Great atmosphere and great happy hour food. Very quaint and homey inside. Their happy hour is different than most in that the selection of food is not your typical bar food. read more

The Charles - Potato criquettes - American Near Me - Wethersfield, Connecticut

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Unfortunately, our experience got off to a disappointing start. My husband and I decided to enjoy dinner here on Saturday evening, and we had a reservation for 6:30 PM. The restaurant was very busy, which may have contributed to some of the delays. However, our drinks arrived after our appetizer, we never received bread, and our main entrées were served cold. I've been here before for drinks and had a fabulous experience, so I was looking forward to a great dinner as well. Unfortunately, this visit didn't quite meet our expectations. While I understand that busy nights can be challenging, the overall service and food quality were disappointing this time around. That said, I've enjoyed this place in the past, and I'm willing to give it another try. Hopefully, our next visit will be a better experience! read more

Absolutely divine. It has been so long since I've been able to have a crab cake that's gluten free, but at The Charles, their crab cakes are gluten free and lovely. But first, walking into The Charles is a step back into time yet still fresh and intentional. Plenty to look at all around the restaurant. The layout of even the bar is nice with seats by the windows and plenty of TVs playing the games without being disruptive. The building is gorgeous, well kept, and I can see how this restaurant gets packed quickly! But back to the gluten free crab cake. I would have loved some slightly larger chunks of crab, it was the crispy texture on the outside and soft inside that made my heart melt. The cakes sat lightly on an aioli and beside some greens, and each bit was delectable and delicious. Lovely appetizer. I also have the octopus basquaise, and I loved it. The potatoes needed just a smidge more seasoning and were sitting in oil, but I cared not, because it was an oil with Kalamata olives and tart, and how lovely it all was together. The octopus was nicely cooked and tender and not greasy. The potatoes were a lovely vessel, and the aioli was not too overpowering. A delicious fish overall. The service was great, friendly, and you can tell they love their regulars. Everyone was on the move at all times and overall very efficient and kind. Tons of gluten free dishes naturally. I loved coming to The Charles and look forward to coming back later this week to try their actual dishes. But if the entrees are even close to as good as the appetizers, I'm sure it will all be delicious! read more

The Charles - Octopus Basquaise - American Near Me - Wethersfield, Connecticut

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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The Charles Delicious food and a great atmosphere in beautiful Old Wethersfield We love the vibe here! 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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Honest food and service. Wellcoming and warm staff. The host arranged to have us at the bar so we would not have to wait for a table, while in a hurry to hit the road. It's good to meet good humans!!! Thank you! read more

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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Very disappointed in this place. Heard good things about it from my daughters colleagues and she decided to take me there for my birthday. The service was also disappointing. She was nice enough but when I asked if they were still serving brunch she said " there is the menu, so yes" with an attitude. After that she was pleasant but very inattentive. She asked if we wanted more bread and my adult grandsons said yes please. She came out and apologized for the wait half way through our meal. At the end of our meal it never came out and was not mentioned again. We waited forever for the bill and a left over box. Lovely resteraunt which the food and mediocre staff didn't live up to or do it justice. Pricing was outrageous for the service, portions and quality of food. Not worth it. read more

The food was... just okay.. not worth the price. Can cook better at home. Service was abysmal, wondered if the server went home at one point. Small portions of mediocre food. Do not recommend. The place looked nice at least, but they didn't do it justice. read more

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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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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Don't order the chicken street tacos on the lunch menu, the tiny chicken pieces were cold with a few diced onions and a tiny amount of sauce! read more

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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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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One of my favorite restaurants. Went today to celebrate my birthday with a friend, food excellent. Server put a candle in my ice cream. The owner Tony so sweet to me called me honey and my dear made my day. Rec omens this restaurant T read more

Brianna is one of the best servers we've ever had! We originally were put on the wait list and waited for around 45 minutes (we were the only people on the list) then I looked and saw they had open reservation slots during the time we were waiting. I grabbed a reservation for around 5 minutes later and we were sat immediately. The food was delicious and worth the wait. read more

Our waitress was less than attentive and we couldn't find her when we needed to! The food though was excellent! The only real problem is parking. Small lot, so we parked a few blocks away on a side street! I guess there's an alternative parking lot, which I'llhave to find.mWe would definitely go back! read more

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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Ok so anyone who reads my reviews in the past knows that I like value for my dollar and that I don't mind spending money if I get the service that goes along with it. The Charles is a five star experience. My dinner companion and I sat at the bar and the bartender was super friendly. We ordered the steamed mussels in a tomato and Italian sausage broth, which was absolutely amazing. The fresh bread that they gave us to dip in the broth was also amazing as well. The restaurant is lively, but not loud and the atmosphere is amazing. read more

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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Beautiful atmosphere, great food, and excellent service. The cocktails were fantastic too. Perfect spot for a nice dinner!

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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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

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

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

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

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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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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Food was excellent but appetizer and soup just Lukewarm! Appetizer arrived before cocktails and they were slow to clean up appetizer dishes before the entrees were served. Love the ambience but need to do better! read more

Went on my anniversary and we were seated outside & greeted with a glass of complimentary champagne. Super professional staff. Delicious food. Very chic interior and fun decor. Definitely recommend this place for a girls night or a date! One thing that I'm not the biggest fan of is that you can be watched while u eat if you are seated outside. No fence or privacy from regular pedestrians. read more