At this point, Charleston is hands-down the best meal I've had in a restaurant. We took my mom out here for her birthday; the six of us attending had a stunning time demolishing our dinners and dessert. And a bunch of wine. And some digestifs. And some little cookies and trifles. Way over the top, all the way from the amuse bouche at the start to the overly decadent desserts. And, I had an Armagnac from the year I was born. Woot. The food - the standouts for me were the venison and the buffalo tenderloin. Both were absolutely perfect, in cooking, in texture, and in presentation. But every single one of the thirty-five dishes consumed that night by our table was five-star. Speaking of five-star, the service was impeccable. I swear they have more staff than customers. And, to use a technical term, they know their shit here. From wine to food, every member of the staff seemed to know the entire menu and all the wines backwards and forwards. Note that this place ain't even remotely cheap, and parties of 5 or more get a 20% gratuity added. If you're trying to keep it reasonable, stick with the X-course dinners, get a single glass of wine, and stay the hell away from the cheese and dessert wine carts (I'm looking at you, 36-year-old Armagnac) read more

I had to arrange a business dinner for the Board of Directors of my company, and as everyone generally likes to eat things that are delicious and drink wines that are also as delicious, I already knew I was going to pick the Charleston. Our group was seven people, which requires you to call in and make special reservations - up to 6 you can use Opentable, but after that the restaurant needs a bit of preparation to make sure your evening is fantastic. I worked with Heather over e-mail and the phone, and she made it very easy for me to arrange everything - one of our members has a gluten free diet, so he was properly accounted for. The menus had our company name and the words "board of directors dinner" on it as well, a nice, personal touch that really did seem like going the extra mile. The table was perfect and located in a slightly more isolated section of the dining room so that we could have some privacy - we discussed going with the private room but decided that it was a bit too expensive for just 7 people. Heather helped me pick the tasting menu (I settled in at 5 courses plus the optional dessert) and that was that. Until we actually got to the food. Each course had two options - I can only speak on the options I selected but the others were all just as marvelous. Oh god the food. We started with an amuse bouche, goat cheese + marscapone on a toasted brioche round with a small cup of mushroom soup - creamy with a hit of acid that cut into the sharpness of the goat cheese. For the starter soup the lobster bisque came out as bowls of lobster meat and a thin edge of curry oil cutting in a seductive line across the bottom of a pale white bowl, into which a tureen of perfectly orange and pink bisque was poured. The olive oil left a nutty aftertaste on the tongue as well, which was appreciated in cutting the richness of the sweet lobster and the bisque. For the second course I had the roasted beet salad with goat cheese and aged balsamic. It is a fairly standard salad (I've seen it with roasted orange beets as well, but the red beets tend to be my favorite due to their higher sugar content), and it was made perfectly. This was followed by the third course, one of the signature dishes - oysters fried in cornmeal with a light aioli dipping sauce. I can say that I ate them with my hands - the cornmeal was so light and airy that I did not even bother using my fork. I should point out here that at this point I was a bit full, and dubious of my ability to eat more. The next course was a maryland rockfish(local) delicated cooked on a bed of mushrooms and other root vegetables. It was fantastic - the fish was cooked perfectly and delicately to the point where a knife was only needed to cut the crispy and delicious skin for consumption. This was followed by a local buffalo(gunpowder farms) tenderloin topped with a quail egg, placed on top of spaetzle and a thin layer of demiglace (at least it tasted like demiglace). The five courses at this point were quite a bit. To be honest, we could have gone with four courses but this is America, and dammit we are going to eat well, and we are going to eat a lot. The sixth course was dessert - the lemon meringue tart with gold leaf, lemon sorbetto, white chocolate garnish and chopped nuts was incredible, especially with their fantastic espresso. The restaurant also brought out their usual after dinner snacks - macaroons, chocolates, a bit of airy ganache covered rice krispie, and a meringue coated in a light dusting of cinnamon. A great meal is nothing without great wine and great service of course, and the Charleston provided amazing service, as is to be expected. For wine, I ordered two bottles of a nice Margaux - margaux being a softer and less complex red that pairs well with many different dishes. Everyone praised the wine, especially as the wait staff helpfully decanted it before we began our meal, and allowed it time to breathe and aerate. At the end of the dinner we simply got up, thanked the wait staff, and left. My credit card was already on file, and the payment was processed without me having to worry about tip, or giving them my card, or anything of that nature - truly one of the greatest, most comfortable meals I have ever eaten, and a perfect example of why the Charleston is the best restaurant in Baltimore, and one of the best in the United States. Their adherence to local produce and meats, their attention to details, their absolute mastery of service make this the restaurant to go to for any special occasion, and as someone who travels and tends to go to very, very nice restaurants, I can comfortably say this is at the top of my list. read more

This is a must try for special occasions! We celebrated our anniversary dinner here and it was phenomenal. They really deserve a James Beard. The dishes were full of flavor and phenomenal. Our server warned us not to choose all the dishes from the bottom of the menu, as they are the heaviest. And he was absolutely correct. We ordered a mix of several and was so full after 4 courses. Would definitely go back for a special occasion read more

The food and service here are amazing although I do have some (small) drawbacks to point out. What I really liked about the service is that everyone at the Charleston is treated like royalty. When we ordered, we decided to buy a bottle of wine rather than go with the pairings. The sommelier made a recommendation based on both of our orders, tasted the wine, and poured it for us. I ordered three courses, and then received dessert "for free" because we were told that "the chef insists that everyone have dessert." I ordered the corn chowder, tomato salad, and duck for my meal and had the trio of creme brulee for dessert. The corn chowder was my favorite course, however I wish I could have tasted more of the bacon and andouille in the soup. It was creamy and there wasn't too much corn. The duck was also very, very good. I really liked how the nectarine compote complimented the duck and there was just enough that I could have a bite of nectarine with each bite of duck. Dessert came with a small plate of dessert "bites" which I could not eat because I was too full (I couldn't even finish the creme brulee, but loved each one.) Overall, I would recommend The Charleston to locals, not to people visiting Baltimore because I feel that there are much better places to eat when visiting Baltimore. Also, I feel like this restaurant is one of many and you can get the same taste and feel near wherever you live. Additionally, for the amount of money that we spent on dinner, I don't think it was worth it. The plates were too small. My biggest complaint about The Charleston is that the parking situation is not conducive to those of us living in the city. Though they offer free parking, they do not have a complimentary pick-up and drop-off service for diners who live close to the restaurant. This is just simply annoying. Though I am giving The Charleston 4 stars, I don't think I need to go back again. It was a delicious experience but I'm not becoming a regular here. It is not worth the money to frequent. Places like Flemings, Salt, and Jack's Bistro are VERY comparable and half the price. read more

One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Having dined through most of the Michelin starred restaurants in San Francisco, I think it might still be THE best restaurant I've ever been to. Yes, it's really expensive--I think there's something like a $80 minimum per person, not including tax&tip. It's basically a prix fixe where you can pick whichever courses you want, and pay depending on how many you got. Dessert is included! Portions are tiny. But this place is the very definition of quality over quantity. I had: -Rich Lobster Soup with Curry -Jumbo Lump Crabcake, English Peas, Roasted Sweet Corn, Mustard Cream -Grilled Rabbit Loin & Rabbit Confit, Porcini Mushroom Risotto -Lavender, Earl Grey Tea, and Rose creme brulee No complaints, nothing to nitpick. Beautiful presentation and complex flavors. Everything was almost too pretty to eat, yet the beauty of these dishes was far more than skin deep. The only thing is that I would have been happy to have more of it! Besides, the bread here is amazing. My friend and I ate way more of their olive bread than was necessary or appropriate... haha. Cornbread is also delicious, and I don't even like cornbread. Yes, it's a rather snooty establishment, but never did I feel that my waitress was condescending. Service is impeccable! I really liked the decor and especially restaurants with open kitchens, which the Charleston has. Expensive but mind-blowing and totally worth it. Must try at least once. I love Cindy Wolf and all her restaurants and this is no exception! read more

One of the best of the best in Baltimore, I went here years ago but decided to take my girlfriend recently because she has never been to a restaurant like this. We were seated near the kitchen it was really cool watching them do their craft, and to see the executive chef move around and instruct her team. Their menu is different, they have around two-dozen options (which change almost weekly), they are arranged from soups, small bites/apps, salads, the seafood/main dish entrees. You can pick any 3 courses up to 6 courses with the available wine pairing. I did 6 courses with wine (which I fully recommend to get a taste of everything). Started with their rich lobster soup (one of their staples), then had their snails, oysters, foie gras, duck, beef tenderloin. Everything was cooked perfectly, my girlfriend had halibut for the first time (she's not a big seafood eater), and she said it was one of the best things she's tasted. The servers were very attentive to every detail from beginning to end. My only disappointment was I wanted their passionfruit creme brulee, but they didn't have it that night. This place is amazing, I can't wait to return, my girlfriend and I are already planning to go again during the spring to see what spring courses they have. read more

Review in a hurry: Outrageously expensive for a just-okay overall experience. Terrible wine pairings, absurdly long table wait (even with a reservation!!), and oblivious service. Review in detail: My husband and I came here on a weekend trip to Baltimore from D.C. because the Charleston is heralded as "the best restaurant" in Baltimore. If that's the case, then I pity the Bmore food scene. We had a 9:30 PM reservation and weren't seated until 10:20. That's nearly AN HOUR WAIT for a table! What the heck was the point of my reservation?? No one apologized, or offered us a free drink or app to tide us over, or acted like this was horribly unprofessional or a big deal. The bar area was full of people in the same boat as us, too. They all looked super ticked off. So the meal obviously got off on the wrong foot. We decided to do the tasting menu with wine pairings. I'm not sure who is creating the pairing combos, but they were awful. The wine did not compliment the food or make it better, like it should. Instead, the wine either overpowered the taste of the food or changed the taste of the food in a negative way. It was bizarre. The food was fine, but not very memorable, which is a huge problem when you're paying $300 for a meal. The asparagus soup was very good, but the Hudson Valley Foie Gras was gross. I can't believe I didn't like it because foie gras is one of my favorite things. But it was like breakfast. The quail egg with it overpowered the dish, and it was very, very salty. It also tasted extremely oily and fatty. I just felt gross eating it, you know? I call the service "oblivious" because I have a nut food allergy and the waitress/kitchen served me a desert with nuts in it anyway. Thankfully, I trust no one and examined the food, as I always do. But she promised me the restaurant would take care of it and me and none of the food we ordered would contain nuts. When you're dining at a restaurant as expensive as this one, I don't think accommodating a food allergy is too much to ask for. In summary, I've had much better meals for way less money. And someone needs to re-examine those crazy wine pairings. read more

I love dining alone. It's a rare treat for me, as the husband is usually along for dinner. But when he's away, there's nothing I love more than sitting down at a nice restaurant and taking my time eating a lovely dinner. Because, let me tell you, I can eat SLOWLY. I'm one of those weirdos who, given half a chance and good enough food, will set the fork and knife down in between bites, close my eyes, and just let meal wash over me, bite by bite. And if I'm going to sit down and truly savor a dinner, Charleston is as good a choice as any there is. So, just to say it up front: this is an exquisite restaurant, and you should eat here at some point. It's food that deserves your attention and your time. It's also food that's going to cost you a bit. My dinner for one was $150, and I wasn't extravagant in my choices. And like most restaurants in this rarefied class, dinner can be somewhat akin to going to church: Everything's beautiful, rehearsed, and moves with a polished, formal grace. You're probably under-dressed; you're pretty sure there are rules you don't know, and when you break one you're going to be exposed as a heathen. The waiters know more about food and wine than you do, and it's easy to feel intimidated. But here's my secret to a place like this: admit your utter lack of culture, ask questions no matter how stupid you think they are, and put yourself in your waiter's hands. They'll appreciate the chance to show off, and if you give effusive feedback about how much you're enjoying yourself, they'll warm up to you, I promise. So, beyond all that, let me give you my one...it would be unfair to even call it a quibble...with Charleston. For me, eating at Charleston is like listening to a recital by an utterly brilliant technician. Every note is perfect. Every nuance managed, every passage utterly mastered, every flourish spot-on, and not a single thing with the performance is wrong. And somewhere in all of that carefully-controlled mastery, I start to wonder if the soul stepped out the door when I wasn't looking, and the joke's on me. I'm not sure I actually know who Charleston is, the way you can know a friend. I'm dazzled, but I'm not loved. Maybe I'm not even dazzled; I'm just managed. Beautifully, carefully managed. read more

When a simple roasted corn bisque brings you to a perfect, uninterrupted bliss, you know you are eating something extraordinary. This is exactly the dining experience that Charleston has to offer. No need for truffle or caviar, the exceptional culinary art brings out the best in the ingredients and transforms them into something exceedingly beautiful. I should say that Charleston also has the exquisite dishes that you would expect at fine dining. Though, I should also say, when your food seems out of this world, who cares if the ingredients are expensive or rare**. The bottom line is, no matter what the main ingredients were, my fiancée and I were amazed dish after dish. With exceptional food, what makes Charleston perfect is their pleasant atmosphere and perfect service. The experience is classy, elegant, and far from pretentious. Will gladly return for special occasions :) ** Rant: for example, I've had my share of poorly balanced 'truffle' dishes at several restaurants. I started to believe that they are gimmicks to charge you more. Do avoid. Talented chefs don't rely on expensive ingredients; they use their skills. read more

My husband took me to Charleston as a make-up Birthday dinner. My actual Birthday is in December but I got sick and we couldn't go out. Finally, almost 6 months later (after much anticipation) we went to Charleston and they did not disappoint. This restaurant really grasps fine dining. The service was impeccable and everyone who approached our table told me "happy birthday" ... everyone. It was lovely. We opted for five courses (plus cheese) with wine pairings and I was bursting at the seams by the end of the meal. Because I don't remember each wine I will just say that the wine pairings were spot-on - some of them were surprising but all of them made perfect sense. Here's a lonnnnng run down of what we ate: Rich Lobster Soup - A+, what a divine way to begin a meal. I've never had such wonderful lobster in my life. Artichoke Soup - A, it was very rich and well balanced Scallop Ceviche (a special) - A-, I wanted a little more flavor from this and it was a bit one-dimensional. Shrimp and Grits - A, this was one of my husband's better dishes of the night. Halibut - A++ Oh, My, God. This was the dish of the evening for me. These chefs can prepare an amazing piece of halibut. I hope they keep this one on the menu forever because it deserves it!! Crab Cake - B-, the crab wasn't very lumpy and the cake didn't have much substance. A disappointment Foie Gras - A+, I loved the strawberry with this piece of foie gras. Delicious. Sweetbreads - B+, a little dry Buffalo Tenderloin - B+, this dish was unfortunate for me as our final protein. The flavor was truly one dimensional. A pity. For desert I was offered a special cupcake (for my birthday) and my husband had the chocolate pudding cake (DIVINE!!!). I cannot even sing the praises of this pudding cake enough. Wonderful! While there were a few misses on the menu the experience as a whole was rich and fulfilling. I felt pampered and my taste buds were thrilled to experience so many wonderful dishes. This meal will cost you plenty but if food is a passion for you, you don't want to miss Charleston. read more

If I could give a zero, I would. Sooooo pretentious. We ate at the bar to avoid the formality and bullshit that goes along with sitting in their new designer decorated showroom, I mean dining room. The menu is very boring. Macaroni and cheese with truffle oil? Puhleeeeeeese. Oyster with mayonnaise ramoulade?????? I thought that this was going to be a pleasant place with nice service and exciting southern cuisine. No and no. When I asked Ingrid the bartender, if I could get my next "tasting menu course", before my husband finished his and because my previous course was 1 fork full of nothing, as far as taste goes, I was informed that the "chef", Cindy Wolff does not allow that. So it was a very Nazi experience. Then, I went outside to smoke since I was told I could not have my next course yet. When I came back in, they warned my husband that he was talking to loud AT THE BAR!!!! I was rushed through the last course, when the "chef " decided it was time for me to eat it and then they whisked it away. Ahhhhh, looked forward to eating there for so long and was sooooooooooo disappointed. Check was over $300 and I wish that all of the people who think it is going to be a great place would see this review and not waste their money. read more

I booked this reservation without any real expectation of satisfaction as our recent dining experiences at places like blue duck tavern left very little to be desired. We arrived promptly, there is complimentary valet and we were greeted and were seated close to the bar dining area with a view of the waterfront. It was our first time and our server was patient and explained that there were no real menu separation for appetizers and entrees. We chose the 4-course menu. Here's what we ordered: The rich lobster with curry, Corn-meal fried oysters. Push roasted sea scallops, Grilled veal sweatbreads. Pan roasted magret of duck, Grilled new York State squab. Grilled Colorado lamb rack chop, Grilled creek stone farms prime beef tenderloin. Complimentary dessert course. The lobster soup was rich and creamy with huge chunks of lobster and my fried oysters were so melt in your mouth. They were not raw, just lightly coated and flash fried and lemon cayenne mayonnaise was great together. The veal sweatbreads with seared foiegras was exceptional the best thing I've eaten in a while and the scallops was perfectly seared and buttery. I know I wanted the chef invite me to her home and crank out the sweatbreads for breakfast, lunch and dinner... It was that great. We were in heaven at this point. The duck and the squab were equally exquisite, the duck was not tough at all and the sauces with the meals were incredible and rich as with most French inspired cuisine. Our last meal of lamb and tenderloin. I had the lamb and it was succulent, a bit fatty but I love fatty meats. I didn't get to taste the tenderloin but I'm sure it was so good that my husband ate it all without sharing. All in all, we have found a gem in Baltimore and this will definitely be our new go to dining spot, especially when we want to impress our foodie friends and family. Thank you chef and to our server Chenelle... Your attention to detail was outstanding. read more

I recently moved from Baltimore after living there for 9 years. The Charleston is quite possibly the best meal I ever had while living in the city. When we arrived, the host warmly greeted us and apologized that our table was not ready even though we had a reservation. He guided us to the lounge by the bar so that we could relax and order cocktails. We each ordered the 3 course meal for $79, which was worth every dollar. The magret of duck was cooked perfectly to a temperature of medium and melted in your mouth with each bite. The halibut was also perfectly cooked such that each bite was moist. The scallops were pan seared to a beautiful golden brown. Will definitely be coming back the next time I return. read more

This place is really trying to replicate the experience at a French 3 star restaurant with American ingredients and recipes. Amuse bouche - beef empanada and black bean soup. The empanada needed more spices but the black bean soup was delicious and pleasantly spicy. A great start. Fried oysters - perfectly done - like eating fried oceany cream. Lobster bisque (really butter poached lobster in a lobster cream stock). Incredibly rich and delicious. Shrimp and grits - very, very good. Fois gras. The fois was good. I'm not sure that the sausage went with it. To spicy and powerful. I loved the sauce though. Veal sweetbreads. I like this but I'm not sure that grilling them is as good as pan frying or roasting. Squab - delicious. I had the Perigord truffles on top and they were unheated and the aromas did not really hit me like they should have. Cheese course. Very well put together. I had sulles sur cher and Colston Basset. Spice cake. Very good. Petits fours - very nice touch. The wine list has good breadth but lacked most of the producers in the regions I like (with the exception of Huet, which I ordered). Service is very friendly and professional. read more

Beautiful decor. Exquisite ambiance. Delectable food. You must know that when you decide to dine at Charleston, you are deciding to undergo an experience that you will undoubtedly remember forever. My bf and I decided to treat ourselves to an especially fancy dinner given our birthdays were recent and we've both completed big projects at work. We dressed up, drove a few minutes and left our car with the valet. And then it began... we sat at the bar for a few minutes, because we were a little early for our reservation (don't ever try and eat here without making a reservation!) and the bar was an amazing experience! Sexy and glamorous, the plush couches, small round tables and intimate quarters was fun! When our table was ready, we were seated in the luxurious dining area, where we could see the master chef Wolf and her team busily creating works of magic! We both ordered 4 courses and decided to be extra fancy and have wine pairings. My favorite dish was the macaroni and cheese, duck confit with truffles. OH MY GOD. Best dish ever. The other dishes were also amazing, but this dish won.... hands down. I would also recommend the turbot, I had to consciously decide to slow down because it was delicious. Our waiter, Ryan, was attentive, fun, knowledgeable and kept nearby to ensure we were happy. Our experience was amazing, and I would love to go again! read more

Our dinner in the bar/lounge area of Baltimore's Charleston restaurant was rich with disappointments and liberally peppered with disinterested service. I don't know if it was just an off night, but during our brief meal at the bar, we got the feeling that the bartender could not wait for us to leave. This was particularly disappointing as we packed fancy clothes for our otherwise casual weekend trip to Baltimore just so we could check out Chef Wolf's cuisine. We made the decision to eat at the bar so we could order a la carte from the menu, skirt food coma and remain alert enough to check out the bars in Fells Point after dinner. When we arrived at 8:45p on a Saturday night, there was ample seating available at the bar and a few lounge tables open. We chose seats at the bar, which reminded me of a more intimate version of the bar at New York's Marea, all warm colors and thoughtful, flattering lighting. We requested drink menus and ordered interesting cocktails. Although the cocktails took a while to make, they were ultimately delicious and on the strong side, which we appreciated. We then requested the food menu, and after waiting a rather long interval, politely repeated our request. After another interminable interval, we finally received the menu. We asked how the a la carte ordering worked and the bartender impatiently explained that each item could be ordered individually and prices varied depending on the item. When we asked how much each item would be, he said $15-20 each, but if we ordered three or more items, prices would default to the prix fixe pricing, which was a bit confusing because the 3 course prix fixe is $76. I'm no math genius, but given that 2 items would range from $30-40 and 3 items would be $76, it seemed like a strange bargain to charge an $36 for the third dish off the same menu. With this in mind, we each ordered one item on the menu to start, figuring that if they were truly exquisite, the extra dough might be a fair trade. Driven to covetous lust by Duff Goldman's description of the Burgundy Snails on Best Thing I Ever Ate, my choice was made before I ever set foot in the restaurant. El Queso Grande opted for the Pan-Roasted Wild Rockfish. Both were petite dishes, aggressively compensating for size with butter. I was disappointed by the difference in preparation of the snails vs. Duff Goldman's description. Rather than butter-poached garlic and bacon puff pastry, the snails were served on top of creamy grits. It was good, but rather pedestrian. El Queso Grande enjoyed his dish and especially loved the mushrooms. We went through another frustrating round to request, request again and finally get our check and pay the bill. PARTING THOUGHT: Perhaps the dining room is James Beard worthy, but I would definitely advise against a meal at the bar / lounge if you are only in town for a weekend...why risk disappointment when there are so many other options in town? read more

On a gusty Baltimore evening, the boyfriend and I went here to celebrate our anniversary back in April. This is probably the nicest restaurant we have ever been too. To be honest, it could be a little bit intimidating. But the food and drink. THE FOOD AND DRINK. After you are greeted at the door, and given complementary coat checks, you are escorted to their bar, well stocked with fine liquors and a solid beer selection. I forgot what we got, but both of our beer selections were delightful. When a table is ready for you, the host will come get you and escort you to the table. This is what we had (not in order): Boyfriend (with wine pairing): cornmeal fried Soft shell crab, fresh octopus salad, big eyed tuna tartare, pan roasted marget of duck. Every time a new dish was about to be put on the table, the staff would come and introduce the bottle, describe the vintage, and pour a glass as they informed us of the flavor and aroma profiles. Me (didn't get wine pairings): cornmeal fried oysters, Lobster bisque with curry (not always available I think), porcini Mushroom Risotto and the grilled buffalo tenderloin We tried each dish that the other person ordered, and my GOD. Each bite was perfectly prepared and delicious doesn't even describe how good the food tastes. As I recall the memory of this meal for this review, my stomach growls in frustration. For dessert: I got the rhubarb-rasberry gateau and my boyfriend eventually got the crepes suzette (they sold out of the dessert he wanted originally). Paired with great coffee and a complimentary dessert plate, it was a perfect ending to a basically flawless meal. Overall: Food was beyond delicious and the wine pairings were perfect and showed the chef's knowledge and aptitude for the craft (FYI I believe she is a James Beard Award recipient for that area). Everything was perfectly cooked and prepared; nothing overdone, under-seasoned or anything like that. Each bite was perfect. Service was impeccable, and the staff really know what they're talking about, were incredibly helpful with suggestions AND THEY DIDN'T RUSH US. Ambiance was straight on, and appropriate of a restaurant of that level and caliber: classy and elegant. The kitchen and its chef constantly rotate menu items to take advantage of what is fresh and available in B'more. If you're ever in Baltimore and really want to splurge (our bill was around 300 bucks), or want to really impress someone special, I'd go here. But make reservations. I used OpenTable and I didn't run into a problem. read more

Overall this place had extremely well prepared food using classical techniques and high end service. My SO took me to the Charleston for my birthday dinner. I must say it was one of the better dinning experiences I have had. The thing about the Charleston is that it doesn't have a lot of spectacularly different menu items. What it does have is some classically prepared dishes that were cooked perfectly. The menu set up is something like a "prix fixe" menu, but you get to pick the number of courses. The options were 3,4,5, or 6 courses. This does not include dessert which is included in the price. They also have a wine pairing that includes a half of glass of wine chosen by the sommelier to match each course you select. The interesting thing was that you can choose from any of the menu items to build your dinner. So, you could have 6 meat courses; or 3 meat course and 2 fish courses; or 4 salads and a fish course. Basically any combination you want (with the exception being dessert). I went with the 5 courses and wine pairings. For the first course I had a lobster curry soup. It was basically a lobster bisque with some curry flavor. It was very good with a nice flavor. I could have used a little more heat. It has some whole poached lobster pieces which was nice. The next course I had the diver scallops. They were cooked perfectly. Very soft and buttery. The next course was one of the more unique items on the menu which was a fried grit cake. The cake was finished with a delicious chanterelle mushroom sauce and finished with some goat cream cheese. It was very rich, heavy and rustic. The tart goat cheese cut through it nicely. Very good. The next thing I had was an arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette. It was good, but just a salad. Nothing amazing. The last of my five courses was the grilled lamb chop. It came with rice and a Greek yogurt sauce. The lamb was cooked perfectly. The yogurt was really good and brought the whole thing together. Finally it came time for dessert. I had the vanilla panna cotta with a rasberry sorbet and mixed berries. It was delicious. The richness of the panna cotta went well with the tartness of the berries. My SO couldn't decide between a strawberry consomme with vanilla ice cream or some apple tart with a tamarind (maybe?) ice cream. She eventually she chose the consomme dish, but our waiter was nice enough to bring both. Speaking of our waiter, he was excellent. The whole staff was excellent which is what you expect from a restaurant like the Charleston, but they did not fail to deliver on service in any respect. I would comment about how the place is very pricey, but it is a high end restaurant and it has the prices to match. It is not the type of place you can go to every day, but it is nice for a special occasion dinner. read more

The food was superb, I would definitely recommend anyone to go there if you want a great quality meal. I forgot what I ordered but the 3 course meal was exquisite. The waiters were very nice and helpful. The wine was spectacular. The desert was also good. Will definitely be going here again, not to mention, the price is great too! read more

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Let me first start by saying the service was excellent. We each had the 4 course option from the menu and although everything was very good/excellent, our real complaint is that nothing had a "wow!" factor. Now don't get me wrong, although the food preparation, ingredients, and presentation was top notch- we just didn't leave really impressed. The only food quality complaint was a shrimp entree where the shrimp appeared to have been thawed earlier that morning, instead of fresh from the Gulf. One more example was the cheese course, from my recollection, there was nothing offered which we haven't seen a thousand times before, surely they could have offered a cheese not easily found in most gourmet grocery stores like Wegmans or Eddies. When the total cost of your meal approaches $450, you should leave feeling like you experienced something new as well as felt challenged about what haute cuisine can be. The bottom line is if you've never been to a great restaurant before, you'll think Charleston is amazing, otherwise, you will feel quite the opposite. read more

I went to Charleston on black-truffle-night--everything, including desserts, had truffle. It's been awhile, but I can still remember the macaroni and cheese with black truffle shavings; in a word: orgasmic. Singularly the best mac-and-cheese I've ever had in my life. (Plates are small, so go with more dishes than fewer. You will NOT regret it.) read more

I have visited here three times in the last few months and every time the food left me in bliss. Best food I have ever had. The lobster bisque is by far my favorite dish at the moment. Service from start to finish is superb. The Manhattan drink is amazing. read more

I would give Charleston 10 stars if possible!!! This place exceeded my expectations and I'm truly happy I chose this restaurant to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. I did some research prior to having my heart set on Charleston and from reading the Yelp reviews on this restaurant and scrolling through the pictures I fell in love with this place. I could not wait to come and experience what everyone else had. When we first arrived the valet parking was free, definitely a plus. Then we were greeted and seated in a matter of 30 seconds. Once seated we met our amazing knowledgeable server, Brian, who wished my boyfriend a happy birthday. This little gesture won my heart over once again. He then walked us through the menu, gave us the background on the courses, the chef and the desserts (which is included regardless of which course option you choose). We decided to go with the 3 course menu, which is $79 per person and selected cocktails instead of the wine pairings. We wanted to start out small since some of the reviews mentioned that the plate sizes were perfect and not small at all. Plus, we could easily add an additional course which wasn't a problem at all. We got our cocktails, I had the delicious Raz-putin Martini and my boyfriend had a Brown Ale, which was also delicious. Brian came over and mentioned that the Chef had prepared an appetizer for us, which was on the house. This was one of two additional dishes that the Chef sent our way, again a huge plus!! The appetizer consisted of artichoke soup and an amazing tuna with capers on toast. We received our courses one by one and every single dish was amazingly orchestrated along with the additional dish from the Chef. My favorite of the 3 courses we had selected was the Tuna Tartar and my boyfriend's favorite was the Shrimp Creole. Lastly, we finished the night by selecting a dessert of our choosing. They added a single candle on my boyfriend's dessert choice and again wished him a happy birthday. All in all, this was a great experience we both got to share. I must say if you don't mind spending a couple of hundreds from time to time on good food, ambiance and service then Charleston is definitely the place to go! Bon appetit! read more

Really, it would have been shocking if a place like this were disappointing. The a la carte choosing 3-6 courses menu is interesting, and makes it easy to taste a bunch of different foods. My food experience= appetizer - salmon puree on cracker - delicious, very light, just the right type of thing to get the saliva working. First dinner course - Tuna Tartar, excellent, minced and mixed with onions just right to taste the tuna, and to enjoy the other flavors. Second - Lobster soup, grossly delicious. Had a cream based light curry soup with it... OMG. Third - Rockfish, this was okay, it was very good, but i really should have chosen something different. Forth - Buffalo tenderloin, medium rare and succulent. One of the best pieces of meat I've ever had, and it was the perfect culmination to the savory adventure. Dessert - yes dessert too! Chocolate s'mores awesomeness, the had carmeled marshmallows, over cinnamon ice-cream and decadent flour-less chocolate cake type thing. read more

If only there were a 6th star for special exceptions to the Yelp scale. Days after visiting Charleston, I'm still dreaming of one of the most exceptional dining experiences I've had in or outside the Beltway. Charleston is spacious and stunning, blending traditional touches with modern decor to create an ambiance that feels elegant and comfortable at one (sometimes I find the grandest restaurants have trouble striking a balance between classy and stuffy). But this place is more than a pretty face- the real star here is the inventive menu, which displays the appetizer and entrees in one list from lightest to heaviest and encourages you to pick three to six options that strike your fancy. And the icing on the cake? Your cake doesn't count! Everyone gets dessert- it's included. Our lovely server Leslie did a splendid job explaining Charleston's unique options and helping our table navigate through the menu to identify our top 3 (or in my case, 4). The service from Leslie et al was attentive and friendly, as well as patient with my 21 questions of how to mix and match the menu best. Of course, with service and setting like this, the food could have been average and I would have been happy as an overstuffed clam. My Top 4 was flawless. My salad was a work of art - the base of an artichoke topped with fresh crab meat. The heirloom tomato gazpacho with lobster was both light and luxurious. Scottish smoked salmon with crispy potatoes and creme fraiche was a savory delight. My grilled buffalo tenderloin with creamy polenta and mushrooms is making regular cameos in my dreams and was a hit with my steak lover of a beau, too. I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the love affair I had with the bread basket that night- the cornbread was phenomenal. My table ended our evening with a grand finale of dessert and cheese, which also didn't disappoint. I rest my case. Charleston blew me away in every way and I can't wait to find a way back to Baltimore. read more

It took me a while to finally write this review because I debated giving it a 3 or a 4. First, let me start by saying I had very HIGH expectations for this meal. I basically wanted it to be the best meal of my life. The food was not, but the service was truly the best I've ever experienced, which bumped up the rating. My husband and I sat in the room with the water view, which was lovely. It was fun to dress up and eat here, something I had been wanting to do for a while. We both did the 4 course tasting menu plus dessert and wine pairings. The meal started with an amuse-bouche, which was a nice touch- it was a cauliflower soup with a salmon mousse on the side. My courses: Fried Oysters (4 stars)- delish, but nothing over the top spectacular Lobster Salad (2 stars)- both my husband and I really did not like this. And how can you not like lobster?! I think we were expecting something different. I thought it would be a salad with lobster and peaches on top, but literally it was a lobster salad-meaning a cold, mayo-based salad of chopped up lobster with a lot of tarragon. Not my favorite. Rockfish w/ lemon oil risotto (5 stars)- Outstanding. Buffalo Tenderloin (5 stars)- Outstanding and cooked perfectly My husband's: Rockfish ceviche (5 stars) Excellent. Lobster Salad (2 stars- bleh we made this mistake 2x unfortunately) Crab cake (2 stars) *This is my main reason for why I was so upset with this food. 1. Baltimore is know for crab cakes and 2. there were so many shells in it that we had to keep spitting out :( Beef tenderloin (5 stars) Then we each got to choose a dessert, which were great (I got an apricot blueberry tart) and they also brought a little platter of bite-sized selections as well. Needless to say, we were stuffed! In summary, the wine pairings were stellar. I loved every wine and even ordered an extra glass at the end. For the food, as you can see some courses were better than others. Also, it was so much food. I think the 3 course would have been sufficient, but it was fun to try. For the total price of about $350, I would expect everything to be perfect and it was not, hence the 4 star rating. I am not sure if I would ever go back. read more

We went to Charleston for our 5 year wedding anniversary, and I was looking forward to it for weeks. Unfortunately, it didn't quite meet expectation. The food was solid - I will say that. The free starter of cauliflower soup was delicious, as was the lobster soup I got for my first course. My husband got the shrimp and grits and was equally wowed by that. For my 2nd course, I got the lamb which I thought was decent but not amazing - as others mentioned, the rice was a little dry and the sauce didn't quite balance out the dryness. My husband got the halibut, and we both really liked the Lemon Beurre Blanc sauce that came with it. For the last course, I got the quail which we both agreed was the hit of the night. My husband got the beef tenderloin which we both thought lacked flavor - I'd skip that one. However, when you're paying that much money for a 3 course meal, you're paying for service as much as the food. I was especially disappointed with their treatment of people who aren't drinking - something I'd seen echoed in another review as well. I'm 4 months pregnant, and while the waitress consistently asked my husband if he wanted another glass of wine, I had to specifically get her attention so I could order another mocktail. And even though I specified the mocktail I wanted (this delicious ginger and pomegranate drink the bartender had made me when we had sat at the bar before our order), she brought me something different that tasted vaguely like a Shirley Temple. I doubt the same lack of attention to detail would have been present if my husband had ordered a specific glass of wine, and it just rubbed me the wrong way. My in-laws are in town for Thanksgiving and we had been planning to take them to Charleston, but as my mother-in-law also doesn't drink, we decided to take them somewhere else instead. Then at the end of the night, our waitress disappeared for like 20 minutes, which was stressful because we were sat 20 minutes late, and we were already late for our babysitter. She was standing at the other end of the room but didn't come over - even when she checked on the other table next to us. My husband finally had to flag her down so we could get the bill and get on the road. Overall, good food but disappointing experience overall - which is a shame, especially since we don't get out much and were celebrating a big event. Most likely won't be back. read more

This was one of those meals I'll remember forever. My boyfriend and I went on a Saturday for his birthday, with a reservation at 5:30. It was extremely quiet, almost uncomfortable, with the staff stationed right next to our table in an empty room. They brought the first (complimentary) course which was sort of an amuse bouche, but maybe slightly larger. It was some sort of soup with a bite-sized buttery roll, I don't particularly remember because I was still going over the courses that I choose in my head. We both choose to have 5 courses, which was one course too many, but a good experience. Four would have been perfect, as the various fresh breads being offered between courses are hard to pass up, and dessert is included (not one of your courses) and larger than expected. Neither of us did the wine pairings, I opted to have one 6 oz. glass of white with the majority of my meal (mainly seafood) and a 3 oz. glass of red with my final (beef) course and dessert. This is roughly what I had: Artichoke Soup with Arugula Oil Tuna Tartar with cucumber Shrimp with Grits with sausage Turbot Filet with Artichoke flan in an artichoke broth Beef Tenderloin with pepper sauce and fried onion and green beans It was perfect, but if I had to cut out one of the 5 to make it a 4 course meal I would skip the Tuna. Do NOT skip soup, and definitely get the Shrimp and Grits with sausage, they're buttery and rich and way more refined than they sound on the menu. My favorite thing though, which may not be everyone's favorite thing, was the Turbot filet with Artichoke flan. The filet was cooked like no other piece of fish I've ever had...light brown and slightly crispy all around the outside and soft and moist on the inside. It came served on the dish next to the light green flan with little greens on the side, and the broth was delicately poured into the dish at the table. The server prompted me to utilize the spoon to really get some of the broth: this was the best advice I've ever had from anyone in a restaurant, ever. With every bite the flan slightly melted into the broth as the tiny green softened up. The fish remained crispy even while soaking in the broth. I can't say enough about this dish, it was both warm and cozy and sophisticated at the same time. I will DREAM about this dish. After two courses I had already decided that I wanted to dine there on my birthday this year as well. read more

I would give Charlston ten stars if I could. We asked for chef's recommendation on all five courses, dessert, and wine parings for each course. Chef Cindy Wolf is simply amazing. We were blown away with each creation that came to the table and were even presented with some surprise appetizers and other items that were not even on the menu. We also had a sampling of five exquisite cheeses from the trolley. I cannot fail to mention Ryan, who was phenomenal, and walked us through the menu items, wine parings, grapes, the cheese trolley, and all the way to the desserts and cordials. His knowledge is second to none, and your dining experience will be completely taken to the next level with his expertise. When you are finished with dinner, be sure and stop by the bar for a scotch from Charlston's extensive selection. We will certainly be back, as it is number one on our dining destinations. I will defer making any suggestions as what to select from the menu as it is seasonal. We had ten different choices between the two of us and not a single one disappointed. Charlston's cuisine truly does reign supreme! read more

This review is long overdue and I haven't actually been to Charleston in quite some time, but my dining experience was so amazing that it definitely warrants a nod. The first time I went I had on a blazer, jeans, and heel and opted to sit in the bar despite the maitre d' insisting that I was welcome in the dining room. The second time around I did sit in the dining room with a friend and we both had amazing meals. The flowers and honey cocktail has been around for a while and it is delicious. Lavender is tricky to do in a drink, especially with botanical gin as it can tend to impart a medicinal taste. The proportions are masterful with this drink and the touch of honey just sets it off; it's a really beautiful drink. As far as the food, the diver scallops are amazing on every level. I'm crazy picky about scallops and because you always pay a premium for diver scallops, I tend to expect greatness. That's exactly what I got. They couldn't have been more perfect. They were wonderfully seared and basted with butter to the point that I could have swallowed them whole. Get two of that dish, lol. The quail is a complete must have as well and don't even let me get started on that to die for Burgundy reduction. OMGness!!! DROOL x100. My friend had the salmon entree and couldn't stop raving about it. In addition to how wonderful the food is, the beauty of the wine menu cannot be overlooked. I'm glad that I had been prior to going with my friend because I read through it for at least 20 minutes with sheer admiration. If you love Champagne you'll be in heaven. If you love Burgundy you'll be in heaven. A lot of places that aren't specifically wine bars don't continually carry a special club Champagne so I was overjoyed. I've only ever eaten dessert there once and had the seasonal berries and cream. They were outstanding. I'm not a huge fan of ports, but the evening that I went with my friend he had one for dessert and loved it so much that the waiter brought the bottle out so he could take a picture of it and hunt it down, lol. Be prepared to shell out a few hundred bucks, but the quality of food, amazing service, and attention to detail certainly warrants the price tag in my opinion. They've been around for years and continue to hold fine dining to the highest of standards. read more

We started the night for dinner at 8:00pm. We were excited to try this James Beard finalist restaurant. We sat down at an 'okay' table and ordered a cocktail, but asked to be transferred to a nicer table in the main dining room which was much prettier than the small side room - this room felt like a private dining/conference room. There were plenty of open tables. After we sat down in the main dining room we waited about 20 more minutes for our cocktails to arrive. While seated we reviewed the menu and an impressive wine list. However, the rest of the evening left something greatly to be desired. When cocktails finally arrived, the dry martini that I ordered came out as a dirty martini. I sent it back and they brought me a dry martini in a couple minutes - an indication that they were capable of faster cocktail service than we first experienced. Next, our chef's pre-course of watermelon soup and a crostini arrived at our table before I had a chance to meet our waitress, who never gave her name. She never asked if we had any allergy concerns, which was a primary issue since I'm celiac (gluten free). I had to ask for silverware and/or gluten free bread substitute to enjoy the pre-course. Unfortunately the kitchen didn't carry gluten free bread options, so I had to scrape the topping off the crostini. The waitress later noted, "oh you're gluten free..." Our first course came after 9 pm - a whole hour after we had sat down from the time of our reservation and we were starving. The Lobster curry soup was good; but again they had no gf bread or crackers to enjoy soup with... I'll make a side note here that we have never been to another restaurant on par with a James Beard Award, Michelin Star, Pellegrino Top 50 list, etc., that didn't carry extensive gluten free options including bread or separate menus. Next I ordered an artichoke risotto, which was extremely bland. I sent it back and ordered something else instead. At least the waitstaff was accommodating to replace the dish quickly. We overhead the chef de cuisine from the open kitchen sternly critique a sous chef to correct that "2 artichokes" were used in future preparations of that risotto - a clear sign that miscommunication had taken place in the kitchen. My fiance received a turbot fish course next off the seasonal truffle menu, but the fish was overdone. On that note, items on the truffle menu do not smell or taste like that traditional truffle smell. The truffle appears fresh shaved but has not distinct flavor of the truffle. I next ordered a Quail which was micro-sized, it tasted fine but there were only two legs - there was no breast served on the plate. It left me still quite hungry. For my last course I ordered off their cheese cart. The cheese cart was impressive and perhaps the best part of the restaurant. But again they served my cheese with a big pile of bread, which I had to send back. For the third time I had to remind the waitstaff that I was gluten free. After paying the $~500 bill, we had little worth staying for in the way of a digestif. We just wanted to leave, but were held up finally by a lack of anybody at the door to wish us adieu. We had to hunt down someone to get our umbrella who gave us attitude. I am shocked at the lack of service and attention to detail for this restaurant. I actually cried after the experience, feeling not so full and that my fiance had paid so much for a dinner not worth the value. I should note that we noticed the $115 bottle of wine that we had ordered appeared to be comped, perhaps because management recognized the poor experience we were having. So we do appreciate that, but a verbal apology and some reassurance that a future visit would have been more accommodating would have been more well received and appreciated. We will not be going back. read more

Fantastic restaurant in every manner. One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. This restaurant would be highly-rated in any city in America, including New York and San Francisco. Food is amazing and everything I had was memorable. The lobster bisque and fried oysters were particularly special. Service was professional and impeccable without being stuffy. This was a fine-dining experience without pretension. I had the 4-course meal (plus included dessert) with the wine pairing. That was plenty of food although some of my friends had 5 and even 6 and enjoyed it. When I return I'll probably not do the pairing and just order wine by a bottle, only because I felt like some of the pairings were a little outside of my preference (sherry for one, several carbonated wines, etc.) Everything about this restaurant was impressive. Well worth the high price. read more

I so loved the Lobster with Curry soup, Spinach with Goat Cheese Salad & Snails. We shared the Leek Soup w/Foie Gras and Corn crusted Oysters as our amuse bouchée. Mister loved the Shrimp & Grits, Chicken with Red Beans & Rice and Buffalo Tenderloin (Cindy Wolf recommends it medium rare and she's right). The cheese cart caught our eye and we tried the Eloisses and Ardrahan cheeses- OMG. And since we were celebrating our anniversary, we toasted each other with brut rose champagne and wedding cake with cookies. read more

Went here a while ago for a graduation dinner, however, I still remember my experience like it was yesterday! My rating given takes in account the other critically acclaimed restaurants in the area (Woodberry, Food Market, etc.). Service: The wait was a little long, but bearable, and the service was incredibly patient with our lack of formal dining experience. The decor was fairly old-fashioned formal (think white tablecloths and leather chairs). Some of our party chose to wear more casual clothes, which was OK with them. Food: I came in worried about the portion sizes, so I ordered the 4 courses / pairings - opting for 1 appetizer and 3 entrees. It was way more than I could handle and I was completely full by the time the complimentary desert rolled around (I'm a 175 lbs guy). Some of the food was amazing, and at worst it was just "good". Highlights: Cauliflower soup - creamy, savory, delicious, left me wanting 4 or 5 more Sweetbreads - balanced, interesting flavors, filling Could be better: Desserts - seemed low effort, great macarons (1 tiny pc/person), alot of "meh" chocolates Swordfish - lackluster in flavor and juiciness, good thing there was a lot of swordfish and it came with an amazing rose wine pairing Overall, one of the best dining experiences I've ever had in Baltimore! Would highly recommend coming here at least once. read more

Fantastic! I had such a wonderful experience dining here. The decor is extremely posh and high-end, and the staff treat you as if you are an extremely special guest. The waitstaff gave great recommendations when we wanted them and advised us on how many courses we should order- I ordered 4, but probably would have been fine with 3. I started with the grilled romaine and goat cheese salad, then had the heads on shrimp with grits, followed by the rockfish special, and finished with the lamb. They also made the BEST Dirty Vodka Martini I've ever had. Pretty pricey also, but completely worth it. Great experience, great meal! read more

If you're looking for the most amazing dining experience in Baltimore, look no further! From the moment you step foot in Charleston you're treated like royalty and waited on by one of the most professional staffs I've ever seen. I'm not sure how anyone could do more than 3 courses but they offer up to 5...I think. Maybe 6 but that's just ludicrous. Everything from the amuse bouche to the desserts are amazing! After eating there twice I suggest the shrimp and grits, lamb carrpacio, magret of duck, foie gras, lobster curry soup and don't skip the cheese cart! Like any good restaurant, the menu changes very frequently so be on the lookout for new fun and exciting selections. I could go on and on but you have to experience it for yourself. You'll spend between $120 - $175 per person but it's well worth it. You can skip the wine pairing and just get a cheap bottle of wine ($40ish) or really go big with wines that are over $1,000 each. Beer is reasonable with a great selection. read more

I researched the best restaurants in Baltimore and this was #1 and I see why. This place was pure perfection. I would never be able to afford this on a weekly basis but special occasion, yes. Every dish, server, host, etc. Was of the utmost high class. I actually felt like someone who is actually important that night. I don't regret not a penny. read more

First off I'd like to direct this comment to the guys out there. If you take your date to the Charleston and you don't get laid give up cause you're clearly inept with the ladies. That said let's briefly discuss the service. In a word, outstanding. The staff makes you feel like an old friend. Attentive without feeling smothered. The food, magnificent. Just as an example I had the duck breast. I'm a huge duck fan. True perfection. The dinner was in my wife's honor to celebrate her 50th birthday. We were a party of four. We all tried each other's dishes. All were simply excellent. The presentation is beautiful and the food is prepared to an exacting standard. You must try this place or you are truly missing out on a Baltimore jewel. read more

You already know from Yelp that Charleston is about as good as it gets, and that chef Cindy Wolf artfully captures the magic of low country cooking in an unpretentious fine dining experiences. Instead of giving more (albeit deserved) praise to the food, let me share a few tips and observations that might enhance your visit. 1) Number of courses to order. You have your choice of 3 to 6 courses, though I'm sure they'd let you order more. I am a guy who eats a lot, and oftentimes fine dining leaves me searching for a slice of pizza afterwards. I ordered the 4 course ($88) menu, and with the additional dessert course included in that price, I left very comfortable. Not bursting at the seams full, but pleasantly comfortable for the rest of the night. I could have done a fifth savory course, but six might have been too much. Be cautious not to overeat the delicious bread for fear of filling up too soon. 2) What to wear. This is one of the swankiest restaurants in Baltimore, but like most places these days, a strict dress code is not enforced. At a minimum you should wear slacks and a dress shirt, and many patrons wore blazers. Denim will make you feel very out of place. As I walked in, an older couple walked out complaining that they had not been warned beforehand of how dressy of a place this way. Please use your heads people - do you really think that other patrons would be wearing cargo pants and sandals at a $100/person+ restaurant? 3) Wine pricing. As a light drinker, I LOVED that I could order a 3oz. pour of any wine by the glass. What was odd was that many wines cost much more than double the 3oz. price for a 6oz. pour. So, you might want to get several 3oz. pours instead. 4) Kids. Leave them at home. There is nothing on the menu that will appeal to youngsters. For a family who was clearly from Southern California (dad in designer jeans showing too much chest, mom in fancy sandals, two perfect looking kids), the cooks had to go across the street to their sister restaurant (Cinghiale) to get some pasta for the kids, and the kids looked restless and miserable as their parents ate course after course (one kid curled up on the settee and took a nap). Enjoy a date night and leave the kids at home. 4) I still have dreams about the curry soup with lobster meat. Perhaps you will too. read more

My favorite restaurant of all time...when I have money to burn, that is. I've been there several times over the past 20 years and have always left satisfied, if a bit lighter in the purse. Yes, it's expensive, but it falls under "You get what you pay for"...and what I get is attentive, thoughtful service; meticulously prepared food (try the she-crab soup and the heads-on shrimp with Tasso ham and prosciutto (not nearly as creepy as it sounds)! and being called "sir and "ma'am" rather than "you guys". Charleston is classy and caters to a classy clientele. When I get dressed up, I *almost* feel like I belong there. Of course, the solicitous staff do their utmost to make sure I feel like I really do belong! I'm a natural miser; hence the four star rating. Otherwise, it deserves five stars. read more