The venue, the staff, and the food were superb. Charleston has a unique menu where each person chooses 3, 4, or 5 delicious options from the menu. I had two of the specials - - lobster and crab in a puff pastry and the halibut. I also chose she-crab soup from the menu and my husband really enjoyed his fried oysters. His deer was minimal in size, but he enjoyed it. Our friends had the beautiful farm salad and veal tenderloin, both great. Dessert is included and all of ours were excellent--crème brûlée, cheesecake, raspberry sherbet... all choices were a perfect ending to a lovely dinner. The price is the only factor that would alter whether I would recommend The Chaleston to someone; the price point is about $200 per person if you order a bottle of wine and have three entrées per person. (We drank more than that!) It's a place to go for an elegant evening experience. read more

I will start off by saying SC and I had zero expectations coming in (we had gotten a gift certificate to Charleston as a wedding present) and WOW, we were completely blown away by *the* best service we've ever had and really delicious, flavorful food! We had parked at a nearby garage but there's also valet parking for you at Charleston. We were greeted soon after arrival, had our jackets checked in (if you get cold, they'll bring you a pashmina), and got seated (I was offered a pillow for my back as I was sitting on the couch side of the table). For drinks, SC got a Honeycrisp Sour (bourbon + eggwhite + honeycrisp syrup+ cranberry bitters) and I ordered an Anniversary Martini (passionfruit + gin + mint syrup) that was sooo yummy! We were served cauliflower soup with a gougere and three breads on the side (cornbread, olive, and fennel). All were very delicious. For dinner, SC ordered Steak Tartare, Shrimp and Grits, Grilled Veal Sweetbread, and Pan-Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras. The Tartare was his favorite. I liked the soft texture of the grits (which I normally am not a fan of) paired with crisp Tasso Ham and flavorful shrimp. The Sweetbread was crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside. It was paired with Iberico Ham, a potato puree, and Chanterelle Mushrooms. The Foie had our least favorite texture. We were told it was cooked medium-rare and we decided to go along with it, though we've never had it cooked that rare before. To me, it tasted like eating cold butter and it was very unpleasant. However, the rest of the dish was very autumn-forward with a Honeycrisp apple and butternut squash compote and sweet sauce. I ordered the Lobster Soup with Curry, Saffron Risotto, and Pan-Roasted Magret of Duck. I enjoyed the Lobster Soup the most and was delighted with the curry oil in it. The Risotto was a little one note/ one texture for me. The Duck was paired with some foie and beans. It also came with a side of sunchoke and potato gratin that was rich. I loved that all the meat and seafood was cooked so beautifully, allowing the natural flavor to come through instead of covering it up with sauces or spices. For dessert, SC ordered the Southern Toasted Pecan Tart with Bourbon Ice cream. We loved that you could taste all the components well and that it wasn't overly sweet. I ordered the Passionfruit Creme Brulee with Pineapple sorbet that was absolutely refreshing and tropical. The service was very attentive, frequently coming by to check on us, refill our water, clear our table, or wipe off crumbs. Whenever they poured water or soup at the table, they took care not to splash it on us by covering the closest side to us with a cloth. Everyone was very friendly. SC appreciated that the staff remembered his specific food allergies and verified it a couple times. Overall, a pretty fantastic meal and an amazing service from the staff. Thank you for having us! read more

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The service and food were fantastic! The menu was varied and we each had a delicious 3 course meal plus dessert. I included the wine pairing and was surprised to get larger than sample pours with each course. We have had a Michelin star meal in Paris but agreed this was even better and at half the cost. read more

Bye bye to baltimore dining for a little.. I had a reservation for my bday next week but in lieu of indoor dining closing back down today I squeezed her in last night. 5 star food, 5 star service. Chef Cindy even came around a couple of times to check on the patrons. Because I was dining alone she said she was giving me extra portions as she tries to make sure her solo diners feel 'welcome and taken care of'. Loved that! They start you with a cheese bread puff and mushroom soup which was amazing. My cocktail was delicious- the one with creme de violet. I ordered 3 courses initially (lobster curry soup, scallops, and lobster agnolotti) but had to try the magret of duck too. Not a bad bite was had. Cant choose a fave either. Splurged on one of the cheeses on the cheese cart.. a soft Italian 3 milk blend.. sooo good. I couldnt finish dessert (cobbler) and could have done without but it was included in the meal. Probably the only low point of the meal but not bad at all. They will still offer take out but its never the same experience at home lol read more

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Service was great, food was great! I can't fully give 5 stars bc I've been to better prix fixe spots elsewhere and Charleston doesn't necessarily live up to that, given the steep price. read more

Wow, I was super impressed by Charleston. The reviews definitely do it justice - and I honestly think I would make a trip back to Baltimore just to go to the restaurant again. My husband and I were unfortunately running late for our reservation - we called and let them know and they couldn't be more gracious. When we arrived, our table wasn't ready so they directed us to the bar. We ordered two glasses of champagne and they came out with truffle chips! It was a great start to the evening. We were seated about 10-15 minutes later - just enough time for us to devour our chips. Since it was our first time, our waiter, Joshua, explained the menu in detail. You can choose 3, 4, 5, or 6 courses. He recommended that if we wanted cheese, that we should most likely do 3 or 4 courses...any more than that would decrease our stomachs having enough room for cheese (note: I think when he was explaining it to us, I think he thought we'd have it + dessert...we opted to have cheese instead of dessert, which they were fine with). I want to specifically point out the flexibility here...unlike other restaurants, one person can order 3 courses and the other person can get 4, which I like...and, dessert is NOT included in those course options - it's a (free) add-on at the end (and like I mentioned, we decided to get cheese instead). I like that they do that. I ended up ordering a 3 course and my husband did 4 with the intent of us splitting one of the courses. They began with an amuse bouche - it was a mushroom soup with a small puff pastry. It was a chilly, damp night and it was perfect. Next, I ordered the rich lobster soup with curry and my husband had the corn chowder with bacon and andouille sausage. Both of these soups had an incredible depth of flavor and I loved that there was a good bit of lobster with mine. Next, we split the foie gras - it was actually the perfect amount for two to split (it's so rich) and I loved the addition of the peaches and plums. After that, I had the halibut with fetuccine and my husband had the sweetbreads. My husband holds Restaurant Eve's as his top preparation, but said these were very "memorable" and absolutely loved them - especially the mac and cheese underneath. My halibut was prepared beautifully and I loved the tomato beurre blanc; there was just enough fetuccine - I liked that the pasta portion wasn't huge. Last, I had the lamb and my husband had the quail - both dishes were awesome, but my lamb was the star of the night. The flavors of the pomegranates, yogurt, the lamb's preparation - it is easily one of the best dishes I've had in recent memory. We also did wine pairings with each course and they were all spot on (they gave us each a wine paring with the foie gras that we split). Then, it was time for cheese! They gave us two cheeses each, which was plenty after all that food. I forget what the cheeses were called - I had an English cheddar with a hint of blue and my husband had a mild goat cheese (and we had two others, I just can't remember them - but we loved them)! Our pairing was quite unique - two versions of Maderia - one a little more mild that paired with our mild cheddar and goat and one to pair with our more stinky and flavorful cheeses. The most unique pairing I've had with cheese in a while! We departed with 4 mini macaroons and 2 chocolate truffles. And I wish I lived closer so we could go more frequently... read more

Amazing food and upscale experience. We got the 4 course and I ordered the tuna tartar, quail, veal sweetbreads, and the OMG fois gras. The tuna tartar was picturesque and super fresh. Made for a nice picture too ;) The veal was very tasty with the puff pastry in mushroom sauce. At first I though dang these portions are tiny, I could eat double that. But then the fois gras came out The fois gras was so rich and the liver was so fatty and soft and melt in your mouth with an overall wintery taste in the sauce, I just wanted to curl up in a ball and hibernate afterwards. No seriously, we all started to feel sleepy after that dish which just shows you how pure fatty it was. Fois gras- once in your life. Do it. The quail was good and tender too with rich polenta but honestly after the fois gras kicked my ass, I really couldn't stomach any more food. Desserts were not as great (I got the lemon tart) but the buttermilk ice cream thingy was really good (can't remember the name). I actually felt pretty juvenile and annoying trying to take pictures of my food while others were snooting it up, but whatevs... Overall, Charleston is a must visit in Baltimore! read more

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From the minute you enter this elegant restaurant you are impressed with the attention you receive from the staff. They are superb at what they do and set a standard most high end restaurants can only aspire to. They use a steam iron to press their table linens! Our server was a young woman of Hispanic origin, she was charming, informative and so helpful. Just amazing. We sat in the room with the open kitchen and were treated to watching the chef as she worked her kitchen. My date had an Eastern Shore martini while I sipped the Blantons as we perused the menu. My four course meal started with the the crawfish bisque which was excellent, it was followed by a beet tartare which was one of the best salads I've ever eaten. Next up for me was the white truffle fettuccini which was almost perfect, it was slightly under seasoned for my taste but was still superb. The pasta was light and perfectly al dente. Finally, the grilled branzino was served and it was absolutely amazing. The skin was salty and perfectly crisp and the fish was delicate and served at the just right temperature. I skipped dessert but my dates chocolate torte looked fabulous. We didn't have the wine pairings opting instead for a bottle of the Ramey cab. It was probably a mistake kit because the wine we had was not great but because I wish I enjoyed this meal with their selected wines. This place is a gorgeous looking restaurant with fantastic staff and superb offerings! Would highly reccomend! It rivals Daniel for service and in my estimation beats it for food! read more

There are times when restaurants that have so much hype around them not live up to all of the positive reviews or awards. But I must say this restaurant exceeded my expectations. Let's start with FREE VALET PARKING!!!When you look at menus that have a 'price fix' sometimes you feel the con coming on and sometimes you see it. Have no fear this is a place you should dine ASAP if you are a true foodie. Take a moment out of your day, your weekend and make sure you visit Charleston's restaurant. It's in a beautiful location although under construction you can still see the beauty in the distance of the waterfront. The restaurant has great ambience it is crisp and clean and not overly decorated, it has a feel of an upscale restaurants of the 30s and 40s. It is pristine, the chairs and tables are spaced in a nice manner so you do not invade other patrons personal space or conversation. .The customer service was excellent as it is service that is shared by all of the staff to ensure everything goes smoothly and it did. There are so many options to choose from on the menu from salad to seafood or poultry. I went with four courses which cost about $94 plus tax, it was well worth it! Before you are given any of your choices we were served a refreshing and delicious watermelon soup with a small cheese puff pastry. From there I had the lobster curry soup it is absolutely fantastic. Next a crab cake with corn and lima beans, I didn't care for the lima beans as they were too firm however this was not your ordinary Maryland crabcake! The crabcake was not overly seasoned it was grilled to perfection it had the right balance of moisture, flavor, size and visual appeal. The next item was not on the menu but the special of the night and boy was it special. A softshell crab lightly dusted with cornmeal and fried to perfection. My last entrée item was grilled French quail, just returning from France I prefer Charlston's version. Our last item was offered at no cost, part of dining with Charleston we had four dessert options. I had the chocolate coffee opera cake which myself and dining partner really enjoyed. She on the other hand had the peach crisp with vanilla ice cream I liked it, she didn't care for it as oatmeal toppings are not her favorite. finally they offered us French meringue cookies. Nice touch! The final nice touch was the Head Chef graciously visiting our table and taking a photo with my dining buddy. Would I drive from PA to Baltimore to eat here again? YUP!!!!!! read more

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This is not chronological the order of my courses, but the order of pure deliciousness :D #1 Lobster bisque - not your typical lobster bisque as it had large shunks of lobster claw meat and a perfect splash of curry oil. PERFECTION #2 Beef short ribs (no knife needed). My 1 year old nephew could have eaten it. Or a toothless grandma #4 Bison - SO SO tender #5 Tilefish over cauliflower. Heavy on butter...just the way I like it #6 Chocolate mousse dessert #7 Tuna tartare-tons of citrus. In a good way The service was flawless. The wine list was fabulous. The ambiance was perfect. #VOTE BEST FINE DINING in Baltimore read more

Charleston - Rockfish. Delicious! - New American Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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We came here with my sister and brother-in-law for our annual dinner out. Figured we should take them to the best restaurant in the city by all the accounts we hear. And we splurged--it was the 2nd most expensive meal we've ever had (with the Inn at Little Washington being the most). We all got 4 courses with wine pairings. The service was impeccable and the food was very delicious. Why the one star off? Because when you spend that much money, I always have to wonder whether it's worth it. Especially compared to the $7 saag paneer I can get in Cambridge that's one of my most favorite foods. So nothing against Charleston, just am not completely sure the amazing meal quite justifies the price. read more

I should start this review by saying that Charleston has been on my Baltimore dining bucket list for years. The experience did not disappoint! My fiancé and I went to Charleston to celebrate our engagement. Due to the pandemic, the restaurant instituted a series of safety protocols (temperature checks, waiver forms, required masks except at the table, distanced seating, etc.). Expected during these times. For food, my dining partner and I went with the four course meal without wine pairings. Instead, we opted to try their cocktails and purchase a bottle of wine for the table with great help from the restaurant's sommelier. From the amuse bouche to the dessert and mignardises, every dish was phenomenal! Of all of the dishes, my fiancé enjoyed the most a savory foie gras with quail egg over brioche toast. My personal favorite was the perfectly cooked magret of duck: the red wine reduction that accompanied the duck tasted as if it was made only to be paired with that piece of duck. We even received a lovely complimentary dish of oysters from the Chef to celebrate our engagement! I am counting down the days until we return to Charleston. read more

Food, service, and atmosphere are always great! Have been coming for years, consistently 5* every time, I have never had a single issue

Obviously a high end experience, but the service was excellent and the courses diverse, well prepared, flavorful, and what you'd expect for the cost. Which is to say very good, because this is not an inexpensive outing. read more

Took my fiancée here for Valentine's Day dinner!! We loved it.. everything about it.. classy, classic, upscale definitely worth it!! Request George as your server!!! Your welcome. read more

It's an experience. Out of town client was impressed. Food was amazing. ambience is rarefied but not stuffy.

The restaurant was really good and has nice setting. The menu was interesting and enjoyable. The service was pleasantly good and staff was friendly. Very nice place with comfortable furniture. Great place to dine there and the food variety portions. The Lobster Bisque and Beef tenderloin taste really delicious. The food was well-cooked and great quality of ingredients. Amazing dishes and great drinks. read more

Just went for a nightcap after eating at another establshment and this place was so perfect....sleek and sophisticated. Had a Basil and Hayden neat with a slice of lime and out came a waiter with a bowl of truffle oil potatoes chips with truffle cream on the top! The chips wear crispy, not greasy and the truffle cream, though l am not a fan of mushrooms, was pretty decent. All in all the perfect place to go when you want to wind down in an environment that is laid back. read more

Charleston - Basil and Hayden neat with a slice of lime - New American Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Great place for a date night or gathering with family and friends. You choose the amounts of plates that you want to eat that night and if you want to pair it with their choice of wine is extra but available. Top notch service. Super classy place so dress accordingly. Little disappointed in the way that some people came dressed. Learn how to conduct yourself in a classy elegant place. If you want to get drunk and loud then go to your local bar. read more

We visited last evening for my Birthday dinner. We had perused the menu ahead of time so we knew the concept (love this rather than prix fixe). Create your own masterpiece choosing from the long list of delectable choices. We chose the 4 course meal (which includes dessert). I had the Beef Tenderloin Tartare which was like butter melting in my mouth along with mild punches of shallots and garlic. The Cornmeal Crusted Oysters came next. They may have been the best oysters I've ever had, which I've had many. I could have ordered two portions and been very happy. On to Shrimp and Grits. Tasty, fresh, large shrimp over perfectly prepared grits. Onto my entree of choice which was one of the specials (surcharge for this one), a beautifully presented Rib Eye. Cooked to perfection with a lovely gratin of Cauliflower in a petite Staub cast iron casserole. I was surprised the rib eye was a bit chewy (which is uncommon for a rib eye because of all the marbling), but the preparation and sauce made up for a slight hiccup here. The triple Chocolate Mousse was a perfect ending, along with some added treats of macarons and filled chocolates. Lovely decor and impeccable service. Attentive but not obtrusive. I highly recommend Charleston for your next special occasion, or any time you want to treat yourself or others to a true culinary experience. We'll be back. read more

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Phenomenal meal in Baltimore. My husband treated me to dinner here for my 30th and it was amazing. Blown away at the amazing service throughout dinner and food was to die for. Highly highly recommend. read more

Charleston - New American Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Had the 6 courses with the wine pairing and my wife had 3, I started off with the fried oysters. They where solid nothing too crazy, but good. The sparkling wine that paired with it was exquisite. Next up was the shrimp and grits. I really enjoyed the flavor profile. The taso ham and andouille sausage where nice and crisp and tied it all together with a Smokey buttery finish. The arugula salad was one of the best salads I have ever had !!! My wife got the artichoke soup and really enjoyed it. The lobster tortellini was outstanding, really fresh pasta with big chunks of lobster in a butter sauce. The foie gras was legendary ! It came in this berry sauce that was sweet and salty and the foie gras melted in your mouth like butter. Not sure you can find it better anywhere else. I finished with the squab, that was cooked perfectly and was full of flavor. The mushrooms and sauce where a delight. My wife had the filet and that was exceptional. I had the opera cake and my wife finished with the panna cotta, both where some of the best we have had. This place is not cheap but you certainly get what you pay for. An elite culinary experience that will Insure your evening is a memorable one. read more

Charleston - Foie Gras - New American Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Phenomenal. Attention to detail, service, presentation, ambiance, and pure deliciousness are all 10/10! WOW, just wow. Everything we tried was exquisite. Recommend the lobster soup! Oh, and the crème brûlée was the best I've ever had. Kudos to the chef! read more

Absolutely impeccable dining experience. The food was refined and delicious, as expected, but the real stand out is the service and fine dining atmosphere. The ambience of the restaurant is something truly special that seems to be increasingly hard to find as many popular restaurants take a turn toward "modern" and "trendy". The Charleston is neither of these things, in the best possible way. The atmosphere is quiet but not stuffy, tables are spaced widely, and staff are available to do everything and anything to make guests as comfortable as possible. Every staff member at the Charleston that we encountered from the hostess, bartender, to the food runners, sommelier, and every other person that we interacted with was wonderfully professional, and clearly passionate about providing quality food and beverage. Our server was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and the perfect mix of attentive, friendly, and professional. He exhibited a true knowledge and passion for food and wine. Instead of ordering just one bottle of wine, he suggested we start with a half bottle of white followed by a half bottle of red which was a wonderful idea and paired perfectly with our food selections. Our server really did go above and beyond in every way and really made our experience at the Charleston an absolute pleasure. My boyfriend and I decided on the three course option which comes with amuse bouche, bread, and dessert included. Some standout dishes included the lobster curry soup, beef tenderloin, and chocolate cake with pistachio ice cream. Also, if you can, absolutely save room for the cheese course - great selections. I would highly recommend the Charleston to anyone looking for a fine dining experience or special occasion - you won't be disappointed. read more

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We were able to make a same-day reservation to celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary after not getting service at another restaurant. We arrived to a bit of chaos at the hostess stand as several people were trying to get their coats and check-in at the same time, but it was no big deal and the hostess was sure to greet us. Once seated our waiter came over and explained the menu. We chose to do the 4 course meal. In addition to the courses you get a starter, ours was peanut soup, bread, and dessert. I was stuffed by the time we left. The food was delicious and the service was impeccable. We will definitely return for a special occasion. It's pricey but we'll worth the money. read more

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Expensive but quintessential fine dining. We got a seat outside in September which was actually very nice for a date out. Not sure how things would work as things get colder. Squash soup was delicious and my personal favorite was fried foie gras but your could really pick anything on the menu and not go wrong. Servers were wonderfully professional and supportive in explaining the dishes as they came out and kept us safe during the pandemic. read more

Charleston - New American Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Our go to place for special occasions which we try to achieve at least 3 times a year. From the beautiful flowers in the lobby to the lighting in the lounge and dining area, the mood is set! The food is made with love and attention to detail! I really enjoy the wine pairings that are always spot on read more

Overpriced and tasted like garbage. Funny thing about restaurants that charge this much...they never taste good.

A bit disappointed at the food, especially for how expensive it was. The service was phenomenal though. Me and 3 others arrived 15 minutes before our reservation. After valeting our car (which was complimentary - a perk considering parking in Baltimore can be a nightmare!), we were directed to the lounge where we relaxed and ordered some pre meal cocktails. I had an old fashioned ($12) which was balanced with orange and sweetness perfectly. During this time they also served us a bar "snack": housemade potato chips with a truffle creme fraiche. It was the perfect balance of salty and crunchy. Shortly thereafter we were escorted to our table where our waitress went over their process extensively. We had to pick a minimum of 3 courses and max of 6 but dessert was complimentary and not included in that count. We had difficulties choosing what we all wanted, there was so much to choose from! We had hoped that we could start with 3 courses and append more as we went along but this was not allowed. We had to state the number of courses and everything we wanted up front. I found this odd. We downplayed the number of courses we wanted out of fear of getting too full. They would have made more if we could have impromptuly added more courses. Oh well. We ordered 4 courses each with wine pairings. I hate to make such comparisons but after going to a michelin star restaurant in DC not a week prior, this place was a let down. The wines were ok at best. The food was good but nothing eye widening or exceptional. I personally did not like the duck confit Raviolis. It was more of a soup (which is fine) but the duck broth was bland and the Ravioli were just alright. One of them I almost chipped a tooth on because I found, what I presume was, a duck bone. The rockfish was my favorite. The fish was crisp on the outside and flaky on the inside. I also ordered the sweetbreads (cow brain). It was not accompanied well. It was crispy and cooked well, but it needed flavor beyond just....brain lol. It rested on a tomato salsa which had nice flavor but it didn't meld well with the dish. I loved the little empanada on top but, again, it didn't align with the tastes of the dish for me. The lobster bisque (which is one of their most popular dishes) was just..meh. There was some bug chunks of lobster which I appreciated (despite wishing it was cut up more to distribute more evenly throughout the dish) and it was creamy, but it was missing flavor too me. There were actually a couple dishes I was tempted to ask for salt with! They also had an impressive cheese spread which was a la carte - $10/ounce. I enjoyed one that was quite similar to triple creme but was 75% goat milk and 25% cow milk. Super soft and smooth! The crostini they served with the cheese were way to crunchy and took away from the cheese flavors so I just had it without. For dessert, I ordered the homemade ice cream which was very good, particularly the honey ice cream. We were also served a complimentary macaron and chocolate which was a nice ending. The service was great, we we're never without water and rarely were waiting. If anything, the courses felt a bit rushed to me, but it was a late reservation which could reflect on a couple of the negative points here. I thought the place was decent. I loved the concept and the atmosphere but the food didn't quite click with me. read more

This place was on my culinary bucket list for a very long time. It was certainly with the wait. The restaurant itself is beautiful. You are made to feel welcome with every point of contact from the maitre d to the waitstaff that takes care of you. We were given the option to have a glass of champagne in the bar before making our way to our table. I enjoyed the non-rushed atmosphere. The food was out of this world and the wine pairings were superb. I look forward to returning to Charleston again in the near future. read more

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As a fine dining employee and as someone who is not foreign to dining out at high-end restaurants, I was not overly impressed with Charleston given its grandiose reputation. While nothing was "bad" per say, the food lacked the extra wow-factor that we expected and paid for, but service and atmosphere were wonderful! To start, we were politely greeted by the hostess and coat check and was sat within minutes (on a Saturday night) on a ironed table clothed table (yes, they iron it!). Our friendly, sassy (in a good way) waiter offered us drinks from the bar without giving us a chance to look over the drink list. At first we felt rushed, but was later remediated when plenty of time was given between courses. Cocktails were delicious and wine list was extensive. We opted for the 6 course menu option with several great recommendations from our waiter. The oysters (raw and fried, we had both) lacked some flavor, but I was impressed with how plump and not overly-fried the crispy oysters were. I also thought the beef tartare was a little bland. The lobster bisque was rich and yummy, and the ceviche was one of my favorites along with the foie gras. Lastly, I was a bit disappointed with the lamb chop- it's my favorite dish at any restaurant. Here, it wasn't trimmed and had way too much fat on the bone that it was overpowering. Normally, the fat makes the flavor. To end our ambitious dinner, we were offered a cheese course, which we took because why not! We weren't informed it was extra, in fact our waiter mentioned pre-meal that we would have the option of cheese and dessert in the end. We were almost full to our ears so we only got a small slice of 2 cheeses- $16! Whatever, I wasn't paying (; And to top off our full bellies, dessert and coffee was small and a decadent end to the night. The next morning, I experienced symptoms of food poisoning - I'll spare the details. Though I haven't confirmed that the restaurant food is the culprit, I've deduced that the other meals I had that day could not have been. I contacted the restaurant to make them aware and got a satisfactory response in return. Overall, I wouldn't return based on price versus food return (our bill was over $300 for 2), but I am glad I visited here - it was a great experience. read more

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The Charleston will always be one of favorite dining experiences. Each menu is carefully curated to the season and freshness of resources. There is a lot of diversity in proteins where I always have difficulty making my 6-course selections (5 if I'm pairing with wine). I will be honest that the last time I went, I was a bit disappointed that the steak tartare was not the same as when I had eaten there a few times before the pandemic: my most recent visit had a slightly under salted dish, but still delicious! Not pictured was the lemon panna cotta which could have benefitted with a bit more zest and brightness. Aside from a blander couple of dishes, I'm still highly impressed. read more

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Charleston is consistently outstanding. The lobster soup is exquisite. All of dishes are great. The menu is well organized and priced.. The selection of cognac is amazing. One criticism: nothing should ever taste like it's just come out of the fridge. One thing had that feeling and that was slight miss. I can't wait to return. read more

Great ingredients. Stellar wine pairings. Exceptional service. However, technique fell short for me. Give me these ingredients and I'll whoop that ass in the kitchen. read more

My second time eating at Charleston for my Birthday and the food and service was just as wonderful as I remembered. It really puts you in an elevated mood to be there. The dining room has an elegant feel and everything is still handled in an impeccable fashion. From the menu, I chose the six-course dining experience, my choices were the Rich Lobster Soup With Curry. the Grilled Octopus, which was served atop the freshest salad with the most perfect vinaigrette I have ever tasted, Shrimp And Grits (when in Charleston), Beef Tenderloin Steak Tartare, which was fresh and exceptional, the Grilled Veal, and the Lamb Tenderloin. For dessert, I had the Chocolate And Pistachio Tart, which arrived with a lit (Birthday) candle. All dishes were sumptuous and exquisite. My dining partner ordered the four-course and truly loved their choices which consisted of a fresh Tomato Salad, the Rich Lobster Soup With Curry, the Pan Roasted Sea Scallop, the Beef Tenderloin, and for dessert the Blackberry And Pineapple Ice Creams. Our server, Zoo F., among others who assisted in our Dinner, provided stellar service. Our evening couldn't have been more perfect. Charleston is still the best restaurant experience in the city. read more

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If you want an amazing dinner in a 5 star restaurant without the pretentious atmosphere, this is the perfect place. The menu allows you to decided if you want a 3,4,5,or 6 tasting menu option. Plus complementary appetizer and dessert. The staff from the valet to the waiter were extremely hospitable and accommodating, the Chef even came out twice to make sure our food was perfect. Oh and did I mention the food.... absolutely wonderful. Looking forward to going back soon! read more

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Charleston has been on my Baltimore restaurant bucket list since I moved here in 2008. I'm not sure what took me so long to get here because everything was amazing and the service was impeccable. I was pleasantly surprised with the fact that Charleston wasn't stuffy. I was expecting to feel slightly out of place and young, but that wasn't the case at all. Chef Cindy Wolf actually makes it a point to visit the tables of everyone in the dining room to make them feel at home. I really appreciated this and it was lovely to chat with her for a few minutes. Charleston is one of the six Foreman Wolf restaurants in Baltimore and unsurprisingly, I was as much a fan here as I have been elsewhere. You have the option to order as many courses as you like and dessert is complimentary. Well, my friend and I opted to order four courses each and share the dishes (because everything looked so amazing). First, Chef sent out an order of complimentary Fried Oysters. These were light, came with a lemon-cayenne mayonnaise and weren't chewy in the slightest. It was a great bite to start the meal. Chef also sent out a portion of Artichoke Soup with a Gruyere Pastry. I had never had artichoke soup before, it was so creamy and had a nice strong artichoke flavor which I loved. The pastry was subtly cheesy and incredible. One of the dishes that Chef is known for is the Rich Lobster Soup with Curry. This was probably my favorite bite of the night. The creamy broth was slightly spicy from the curry, but not at all overpowering. And it was rich without being too much. It was also served with a healthy portion of butter poached lobster. We also ordered the Prime Beef Steak Tartare. With capers, shallots, Tabasco, and chives the dish was a nice balance of savory and salty. I'm a sucker for steak tartare and this was another great rendition. One of my other favorite bites was the Fresh Chanterelle Mushroom Sable Tart. A buttery, cheesy tart was topped with snail butter (OMG), and tender mushrooms. We wanted to lick our plates clean when we finished this dish. Another highly recommended dish was the Shrimp and Grits. The buttery thick grits had a nice salty-bacon-y taste from the ham and the shrimp was cooked perfectly. We could not get enough of the grits in this dish. Because it's summer, we couldn't turn down the Local Sweet Corn Flan. Corn is one of my favorite summer veggies and during the height of the season it's even better. The corn was so sweet and paired nicely with the carrot puree and roasted beets. While not as light as a salad, this veggie forward dish was a great way to break up the meal. The Risotto was also recommended to me so we made sure to order that as well. The preparation when we visited contained artichokes and I was a huge fan of the meaty artichoke bites intermingled with the risotto. As we moved through the menu, we also opted to try the Pan-Roasted Wild Halibut. It was cooked perfectly - so flaky. And the lemon beurre blanc was buttery and fantastic. The fish held up to the sauce well and with the mushrooms. It was such a lovely bite. I'm a sucker for buffalo, so I couldn't turn down the Grilled Hawkeye Ranch Buffalo Tenderloin. The meat was so tender and the fried green tomato added some nice textural contrast and the tomato chimichurri gave this dish a pop of freshness. But the veal reduction may have been the star of this dish. Similarly to every other sauce we tried, it was fantastic. Dessert is included with the tasting menu and I was really craving a chocolately bite. I went with the Chocolate Mousse Cake. The cake was chocolately and it was the perfect ending to any meal, but the real standout was the spearmint ice cream. It was so refreshing and I don't think I'll be able to look at mint ice cream the same going forward. We also shared the Vanilla Bean Poached Local Peaches and Raspberry Meringue to capitalize on the flavors of summer. The peaches were so tender so they played nicely with the crunch from the merangue. This was probably one of the best seasonal forward desserts I've had all summer. Vanilla Bean Poached Local Peaches and Raspberry Meringue While we were selecting our dessert options, our waiter picked up on our interest to try the Passion Fruit Creme Brûlée and brought it out for us. This was unlike any creme brûlée I have ever had. The passion fruit cut the sweetness of this dessert and the pineapple sorbet on the top was the star. read more

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I don't know if there is much to say that hasn't already been said. The experience is one of a kind, the food is sublime, and I felt incredibly special celebrating my first wedding anniversary at Charleston. I especially loved the lobster curry soup and the sea bass, though who knows if those will be around when you visit. Our server explained that the menu items change often. I suppose my tip is really think about if you want to get the wine pairing. I am glad I tried the wine pairing since I would always wonder what it is like. However, I do not have a sophisticated enough palate to really appreciate the pairings. When I visit again (because I am definitely going back) I will either get a bottle of wine for the table or try the cocktails. read more

Very expensive. Maybe Cindy doesn't know it is Baltimore?? The food is delicious. The rest is a bit loud for me. The server was Top notch!!!

I had really high expectations for this place and I am sorry to say I couldn't be more disappointed. It's super stuffy inside, you feel like you can barely have a conversation or slouch. Again I am so sorry to say this but the food was so meh. I was expecting melt in your mouth(especially due to the price) but it wasn't at all. The lobster chunks in the soup were so chewy I felt like i was eating days old tough shrimp. The fried oysters had zero flavor or spice. The tenderloin was hard to cut and very chewy as well. I am sorry would not recommend this place, it is not worth the hype. Also the experience takes over 2 hours so if you are in a rush or have somewhere to be they keep you there for at least 2 hours. One very positive note is the staff is amazing, super attentive and polite and pleasant!!! Nothing wrong with the service!!!! read more