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Comment Archives: Locations: Restaurants: American
Re: “Craftsmen Kitchen and Tap House”
Fucking obnoxious review.
Re: “Craftsmen Kitchen and Tap House”
I finally made it into the peninsula to visit Craftsmen Kitchen, after a couple month wait for opening day. When you first walk in the door, you can tell there was a lot of money invested into design and decor. I really enjoyed the ambiance with the focus around a beautiful series of bars. There was plenty of space inside, and also an outdoor area with 4 large picnic tables.
The menu was very basic. One side had appetizers and smaller dishes. The other side featured more entree-like options. The waitress also gave us a large tap/bottled drink menu. My first thought, after glancing at the drink menu, was that it contained a lot of confusion. They tried to split things up by flavor profile, but didn't really get it right. There was a section for hoppy/IPA type beers, a section for local brews, a section for malt forward beers, and one other that I can't remember. The IPA/Hoppy section was fine, and featured many great brews. I am not sure there was a reason to separate the locals from the style based menu, as we didn't know exactly what flavor profile fit some of the local brews. The malty beer section was a complete cluster. There were pale ales (Hoppy), belgians, browns, and stouts all mixed in there. Those styles do not all fit the same flavor profile. I would have preferred them to not worry about style and just list all beers by brewery, or perhaps take time to separate by more than a couple flavor profiles. I didn't take time to check if most of the beers listed on the menu were actually on tap, but I didn't have any issues with my orders. The beer selection, while numerous, was not really impressive for a craft beer bar. It seemed like the had the normal basic offerings from many breweries, without carrying many seasonals or limited releases. I found it difficult to pick out a beer I really wanted to drink, but I am probably pickier than most patrons. I did like the option to have 8oz or 16oz pours, but I am not 100% sure the tumblers they use actually hold 16oz. The prices were a touch high, but that could be par for the course when you are a block from the market. The beers were served in clean glassware and seemed to be about the right temperature. My only suggestion there would be to use proper glassware for the style, but that is really asking for a lot.
Once we had a few drinks, we decided to order a few food items. We wanted to try two appetizers and a couple sandwiches. We ordered the Scotch Eggs (hard to find in the low country) and General Tso's Chicken Wings. The wings were really tasty, and they nailed the sauce. It was a nice mix of sweet and spice, and went well with the base crispy wings. The scotch eggs were not exactly what I am used to, but still very good. You only get one large egg, cut in half, so take note if you are sharing with a few people. My main course was the burger, which is made with house ground beef and some added pork belly in the mix. Pork belly makes for some delicious burgers, but also prevents you from getting a rare or medium-rare burger. It took quite a while to receive my burger, but we were in a large party. The burger comes with some thick cut fried potato rounds, but you only get 4 of these. If you are really hungry, it is better that you order more than just the burger. I did enjoy the seasoning on the burger, and would eat it again. I do wish there was more of a side with this. The other dish we got was the crispy pork belly sandwich. Basically, this is a piece of fried pork belly, between two pieces of toast, with a fried runny egg on top. I am not sure why the egg goes on top, as it makes the dish excessively messy. The belly was a touch overcooked, but the whole sandwich was still pretty good. This also cam with the small side of fried potato rounds.
Overall, I think this is a place worth checking out if you like craft beer. They are still very new and will probably be working on things like tap offerings and food. I think my expectations were a bit too high, due to years of drinking craft beer. I will likely return to see if they fall into a groove with food and beer selection. I wish them luck and much success. I am still happy to see another craft-centric bar in downtown Charleston, which covers a growing market of better beer drinkers.
Re: “The Rarebit”
My new go to place for lunch on upper King- best onion rings ever
good food at the right price
Re: “The Original Ms. Rose's”
Great cocktails and good brunch.
Re: “The Rarebit”
Been twice, impressed both times. Had French toast at 11pm with a "Dark & Stormy" cocktail. The French toast was excellent with the sorghum syrup and $2 optional strawberries and bananas. The Dark & Stormy was tasty, but I wouldn't get another one for the $9 they charge for it. I came back later for lunch. Tried the chicken and waffle plate. The chicken was really, really damn good. The waffle was ok. Service was good both times.
Re: “Castaways Grille”
I am so sick and tired of bars misspelling Guinness.... in their ad in CP they left off an N in Guinness.... why celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a bar that can't correctly spell one of the most recognized beers in the world? To Castaways Grille I say Pogue Mahone!!!!!!
Re: “Early Bird Diner”
This is a special place. It makes you feel very hip and cool just going there,The only place that i would eat grits, and the chicken and waffles is a must have.
Re: “Philly's Cheesesteaks”
Front door was filthy and if kitchen as dirty would never eat there again..
Re: “Philly's Cheesesteaks”
We love this place! The Cheesesteaks are fantastic.
Re: “The Alley”
Everything I have ever thought less of Charleston for has finally arrived. Thank goodness for these retro hippie amazingly creative individuals. I will never leave unless you don't stay. THEALLEY CHARLESTON
Re: “Montreux Bar and Grill”
I'm usually a downtown guy, but I live in Summerville. I've always been skeptical of going to bars in my own area but I decided to give Montreax a try this past Friday night. I was surprised about how normal and young the clientele was, similar to being at a bar downtown. Had a few drinks which weren't expensive at all and had a great time with my friends. Definitely checking it out again.
Re: “Mynt”
This club sucks if for some reason the bouncer or the Asian mafia there doesn't
Like your look. I was there and only for maybe 15 or 30 min. In that time I met some great fun people. Then I needed to use the restroom which is down a sketchy hallway. As I left 2 thugs grabbed me ,beat me and broke my rib. For no apparent reason. I was leaving the next day or I would have pursued an assault charge. I am planning on calling the local police there. But I am thinking it won't go anywhere. You are warned.
Re: “Wild Wing - Oakland Market”
BEER UNIVERSITY IS AWESOME!
Re: “Rutledge Cab Co.”
We’ve been to Rutledge Cab Co twice. Our first trip was the second weekend they were open….Yep, had to wait an hour but the bar was full and fun so it wasn’t a major hardship. Enjoyed the food and service, they were jammed so we gave them a break on having to wait longer than expected for our meal. We had dinner there last night, it was awesome. Fish Sandwich was the best I’ve had. Our friend loved the Chopped Salad. We got seated right away and the service was smooth. Looks like they’ve got it together. I really wanted to like this place...... Looks like Wagner Terrace has a new hangout and a good one at that.
Re: “Rutledge Cab Co.”
Our dinner was less than inspiring, the kabobs were ok but boring, the wings were the same as was the burger. The food was just very mediocre. Their house red wine was decent and a relatively good buy. The cocktail I had was unique and I enjoyed it. I thought it was pretty loud inside and outside, but service was good. I will be back to try the all day breakfast options, though.
Re: “Rutledge Cab Co.”
We thought RCC was great, and I have heard nothing but positives from everyone else I know who has been there. The grilled spicy wings were great, different than the usual fried variety. Drinks were also good and staff was all very friendly. I only saw a couple of menu items that looked over priced, one of which I ordered but it was still delicious. We will be back soon to try the burger, pizzas, and the BLT benedict...
Re: “Rutledge Cab Co.”
We live a short walk away, so had high hopes for this new neighborhood hangout. They'd solved their initial teething problems with wait times and service by the time we visited -- waiters were attentive and food came out quickly -- but that's the best we can say about it. The cocktails we ordered -- three different drinks -- were all failures, with strange, synthetic flavors (mine tasted much like toilet freshener!). My wife ordered a spiked milkshake without looking at the price, and was shocked to discover it was $14, more than many of the entrees. The starters and mains we ordered were very bland: diner food that would be acceptable in another setting, but not at the prices we were paying. Everything was under-flavored and lacking in spark. The place was packed -- but I can't see it being that way in 6 months once the early excitement dies down, unless they do something dramatic with the menu. What a disappointment!
Re: “The Original Ms. Rose's”
The service was excellent- Tara took wonderful care of us and made fabulous recommendations! The food was very good, although not quite as great as expected. However the staff as well as the atmosphere more than made up for cuisine not meeting the (admittedly high) expectations I had. The outside dining area is also VERY cool- we will certainly be back when the weather warms up!
Re: “The Original Ms. Rose's”
this well appointed bistro has great rooms, booths and out door seating... the ribs were perfect last night and the beer compliments a great menu... ORIGINAL MS ROSE may be a new refurbished place, but it's a winner on Sam Rittenberg, Sue & I love it
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Oak Steakhouse
This is one of my favorite downtown restaurants. I have tried every appetizer and always… -brewengineer
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Craftsmen Kitchen and Tap House
I finally made it into the peninsula to visit Craftsmen Kitchen, after a couple month… -brewengineer
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Charleston Bakery
Web site advertising, sign on door, and telephone message says hours are 7 AM to… -Jim McKelvey
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This is truly the tastiest Chinese food in recent memory. After 10 years living near… -drval
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Phuong Restaurant
Yes! -Paul Cheney
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Rezoning the Sergeant Jasper apartment building will have a big effect on what replaces it
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City Paper's overview critic Jeffrey Day has some insights into the 2013 festival
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Three distilleries pledge to raise spirits with more local booze
Ginning Up
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City Council considers requiring bar security to patrol sidewalks, parking lots
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Re: “Craftsmen Kitchen and Tap House”
"Fucking obnoxious review."
What is obnoxious about writing a thorough review with likes and dislikes, coming from someone who has worked in the industry and been pushing/drinking/brewing craft beer for over a decade? Maybe I should have just used your intelligent review model, and stuck to three sentences and no real content. That will really help the restaurant improve things. Maybe next time you bless someone with your own criticism, you could actually just add a review or contribute something meaningful.