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Cork Bistro occupies a restored storefront on North Charleston’s restaurant row on East Montague Avenue. With a narrow brick front and high, wood-beamed ceilings, it has the feel of a downtown restaurant and the food to match. The menu changes regularly to reflect what’s fresh, with an eye toward local ingredients. Regular lunch items include a roasted tomato bisque with basil oil and cheese croutons, a savory tart of the day, and upscale sandwiches like marinated pork loin and brie and a crisp-toasted Croque Monsieur with Black Forest ham and Gruyere cheese on artisan white bread topped with bechamel sauce. At night, the entrées are more substantial, like braised short ribs with mashed potatoes and collards and pan-seared Atlantic salmon over white bean succotash. It’s good food at good prices in a funky, bistro environment, a sure-fire combination for a neighborhood favorite. —Robert Moss