My wife, son and I ate at Circa 1886 on October 11. The a la carte fish (flounder and grouper) ordered by two in the party was significantly overcooked, which was very disappointing. The service was impeccable and the ambience beautiful. I am sorry that the food quality did not match the service. I have given the restaurant an overall 4 stars. Food quality = 3 stars and service = 5+ stars. read more

Light and unusual fare. Matradee tried to sit us at the table by the door, notably the worst seat in the house. I have olive skin and curly hair. I asked the seater to sit in the open table next to it which she did no problem. The white couple after us were seated in the cozy booth. The next couple to be seated at the table by the door were two young men on a date. You decide... read more

Oh....my.....goodness!!! Hubby took me here for my bday and they didn't disappoint!! We were promptly seated and everything was splendid! Their prices are comparable to fine dining. Our waitress was knowledgeable so we didn't have to figure what the dishes from all over the world were. I had the rainbow trout (Red Indian style) which was flavourful and flaky... yum! Hubby had oxtails (Jamaican style) which were delicious! We had a patte board (from England) as an appetiser. It came with pistachios, a type of cracker?... and a variety of spreads. I had a plate written happy bday with tasty chocolate truffles; a truly remarkable experience We didn't have room for dessert but plan on visiting again! Thank you for making my bday a memorable one! read more

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Sometimes I hesitate giving a review to a restaurant that is already so highly rated because I feel it's unnecessary but Circa is the exception. We have visited many times and are never disappointed. This is an excellent location for a special occasion or romantic dinner. The grounds are beautiful and the service is always impeccable. I've tried more unique and new dishes at this restaurant than anywhere else. read more

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This place is so beautiful! Food is so tasty, with its inventiveness. Every morsel bursts with flavor. Annie was our waitress and she was so delightful. My partner and I had a nice cozy corner. Despite that, I could eye that the bar was a fun place to be. Sadly, I don't remember everything we drank and ate, but I have pictures! lol arrive early and just walk around for ten minutes. Get in the mood for love! read more

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Best meal we've ever had. That's what my husband and I keep telling people about this restaurant. This was a food experience that you truly have to try for yourself. Circa 1886 is tucked away behind a beautiful mansion in a quaint garden. I was already blown away before I even walked in the door. Now, the food. The food highlights the different culinary influences in Charleston. There's African, European, etc. My husband and I chose the European route and everything was so delicious. There were several courses and I'll admit, I've never eaten anywhere so fancy so I had to try and deduce at times how to eat each one. It started with an amuse bouche that the chef sent out. Then light, delicious bread. Then the appetizer. Go with the foi grae. Just. Do. It. Then the main course. I had the beef and all the flavors on the plate mixed so well together. Everything is meant to go together. We were told the chef spent a year putting together the menu. Finally, we enjoyed my favorite course, dessert. I went for the chocolate platter and cleared it of everything. Enjoying each little piece. I think my favorite part of the night was the service. Our waiter Denis was so kind and helpful and attentive. The best service I've ever received anywhere. This restaurant had a beautiful ambiance, making each patron feel like a king or queen. Highly recommended for a special occasion. The staff even brought out champagne to celebrate my anniversary, which was so thoughtful. read more

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This is the best the city has to offer, great spot for a special occasion, and at this point I think we've been to them all. I can't wait to return again. Not only was the food excellent, the location gorgeous, the staff was welcoming and thoughtful. We really enjoyed our night here, and would and will recommend anyone heading to Charleston that loves food and is looking for a memorable evening at an excellent venue. read more

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Chef's Tasting Menu with wine paring, 100% loved. Service & atmosphere on point. Great date night spot. We almost didn't go here as we had dinner reservations elsewhere - NO REGRETS! (Also was able to snag a reservation same day!) We've been to other places with tasting menus and this was by far one of the best in terms of price vs portion size. Definitely would return...& probably would order additional items! (Dec 2021) read more

I genuinely had the most amazing experience with Anne. From the beginning I was welcomed, Anne helped me navigate the incredibly large (but incredible) drink list. I was lucky enough to sit next to the hostess Sabrina, who was absolutely darling. As a solo diner, I was offered an incredible experience from start to finish, with a full course meal. This menu is different from any other in Charleston, and the staff is really incredible. I've never had oxtail before and the flavor was great! The veggies added some acidity which I appreciated and the shrimp and grits was really light and different from most you'd find in Charleston. Something that I'm really really impressed with is the bread... random.. but a beautiful touch that is so incredible. Thank you Circa, Anne, and Sabrina. I look forward to coming back. read more

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This was the first time we were here and we were sorry we didn't find it earlier - the food was delicious - I had the tasting menu and every course was delicious - and the place is beautiful - romantic - and even though it was crowded there wasn't a lot of noise which was perfect for date night - and our server was wonderful. read more

Put this place on the TOP of your list when you're looking for a fine dining option downtown! From the building itself to the food you're not going to have a better experience than at Circa. Emily our server was very knowledgeable about every aspect of the menu and was able to guide my party through all of the particulars and made some excellent recommendations. This is not the place to go if you're looking for a quick bite. This is a place where you go to have a true dining experience and relax as you indulge your senses and enjoy and evening with that special someone or a small group of friends. read more

Circa 1886 Restaurant - The sauce on this pork is amazing - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Circa 1886 never disappoints. Located on the grounds of Wentworth Mansion, the restaurant is welcoming and quaint. For the atmosphere, I would only suggest that the lighting be a little dimmer to compliment the romantic vibe they work towards. The server was extremely knowledgeable. She knew the "ins and outs" of all the dishes and was very refined in her description deliveries without sounding like she was reading a script. Their menu changes every few weeks and always features unique and enticing dishes. Last night featured rabbit, antelope, duck etc. I started with a cocktail called, "The Battery" which used cucumber vodka. It was very, very good. The crab macaroni & cheese appetizer was great and seems to be a staple on the frequently changing menu. They did not skimp on the crab, lots of it. For entree I had the pork tenderloin served over a sweet potato chipotle hash, topped with a sweet glaze, along with bok choy, accompanied by a splash of greek yogurt on the plate (pic included). I had been torn between the tenderloin or the lamb shank. Though I am sure the shank would have been delish, the tenderloin did not disappoint. Very tender and flavorful. The portion size was perfect for me and I was able to finish it (unusual for me). A hungry guy would have probably been disappointed with this portion size. For dessert we settled on the caramel banana cake. I will say that the we were interested in Godiva chocolate souffle. I had seen just about every table order it. When we were ordering our entrees at the beginning of dinner, the server asked if we wanted dessert. I had never been asked that when ordering entrees...so immediately said I would wait to make that decision. So at the close of dinner, when thinking about dessert, I then understood why she asked....the chocolate souffle takes about 45 minutes to prepare. So if you go here, peruse the desserts in the beginning and ask about their prep time because you may need to order at the beginning of dinner too. Regardless, the caramel banana cake was delicious. Circa 1886 is one of those places that you can't go wrong no matter what you order. However, If you are looking for large portion sizes or cheap prices, I would stay away from here. If you are looking to try Circa on a budget, check them out during restaurant weeks in January and September. I will definitely be back here and I will order the souffle first! Enjoy:) read more

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Angel was an amazing server and made sure that I was able to eat gluten free foods from one of the pre fixed menus. This place was amazing, cozy and delicious. Would come back again in a heart beat. Best customer service I had my entire trip to Charleston. Can you adopt me so I can eat your food on a regular basis? My favorite dish was the crab with mango mousse which I totally did not expect. Thanks for taking good care of me and my table! read more

Circa 1886 Restaurant - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Indoor seating is a luxury these days and the food was fantastic. Shrimp and grits, foie gras, venison and trout were delightful. Save room for the chocolate crémeux and spiced pear Tartre. Austin was our server and did a great job. Worth the visit. read more

Circa 1886 Restaurant - Foie gras - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Wow, what a hidden gem! Tucked along Wentworth and behind the mansion, this restaurant is fantastic and stands out among the great Charleston restaurants. I've wanted to try this restaurant for a long time, and finally made the trip. The service was affable, relaxed, and attentive without being overbearing. Was immediately greeted by the bartender upon walking in and quickly sat with my party. Menu was kept small but still offered a diverse selection that spanned the gamut. Didn't expect it, but was offered an amuse bouche of watermelon gelee with basil and a pre-starter of mushroom soup with truffle oil. Absolutely delicious. Ordered the foie gras, oysters Rockefeller, duck breast, coffee brined antelope, and smores souffle. What can I say? Everything was exquisite, but the antelope dish won the night. Meat was so tender, it almost melted in my mouth. Foie gras was foie gras...you can't go wrong with it, but never had it with cocoa nib and vanilla. Very interesting combination. Foie is not for everyone though since it's quite fatty and rich. The oysters were very fresh and clean tasting, and the smores souffle was the bomb. Meal was a little pricey, but definitely worth a visit, especially for a special evening. Ambiance is very warm and inviting, and exudes class without being stuffy. Highly recommended. read more

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A beautiful spot attached to the Wentworth Mansion. We always visit here for happy hour - they have a great 5 for $5 menu of cocktails and wine wee - something to please everyone. The staff is always pleasant and quick with service. The bar area is intimate and elegant. There are seats at the bar, a couple of y'all tables, and a regular table in the corner. The place is never crowded and parking is always available on Wentworth and Smith Streets. When you are looking for a quiet happy hour with great options, try this place. And, I hear good things about the food, too. read more

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With so many places to choose from in Charleston, this needs to be on the list. They have a tasting menu or you can order al a crate. My wife did the tasting, where the chef took portions of each food inspiration and made the tasting. I picked each. The experience was well worth the price. The soufflé was light and airy, the fois gras was rich and decadent. The venison is a must. Not pictured but was seasoned and cooked to perfection. Wonderful ambiance for a great romantic dinner. read more

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I had high hopes for Circa, but unfortunately was disappointed. Perhaps it being restaurant week contributed to the overall average food? The lobster appetizer was elegantly plated. The lobster itself was overdone and the flavors were ok. My salmon was tasty- probably the best of the night. The dessert was overly sweet. The staff was super friendly and attentive. The ambiance was also lovely. It was unfortunately a rather expensive average meal. Also- free parking is not a thing. At least not according to the hostess the night we went. read more

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Okay, so this was an amazing culinary experience! Unique, different, & delicious. Jill & I enjoyed the caesar salad, shrimp & grits, preserved rabbit , and what can I say about the southern grilled cheese! If you're thinking to yourself, $39 is too much to spend for an appetizer, think again! It was absolutely amazing! Our desserts, recommended by our server, the apple rum soufflé & the BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE CRÉMUEX were delicious. What can I say about our waitress Emily??!! We are foodies & go out to eat a lot! Emily was simply the BEST waitress of all time! Totally on point! Her descriptions of food & drink spot on, her service impeccable, & her personality & charm enchanting. Simply put, Emily is one of a kind! Request her & thank me later. Circa 1886 is w/o question a top notch restaurant. Be sure to come here when in Charleston. read more

Went there based on reviews. Appetizers we got the Butternut squad soup and grilled cheese. Soup was goood nothing spectacular and the grilled cheese was a bit over salty. Main dishes were scallops and steak which were both delicious. The Apple rum soufflé is a must. I wasn't a fan of my spiced pear cake but my family has a amazing recipe with a twist on Jewish apple so I should have known. read more

Circa 1886 Restaurant - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Exquisite low country American dining with influences from the Caribbean, Africa, France and of course the South today. A chef's tasting menu is available for a reasonable price but we opted for the a la carte method. Food was solid, but the Star was definitely the torte soufflé!!! Service was excellent too! Tip: because Circa is located in the converted carriage house to the Wentworth Mansion, it has no address. You can ask the staff for a bit of the history of its origin as we were given fun facts from our server Tanya and the friendly bartender. Can go through the mansion to admire the history and architecture of this now King beds only inn. The hostess there also shared some historical facts with us while we waited for our Lyft. Beautiful location. read more

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My husband and I had the pleasure of an anniversary dinner (9/8) which was a tasting menu with wine pairings. Tonya was our host. From the pre dinner cocktails, to the amuse bouche and then our main plates, everything was superb. We let Tonya surprise us... what a delight. She paired both reds and whites depending on the plates. Then after-dinner drinks of a delightful port to go with dessert. Stay at the Mansion which I also highly recommend. Worth a journey and excellent value. read more

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Absolutely horrible. I have a medical condition from stomach problems and i can eat only very small portions. When i asked for their special "tasting menu" of beef tenderloin (small enough for me to eat comfortably) the waitress told me that was not allowed. To get that portion i had to buy their three or five course tasting menu (which i could never finish). No medical accommodation allowed. I had a caesar salad (really not good) and a couple of bites of my wife's dinner (which was better). Told the manager i was leaving a zero tip and explained why and he just smiled at me. If this is a top restaurant in Charleston, then i pity anyone with medical conditions trying to eat here. read more

We partook of the five-course tasting menu Ambience: The atmosphere was intimate with soft mood lighting and wall art depicting characteristic scenes of the SC landscape (marshy fields, Spanish moss). Hors d'œuvres: The second amuse-bouche, chilled melon cucumber soup topped with lemon avocado oil, was remarkably refreshing. The bread service was fantastic: fresh-out-the-oven blueberry wheat and rice rolls with luscious orange oil and sea salt butter. Highlights from the main courses: the fried coconut-encrusted sweetbreads (first course), which consisted of veal thymus gland, were delightfully crispy! The chicken breast (third course) was seared to perfection, and the accompanying goat cheese mornay sauce was utterly delectable! The Wagyu ribs (fourth course) were spectacularly tender, and drizzled with Espagnole sauce and truffle oil, which in turn balanced out the sweet potato purée. The s'mores soufflé was beyond sumptuous! Drinks: the tropical mocktail had a certain je ne sais quoi to its complex set of flavours ranging from sweet nectar to tangy ginger. Emily, our server, did a tremendous job at hosting a remarkable meal! Verdict: Outstanding cuisine with a Lowcountry twist! Tips: If history is your scene, be sure to inquire about the history of the building and adjoining Wentworth Mansion. Also check out the original 19th century blacksmith's fireplace in the foyer. read more

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We recently went to Circa 1886 for the first time to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Complimentary parking is across the street in a lot. The hospitality was fantastic without being over-the-top. Our menu was customized with a "Happy Anniversary" message on it. Our server brought us complimentary glasses of champagne to celebrate our anniversary. For my appetizer, I started with the Scallops: Green Garlic Butter, Maque Choux, Pea Shoots, Feta, Blood Orange Vinegar Slaw. The dish included two delicious, large scallops with tasty accompaniments. Meanwhile, we enjoyed the fresh bread with zesty orange butter. The chef also sent samples of grilled cheese and tomato soup. For my main course, I had the Broken Arrow Antelope: Smoked Blackberry Barbeque Sauce, Vanilla Bourbon Baked Beans, Rapini, Cipollini Onions, Ash Essence. I loved the antelope! It had a mild taste, more similar to beef than venison. The beans and sauce were quite complimentary to the meat. The portion size was large. The dessert was incredible! I had the Smores: Flourless Chocolate Cake, Roasted Marshmallow Ice Cream, Smoked Milk Chocolate Ganache, Graham Crunch. The chef wrote a "Happy Anniversary" message in chocolate on the dish. I loved it all! We had a wonderful experience at Circa 1886 and will be back again. Food and service were phenomenal! read more

Circa 1886 Restaurant - Outstanding food and service! Smores dessert with custom message for our anniversary - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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What a FABULOUS dinner and experience - top notch menu options (the Fois Gras and the venison were the winners for my husband and the rainbow trout for me was delicious!), dream-worthy dessert (we got the apple soufflé) and great service! We are already planning our next visit back as we can't stop talking about it! Ps the rolls are to die for. read more

My boyfriend took me to Circa 1886 for my 30th birthday and I couldn't have asked for a better dining experience! Our server, Tanya, was the sweetest and made sure we were very well taken care of. I went all in with the chef's tasting menu and every single dish was pure perfection! The chef's tasting menu started out with the Shrimp N' Rice Grits, moved into the Southern Grilled Cheese, next up was the Sea Scallops, then the Prime U.S. Striploin, and finished off with the Apple Rum Soufflé. I was so excited to get to try so many amazing dishes in one setting. My favorite the striploin. The horseradish espuma on it brought out its incredible flavor even more. Also, I'm not sure I've ever had soufflé before but I am certain that the apple rum soufflé was the best desert I've ever had! If you do nothing else, stop in for the soufflé to end your night some time. My boyfriend went with 3 courses off the menu, starting with the Preserved Rabbit, following it up with the Broken Arrow Venison, and finishing it off with the Spiced Pear Cake. All 3 were absolutely wonderful as well! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an elegant and tasty dining experience! read more

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Four of us went to Circa 1886 three weeks ago. I am going to buck the review trend on this restaurant and simply say that it was a big disappointment. The physical restaurant is very subtle and nicely decorated. The staff service was excellent, although they seem to have been trained to act a bit stuffy. However, the food (the reason why we went) was a big snooze. Very little flavor in any of our dishes, except of smoked salmon wonton, which was a small portion of the striped bass entree. The wonton was excellent. The rest of the dish, and the other different dishes we had, both from the tasting menu and the a la carte menu, were very bland. Prices were high, but we knew that and it was not an issue, had the food been flavorful. I go to a restaurant to enjoy the food, not to look at the decor. read more

Mr. Michael Dawson did a beautiful job helping us plan my husband's birthday dinner at Circa 1886 Restaurant in Charleston. Our party of 23 enjoyed a wonderful cocktail hour in the garden patio before dinner where we had great drinks and wines, as well as shrimp, cheese and salume, etc. and listened to a jazz combo we hired from Charleston Jazz! Wonderful atmosphere and music and bar/Hors D'oeuvres service-both bartender and servers were great! When we were directed upstairs to the Tack Room, we saw a lovely room with a beautiful table set. What followed was a very delicious dinner all at the proper temperatures, which was very impressive considering 23 people were being served starters-soup and salad and then either steak or scallops. I had the scallops and they were perfectly sautéed and my husband had the steak and he was very pleased with it. We received rave reviews from all our guests. Wine was beautifully served throughout. Our desert was my husband's very favorite strawberry shortcake which was served in individual cakes and plated varieties of cookies. We received many compliments on this also! Many Thanks to Circa 1886, Michael Dawson and Mark Severs-the General Manager who saw everything run smoothly the entire evening and everyone who worked so hard to make this such a great evening for my husband! We've had dinner at Circa a number of times and we always love it and we were so happy they delivered so beautifully with this special dinner! read more

An elegant restaurant. Wasn't a weak dish out of any that we got, including the amuse buse and the bread. Our favorite on our Charleston trip. read more

I recently surprised my wife with a birthday dinner at Circa 1886. I loved how the menu revolved around the history of South Carolina featuring dishes based on Native American, African, and European influences. To start I ordered what would be my favorite dish of the evening: Southern Grilled Cheese. This gourmet grilled cheese was exquisite! Soft grilled brioche was filled with rich sharp pimento cheese mousse, wrapped in flavorful surryano ham, and topped with salty paddlefish caviar. I now dream about this grilled cheese sandwich. My wife ordered the Foie Gras to start. The melt in your mouth foie was prepared nicely and was paired with a lightly sweet blueberry tarte. For my entrée I had the Piedmontese Beef. The beef was a nicely tender medium rare with a lightly charred outside and paired with fresh crisp asparagus, rich blue cheese chunks, and starchy potato croquettes. My wife ordered the Buttermilk Fried Red Hen as her entrée. The tender hen was covered in a crisp breading and paired with a spicy creamy Carolina Reaper aioli and crisp green beans. For dessert we split a Squash Cake. This flavorful spiced moist cake was paired with lightly sweet pine nut butter, fresh juicy berries, crisp wild rice, and white chocolate. Every bite had a slightly different texture and flavor. Overall, Circa 1886 is a nice place to celebrate a special occasion. read more

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Our 1st time and it didn't disappoint. The rabbit apoetizer was delicious. Followed that with the pickled flounder and venison loin with a tasty cherry reduction. Must finish with the chocolate souffle! read more

Circa 1886 Restaurant - Rabbit appetizer - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Not Up to Snuff Charleston has grown into a real foodie town. Fig, Peninsula Grill, Halls Chophouse--all great. Circa 1886 positions itself among those others, but it doesn't reach their level. We tried the multi-course menu. The cocktails were forgettable. The highly recommended grilled cheese appetizer was very good. Everything else was pretty good. Nothing suggested that Circa 1886 should be among the top tier restaurants in Charleston. Myrtle Beach? Maybe. I would like to give Circa 1886 3.5 stars. But because of the cost, I'll round it down. read more

Celebrated our wedding anniversary there, server went above and beyond to make it so special. She even made great recommendations for wine/bubble pairing. Food was OH SO GOOD! And Desert was heavenly. Will return when back in Charleston. read more

Circa 1886 Restaurant - Chocolate Souffle - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Set in a classic southern home, the ambience makes this experience special. The food should be Michelin Star rated very strong culinary skills and presentation for exquisite flavor profiles. Impressive wine list. Service was classic and very professional. This was a very enjoyable experience, pricey but worth the experience. read more

Exquisite food and impeccable service in a beautiful setting. We really enjoyed our anniversary dinner here. Highly recommend.

A romantic evening w great food. Very elegant feel fabulous waiter Austin! My hubby loved the rabbit soup and venison while I enjoyed the Caesar Salas and sweet potatoes! You don't want to miss this place read more

Circa 1886 Restaurant - Fabulous chocolate dessert - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Drinks were great, awesome expresso martini. Food was amazing. Highly recommend the tasting menu to sample some of the more popular dishes. My wife and I also ordered the foie gras and the pork belly. What really made the experience was our waitress Tanya who was kind, attentive and very down to earth!! Highly recommend this restaurant :) read more

Fabulous anniversary dinner. Our server, Brian, was friendly, helpful, and funny. We did the Ashley and Cooper Tastings with the wine pairings. Oh my.... so so so much goodness! They graciously gave us a printout with all the wines. Beautiful, intimate decor! I left my shawl and they texted us about it. No detail was overlooked!! read more

Visited during restaurant week so was able to get a three course meal for $45. The ambiance is extremely cozy but spacious at the same time and they have a few free parking spots. The wine and drink menu are vast so there is truly something for everyone. Our dinner came with a couple of small bites and samplings, compliments of the chef. The servers were extremely nice and kept our glass full. The scallops on our appetizers were cooked very well but the blackeye pea and hominy mixture that accompanied it was undercooked. The broccoli soup tasting with truffle oil wasn't good until about the fine spoon full. Also, my bread was removed from the table before I finished eating it. Seems like a small thing but I like bread, lol. read more

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