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Comment Archives: Locations
Re: “Early Bird Diner”
DON'T try the catfish Po' Boy. An overcooked (previously frozen?) filet served on a big dense/doughy roll with a smear of unseasoned remoulade and topped with wilted lettuce. Accompanying side order of FGTs was mealy with tasteless but crunchy crust. Great iced tea. Other than the food being undesirable, I found the the place to be disgustingly dirty. You can just about see the germs crawling around on all the childrens books and toys. Overall, mediocre at best.
Re: “Wings Neighborhood Bar & Grill”
Hey peeps DJ Mike the Knight here. Come join me tonight from 8-12 for some karaoke. Come have some hot wings and cold drinks. Hope to see ya there tonight.
Re: “Xiao Bao Biscuit”
I have been a long-time supporter of D and Josh as they have worked through opening XBB. We went to several of their pop-ups and were excited to help them get off the ground since Charleston lacks good Asian food.
They opened while we were out of town so when we went they had been open about a week. We were told the menu that night was different from their regular one, and it was divided into Appetizers and Mains. We ordered shrimp toast and tofu laab appetizers, then the shao bing -- fried chicken with a sweet and spicy glaze served with pickled vegetables -- and a papaya salad with pork for mains. Our waiter said the appetizers would be out shortly. About 20 minutes later three of the dishes appeared at once and the waiter said he would be back with the shao bing.
As I looked over what we had my first thought was "Is that all?" The laab was about 1/4 of a cup of minced tofu and three small bibb lettuce leaves. The shrimp toast was four slices of baguette, each with about 1T of shrimp mixture smeared thinly on them. The papaya salad was slightly more substantial, but it was mostly papaya and only had three small pieces of pork on top. The shao bing was delivered, and my partner literally asked the waiter "Is that it?" For $8 he got a small piece of fried chicken, on a biscuit, with two pieces of pickled cauliflower and one thin slice of pickled carrot on the side. Once we got past the shock of the minuscule portion, we both reached for the menu to see if it said there was a biscuit involved. It didn't. That menu confusion continued as we started eating.
I decided to start by tasting the papaya salad, and was greeted by an explosion of chilies. I don't mind heat, but the menu did not say this dish was spicy. It didn't even mention chilies as one of the ingredients. It was so hot that I couldn't even taste the laab or shrimp toast.
One of the owners came to clear our table and I mentioned that the dish was very spicy. She lit up and beamed with apparent pride, saying they wanted it to be authentic. I pointed out that it should say it on the menu and told her about not being able to taste the milder flavors in the other dishes. She quickly cleared the table and hurried off.
What I could taste was excellent. Everything was treated properly and true to the original dishes. However, the portions were embarrassingly small. We ended up spending nearly $50, including one beer each, and left hungry enough that we heated up some leftovers when we got home.
We're going to give them a month or so before we head back.
Re: “The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene”
I've lived here for 15 years and my partner is a native Charlestonian. Despite what the review previous to mine says, locals *do* eat at The Wreck because, for what it is, The Wreck is excellent. It's not FIG or McCrady's, but it is impeccably fresh seafood prepared well and served in an unpretentious environment.
Yeah the owner is a grumpy old man until you get to know him, and nearly all the staff are his relatives. They do their own thing and will not cater to you. That's part of the charm. If it's not your style, don't go. But if you do go, don't bitch about it because you have been warned.
Re: “Ladles Homemade Soups”
Used to love Ladles (W. Ashley)... went yesterday and the soup was room temperature and very bland ("loaded" potato -- though they left off the "loaded" part, and lemon greek chicken). The staff was friendly, but very confused and were messing up everyone's orders (it's just soup and sandwiches!).
Disappointing.
Re: “Ladles Homemade Soups”
In a word... Disappointing. The good. Friendly staff, Greek salad, sandwich. The bad. Dirty tables, food on the floor, room temperature soup, plastic bowls and utinsels, one third of their soup selections not available. On the soups we had... Loaded potato was bland. She crab was floury (yes, that's a real word). One can only deduct that the soups that weren't available on an early Satuday evening are the only ones worth trying. Won't bother visiting again. This was the Mt P location.
Re: “Crab Shack”
ZERO STARS: When I read that Southern Living had chosen The Crab Shack, along with three other seafood places within a few miles of Charleston in their list of ten best, I immediately had to find a way to thank the publication. As a Lowcountry Native I cannot express enough gratitude to Southern Living for steering the tourist crowds away from all of the sanitary dining establishments where edible food is prepared and served without an attitude so we locals can enjoy shorter wait times before being seated at a table. Either the creators of this list had that goal exactly in mind or did not bother to actually eat at The Crab Shack, Bowens Island, See Wee, or the The Wreck as it is a well known fact among those who reside here that along with Hyman's Seafood (another past recipient of Southern Living accolades) these "so called" dining establishments rank among the absolute worst the area has to offer in all categories. It is difficult to imagine how Southern Living could possibly miss the mark so badly with these particular four choices in just one article. However, for those who doubt the accuracy of the assessment in this comment, please come experience these places for yourself then decide. No doubt their cash registers are counting on your visit.
Re: “O-Ku”
Pretentious, dreadful, so noisy that it was hard to place our orders and we were hoarse when we left. Food mediocre and overpriced. Voting with my wallet, never again.
Re: “Heart Woodfire Kitchen”
Finally a JI spot with clean food, good drinks, and laid back scene. Thanks Devin and staff for almost a year of friendly dining. Grab a seat at the bar and assure your stay will pass by like hot cocoa in the fetal position watching the snow pass in the cascade mountains.
Re: “Montreux Bar and Grill”
Unless your a smoker, there's nowhere in this bar to just hang out and chat/drink with your friends. Two bands, one in front and one in back on a Saturday night. We used to go here often but the atmosphere is just going downhill. The menu has few worthy dishes but there are far better places to eat. They cram people into this place like sardines. Its No wonder fights break out every weekend. Most of the bartenders do not know how to mix drinks. It really is a shame, this place used to be classy but now it's classless.
Re: “O-Ku”
I had a terrible experience - I was disappointed and underwhelmed by the food quality and service. The staff is unfamiliar with the contents of the menu and do not communicate clearly. My order was incorrectly delivered and they served poor quality dishes. When I showed the piece of sashimi that looked as if it had been torn off by a dog, the waitress did not offer to replace the dish. The sushi roll just falls apart and they served lettuce that was not fresh. Not to mention that they had a repairman clinking and clanking in the dining area while customers were still present and eating.
Re: “Tropical Sushi”
Have been to Tropical Sushi on four separate occasions and have had great service until this evening. I left the amount of the bill in cash with the receipt on the table and left a good tip on the other side of the table. As I was leaving the restaurant the waiter came out of the building and approached me in a very angry tone asking why I did not leave him more money. I asked if he was referring to his tip and he said yes. I let him know I left it on the table and his response was "I did not see it." I had to take him inside and show him the tip. I still received no apology, just another angry "well, I did not see it."
If you think a customer has not left a tip, you should not approach them at all. But, if you must approach them, a polite "I'm sorry, I did not see a tip. Did you mean to leave one?" would be a more appropriate response. I will never go to Tropical Sushi again.
Re: “Pawley's Front Porch”
Yeah, yeah, yeah, but it's in Mt. Pleasant, which is neither, and which I avoid at all costs.....
Re: “Med Bistro”
Re: chapmanbates review
This is the thing that ticks me off about poor restaurant service especially when you've been in the food and bev. business for years. A salad which costs about $2.00 in ingredients to make can be comped easily at no loss to a restaurant with the hope someone sees this as an act of faith to get a costumer back in again, improve quality, and gain more business from rave reviews.
As far as I'm concerned I'll never go to this place. Hopefully the management will read these comments and improve things quickly or perhaps comment on the poor service and why it is this way.
Re: “Pawley's Front Porch”
Great specialty burgers prepared with quality beef are the main attraction. The wide and creative selection of toppings makes up for minimal seasoning used in the nice, thick cooked-to-order patties. Table service during a recent luchtime visit was excellent, very attentive, and as an added bonus - extremely attractive. Comfortable interior decor and bar layout with some inviting outside tables for fair weather days. Hand cut fries were a little soggy and only lukewarm, otherwise Pawley's would receive all 5 stars. So many neighborhood bar and grills in Mount Pleasant totally miss the very basics of proper service, good food, cold beer, and a friendly atmosphere, but Pawley's is an example of how things should be done.
Re: “Leaf Café and Bar”
Leaf is a great place to eat and drink with excellent service. Contrary to popular belief, there are not that many "great" restaurants in Charleston, just a lot of them that would like you to think they are.
Re: “Angel Oak Restaurant”
These folks have it nailed! The service was spot on as soon as we walked in the door. It is a cozy open room with an eclectic/rustic decor. But I can tell that thought went in to every aspect of it. Right down to the re-used cork from a wine bottle used to hold a card with daily specials. The tables had vases with flowers and herbs in them, each one different than the next. The restaurant is owned and operated by a young couple. She came over and asked if it was our first time visiting and we confirmed that was. She then went through the menu with us, noting new items that had been added for the season. Our server was gracious and knowledgeable, and not over bearing or flippant. I could tell she was sizing us up as to what kind of dinners we were. (We were enjoying a nice dinner out as newlyweds). She defiantly adjusted her service style to accommodate us. She was quietly efficient but ready to answer any question or request.
The food was great, well priced and perfectly seasoned. I will say, that I really like escargot prepared the old fashioned way. No need to hide what it actually is in my opinion, so when that app came out pan fried I was a little disappointed. But other than that the food was spot on. From the pimento cheese dip down to the best mac-n-cheese I think Ive ever eaten. I had the fried chicken, which consisted of a breast, leg and thigh. It was perfect, light, crispy and not too greasy, with a hint of sweetness from the drizzle of local honey. The collards came in a separate pot, perfect for sharing, and they offered the vinegar on the side. Smart, because some folks don't like vinegar. I on the other hand love it and poured it right in. My husbands collards were so good that he actually had to stop me from helping myself to them. His country fried steak was also perfect. The beef is local and it really makes a difference. Sadly, we bith loved our entrees so much that we ate too much of them and had no room for the in house prepared desserts. Oh well, guess we will have to go back.
Long story, short. Great meal, great service and I didn't have that ripped off feeling when the bill came, that I get all too often at restaurants in the area.
Re: “Five Loaves Cafe”
From all standpoints: excellent!
Downtown cafe last Wed: great, fresh food for good value ie ultimate BLT, light potato cakes over spinach; soups are awesome....a varied menu; half/full portions available; dedicated wait staff, cool interior and location.
Really, a joy to discover! Order enough to take some home...
Re: “Med Bistro”
Last weekend.... ate here but with:
poor service-a blonde waitress who was more interested in talking with guys at the bar than seating us/serving us. Food only mediocre...the guy singing as entertainment was SO loud we could not carry on a conversation at our table.
Finally, Miss Waitress brought the check...I was to get back a few dollars and change. She brought the dollars but not the change...too lazy to count out the coins and thinking SHE would be keeping the change as part of her tip?
She did NOT get a grand tip from me, far from it.
Last time here.
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Re: “Ladles Homemade Soups”
Very dissapointing. We went to the Mt P location, and we had take out. The soup was SO bad that we actually went back with it instead of throwing it away and planning something else for dinner. There is no way a cook/chef made this soup as it had zero taste, way too much flour and the texture was appaling. Will never go back.