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Comment Archives: Locations: Bars + Clubs: 3 Stars
Re: “Poe's Tavern”
Have been here many times, but never a review. This can serve as a compilation I guess. Food: menu is small but the burgers and tacos are good. I have probably ordered the tuna tacos 80% of the time, mahi tacos 10%, and burger the rest of the time. All are good and safe bets. My wife orders the buffalo shrimp salad most of the time. Also, fries are some of the best in the area.
The beer at Poes is OK, decent amount of drafts, but most wasted on inane products. I have also been here when the draft system has been down, the beer tasted flat, and have also got a different beer than I ordered. For the most part though, the beer was served acceptably.
Last time I was there, I was squinting to see what was on tap when the bartender said the list is on the board. The list on the board is firstly not up to date and secondly only lists the brewery not the beer. This is something I find more and more with uneducated servers. I have ranted about this before. When asked what beers they have, they answer with the name of the brewery and omit which style. This probably comes from their macro upbringing in the beverage industry. Nobody ever says which Budweiser is that on tap? Needless to say, I never did find out what Kona was on tap although I wouldn’t have ordered it anyway. A second thing that happened after the first bartender left (shift change) was a server asked the bartender which Southern Tier and where it was from? This is a tourist destination so they were likely looking for a local product. The bartender did tell her the type, but just said I don’t know about location, not “so and so knows” or “I will find out.” Anyway, I told her Lakewood, NY and she looked at me and said “is that really where it is from?” I was thinking no, I go around to bars and make up places when people ask where a brewery is from. Minor point: most, not all of the bartenders think they are something special. Servers have been better.
The last item that is a peeve is when they are busy, it is a crapshoot for a table. You are forced to hawk over people trying to guess which one will finish first. Sometimes, if you have good Karma, a table opens up as you walk up, but then you probably gain bad Karma because there is likely someone else somewhere else in the place who has been waiting longer. The answer to this is they are busy enough where they don’t care, just be forewarned.
Will I go back, duh, yes. I just wish they cared more about the customer and the beer.
Re: “FIG”
FIG is an interesting place. The menu is great with lots of fresh choices. However, the portions were tiny and expensive. I was not expecting a huge plate full of food but considering that sides are extra I expected the entree to be filling. I'll probably try it again since the menu was so good but hoepfully I can find someone else to pay!
Re: “Mike Calder's Buffalo Pub”
Solid spot for a good guiness and good food. Went for dinner last week. The menu is nothing special, the usual bar type food, sandwiches, burgers, etc. I got the rueben. It was pretty good. The bread maintained it's integrity nicely and didn't flatten panini style (which i can't stand) after being toasted on the grill.
All-in-all, a good spot for a bite to eat, drink a couple beers, and watch some sports.
Re: “Morgan Creek Grill”
Great place for a sunset dinner. Better in the off season, but that goes for most places in the chs area. Have dinner then head upstairs for a drink and take in the sunset. Food was good and service great.
Re: “EVO”
I don't know about "best pizza in charleston" but that's only becuase I haven't tried it all yet! Went in for lunch and ordered the margherita pizza. It was delicious! I moved to Charleston from DC and these pies definetly rival the famous 2 Amy's in DC. EVO is definitely worth it for the pizza. Also got the arugula salad with procuitto; light, delicious, perfect starter to the thin italian style pies.
Re: “Foster's Pub”
My wife and I came in last night for the grand opening. We actually didn't know this place was even here. We pulled in after seeing the guy on the corner putting up the grand opening sign. I admit I know little about beer, being a Blue Moon and a PBR kinda guy. I was quickly told about the Allagash which I enjoyed very much. The Bartender, Kevin, was very nice and quite helpful.
We came in at the time that they were setting up a little tasting buffet. I really enjoyed the onion rings and the spinach dip, though it was a little runny . The crab cakes weren't as good as most I've had, but my wife loved them so maybe it was a matter of taste.
The menu is okay. Not the best, but not the worse I've seen in a pub. Qasadillas and natchos don't fit on a pub menu in my opinion. I also would have liked to have seen a few stables on the entree menu, Shepard's Pie and the like. I ended up having the fish and chips and my wife had a burger. We both really enjoyed our food, my fish was cooked a little too done, and I did not get the blue cheese slaw the menu said came with it, but the batter was good with lots of pepper which I like, and it was so much I didn't even need the slaw. My wife's burger was perfect to the T and the fries were good. We really liked the peppery ketchup we got with the fries.
I know the place is new and just opening, but I would like to see some more entree type items on the menu, not just fried food and sandwiches. All and all we had a good time and enjoyed our food. We'll be back, I'm sure, but probably not at night again. This seems like a great place to come for a quick in and out lunch.
Re: “Smoky Oak Taproom”
Service was severly lacking~even sitting at the bar. A friend of mine sat at the bar to place a to go order and was never helped after getting her first drink. She ended up ordering a take out from another restaurant while waiting. Food is good as long as you have the patience.
Re: “Carolina Crust Gourmet Pizza”
I think the comments are a tad bit extreme. The chairs around the tables are uncomfortable, however, the bar stools are great. The pizza is wonderful, especially "The Joe". You can find anything to complain about if you want to. I do hope that the owners will pay a little bit more attention to the service. You have an excellant opportunity going for you. The menu is delicious. You tend to have a dissappearing act going on there though. Sometimes it seems like it may be a "Serve Yourself" bar.
Re: “Midtown Bar & Grill”
I have visited twice before, once at 10pm on a Friday and again at midnight on a Thursday. The bar itself is nice with a cool outdoor patio in the back. The bartenders are OK, not the best, not the worst. Both times when I visited all the bartenders were males, no cute girls. The service was good and the bartenders are on par with the rest of Charleston I would say.
The bar itself has a good crowd, typically a younger crowd. I rate this bar as average, a neat spot but offering nothing really new or special. I don't see what they have to offer over the neighboring bar O'Malleys, which has much better food and service and doesn't feel as cramped.
Overall I would give a three-star rating
PS Beware of testimonies by users who registered the same day as the review and only have 1 post.
Re: “Blind Tiger”
Three stars. The pub boasts a decent beer selection, and the bartenders are professional, efficient, and courteous. On the other hand, management is quite the opposite. Home of the infamous "bar stool bandit." You know who you are. Ladies and gentlemen, don't dare leave you seat. If you do, then be prepared to head for the street.
Re: “Alluette's Jazz Cafe”
A cool place with great atmosphere but i havent been back since the first time i went there with a friend.... after we spent 30-40 dollars plus tip for drinks and food, they came around with a tip jar for the band...i gave a few dollars because i like to support live music ( and i thought i might get a dirty, shameful look if i didnt) but i thought it was a little tacky how they handled it. Left a bad taste in my mouth anyways.
Re: “Smoky Oak Taproom”
I'm happy with the beer selection, the atmosphere is very nice, the food is good. I really only have a few issues with the place. The first one is the table service. Quite slow, didn't get silverware, waited about 10 minutes for drinks. The waitress also took 15 minutes to get our check when we were ready to go. She rationalized it by saying, "I've been out for a while, so, you know." The food was good for the most part. I was pleased that there was a difference between the regular and large BBQ plates. The only issue was my brisket. I'm from KCMO, so I know my beef BBQ. It tasted great, very tender. However, there was a TON of fat on mine. I would estimate about 40% of my meat. I know a good brisket will have some, but it's easily trimmed before serving. It made the meal not worth the price based on the amount of meat wasted. The last complaint I have about the place is the exposed air duct running across the ceiling. It was apparently very humid because there was a lot of condensation that kept dripping on me throughout the evening. If the service improves at the tables I'll have a much higher opinion. The bar service is excellent, they use your name, don't force drinks down your throat, etc. Overall a good place but not without it's flaws.
Jeff
James Island SC
Re: “Smoky Oak Taproom”
I ordered take-out from here Friday. The ribs were falling off the bone good. However, the mac and cheese and the appetizers were a disappointment. The macaroni was flavorless. The stuffed jalapenos and the bacon were underdone. The potato skins were actually halved whole potatoes with a sliver of chicken on top. They were also undercooked. I will give them another try for the pizzas or sandwiches, but skip the apps.
Re: “Queen Anne's Revenge”
Ate here this evening with the family. It was an enjoyable meal but nothing to write home about. The service was slowish (water and drink glasses were empty before a server came around AND we were promised bread with the meal THREE times and it NEVER came). Prices were reasonable.
The music on the patio was an added bonus.
Will return but not soon.....there are many better places in Mt P and Daniel Island to go to.
Re: “Club Habana”
Pretty cool place, visited with the b-friend on a Saturday night after dinner at Fleet Landing. More folks arrived the later it got, but we had a couch/room to ourselves for quite a while. Friendly staff, but kind of pricey (6 liquor drinks & tip ~ $50). But still a swanky, cool kind of place.
Re: “Moe's Crosstown Tavern”
Staff has always been pleasant, I like the fact that they all seem to help out each other with food orders, drinks, bussing tables, keeping the place clean... $2 Pacificos are jim-dandy by me, the jerk chicken sanwich is yummy, and the fries are awesome. Never thought about it for brunch...may try it out soon!
Re: “Vickery's Bar and Grill”
Decent brunch, good sandwiches, eating on the patio is great when there's a good breeze outside. Vickery's is our "stand-by /go-to" when we just cant decide or everywhere else is too blown up with folks...
Re: “Madra Rua”
Always enjoy popping into here for a drink or three..the atmosphere is quite chill, love the tucked away tables and booths. My only wish is that they would serve more of those lovely beers in bottles, as draught beer gives me a wicked headache!!
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Re: “Poe's Tavern”
I agree with Aleyeat's last paragraph regarding busy nights and getting a table. If you're that busy, put a hostess on the floor. Why should the customer be put in the position to pester other customers by hoovering over them while they hopefully finish. And then it happens to you when you're winding down. Hey, but it's Poe's... Like Paris Hilton. Famous for being famous.