Comment Archives: Locations: Restaurants: Italian
Re: “Il Cortile Del Re”
I've come here for drinks more than a few times and always enjoyed myself, but after eating my first meal here this weekend I left less than impressed. My water glass was nearly always empty, the gnocchi was ok but bland (my dates ravioli was better but not great), and the tiramisu was terrible... It was somehow watery at the bottom, and I suspect it may have been frozen at one point??? The only thing I would recommend is the lemon sorbet.
Bottom line, you can find much better on the peninsula for the same price.
Re: “La Tabella”
Everything about LaTabella's not only met my expectations going in, but well exceeded them. We were extremely pleased with not only the food, but the exceptional service we received this past weekend. The waiters were friendly and knowledgeable and both the chef and owners were circulating from table to table checking in with their customers throughout the meal. I'm so excited to have a new restaurant that serves delicious food while making you feel like you're eating with one big family!
Re: “The Red Pepper”
My wife and I recently went to the Red Pepper on the advice of our nexr door neighbors who are from Naples Italy who said it was the best Italian food they have eaten since moving here 6 months ago from Naples. After looking on the web at theredpepper.com we decided to go there for new years eve. We started with spicy fresh mussel dish with a hot creamy tomato sauce and Carpaccio which is paper thin filet of beef that was served on a large dinner plate with chopped red onions, capers, artichoke hearts, and parmesan. Our salads were served chilled with a house balsamic vinegar and olive oil. For dinner I had the mountain trout encrusted with crushed pistachios and fontina cheese over angel hair pasta tossed in a creamy sundried tomato sauce. My wife had the Italian chicken pot pie full of fresh veggies and
topped with puff pastry. Both dishes were wonderful and our waiter had us try a bottle of Fiano from Naples which was a perfect to our food. Our waiter also recommended that we try the homemade tartufo with a glass of dessert wine. We cannot say enough about the Red Pepper as the staff took care of our every need and made us feel right at home. We loved the ambience of this 100 year old home turned into a Italian restaurant and we are looking forward to also dining on the outside porch and patio.
Re: “La Tabella”
My daughter is writing this review bc she and my husband went out without me.
:(
La Tabella's service and food was very good. There have been alot of changes from the old set up (Lombardi's). There is even a small bar inside for all you people who want to chill out in a nice small place (they have half price wine specials by the glass on certain days).
We ordered the Manicotti and the Penne Bologenese. They were both delicious. They were well cooked and came out quickly and hot.
The service was quick and the waitress was very attentive, she always made sure we were perfectly content during our time there.
We are so lucky we have a great Italian place close to our home... we will definatley be visting there again soon.
Re: “Cuoco Pazzo”
This little gem gets better with time. Besides the wonderful food that is authentic Southern Italian, they now have a wonderful singer who shares great Italian songs! Bello, Cuoco Pazzo!
Re: “Al di La”
Al Di La - What a great time.
My boyfriend and I went to Al Di La this New Years Eve and had dinner. We were greeted at the door by (what I later learned was) the owner of the restaurant, a very handsome dark haired man. Because we did not have reservations, were sat after waiting a few minutes at the bar for a table in the dining room. After being sat we were informed of all the specials of the night by our server, who seemed to really understand what he was talking about. I had the butternut squash ravioli with brown butter, pine nuts, and sage...by boyfriend had the strangozzi spolentina, I of course had a few bites myself it was this thick shoe string like pasta with sausage pancetta in a nutmeg, lemon, cream sauce. (the server said they make their pasta and sausage in house which was impressive to me). Wow, I could keep going but I hate reading long reviews (ironic I know)...To sum it all up I had a great experience at Al Di La...The service was great and the food even better!
Re: “Wild Olive”
Great experience all around; menu, service, quality, ambiance! The Wild Olive has made my "Charleston Favorites" list. Well worth the short drive to Johns Island.
Re: “Trattoria Lucca”
We eat there regularly and believe that it is the best value downtown for exceptional food at reasonable prices. The antipasti are phenomenal, especially the vegetable one. The porkchop is unbelievable and all of the seafood specials are wonderful. For a real treat go on Sunday for a fixed menu at $34 per person.
Re: “Sette”
Kudos for a vegetarian-friendly good dining option.
Re: “Bocci's Italian Restaurant”
Loved the food from the first and have been back with friends as often as I can. Vegetarian offerings are important to me, and theirs are great. Friendly, affordable, delicious. Tiramisu is wonderful, so save room for it.
Re: “Bacco Italian Restaurant”
I forgot to provide a star rating. I went there again last night, received terrific service and delectable fare once again... for the price you can't beat it. The prosciutto-wrapped quail, pork shoulder roast, fire-roasted olives, butternut squash soup, and a bottle of valpolicella for the win.
Re: “Il Cortile Del Re”
We went to Il Cortile after the Mike Moran Furniture show at Rebekah Jacob Gallery. Wonderful little Italian place, Sicilian wine by the glass, nice salads, and stellar home-made gnocci. Service seemed a little in the weeds, but there were so many people we knew that kept showing up, we stayed. A great little place on lower King Street to chill and plan the next Italy trip.
Re: “Al di La”
F-
The attitude alone in this place left a bad taste in my mouth. The very put-off "hostess" at the front door was lacking enough that I should have known better. we started with an extra salty excuse for bread that was inedible. Second red flag. Bad bread?!
I ordered Risotto with scallops, well done, as I like my seafood cooked thoroughly with charred peaks. I specifically told the waiter to tell the cook to burn them.
The scallops came lightly pan seared on one side and hardly cooked through. As I poked at the most done of the three scallops and the fair offering of rice and asparagus, I sent the other two back and told the waiter to tell the cook not be shy and cook them hard. The scallops returned just as they had left. As if the culinary school dropout in the back room protested that I don't know how I like to eat scallops. I left them in the small plate on which they had been sent back and complained to the waiter that they had not been cooked one second more. He argued that they had been cooked "5-10 minutes more in the pan." Impossible- 10 minutes?! An absolutely lie. They had not even been turned as one side was white and the insides still barley coagulated jelly. Thank God I had a decent glass of Cab to calm my nerves.
He then tried to offer a dessert in exchange for dinner! I went there for dinner. I still had not eaten dinner and was still hungry for dinner- not dessert!
I declined and he brought the check at full price (not that I am looking for free dinner, just to pay for a dinner that I actually ate!) and said that he hoped that we would be back soon. Seriously?
I told him I would never step foot in the door with so many nice restaurants in Charleston. Not another dime will be spent in that lame excuse for Italian food.
I was not looking for anything but dinner as I had ordered. Not an attitude or a disagreement about what I specifically ordered. What did that Eddie Munster of a waiter care if I had ordered scallops with ketchup and jelly??? For 20% he should serve them with a smile not a smug smirk.
Never again Eddie- you failed and so does La-Di-Da.
I get it now! Its all in the name. Al-di-la = La-di-dah, "Apathy, we don't care!"
F-
Re: “Wild Olive”
Love it! Get a bunch of the smaller sized plates and share. Chocolate pistachio dessert is awesome.
Re: “The Red Pepper”
My husband and I recently dined at Red Pepper. We both have backgrounds in the food & bev industry, so we are generally low maintenance diners and we understand that things can come up that are out of the control of the server, etc. However, I was very disappointed with our experience at the Red Pepper. The food was ok, but definitely not worth the price. The $8.95 Calamari was rubbery, obviously dropped from frozen into the fryer, and lacked flavor. I had the Chicken Parmigiana which was very good and the $13.95 price tag was reasonable. However, my husband ordered the Special - Grilled Pork Chop with Cremini and Porcini Cream Sauce and Spinach Pesto Pasta which the server told us was $17.95. When the bill came, they had charged us $22.95 and refused to adjust the price. It seems a bit underhanded to me to promote a product for a specific price and then once it is too late to send it back they just charge whatever they want. The Special wasn't even worth $17.95, let alone $22.95. The "foccacia" that came with our meal was a joke, it was basically greasy bread sticks. Although the restaurant wasn't busy at all we had to ask repeatedly for refills on our drinks. I was very disappointed in our experience there. They promote their restaurant as "authentic" Italian, but I lived in Italy for over a year, and authentic this is definitely not. Using italian words on the menu doesn't make you authentic. Save your money and eat somewhere else.
Re: “Al di La”
Absolutley wonderful service and food! Our waiter was knowledgable about the menu and very pleasant. The place is hopping!
Re: “Al di La”
I was visiting Charleston, SC for holiday and I asked around for the best Italian restaurant in town. I was pointed towards Al Di La in the West Ashley area of Charleston off of the Savannah Highway, My experience was excellent; the food was absolutely phenomenal and since I am from Alba, Italy I should know it was authentic and did I mention delicious! I was also very surprised to find some of the same cheeses and meats I get back home at my local trattoria (they must pay a lot in shipping). Although I can't say I would travel all the way from Italy to eat here, If I were in America it would definitely be worth the trip.
Re: “Mercato”
Also not so impressed with Mercato! Romantic setting, YES...It's got great ambiance! I was not impressed with the food. I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs as I had been told they were great, but I thought the meatballs tasted a bit like sausage and were too spicy for my liking. I will say that it was a large portion, so if you're hungry this item is a goos option. My husband really enjoyed his dinner, but was left hungry and started in on my leftover spaghetti. The portion on the Potato Gnocchi is very small! They have a large wine selection so my husband asked the waiter to help in pairing our meals with a wine and I am convinced he gave us both the exact same wine even though he said they were different (neither of us could taste the difference!). All in all I was unimpressed with Mercato...for that price I would expect better!
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Re: “Trattoria Lucca”
First time, it was dee-licious. Second time, ugh, must have been a busboy-trainer's first attempt for chefhood; big disappointment. Perhaps the chef cooks only for his favorite groupy customers...