The Charles Delicious food and a great atmosphere in beautiful Old Wethersfield We love the vibe here! read more

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Food: 3.8/5 Service: 3.4/5 Ambiance: 3.7/5 Value: 3.6/5 The Charles is a nice upscale restaurant on Main Street in Wethersfield which opened in 2020 and quickly made Connecticut magazine's list of best restaurants. It is inside an old house of some sort, so it has a charming ambiance. They have a small parking lot so the spaces are a bit tight. Then, although we were on time for our 8:15pm reservation, we found out that they didn't have a table for us on the main floor, which is bad because my parents have mobility issues and cannot climb stairs. They asked us if we would be ok waiting five or ten minutes. Sure, that was fine we said. The host was very reassuring and he let us know that the corner table near the fireplace was finishing up and he'd get it bussed promptly. So that was good. But after we sat down we experienced service issues. Many items were unavailable. No orrechiete. No crab cakes. No sirloin special. It was weird. We hadn't arrived that late, on a Saturday night, how could so many dishes be sold out/unavailable? We ended up going with the scotch egg $11 and butternut squash arancini balls $12 for appetizers, which were both great. The scotch egg was a decent size and came with a mini salad. The arancini balls were small, but the truffle gorgonzola fontina cheese filling was really nice. Entrees were not bad. My Berkshire pork chop cooked medium was tender enough and had decent flavor. My Dad's veal ribs over mac and cheese were really good. My Mom's wagyu burger was tasty and my sister's salad was satisfactory. However the cost of the additional protein to the salad seems high (Grilled Chicken +14 / Seared Salmon +16/ Grilled Shrimp +21 / Churrasco Steak +24). The drinks were well made, but took a while to get to us. The "Charles... In Charge!" with old forester bourbon, montenegro, spiced cherry bitters, luxardo $15 was a hit. My Dad enjoyed his $17 Manhattan made with Angel's Envy bourbon. My $11 FreeBird mocktail was refreshing. Yet, throughout the night we found it difficult to get our server's attention. All four dishes did not arrive simultaneously. We had to flag someone down for more silverware after the appetizers were cleared. Right at the end when we were ready to pay, she got tied up listening to a couple at a neighboring table tell her a story or something. This must have been quite a yarn because she was totally enrapt and oblivious to our needs. We started wondering whether our table was actually her responsibility or not. Finally she came by and we let her know we were done, no dessert or after dinner drinks, just the check and a few boxes for takeout please. This was a new restaurant that we hadn't tried before, and maybe I took a risk by booking it for my Dad's 89th birthday, which was supposed to be special. Our experience was okay, and maybe we'd go again in the future, but there were too many more ups and downs this evening than I would have liked for a special occasion. I am rounding up to four stars overall, even though on this particular evening I didn't think each individual component met that mark exactly. read more

The Charles - Berkshire Pork Chop, brussel and bacon hash, bacon au jus $38 - American Near Me - Wethersfield, Connecticut

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Back at the Charles for a dinner event ! And today I got to try the tomoato mozzeralla salad which was light and refreshing perfect starter for summer . And for my entree I tried the salmon which was cooked perfectly and I really enjoyed it . If you love salmon you would love this dish . For my dessert I tried the peach fruitcake which was okay Overall love the service and atmosphere food was good 4/5 . read more

The Charles - Salmon - American Near Me - Wethersfield, Connecticut

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Still a great place for food and drinks. Love going here on a nice day and sitting on the patio. Cold days at the bar for happy hour. Doesn't disappoint. read more

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Served by a phenomenal bartender (Ryan) we stopped by for a quick beverage. I've heard about this spot for a little while and I found the atmosphere to be.... Charming. Found in old Wethersfield CT, this small house has been converted over the centuries into a very charming restaurant. Though we didn't dine in the dining room looked comfortable and cozy. We only stopped for drinks so I can only speak to those. The Beverly Hills was a pleasant classic take on a Gin with lemon accents and a honeyed sweetness. Tasty, but not unique. The 100 years of Fallitude was delicious... a citrus/bourbon drink with a strong pineapple driver and a pleasant smokiness that reminds you of a cozy fireplace in the cold of winter. The atmosphere mixed so well with the drinks that I couldn't help but have a good time. I'll have to try the food next time, I've heard great things.... read more

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I had an incredible first lunch at The Charles. I have wanted to go for years, and I have been specifically eyeing their fish & chips as of late. There wasn't any question going in what I would order. The hostess started things off perfectly and was exceptionally welcoming, setting a relaxing and comfy tone right away. The building has lots of charm. The dining room was beautifully and warmly decorated. They allow the character of the old house to shine. As for the much anticipated fish and chips, they were extremely well executed, and even more delicious. The fries were great, just fairly standard. The other components shined a lot brighter, for example the inclusion of minted peas was extraordinary. The "kitchen sink" remoulade in place of tartar sauce had to be darn good to make up for the omission of the classic, and it was. The coleslaw was also exceptional, creamy but still light. The fish of choice was a cod loin. That was the game changer. I find loin vs filet to make a world of difference. It stays far more moist, has more flavor, and has a much more pleasant texture for me. The breading was light and delicate, too. Every aspect of my experience at The Charles was excellent. I'm extremely anxious to go back. I have heard great things about their salads and appetizers, and they have a beautiful tented front lawn for outdoor dining in the summer I would like to try. Highly, highly recommend a visit. I would say it was one of the busier lunch services I've encountered recently on a weekday, so keep that in mind. read more

The Charles - Fish & Chips (lunch menu) - American Near Me - Wethersfield, Connecticut

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This was a great stop. Food was great atmosphere too!! 4 stars for the limited beef options. I would revisit read more

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We came in here for a late weekday lunch. It was the best meal in Wethersfield. We had a hard time deciding what to order off the menu as everything looks so appetizing and the dishes on other people's tables all look delicious too. We ended up ordering the Fish 'n Chips and the Butternut squash orecchiette pasta dish. Portions sizes were large and the food was delicious. The breaded fish was so light and flakey. It was tender and falling apart. It was just perfect and not overcooked. Next time, I will have to remember to order the truffle fries to accompany it. The orecchiette pasta was very filling and my friend was very happy with it. Service was great too. Our waiter checked in on us often and seemed happy to be working there. read more

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I would not return! My review is based on: One meal sent back because it was ordered medium and came out charred. it was never replaced! one small dish of butter was served for 8 people. The onion soup was just a bowl of salty beef consume without a trace of an onion. The salad was warm and came out without dressing. Although he ordered French fries, one in our party was served mashed potatoes. The menu is limited and unimpressive. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. . read more

It's good, but I don't feel the pull to return. The prices are high which made my expectations high; and although the food is good, on both visits it hasn't seemed like anything special enough for the special prices. read more

Food, service, ambiance-- everything was amazing! I don't have a photo but I thought the kids meals were pretty cool. They are served in dishes that separate the foods. Cute presentation. I've attached a couple of photos of the adult options-- so good! read more

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Not a lot of great spots to eat in Old Wethersfield, but The Charles made a good first impression when we ate there earlier this week. We stopped in for a quick lunch post-holiday. The server was kind and we promptly put in our orders. It was pretty busy for a lunch service, and we were seated upstairs. The food took a long while to come out, probably 30 mins or so, and we were getting a little impatient. At the servers recommendation I got the Sunday sauce - a mixture of chicken and beef with pappardelle. They were pretty good, but I was hoping for a little more. At least the meal was fairly priced - I believe the kids Mac and cheese that we got was only $6. Good value. read more

The Charles - Sunday sauce - American Near Me - Wethersfield, Connecticut

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We passed by this location a few times on trips to the area & decided to make reservations for a holiday dinner. The entire interior is beautiful & cozy. Service was great and prompt, always there when you needed them but not too much. Food wise I had the steak frites, it was cooked perfectly however it wasn't super tender and a bit hard to cut through all the connective tissue. My date had the Korean tacos & he felt similarly that the meat was a bit chewy. Everything else was great! read more

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Even if I wasn't gluten free or dairy free I would still love this place. The staff is lovely, the setting is charming and the food is fantastic. But I especially appreciate how well the menu is marked and how many incredible options I have. GF scotch egg!? Come on! And I don't know what magic dust they put in the grilled octopus, but I'd go back just for that. It's rare for me to give 5 stars. But this is a special occasion place and really a treat. read more

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Beautiful location. The drive in was so fun, seeing all of the historic buildings was a great part of the experience. I wish there was more parking in the lot, otherwise it's street parking which is available but still limited. Went for brunch and was not disappointed! Started with the butternut arancini which I definitely recommend. For a fried dish it was surprisingly light with a delicate crème topping. I ordered the chicken and dumpling because when else do you see that on a menu? I appreciate that they have local veggies and the lemon and mustard in that dish with the crispy chicken skin make it delectable. I would order again! My friend got the English breakfast and there were no complaints. Ordered the yuzu Prosecco and expresso martini. Everything was so well done. I can't wait to go back. I also loved that the bartenders worked together, they each worked together to take our orders so we didn't wait on one versus the other. read more

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Wethersfield is a bit of a drive for us, but The Charles made the trip absolutely worthwhile, and we had a wonderful experience dining there. Their motto, "vintage feel with a modern taste" is spot on. We especially loved that The Charles occupies a beautifully restored historical home dating back to the Revolutionary War. The elegant interior, with its upstairs and downstairs seating, easily accommodates a large number of guests while retaining its historical charm. We found the staff to be courteous and very well trained as well. My "Battle Royale" cocktail with its spiced salt rim was the perfect start to the meal. The homemade sausage appetizer was delicious; we only wished it came with a bit more of the grilled baguette (though the complimentary bread helped make up for it!). Our entrees were equally impressive. The meats in the Sunday Sauce parpadelle were nice and tender, and the truffle fries were a perfect accompaniment to a well-made burger. Unfortunately our stomachs surrendered before we could make room for dessert, but definitely something to look forward to on a future occasion! We highly recommend The Charles to anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience, whether it's for a romantic dinner or a family gathering. Though it's a bit of a drive for us, we'll definitely be spreading the word to friends and family! read more

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We went to the Charles this October on a really cool night. We were going to look at the scarecrows downtown and decided to drop in and have dinner. We wanted to sit outside, and it was so very beautiful (and a bit chilly!) Our waitress was very sweet and helpful. We chose to try a few appetizers and a dessert. We had the Beets n' Brie salad with roasted red & yellow beets, candied cashews, brie mousse, cara cara orange, pickled onion, shallot vinaigrette, house rye croutons. This dish was simply amazing. I would eat this over and ever again. We also had the Homemade Ricotta with roasted garlic, chile flake, pickled grapes, scallion, toasted hazelnuts, olive oil, wethersfield honey, grilled baguette. Again, another amazing dish. I love that they had vegetarian options for me, and that the dishes were large enough to be filling but not too large. For dessert we had the Sticky Toffee Cake with tamarind toffee sauce, brandy caramel snap, ginger ice cream. Omg the winner of the night. I will go back for this for sure. At one point I went in to use the bathroom and overheard some people from outside trying to move inside because it was chilly. The wait time was over 1.5 hours. It wasn't even the weekend so I suggest reserving a table in advance if you go, just in case. The inside was beautiful, I will definitely be going back to enjoy dinner inside next time. Truly a beautiful restaurant in a beautiful area. I would definitely recommend. read more

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Once again, I celebrated my birthday at The Charles, enjoying another tasty meal. We dined in on a Saturday, having made reservations in advance since the restaurant fills up quickly, especially during the holidays. Inside, it was as cozy, and we were lucky to get a table with a view of the outside. This year, I had a special surprise: a birthday card signed by the entire staff. My husband had noted the occasion on reservation that it was for a birthday. We started with the Crispy Calamari--gluten-free, battered with rice flour, and served with banana peppers, house togarashi spice, and a rich, tangy sweet soy-black garlic aioli. The marinated cucumber was a refreshing touch and my favorite part. For my main dish, I chose the Pacific Cod, served with a white wine butter sauce, topped with golden raisins, and a red onion-caper relish. It was rich and flavorful, paired with smooth butternut squash creamed spinach, roasted fennel, and baby turnips. My husband had the Steak Frites, which was equally delicious. I appreciate how The Charles offers a variety of gluten-free and vegetarian options, all clearly marked on the menu, along with a great selection of drinks--including mocktails, which I, unfortunately, regret trying. I had made room for dessert, and with tempting holiday flavors, it was hard to choose. I settled on the Winter Spice Cheesecake with gingerbread crumbs and chantilly cream, which was flavorful and airy. The chantilly cream was a great touch to mix with the holiday spices. Another wonderful birthday at The Charles--I'm already looking forward to my next visit! read more

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Great food executed well in a lovely historic interior. Service was a tad slow at times, but the staff were very welcoming and friendly. We ordered from the big plate entrees, sandwiches/handhelds, salads, and desserts sections, and did not receive a single bad or flawed dish. Kids meals were also an incredible deal. read more

Cute spot. Horrible parking situation. The food was good. 2 floors with bar. Looks like a house turned Restsurant. Wait staff was super friendly. Greeter could be a little more welcoming but that's personal preference. read more

My friend and I went here for lunch while we were visiting the bicycles on Main and we sat at the bar. The last time I was here it was in the fall and it was for scarecrows on Main. My friend and I ordered the French onion soup to share which is deconstructed and has dumplings in it. I had a few mocktails and he had an IPA. Lunch was quick and delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed my pineapple and salmon dish and my friend enjoyed their spring yaki soba. I had a taste and the ingredients are salty, but it blends well with the noodles to create a good balance. Will definitely be back here again. read more

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The food was exquisite, definitely the best I've had in the area as a local myself. I went for a celebration with my girlfriend and the waitress was not only attentive but kind and overall a pleasant person to be around. We didn't wait too long for food, and the ambiance was beautiful. If you are looking for a place for a company outing, an anniversary dinner or anything like that, you couldn't do better than here. read more

The Charles - American Near Me - Wethersfield, Connecticut

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The Charles is nestled in the center of old Wethersfield, which is a very cute quaint community. When going to the restaurant be prepared to look for parking or if you had a tip from someone who lives in town, you know you can park in certain marked spots at the firehouse next-door. We went into the Charles before a show in Hartford. I made a reservation and we didn't have to wait at all, We went right to our seats. We were put in an upstairs room that was pretty chilly. I had to keep my coat on the waiter, said that the heater was broken now this was December. OK, well we toughed it out. I got a drink warmed me up a little bit. We started out with a waitress. I'm not sure what happened to her but after we sat there a while, but we ended up with somebody else so it took a little bit longer than we anticipated. For appetizers, we ordered the tuna nachos and the deviled eggs, Both were very delicious. My husband ordered the French onion soup and I had the beef barley soup, those are very tasty. For dinner my husband ordered the duck and was a little disappointed because it came dry with a very minimal amount of sauce. I ordered the cod It was lacking in flavor, pretty bland. We went there during Christmas time. I felt like we were stuffed in a corner, where the rest of the house was very pretty lively and filled with decorations in our area was just ehh. We went on the recommendation from a family member for the cost of our dinner. Would we go back probably not. read more

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We had tried this place during COVID years ago and had some things we didn't love about it but decided to come back because many people rave about it. I would say there were some positives. We enjoyed our drinks and the bread, my husband also liked his Sunday pasta ragu. It is also a very pretty restaurant, and has a nice comfortable ambiance. What we didn't like were some of the other dishes. The "pommes frites" are not that, they are frozen French fries, not at all what you would picture from the title of a normal pommes frites. Also, I got the chicken and dumplings and the chicken was quite dry, with the flavor of the whole dish being one note and not a very pleasant one. Overall we probably won't be back, there are better restaurants for the same price within ten minutes. read more

Very cool character in the restaurant. Fun spot for a girl's night especially if you can catch Wednesdays for 'Girl Dinner'. Service can sometimes take a minute, but probably just the natural back up of being busy. read more

Food, service, ambiance is all worth the wait! Great experience. I would definitely come again to celebrate with my friends. read more

The Charles - Calamari, fresh ricotta, oysters, fries, & deviled eggs - American Near Me - Wethersfield, Connecticut

Dining at The Charles felt quite refined overall, with a quiet and intimate atmosphere that's ideal for a date night. We ordered a steak and a seafood appetizer the steak was cooked well with a tender texture, though slightly on the heavier side in seasoning. The appetizer was beautifully presented and refreshing. Service was friendly, though a bit slow at times read more

The food was excellent as usual and the staff were great! We went for a small private party and they accommodated all our needs.

This restaurant has the disease of trying to hard to be creative and a lack of attention on flavor. If you want a deconstructed salad and a free drink if you show your vaccine card... this is for you. read more

We recently picked up takeout from The Charles. The service was friendly and knowledgeable, and the food was great! Many things can be made gluten free, including the fried things (clean fryer) which is always a plus! We got the calamari, the fish and chips, and the scotch egg. Starting with the calamari- I've noticed a trend in the restaurant industry recently to put more fried peppers than calamari in the order, The Charles was no exception. While the fried peppers are delicious, if I ordered calamari, I'd like to see more than 4-5 tentacles and a bunch of fried peppers. The fish and chips were delicious, the fish was cooked beautifully and I loved the pea mash. The scotch egg was also good. All in all, a good visit with great food. Definitely a place I'd consider ordering from again. read more

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We had a wonderful experience at The Charles. The restaurant itself is a lovely historic home that was beautifully decorated for Christmas. The ambiance makes for an extra cozy spot for a fall or dinner meal. I would definitely return to try more menu items! The food was excellent, we didn't leave a crumb behind! Whenever I see a French onion soup on the menu I need to try it. Our server explained how they have a different take on the soup and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was a rich, flavorful beef broth with caramelized onion pierogis and topped with a Parmesan crisp. So unique and absolutely delicious. All the same flavors but not as heavy as a traditional French onion. I also got the Autumn wedge salad which was delicious. Loved the different varieties of salads they offered. The flavor combination of all the ingredients here were perfectly paired. Sweet, savory, crunchy. read more

The Charles - Autumn Wedge - American Near Me - Wethersfield, Connecticut

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The Charles is an adorable restaurant in Old Wethersfield. The ambiance is so nice outside or inside and the staff is super friendly and accommodating. We have only been here for lunch and each item we received was decent. Considering the price I'm not sure if it is totally worth it but the ambiance does add a nice touch to justify it a little bit. I'd love to come back and try their speciality drinks and other menu items in the future. read more

The Charles - Ceasar salad - American Near Me - Wethersfield, Connecticut

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Excellent food & cocktails. Enjoyed dinner and brunch here on several occasions. Love the seasonal entrance decor as well.

A solid dinner to ring out 2023 Ive been to the Charles once before as a guest for an event. The food was great, but it was just when the vaccines were rolling out. With fond memories, decided to bring my girlfriend with me to try this place again. The interior is very relaxed and very much a home gutted and built to handle the masses. Leads to a nice design but limited seating. Same with the parking. It's a small lot so you might need to park in one of the larger parking lots and walk to this place. Thankfully there's a couple such lots not that far away The server was very personable and very friendly. Had the gift of the gab, and the girlfriend and her enjoyed the side chatter. We got the special menu and saw the A5 wagyu. It's rare to find in CT, so we opted to give it a try. Along with some calamari, the deviled eggs, and a side of truffle Mac. Food was paced well, started with the eggs and calamari. The eggs were very good. Creamy, spicy, had a little crunchy element on top that gave it a little crispy pop. The calamari were cooked well and seasoned. Compared to the deviled eggs, they were lacking in any interesting flavors. They were good but basic. We got a little bread to share which was very well executed. Soft, warm, chewy interior with a firm but still soft crust. Paired with a fresh creamed butter sprinkled with sea salt? A very good bite. The wagyu, truffle Mac, and sausage were last. The sausage was spicy, salty, but had a good flavor which built as you would chew. The truffle Mac was strong on the truffle. It was very pungent in truffle which overpowered any of the other flavors. Pasta was cooked well, cheese sauce was creamy but fell flat due to the truffle. The wagyu, it was a great experience. It was cooked perfectly, seared in nothing but salt and pepper to the perfect med rare. The texture is akin to silky soft beef. The juices when chewed were very much pure fat with beef flavor mixed in. The appetizer portion was perfect in portion to the decadent meat being offered. Any more would've been too much. Price was high, but the quality of what was being offered made it worth the money. The food was delicious, the ambiance was comfortable, and although there were some minor gripes they were overshadowed with an amazing experience. As a special occasion place, this restaurant ranks high. It's not the easiest to get to and park, but the foods really good read more

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Beautiful fall day, looking for a charming New England town to visit - Weathersfield was a great option. And The Charles was a delish option. We were there on Sunday for lunch, and menu apparently had both lunch and dinner options from the respective menus. Started with bloody's, nice kick with horseradish - the only way I like them. The two soups were onion soup (served as I have never seen - with peroggies) and soup of the day was chickpea. They let me have a sample of the chick pea; it was good. And I tried the onion soup bc it looked so different. Totally worth it! My husband then had the sausage, bean, and peppers appetizer. Shockingly good. Have a bite with the bean, sausage and peppers. Soooo good! Had the chicken and dumplings. Couldn't eat it all; taking home for lunch. Crazy good. Hubby had the prime rib Philly. He love it! Friendly service. Great building. Lovely town. read more

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The Charles is a hidden gem in Old Wethersfield with a charming historic vibe. You immediately get this cozy but upscale vibe upon entering to the lively sounds of chit chat and friendly conversation going on. We sat upstairs in a quiet corner near the window which was perfect. Our server was very friendly, knowledgeable and entertaining as well. We ordered drinks and the deviled eggs as an appetizer and the eggs were pretty tasty. Combine the eggs with the arugula and dressing it was really good. The sirricha added a nice kick but not too spicy. For our dinner I ordered the steak frites and my wife ordered the salmon. My steak was cooked perfectly and the truffle fries took it over the top. Glad I listened to our servers recommendation. My wife's salmon was cooked perfectly as well and the sauce was amazing and paired well with the fish. For dessert we had the fig and honey cheesecake and I also tried the bacon old fashioned which was Saturday morning breakfast in cocktail. Now that I have discovered The Charles, I will be making a return soon to explore more of its wonderful flavors. read more

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Anniversary dinner with the wife, quaint little restaurant in the heart of Old Wethersfield. Great food! Excellent waitress!

Just recently I came with a group If my foodie friends. This was actually the first time I ate inside of the Charles. Previously that I had been it was outdoors. It was really nice . Service continues to be excellent as well as the food. My favorite are the calamari. Not many places have GF calamari so I get excited, specially when it's excellent! My Mocktail was also delicious! I did try other dishes I was able to and enjoyed them very much! Love the presentation as well! For a Tuesday evening, it sure was busy busy! Get those reservations in if you plan to go! So many amazing dishes to choose from. All worth it! read more

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We don't go to The Charles all that often, but I'm always onboard when the opportunity arises. We've had several meals there now, ranging from brunch/lunch to dinner, and have yet to be disappointed. The drinks are also generally quite good, the waitstaff is prompt and professional, the ambiance is clean, classy, and authentic to the town and age of the building, the surrounding area is nice and quaint, yet also quickly highway accessible. The kid's menu is also very fairly priced and for once offers more than the standard hot dog, chicken fingers or pasta that you see most places. The manner of serving the kid's items is great as well. Stable and well organized in what's more or less a large bento box. If you haven't tried The Charles yet, give it a shot for a special meal. Reservations recommended. read more

The Charles - Double-cut pork chop - American Near Me - Wethersfield, Connecticut

I have a new favorite restaurant! One a whim, I decided on birthday dinner at The Charles. Upon arrival, I was given a personally signed card... what a special touch, thank you! We were seated upstairs in a corner spot that overlooked the street. Beautiful mural by Jaime Jones.... Kevin was our waiter. He's so fantastic. Super knowledgeable, and when I asked if chef's tasting was available, he went and asked, and yay!!! it was. What a special experience. Every bite was delicious. Fresh, seasoned perfectly, just the right amount. We giggled in delight with each bite. This is a must go if you haven't been. My partner knew the owner and he stopped over to say hi and chat a bit. A PERFECT evening! Thanks everyone, we'll be back read more

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