 Wentworth Street for a three-course dinner, and wind down at Historic John Rutledge House Inn at 116 Broad Street for coffee and dessert. Hors d’oeuvres start at 5:30 p.m. and the evening wraps up at 8:30 p.m. A carriage will transport guests from one location to the next. The cost is $95.00 per person, excluding beverages.

The Progressive Dinner Package, offered by the John Rutledge House Inn, includes accommodations for two, the Progressive Dinner (excluding room tax and beverages), a rickshaw ride to Kings Courtyard Inn and a Junior League Party Receipts Cookbook. Cost starts at $389 per night.
 
11th Annual Dickens Dinner
Wednesday, December 12 | 6:30 p.m.
Circa 1886 travels back in time this holiday season to retell a classic Christmas story. At the 11th annual Dickens Dinner, storyteller Tim Lowry will take guests to Victorian England for a lively retelling of English novelist Charles Dickens’ beloved novella, A Christmas Carol. The performance is accompanied by a four-course dinner inspired by the novel, prepared by Chef Marc Collins. Cost is $70.00 per person plus gratuity, tax, and beverages.
To complement the dinner, Wentworth Mansion® will offer a special Christmas Carol package for two guests for $449, including the Dickens Dinner (which excludes room tax and beverages) and one night’s accommodation.
 
New Year’s Eve Truffle Dinner
Monday, December 31
Circa 1886 restaurant celebrates the arrival of 2013 with a festive six-course prix fixe New Year’s Eve dinner featuring truffles on Monday, December 31. Cost is $125.00 per person excluding gratuity and tax, and cost includes a complimentary glass of champagne. Other beverages are not included in the cost.

Wentworth Mansion® is also offering a special two-night package, starting at $1,150 (room tax and additional beverages not included), to coincide with the dinner for visitors who want to continue the celebration into the night. It includes dinner for two at Circa 1886 on any night besides Sunday, two commemorative etched champagne glasses and a bottle of champagne.
 
About Wentworth Mansion®
Wentworth Mansion®, located in the heart of historic downtown Charleston, S.C., is a 21-room, luxury hotel that offers guests a true taste of Southern hospitality in an unsurpassed setting.  Built in 1886, the Wentworth Mansion® is the former home of a wealthy cotton merchant. Current owners Richard Widman and Linn Lesesne carefully restored the building in 1998, converting it into a luxurious hotel that maintains many of the original and distinctive architectural features. Each room and suite features gas-lit fireplaces with original marble mantels, king-size sleigh beds with European linens, inlaid design floors, whirlpool tubs and double glass-walled, walk-in showers. In the evening, guests may gather for a complimentary wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres in the parlor, or they may enjoy watching the sunset from the hotel’s rooftop cupola, a special spot a 360-degree vista of the historic city and harbor.The hotel also features The Spa at Wentworth Mansion®, housed in the Mansion’s former stables, which were restored to combine the original elements of the building with more modern features for a one-of-a-kind ambiance. Wentworth Mansion® was named one of 2012 Travel & Leisure’s Top 500 Hotels in the World, is a Conde Nast Top 50 Small Hotel, a Fodor’s Choice Gold Award winner, and was named one of America’s Best Bed & Breakfasts in 2011 by Food & Wine magazine. For more information about the Wentworth Mansion®, visit www.wentworthmansion.com or call (888) INN-1886.
 
About Circa 1886
Set inside the historic carriage house of the award-winning Wentworth Mansion® hotel at 149 Wentworth St. in Charleston, S.C., Circa 1886 is a AAA Four-Diamond, Forbes Four Star restaurant offering traditional southern cuisine with a modern twist in a sophisticated, historic setting. Executive Chef Marc Collins, co-founder of the highly successful BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival®, puts his own forward-thinking spin on classic southern dishes. Circa 1886 has received numerous accolades, including the DiRoNA award for fine dining in North America, as well as the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Circa 1886 was named to Wine Spectator’s America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants in 2011. The restaurant is open for dinner Monday through Saturday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.circa1886.com or call (843) 853-7828.