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Overall one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. Ambiance and food options are tremendous. Food: you have the option to select from 3-5 choices. These do not need to be from different sections, you could select 5 from the land if you so pleased. The choices were delicious and they did a great job with the presentation. Alcohol: a som is available which provides great advice for good options. Fun, but standard, cocktails. Service: overall great, they did an excellent job catering to everyone at the same time and ensuring dishes were distributed at the same time.
Visit: (8/10/26) Total: $574.716 ($478.93 + $95.79 Tip) Food: 1/10 *SEVERELY LACKING FLAVOR Service: 10/10 (*Marcie & staff provided exceptional service!) Review: I must start off my honest review by saying that I usually try once a year for the past couple of years to give the Charleston a chance in hopes that I would be able to be blown away by the food, but each year I am continually disappointed. This year I am finally going to write a review as I took my wife here this evening for her birthday hoping to surprise her with the flavors which I hoped would match the reputation that Chef Wolf is known for, but unfortunately the food was so underwhelming especially for the price I paid that I feel like I should finally leave some feedback. *Quick note: I must admit that I am a little biased and used my wife's and my favorite restaurant The Milton Inn as a benchmark to compare our visit to as it seems like every single time we visit the Milton Inn, every single dish that comes out of Chef Scanga's kitchen never ceases to amaze us. 10/10 - Beverage & Beverage Service: (Champagne, Klepka Sausse Grand Cru "Blanc de Blancs - Mille Or" 2017 - $144.00) I will 100% back the Charleston's 2025 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. Just like The Milton Inn, they have brought an amazing champagne to both of their restaurants and I HIGHLY recommend this bottle to anyone as it is amazing find. 1/10 - FOOD: 8/10: Husk-Roasted Corn "Chowder," Andouille Sausage, Tasso Ham: (corn was deliciously sweet, but it was sad that the andouille sausage was barely noticeable on the palate, and this was just the start of a long and unfortunate decent of "lack of flavor" with every corresponding dish.) 1/10: Local Heirloom Tomato Salad, Fresh Buffalo Milk Mozzarella, Basil Vinaigrette: (While both my wife and I loved hearing about how the tomatoes and basil were sourced directly from Chef Wolf's garden, the basil vinaigrette was so underwhelming and lacked any depth that my wife and I commented to each other that we literally could have made the same dish at home and it would have easily had more flavor.) 8/10: White Truffle Fettuccine, Mushroom Fricassée, 24-Month Aged Reggiano, Butter Sauce: (this is the only dish where being a little more subtle helped the dish in regard to the truffle not overpowering the taste of the homemade pasta.) 1/10: Pan-Roasted Bacon-Wrapped Sea Scallop with Tomatoes from Chef's Farm: (my wife and I both love scallops and we ordered two of these entrees. 1) our scallops were cold and fishy and potentially undercooked that in order to prevent my wife from being embarrassed she put the majority of the scallop on my plate and I just ate the bacon. 2) on a scale of 1-10 in regards to the flavor of the bacon it was a 1. 3) the purée of tomatoes surrounding the scallop was so under seasoned that it clashed w/ the scallop and could have been the only thing that saved the dish if it was seasoned at all.) 1/10: Grilled Veal Tenderloin, Creamy Polenta Vidalia Onion Beignets, Red Wine Reduction: (the veal was so unseasoned and had a non existing sear that it literally tasted and look "boiled". I was hoping that the red wine reduction would at least provide some sort of bang of flavor, but again the trend of this sauce was a continuation of all the sauces that we tried before which was a 1/10 on the flavor scale. The temperature of the entire dish was the temperature of a dish that had been sitting in the window aka semi warm) Conclusion: Again by no means is this review meant to be malicious as I was truly hoping for an amazing dining journey of flavor, but I felt that Chef Wolf should receive some honest feedback about our very disappointing dining experience. This was so disappointing that we would rather pay twice as much to be blown away by the flavors of Woodberry Kitchen or The Milton Inn even though they are all around the same price point. Hopefully this review doesn't go unnoticed as I would be happy to change my review if somehow things got better.
My partner and I returned to Charleston for our annual Christmas dinner. While the food was generally very good, we were a little less impressed with the service this year. The major hiccup we experienced was my gluten free lamb shank pasta being sent to the vegetarian sitting at the table next to us. Watching this unfold and the server's exasperated reaction was very awkward. That being said, the manager (or maitre d?)'s graceful handling of the situation thereafter was great. He told us what happened, played it off well, explained that it would be a bit of a wait for our next course as a result, and ended up comping all our wine. Really classy touch. However, even after the long wait for the pasta, it was ultimately under-salted under-seasoned and not impressive at all. As much as I appreciate the gluten free option, I wish I had just gotten something else especially after all that trouble! The rest of the service throughout the night was also oddly paced. We ordered less courses than last year (only three) but we were there for almost four hours. Tables around us who arrived after us were served their first courses before we even had a chance to order. We were asked to pick out a wine first before choosing our food and since we weren't sure what we were eating, we weren't ready to select a wine. Even just getting the food menu took a bit of waiting around. Our server didn't inquire about any food allergies either so it was tough making decisions when I wasn't sure what was gluten free - and this was an allergy that was noted in our reservation, too. At another point, I asked for a glass of red wine three different times until finally the maitre d grabbed it for me after the pasta debacle happened. As for the rest of my meal, the scallops and lobster soup were both yummy but not anything life changing. However, my boyfriend's lamb chop dish was very very delicious. The one bite I had, paired with the pomegranates, was heaven. By the way, they offer gluten free bread service too. Has the Charleston lost their touch after the recent James Beard press? I'm not sure but I do hope they step things back up again. You come to expect a little more from an institution like this, especially after being totally blown away last year.
During a business trip to Baltimore, I made a reservation for Charleston, a James Beard Foundation Award winning restaurant along the Harbor. It was a short and lovely walk from my hotel, and I was dining alone and initially I wasn't sure how I felt about having a solo dining experience at an upscale restaurant. My concerns were immediately dispelled as soon as I opened the restaurant door. Two men greeted me and were incredibly gracious and welcoming. They quickly found my reservation and asked me if it was my first time at the restaurant and what brought me to town. Since it was pretty early for dinner (6pm on a Monday) they gave me options for where I wanted to sit, confirming that the lounge seating I reserved was best for me because it placed me near the large bay windows that faced the harbor and the setting sun. My waiter was friendly and knowledgeable. He not only knew the menu, but he had tasted several items and gave me direct feedback on items. I decided on the three-course menu with wine pairing. For starters, I had the fried oysters. The fry was light and crisp, and oysters were flavorful, still holding the freshness of the ocean. The olive bread serving was a nice touch. The second course was white truffle fettuccine with mushrooms. The mushrooms were tender, absorbing the flavor of the seasoning. The fettuccine was fresh, light and richness of the white truffle was a perfect compliment, but not overpowering. The third course was crispy wild halibut with a zucchini beignet. Again, they do a beautiful job with frying fish. The fish with lightly fried enough to get a nice crispy, but with no oily after taste. The zucchini beignet was crisp and fresh. The tartar sauce for the halibut gave the elevated dish a hearty, fun, comfort food finish. The wine pairings were perfection. From the Cremant d'Alsace Brut bubbly, which offered a refreshing and bright flavor to go with the light oysters, and even the Chardonnay, Dehlinger, which offered a citrus accent that was a nice balance with the warm, rich embrace of the fettuccine dish, Charleston sommelier experts make every effort to ensure that pairing enrich the dining experience. For those looking for an elevated dining experience in Baltimore by the Harbor, where you really feel taken cared of, I'll suggest visiting Charleston. Every staff member I engaged with, even as a solo diner, made me feel like I was a treasured guest.
Charleston is a great fine dining experience for special occasions as it is definitely one of the more expensive restaurants I've been to in the city. It is quiet and tastefully decorated with pressed white linens and soft music. A very nice anniversary spot if you feel like splurging! I chose the 3 course tasting menu with the wine paring because I wasn't starving. Had I been really hungry, the 4 course would have been more appropriate. The portions are really small but you do get bread for the table, an amuse-bouche, and desert included in your meal. There is also an optional cheese course at the end if you are still feeling peckish. The food was 4/5. Good flavor for every dish but I was left feeling like each one was missing something. I was hoping for better given the expensive price tag. The wine pairing was a nice addition to the meal and I'm glad I decided on the option. Service was 5/5. Each course was presented and explained beautifully by the wait staff. Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu.
Food We came as a party of two, and each of us went for the four-course menu. Overall, the dishes were solid--around a 7-8/10 for me. Everything was good, though nothing was wildly outlandish. Grilled Octopus I personally loved the octopus; it was tender and flavorful. They cooked it so well that it was easy to bite into--none of that usual chewiness you often get with octopus. It also carried more flavor than expected, since octopus doesn't absorb seasoning easily. They really nailed the preparation. Duck Breast with Foie Gras The foie gras was velvety and tender. It came with cooked apple underneath, which I enjoyed--the sweetness worked for me, though I can see how it might be a bit too sweet for some people's taste. Lobster Soup It's worth the hype--fragrant and rich. Other Dishes Desserts were all good. We also had the risotto, fettuccine, scallop, and fried chicken. The risotto's flavoring leaned a little too salty for me. The fettuccine was fine, but nothing particularly special. Including tax and tip, the meal came out to around $180 per person. We didn't order wine but did try two mocktails. The hospitality was wonderful, and the ambience was elegant and delightful. Overall, a solid establishment and a must-visit in Baltimore.
WORTH IT. I was worried about the value proposition... ~$300+ for food and cocktails for 2 people.... but i was so genuinely happy to have worried for nothing. The food was exceptional. Many of the dishes were rich with beautiful layers of flavor; fish and duck cooked to perfection... lobster soup insanely good. The ambiance was perfect - had everything dialed in and not too much noise. The service was incredible with numerous staff checking on us every 3-5 minutes, not in an intrusive way, just letting us know they were there. Beverage program is A+ and the desserts were a great surprise - go with the Raspberry Gateau!
Absolutely ah-mazing dining experience! Celebrated my birthday as a gift from a very dear couple... what a memorable experience! The ambience was absolutely perfect. It established the ideal pace to enjoy each course without rushing though. The service was impeccable. Each course was explained in detail with the appropriate wine pairing. Yes, I recommend the wine pairing. This was a gastronomical experience which exceeded my expectations... I only have one regret. I regret that I didn't get a picture with Chef Cindy Wolf when she visited our table. Maybe next time! Please do yourself a favor, make a reservation, relax and enjoy the experience.
*visiting from houston* Whew, what an experience!! I will highly recommend this place to folks local or not. It is worth it!! Upon entering the establishment, the ambiance is romance and nicely dimmed. All the staff here were great, including our waiter, Dylan. Dylan was helpful and gave an excellent rundown of the menu. Food? 4 courses were more than enough for us. Portion sizes seem small but it was very filling. We did (2) 4 courses with wine pairings. 1st course: I thoroughly enjoyed the rich lobster soup; I was hesitant because of the curry oil but it was a great all together. 2nd course: lobster ravioli was decent. Nothing spectacular but enjoyable. 3rd course: lobster vol-au-vent! This was my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE and the wine pairing with it was FREAKING YUMMY. The vol-au-vent, to me, is like a lobster pot pie as the puff is the same puff I use for chicken pot pie. My 3rd course was THE ABSOLUTE BEST. I should have stopped there Lolol but the 4th course: duck with the gumbo. And wow. The duck was cooked perfectly and the gumbo with it paired nicely!! DEEP KISSES TO THE CHEF AND THE OWNERS OF THIS ESTABLISHMENT. The dessert I got was the chocolate espresso with a cappuccino! A sweet way to top off the evening! HIGHLY recommend this place, expensive but WORTH IT.
I made a reservation for the Charleston with the manager, Jorge, to celebrate my birthday and on a later date, my graduation. Our server, Jocelyn V., was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. Jorge was also very accommodating to my party as well. This is fine-dining restaurant has complimentary valet parking which is very convenient in the Harbor East area. When you enter, there is the bar area - which does not require reservations or has a dress code. The dining area, has very comfortable seating. All portion sizes at the Charleston are relatively small and they have a pre-fixe menu where you choose how many courses you would like to try: 3 courses $99 w/wine $159 4 courses $129 w/wine $205 5 courses $163 w/wine $258 6 courses $189 w/wine $303 For cocktails, I usually get the Ipanema Fizz ($18), which has sparking wine, passion fruit, and honey. It is crisp and not overly sweet. Now their menu items constantly change and are seasonal, but if available for food, I recommend trying the following dishes: Foie Gras - This is the perfect balance of rich and creaminess from the fatty liver cut with the sweet tartness of the strawberry/rhubarb compote, all atop a cornmeal cake for a nice crunchy texture. Rich Lobster Soup with Curry - The buttery lobster and the creaminess of the lobster stock reduction pair perfectly with the savory curry oil. Grilled Marinated Octopus - The octopus was so tender atop of light salad consisting of French coco beans, cherry tomatoes, arugula, and the acidity of the whole grain mustard vinaigrette to compliment the entire dish. My only drawback was the Pan-roasted Red Snapper with pecan rice. The pecan rice was a unique component which I thought worked very well. My disappoint was that my fish was overcooked and dry. It was very stringy and hard to cut. My mother, who was sitting next to me, got the same dish and her fish fillet was cooked perfectly and was buttery. It does bother me that there is an inconsistency in the dishes. I sent my dish back and opted to not replace it. Other than that, I know that no restaurant is ever perfect in a execution all the time so I am able to overlook that. The Charleston is definitely a wonderful restaurant for upscale dining and incredibly delicious food.
The highlight of my day, a wonderful meal at a beautifully comforting restaurant. They were able to accommodate our change of day for a reservation. Although there was a bit of a mix up and did not have bottles still water left, the service made up for it and I did not feel slighted at all. Overall, all of the food was actually very good. One of the notable parts was the spinach soup they gave us at the beginning of the meal. It was a great start and a smart way to incorporate vegetable starters when the tasting menu offers high customization. You are able to choose pretty much whatever you want for a fixed price. Price-wise, it makes more sense to load up on the bottom part of the menu. However, the menu is still organized in a way where you can easily choose a more traditional experience. Along with the menu are some specials that change, but we did not partake. The standouts were the oysters, lobster bisque, and surprisingly the agnolotti due to the delicate corn taste. Along with the food, I found the plate ware to be very beautiful and marine-like. The tablecloths are nicely pressed and the lighting is very comforting. Definitely a place I'd recommend to someone coming to Baltimore!
I'm not even sure where to start with this amazing experience. Just know you should go with an empty stomach. You choose between 3-6 courses and then each course can be anything on the menu. I went with a four course with wine pairing, which was waaayyy too much food but I just couldn't give up trying that many things. I would describe what I had, but literally anything you get here will be high quality ingredients and made beautifully. The restaurant itself has a beautiful interior and comfy seats. It is very formally set up and they will replace your napkin when you use the restroom! All the small touches that go into the service just make it even more of an experience. It is 100% worth the price tag and I would highly recommend. I cannot wait to go back!
Enjoyed another great meal at Charleston The turbot and tenderloin were great. The oysters were surprisingly really good- had a very light fry. I wasn't a super big fan of the risotto but I don't usually like risotto- it was more runny and had more liquid than other risottos than I've had. Husband and I wanted to try the white truffle since it was in season but we were both a bit underwhelmed.
2 years ago
4 years ago
I dined at the Charleston for the first time last evening and I must say not only is the food delectable, but the ambiance is comforting, and the service was impeccable. Highly recommend trying some of Chef Cindy Wolf & Tony Foreman's incredible creations. Photos to follow! read more
3 years ago
In my opinion, this is the best restaurant in the entire Baltimore area. The food was more than excellent and the service was exceptional. They even ask if I want to take a menu home, and of course I say yes and they always roll the menu up like a scroll and tie a cute blue bow tie on top. Their menu system is quite unique, they don't have a regular appetizers, soups, salads entrees sections. Instead, Charleston a menu where you can order as many courses that you want and each course on the menu is around the same size and portion of food. You are then allowed to pick whatever you want on the menu as one of your courses. And a dessert is included no matter how many courses you order. So even a 3 course is technically a 4 course meal because your 3 courses plus dessert. I have only one minuscule complaint about Charleston and that in my opinion the atmosphere is a bit too stuffy. This is the restaurant for an elegant dining experience probably to celebrate some occasion quietly not a place for a party. On their menu they also have a little note to refrain from using your phone all night which I completely understand. They will still let you take photos of the food and interior if you so choose. Charleston changes their menu quite often based on what is the best and most seasonal ingredients that they have in stock. Most of the time the menu changes are a different sauce and sides to a same main protein or focal ingredient to smaller dishes but their most notable dishes like their lobster curry bisque or fried oysters stays the same year round. But when seasons change they'll generally change a few items around. When it comes to the food, there was not a singular bad course. Before the courses even start they generally serve you some kind of Amuse Bouche like a chilled tomato soup or some small but powerfully flavorful dish that is seasonal. When I last dined at Charleston I ordered the four course meal consisting of the: - Beef Tenderloin Steak Tartare - White Truffle Fettucine - Grilled Bison Tenderloin - Pan-Roasted Hudson Valley Margret of Duck with the Valrhona Dark Chocolate Mousse for my four courses. Dessert doesn't just end with what you ordered though, they also bring three small dessert bites per guest: a Macaron, a chocolate truffle and a fruit jelly for even more of that French elegance. Now each course was done very well. The temperature on the Bison and Duck were both perfect coming out the exact temp I ordered (rare and medium-rare respectively). The balance of southern flavors with diligent French techniques forces a strong combination of flavor and texture elevating dishes to some amazing statuses. I also tasted a couple of dishes that people I was dining with ordered as well like the rich lobster soup curry, definitely worth ordering as one of your courses, I would replace the white truffle pasta with this dish, it is truly amazing. Overall, this is the night to enjoy a celebration quietly and elegantly to the maximum in the Baltimore area. The food here is some of the best in the state and possibly more and the price is generally right for the quality and atmosphere that you're supposed to get for that price. read more
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Tony F.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a detailed recap regarding…
4 years ago
We came here for a birthday dinner last year and everything was so good!! The service was attentive and the staff was knowledgeable. One of the better course meal restaurants we tried that offered a variety of options and allowed us to choose our courses! Would definitely return! read more
3 years ago
Took my girlfriend here for her birthday and it blew away my expectations. The menu had a unique coursing option of choose your own menu from a set list. There were different options on numbers of courses you could pick as well depending on your appetite. Each dish we tried was fantastic. Staff was attentive and helped us decide with the options as we looked through the choices. Perfect location for an upscale date or any occasion. read more
5 years ago
This has jumped to the top of my list of favorite restaurants in Baltimore! A coworker had recommended that I check it out at some point, and yesterday morning, my husband and I decided that we wanted to check it out that same night. We were able to make same day reservations for 5:30 pm (when they open)! Obviously, if you want to go on a weekend, you should probably plan a little bit ahead of time. We got there at 5:30 pm. They have free valet parking! Right away, it was 5 star service. We were quickly shown to our table in a nice cozy corner table. Our waitress came to greet us and asked us what kind of water we wanted, drinks, etc. She was very friendly and professional. Can't stress enough how 5 stars the service is. Like they are careful to shield the side closest to you with a napkin when pouring water or soup to make sure nothing splashes on you. We decided to do the 6 courses for our first time here (which, obviously is way too much food because we ate pretty much everything on the plates). I really liked this place because you can choose your own plates for each course, which was unique to us! We were brought an amuse Bouche, which was some kind of soup and a goat cheese pastry thing, that was so good. I decided on the lobster curry soup (apparently one of their most popular items), the grilled octopus, the rockfish, the duck, the lobster agnolotti, and the pan fried squab. Although the lobster agnolotti was a tad bit too al dente for me but the feeling was tasty. Everything was fantastic. The pan-fried squab was definitely my favorite, along with the duck and the lobster curry soup. Everything was cooked very well, it was all seasoned and super flavorful. Dessert is also included! We got to chose from another menu. I got the cranberry and apple cider sorbet with a lemon shortbread. I enjoyed the cranberry more then the apple cider, but both were still delicious. The lemon shortbread was fine, a tiny bit stale. My husband chose the creme brulee. It was a thinner layer on a wider dish with more surface area for a lot more sugar too! What I really like about this place is that the service was 100%. They knew exactly when we were done eating and came quickly to clean up our dishes. And the courses were spaced out very well. We never had to wait too long (aka not sit there and get too full in-between courses!). I really appreciate that. This will definitely be our anniversary/special occasions spot! I thought pricing wise, it was pretty good! For the amount of food and quality we got, VERY worth it. read more
Business owner information
Tony F.
Victoria, thank you for taking the time to leave such kind words and…
A truly amazing dining experience. Everyone who helped or served us has the best demeanor and the food was out of this world. We did the 3 course option and loved that each guest could get their own 3 meals (plus dessert!!!). I had soda but my two friends each had a cocktail and wine and raved about the drinks too. 10/10 would recommend and return for a special night out read more
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Tony F.
Thank you for dining with us, Claire!
2 years ago
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Tony F.
Bob, thank you for your kind words and for allowing us to work…
Extremely attentive service and a friendly non pretentious vibe in the heart of Baltimore. Food was fantastic. Chose the three course food tasting menu, it was hard to narrow down, it was the perfect amount of food with the added cheese course after. read more
1 year ago
Business owner information
Tony F.
Dear Moira, thank you for your review! We are so pleased that you…
5 years ago
Please note that this review is part of my Fancy Feast series! Taste: 5 paws! Value: 5 paws! Bottom line: among the best food and experience that Baltimore has to offer! Worth the price! As a former street cat, I've had my share of cheap eats and yummy meals at every price point. Great food does not need to be expensive and pricey meals are often not worth the price. I've been looking forward to eating at Charleston for several years now and am happy to report that Charleston is worth both the wait AND the price! At Charleston, you customize your own meal by picking 3, 4, 5 or 6 courses. You will also get an amuse-bouche, a petit four, and a choice of dessert. Share courses with a good friend to turn this into an epic 16 (!!) course tasting menu *meow*! 1. Chilled zucchini soup (amuse-bouche) As an amuse-bouche, this was initially a bit underwhelming. However, the soup was deceptively simple and had a surprising depth of flavor. It was also very refreshing on a hot summer day. (8/10) 2. Rich lobster soup So creamy, intense and decadent! Melt-in-your-mouth lobster paired with the most dreamy soup. The arugula oil and the accents of curry complimented this perfectly. If the essence of a lobster was ever condensed, this would be the result! (10+/10) 3. Local heirloom tomato gazpacho The tomato version of our amuse-bouche. Flavors were clean, light, and fresh. (8/10) 4. Shrimp and grits Strangely enough, I've never had grits before. I found the grits to be slightly too creamy for my tastes, but this was otherwise a very rich and savory dish. (9/10) 5. Fried green tomato lobster and crab hash "sandwich" Fried green tomatoes replace the bread in this curried lobster and crab hash "sandwich"! The fried green tomatoes were crispy on the outside, melty on the inside and surprisingly light. The curried lobster and crab hash was to die for. The bitter arugula oil helped cut through the richness. (10+/10) 6. White truffle fettucine Another home run! I don't know where the white truffle was (maybe incorporated into the pasta?), but regardless, this was perhaps one of the best bites of pasta that I've ever had. Such umami, so mushrooms, much wow! (10++/10) 7. Black truffle risotto ($25 supplement) Coming off the high from the previous truffle course, we were unfortunately underwhelmed with the truffle risotto. Since this was a supplemented course, we were expecting something extra special: actual slice(s) of black truffle or perhaps a mushroom-y accompaniment like with the previous course, etc. It was a good, creamy and savory risotto, but value-wise, not worth the extra cost. (6/10) 8. Foie gras tortellini with red wine reduction (daily special) This tortellini offering was unique and fun, and was probably my favorite dish of the night! Umami everywhere! The flavors were intense, and the red wine reduction paired with the arugula oil sent the dish over the top. Just pour these over anything and you've got yourself a Michelin-star meal! Would I give one of my nine lives to have this again? Yes! Please make this a regular item, the power of cats compels you! *meow* (10++/10) 9. Wild halibut with lemon buerre blanc As a cat, I naturally love fish, especially when they are purr-fectly cooked like this! The richness and sweetness of the fish and buerre blanc were perfectly balanced by the bitterness of the artichokes, fava beans, and oil. Much recommended! (10/10) 10. Veal sweetbread with wilted spinach and chimichurri I've never been a fan of organ meats but am still glad that I finally got to try sweetbreads! The wilted baby spinach salad was delicious! (8/10) 11. Duck magret with lentils The fat on the duck breast was perfectly rendered and the meatiness of the duck paired well with the lentils. There was nothing wrong with this dish, but it was outshone by some of the other offerings. (9/10) 12. Beef tenderloin Buttery steak with sweet onions and peas in a savory light madeira cream sauce. After you're done, there's also a crispy piece of bread to soak everything up! Yum! (10+/10) 13. Bison tenderloin This combination with the fried green tomato and rice was great, but as with the duck, this dish was outshone by their other offerings. Of the two tenderloin courses, I preferred the beef as it was more fun and savory. (9/10) 14. Petit four: chocolate bon bon and and passion fruit macaron Yum! 15. Strawberry Passion Fruit Torte I sadly misread this as being a tart, whomp whomp. The cake was moist and dense. The coconut sorbet was ultra light and fluffy. I appreciated how this dish was not overly sweet -- just the way I like my desserts! (9/10) 16. Lemon vanilla panna cotta This dessert was the perfect end to a perfect meal! The panna cotta was thick and creamy but surprisingly not heavy. The vanilla ice cream was light and fluffy and contrasted nicely with the panna cotta. Much recommended! (10+/10) Thank you for the great experience! We'll be back! read more
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Tony F.
Thank you for your recent visit and for taking the time to leave such…
2 years ago
Business owner information
Tony F.
Karen, welcome to the neighborhood! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed…
This place really does live up to its reputation! I attended the restaurant on a special occasion for a six course meal with wine pairings. The service was top tier with elegant, kind, and courteous staff. The food was amazing, given the small portions due to it being a 6 course meal we were all very full afterwards. You can tell each dish has fresh ingredients and was cooked to perfection. The wine pairings matched well however I couldn't tell the difference between a few. The dining area is beautifully decorated. This is definitely not a space to bring children or a large group of friends who are on the louder side- it was a big group of us and because of how quite it is we we're getting some stares. There is no background music which added to the awkwardness, but we carried on! This place lives up to the high quality food and is prepared well. It is very expensive and honestly there is a better bang for your buck at other more affordable restaurants with similar experiences and ambiances. Although a great experience and meal, I likely will not return due to affordability and prefer an atmosphere with that is socially comfortable. read more
3 years ago
Every visit to Charleston is a culinary adventure. The space is gorgeous! The food is always delicious and the service is the best you'll get in Baltimore. Make sure you save room for the cheese cart and always splurge on the caviar service! read more
Fancy Fancy Fancy! Went here with a group to celebrate 3 birthdays in March. I admit I was a little skeptical and intimidated of how fancy & pricey the 5 or 6 course menu was at first but Len, our fantastic server made it all a breeze. With so much to choose from, Len throughly went over the menu. When none of the 6 of us could decide since everything looked so good, Len suggested that we go with the Chef's Choice along with wine pairings. Every single dish that came out was absolutely delicious. Don't worry about the amount of food, which was my main concern, because while they are all small plates believe me it's ample food. From the rich lobster soup, fresh smoked salmon, juicy rockfish, oysters fried in corn meal, goat cheese salad, and then grand finale the perfectly cooked medium filet... Oh wait, there was the grand grand finale of array of desserts! When I snuck a peak at the bill I almost screamed & spilled my wine at the same time (sure glad I was his plus 1!lol) but we all agreed that it was well worth it. This was such a great classy experience and a great place to celebrate a birthday, impress that someone special or even clients because I was definitely impressed. Everything was superb! read more
Our friends made reservations here and at first we were concerned that a prix fixe menu would limit our choices. Happily we were wrong! The best part is you get the chance to try so many different things. I had scallops, lobster and tuna while my husband got to try lamb, bison and salmon. The dessert is included and doesn't count as one of the courses. If you're hungry go for 4 or 5 courses but the reality is 3 courses are plenty. read more
4 years ago
Amazing service and food. We visited Charleston for dinner earlier this week and were just as satisfied with our meal and service as we were during our first visit last year. We had a reservation for 5:30 and arrived on the dot. We were greeted, had our coats hung, and were directed to the bar as the dining room wasn't quite ready for dinner service yet. We were only at the bar long enough to order a glass of wine before our table was ready. The service here is impeccable. Wine selection is great, both bottles and by the glass. The food is AMAZING. 4 courses is enough to leave you stuffed. Dessert is complimentary and not counted as one of your paid courses which was a pleasant surprise. They have such a vast selection of dishes that there is definitely something for everyone. We plan to visit Charleston every time we are in town - it is that good! read more
We came here for our 7th anniversary dinner and it did not disappoint! The entire menu is prix fixe and you have the option of choosing 3,4,5 or 6 courses. We went with three courses and added the wine pairing. From the moment you walk in the door, service is impeccable. Pretty much everyone who came to our table wished us a happy anniversary. They offer bread service with a variety of choices and sent us an amuse bouche of delicious lentil soup. I ordered the asparagus soup for my first course, the scallops #1 (there's a $30 up-charge, worth it!) which had shaved truffles, fettuccine and a truffle cream sauce and the lamb tenderloin with Spanish rice and yogurt sauce. Everything was delicious and I would highly recommend it for a special occasion or just to treat yourself. read more
I was in the area for business and we were taken to this restaurant. I had glanced at the menu and pictures before visiting and the one word that came to mind was "Fancy". It is located in the Harbor East area. As it was a group of us, we were seated in what looked like their wine room (a private room) and had a preset menu of 3 courses and a dessert (for the 3rd course and dessert, we had a choice of 2 items to pick from). Here is what I had: Rich Lobster Soup with Curry (butter poached lobster) - quite tasty and this did have a kick to it which I was not prepared for, but still able to finish. Spinach Salad (with red wine vinaigrette) - it was just the perfect size of salad with the dressing being very light. Pan-Roasted Florida Snapper (Oyster & Mushroom Friccassee) - I am not a fan of Oysters or Mushrooms, so when I ate this delicious dish, I pretended that it was sitting on a bed of something else (it was the only way I could eat those items and it worked as the dish was that good). Apple Tart (apples, pecans and caramel sauce) - the tart was the size of my palm (in circumference) and I certainly tasted the apples and pecans. The sauce went well with the dish. I forgot to mention they also had different bread choices too (before we ordered) which our table enjoyed. read more
Business owner information
Will N.
So glad you enjoyed your visit. We look forward to hosting you again.
3 years ago
Best French restaurant we ever had. We ordered about 5,6 dishes. Usually I would write a detailed review for each dish but this time I just want to say you can just randomly order anything and it will not go wrong. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Business owner information
Tony F.
Thank you for celebrating your anniversary with us, Bri! We are…
3 years ago
We had an absolutely exceptional dining experience celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary. I don't know how we've lived in Baltimore so long without going to this restaurant. We can't wait to come back on a regular basis. Cheers to Cindy Wolf! read more
Business owner information
Tony F.
Happy 16th anniversary, A.B.! We look forward to seeing you again,
One year update! We came here again to celebrate our six year anniversary and when I tell you I couldn't believe it could get any better! The food was as delicious and well crafted as before. We opted for the five course menu again. I got the blue fin tuna ceviche, the grilled halibut, seared scallop, white truffle fettuccine and the beef tenderloin. My fiancé had the corn bisque, beef tartare, scallop, veal shortbread and the bison. We loved both of our meals and experiences. The service was exceptional and so knowledgeable. I found myself smiling uncontrollably because of the shear joy this food brought me. Truly heaven in an experience. read more
Business owner information
Tony F.
Nhi, thank you for celebrating another anniversary with us! We truly…
3 years ago
Business owner information
Tony F.
Thank you for dining with us, Jon! We appreciate the kind words.
My husband took me for our anniversary dinner, and it was absolutely perfect. We each opted for a 4 course meal, but the portions were surprisingly large enough that we could've started with 3 courses. Service was exquisite and everything on the menu was divine. We definitely plan to go back soon. The price tag is worth it! read more
Business owner information
Tony F.
Lina, thank you for celebrating your anniversary with us this year.…
I had been looking forward to checking out Charleston for months now and finally got the chance to in celebration of my half birthday (yes, I know. I'm extra. Why not celebrate half birthdays, though?) I was truly blown away at the level of service, attention to detail, quality of food, and overall experience we had here. Charleston is truly a fine dining experience that is worth the price tag. We opted to do the 3-course pre-fixe with wine pairings, and at first thought it might be too little--however, dessert is included and we left the restaurant feeling perfectly full and satisfied. I definitely think doing either 3 or 4 courses is the perfect amount, especially if you're with someone who doesn't mind sharing so you can try out 6 or 8 of the dishes altogether! I also definitely recommend doing the wine pairings, they perfectly accent each flavor in the dishes as wine should--plus it's a fun way of trying different wines that you might not know about! In total, we ordered these 6 dishes (stars denote absolute standout dishes): lobster curry soup*, pan seared scallop, white truffle fettuccine*, wild morel risotto, halibut, and duck with foie gras***. Although each dish was amazing, our overall favorite was the duck! We loved it so much we joked (only partially) about coming back and just ordering the duck for all three courses. I also truly appreciated our server and the maître d's wine knowledge and recommendations. For each glass, they pour at the table and give a brief explanation of the wine that was super interesting--and were somehow able to answer every question we had! I only hope to one day have that extensive wine knowledge in my back pocket. Additionally, for dessert we got the sticky toffee pudding (OMG SO GOOD) and the chocolate ganache, also good but ... THAT TOFFEE PUDDING THO. Once again, the wine recommendations perfectly accented the desserts flavors (note: wine pairing not included with dessert, but dessert is included with the meal). You also get two little chocolates and two pistachio macarons--yum. I was truly amazed. They even put a candle on my dessert in celebration of my special occasion! Overall, I left Charleston feeling like a million bucks--a little wine drunk with amazing food is always the perfect pairing, right? In the future, I definitely would choose to sit somewhere other than the lounge if you have a choice (because it is kind of small and doesn't give the whole vibe of the restaurant). But I cannot wait to return and try more of Chef Wolfe's delicious cooking! read more
Business owner information
Tony F.
Sarah, thank you so much for celebrating your birthday with us this…
4 years ago
Charleston, Charleston, Charleston. I love your food and the overall experience immensely, I just wish you were a little cheaper so I could say I'd gone more than 3 times in 10 years. If you have a special occasion to celebrate and you're willing to pay the price, you will find no better experience in the city. A few tips - 4 courses is more than enough food, save room for the cheese cart, do the wine pairing, and skip the salads because (almost) all the items are the same price. Also, when in doubt, ask your server. Every server I've had gives excellent recommendations and usually has some very cool additional context on food and drink. I can't wait for my next excuse to have a meal there. read more
Business owner information
Tony F.
William, thank you for your recent visit to Charleston and for taking…
2 years ago
2 years ago
Business owner information
Tony F.
We are so pleased you enjoyed Chef Wolf's menu and our service team,…
Really enjoyed my experience here. Came here with a friend for restaurant week. The staff was so accommodating with current Covid conditions. We shared everything from the shrimp bisque, arugula salad, pan roasted sea scallop, white truffle fettuccine, grilled creekstone prime beef tenderloin, lobster tortellini, pan roasted Hudson Valley magret of duck and the grilled Colorado lamb rack chop. We loved the seafood and meats here. The lobster and duck were definitely our favorites. You can tell each dish has a particular highlight to it whether its the sauce, protein, or pasta. Rich, savory and French inspired definitely describe our meal. Just be mindful that this restaurant does not come cheap. Expect to spend anywhere between 150-200 per person. Charleston is a great spot to celebrate any special occasion. Great food with awesome service and an extensive menu to please anyone read more
3 years ago
6 years ago
5 years ago
Service Food Value Highly recommend. Server George was very professional and friendly. Made suggestions that made this experience memorable. read more
Wonderful food, wonderful atmosphere, wonderful service. The tasting course experience was nicely set up-- getting multiple courses but as opposed to other tasting menus, you get to choose all of your plates. And dessert at the end is complimentary, and in addition to your chosen number of courses. My fiancé and I tried a range of starters and entrees, some of which are attached. The lobster soup came recommended so much that we both got it, and I was relieved we had one bowl for each rather than having to share. The truffle fettuccine was another highlight - not too heavy, but still creamy and truffly. The steak tartare and the rockfish were also both delicious, but stood out a bit less. I finished with chocolate mousse, and we were brought a tray of mini sweets to share. So much food. But so worth it. This is definitely a place that should be saved for special occasions, not only because of the price tag, but also to preserve the special feeling gotten from being doted on while eating spectacular food read more
Business owner information
Tony F.
Kelley, thank you very much for your recent visit to Charleston and…
Charleston is a very nice restaurant, and one of the best meals I've had in Baltimore. They serve a pretty long French inspired menu, where you choose the number of courses. Each meal comes with dessert complimentary (cheese is extra/cannot be substituted, unfortunately). Overall, the meal was exceptional. While the atmosphere is a bit too formal for me, the food was good and that's what I mainly care about (when I say formal, I mean old school dining room, low lights, drawn out service). We opted for four courses each, which was more than enough food. Not sure how people would do 6, unless portion sizes are smaller when you order more. The meal started with a gougere and soup, both which were pretty good. Next was bread service - the offering that day included cornbread (ok but a bit dry), golden raisin bread (don't need this again), and a warm loaf (can't remember what exactly it was, but it was the best one). Perfectly spreadable butter of course. Now for the dishes. You're given complete freedom in terms of what to order, so naturally I opted to fill up on some of the richer items and skip the salads/traditional appetizer courses. My favorite of the night was the pan seared rockfish, served with a fricasse of mushrooms and lemon beurre blanc. Perfectly tender fish, crispy skin, super rich sauce with a touch of lemon, and beautiful variety of mushrooms - it was a standout. The scallops were also very good - barely seared, they were pretty large in size and cooked perfectly, again paired with a rich butter sauce. The magret duck was also very good, this one a touch oversalted for me though. It was another rich dish, served with a decent sized piece of foie gras on top of a bed of lentils - it could've used a touch more acidity to cut through the fattiness of the duck and liver. My last dish and least favorite was the lobster ravioli. Besides being pretty, there wasn't much memorable about this dish. I also sampled the oysters (good mignonette) and the beet tartare (good but wouldn't order this over one of the non veggie dishes). For desserts - the mignardises were ok (pistachio macaron, cognac chocolate and a dry vanilla madeleine), but the other desserts were very good. Though they were also super rich, so after the meal I had trouble eating too much of them. My favorite was the raspberry rum bread pudding, but the hazelnut chocolate mousse was also very good. We were there early/it wasn't too busy, but I was surprised at how quickly the courses came (this is a major plus for me), and servers were quick to remove plates and refill water. So all around great and attentive service. read more
4 years ago
More info about Charleston
1000 Lancaster St
Baltimore, MD 21202
Inner Harbor
Directions
(410) 332-7373
Call Now
Visit Website
https://charlestonrestaurant.com
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Ask the Community - Charleston
How much are the prix fixe options? Is there a discount for kids? The prices are not in the menu or website.
3 courses $89 w/wine $149 4 courses $119 w/wine $195 5 courses $153 w/wine $248…
Do you have to make reservations?
You don't have to, but it is better if you do.
Can you grab a cocktail in the bar before dinner?
Yes absolutely! Be aware however that due to COVID-19, we have far less capacity at the bar than usual, so we cannot guarantee space ahead of a reservation.
Are there tables available for single diners?
Yes, absolutely! Give us a call and we will happily accommodate you!
Is there a dress requirement for this restaurant?
As others have said, there is not a dress code requirement, but i would certainly recommend business casual or more.
What is the three course per fixe price?
Three courses is $79 per person (which includes dessert but does not count as one of your 3 courses). Cheese and wine pairings are available as supplements. You may choose any 3 dishes from our main menu, though we find that tends to be a lighter…
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63 reviews that are not currently recommended
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