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Comment Archives: Locations: Restaurants

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!

8 of 10 people like this.
Posted by Safrican on February 24, 2013 at 7:18 PM

Re: “Xiao Bao Biscuit”

As soon as I opened the door, I knew this was going to be good. It just smelled right. It smelled like Asia.

Even though they do not focus on one cuisine (which certainly made me skeptical), they are taking great pains to make everything as authentic as possible. We have been three times and everything has been wonderful including Ramen, Bun Thit Nuong and the gorgeously sweet and spicy duck Geng Bped. While I can’t vouch for the authenticity of everything I have had there, the absolute authenticity of the dishes that I am VERY familiar with in their countries of origin gives me confidence in the ones that I unfortunately missed in my extensive Asian travels.

Until someone else starts making Asian food this authentic around here, you can charge me anything the hell you want.

Som Tam papaya salad is my favorite dish from any cuisine in the world and I have enjoyed it many times both in Thailand and Laos. Theirs is spot on. Everything you need to know about this restaurant comes from the fact that they don’t even ask if you want the dish prepared the way it is supposed to be or if you want it watered down for the American palette. It came nice and spicy without me having to plead and beg and unlike many Asian places around here they are not afraid of fish sauce. They serve it the way you would get it in Thailand or Laos without giving you the option of dumbing it down. Please don’t let anyone talk you out of this approach.

4 of 4 people like this.
Posted by Mr McFood on February 21, 2013 at 8:04 PM

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!

1 of 1 people like this.
Posted by Koramandie on February 20, 2013 at 5:20 PM

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

1 of 1 people like this.
Posted by AmericanAtheistFORMERClinicEscort on February 20, 2013 at 2:44 PM

Re: “Bombay Indian Restaurant”

I went there recently and had a conversation with the head cook/chef. He actually understands the nuances of cooking and leverages them to make some more complex dishes. Nirlep and ToI are simply a mediocre attempt at trying to replicate what their mothers taught them. I can outcook both of them and I am not exaggerating. Bombay's service has not been consistent, i.e. sometimes I would get excellent service and attention and sometimes it would be spotty at best. Their fresh naan is a definite win. I would say the buffet is a conventional option at many indian places, but I would recommend dining in and trying something more sophisticated instead of settling for buffet. The buffet is nice to get a sample of different elements of the thoroughfare, but if you are not a beginner when it comes to eating indian food, I recommend trying something from the non-buffet selection.

Posted by TheBicep on February 20, 2013 at 9:33 AM

Re: “Mi Xao”

Huge portions, affordable prices, delicious food, and great service. What more could you ask for?

1 of 1 people like this.
Posted by joshl725 on February 19, 2013 at 12:29 PM

Re: “Sticky Fingers”

I grew up in the lowcountry and as a kid stayed up all night many a time drinking beer and cooking whole hogs in backyard pits. REAL lowcountry BBQ. Sticky Fingers, IMO, is grossly overrated. It's Memphis style BBQ, not SC or lowcountry BBQ. If you want some serious BBQ, drive to Holly Hill and eat at Sweatman's or go to Conway for meat from Scott's. There are dozens of mom & pop BBQ joints within 70 miles of the coast that put Sticky Fingers to shame. Brown's in Kingstree is fantastic!! Here in Charleston the best places for Carolina style or lowcountry BBQ are Duke's on Folly Road and JB's Smokeshack on Maybank over on Johns Island.

Posted by Ned Hill on February 18, 2013 at 6:12 PM

Re: “Sticky Fingers”

Great food, super service. Hosted a large party for lunch during our wedding weekend and almost everyone in the party bought the BBQ sauce sampler - it was THAT good.

Posted by AliWalkerB on February 16, 2013 at 10:20 PM

Re: “The Original Ms. Rose's”

We've been there twice and found the service to be both friendly and attentive. The decor is really striking and I enjoy it. Their brunch benedict and chocolate french toast dishes were superb. The sausage sandwich is good but only if you like State Fair-level greasy. The bbq meatloaf sandwich is just as good as it sounds. The fried fish sandwich was a bit dry.

All in all, it is our current "go to" lunch spot for Sam Rittenburg-area shopping trips.

1 of 1 people like this.
Posted by factoryconnection on February 15, 2013 at 5:01 PM

Re: “The Original Ms. Rose's”

I was so excited to try out Ms. Rose's and walked away disappointed.
The food was so so but the service was terrible. Our server forgot our appitizer, let our water glasses sit empty and we had to remind her we ordered a second round of cocktails.
We ordered the gnocchi and a ruben. I asked to subsitute the protien in the gnocchi and our server said there was an upcharge, which i expected but it was her delivery that threw me off. The gnocchi was good, lots of flavor. The ruben was just average. I will give them credit for their fries. They were awsome.
I won't rush back anytime soon.

Posted by elsmoak on February 15, 2013 at 3:54 PM

Re: “The Ordinary”

There were 6 of us, the portions are too small for that large a group for sharing. Be SURE to ask what the price of anything labeled "market price" or you will be in for a rude awakening. The night we went we spent 5 bucks PER OYSTER, 60 bucks for a dozen raw oysters. There should have at least been a little pearl in them. Meat lovers beware, this is truly a seafood restaurant.

7 of 8 people like this.
Posted by Little Nell on February 15, 2013 at 11:20 AM

Re: “Fire Street Food”

Service is just kind of meh. Atmosphere also leaves something to be desired, as the tables are kind of cramped in the very narrow space.

The food, however, is outstanding and reasonably priced. Best curry this side of Calhoun. Working on King street, I eat here at least once a week.

Posted by queenofthefoodage on February 14, 2013 at 4:06 PM

Re: “Wild Flour”

Love love love Wildflour!!! Delicious savory scones & very reasonable prices. My dog also loves her dog cookies. :) Coffee is delic. also

1 of 1 people like this.
Posted by feh9b on February 14, 2013 at 3:38 AM

Re: “Macaroon Boutique”

For our June '12 wedding, we included treats from Macaroon Boutique in the guests' welcome bags. The macaroons were not available {only at Christmas?} but we had the chocolate/sea salt cookies and madelines. Everyone raved about the quality and we were so happy to recommend such a top notch local business.

Posted by AliWalkerB on February 13, 2013 at 9:58 PM

Re: “Wild Flour”

YuM! Best bakery and coffee shop in Charleston, sooo good.

1 of 2 people like this.
Posted by Jeanna Crockett on February 13, 2013 at 2:55 PM

Re: “Fire Street Food”

My husband and I had food from here twice for takeout and once to dine in (in the span of about 2 weeks). We've tried a variety of the items on the menu, and everything has been terriffic. The service was more than fine the time we ate there. I highly recommend the Pad Thai and the Laos Egg Noodle Soup with Braised Pork. You can't beat the food for the price! It's one of our new favorites.

Posted by Colleen on February 13, 2013 at 2:48 PM

Re: “The Rarebit”

Drinks and ginger beer were yummy but a bit pricey. Didn't care for the food after it arrived, I was really excited because the burger was so fairly priced but when it came out it looked like I had just gone through the McDonalds drive thru. Was still hungry when we left.

3 of 4 people like this.
Posted by OutdoorEnthus on February 13, 2013 at 2:16 PM

Re: “Fire Street Food”

Great food for a great price.

Posted by Michaela Cooper on February 13, 2013 at 2:12 PM

Re: “The Macintosh”

I love Macintosh for Sunday brunch and for dinner. I am always pleasantly surprised with my dishes and great service.

I hear what others are saying about it being loud and dim. I haven't had a problem reading the menu, and enjoy the active atmosphere. Romantic its not, so if that is what you are looking for, I'd try some where else. But if you are looking for an energetic scene and some seriously good food, this is a great choice.

Favorites include:
Poutine
Pork Belly
Gnudi (drool)
Tilefish - YUM!

Posted by Q on February 13, 2013 at 1:49 PM

Re: “MEX 1”

Love the style and the location is great in Avondale! Great beer selection and the food that I ordered was very good, albeit the presentation was a little lacking. I was however, a little disappointed in the margaritas. They taste wonderful, slightly sweet and tart, but when I think of a Mexican restaurant, I really picture large margaritas - not a small cynlinder glass filled with mostly ice. I want a giant margarita - at a good price. Otherwise, they seem successful and I hope that it continues!

3 of 5 people like this.
Posted by clemsonMUSC on February 12, 2013 at 3:27 PM
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