I knew I was going to like this place the moment I got there and heard them playing A Tribe Called Quest. Those of you who aren't familiar with the band I suggest you give a listen to their album Midnight Marauders. The very next song played was equal in its mellow vibe, and thats exactly the atmosphere that Lost Isle has created. In fact, the team there mentioned that the playlist was carefully curated to create such a vibe. Upon entering the parking lot, a dirt and gravel parking lot, it doesn't look like much. Another one of the empty or almost empty buildings along Maybank highway. There is a handwritten sign that informs the guest to come around back from the left-hand side as the right hand side is an employee entrance. Once you get to the side of the building you start to have a slight idea of what's going on. A white wooden pergola-like structure with benches to wait for a space to open up, tall green plants line the walkway of bright white rocks. That quickly opens up to a large area full of tables and two bars. One is the drink bar, where they have a full selection of beer wine and spirits, as well as other non potent potables. 12 or so flat metal stools line the customer side of the bar. The other bar has less stools, maybe 5 or 6 but behind the bar is a wonderfully large outdoor grill that is used to grill their succulent fare. The remainder of the late space is filled with lots of tables most four tops with a few 2 tops scattered about. They are resting in several inches of white pea size gravel. An interesting fight fact is that the chairs have tennis balls on the bottom of the legs and it keeps the chairs from sinking too deep into the gravel. A small thing to be sure but a big thing when it comes to comfort! Whilst sitting at a table canopied by tall leafy trees, and kissed by the whisper of a breeze coming from one (or two) of the many strategically placed fans, you feel like you are in a quiet Caribbean island. It is a chill, relaxed vibe. While the atmosphere is smooth and mellow, the flavors coming off that grill are a bold contrast. But before we delve into the succulent delights let me first talk about the size of the menu, 4-6 appetizers (small plates), 4-6 entrees (Mains) and 4-5 shareable sides. No need to clutter up a menu nor one's thoughts perusing a phone book size menu. Small menus are the way to go; do a few things and do them well I say. Lost Isle does them well. The table ordered a few small plates of fire roasted olives with grilled bread and wood fired clams. Marinated black and green olives grilled had a great smoky, briny taste. Served with a few pieces of grilled bread and some confit garlic. Smearing the bread with some of that creamy garlic clove invoked the memories of a smoky garlic bread; a perfect complement to the olives! The wood fired clams were cooked with a chili-chorizo butter, garlic, and smoked bread crumbs. This was an explosion of flavor on the palate brightened by the juice of lemon, and was in a word, delightful. We then shared a Main of a grilled ribeye steak. Nothing on the earth was made to be cooked on open flame then a ribeye steak! Served to us at a perfect temperature (medium rare as there is no other acceptable temp) and a beautiful dark charred crust, it was a spectacle to behold. Rounding out the dish was a generous amount of Chimichurri and more of that beautiful confit garlic. One thing some people are in sorely in need of learning is that slicing a piece from a large hunk of beef and subsequently easting that slice with a sprinkle of salt seriously enhances the experience. This is why I was delighted by a tiny ramekin of sea salt. The steak was delicious. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the beverage program at the previously mentioned bar. A small but serviceable wine list is available for consumption. Average print on the bottle about $44 and no bottle more than $72. Certainly a bit under some of the more extravagant list on the other Charleston area restaurants. A great variety of cocktails fill the house cocktail lists one particularly caught the eye of the table, the Sheeney Neeney. They were also able to make classic cocktails as the vodka sodas also being consumed at the table. A few mostly local beers round out the cocktail menu. A few things that you will also need to know is that there is no real table service, you approach the bar and order your beverages, your card is entered into the system and then you tab is started. You then can order your food at other bar, given the moniker of The MC. Then you return to the table. As the dishes are completed someone will bring it to the table. We were delightfully surprised at the experience and not a negative word was uttered regarding any aspect of the meal or the experience. I recommend it for anyone looking for a few hours of repose and repast. Take it upon yourself to stop by, where one can be only minutes away from home and thousands of miles away at the same time. read more

Our experience was incredibly disappointing from start to finish. The X-Presso cocktail was absolutely disgusting. It was served warm, poorly presented, and honestly one of the worst cocktails I've had. We ordered three cocktails but only received two. The service at the bar was equally frustrating. We were largely ignored, and despite asking for our food, our order wasn't entered until a second bartender came over roughly 15-20 minutes later. We had also asked for additional bread to finish our ricotta appetizer before moving to our table, but it never arrived. To make matters worse, after we'd only been there for about 40 minutes, a friend who had just joined us went to the bar to order another round for our group. He had not been served any alcohol at all, yet he was told that none of us would be served another drink. We were completely caught off guard, especially considering how little we had actually been served. Between the poor service, forgotten food requests, missing drinks, and confusing decision to refuse further service, the entire experience was disappointing. Unfortunately, we can't recommend this restaurant and won't be returning. read more

Amazing dining experience in John's island! We've been wanting to try this place for some time now, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. It's all outdoor seating, so watch the radar. They have bar and table seating available. The service was great from start to finish. They have super fun cocktails on tap and a good selection of beer and wine available. We ordered a little bit of everything. We got the butter bean hummus, whipped ricotta, and fish dip to start. The bread and chips were so good, but all the dips were outstanding. I think my favorite was the hummus because it was so unique, but all three were delicious. The dip to bread ratio was also spot on. We also ordered the tomahawk pork chop with the curried collard and grit cakes. The pork chop was perfectly cooked and had the best glaze. The grit cakes were solid, but the collards stole the show. The crispy bread crumbs on top were a perfect addition. It's a little hike to get out there but so worth the trek! Looking forward to our next visit already. read more

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I think this is the best meal I had in Charleston. Came for a long weekend and was brought here by my friend living in the area. The menu is very unique and creative, with fresh ingredients used in all dishes. The cocktails were also wonderful. The outdoor patio is very cute and cozy, but there can be mosquitoes out in the evening so bring some bug spray :). The service was super quick and attentive. read more

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Absolutely love this place! I went on a Saturday evening, the wait was 30 minutes but they seated my party sooner than that. You can get your drinks at the bar and you order food at a stand as well. The kitchen is outdoors and the only offer outdoor seating. The space is very cute and intimate. read more

Lost Isle - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Johns Island, South Carolina

The best place in Charleston overall. The food and drinks are immaculate, everything is so fresh and flavorful. The service is quick and friendly! I love the outdoor ambiance as well read more

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Fun vibe. Good food. We had great service. I really enjoyed my drink, Spritzin the Night Away, it was light and flowery (which I love). We shared three plates, the ricotta, the collards and the grit cakes. My hubs liked the grit cakes best, they might have been my favorite too. The ricotta was surprising and had a little sweetness. The collards also are nothing like "the norm," which is what makes it all fun in my opinion. These may be considered side plates or small plates but they were generous! read more

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This place lives up too and exceeded my expectations. Came with a group of friends and waited but the vibe was spectacular. Had a few drinks before we got sat and chatted with the bartenders who gave some local recs on other things to do around. Lastly, the steak with chimmichurri had us all wanting to lick the plate clean! Overall, top notch and will be back next time I'm on John's island. read more

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Lost Isle is the place to go for an authentic, one of a kind, Charleston experience! It's fire to table service is extraordinary & allows for the highest quality meal possible! The vibes here are unmatched! This is some of the best outdoor seating I've experienced; the service is quick & very friendly! This is a place where you want to try a little bit of everything & share with the whole table! The Smoked Fish Dip was so fresh, & the Brussels were excellently flavored! The Grit Cakes were another delicious side & don't pass up the Collared Greens! My favorite dish by far was the Charcoal Grilled Chicken & both cocktails were perfect! This is a place you NEED to go to when in Charleston! read more

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You need to RUN to this place on John's Island -- fully outdoors with a great laid-back vibe, twinkle lights, and plenty of space to relax. You order drinks at the bar and food at the stand, and everything comes out beautifully plated and packed with flavor. I tried the harissa cauliflower, wood-fired olives, whipped ricotta, smoked tomahawk pork chop, and charcoal grilled chicken -- every dish had its own unique twist. The harissa cauliflower was bold and bright, the whipped ricotta creamy with just the right hint of sweetness, and the pork chop was smoky and perfectly cooked. It's the kind of place where you can linger over good food, good drinks, and good company. Definitely worth a visit if you're looking for something casual but seriously delicious. read more

Lost Isle - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Johns Island, South Carolina

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Unique venue with impeccable service and tastefully crafted dishes! Located ~15 minutes from downtown Charleston you'll find this unassuming home converted into commercial kitchen at the back of the gravel lot. We arrived about 25 minutes before opening and sat in queue about 15 people back. The restaurant opened promptly at 5pm and the hostess explained the "fire to table" dining style and how to order food and drinks as she welcomed us to the rear patio. There is only outdoor seating, but the atmosphere is comfortable and they provide umbrellas for shade on warm days, and heaters for the chillier evenings. Forget traditional wait staff, you order drinks at the bar and food at a register near the grill which was surprisingly efficient and freed up staff to peruse through the dining area. We started with drinks, my wife had the "sheeney neeney 2.0" and I had the "peel the burn" cocktail which were delicious and made for great sipping without being overly sweet or gaudy. We then ordered some whipped ricotta with lemon, roasted tomatoes, chili honey and herb oil paired with charred focaccia. I narrowly got back to the table before the appetizer was ready and it served as a delicious light first course. I next put in for grilled Australian ribeye and charcoal grilled chicken which we paired with plancha smashed potatoes and charcoal roasted carrots. The ribeye topped with basil chimichuri was served at a perfect medium rare and aside garlic confit which elevated the experience. The roasted carrots provided a subtly sweet aspect to our meal. It's pretty difficult to screw up smashed potatoes but their harissa crème fraiche base took these to the next level. One of the harder things with chicken halves is maintaining consistent moisture throughout, but they have got this down to a science. Maybe we lucked out with our selections but every dish seemed to compliment each other and matched beautifully. A note on the quality of service we received this evening: I visited with my wife and 6 month old who is just starting to taste table foods not but quite ready to sit in a restaurant high chair. Several members of the circulating wait staff checked in at regular intervals; anticipating needs and going beyond expectations. Noticing a dropped baby spoon or soiled napkin, they were eager and, without prompting, offered to rinse our infants untensils and provide more linens. This drew me to observe interactions with surrounding tables that appeared to be receiving the same premiere attention to detail. This was the first place during our week in Charleston that our young family was treated, not as disruptive, but as esteemed guests. On our way out, there were only 4 folks waiting to be seated and the wait staff were quickly turning over tables so I wouldn't be too concerned about a long wait if not arriving as the gate opens. I have very few critiques, but would like to have seen a dessert special or post-meal offerings. We timed our evening well in terms of weather, but I would give some thought to this when planning your evening as there are no indoor seating options. All-in-all, our only regret was not visiting earlier in our trip or we would come back twice! Please make the short trip to Johns Island for this unique dinner experience for a date, with friends, or with your bound to be ricotta enthused kiddo! Thank you to Lance and the crew for hosting us! read more

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This place is a must if you are anywhere in the Charleston area! It is a totally open air and open fire restaurant. They do it take reservations and there is usually a wait. But believe me it's well worth the wait! The very friendly and pleasant hostess told us we could wait at the bar for our 45 minute wait. We were able to secure a couple of seats and enjoy some drinks and friendly conversations. The drinks were delicious and well crafted. We were having such a good time talking to other customers our wait felt like 15 minutes. The menu has something for everyone! We had a hard time deciding what we wanted to order. We ordered the Ricotta, the Ribeye, and the Mussels. Our sides were the Curry Collards and potatoes. Everything was flavorful and delicious! The Ribeye was perfectly cooked and one of the best I have ever tasted! The Curry Collards- as I southerner I have been eating collards all my life but have never had them with Curry. They were so good I don't know if I can eat them any other way now. I look forward to our next visit to the area. We will definitely return and try something else but get the Curry Collards as a side! read more

Lost Isle - Potatoes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Johns Island, South Carolina

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Such a fun place! The food was also delicious. The servers were so friendly and bartenders were amazing!

such a cool experience! Dont skip the cocktails and definitely try the clams and the porkchop! we went for a friends birthday and it was a beautiful way to celebrate with their fun backyard party vibe. everyone that served us was very nice and attentive...will definitely be back! read more

Such a beautiful spot to enjoy an evening when the weather is nice! The drinks we had were so yummy and the food was phenomenal. We arrived at 6:30pm on a Thursday night and were seated right away. If busy you can also sit and eat at the bar. When you're seated you scan a barcode for the menu, walk up to the bar to order any drinks you want and head over to the grill to order your meal. The staff were all so kind, over all we had a great time. I look forward to going back. Warning though, if you are sensitive to smoke it may not be an ideal location. We definitely left smelling like a bonfire because of the grill but personally I didn't mind. Parking can also be difficult. We parked next door at The Tattooed Moose. read more

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I recently stopped by Lost Isle on Johns Island, the fire-to-table open-air spot that's been turning heads for its laid-back vibe and wood-fired cuisine, and the smoked fish dip was one of the highlights that kicked off the meal on a great note. read more

Lost Isle - Smoked fish dip - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Johns Island, South Carolina

Outside dinning. Order, sit, and it comes to you. Chicken is tasty, Gintonica, great drink. Clams fantastic, smiles and friendly people. No Desert, but who cares, just great food. Frank G read more

Great, casual place. Basically it's an outdoor grill with no reservations. We lucked out and went on a Thursday evening (and avoided the weekend crowd. Got there at 8:15 pm and sat right down, and since the sun had just gone down there was a nice breeze. Ordered a rib eye steak which is cooked over a fire pit, fire roasted olives, grilled (onion) bread, and oysters. Food was terrific and so was the drinks. Service A+ read more

I got a pretty flower in my drink, life does not get much better. The food was great. Tge staff was nice but the setup of how to do things was a bit odd. Beautiful location! read more

Lost Isle - Thai me up - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Johns Island, South Carolina

If I could rate this place 10 stars I would! I have been told that the Lost Isle was a must go to place on John's Island and they were not wrong! This open concept kitchen is part dining, part experience. You go up to the bar to order all drinks and food, but then they bring it to your table. The kitchen is outdoors as well so you can watch everything Like a chef's table. We ended up doing almost one of everything from the entire menu and it was worth it! Do not sleep on the dips from the small plate section. Charred eggplant dip was by far my favorite but the whipped ricotta was the table favorite. The servers will also come around and give you more bread if you run out. I'm not necessarily a collard greens person, but the curry braised collards from the shareable sides was to die for! I can't decide whether the grilled Australian ribeye or the fire roasted island clams were better but the harissa sauce Lives rent free in my brain from now on! Make sure to get here early as it is first come first serve with no reservations available I wouldn't recommend coming here in the dead of summer, but this is a great spot for spring or fall since the only seating is outside. The parking lot in front is pretty small so just one more reason to get here early. read more

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Another incredible meal at Lost Isle with wonderful friends. The fire pits were going, music playing and the company was amazing. We ordered the Whipped Ricotta, Charcoal Grilled Chicken, Plancha Smashed potatoes and spritzer cocktails for the win! Love the food, ambiance and service! A local favorite! read more

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The perfect place to get lost in your meal and in the ambiance! Love the outdoor seating next to the outside cooking area. Lost Isle is no longer taking reservations so be sure to arrive early to check in, but the wait is worth it! After you check in, you're free to go ahead and order drinks at the bar. We enjoyed the aperol cocktail and the margarita. Once you get seated, you go up to order your food. The highlights for us were the whipped ricotta, the curry collard greens, and the clams. We can't wait to come back! read more

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The bite of the night was a two way tie between the clams and the pork chop. Every table is outside and so is the kitchen with its wood fire burning. There are heaters for cold nights and we were very comfortable on a cool night in November. You order drinks and food from the Bar/MC. It was amazing how quickly our food came out after we ordered. They were quick to bring us additional bread for our dip and to dip in the clam sauce. I was thrilled with everything I tried except the carrots and to be fair I don't love carrots to begin with. The collards were delicious and I was surprised by all the flavors packed into the cauliflower steak. I thought the ribeye was delightful but my boyfriend said he can cook one just as good and he was non wowed by it. I love the outside set up and laid back vibe with fantastic food and I would love to eat here again read more

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I thought this was some of the best food we had while on our trip to South Carolina. There were plenty of vegetarian options on the menu and mocktails. I would say they could probably add a vegetarian protein like a black bean burger or something but beside that it was 10/10 read more

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My wife and I are from Las Vegas so we have some pretty good food around us. But if you were in South Carolina, this is a must go to. Anybody who does not give this restaurant five stars is just a yelp gremlin. My son and his daughter took us there and we ordered all four entrées that were on the menu and all four or five of the starters. Every single dish was fantastic. Every single dish was unique and different from the next one over. And there were no leftovers. The atmosphere was great. The backyard barbecue feel and dining outside was so refreshing. read more

Lost Isle - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Johns Island, South Carolina

There was nothing about this meal that we didn't love. My goodness. We had the grit cakes and whipped ricotta-- which, I figured would taste like every other whipped ricotta out there. Turns out when you prepare it over an open fire it's absolutely unreal. For the main dish we shared the pork chop. I don't think I've ever been to a restaurant and felt compelled to order pork chop, but this came highly recommended and WOW. What an incredible dish. 10/10, 5 stars, perfect. We came in around 5pm mid-week and got a seat immediately. I know there are a lot of reviews complaining about the wait, so I'd recommend trying to come early and avoid weekends if possible. I also know there are a lot of reviews complaining about service. If anything, I was impressed by the service here. There were three guys working as servers/bussing tables/taking orders/seating parties. They were working so hard to fill every role and keep service moving. It's was really impressive. If getting up to order your own food is going to be a deal breaker, then you are going to miss out on one of the best meals in Charleston. read more

Don't miss this place if in the area or go out of the way to get to it. Wood fired goodness. Unique concept. Bring about six people and order everything on the menu. Relaxing no pressure dining. Order at the kitchen and they bring the food to you. Outdoor eating at its finest. read more

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Had the best time at Lost Isle! The food and ambiance were unmatched. All seating is outside behind the building you park in front of. We ordered the following and have only positive things to say about each: Fire Roasted Olives, Crispy Grits Cakes, Smoked Brussel Sprouts, Charcoal Grilled Chicken, Harissa Cauliflower Steak, Fire Roasted Sapelo Island Clams All of the staff we interacted with were incredibly kind. You can tell they love working there :) Seating and cooking is all outside so it's weather contingent: if it's raining, it's closed. Also, they don't take reservations but if you have to experience a wait for a table, it's completely worth it. Excited to return! read more

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Go early for a table. It's all outside but great ambiance. We had smoked fish dip, warm olives, tomahawk port chop, clams & roasted carrots. Amazing food, drinks and very attentive service! read more

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My favorite restaurant in all of charleston! The ambiance is so unique and fun. The food is spectacular, not a bad thing on the menu! read more

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I'm sorry I waited so long to go as this place is AMAZING!! First I have to tell you, everything is outdoors, even the cooking!! So if you don't like the elements, this is not your place. It was a cool night in Charleston when we went. They have outdoor heaters throughout the dining area so it wasn't bad. We sat at the bar in front of where they cooked the food and watched in delight as they prepared every dish as ordered. We started with sweet potato hummus, which was served with pita bread. It was different but very tasty. I had the grit cakes and an order if the curry greens my dining mate had the grilled chicken. The grit cakes were good. Not too many places do this right, but they have it down to a science. Topped with a sauce and goat cheese, I definitely loved it. The collards were more different than any type of collards I've ever had, but they were so good. I would order again. BEWARE, the grilled chicken is an entire half of a chicken. It was cooked well and very tasty. The couple next us ordered the steak and it looked SCRUMPTIOUS!! I will be ordering the same on my next visit!! They also have a fill bar with a few signature drinks. I had the Sheeny Neeney which has rum and it was delish!! I look forward to going back. I recommend going early , as parking can be a challenge. read more

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I absolutely LOVE Lost Isle and wish I lived on the East Coast and could get it more. This place is so fun and I just love the concept. The cocktails are fantastic and the food is absolutely out of this world. It's no wonder that this made the New York Times list. Everything has such amazing and unique flavor and the staff is so attentive. We tried nearly everything on the menu and everything was so good. I cannot wait to come back the next time I'm in the area. Thank you Chef Josh for the amazing dinners you're creating! read more

This restaurant deserves every accolade they have received. It was so cool, so cozy, and delicious! Genuinely everything was so so tasty - the steak (cooked exclusively how the chef wants) was perfect for me and SO delicious. The brussel sprouts had a surprising little kick which was so tasty. The whipped ricotta with the toasted bread was the best starter we had. The cocktails are so tasty but beware they do have a limited, but good, beer selection! Looks so unassuming from the front but is the best hidden surprise in the back. The staff gave us so much help as they dont take reservations. Dont be afraid to sit 7 around their 4 top, its cozy but more than comfortable. read more

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Such a wonderful place! Came for a girls night on a cold evening - fire pits were lit, space heaters throughout and abundant blankets. We were offered to sit at the bar (where you are waited on) and eagerly accepted. The tables you would need to get up and place your own order - a little cold for the evening. We started with some drinks (hot toddy for me and Fall Negroni for my friend). They were so good. We ordered from the appetizers - the whipped ricotta, carrots, sweet potato hummus, grit cakes, and smashed potato's. All were exceptional, but I was partial for the ricotta and hummus. Will order every time it's on the menu. Staff was friendly and helpful. Parking is on the smaller side so just be aware! read more

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Amazing spot. Completely outdoors. Great vibes. Feels like an upscale backyard cookout. Service was quick and very friendly. The food itself was amazing. read more

I've been dying to visit since they opened and can say the wait was well worth it. I attended with one of my girl friends and we started off with a glass of wine and a cocktail at the bar (where we stayed to eat). All of the staff we interacted with was incredibly nice and attentive. I recommend going in the evening so you can get more of the cozy vibe with the string lights. As soon as you walk up to put your name down to wait for a seat you could smell all of the amazing food. We ended up ordering several things (all of which I recommend). The sweet potato hummus was probably my favorite. The grit cakes were another great starter. For the main dish I had the clams and my friend got the cauliflower steak that were to die for. The only thing not pictured was the eggplant dip and that was equally as good as everything else pictured and attached. I'm looking forward to going back and trying everything else on the menu! read more

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Love this concept! They don't take reservations, but you can grab a drink and an appetizer at the bar while you wait for your table. The food is fantastic--the whipped ricotta, carrots, potatoes, steak, and chicken were incredible, and it was more than enough food for three people (plus leftovers!). Such a lovely, magical evening dining under the trees. Highly recommend! read more

Absolutely beautiful atmosphere and wonderful food all cooked on the wood fire grill that's open for viewing. A very laid back set up where you go to the bar to order drinks and you go to the grill to order meals that will be brought to your table. The only complaint I have is that I did not see any dessert options available and after a very light and delicious dinner, I was craving something sweet to top it off. Highly recommend for a different scenery. read more

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This place has been recommended by several different friends and finally made it out to John's Island to check it out. Food was delicious and they had several different signature cocktails to choose from. It truly is a very unique dining experience and it's hard to compare it to other Charleston restaurants. I went with my girlfriend (and the dog) and had a wonderful dining experience! A few tips that I would find helpful it you are thinking about dining here: 1. They currently only take reservations from 8:30-930pm on days that they are open. All other seating arrangements are on a first come first serve basis. 2. They open at 4 and if you want to get seated right away, I'd recommend getting there by 430 at the latest as the line was already pretty long when I got there at 4. If you aren't able to get in right away , there is a bar and outdoor area where you can grab a drink and hangout but wait times seem to be a bit long. 3. Very dog friendly. My girlfriend and I brought the dog and the staff could not have been more accommodating giving him lots of treats and water bowl. 4. You order drinks and food separately. Drinks at the bar and then there is a food order station adjacent to the bar. It's also all outdoor seating so if it's not great weather I would wait to come another time. 5. There is parking available but it gets full pretty quick. There's a lot across the street that we parked at and didn't have any issues read more

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WOW this is some of the best food i've ever had. Incredible atmosphere, quick service, and SO MUCH FLAVOR. The cauliflower was the shocking favorite! The harissa seasonings on it made it so addicting and delicious. I also was obsessed with the curry collard greens. They have such unique flavor combos here, and it all works perfectly! I seriously am so excited to go back here. read more

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