Brett McKee and Keith Jones partner up at Southend Brewery (second dinner party planned)

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Update September 9: Brett McKee's second Southend Dinner Party is coming up on September 29th at 7 p.m. This time, the dinner is four courses, Italian style.

It is $45 a person, those interested can RSVP to SouthendDinnerParties@gmail.com.

As for the menu, see below:

  • Course One: Clams Casino
  • Course Two: Classic Eggplant Rollatini
  • Course Three: Beef Braciole Served Over Creamy Polenta with Asaigo and Sage
  • Desert: Rustic Apple Crustada with Honey Vanilla Gellatto and Caramel Sauce

Update August 15: Chef Brett McKee and The Southend Brewery Crew will host the first in a series of Southend Dinner Parties on Thursday, August 25th at 6:30 p.m., beginning with a Champagne Reception and dinner following at 7 p.m.

The first Southend Dinner Party is steakhouse inspired -- take a peek at the menu below.

Course One:

  • A bed of crisp, colorful Red and Yellow Beets topped with Candied Pecans, Golden Raisins, and Warm Goat Cheese, dressed in Raspberry Vinaigrette

Course Two:

  • A perfectly light Beef Carpaccio served alongside Micro Arugula Sprouts, freshly Shaved Parmesan and Black Truffles with White Truffle Oil

Course Three:

  • A mouthwatering plate of melted gooey goodness: Lobster Mac n Cheese

Course Four:

  • Filet Mignon, served Pittsburgh style with cheesy Parmesan Potato Gratin, fresh Creamed Spinach and a Veal Demi-Glace

Desert:

  • A sweet, light finale of Macerated local Berries and Peaches with an unbelievably delicious Toasted Almond Chantilly Cream

First reporting: After getting the boot from his Roadside Kitchen partners back in June, Brett McKee is jumping aboard the restaurant empire of Keith Jones and getting to work in the Southend Brewery kitchen.

Jones is owner/creator of Amen Street Fish and Raw Barand Southend Brewery here in Charleston, in addition to twenty other restaurants in California, Texas, Florida and the Carolinas. These include well-known names Boulevard, Mustard's and Fog City in the Bay Area. These restaurants have five-time James Beard Award winners as well as another with NFL greats Dwight Clark and Joe Montana at "Clark's by the Bay”.

Jones can’t wait to start the new partnership, "Brett McKee is one of the top Celebrity Chefs in the Southeast and throughout the country. He has won numerous culinary awards including Chef of the Year by Chef Magazine and the Charleston Culinary Legend Award, among others. With our similar career paths, now is the perfect time to work together. A partnership with a chef of McKee’s caliber always creates the formula for success. As we grow our restaurant group, it is my personal goal to become partners with other award winning chefs in the company.”

While bigger plans lie on the horizon for the duo, McKee will begin by dishing up some exciting menu additions, beer dinners and maybe even a party or two in the upcoming months at Southend Brewery on East Bay Street. Southend guests will be treated to McKee’s famous flair and cuisine. McKee says, “Keith and I have been friends for years, but now it’s time to partner up and add to Charleston’s culinary future together.”

If you have missed McKee’s cooking, grab a table at Southend and try his crisp summer creations: fresh Watermelon Tomato Salad and Brett’s Famous Tomato Pie. When you’re left wanting more, just remember, it’s only the beginning for these two.