Charleston, S.C. --Cordavi Restaurant was selected by Esquire Magazine’s food critic, John Mariani, as one of “The 20 Best New Restaurants of 2006 in America.” The influential top 20-best list features the most exciting places to dine right now and is published each year in the November issue of Esquire Magazine. Chef David Szlam of Cordavi attended a special chefs’ dinner organized in celebration of the awarded top chefs at A Voce Restaurant in New York on October 16, 2006.

Szlam says about his experience: “We are honored to be one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants of 2006. This prestigious award will continue to challenge the entire team of Cordavi to develop original and exciting dishes prepared in a new unique style for our guests and patrons.”

Cordavi offers a world class dinning experience and its menu showcases an eclectic and sophisticated array of dishes with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal produce and finest international products prepared to perfection.

“In a town that still loves its meat and taters and fried fish, Cordavi is a maverick. And that's something Charlestonians should be proud of,” wrote John Mariani who dinned at Cordavi in March 2006 and praised the restaurant for its incredible food and service.

Chefs Corey Elliott and David Szlam opened their restaurant in January 2006 and in August 2006, Cordavi was named among the Top Nine Restaurants in Charleston by the award-winning dinning guide, DISH. Before opening Cordavi, Szlam and Elliott worked with many renowned chefs including Gary Danko, Roland Passot, Alice Waters, Melissa Perello, Daniel Humm and Christian Deslengin.

“Combine extreme skill in the kitchen with a mission to innovate and astound their audience through unexpected juxtapositions of taste, temperature, and texture and you have all the ingredients for what many consider the most cutting-edge dining experience Charleston has ever seen,” wrote food critic, Jeff Allen in his summer dinning guide.

Raved by local critics for its extraordinary cuisine, Chefs Szlam and Elliot are bringing a new way of dining to the Lowcountry. Cordavi is located at 14 North Market Street in historic downtown Charleston. Dining hours are Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. and until 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Jazz nights are on Wednesdays from 9:00pm to 12am. Restaurant offers a private dinning room for special events and complimentary valet parking. For reservations or for more information visit www.cordavi.com or call 843.577.0090.

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