perfect girls' night or date night spot! Lovely wine menu to pair with their pasta dishes. We truly enjoyed carbonara! Our server was able to help us pair dessert with wine/cocktails which helped our indecisiveness (too many great options to choose from) read more

Vern's - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Sourdough - great Escargot - good, but not a must order Bitter lettuce salad - excellent Rabbit pasta - delicious, but some of the pasta significantly undercooked, which was a bummer Lamb chop special - expensive but incredible. One of the best dishes I've had. read more

Vern's - Sourdough and escargot - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I cannot rave about Vern's enough. The lighting is dim, the staff is kind, the vibes are chill and the food, oh my, it's absolutely craveable. Vern's rivals any of the top restaurants in NYC. Must orders are the charred sourdough, the escargot (dip the bread in the sauce), the rabbit campanelle (I could eat everyday), and the strawberries and cream dessert. read more

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KenScale: 8.25/10 Visits: January 2025 When my wife Jun told our friend in Charleston that we were thinking of visiting her family, her immediate reaction was "We have to go to Vern's together! That's my favorite restaurant in Charleston!" Knowing Charleston's reputation as one of the premier food cities in the South, I thought that was a rather bold declaration. Last time we visited the city in 2021, we had an absolutely fabulous meal at FIG, so I was initially inclined to re-visit that restaurant (we only had one night for restaurant during our short trip) but decided at the end to trust our friend's recommendation and go with Vern's. The restaurant, owed and husband-and-wife duo of Daniel and Bethany Heinze (who met at the former Charleston fine-dining trailblazer McCrady's), did appear in a number of "best restaurants in Charleston" lists I had casually browsed through on the Internet so I figured we would have at least a solid meal. I'm happy to report that Vern's did deliver a very satisfying New American meal with its seemingly unassuming yet well-executed dishes. We relied on our friend and her husband to order the vast majority of dishes for our dinner, starting with the bitter lettuces salad with fennel, breadcrumbs and confit garlic and the raw yellowfin tuna tartare with Calabrian chili. After trying both of the dishes (the restaurant also graciously provided a free charred sourdough bread), I knew that Vern's had something special going on. Of course it's hard to mess up a salad, but the one from the restaurant felt extra special with its freshness and crunchy texture of the vegetables, and the spicy kick that the chili gave to the tuna was also quite wonderful. There were a few pasta dishes on the menu, and Jun and I were very glad we chose the rigatoni with pea tendrils and burrata in the center, with the pasta's texture spot-on and the sauce offering slightly citrusy flavor that was rather addictive. The key to having a killer dinner at Vern's is to pay attention to the specials that are written on the blackboard. One of the savory dishes on the specials was my favorite dish of the night, a lamb Barnsley chop (with red wine jus and truffle Hollandaise sauce) that was one of the best lamb chop cuts I've had in recent years, with flawless texture that would serve as a worthy model for how lamb meat should be cooked. The other dish, duck a l'Orange (with a side of radicchio and fennel), was also a standout dish, at least judging from the way my duck aficionado wife enjoyed the meat. The two desserts we ordered - a cup of strawberry, vanilla and crème fraiche and a chocolate tart with peanut butter mousse - were also solid but perhaps slightly below the level of all the impressive savory dishes we had shared. Getting a reservation at Vern's could be challenging (thankfully our friend was a regular at the restaurant and was able to book our table fairly easily), so advanced planning on Resy is essential. I really loved the cozy neighborhood vibe of the restaurant on a quiet corner, with a darkly lit room providing a ton of Southern charm. The wine list at Vern's is also one of the restaurant's strengths with a diverse, thoughtful selection of wines from all around the world designed to pair well with all the delicious food. Vern's is one of those restaurants where you want to visit as often as possible and become a regular. Oftentimes, it doesn't matter how fancy your dishes look or how much luxury ingredients you use to build and maintain a successful restaurant. You might have encountered a lot of similar dishes at other restaurants when surveying the menu at Vern's, but you will deeply appreciate from a dinner at the restaurant that it matters greatly how these dishes are prepared with precision and dedication. read more

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lived up to the hype...walk in bar dining experience was awesome. Food was fantastic, but service/vibe was even better.

Bethany at the front is the most welcoming person on this planet - so warm. Sheila chatted with us while we waited to be seated. Vern's is impossible to beat - Leah helped us pick out he perfect wine paring - she is just a sweetheart - luv her. Patrick was our server - always up and helpful - got a new baby girl also. The ambiance is lively and cheerful - yet you feel cozy at the same time. And, the cuisine is always yummy and incredibly consistent. We started with our favorites - the Charred Sourdough and are the Rare Yellowfin Tuna - yum and followed that with the Charcoal Grilled Trout - deeeeelicious. Saw Dano overseeing everything that was coming out of the kitchen - reminded me of Nancy Oats at Boulevard in San Francisco - she looked at every plate before it was sent out. There is a reason they have a Michelin Star - waiting for the second. read more

Had a wonderful time at Vern's, everything I had was spectacular. Great atmosphere all around, even the bathrooms were cool.

What can I say except this spot is fantastic. The restaurant is very cozy and intimate, they have a great wine selection and the food was incredible. I went here for a date night and we both had the Campanelli with rabbit - absolutely delicious. read more

Everybody!!!!! If you haven't been to Vern's yet, do yourself a favor and make that next on your list! As I was sitting there last night, I was texting my friend to tell her she HAS to get there and try it for herself! I told her I was in HEAVEN. That I don't think I've ever had a more amazing meal in my life. Every single bite (and sip). That I was on the verge of tears from ecstasy. That ain't nobody need NO MAN... just Vern's. She said, "What did they put in that food??" I said, "Honestly, it can't be legal." Wowwwww!!!! I got the pappardelle special, and couldn't decide between the salad and the shishitos, so I got both and I'm so glad I did! That MOUNTAIN of salad... omg so simply dressed, and that grated cheese (I forget what kind it was, but something like pecorino ) - perfection!! And the shishitos. I have had shishitos before, but never like this! Wow. Just. Wow. So **flavorful** And that pasta... oooooomg probably the *best* pasta I've ever had in my life. I wish I had ordered another one to go so I could have it for breakfast (I did bring home the rest of the salad and shishitos and did have that for breakfast . And got the chocolate dessert. Like a brownie. A delicious, gooey brownie with hazelnuts inside and I think like a butterscotch crunch, topped with vanilla ice cream. Ah I almost didn't go because I wasn't sure if they had bar seating, and they didn't have any reservations available, but I'm so glad I did go because they DO have bar seating! I believe there are about 8 seats, and they are first come first served, so it was my lucky day! I also almost didn't go because I couldn't find parking, but did find a spot on Carolina Street, only a 9-minute walk away (who cares, get your steps in, people, and SO worth it!!!! I would walk MILES if I had to to get there again!!!). The atmosphere in there is so nice. Just. So nice. Dim lighting. Noisy. Beautiful. Everyone enjoying the food and having a great time. Perfect. And a big warm shout out to the bartender Kayla. She was *so* welcoming and friendly, and I was there by myself, so I really appreciated the conversation, which she was able to do all while taking care of everyone else's drinks, as well. Ah get on out there, folks! You will be so happy you did read more

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Vern's is a quaint neighborhood restaurant serving up rib-sticking food. Ideally, go with friends who want to share plates because this is how you'll experience Vern's in its fullest. I saw tables of two able to successfully eat a couple entrees and an app, because while their space is small their meal portions are not. I sat at the bar as even on a weekday night Vern's was busy. People were coming and going with regular speed, but this is a restaurant that you soak in. A bit on the loud side, I was able to have casual conversation with people next to me and one over, but two seats away their words were muffled. Vern's is a place for a few friends, not a gaggle. The food was delightful and it lasted me a couple meals. Jared, the bartender, made excellent recommendations and the sourdough is a must. That day it was delicious and the next day the bread was even more delicious. I ordered the tuna appetizer which was similar to a tuna tartare but on the spicy side - not super spicy, just a bit of a kick. Jared recommended the campanelli with rabbit as it has been on the menu since day one. It was an excellent recommendation. Covered with grated parmesan cheese with pepper and ground rabbit it was very filling and exceptionally tasty. I ended up only eating half and taking the other half to-go. I was impressed that it reheated well and was still very tasty. I often don't have that luck with pasta finding the noodles becoming very oily reheated, but not a shred of that with this dish. Highly recommend Vern's! read more

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Was quite disappointed in this overhyped restaurant. We ordered the sourdough, shrimp, tomato salad, testaroli, carrots and waygu beef. The sourdough and tomato salad were good. Not super generous on the tomatoes, but delicious. I found the shrimp to have almost zero flavor for a dish that included horseradish. I tasted the actual horseradish and it didn't taste like anything. Very odd. The testaroli was basically triangles of pasta covered in some breadcrumbs with a minuscule amount of chopped mushrooms and an egg yolk. The description included truffle, but there was no truffle that I could see nor taste. Overall the dish had ok flavor but no sauce other than the mountain of oily breadcrumbs. Bizarre. The carrots were also sliced super thin and sat on top of the ball of shiso. I didn't care for that at all either. The waygu was just ok. No marbling and was pretty chewy for true waygu. I am not sure how many oz it was supposed to be, but I would guess it was a 1 1/4" slice of meat sliced into 6 thin pieces. It sat surrounded by some green oil. It just was fair at best. I wanted to love this restaurant, but the dishes just didn't deliver for me. Dishes were shockingly one note. Not balanced. Some things needed some acidity, some a little sweetness. Some too salty. read more

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Rabbit Campanelli along with their charred sourdough made for a perfect meal. Jared at the bar was friendly and provided suggestions on what to order. He paired a nice wine to go along with my dinner. The restaurant is located in a neighborhood setting and had a great vibe on a Monday evening. read more

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Vern's is one of those Charleston gems that it seems only locals know about. It is charming and the food is out of this world. I will be dreaming of the escargot and sourdough bread until I get to have it again. read more

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Spectacular restaurant 5/5 all around, one of the best meals I've ever had. Can't go wrong with pretty much any of the items. Some recommendations: charred sourdough, wagyu, lamb, pappardelle, and the rabbit pasta. Dessert could have been a little better but evening else was great. read more

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10/10 everything. Excellent service, beautiful setting, and the food and cocktails were delicious. Truly a perfect evening out.

Overrated and Overpriced The one good thing is management was willing to hear me out on my dinner and took it off the bill without a bad attitude, they genuinely seemed to care read more

Food: impeccable. We loved everything from the sourdough, to the rabbit campanelli pasta (super peppery and earthy), the pork loin (sliced thin, great green garlic sauce), the corn, and the strawberry granita (more substantial than you might think with the creme fraiche). Service: just as good. Friendly, helpful with recommendations, and noticed my wife wasn't drinking alcohol so when he brought us a complimentary drink for our anniversary, he brought her a limeade instead of champagne. Really nice touch. Ambience: very loud, very fun, very dark. Maybe about five degrees too dark for me? There were a lot of flashlights coming out to look at menus and bills. The food looks so good, let us see it! A++. Pricy, but 100% worth it. read more

I was very disappointed about a place that had a star Michelin ...I may miss the sense of it ! The ambience is very casual , services friendly but not professional ...but at the end what it's important is the food . I was very excited to see on the menu' "testaroli" which is very unusual to see it !!! Those are a special dish from Lunigiana ( Tuscany place on the border of Liguria Region) . This actually was a false dish made with stracci a slang word to say pasta irregular cut ...which is completely different of what the real testaroli suppose to be. . I got also the pasta with rabbit ragu' , because I was impressed about another unusual dish ...but it was very salty with a shape of pasta that was inappropriate . I'm sorry ...I really don't know how is the criteria of a star Michelin suppose to be ..but definitely is far from my standard !!!! read more

All of us (7) collectively agreed this was the best meal we have had in so long. We had the tasting menu and it was absolutely delicious. Everything was incredible and the ambience was great. Wait staff was so kind and friendly. This place deserves a Michelin star. Will recommend to anyone coming to Charleston read more

Vern's restaurant is near its 1-year as an establishment. It's located in Cannonborough/Elliotborough, where a lot of neighborhood, small, romantic restaurants are. Reservations open up 30 days in advance at 12 PM EST, and it is only on Resy. I definitely advise you to book 3 weeks (21 days) in advance of your desired date. The spots fill up quite fast because this quaint restaurant seats about 12 tables maximum. The ambiance is welcoming and homey with bright light entering during brunch hours. We were seated at our table immediately with our reservation, and the server arrived with great knowledge about the menu and the extensive list of beer and wine. The wine list alternates with a "mix of pioneers, renegades, and old-school producers." FOOD: There are about 8 items on the brunch/lunch menu, and they're meant to be shared family-style. I believe the food options are about doubled (16 items) on the dinner menu. 1. Bitter Lettuce Salad, Fennel, Herbs, Breadcrumbs, Confit Garlic (4/5): This is a simple yet refreshing salad. You can taste the freshness. We loved the breadcrumbs in this, which added a unique texture compared to the standard salad. 2. Cured Salmon, Capers, Lime Yogurt, Grilled Sourdough (4/5): The two things notable were the cured salmon and lime yogurt. You need a light dash of yogurt, but it was delicious with the salmon. I was not a big fan of the sourdough due to the overly burnt crispy crust. It was too hard. 3. Omelet with King Trumpet Mushrooms (5/5): I am not the biggest breakfast person, but this omelet was heavenly. Every piece and bite brought out the savory flavors, and the mushrooms were a perfect touch. Omelet lover or not, I recommend this. 4. Strawberry, Vanilla, and Crème Fraiche (5/5): My friend ordered this, as the server recommended it. It was a perfect dessert to enjoy in a Charleston summer. It's not too sweet, and the flavors intertwined flawlessly. Basically, it is like shaved-ice strawberries and cream. The service was terrific in all aspects. The server was pleasant, and she knows the restaurant scene well. We loved her presence and knowledge. The drinks never touched the bottom. Would I come back? Yes. read more

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Excellent pasta dishes and service. Small but cozy ambiance. Went for a business dinner but it would be a great place for a romantic dinner.

Pricey and with mediocre food. The garlic bread was wonderful. Restaurant was adorable and our waitress was fabulous. Food just didn't leave an impression. I suppose it is because my palate was trained in New Orleans. read more

For girl's night out on a Sunday in October 2022 we made reservations for dinner at Vern's. It's in an old house in downtown CHS. This group of girls loves to share so we always order a bunch of different things off the menu! We started with the sourdough and the escargot. Two of the best bites of the night! The bread is not what I expected. It's a round almost flatbread texture. Light and airy. I didn't really get a sourdough flavor but it didn't matter. It was so good we ordered a second. And the escargot was served in a tarragon and Gruyère sauce that was heavenly. I wanted to lick the plate clean! And dragging the bread through it was easily the best bite of the night. Next up we also ordered the tuna tartare, apple salad, bucatini with cherry tomatoes and the off the menu special Delmonico steak. The tuna was light and refreshing but could have used a couple more pinches of salt. The apple salad was also light and refreshing and made a great bite when you got a pistachio and some goat cheese all in the same bite. The bucatini pasta was cooked perfectly and made with simple and very few ingredients. I liked it so much I recreated it at home. And as for the steak it was seasoned perfectly and a good bite too. We ordered two desserts; the apple pie and some sort of ice cream and chocolate thing. I'm not a big sweets eater unless I've got a big glass of milk to go with it! I tried a bite of both and let the girls finish the rest. read more

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Absolutely spectacular. We had lofty expectations going in but were wowed start to finish. And here's the thing: the menu is so simple and approachable that each dish has to shine, and they do. Even things you would take for granted at most restaurants, like the bread and salad, were standouts. We live in Chicago and have eaten at some of the finest restaurants in this city and I'd fly back to Charleston just to eat Vern's bread. It's remarkable. Cannot wait to go back to Charleston and try whatever is next on the menu! read more

I can't remember the last time I licked a plate at a restaurant. There is no shame in doing that here. This cozy little restaurant that's dimly lit and well staffed is a treat and a memory I will take home with me forever. Just divine. The bread, the raw tuna, and the rabbit pasta were the stars of the evening. The rabbit pasta... omg. Yum yum yum!! Great for a romantic dinner, dinner with friends and small groups. Service is also excellent. A must in Charleston! read more

Vern's - Roasted chicken and salad - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

This quaint small restaurant has a romantic ambience. Our waitress that night was helpful, friendly, and very Knowledgeable with the menu and drink list. We had charred sourdough and raw yellowfin tuna as our appetizers they were good. My husband think the calabrian chili lemon on the tuna was too over power but I really like it. The charred sourdough was on the thin crunchy side but I was hoping for it to be a bit thicker but it still tasted good. Our next dish was bitter lettuce salad mix that top with flavor pack bread crumb and Parmesan cheese, so so good and I recommend this salad! We then enjoyed the wagyu beef special and it didn't come with any side so we paired it with gnochetti sardı but sadly it was to lemony taste for our taste bud. The steak pretty good tho. We really enjoyed our dinner and our waitress often came by to check on us and made sure we are still good with our meal and drink. We will try to come back again to Vern's in the future to try other dish. read more

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An incredible dining experience. Ambience, service, flow, food indescribable, wines, desserts, vibe, people - A+ Thank you all at Vern's. See ya soon read more

I like ferns and have been here many times, always friendly staff good wine choices, and nice tasty dishes that are great for sharing. I probably would've given it five stars, but it is just so loud in there. It's almost impossible to hear and while it is difficult, there's certainly are things that could be done to soften it a little bit, and I did not see much evidence of them. Hard walls, ceiling and floor yes it's a small place but you can put Matt under the table and there are certainly other measures that could be tried because the noise level really tracks from the experience. That said next time I go if it's just two of us, I will make sure we sit at the bar so at least you're close enough for conversation. I'm sure some people love the vibe But for me, I would prefer less loud. read more

I made this reservation a month in advance because we had friends visiting from out of town. We walked in at 7:32pm for a 7:30 reservation and were seated immediately. We waited 7-10 minutes to be greeted by our server and be brought water. We did not put in our drink order until 7:58pm. The delay/slow service was kind of annoying. Then the fire alarm went off and we were directly under it, which allegedly was from the people upstairs. But no one came to acknowledge this at any point. Anyway, all the food was phenomenal with the one exception that we thought the potatoes were kind of underwhelming. Crispy on top, but underwhelming - it's a stack of scalloped potatoes that are crispy on top. Everything else was phenomenal. read more

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This is supposedly one of the HOT reservations to get as I write this in July of 2026, so my expectations were very high for the visit. Positives: the trout was excellent, as was one of the pastas. Small but creative menu. Service was professional. It has a hip, Brooklyn-style vibe with a Charleston twist. Not so great: the wagyu was chewy. The popular sourdough was bland - would be better to get fresh, plain, good sourdough from a bakery in San Francisco. That Brooklyn style vibe = crowded and noisy. Our regular table was wedged up against the high bar, and I kept thinking the guy at the bar next to me was going to elbow me in the head. The table was sticky - not properly cleaned. The aircon unit above our table was dripping condensation on one of our party. While service was professional, it was a bit slow. Our server was skilled - so perhaps a staffing issue? This mixed bag was expensive by Charleston standards. I would keep trying other new places before coming back here. read more

We went to Vern's as a highly recommended place to check out! We celebrated buying our first home! It was amazing, the little restaurant offers a cozy feel. The menu was amazing, we got the squash, pork loin, potatoes and missing a photo was the bass crudo. All the plates were fantastic and our favorite being the squash! They were very accommodating with my GF requests. Dessert was an amazing flourless cake! Also, a great option of mocktails, cocktails and wines! It is a great special occasion or celebration date night location! Service was fantastic. Parking is hard just be prepared to find street parking and walk, it's tighter residential area for parking! read more

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Really cute little place. The service was really excellent. I've always been put off by escargot, but the presentation here finally made me have some, and they were delicious. We had the beets that were phenomenal, along with the charred sourdough, and a gnocchi dish, and they were all fantastic. My parents shared the chicken, I don't eat meat, but they said it was also fantastic, and it looked really good. The presentation of everything was well done. I hope this place stays busy because it was really great all around. read more

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One of my best dining experiences... Great food, great vibes, totally deserve the Michelin star. It's a must in Charleston.

It's tough to get in, I sat at the bar. The food and service are great with a nice ambience. I've been to many areas in Italy and it reminds me of Almafi food the most. Great wine selection. The strawberry dessert is divine. Top 5 in CHS for me. read more

We stopped in and the hostess Leah was so kind. She accommodated everyone as best she could in a busy restaurant. Our waitress Maggie was great as well! Food was amazing. We will be back to Vern's! read more

I have been wanting to try Verns for awhile now! Went for brunch on Sunday with a few girlfriends. We were a little surprised by the super limited brunch menu (there are only about 6 or 7 items). Nothing comes with sides & sides are not offered. Everything we ordered was delicious but I know a few people were not full at the end of the meal. Also, something to look out for- if you choose sparkling or still water, as opposed to tap, they charge $8 per person. I have only seen restaurants charge a price of still or sparking per table. Definitely something to keep in mind. I would love to come back for dinner and explore more menu items. If you are looking for a filling brunch with multiple options, I would pick a different spot! However, if you are looking for a really good bite at an intimate brunch spot, this is your place! read more

Vern's - Omelet with mushrooms - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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The service was outstanding. The food was groundbreaking. The experience was earth shaking. Vern's is legitimately the measuring stick in which all future restaurants will be judged against. From the delicacy of the risotto to the compact flavor of the fire roasted lamb special, to the warmth and flavor of the sweater weather cocktail, Vern's is a can't miss stop if in Charleston. All hits. No skips. No misses. A perfect dining experience. Thank you Vern's. Thank you Dani. Thank you for all the beautiful ambiance, the food, the service and the inspiration. You make me want to become a better eater. Stay cool. read more

Vern's - Heaven - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Vern's lived up to the hype! Coming from California, I had read all about it and snagged a reservation exactly 30 days in advance to the minute to make sure we got in at a decent time. Well worth it. The food was excellent. We ordered across the menu, beginning with the bread and escargot. Both delicious, with the bread perfectly oily and flavorful and the escargot approachable for someone like me who is rarely inclined to order escargot. Moved on to the creamed corn and then the rabbit pasta. Each were richly flavored but not overpowering, and the rabbit pasta was perfectly al dente. We were fortunate that they were offering their $95 16 oz wagyu as a special that night. Holy moly. If that's on the menu, get it. Chef prepares it medium rare and it is massive, insanely tender, and worth every dollar. It comes with a white sauce, the specifics of which I'm forgetting, but it made for a perfect drizzle over the steak. We splurged and went for dessert, as well. The hazelnut dessert was one of the best things I've ever tasted. Even my wife, who is not big on chocolate or dessert in general, can't stop talking about it. Finally, the ambiance -- upscale but not pretentious on a corner in a quaint neighborhood. Dimly lit and quiet enough to hold a conversation but loud enough to feel vibrant. Very nicely apportioned interior with large windows and beautiful wood paneling. Beautiful. Love this place -- if we're ever in Charleston again, I will try my mightiest to get back. read more

Horrible pretentious garbage! My pasta had so much black pepper that's all I could taste. Luke warm tap water. Bread tasted like it was burnt. I guess it is a great place for snobs to blow ridiculous amounts of money and brag about it. Avoid at all costs and go to the many great Italian restaurants in the lowcountry that actually offer good food. Cramped uncomfortable seating. Just because it is hard to get a reservation doesn't make it a good place to eat! read more

Amazing. Just amazing. Best restaurant in Charleston! Everything from the ambiance to the food to the drinks, everything is perfect. Service is great, everyone is so friendly and we have been 4 times. 10000000/10 read more