Super disappointing! Had a Mediterranean salad. Waiter asked how it was and I told him that I thought it was pretty bland. No offer to take it off the bill or please come back and give us another chance. Have been so excited for this hotel to open, but at first blush they need to step up their game if they want to compete with the Charleston food scene! read more

Very accommodating to those with allergies. I have a 9 month old who is currently allergic to dairy and soy, and because I'm nursing him, I can't have either of those either. Our server and the chef worked together to basically create new dishes for me, and everything was just wonderful. We so appreciated it as these allergies make it extremely difficult to get a good meal out. A nice treat and break from cooking at home. Thank you very much! read more

I was a guest at Hotel Bennett and very excited to try this signature restaurant. I was able to have the dinner menu seated in the bar area after a long exhausting day. Both the bar and restaurant are beautifully appointed. Service was excellent. The meal however was underwhelming. I started with the crab Louie which was very fresh. My filet which the server raved about was not prepared as ordered. The fondant potatoes which were very delicious in flavor but served ice cold. I will return as a hotel guest but I'm not inclined to dine at Gabrielle again. read more

Restaurant Gabrielle Review Executive Summary: Excellent Food, Excellent Space, "Leisurely" Service. Recommended if you are not in a hurry. 4.5 Stars We dined at the new restaurant in the Hotel Bennett: "Restaurant Gabrielle" We were very interested in this venue because the chef came from Gallatoire's in New Orleans, where we enjoyed an outstanding meal on our last visit to the crescent city. Our reservation was for 7:30, but a few members of our party arrived late, so we had drinks in the lounge area. We were eventually seated at about 7:50pm. Our server checked in to make sure we had menus etc, then returned about 15-20 min to take appetizer orders and discuss wine. We chose a double order of Oysters Rockefeller, and enough Crab Cakes for the table. After a little back and forth around our table, we chose a bottle of Louis Latteur - Burgundy, and asked for the bottle to be decanted before pouring. The wine arrived about 10 min later, and we submitted entrée orders: 2 x "Prize Cut" Bone In Ribeye, Fillet, Fried Flounder, Pork Storey, and Summer Truffle Risotto with Golden Beets. Another 10 min, then wine was poured for us, and our appetizers arrived (20 min from submitting the orders). Oysters were rich with cream, spinach and Pernod, but the bread crumb topping was burnt under the broiler. Overall a miss on this dish. Crab Cake was outstanding ! Fresh Lump Crap, butter, subtle lemon and thyme, and just enough cream/binder to hold it together, served with a fresh savory Roumalade. Recommended. About 20 min later, our entrees arrived, and we ordered a 2nd bottle of wine. The Steak(s) were described as hand selected, Prime grade, and dry aged on premises. They were delivered sliced and then arranged on the bone. Some people like this presentation, others prefer to cut their own steak. Consider this to be a question of preference, but be informed before ordering. Temperature was as ordered; flavor and texture were wonderful. Flounder was about a 6oz fillet delicately breaded and quick fried to light golden brown. Crust was crisp but flaky, the Flounder well seasoned, but the taste of the very fresh fish was not overwhelmed. Fillet was perfectly cooked, and fork tender. Pork Story was an interesting dish. 2 Small cylinders of Pork Tender Loin, wrapped in bacon, and then cooked to med rare, accompanied by a 1 inch square of slow cooked then seared Pork Belly, and 2 shredded pork and spinach Agnolotti. The dish wish finished with a Blackberry Reduction sauce. Visual presentation, and taste(s) were wonderful. However I thought the portion size overall could have been larger. Summer Risotto was very good. Perfectly prepared, with enough lemon to cut through the richness. The Beets were roasted to a gentle crisp, and had an intense flavor that complimented the dish. Side items were Roasted Asparagus, Pomes Frites with a Japanese BBQ Spice Rub, Mashed Potatoes, and Brown Butter Soy Braised Mushrooms. All sides were excellent. The Japanese Spice rub was hot enough to be interesting, but not overwhelming. About 30 min later, we were asked about deserts....we chose 2 for the table, a Dark Chocolate Flourless Tort, and a Lemon SemiFrado....sweet and savory. Both were excellent. We could only handle a few bites each of the tort as we feared a Chocolate overdose ! The SemiFrado was a wonderful counter- creamy texture bursting with sweet tart lemon. After the bill was presented, I looked at my watch and noted it was 10:45pm. Our server could not have been better. He was extremely engaging and very knowledgeable regarding the menu, wine list and any other questions. We were also the beneficiaries of a special treat. Another table ordered a high end bottle of wine, but only consumed a few glasses. The diners were staying in the hotel, and adjourned to their rooms, but did not take the remainder of the bottle with them. Our server was informed, and he then asked us if we wanted the remainder of the bottle- he also poured a small tasting glass for us. Unfortunately we had just ordered another bottle of wine that was decanted- so we declined. Later in the evening, as we finished the second bottle, our server came back and let us know that the high end bottle was still available- and they would essentially give it to us. YES, and we each enjoyed a glass to finish our meal. This was a nice touch. We would/will return, but be forewarned that service is leisurely. 4.5 Stars read more

Wanted to love this place, but dissapointment doesn't begin to describe our experience. Oysters Rockerfeller were mediocre at best, fried shrimp were overcooked and strange breading, Eggs Bennett "medallions" unrecognizable. Only saving grace were the Escargot, which were out of this world. Decor is downright awful, lighting way too bright, noise level way too high and tables for two are so long you have to yell. If that wasn't bad enough, the cielings have some kind of strange rhinestone chains and tassels, reminiscent of a strippers ensemble ordered from K-Mart. Have no idea who did the design, but they should be ashamed of themselves. Won't go into service, as it's new and obviously still a work in progress. read more

Both the food and the service were terrible. We tried this place despite the mixed reviews as it looked pretty and thought maybe they just had a rough opening. It was an overall unpleasant experience. A place like this can't last as there are some great restaurants in area. read more

My family and I dined at Gabrielle for lunch over Easter weekend. All 7 of us has mediocre experiences. The food was sub par at best. My husband tried the burger and fries. The fries have an odd seasoning and come with mayo as a dipping sauce, which we thought was curious. I ordered the French onion soup and a Caesar salad with grilled chicken. The soup was okay, but the salad was terrible. They must have used have a loaf of bread for the croutons! There might have been three pieces of chicken on the salad - for some reason it was on the bottom not the top of the salad. My brother got the oyster po boy special and only had a few bites. The drinks were okay but nothing to write home about. We will not be back. read more

My friend and I tried out Gabrielle, inside the Hotel Bennett for breakfast on Saturday morning. The waiters were all very professional, polite and mostly efficient. I say mostly efficient as the one area that was consistently weak was keeping our coffee cups full. We had to ask to have more coffee repeatedly. Also, I never once had a HOT cup of coffee...luke warm every time. Can you have too many waiters? Yes, as was the case today. I counted 4 different waiters giving us attention, but with so many they failed to keep our coffee cups full. On to our meal! I ordered The Good Benedict: 2 poached eggs on 2 pieces of hearty multigrain toast. There was no Canadian bacon on the Benedict (as most Benedict's have), which the waiter pointed out to me and suggested I may want to order a side of bacon. $8 later I had my side of bacon. With the poached eggs, one was cooked perfectly, one had runny white that oozed all over my one piece of toast. Not appetizing. So, my meal was sub par to say the least, especially for the price ($40 including tip). I give this review 3 stars due to waiters trying hard to please, just still working out the kinks of a new business AND to the beautiful setting and ambience. It is truly a gorgeous and luxurious hotel! read more

Four of us had drinks when the hotel first opened. Service was at a snail's pace. Server didn't seem adequately trained. We, again four people, had dinner there last evening. What a serious disappointment. I must say the service was good but the food for three of us was just unacceptable. The Caesar salad was suffering from way to much lemon juice and heaped with Parmesan cheese. Inedible! The chopped salad was decent but not chopped! The two men had the unusual entree of Eggs Bennet and were extremely unhappy. The steaks suffered from severe over cooking when they had been ordered medium rare. Hardly enjoyed and plate was sent back with half the entree in both cases. One of us had the snapper preparation and it was almost hard to look at, much less eat. It looked like snapper in a swamp of green leaves. I ordered the winner which was a wonderful chicken roulade. Incredible flavor and the most tender chicken I have ever been served. In all four cases, the food was way over salted. One diner enjoyed a citrus tart. The cappuccino and the latte were luke warm. Again a disappointment. Our server was gracious about the feedback given and allowed that he would pass this information on to the chef. When my husband left the restaurant to call for the car which was valet parked he happened to meet one of the managerial staff. When inquired about the food my husband told him that the food for three had been unacceptable. He was informed that it was the chef's night off. My suggestion would be to close the restaurant if the chef is not in the kitchen. Likely never to go back and we are downtown residents so could so easily return if we had had a good experience. read more

Honestly, the most bland and weird food ever. Sounds good till you taste it. The only seasoning is salt and pepper. All of my friends and I disliked our dishes. Go somewhere else. read more

Just took my sweet valentine to dinner at Gabrielle restaurant in the new Hotel Bennett on Marion Square in downtown Charleston. A tremendous meal! Impeccable service from Austin and his team of servers and back servers. The absolute most perfect steak I have ever had, and I *gasp* like mine medium well. They even passed my end-of-meal fine dining test. They had Earl Grey tea, and honey. (Not just honey, but Austrian honey). Wife had the Fat Hen over grits. Superb. Highly recommended! read more