Pirate restaurant to drop anchor downtown

A group of local investors hopes diners will find a little treasure in a new pirate-themed restaurant opening next month in downtown Charleston.

The Buccaneer, sister to Queen Anne's Revenge on Daniel Island, plans to open Nov. 21 at 5 Faber St., former site of the City Bar, which closed about a year ago.

The new restaurant and bar will be owned by Tony Bakker, founder of Daniel Island-based software company Blackbaud Inc., real estate developer Anthony McAlister and former Blackbaud executives Gary Thornhill, Tim Smith and Nigel Cooper.

Bakker also owns the Charleston Battery professional soccer team.

The focal point of the new eatery will be a 1,000-gallon saltwater fish tank in the center of the restaurant, said David Howard, president of the Neighborhood Dining Group Inc. whose company also manages Bakker-owned McCrady's Restaurant and Queen Anne's Revenge.

With seating for 175, the 6,000-square-foot space will feature authentic artifacts from 1690 to 1730, known as the "Golden Age of Piracy," Howard said. The former warehouse will feature exposed brick walls and flickering gas lanterns. A semi-private dining area that seats about 40 is planned for the loft above the main dining room.

"We felt this was a good location with the cobblestone street and its nice atmosphere," Howard said. "It's warm and cozy with lots of little nooks and crannies."

The chef will be Zack Willard, now the executive sous chef at Queen Anne's Revenge. He plans to feature Lowcountry dishes and incorporate locally caught seafood in many of the menu items, which will be priced in the $12 to $20 range. Much of the produce will come from a farm operated by restaurant owners on Wadmalaw Island.

Jeffrey Palsa, former general manager with Liberty House Restaurant Group, operator of Bones, Blue Ridge Grill and OK Cafe, all in Atlanta, will serve as general manager.

The Buccaneer is aiming to be the first restaurant in the state to become a member of the Green Restaurant Association. Construction will include recycled materials, energy-efficient equipment and no plastics, Howard said.

He said the company remains confident the new restaurant will succeed despite the rocky economy.

"When we committed to the project, the economy was not in this condition," he said. "Opening a restaurant at any time is a tremendous challenge, but we are optimistic things will come around. We opened Queen Anne's Revenge one week prior to 9/11, and we are still here. We are here for the long term."

Reach Warren Wise at 937-5524 or wwise@postandcourier.com.