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Al di La 

25 Magnolia Road
Charleston, SC 29407
West Ashley
(843) 571-2321

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Not much has changed at Al di La since founding chef/owner John Marshall left for a new adventure a couple years back. His protégé Mark Kohn (a.k.a. "Flako") took over the business, and with the help of his loyal girlfriend, Gillian, runs it in much the same way that Marshall did — with warm hospitality and a focus on great food. The small menu sings with simplicity, changing based on availability and seasonality of ingredients. The popular bar next door has wood-fired pizzettes, plenty of salumi and cheese, and oh-so-refreshing glasses of campari and bellini. —Jeff Allen, Dish (Summer 2009)

Restaurant Details

This Northern Italian trattoria is a staff and reader favorite, offering fresh pasta and a reasonable wine list. Voted Best West Ashley Restaurant and Best Italian by CP readers.

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Hours: L&D, closed Sun. & Mon.
Price: $$$

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Reviews/comments (9) RSS

Showing 1-5 of 9

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F-
The attitude alone in this place left a bad taste in my mouth. The very put-off "hostess" at the front door was lacking enough that I should have known better. we started with an extra salty excuse for bread that was inedible. Second red flag. Bad bread?!
I ordered Risotto with scallops, well done, as I like my seafood cooked thoroughly with charred peaks. I specifically told the waiter to tell the cook to burn them.
The scallops came lightly pan seared on one side and hardly cooked through. As I poked at the most done of the three scallops and the fair offering of rice and asparagus, I sent the other two back and told the waiter to tell the cook not be shy and cook them hard. The scallops returned just as they had left. As if the culinary school dropout in the back room protested that I don't know how I like to eat scallops. I left them in the small plate on which they had been sent back and complained to the waiter that they had not been cooked one second more. He argued that they had been cooked "5-10 minutes more in the pan." Impossible- 10 minutes?! An absolutely lie. They had not even been turned as one side was white and the insides still barley coagulated jelly. Thank God I had a decent glass of Cab to calm my nerves.
He then tried to offer a dessert in exchange for dinner! I went there for dinner. I still had not eaten dinner and was still hungry for dinner- not dessert!
I declined and he brought the check at full price (not that I am looking for free dinner, just to pay for a dinner that I actually ate!) and said that he hoped that we would be back soon. Seriously?
I told him I would never step foot in the door with so many nice restaurants in Charleston. Not another dime will be spent in that lame excuse for Italian food.
I was not looking for anything but dinner as I had ordered. Not an attitude or a disagreement about what I specifically ordered. What did that Eddie Munster of a waiter care if I had ordered scallops with ketchup and jelly??? For 20% he should serve them with a smile not a smug smirk.
Never again Eddie- you failed and so does La-Di-Da.
I get it now! Its all in the name. Al-di-la = La-di-dah, "Apathy, we don't care!"
F-

Posted by AlphonsePhive on October 11, 2009 at 9:56 AM | Report this comment

Absolutley wonderful service and food! Our waiter was knowledgable about the menu and very pleasant. The place is hopping!

Posted by marshasue on August 28, 2009 at 5:20 PM | Report this comment

I was visiting Charleston, SC for holiday and I asked around for the best Italian restaurant in town. I was pointed towards Al Di La in the West Ashley area of Charleston off of the Savannah Highway, My experience was excellent; the food was absolutely phenomenal and since I am from Alba, Italy I should know it was authentic and did I mention delicious! I was also very surprised to find some of the same cheeses and meats I get back home at my local trattoria (they must pay a lot in shipping). Although I can't say I would travel all the way from Italy to eat here, If I were in America it would definitely be worth the trip.

Posted by parmapro on August 12, 2009 at 12:30 AM | Report this comment

Al Di LA!!! Best mascarpone/ricotti gnocchi with basil, grape tomatoes and shrimp. Wonderful summer appetizer of figs stuffed with gorgonzolla and wrapped in panchetta ! If you're lucky enough to catch them in the fall when they serve the butternut squash ravoli in the butter sage sauce, you're in for a treat!

Posted by Sushi lover on April 3, 2009 at 5:35 PM | Report this comment

We dined at Al Di La tonight, for the first time in several years. While the food continues to be good, the noise level is just unbearable and one of us has a significant hearing deficit. We asked the waitress to please see about turning the music down. When we were nearly through dining, it came down a bit, but not much. My spouse spoke with the hostess about it when we were leaving and she basically blew him off, shrugging her shoulders and saying that was part of the 'ambiance.' There are too many good places to eat in Charleston where you don't end up with a headache afterwards. We will not be back, and we will certainly not recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Posted by christopherschris on March 5, 2009 at 8:34 PM | Report this comment

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