A new pizza and small plates restaurant inspired by New Jersey favorite Cinder Bar is coming to the Charleston area, with ideas of future expansion already in the works.
Fireside SC will open at 411 Corner Square Plaza in Moncks Corner, marking the first restaurant owned by Sean Holmes.
While it’s his debut as an owner, Holmes is no stranger to the kitchen. After losing his mother at a young age, he and his brother bonded over cooking meals together after school. His passion for food was also encouraged by a family member who is a self-proclaimed foodie and pushed him to pursue his culinary interests.
“Food brought people together in my family,” Holmes told What Now Charleston. “I had a godfather who was around all the time and he’s a big food person.”
Holmes also spent 13 months studying in France, where he worked at a Michelin-starred restaurant. His culinary career includes six years at Borgata in Atlantic City, where he worked under Luke Palladino at Specchio, Risi Bisi and Ombra, as well as experience under celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
He later became the executive corporate chef for a New Jersey-based restaurant group that operated 10 restaurants across four distinct concepts.
Now, Holmes is stepping into the spotlight with confidence.
Fireside SC’s menu will feature 12-inch craft pizzas cooked in a specialty oven designed to deliver a crispy crust—Holmes’ favorite style. The restaurant will also offer shareable dishes including salads, sandwiches, rice bowls and fresh pasta.
“I want people to come in, order a couple of pizzas, order a couple of sharable plates, order a salad–throw it in the middle of the table, share it amongst each other, have some conversation, leave your cell phones in the car and really come together,” Holmes said.
While Holmes will serve as the owner of Fireside SC, he’ll also step into the role of executive chef. He plans to hire a chef to work alongside him—someone he can mentor, just as he was guided earlier in his career.
His long-term vision is to grow Fireside SC beyond a single location, bringing the concept to as many towns in the region as possible.
Although an exact opening date hasn’t been set, Holmes plans to host a soft launch for family and friends before officially opening the doors sometime in July.
[Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with information about Holmes’ background.]
