Food and Beverage Veterans to Lead Restaurant Program at Emeline, Charleston’s new concept boutique hotel

Kara Czaplicki as General Manager of Restaurant and Bar Operations and Tim Morton to helm the kitchen as Executive Chef

Charleston, S.C., March 2, 2020 – This May, Emeline, developed and designed by Rockbridge and concepted in collaboration with Makeready, will further elevate Charleston’s culinary scene with the debut of its restaurant and bar program. Kara Czaplicki as General Manager of Restaurant and Bar Operations and Tim Morton as Executive Chef will lead the program that includes Emeline’s onsite eateries, Frannie & The Fox and Clerks Coffee Company, in addition to banquets and catering and in-room dining.

“We know Charleston has an exceptional culinary scene and it will take great talent to really participate in the already thriving restaurants in this great city. We understand the importance to have the right people leading the introduction of these clever dining options,” Christine Magrann, COO of Makeready, states. “Kara and Tim are incredibly talented in their craft and their inviting spirit will make you come on in, grab a drink and make yourself at home.”

Frannie & The Fox will delight guests, visitors and locals with its wood-fired eatery serving regional ingredients with Italian sensibilities in an all-day dining experience in the heart of Emeline. The restaurant will offer effortless, sincere service and seasonal, locally sourced cuisine in an indoor and outdoor courtyard setting. Chef Morton is designing a menu that will be comprised of sharable and approachable dishes. For a taste of the menu, Chef will be participating in Charleston Wine + Food Festival’s Night Bazaar on March 6 and the Culinary Village on March 7.

Clerks Coffee Company will be a vibrant dining and café experience that behaves as a natural extension of Emeline with convenient street-level access for passersby and those looking to work remote in a cozy atmosphere. Designed to be timeless with a hint of nostalgia, Clerks Coffee Company will serve Charleston-based Second State Coffee, offer breads and pastries made in-house daily and feature a soft serve gelato machine for worthwhile indulgences.

With over 13,000 square feet of new and flexible function space and 10 distinctive event spaces for a variety of group programs, gatherings with Emeline will be complete with a curated banquet and catering menu to reflect events from weddings to lunches on the run and retreats complete with interactive juice bars. Additionally, guests can enjoy the hospitable service and food from Frannie & The Fox in the comfort of their guest room. Emeline’s in-room dining menu has been thoughtfully curated to include breakfast in bed, a refreshing lunch or cozy dinner.

Driving the restaurant and bar program at Emeline, Kara and Tim will use their many years of experience as the restaurants are introduced to Charleston.

Kara Czaplicki, General Manager of Restaurant and Bar Operations at Emeline

Kara began her career in hospitality nearly 23 years ago as she took on various fine dining and bartending jobs to support her passion for ballet and art classes in college. Along the way, she developed an appreciation for the nuance of flavor and by using her design background, she has been able to provide oversight for crafting a choreographed experience that makes a space feel comfortable and the experience unforgettable.

With Makeready’s commitment to offering unique experiences that are locally curated with the city in mind, Kara has spent the past year on Makeready’s restaurant and bar operations task force familiarizing herself with each properties’ food and beverage programming. Now as she steps into the role of General Manager of Restaurant and Bar Operations at Emeline, she will focus on introducing Frannie & The Fox and Clerks Coffee Company. She brings with her a team-oriented approach centered around mutual respect for diners and staff alike and looks forward to assembling a team as welcoming as the Charleston community.

Kara received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Kent State and will be based in Charleston.

Tim Morton, Executive Chef at Emeline

Tim fell in love with working behind a busy kitchen at the age of 16. As a native Minnesotan who has called Charleston his home for the past five years, he has developed an appreciation for hospitality, creating special moments for guests in an atmosphere that will make you feel at home.

Tim earned his 20-year skillset by working with Forbes Five Star rated hotels and restaurants. Most recently, he led the opening of Mercantile and Mash in Charleston as executive chef. Before the Lowcountry, he was the executive sous chef at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Raleigh under the leadership of Steven Greene and previously Scott Crawford. Prior to that, he spent time as chef tournant of Chicago’s famed Alinea restaurant. His dynamic background being mentored by some of the most notable chefs has shaped his vision as he steps into his role with Emeline.

As the Executive Chef at Emeline, Tim will demonstrate his belief in the art of seasonal cooking, highlighting regional Charleston ingredients into Emeline’s restaurant and bar program. 

He is a graduate of the College of Coastal Georgia where he was accredited by the American Culinary Federation through its Culinary Apprentice Program at Sea Island Resort.

Emeline is now welcoming reservations, bookable online at hotelemeline.com or by calling 843-414-1661. To follow news and updates, please follow Frannie & The Fox on Instagram and Clerks Coffee Company on Instagram.

For headshots, hotel fact sheet and high-resolution renderings, please visit https://spaces.hightail.com/space/8W1saAaeXb.

About Emeline

Located in Charleston’s historic district, Emeline is a clever and thoughtfully designed retreat crafted with the curious traveler in mind charting their own course. The experienced team embodies the persona of a consummate host, always focused on the vibrant days of hospitality. Emeline’s accommodations provide a warm welcome after a busy day exploring all the notable points of interest that lie just outside its doors. This captivating refuge with 212 all king bed guest rooms, includes 128 luxury suites and 16 double king bed accommodations. Amenities include Frannie & The Fox, Clerks Coffee Company and Keep Shop. The property boasts over 13,000 sq. ft. of flexible event space and 10 total private occasion spaces, with the Hayne Street Gallery accommodating events up to 250 and for receptions up to 350 guests. Additionally, the courtyard and greenhouse, expansive outdoor spaces that are ideal settings for receptions or social gatherings. Visit www.hotelemeline.com to learn more or follow us on Instagram at  www.instagram.com/hotelemeline/.

About Makeready

Designed from the ground up to create truly independent hotel, restaurant and retail brands with individual points of view, Makeready is a different kind of hotel operator, one that provides an opportunity for travelers to connect to the world around them, city by city and person by person. Makeready is passionate about developing independent experiences that are an essential part of each community, cultivating deep, emotional connections across guests, teams and local brands to create sustainable value for investors. Makeready operates notable hotels, restaurants and retail shops throughout the country such as: Noelle, Keep Shop, Hidden Bar and Makeready L&L in Nashville; The Alida and Rhett in Savannah; The Adolphus and Commerce Goods + Supply in Dallas; Couvant in New Orleans; and Hank’s Seafood Restaurant in Charleston and its elevated venue space for private events, Hank’s Social Hall. Find us online at www.makereadyexperience.com or Instagram at www.instagram.com/makereadyexp.

About Rockbridge

Rockbridge, a private investment firm celebrating 20 years in business, has been investing in and building brands since 1999. The business has made more than 260 real estate and hospitality investments in 38 states worth over $8.0 billion in total capitalization. Rockbridge has been a prolific investor in the hospitality space and recently, delivered several new independent hotels similar to Emeline. These properties include The Adolphus (Dallas, TX), Cliff House (Cape Neddick, ME), Noelle (Nashville, TN), The Laylow (Waikiki, HI), and The Eliza Jane (New Orleans, LA) to name a few. Rockbridge’s core strength comes from its collaborative team, innovative thinking, relentless curiosity and focus on its culture. In 2019, Rockbridge was honored for a second year in a row as the top, philanthropic company in Central Ohio. Learn more at www.rockbridgecapital.com and Instagram.