JOHNS ISLAND — A new restaurant serving French and Japanese cuisine has taken over the 1,600-square-foot space previously occupied by Bar Copa, which closed after just five months in February.
Snow Monkeys is now open at 3297 Maybank Highway, where executive chef Zach Woody is serving scallop crudo, beef and potato croquettes, ricotta gnocchi, roasted duck with charred plums and other inventive dishes.
The chef, who said he attempts to use simple ingredients to create something profound, teamed up with brothers Josiah and Brandon Andrist and Noah Kulisek to open the new restaurant, located next to The Natural restaurant and sports bar. Snow Monkeys has been several years in the making, said Josiah Andrist, the restaurant’s general manager.
The pandemic derailed Josiah Andrist and Woody’s plans to open a brick-and-mortar location shortly after they moved to Charleston in 2019. They’ve spent the last five years hosting pop-ups and working in various local establishments; Andrist took a front-of-house role with Indigo Road Hospitality Group, while Woody cooked at Xiao Bar Biscuit.
Together, they hosted a pop-up named Lark at Coterie in downtown Charleston ahead of Snow Monkeys opening on June 18.
Though Snow Monkeys’ menu changes seasonally, it will always be broken up into three categories: raw, street and signature. Uncooked items include crudos, oysters and tartares, while the street food section highlights bold flavors and more casual plating. The restaurant’s signature items showcase how Woody is endeavoring to deliver French fine dining cuisine with Japanese undertones.
Brandon Andrist preps food at the now open Johns Island restaurant Snow Monkey Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The French and Japanese cuisine restaurant has taken over the 1,600-square-foot space previously occupied by Bar Copa.
Andrew Whitaker/Staff
His goal is to do so at an approachable price point. Snow Monkeys’ dishes currently cost between $16 and $35.
Drinks, developed by Woody and Kulisek, highlight Japanese spirits and flavors, such as whiskey and yuzu. The dessert program also is highly curated, with items like a gluten-free Black Forest cake with Cognac-marinated cherries and a blackberry cobbler with a yuzu granita, the restaurant’s most popular sweet in its first few weeks.
People read the menu at the now open Johns Island restaurant Snow Monkey Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The French and Japanese cuisine restaurant has taken over the 1,600-square-foot space previously occupied by Bar Copa.
Andrew Whitaker/Staff
Snow Monkeys is open from 5-10 p.m. Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit snowmonkeysji.com.