Comment Archives: Locations: Restaurants: 2 Stars
Re: “Mellow Mushroom”
I don't know what happened to this place. I used to eat there all the time about 6 years ago when I was first in Charleston. It was usually my first pick for pizza, as the bar crowd was usually pretty good, and the pizza was a great value for the taste. I went back with my family when we first came back to Charleston. It was terrible. I let the manager know about it, he allowed me swap out for a steak sub. I was willing to take another chance on them, as any one can have a bad one (especially with the volume MM produces). Different night, same result. The pizza, the cheese in particular, had a sour taste to it. Just not good at all. I gave the pizza away (and paid for it), and went and got a burrito. I'm not sure if it's the corporate expansion or cutting corners, but this place has gone downhill.
Re: “Water's Edge”
I would have to agree with the last review. My family and I ate there about a month ago, and the servers were great, nice people willing to stand on their head for you, but the kitchen wasn't backing what they were selling, and the prices were on the high side, even for brunch. The view is great, and the people are nice, but I came for the food. My wife had some sort of shrimp that wasn't de-veined, and my eggs were lacking in, well, doneness for scrambled eggs.
Re: “Social”
I have heard a lot of mixed stories about Social and so I went there the other day to test out the place. I went with my girlfriends and the atmosphere was very urban. There were people crowded around the bars and the lights/art was impressive.
The service was horrible though. There was a tall blonde hostess who spilled water all over me and didn't even apologize. She kept walking back and forth stomping her feet, scrubbing tables in front of guests with a dirty rag, and looked like she detested her job.
The food was pretty good but nothing special or fancy but the drink selection was great. Lots of different wine selections! I would skip the entire food/meal part and go mingle by the bar. Also, avoid that tall blonde hostess!
Re: “O'Brion's Pub & Grille”
Nice place inside. Been there three times. Home chips are good. Brie appetizer is good. We've had three entrees and all were really bad. Corned beef and cabbage. Oh man! They served me a pile of deli meat on overcooked cabbage. Not at all what I expected. For the price I was charged, I was expecting real cooked corned beef and cabbage not something thrown together from the deli counter. Gave them a second chance. Unfortunately, the french dip sandwich was MUCH worse. Au jus tasted like it came from a can. The little bit of meat was dry and crumbly. Sorry but it was really, really bad. Husband's pizza was awful, too. In this area, you HAVE to cook great food if you want to continue serving food. There are just too many great restaurants to choose from.
Oh, by the way, the entire time we were there tonight, not one smile, not one thank you from the staff.
Two beers, home chip appetizer, an individual pizza and a french dip sandwich with 3 tablespoons of french onion soup for a side cost us $38.73 before the tip.
And we were so very excited to get a neighborhood pub. It will only be snacks and beer for us from now on.
Re: “Taco Boy”
WAY WAY overpriced for so-so food. I dunno, I really want to like this place. Its close to me, there are always cuties everywhere. Its always crowded with college kids!? Maybe they dont know better, or maybe they dont card them there, I dunno...I dont get it. Its a cool atmosphere, but the food is not the greatest, and again, its overpriced.
Sorry.
Just keepin' it real.
Re: “Sermet's Downtown”
I feel kinda bad because I have written so many bad reviews of eateries recently, but this is actually what prompted me to review. I had a yucky meal at Sermet's the other night, however, they did make it right. The short of it is, is that I ordered the Calamari, and it was absolutely dis-gust-ing. My friends said it was good, but even she took a bite and said "wow - whoever cooked this is really off tonight" It was bland, chewy, and tasted old and frozen.
I then ordered a main course, which I did not like either. There was rocky sand in the vegetables, seriously. In the end, the waitress comped the food, which I didnt ask for, but which I thought was appropriate. I wound up tipping her what the food would have been anyhow, because I thought it was right to do that. And she was nice about it.
I would go back, yes...I somehow sense that this was an off night. Maybe a line cook who broke up with his GF, or who is just having a shitty day. It happens.
Nice hot, toasted bread, good olive oil. Nice cocktails. Cute hostess (tho she could smile)
Just keepin' it real.
Oh and I just read the review by Rokko...its interesting that this person also thought it might have been an "off day" as well. hmmm
Re: “Andolini's Pizza”
I walked in there last night with my boo after an art opening, and we ordered a couple of slices and 2 salads: one Greek, one Italian. The salads were COMPLETELY the same, except different cheese...one had mozz, the other Feta. Really? And the makeup of this almost $7 salad was Iceberg Lettuce and a few olives. Really? The pizza was not that great either, believe me.
I know this place makes a killing, but lets be honest...it is not that good, especially if you have eaten in REAL Italian pizza parlor's, who know what a real salad is, and know how to put together a real pie.
Just keepin' it real.
Re: “Bambu”
I had pretty much the same experience as MassGirl4
Re: “Taco Boy”
Good atmosphere but overpriced for mediocre food. This place does extremely well because the concept is great, but this place wouldn't last a month in Houston. Of course they are making so much money they have no incentive to get better.
Re: “Hominy Grill”
Went to the Sunday brunch yesterday. Not as good as it was cracked up to be. The salmon patties had little salmon in them and for a "home cooking" touted place our food came out surprisingly fast. Fast is not such a bad thing but to us fast does not necessarily mean home cooking which is what we expected. The shrimp and grits were over priced at $17 and were also not what we expected and all three dishes were bland. Overall, may give it another shot but not anytime soon.
Re: “O-Ku”
Have been there three times now - first time was when the restaurant first opened and we had great sushi and good, and very strong, drinks from the bar. The bill was pretty outrageous, so the next time we went during happy hour. The sushi the second time was still pretty good and the drinks were decent. However, our third visit, also during happy hour, was nothing to brag about. Two of our three sushi rolls were falling apart on our plate (and we even sat at the sushi bar). Our drinks were just okay. We both wanted to have a second round of drinks but were ready to get out of the place. I don't know if the quality during happy hour has gone down or if the whole place has, but we won't be back.
Re: “Red Orchids”
The food at Red Orchid is good. However, we have never received anything but SLOW service. Evidently when you ask for the "express" lunch, they make you wait even longer. Everyone around us who had come in after us got their food before us. We gave them a second chance a couple of weeks later and decided to only order appetizers and Definitely do NOT ask for the "express" service. Sadly, the service was still ridiculously slow. The food is good but if we ever eat there again it will be takeout that we call in 3 hours before we need it...
Re: “Monza”
Ok, after multiple visits I feel like I'm finally ready to review this place, or, more specifically, let them have it. First of all I would like the owners of Monza to realize how many pizza joints there are JUST IN DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON. This means you really must be offering something different and delicious to impress me. Monza is simply not. With all of the hype this place gets from the ever growing population of hipsters with an opinion on food on the peninsula you'd think they were serving the pizza with a free Dave Matthews Band DVD. Yes, the ingredients are fresh, AS THEY ARE AT PLENTY OF OTHER PLACES. Yes, the atmosphere is new-age and spacey, MOST OF THE BEST PIZZA JOINTS ARE IN PLACES I WOULDN'T DARE TO USE THE BATHROOM. The defining character of a pizza place is the pizza itself, and I'm sorry Monza (I tried), but your place ain't got it.
Re: “Jim 'n Nick's Bar-B-Q”
Overrated BBQ joint, feeds on naive tourists who have no clue they are about to be ripped off. The food isn't bad, but if you are expecting a good southern BBQ at an affordable price you will be rudely awoken. Best bet for BBQ: leave the peninsula.
Re: “Saffire: A Charleston Oven”
We had their breakfast buffet. All the flavors were off. Eggs, bacon, sausage all a little odd. Not reasonable prices.
We also had their desserts one evening. It was pretty good, reasonable prices.
Re: “Fulton Five”
Fulton five used to be my favorite spot in charleston, but it has gone sharply downhill. Chef Brett Maynard was the heart of their success. The food is mediocre at best these days
Re: “O-Ku”
McKee's attempt to pay homage to Nobu ends in watered down entrees with poor presentation and terrible ingredients. Tuna Tartar with quail egg was awful, the quail egg over-powering whatever flavor the frozen tuna could present. Yellowfin Carpaccio, although highly recommended by the server, was over dressed and served in an absurdly large plate. As for the nigiri, the restaurant is not even serving the correct sweet shrimp as amaebi and the uni was hacked to bits. Also, it's a joke to offer a f&b discount on Sunday of only 15% and then provide exponentially better deals during weeknight happy hour. The f&b discount should be the standard half off food only. On the other hand, great service and cocktail list. The sushi rice is the best in town.
Re: “Vickery's Bar and Grill”
Have been lots of times, to both locations, but I prefer downtown. Now that they have closed, we are stuck with the Mt. Pleasant location. Service last night was awful - 30 minute wait for sandwiches, no drink refills, no smile, and overall we seemed to inconvenience the server who was clearly more interested in going home. Food was mediocre and not up to par even for casual dining experience. Soggy fries, unseasoned fish, overcooked burger, etc. I complained to the manager who pulled my check up only to find out the server took it upon herself to double the tip I had signed for. Not sure I will ever be back.
Re: “Virginia's on King”
I've now eaten at Virginia's five times, so I feel pretty comfortable in making this review. The bottom line is that the food and value are good (and sometimes very good), but the service is awful.
Fried Pickles: B+
Pulled Pork Sliders: A-
Blackened Scallops: D (scallops are the smallest I've ever seen and the citrus zest is overpowering)
She Crab Soup: A-
Wedge Salad: A-
Shrimp and Grits: B (not bad, but not up to Chucktown standards)
Country Fried Steak: A (my favorite so far)
Fried Chicken: A (among the best in town)
Blackened Catfish: B+ (could use a more delicate hand, particularly on the salt)
Hoppin John: A (love it, wish they served those black eyed peas on their own as well)
Sweet potato fries: B (a bit soggy the time I had them)
Mac & Cheese: A- (good, but much better available in town)
Steamed Broccoli: B- (broccoli was overripe)
Baby Lima Beans: B (overcooked and not much flavor)
Overall, quite good for the money, but maybe they should have a smaller menu and just offer what's freshly available for side dishes. Also, beer and wine selection is pretty weak.
As for the service, it's awful. Hostess seems perpetually confused and bored (hard to do at the same time). Servers always seem rushed and disappear from the dining room for long stretches. Tables do not get bused promptly. It's a small place, so it's probably difficult to staff for a rush, but something has got to give. The last two times I was there I ended up walking to the bar to ask for my bill. I'm not sure who's in charge, but it doesn't take an expert to look across the dining room and see that most tables are waiting for something.
Dining room is simple and elegant. The space could easily accommodate a far more formal restaurant.
Again, food is good and reasonably priced, but I doubt I'll be back unless management changes.
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Re: “O'Brion's Pub & Grille”
Started off well but now just a regular sports bar. You won't find a single bar like this in Ireland. This could have been a great place for the family but it isn't. You can't hear a word anyone is saying. Such a disappointment as the area really needed a good place to eat.