Buy Tickets to Charleston's Hottest Events
Win Tickets to Mt. Pleasant Int'l BeerFest!
Browse News+Opinion
Browse Calendar+Scene
Browse Arts+Movies
Browse Food+Drink
Browse Music+Clubs
Comment Archives: Locations: Bars + Clubs: 4 Stars
Re: “Laura Alberts Tasteful Options”
Best lunch on DI, hands down. Reasonably priced considering the portion size (I took half of my huge $13 sandwich home!) They always have some rare beer on tap.
Re: “Triangle Char and Bar”
Definitely the burgers are awesome! I ordered two, one for there, one to take home (the yank, the hot shit) and both were awesome and juicy. I like mine pretty rare, and it was cooked wonderfully. However, another member of our party ordered a medium rare and it came out lookin fresh outta the grinder. They took it back graciously though and fixed him a new burger. I was impressed by the beer selection, though I admittably don't know much about that...It was loud and busy and the waitstaff was only okay, but it's a burger and bar joint - i expect that sort of environment. The hostess was a little flighty, and the to-go burger was plainly forgotten about - but they got it straight to me. I would def go back, and rank it as the best burger place I've tried yet in the area, though the service could use a slightly happier personality.
Re: “Neil Jordan's Steakhouse”
Neil's serves stellar steak dishes and the service is terrific. The wine list is appropriately varied and reasonably priced. Every time I've dined there, the bar area is lively - looks like a great gathering place for locals in the 17 North area. It's also really nice that Neil himself usually stops in at your table and checks on your meal.
Re: “Taco Boy”
Anyone who does not make me choose a Sangria or Margarita, but instead puts frozen margarita IN my Sangria, gets my vote. I love the large portion of delicious guacamole - - large enough that I don't resent sharing. The corn on the cob with the spicy sauce is just delicious. And the tacos make my inner foodie very happy.
Re: “Red Drum”
Red Drum has traditionally been more of a scene than a restaurant. Recently, however, they have changed course and now offer some of the best food, if not in Charleston, at least in Mt. Pleasant, and at a reasonable price. It's important to note this change, because if you've been before, you owe it to yourself to try it again.
Old Red Drum: Whose Porsche is parked out front? Food is ok. Atmosphere a little stuffy. Check seems very expensive. No, seriously, that's a nice Porsche.
New Red Drum: The economy gets blamed for messing up a lot of good things. There are a few restaurants in town, however, that have had to really improve their quality to stay relevant now that their real estate agent clientele have left and they're having to cater to people with discerning tastes. Red Drum is a prime example of this (also Cypress). When it came time to sink or swim, they learned backstroke.
It is possible to get a great dinner here, both on the cheap or going all out. The pork tacos are bargain priced but pack a real punch of flavor. The fried local shrimp are similarly priced, and are done right. Give me those two on a plate with one of their mojitos or margaritas, and I'm happy and only out 20 bucks.
For the finer dining side, the pork chop is one of the best in town. It's better prepared than Brett McKee's 17 North chop, although it lacks 17 North's delicious smoke. I'll call it a tie, and for anyone that knows to pick a good pork chop over an OK steak, you need to try Red Drum's. Speaking of steak, the hanger with frites is a great example of meat and potatoes at its finest. The scallops are also a solid choice and well prepared. The wine list is good and, while not cheap, reasonably priced.
Even if it's only to try the pork chop, it's worth another visit to see how a bad economy can make a good restaurant.
Re: “The Ice House”
Great bar for hanging out with friends and enjoying drinks at a resonable price. The staff all knows your name and treats you as part of the IceHouse Family. Good selection of music that isn't played at a level that you can't hear yourself think. Will give it 5 stars when summerville goes non smoking.
Blaine
Re: “Buddy Roe's Shrimp Shack”
I've been going to Buddy Roe's for about 4 years now and absolutely LOVE IT!! They always have great entertainment and good food. Love the outside deck. If you want to dance the night away this is the place to come to. Ronnie and Kim Johnson are very good, down to earth,honest people. I very highly recommend Buddy Roe's. Diana Talbott
Re: “O'Brion's Pub & Grille”
Great atmosphere. Friendly and attractive staff. Many beer selections and great food for pub fare. Highly recommend.
Re: “Poe's Tavern”
When we know we want a quick bite at a place we can always count on to deliver, we head to Poe’s. You know that when you order your favorite item it’s going to be delivered to you quickly and “Just right”.
We decided to go to Poe’s on a Sunday when most restaurants serve Brunch only, and brunch just wasn’t grabbing us. Poe’s is a typical beach bar on Middle Street in Sullivan’s Island. It sits among a few restaurants in a one block area. When other restaurants might be slow, Poe’s is most often packed. There is seating on a two level patio outside, and even on very hot days the crowd overflows to the patio.
I personally don’t know the history on Poe’s but it appears that it has been around since Moby Dick was a guppy. It was apparently founded to preserve the spirit of Edgar Allan Poe. It’s a nondescript place, old tables and chairs, some community tables and high tops, a large draft beer selection and t-shirts for sale and the burgers are named for Edgar Allan Poe stories like the "Tell-Tale Heart": fried egg, applewood bacon, and cheddar cheese. Like I said…… nondescript. T don’t let that put you off.
Their menu is limited, which is a good thing, for this is a place that does a few things great, not good, but great. My husband and I ordered our usual, chicken sandwich for me burger for the big guy. There are a variety of ways that these can be ordered and so we decided to go with the special of the day with a little twist. The special was topped (either chicken or hamburger) with Pepper jack cheese and fried pickles. I ordered mine topped with Cheddar cheese and fried pickles as I never had a fried pickle before.
Although somewhat routine as we always order the same or similar items I’ve found that when I’ve ordered other menu items I’m disappointed and missing my old friends. Our sandwiches came out quickly and were perfect. The fried pickles… were off the hook! The bartender (we were seated at the bar), was quick to ensure that everything was to our liking. The bartender himself is also a fixture at Poe’s. We’ve been going there for six years and he’s almost always there. ‘Don’t know his name, but he’s always there – another thing we can count on, good service.
We left with full stomachs, a very small dent in our wallet and a smile on our faces. When you go there look past the surroundings and directly to the menu. You won’t be disappointed.
Re: “Foster's Pub”
This bar is a WELCOME change from the stuffed up and stuck up locations around it. (Not naming, but you KNOW what I'm talking about) The atmosphere is worth the trip here, and a good time is usually had by all. The great beer selection is impressive, and the jukebox is instant-fun.
I've been in roughly 15 times, and have come to the following conclusions:
-The bartenders here do NOT care about women sitting at their bar. While I understand that women generally tip less, I wonder if these bartenders aren't propagating that problem. (I'm a waitress myself, and never tip under 20%, but the service here remains consistently inattentive and cold.) I would not mention this if it had only happened to me, but it's a consistent assumption here. Other people have said it as well.
-If you are not a regular and you come in late night (after 10pm, they close at 2), prepare to be the last priority in the joint. The servers are closing out, and downing beers at the end of the bar with the still-working bartenders. I get it, after a long day you want to unwind. But this means that the bartenders and owners are all crowded up and getting wasted, and won't be taking a drink order from you for a WHILE.
-Don't order cocktails that require a shaker. Usually it will have the taste of whatever shot was made before still left in it.
So as long as you sit down at the bar realizing that the service isn't going to wow you in any way, you're in for a good time. It's really just a gaggle of people looking to get drunk. Don't try to make it into an experience of anything else. And don't get hustled in pool.
Re: “Husk Restaurant”
Husk does the Haute Down Home thing well, in a highly attractive package and hits most of the high notes.
1. Excellent presentation, atmosphere, design and setting
2. Copious bourbon list, good draughts, didn't look at the wine
3. Attentive and very good staff
4. The entrees were $22 and up... at this price point I expect consistent "wow." The food was very good but not consistently exciting: the beef tenderloin was the chief culprit. My duck came with this quinoa and butternut squash side and the whole thing was delicious. The cornbread and "finest hams" appetizer were both really terrific.
5. EVERYTHING has meat in it. The cornbread has bacon (YUM), the butter has pork reduction, the veggies have pork. That's not a complaint, just an FYI.
6. The bar doesn't have the capability of making anything interesting for pregnant ladies. Another down-check compared to other downtown competitors. A small complaint, meaningless for most.
I was a little confused as to why people go to $120/couple meals and dress like they've just wrapped up errands at the mall. I'd say half of the patrons were dressed too casually. Yeah, I know... it's Charleston, but these weren't all tourists.
Re: “Husk Restaurant”
Spent an hour at the bar two nights ago, awesome experience, one of the classier bars I've been to in Charleston and the pre-prohibition cocktails are bangin.
Re: “O'Brion's Pub & Grille”
Love this place! The staff is friendly and accommodating! My family and I usually go in for an early dinner...the orange burger is our favorite! I was pleasantly surprised to find out they do half price burgers on Tuesday nights. Then today I learned they do bottomless mimosas on Sundays, which was a great treat for my girlfriends and I! We needed a place like this on our side of town, and I'm glad we finally have one!
Re: “Al di La”
Well made Italian food, nice atmosphere/location. Really nice wine selection. I'd say it lived up to our expectations, which were fairly high.
We agreed that we've had better Italian, but this is a close second.
There is room for improvement... our server rushed us and seemed disinterested in describing the dishes, for example.
Re: “Madra Rua”
Great place for a pint o' beer... good atmosphere for hanging with friends (4+ stars). The food is good, but not wow, fairly typical (3 stars).
Re: “Charleston Beer Works”
great beer selection, great games to play while there, always have every game on TV, and there is always a ton of good looking coed's there.
Re: “Mosaic Cafe & Catering”
We ate here for the first time because it was close to the movie theatre. We will DEFINITELY go back!
the starter bread was delicious - had to stop myself from gorging on it.
I had a simple parmesan crusted chicken breast with field greens on top. A small plate (figuring on popcorn later, you know!) and it was perfect! My husband had the seafood mac and cheese - the shrimp were PERFECTLY cooked. Most places overcook their shrimp - and it would be easy to do in a casserole type dish. These were wonderful.
Our friends had a chicken pasta and shrimp and grits. Both loved them - We were all members of the clean plate club!
Pretty decent service - but really, we were there before 6:00 p.m. - the restaurant was so not busy. We thought the prices were reasonable, too.
I said to my husband and friends, we can go back - and not even if we're going to a movie! This is high praise, as we live on James Island and this is slightly out of our way!
Re: “Mercato”
First off the atmosphere is perfect for a date. The wine choice is excellent as well. The last time we went there though I had the lasagna and the bottom was burnt... The other times that we have been there though the food has been really good. I like that they have live jazz music as well.
Re: “Mike Calder's Buffalo Pub”
rayjay is a pissed-and-bitter out-of-towner who was so juvenile that he pouted and asked for the remainder of his dinner order to go and did not leave a tip, even after the staff explained the situation to him (I was a regular local patron at the bar that night as well). This is an awesome hangout and highly favored by locals and visitors alike.
- S.C. couple sues MUSC over unnecessary sex reassignment surgery7 comments
- Cartoon 'child porn' & 3D printer guns, the 1st Amendment protects them both6 comments
- Steve Martin and Edie Brickell are a match made in bluegrass heaven5 comments
- Nikki Haley appoints member of white power organization to campaign6 comments
- Violinist Seth G Plays Bieber and Bach2 comments
- Mark Sanford rises from the dead13 comments
-
Oak Steakhouse
This is one of my favorite downtown restaurants. I have tried every appetizer and always… -brewengineer
-
Craftsmen Kitchen and Tap House
I finally made it into the peninsula to visit Craftsmen Kitchen, after a couple month… -brewengineer
-
Charleston Bakery
Web site advertising, sign on door, and telephone message says hours are 7 AM to… -Jim McKelvey
-
Chopsticks House
This is truly the tastiest Chinese food in recent memory. After 10 years living near… -drval
-
Phuong Restaurant
Yes! -Paul Cheney
-
Steve Martin and Edie Brickell are a match made in bluegrass heaven
Love Has Come for Them
-
The Film Incentive Bill hurts you and me
TV Casualties
-
Nikki Haley appoints member of white power organization to campaign
Roan Garcia-Quintana is board member of Council of Concerned Citizens
-
Weekend Round-Up: Welcome, Spoletians
The best events in Charleston May 24-26
-
Mark Sanford rises from the dead
Rep. Lazarus
Re: “Bambu”
Been there twice in the last two weeks, first with a big group for a business occasion, went back this week with a friend because the first visit was so good. Seems they've changed their menu, it's smaller, but I think they're focusing more on quality than on quantity of items. Both times, the service was really good - the wait staff was attentive & knowledgeable, but not in your face. Sometimes with a big group it's not as great as when you're with a smaller party, but they were good & really welcoming. They were even willing to change a few things, & all the food came out quickly. With the big group, had a bunch of appetizers, all of them were really good, especially the edamame & spinach dip. They have some great sushi, some of the best we've had, some were kind of spicy, excellent. With my friend, we shared some of the small plates, the tuna was a bit overdone, but the hanger steak was delicious, also more sushi.
We also had a few of their specialty drinks, the Thai Basil Lemonade is great - pretty creative. AND, the outdoor patio is awesome - this place will be on our list of favorite restaurants.