I was treated to this incredible restaurant for my birthday with a great group of people. The service was outstanding, and the food was out of this world amazing. Their wine list is extraordinary. Definitely for very special occasions, and worth every penny and calorie.
(5)
Michelle J.
I was at Baltimore for a few days and was surprised how great the food and service is here. You get to choose from 3-6 courses. It was pricy but the food really fills you up AND it comes with dessert. Local Asparagus Soup - The name didn't sound that great to me but man, it was DELICIOUS. I wouldn't have mind getting 3 courses of this asparagus soup. Note: I tried all the meat dishes here and all of them were superb. I honestly do not like most meat/steaks at restaurants. The only meats I've liked at restaurants were Korean BBQ. However, this place was probably the first place where I was very pleased with how the meat tasted. For Dessert: I recommend the Lemon Chest Tart. By dessert time, I thought someone had to roll me out of the restaurant because I was so freakin' full, but once I tasted this dessert, my stomach suddenly made more room for it. On top of the dessert, they brought out extra complementary dessert (one of them being a macaron). Service: AMAZING. Everyone here really paid so much attention to our needs and was willing to provide service as best as they can. Such nice people here. I WILL DEFINITELY RETURN HERE FOR SURE!!!!!
(5)
Brian D.
My wife and I have developed an expense habit, and have no regrets about it. We were last there two weeks ago and each time, we are almost looking for a reason to be ciritical of some aspect of the evening. However each time, our expectations (which are off the charts for The Chalreston) are consistently exceeded. From cocktails to cheese and everything in between is just outstanding. One piece of advice for first timers.......just relax and enjoy the experience. The staff is more than happy to walk you through the dishes and entert
(5)
Jack D.
Charleston is an amazing restaurant. It is gorgeous on the inside with an amazing bar. The service is slightly formal, but very helpful and welcoming. The food looks as beautiful as it tastes. I enjoyed everything see you soon.......
(4)
Mohun K.
Excellent food. Did not disappoint. We finally came back after our first visit in 2005 (before Yelp) and we were very satisfied. Had the four course tasting menu with wine pairing - wife had the seasonal October menu preset by the chef. A memorable meal. Dinner on 10/6/12
(5)
J W R.
What a phenomenal experience. Chef Cindy Wolf is at the top of her form in Harbor East, Baltimore. 3, 4, 5 or more courses are available, each with a perfectly selected wine pairing. Small portions that allow one to taste different things, but not too much so that you feel sick when you depart. What I really like about this place is that it is quiet -- you can actually have a nice conversation with your dinner partner and the food is just phenomenal. All locally sourced, from the freshest ingredients, Chef Wolf creates magic with each presentation. On this occasion, I had a wild octopus salad, crab cake, lamb and a pavlova for desert. Each one outdid itself -- I was truly impressed with each dish. Extensive wine list. This is a must dine when in Baltimore and for the foodies out there, it is worth the trip if you don't live in Baltimore.
(5)
Kim E.
Best meal I've had in Baltimore - hands down. I tried 4 entrees, two of which will remain in my memory for years to come. The curried lobster bisque was divine and the buffalo filet was the single best piece if meat that I have ever tasted. Made it seem possible for meat to actually melt in ones mouth. I generally pass on bread, however (ladies), don't make that mistake. Splurge. The cornbread (I know, cornbread?!!) was delicious and surprisingly enough, a great palate cleanser. Great service, great atmosphere, perfect evening!
(5)
Jeff F.
Came in here a few weeks ago after having enjoyed a meal at Cinghiale (sister restaurant) on a prior trip and everyone pretty much saying if you want a gastro-experience a cut about, head to Charleston. Also have a buddy in Baltimore who's eaten at more Michelin stars globally than I ever will who says Charleston beats out anything in he's had in DC. From the moment I walked in, was seated and took a look at the menu, I had a great feeling. Charleston is absolutely on par with some of the best restaurants I've eaten at in NYC - creative, expertly constructed courses that at a minimum impressed and in many cases left a memorable mark. I would highly recommend trying Charleston at least once and get a minimum of 5 courses and ideally 6.
(5)
Steve S.
Went back to Baltimore for the first time in 14 years. This place was quite nice. It has a high class reputation and it lived up to it. Location was nice, right on the Inner harbor. Decor is a bit dated, but that is their fine dining style. Anyway, it was all about the food and service, and this place had that. You can either go with a la carte, or chef's seasonal choice menu. GF and I took choice menu with the wine pairing. Amuse bouche was an artichoke soup in an espresso cup. I am not a big artichoke fan, but this soup was really good. I did not even know that one could get that much flavor out of an artichoke. First course was a corn chowder. It was really nice and thick and had a lot of corn in it. Nothing super special, but it was a good start. I would have preferred a bowl of the artichoke soup, but this was nice. Corn was really fresh. Next course was fried soft shell crab in butter sauce. For those of you who are not familiar with Baltimore and the crab scene, it is what lobster is to New England. There is a special way to eat these, you just eat the whole thing. Claws and all. It may seem odd at first, but it was really tasty and delicious. Next course was a scallop course, Presentation was nice. Scallop was cooked perfectly. Then came the grilled beef tenderloin. It had a fried quail egg on top and came with fried green tomatoes. Cooked to a perfect med rare. There is really not to much more to say. We threw in a cheese tray option. While a bit pricey at $8 dollars per, they probably had about 20 different choices. I know a think or 2 about cheese and was quite impressed with the servers explanation of each. If you go cheese plate, I would recommend to stay away from the ones that you know and try something new. This is a good opportunity for that. For the dessert option, I went with a chocolate pate with cayenne pepper. It was nice. Very rich and probably a bit much at the end of a big meal. GF went with a watermelon slush dessert. It came with panna cotta and fresh watermelon. Overall the meal was good. Service was excellent as it should be at that type of place. The extra touches and the wine pairing really put it over the top. If you want fine dining in Baltimore, this is a must!
(4)
Sandy V.
Charleston is an amazing restaurant. It is gorgeous on the inside with an amazing bar. The service is slightly formal, but very helpful and welcoming. The food looks as beautiful as it tastes. I enjoyed everything I ordered and can't wait to travel to Baltimore to visit again. Attire: More dressy than casual. I wore a dress and heels and felt comfortable. Dress pants and a nice top would be fine as well.
(5)
Betty W.
Loved our wait staff especially our waiter Dom. It had been awhile since I have been here (lived 3000 miles away) but I don't remember it being soooooooooooo overpriced. I always felt that although it was a pricey restaurant for Baltimore that it was at least worth every bit due to their service, wine choices, and delicious recipes. This last visit on a Friday night in June 2012 left me wondering "has all of the praise Cindy Wolfe has achieved made her leave the kitchen to amateurs? I ordered the 5 course (108.00) menu choice and I have to say only 2 of the 5 dishes were noteworthy. The lobster bisque and the rock fish were to die for...a definite recommendation! Unfortunately the lamb chop did not have any flavor to wow me (I must say I make mine much juicier and tastier) and the medium rare (cooked perfectly) beef filet was also tasteless as it was overpowered by an oily taste (Im assuming they drizzled butter or oil on it as there should be no fat on this cut), Very disappointing. Finally, the sweetbreads were extremely salty though they had a good taste underneath all of the salt) The last two dishes led me to my comment that "amateurs" may have been in the kitchen. Saltiness and grease are just not anything you want to taste at a gourmet restaurant...not too mention they don't blend well with a nice sip of wine! Now you might think I was a little piggy (yes I can be) eating five courses but lets just say I have had tapas much bigger than these servings. Our waiter did however at the end of the meal give me a huge serving of the most delicious basil mint ice cream!! The service was impeccable so when the bill came to over 320.00 for two (we had a bottle of wine that was almost 100.00) his 20 percent tip was well deserved. I have to say the next night I ate at Ale Marys and paid less than 20 dollars for a great meal and a Banana Bread Beer...I quietly thought to myself..."I think I enjoyed this meal much better"! In summary, too many strike-outs for a restaurant and chef with this reputation.
(3)
Amanda K.
This is one of Baltimore's best. The cuisine is unriveled. The ambiance is perfect for a night out with friends or an intimate date. The service immpeccible
(5)
sarah s.
Over 2 years after my first visit, Charleston still shines. This is the best restaurant in the Baltimore-DC area. Not just the best restaurant in Baltimore, mind you- this beats any restaurant I've been to in DC. The service is absolutely flawless. The dining room is elegant yet cozy. The waitstaff are so knowledgable about the menu, and you can tell they love FOOD. Their knowledge of wine is educational yet unpretentious. I love, love, love this restaurant. I won't wait 2 years again before going back.
(5)
ilove m.
Their menu is seasonal and fixed, but boy are the ingredients fresh. Our meal was absolutely delicious from the first bite to our last. Our server was attentive, but not overly so. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Liz R.
This is, hands down, the best meal either of us has ever had. And this will be a long review... I'd read the Yelp reviews and knew there was a good waitress mentioned a couple of times, but I couldn't remember the name! Got home, re-checked... oh yeah, we had Leslie too! She was wonderful - beyond knowledgeable, friendly but not bubbly, and there whenever you needed her (but not hanging over your shoulder all the time). We had an 8pm reservation Saturday 09/11. Arrived 10 minutes early and were seated in the bar to wait. Cushy bar, and an excellent dirty martini. One of the servers brought over truffled potato chips with truffled creme fraiche to go with our drinks (we saw other tables in the bar also receive this treat... but hello, truffled stuff goooooood!). Promptly at 8pm we were taken to our table, a roomy two-top in a back room, with 5-6 other tables and wide windows that overlooked the quiet street and water. Very pleased with this setup because the larger main room was brighter and louder. Leslie explained how the menu worked (3 to 6 small 'tasting' courses, with or without wine pairings) and said 4 courses would work for the normal appetite. We ordered 5, me with wine and Ken without. Amuse Bouche: Vichyssoise (cold potato and leek soup) - 4.5 1st Course: Jumbo Lump Crabcake, sweet corn and haricot verts (aka green beans) salad, mustard cream + Pouilly-Fuisse (me) and Lobster Soup with curry (Ken) - 3.5 and 4 2nd Course: Steak Tartare, jalapeno oil + Brut Rose (me) and Heirloom Tomato, Baby Lettuce, Goat Cheese Medallion salad (Ken) - 3 and 5 3rd Course: Fresh Baby Artichoke Risotto, Morel mushrooms, local butter beans + Soave Classico (me) and pan-roasted Halibut, mushroom fricassee, lemon beurre blanc (Ken) - 4.5 and 5 4th Course: Turbot, mushroom fricassee, lemon beurre blanc - special + Chardonnay (me) and Grilled gunpowder buffalo tenderloin, creamy polenta, oyster mushrooms, crispy shallots (Ken) - 4.5 and 4 5th Course: pan-seared Foie Gras, local Gala apples, Calvados pan sauce + Chateau Lahonade-Peyraguey (me) and grilled Lamb Rack chop, pomegranate, saffron rice, eggplant caviar (Ken) - 5 and 3 Cheese: we chose 3 with the assistance of the smart and funny 'cheese guy' - I wish we'd gotten his name to include it because he was, seriously, a cheese whisperer! 'Cheese guy' slid me some wine too. Dessert (included): I saw 'salted caramel' in one's description and said yes, yes, yes. It ended up being a bit too much chocolate for me, but still a nice end to the meal. Ken chose more wisely with the panna cotta, fresh fruit and fresh raspberry sorbet. My favorites of the evening were the foie gras (melted in your mouth like the most delicious butter ever) and Ken's halibut (something magical about that whole dish). Ken's favorites were... he just named off everything he ate when I asked him! (when I forced him to name a couple he said his fish, any of the mushrooms and the Heirloom tomatoes) $320 + tip. OMG expensive but how often will we have the chance to dine in one of the best restaurants in the entire country? Charleston exceeded our extremely high expectations.
(5)
Alex H.
Review in a hurry: Outrageously expensive for a just-okay overall experience. Terrible wine pairings, absurdly long table wait (even with a reservation!!), and oblivious service. Review in detail: My husband and I came here on a weekend trip to Baltimore from D.C. because the Charleston is heralded as "the best restaurant" in Baltimore. If that's the case, then I pity the Bmore food scene. We had a 9:30 PM reservation and weren't seated until 10:20. That's nearly AN HOUR WAIT for a table! What the heck was the point of my reservation?? No one apologized, or offered us a free drink or app to tide us over, or acted like this was horribly unprofessional or a big deal. The bar area was full of people in the same boat as us, too. They all looked super ticked off. So the meal obviously got off on the wrong foot. We decided to do the tasting menu with wine pairings. I'm not sure who is creating the pairing combos, but they were awful. The wine did not compliment the food or make it better, like it should. Instead, the wine either overpowered the taste of the food or changed the taste of the food in a negative way. It was bizarre. The food was fine, but not very memorable, which is a huge problem when you're paying $300 for a meal. The asparagus soup was very good, but the Hudson Valley Foie Gras was gross. I can't believe I didn't like it because foie gras is one of my favorite things. But it was like breakfast. The quail egg with it overpowered the dish, and it was very, very salty. It also tasted extremely oily and fatty. I just felt gross eating it, you know? I call the service "oblivious" because I have a nut food allergy and the waitress/kitchen served me a desert with nuts in it anyway. Thankfully, I trust no one and examined the food, as I always do. But she promised me the restaurant would take care of it and me and none of the food we ordered would contain nuts. When you're dining at a restaurant as expensive as this one, I don't think accommodating a food allergy is too much to ask for. In summary, I've had much better meals for way less money. And someone needs to re-examine those crazy wine pairings.
(2)
Sonya A.
Went ages ago- remember the crab bisque was quite tasty. Great place to bring guests that eat like a bird you want impress.
(4)
Robert P.
This is a serious dining establishment. Attention to detail and artistry is applied to everything. As soon as you get there you realize that this will be a good experience. Six of us had dinner and everyone was very satisfied at the end of the meal. I started with a Gimlet cocktail that was prepared just right. Then on to the chef's menu with wine pairings. Expensive, but it is a very, very enjoyable experience. The crab cakes were terrific.
(5)
Maria C.
Lovely. The Charleston is really nice. We had to wait a few minutes for our table and instead of ordering a drink at the bar, I ordered hot tea since I was cold. They brought out a whole spread with a mini teapot, cup and saucer, and sugar and cream. The green tea was really good and had a fruity aroma to it. They also gave us a little dish of potato chips with truffle creme fraiche. The food was pretty good too. Beef carpaccio, fried green tomato sandwich were my favorites. Wine pairings were excellent. The cheese dish was quite good. Dessert - creme brulee trio comes with another tray of desserts - a sampler. Overall a lovely experience.
(4)
K Sera S.
Updated again, 7/12: Yet again, an amazing meal and fantastic, attentive service. There is simply no better place in Baltimore for the full-on dining experience! I've said it before and thought it was time to say it again. There's no better restaurant in Baltimore for the full-on experience of simply amazing food, exception service and pleasant ambiance. My only complaint isn't their fault at all--it's "yours." Dress for dinner, people! I'm not saying ladies in kid gloves and gowns, men in top hat and tails, but when you walk in to a place like this in khakis or jeans (or worse!), you are not telling me that you're too cool be concerned with the trappings of fashion. You're telling me that you're a rude person with an inflated sense of entitlement and no respect for those around you.
(5)
Debby D.
Travelled from DC to enjoy this restaurant. Way exceeded our expectations. Superb service, food and ambiance. Cindy Wolf is beautiful and runs a first class ship. We've been to all the other Mid-Atlantic James Beard nominees and she wins our vote hands down. To this all other restaurants should aspire. Perfection.
(5)
Katya M.
Amazing food. I got the three course. Asparagus soup, fried green tomato "sandwich", and the sea scallop. To die for!
(5)
Daniela R.
This was by far the most luxurious and romantic restaurant I have ever been. Each course either offered perfections of divine dishes already experienced or supplied new milestones to my taste palate. This meal was one for the ages and I hope I can come back soon.
(5)
Tiffany N.
The only thing here that will blow you away is the pricing. After dinner I thought... Awww, man! That's it? That's the meal people have been spending hundreds of dollars on? That's the ambiance everyone has been raving about? Let's be honest, the food is good. It's very good, but it's not the best tasting meal I've had in Baltimore. The presentation of the food was very clean. Everything was cooked well, except for the jalapenos and onions served with the rockfish. The menu referred to the fried calamari as "calamari beignets. I was instantly intrigued. Upon their arrival, I was disappointed to find they were merely fried calamari. They were tasty, yet calling them beignets was deceptive and a feeble attempt to make them sound more interesting. The service was excellent, but it should be at a restaurant of such notoriety. The crowd was older, the noise level is low...really low. There's no background music. We were closely seated in between two other couples. If we weren't talking, all we could hear were the conversations next to us. How about a little jazz or something!?!?! For me, this place just didn't live up to the hype. If you're looking for a high-end take on low country food, I recommend Woodberry Kitchen or Bluegrass instead.
(3)
Nathan C.
At this point, Charleston is hands-down the best meal I've had in a restaurant. We took my mom out here for her birthday; the six of us attending had a stunning time demolishing our dinners and dessert. And a bunch of wine. And some digestifs. And some little cookies and trifles. Way over the top, all the way from the amuse bouche at the start to the overly decadent desserts. And, I had an Armagnac from the year I was born. Woot. The food - the standouts for me were the venison and the buffalo tenderloin. Both were absolutely perfect, in cooking, in texture, and in presentation. But every single one of the thirty-five dishes consumed that night by our table was five-star. Speaking of five-star, the service was impeccable. I swear they have more staff than customers. And, to use a technical term, they know their shit here. From wine to food, every member of the staff seemed to know the entire menu and all the wines backwards and forwards. Note that this place ain't even remotely cheap, and parties of 5 or more get a 20% gratuity added. If you're trying to keep it reasonable, stick with the X-course dinners, get a single glass of wine, and stay the hell away from the cheese and dessert wine carts (I'm looking at you, 36-year-old Armagnac)
(5)
Brien C.
As many others have said, the best meal I've ever eaten, hands down. My wife and I both ordered "The Season" (the chef's selection menu) with wine pairings, and none of the dishes disappointed. The standout for me was the rich lobster soup with curry. The presentation was amazing and the flavor combination was as wonderful as it was unexpected. The local buffalo tenderloin was also amazing, so much so that I was a bit sad when I finished it. The service was excellent. The door staff took my wife's coat and returned it to her at the end of the night with no coat check ticket or description of the coat she checked (I guess they just remember what coat goes with each diner? Or they store the coats with the table number? However they do it it was a nice touch). When the waitress brought the check, she also took our valet ticket so our car was waiting when we finished dinner. Overall, Charleston is just an incredible dining experience. The only bad thing I could say about it is that it's so expensive I won't be able to return as quickly as I'd like.
(5)
Brooklyn W.
Seriously, the best restaurant ever. This food, ambiance, wait staff (they dress in suits--what a fancy touch) was absolutely fabolous. What topped it all off..I sent an email to the restaurant stating how pleased I was and the manager replied back....you can't go wrong....best food, best service, best everything.
(5)
David H.
It doesn't get any better than this...really!! The food is excellent, the service is superior. A little too much wine with the fixed course wine flight, but other than that, it was just about perfect. Everything really was great, but the duck stands out to me after a couple days as the most memorable item we selected.
(5)
Charles M.
I am afraid that my post will come across as disgruntled and filled with hyperbole. Yet words do not do justice to just how disappointing our entire evening was last time we visited Charleston. It was simply one of the worst dining experiences at this price point that I have experienced in any city, at any time. Our waiter was a pompous ass that reminded more of a salesperson at Hermes more than a server. One would think we were doing him a courtesy by sitting in his section and that he alone was responsible for everything bright and good in this world. Were his condescension and grandstanding not enough, the food was incredibly underwhelming. Having read other posts from those that have dined at other Michelin starred restaurants, I cannot help but gasp in disbelief. To compare Charleston to Gary Danko or any other elite San Francisco establishment is to compare the Hampton Inn to the Mandarin Oriental. Next time I am in Baltimore, I will look forward to better drinks, far better food and entirely better class of service at Woodberry Kitchen. Or, far more likely, wait until I am home in D.C. and goto Marcel's. Or, without hyperbole or joke, in retrospect I would rather light the $200 per person I spent on fire and know that the money was better spent.
(1)
Keith T.
One of the finest dining experiences I have had. Food, service, and surroundings were second to none. This is a special place, and would be at the top of my list for a special occasion. It is pricey, but you do get what you pay for.
(5)
McFamished W.
This restaurant is overpriced and unexciting. This is a beautifully decorated restaurant; the bar is the only room with any windows so a view of the waterfront is not available while in the dining room and it is not a romantic place to take a partner. We were warmly greeted by a really pleasant hostess and made to feel at home, after that this restaurant basically fell apart. Our waiter was pretentious and made us feel uncomfortable. We ordered the rich lobster soup with curry and the artichoke soup. The rich lobster soup with curry was very tasty and certainly rich, not the best selection to start the evening with. The artichoke soup was delightful and oozing with lovely garden flavors. The cornmeal-fried oysters were excellent plump and tasty but a little overcooked. We ordered several other dishes that were typical American Cooking bland.
(2)
Lydia A.
Food was amazing. Server was great, steered us toward some great dishes. had a few different types of hors d'oeuvres served to us before we even sat down at the table which we appreciated. Everything tasted fantastic and we can't wait to go back!
(5)
Vanessa P.
My boss and I were in town for a business conference and were invited to a dinner party here hosted by one of the vendors. It was truly an all around incredible experience. Upon walking into Charleston it was incredibly welcoming and cozy. The interior design was simple, yet homey, creating a very comfortable ambiance. Because we were a private party, we took about 3-4 tables in the wine cellar/room located towards the back of the restaurant. Prior to our meal, the staff came around with hors d'oeuvres (salmon tartare, empanadas, and fried oysters - all delicious) and wine while everyone mingled. All of the wait staff was top notch. My additional 3 courses included an artichoke soup, grilled rock-fish, and the heavenly salty caramel ice cream. The soup was ok, I'm more of a tomato soup lover, but it was still very good. The grilled rock-fish was deliciously cooked and topped with button mushrooms. I can easily say the mushrooms here were the most delicious mushrooms I've ever had. And all of it was topped with lemon buerre blanc, which to me was just a fancy phrase for deliciousness. Despite being stuffed from all of the wonderful food, I had to make room for dessert. It was a scrumptious plate of sweet and salty - a combination my taste buds always enjoy, and this dessert did not disappoint. It included a chocolate and coffee napoleon with a side of salted caramel ice cream. I'm a pretty picky ice cream lover but this was the bees knees in ice cream. A week after my trip and I'm still craving this stuff. To finish we were offered coffee but our table couldn't resist a waiter's inquiry regarding dessert wines. I'm not entirely sure which brand was ordered, but it was an Armagnac - I was told it was a 1984 vintage. We all took sips from a glass that could've been mistaken for a fish bowl on a stem - it was quite big. The aroma of the Armagnac was very strong and could be smelled from across the table. I've tried ports and other fortified wines before but have found many of them to be too sweet. Just a tiny sip and I was surprised at how balanced and smooth the flavor was, however it was syrupy (thickness). It may have changed my mind next time I'm offered a dessert wine. Bottom line: This restaurant is fantastic. Although I didn't pay, the service and quality of food is well worth the price regardless of whether you opt for the 3 or 6 course meal. I would highly recommend Charleston to anyone visiting the city looking for a delicious meal and a comfortable, yet upscale atmosphere.
(5)
Meatdowntown C.
Avoid wasting $300. There is nothing exceptional about this place. The food is just okay and the experience is nothing really to remark. This restaurant will never compare to anything in CHicago, DC or Boston. Avoid it!
(1)
Michael H.
We came from Denver,CO on recommendations and found an incredible dinner -- service, food, wine, drinks all first rate. Hard to find any concerns other than cost of $350 for 2 people (4 courses each with suggested wines, cocktails, tip, tax = bottom line cost) and rather formal atmosphere. In defense of those 2 issues, this restaurant is one of the greatest I have enjoyed any place in the world and I was comfortable in a collared sport-shirt with no tie or jacket. Would highly recommend this great restaurant for a once in a lifetime dinner, cost be damned!
(5)
Maria M.
Well what can I say.... it's delish!!! My husband took me here for my birthday and I was very impressed. Lots of great things and a couple of good things. All in all the experience was great! First of, it's complimentary valet which is always a good thing. If we're paying so much for the food, it's nice to know they give you a break for parking since it is in downtown Baltimore. In any case, we were welcomed and seated right away (we had a reservation, so i'm sure that helped). We decided to get the 6 course meal! I was soooo full at the end of it, I wasn't sure if I could fit in dessert which is mandatory by the way. And free. So go for it! I started off with the lobster bisque soup with curry and that was amazing. It was not with bits and pieces of lobster, but with chunks of lobster... very impressive. Very savory and tasty. Some reviewers thought it was too salty... but I really loved the flavor. Probably, the best I've tasted. Then I ordered the crabcake. It was with lump crab and very little filling on top of spinach and some mayo-based sauce. Amazing. Loved it!! not too salty but very flavorful! The 3rd course is asparagus: I needed a break before the meat so i got something light. It was good. It included chunks of cream cheese with it. Pretty good with the asparagus. The 4th course was Grilled salmon. Nothing out of the ordinary but still really good. The 5th was scallops. I don't know how they cook it, but it was delish. It was two big pieces of scallops on top of beans and bacon. Very good! My last course was the beef tenderloin. I admit that I did not finish this. I only was able to take a bite because I was so full. I even gave my husband piece of my other courses and I was still full. In any case, they usually serve all their meat medium rare... but i chose medium well because I like it like that. And it was still juicy and not dry at all. So very good! The dessert came and I almost about died because I could not breathe at all. I got the white chocolate and strawberry dome which is a dish with vanilla bean mousse or something topped with white chocolate and strawberries. So good! And I would've finished it but I couldn't take more than a couple of bites before succumbing to my body saying it can take no more! Lol My husband could not decided which dessert he wanted and so our waiter actually gave him both... hahaha.. the creme brulee and the rhubarb tart. All was delicious! Then we got complimentary mini-pastries. I don't know how we ate them... but i took tiny little bites our of them. The dishes come out one at a time... so were were there for about 2.5 hours... definitely different experience from other food places we've been to. The atmosphere was great. Our waiter was amazing and the food was delish! What more can a girl ask for on her birthday =). Expensive but definitely worth it for special occasions! =) YAY!
(5)
Gaz H.
Had a four course tasting menu here for a special occasion. It was all good. The lobster bisque: all good. The meat and fish offerings: all good. Dessert: all good. Service is attentive without being obsequious. The explanation of the chef's philosophy was a bit much, but the food was worth sitting through it. I did not pick up the check on my latest visit, but bring dosh.
(5)
Valerie T.
What other reviews say about price is very true. If you aren't prepared for things to get spendy, choose somewhere else. But if you're ok with around $300 for two for their wine paring menu, do yourself a favor and savor the experience. I had a perfectly-prepared buffalo steak and another course of venison. Every bite was a revelation.
(5)
Sean C.
Ok...so I was meeting a friend in Baltimore....and wanted to find a great restaurant....stumbled across Charleston's and booked it for last Thursday night. Wow, i must tell you this place is awesome! The ambiance in this place is top level.....the decor/furnishings/lighting/mood is very warm and modern with an old school mahogany touch. I love a nice crisp white table cloth with beautiful dish wear and glasses. The attention to detail in this place is really neat. Now before suck on the knee caps of this place any further i do have one MAJOR gripe. When we walked in the table wasn't ready yet so the hostess said we could sit at the bar to have a drink. The hostess was a middle/late aged blonde superbly dressed and very proper. Ten min later she walks up to the bar to let us know the table is ready and my first impression was very nice.....she said she would have our drinks brought to our table and i was really impressed. She then seated us at our table in one of the middle rooms. When i was online earlier looking at their website i noticed that they had different rooms with different names for the rooms. I asked her basically which rooms were which and what were their names and she kinda scoffed at me and gave me a dirty look....almost like it was beneath her to even have to have this conversation. I literally had to press the question again saying.......what is this room called and don't you have multiple rooms with different names? Whereas, she finally responded with "Sir, you are in the wine library...and we do have another room called the Palm room. Why is she making me feel like i'm bugging her by asking a question about the place??? My problem is this....when i go to a restaurant as a foodie and i'm gonna spend $300 on two people to eat.....i like to know about the restaurant and i like to freely ask questions and inquire about who the chef is or some history of the restaurant....i don't think thats too high maintenance...now if i'm going to chipotle i don't need any information but this is not chipotle. So for this woman to almost make feel uncomfortable to ask about the restaurant and still not even give me one of the rooms names in my mind is unacceptable and just plain rude! That being said, I never had to see the hostess for the rest of my meal and let me just say that everything that happened after that fiasco was simply marvelous! Our waitress was lovely, i don't recall her name but i believe she was Latina and we loved her! The food was just amazing....I had the 5 course without the wine pairings since i was drinking cocktails and my friend had the 4 course. All i can say is that the food was impeccably prepared and plated on the most beautiful dish wear i've ever seen! I actually had to know the maker of the plates they are soo lovely i'm going to buy from this manufacturer out of France. Everything tasted and looked awesome! I would give this place 5 stars if not for the rude episode with the hostess and i'll definitely be back and barring any issues with staff if the food and service are the same i will definitely give 5 stars. You really can't miss in this place I loved it!
(4)
Beth L.
Food is excellent here. I had the lobster bisque soup, the crab cakes, the arugula salad, and the panna cotta. Everything was prepared just right. They are very generous with the wine. Beautiful venue. Prices are extremely high. Be sure you know what you are getting yourself into before you come here. But the food is excellent.
(5)
Roger M.
Best restaurant in Baltimore and maybe DC too. Would be a standout in NYC. When I think of the best meals and dining experiences I've EVER had in my life, Charleston is right at the top. A few meals I had in Italy, one at Commander's Palace in NOLA, a place on 56th in Manhattan and another at a little Italian bistro in Sun Valley are up there too. Safe to say, I LOVE FOOD! From the moment we walked into Charleston, we felt like celebrities. I can't give you a line-by-line account of what we had, but every course was better than the next. Just perfectly cooked and delicious beyond words. The wait staff is very professional and has a sixth-sense of when to approach the table, when to get water, fill the wine glass, ask if everything was alright, etc. The food came out perfectly warm (not too hot, never cool) and the courses were timed perfectly, never feeling rushed. My wife was a little stuffed near the end, so the waiter brought over a FREE digestif (grappa) and pillow. Meals are priced by the number of courses you get. You can select any 3, 4 or 5 items from their menu and will be charged for how many courses you want. Each course can also be paired with a matched wine, which will increase the price sharply. It's not cheap here, but still way less than the best places in DC or NYC. A party of 4 with wine should expect to pay as much as $800 for dinner. Depending on your wine selection, $1000-$1500+ would be easy. BUT, a party of 2 that orders 1 glass of vino each from the wine menu and gets 3 courses each can walk away for under $225. Ignore the complainers on here who were likely LOOKING for things to whine about and will NEVER be satisfied. All of those stories smell of "you're not telling us something..." and feel exaggerated. If any wait staff or employee was anything but perfect, they would have been fired.
(5)
Alisa K.
Delicious - literally the best restaurant in Baltimore. Service and execution is impeccable. Great vegetarian/pescatarian selection. Literally perfect.
(5)
Matt T.
This place was amazing. The food was great, the service was impeccable, and the price (while high) was very reasonable compared to many places I have seen. So personally I do not like making a lot of decisions when I go to a nice place. I prefer a tasting menu and to let the chef do the thinking. However my family is very picky and since this meal was for my parents anniversary I was looking to find a good balance. Charleston's "Course Menu" allowed us to do just that. Everyone could chose what courses they want and how many they want without creating any issues for other diners which was nice for people who do not frequent tasting menu's. Now for the meal: The amuse-bouche was a cream mushroom soup shot which was fantastic. I had the arugula salad, the shrimp and grits (which were quite amazing), the chanterelle mushroom (which was possibly the best mushroom I have ever had anywhere, ever) and the braised beef. I also got the wine pairings which were both good and very reasonably priced for the meal. Highly recommend this to anyone with something to celebrate!
(5)
Irene B.
Touted as the finest restaurant in Baltimore, we had to give Charleston a try on one of our trips home to visit the in-laws. The decor and ambiance are what I would expect from traditional fine dining establishments but not overly stuffy. We opted for the five-course 'tasting menu' and were surprised by the near entree sized portions. Being from San Francisco, I'm more accustomed to tasting menu portions to be exactly that. Just a taste. So be sure to come hungry or choose the three-course option instead. The service was impeccable and our waiter was incredibly friendly and helpful, even when we did not heed his advice to pair lighter dishes with richer ones. We had crab cakes, fois gras, roasted duck and sweet corn chowder and I believe we even had some beef tenderloin. I usually don't drink but for some insane reason we decided to each get the wine pairing. Each dish was beautifully prepared and would have been great for five different dinners but we had them all in one sitting. You can imagine how we were feeling toward the end. I'm a lightweight and can't really stomach rich foods so I was feeling quite bilious, to say the least. Thankfully, our kind waiter brought us yet more alcohol that he promised would calm our stomachs. I was too drunk to remember the name of it but to my surprise it helped settle my tummy. All in all we had a memorable dining experience and will definitely keep Charleston on our list of places to eat when we're back East again. Next time we'll hopefully remember not to be such piggies and take the advice of our waiter!
(5)
Victoria L.
Being the sugar mama that I am (ha), I took my SO here for a celebration dinner. After spending an amazing and painful amount of money, we left feeling fat, sassy, and seriously well fed. I am not exactly the classiest gal on the block. However, a little black dress was perfect for the atmosphere. Definitely don a jacket if you're playing the part of the fella. The food is amazing and the rest of the reviews speak to it more than I could. If you're like me, and you're not a foodie but you enjoy being spoiled, go here. From how the sommelier treats you to the attentive waitstaff, to the treats from the pastry chef (and what girl doesn't like free pastries), I left feeling like what I spent wasn't remotely close to what it all was worth. I mean, I left feeling classy and cultured, so they must be good at their jobs. :D
(5)
Elizabeth W.
We celebrated our anniversary here on July 10th, a Tuesday evening. Service was superb. We had 5 courses with wine pairings plus dessert. Each dish was very rich, so even with big appetites and coming hungry, 4 courses would have probably sufficed. They made us an anniversary cake for dessert with a beautiful gold sugar twist weaving through the cake, very creative and romantic! Great for special occasions.
(5)
Jen A.
Charleston is expensive. But it is no contest the best place in Baltimore. Service is impeccable. The menu is a clever variation on a prix fixe. Somehow it is liberating to order this way and you always get dessert added on. The amuse bouche is always great. Wine pairings are expert. Even though it costs a lot, it feels like a good value.
(5)
Shane N.
Overall this place had extremely well prepared food using classical techniques and high end service. My SO took me to the Charleston for my birthday dinner. I must say it was one of the better dinning experiences I have had. The thing about the Charleston is that it doesn't have a lot of spectacularly different menu items. What it does have is some classically prepared dishes that were cooked perfectly. The menu set up is something like a "prix fixe" menu, but you get to pick the number of courses. The options were 3,4,5, or 6 courses. This does not include dessert which is included in the price. They also have a wine pairing that includes a half of glass of wine chosen by the sommelier to match each course you select. The interesting thing was that you can choose from any of the menu items to build your dinner. So, you could have 6 meat courses; or 3 meat course and 2 fish courses; or 4 salads and a fish course. Basically any combination you want (with the exception being dessert). I went with the 5 courses and wine pairings. For the first course I had a lobster curry soup. It was basically a lobster bisque with some curry flavor. It was very good with a nice flavor. I could have used a little more heat. It has some whole poached lobster pieces which was nice. The next course I had the diver scallops. They were cooked perfectly. Very soft and buttery. The next course was one of the more unique items on the menu which was a fried grit cake. The cake was finished with a delicious chanterelle mushroom sauce and finished with some goat cream cheese. It was very rich, heavy and rustic. The tart goat cheese cut through it nicely. Very good. The next thing I had was an arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette. It was good, but just a salad. Nothing amazing. The last of my five courses was the grilled lamb chop. It came with rice and a Greek yogurt sauce. The lamb was cooked perfectly. The yogurt was really good and brought the whole thing together. Finally it came time for dessert. I had the vanilla panna cotta with a rasberry sorbet and mixed berries. It was delicious. The richness of the panna cotta went well with the tartness of the berries. My SO couldn't decide between a strawberry consomme with vanilla ice cream or some apple tart with a tamarind (maybe?) ice cream. She eventually she chose the consomme dish, but our waiter was nice enough to bring both. Speaking of our waiter, he was excellent. The whole staff was excellent which is what you expect from a restaurant like the Charleston, but they did not fail to deliver on service in any respect. I would comment about how the place is very pricey, but it is a high end restaurant and it has the prices to match. It is not the type of place you can go to every day, but it is nice for a special occasion dinner.
(5)
Maryanne P.
I went with my significant other to this restaurant and it's simply great. It's quite pricey but you get what you pay for, which is great food. We each had the max number of plates, I think it was 6 or 7. The plates are small-medium so you won't get too full but are still able to try a variety of dishes. All dishes are great, but I personally liked the foie gras. I'll be saving up some money and going back to Charleston soon.
(5)
Matthew L.
After 5 years I finally got around to eating at the Charleston. I will give credit where credits due, it lived up to the hype. First tip is you have to make a reservation for weekend dining. Everything is done tastefully and the service is excellent. Each member of the staff made sure to provide great attention and service. My wife and I each went with the 6 course meal. The courses are surprisingly large for fine dining. With the richness and depth of the dishes, we had a hard time finishing these and making it to dessert. I will repeat Andrew's advice and recommend mixing in some lighter sounding dishes. I was full until dinner the next day. My favorite courses were the pan seared foie gras, the fried soft shell crab, buffalo mozzarella and friend green tomatoes, and bison. The lamb chop, squab, shrimp and grits were also tasty. It may not be an every day meal, but it is spectacular.
Uptight atmosphere. But the food was out of this world. A must go PERIOD !
(5)
Lauren N.
So my husband had wanted to take me here for a long time. All the hype and excitment around it did not live up! We came for our anniversary and were so very disappointed. The service that night was surprisingly horrible. We kept being told that the chef would stop by the table and she never did. The dishes were not memorable and the prices were astronomical! I am not cheap when it comes to wonderful dining experiences. However, in this case it was not worth the $400 for the two of us. We were greeted with champagne that cost us $30 per glass, had to look for our waitress multiple times and just wasn't wowed whatsoever. We called the restaurant the next day and even spoke to the chef. They did absolutely nothing and just said it was crazy that evening because they had the mayor of Baltimore there. Does that mean you should ignore all of your other paying clients? Will not come back unless it was complimentary. Much rather go to Pazo, Chinghale or Petit Louis for the money!
This is Baltimore Fine Dining! Every dish is cooked with intentionality and care. The plating of each dish is creative. The flavors are vibrant and distinguishable. I had the 5 course meal with wine. I highly recommend the wine pairings. They're PERFECT with each dish! (But be forewarned- it's a lot of wine!) Here are my 5 courses (I forget their actual names): 1) Tuna Tartare - Good tasting Tuna; a great way to start the meal. 2) Salad with Pheasant - hearty salad in a such a small bundle; dressing is a bit on the bland side for my taste...but the wine it's paired with will flavor things up! 3) Rockfish - Solid fish; can't go wrong 4) Buffalo Tenderloin - Tender meat cooked exactly to what I requested! 5) Veal Shortbreads - My FAVORITE out of the five. For those that don't know, it's not "bread" and actually it's better if you don't know what it is, because it tastes SOOO good. Dessert is included in the meal (I had the Chocolate Bombe). Thank goodness because a 5 course meal with wine is NOT cheap! It is definitely a great dining EXPERIENCE from the moment you enter the restaurant.
(5)
B H.
This was a really fun night with a fantastic bottle of wine. I could go into detail but will spare you the blow by blow. My only warning is that while so many things on the menu look fantastic and you want to try them, many of the items are quite rich and it is important to plan strategically if you want to make it through the meal.
(4)
Michelle M.
EXCELLENT! We had four courses with wine pairing. The Foie Gras was the best I have ever had. The service was impeccable. Very expensive but worth it for a special occasion. One of the most impressive wine lists we have ever seen, but there were also value priced wines. Would definitely go back!
(5)
Gus L.
I got a four course meal with wine pairings. A little on the expensive side but possibly one of the best meals I have ever had. Not to mention that the service was absolutely flawless. As far as the attire goes, you could get away with wearing slacks and a dress shirt but you probably want to wear a jacket.
(5)
Laura H.
Saw this restaurant reviewed in AAA magazine, and being a lover of all things "Low Country", I had to try it. I was impressed! The only reservation we could get on short notice was for 5:30, but it ended up working in our schedule and we went with it.. We got there at 5:25 and were told that the staff was finishing up their meeting with the chef and we could wait in the bar. No problem. I ordered a Malibu Bay Breeze and my husband ordered a Dark and Stormy. I was told that they didn't carry Malibu or any coconut rums. WHAT? Seems odd, but OK. I got an Amaretto Sour instead and it was very good. The bartender said he needed to get the ginger beer for my husbands drink. Well I think he sent someone to a liquor store cause he finally got his drink 20 minutes later! They comped us the drinks, but still- kind of annoying. So after that weirdness, everything was perfect. Our waiter was fantastic and gave us lots of great suggestions. He brought us the fried oysters for free and they were divine. Between the two of us, we liked those the best and also really enjoyed the lobster soup, the grilled beef and grilled lamb and the CHEESE TROLLEY! The shrimp and grits were decent, but not the best I've had. The little samples of watermelon/cucumber soup and goat cheese/avocado spread they brought out first were really good too. I am not a huge dessert person, but we both enjoyed what we got. I will definitely be going back!
(4)
Tom C.
Easily our best dining experience in this area. Chef Cindy Wolf is a master. We were a party of six, celebrating the family matriarch's birthday at Charleston, a gift from her loving children. We sampled a wide variety of entrees, all of which were simply wonderful. I really like their dining concept: each patron selects three to six items from the menu at a fixed price. If you like, the staff has selected the perfect wine to pair with each entree. Or, you can select a bottle (bottles) from their extensive wine list. I suggest you follow the recommendations listed on the menu. Each pairing I enjoyed was a perfect match to the entree. I began with the shrimp and andouille sausage with grits paired with a 2007 Mt. Eden chardonnay. Superb! The shrimp was perfectly cooked, and the sausage and grits combination was a new taste treat for me. I followed this with a melt-in-your-mouth Scottish smoked salmon served with a Anjou, Domaine Jo Pithon "Les Pèpinières" (Loire Valley) 2005. The salmon rivaled that served at the world--famous Three Chimneys Inn on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, so you know it has to be good. For my third course I had the rack of venison; perfectly rare and the best I've ever tasted., perfectly paired with a barolo the vintner and vintage which I can't recall. My final course was a fork-tender buffalo tenderloin served with a 2004 LaDame de Montrose Saint Estephe Bordeaux. Out of this world! We then all enjoyed a variety of delicious cheeses and sherry. The meal was perfectly ended with a variety of desserts, port, Armagnac, and coffee. The service at Charleston is impeccable. The staff is totally professional, and we never wanted for anything. There seemed to be someone there anticipating our needs at every moment. They are happy to explain the Charleston's dining concept, and I suggest you listen carefully to their advice. You won't regret it. I really can't say enough about Charleston and Cindy Wolf. I've dined in restaurants from Towson to Tokyo, from Texas to Taipei, from Hanover to Honolulu, and I've never had a meal as good as this. I hesitate to use the word "perfect" to describe a dining experience, but our evening at Charleston tempts me to do just that.
(5)
Chelsea M.
If only there were a 6th star for special exceptions to the Yelp scale. Days after visiting Charleston, I'm still dreaming of one of the most exceptional dining experiences I've had in or outside the Beltway. Charleston is spacious and stunning, blending traditional touches with modern decor to create an ambiance that feels elegant and comfortable at one (sometimes I find the grandest restaurants have trouble striking a balance between classy and stuffy). But this place is more than a pretty face- the real star here is the inventive menu, which displays the appetizer and entrees in one list from lightest to heaviest and encourages you to pick three to six options that strike your fancy. And the icing on the cake? Your cake doesn't count! Everyone gets dessert- it's included. Our lovely server Leslie did a splendid job explaining Charleston's unique options and helping our table navigate through the menu to identify our top 3 (or in my case, 4). The service from Leslie et al was attentive and friendly, as well as patient with my 21 questions of how to mix and match the menu best. Of course, with service and setting like this, the food could have been average and I would have been happy as an overstuffed clam. My Top 4 was flawless. My salad was a work of art - the base of an artichoke topped with fresh crab meat. The heirloom tomato gazpacho with lobster was both light and luxurious. Scottish smoked salmon with crispy potatoes and creme fraiche was a savory delight. My grilled buffalo tenderloin with creamy polenta and mushrooms is making regular cameos in my dreams and was a hit with my steak lover of a beau, too. I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the love affair I had with the bread basket that night- the cornbread was phenomenal. My table ended our evening with a grand finale of dessert and cheese, which also didn't disappoint. I rest my case. Charleston blew me away in every way and I can't wait to find a way back to Baltimore.
(5)
Lin O.
Now I won't say that this is the BEST meal I've ever had, but it was damn good! I would give Charleston an awesome 4.7 stars if I could...lol!! The restaurant is definitely TOP NOTCH when it comes to service. I wasn't a huge fan of the decor but the colors are very contemporary and it had a very romantic feel to it which was great since it was me and the bf. Be prepared to put a dent in your bank account when going. We had the 4 course dinner and every single course came out delectable and amazingly presented! Here's what I had and some reveiws: Shrimp and Grits: Sooooo good! Would've ordered 2 if I knew how great it was! Veal Sweetbread: Tasty! never had anything like it before so I can't compare it to anything but definitely a surprising treat! Rockfish: The BEST hands down!! I savored every bite! Buffalo Tenderloin: Tender and flavorful! Overall, excellent experience and worth the money! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I wasn't a huge fan of the dessert offerings but i had the Apple Confit which was good but not blow my socks off. it takes a lot for me to give 5 stars. It's really gotta blow my socks off but Charleston almost did the trick!!
(4)
Lynn W.
My favorite restaurant. The food is so incredibly good, and the service is just about as perfect as service can be, merging professionalism with easy and friendliness.
(5)
Andrew K.
One of the best restaurants in Baltimore I've been to. I would definitely recommend putting in a reservation especially for a weekend dinner since the wait can be very long. You can choose from 4, 5, or 6 course meals. I chose the 6 course meal and even for me 6 course was tough to finish since dessert and bread is included and I would not recommend going so meat heavy as I did. Service was excellent and the plates of food come out at a pace where by the end of dinner, we were there over 2 hours. My favorite dishes were the crabcake, halibut, lamb chop and shrimp and grits. The cassoulet was a French special and that was also very good but there was a little too much beans for me. The buffalo tenderloin was cooked medium rare and also very good but it was my last plate and by then, I was pretty stuffed so I didn't enjoy it as much. I got the creme brulee and the rhubarb tart for dessert and the ginger icecream that comes with the tart was refreshing. With a glass of wine and a 6 course meal, you can easily spend around $150 per person so it's a very pricey meal but you definitely get what you pay for and I feel like for a special night, it's worth it. Valet parking is complimentary so don't worry about looking for parking.
(5)
J H.
My new favorite restaurant in Baltimore! I decided to have dinner and lots of drinks at the bar since my friend and I were having a great time. Both food and service were excellent!
(5)
Valerio M.
Freaking expensive, but worth every penny. The 5 course meal with wine paring was great, the ambient was excellent, as the service. And then great selection of desert wines and liquors. A great, extraordinary experience.
(5)
Mark H.
The experience is pure decadence. The food is beyond anything in Baltimore, but it is more about the experience. The lobster bisque, oysters, rockfish, scallops, mussels, buffalo tenderloin, and squab are all exceptional. The wine pairings only add to the experience and they just kept bringing world class desserts. This place far exceeded my expectations ... Which were high to begin with.
(5)
Chris J.
The Charleston is the best restaurant in Baltimore for a special occasion. The food, service, and location are great. Portions are small by design as you will have multiple courses and leave happy. I come here for the food and wine but also for the experience -- the servers explanation of the different courses, the server or sommeliers description of how the wine pairs with the dish, etc. The prices are in line with other high-end restaurants but I never feel that I've been overcharged as the experience has always been so positive. As some other reviewers have noted, it would be nice if there was a dress code since seeing other diners in jeans slightly diminishes the experience.
(5)
Paolo G.
Very attentive and knowledgable service. I had the turbot, shrimp & grits, sweetbreads, and bison fillet. The turbot was not so great for my taste but everything else was very good, though I have had softer sweetbreads. I like the multi-course concept and I really like that they throw in dessert.
(4)
Bernadette N.
I'm willing to give any restaurant a second chance - unless I get sick. Which was the case at Charleston. The hubs and I went to celebrate our move from to Maryland. Everyone had told us this is THE BEST place in Baltimore, so there was some level of expectation. We were initially turned off when we first made the reservations. We walked in midday (read: in tennis shoes and tank tops) and no one helped us for at least 15 minutes. Alas, they gave us a table for 9pm and all was forgiven. I mean, I knew this wasn't Fridays, we should have just called for the ressie. We arrived early, had a drink at the bar, very nice bartender was funny and courteous. All the menu options did sound appetizing, and I went a total duck route (foie gras app and duck again for dinner, something unimpressive in between). Hubs played it a little safer with something crustacean for an app, something with pasta for his second, and a rib-eye for dinner. Now, I got sick to my stomach immediately after ingesting my app - but in an effort not to ruin our first experience dining out in Baltimore, our new home town, I kept my mouth shut and smiled pretty . When we left and the hubs said "overrated and over priced, the steak was less than mediocre" - then I knew it wasn't just me. Maybe I would go back for a drink, but not the food. The service staff was mature and experienced, but I just don't know if there is enough experience in the kitchen to pull off their menu consistently.
(1)
Anne L.
OMG Loved this place. The food was Phenom! The service was impeccable. The atmosphere was lovely. We couldn't recommend this highly enough. Pricey but worth it! We chose the 6 course menu w/ wine pairing and were very pleased and well satisfied. The lobster bisque and heads on shrimp with grits were my favorite. Hubby favored the smoked salmon and foie gras. The sommolier (sp?) was impressively knowledgeable. Would highly recommend!
(5)
Ken C.
How anyone gives this place less than 5 stars is beyond me. It is one of the best south of New York. Service is impeccable, food is fantastic, and if you don't get the cheese cart you're missing the best part of the meal. The food is expensive and can tend to the heavy side (lots of butter and bacon), so you probably aren't eating here everyday. For a special occasion though, Charleston's can't be beat.
(5)
Fat T.
Wen here for our anniversary. The food was excellent. Everything I tried was great. The service was comparable to some of the finest restaurants in NYC. Highly recommend for special occasions or every day if you don't mind dropping 300 for dinner on two.
(5)
Flevoland D.
Of course. Best restaurant in the city. Fantastic food, impeccable service, luxurious setting. Worth a splurge.
(5)
Bhairavi J.
We got gift certificate to Charleston as a wedding gift and went for our 3rd anniversary (yes, it took awhile for us to use the gift). It was amazing; from the bread and butter, to the soup to the main courses. We had a great time! The dirty martini was excellent as well :) It was very expensive, but something you should try if your wallet allows it.
(5)
Steven S.
I went to Charleston to eat late last year. I went with five courses with wine pairings, which I think was a good amount of food. Protip: Don't make the same mistake as the diners sitting next to us and order a mismatched number of courses. Order the same number of courses to prevent food jealously. The service was pleasant. We had to wait an extra 15 minutes or so past our reservation to get a table, but the bar area made for some great people watching. As for the food itself, there were a couple standout dishes: RICH LOBSTER SOUP WITH CURRY - Amazing. I had to keep myself from licking the bowl. I think the key to this dish is the generous mix of oils. SWEETBREAD MILLE-FEUILLE - I love sweetbreads. These were not too oily, and perfectly salted. Presentation was nice and the mushrooms were tasty. HEADS-ON SHRIMP & STONE-MILLED GRITS - Solid shrimp and grits. The shrimp had a strong smokiness to it, and the ham was well browned. The grits had good consistency. One thing I really liked was that courses themselves were pretty substantial in size, and I felt quite full after five courses, whereas the typical tasting menu would leave me hungry. The one disappointment was a slightly boring piece of Filet Mignon, which I felt was overcooked. If I had to choose a restaurant in the Baltimore area for special occasions, or to impress someone who really loves food, it would be Charleston. It's a great place to eat, and arguably the best I've had in Baltimore thus far.
(4)
Jon L.
My absolute favorite splurge, special occasion spot! For a business meal or a romantic evening , the Charleston always fits the bill. It's worth the hour long drive to inner harbor Baltimore without a doubt. Some staples that tend to appear regularly and are must haves....cornmeal fried oysters (light and crispy, masterful frying), lobster bisque, amazing shrimp and grits low country style, any type of foie gras or duck always...sweetbreads, tender and amazing, pan roasted turbot with the most succulent mushrooms you've ever had, buffalo tenderloin, really stinky cheeses and of course impeccable service. I had a nerve wrecking experience going with the owner/award winning sommelier's recommendation on a nice red wine pairing with the menu we had ordered. He decanted a beautiful Spanish wine at the table for us and explained that truly fine reds need to breathe a bit before you drink them. All I could think was OMG I'm going to need to dip into our home equity line of credit to pay for this and it ended up being only $70 and we were so thrilled with the whole experience. As far as we could see almost everything on the menu was local, organic and sustainable, what a true role model for the industry!
(5)
Peter L.
We had a surprise birthday dinner for seven people at 9:30 on Saturday night and it was fantastic. We were there until midnight, but were never unattended to. The service is impeccable. The staff is very nice and welcoming. The food is delicious and the ability to order anywhere from 3-6 items will leave you satisfied (followed by delicious desserts and assorted candies). Be willing to spend a lot of money. Our bill for seven, with tip, wine, and cocktails was $1,050. It was worth it, if you can afford it! I had no idea Baltimore had a restaurant like this.
(5)
Michelle P.
I was so looking forward to this restaurant after hearing all the wonderful reviews (not just on Yelp, but from many places). Last night my fiancee and I went to Charleston, he got the 5 course tasting menu and I had the 4 course. I started with the Curry Lobster Bisque, which I didn't really enjoy, but he thought it was good. The bisque was very heavy and overwhelmed the lobster. Next I had the white asparagus with chevre and mustard sauce, again, I wasn't impressed, my third course was the Foie Gras, which was very good, it came with a port wine poached pear, but was sitting in a pomegranite demi-glace that was too salty and overwhelming for a dish that is rich by definition. My last course was the buffalo, and that was terrible. The meat itself was cooked well and tasted good, but again, the sauce was too salty and overwhelmed the dish, it had a "barolo risotto" under it, I honestly just had to download the menu to see what it was sitting on because it tasted nothing like risotto, it was the consistency of peanut butter, and it was topped in fried onions, reminiscent of the green bean casserole my grandmother makes at Thanksgiving. Dessert was fine, but it didn't make up for my meal. My fiancee's meal was somewhat better than mine. He started with the cornmeal crusted fried oysters, and they were perfect. His second course was shrimp and grits, which were fine, but bland, not impressive. For his third course, he chose the grouper, that we actually sent back because it was gummy, either undercooked or a bad piece of fish. (We were both very sick that night, I would imagine it was from this). For his fourth coure he got sweetbreads, which were cooked well, but served on a biscuit and covered in mushrooms and gravy, not how I like my sweetbreads. Sweetbreads are fried, and heavy, yet delicate at the same time. They should not be served with biscuits and gravy, they should be served alone to highlight the tenderness and flavor. This was a real miss. His last course was the cassoulet. The duck and fried green tomatoes were good, but the cassoulet didn't seem to go with the other items it was served with. It was confused, but it tasted good. Again, his dessert was nice. The service here was great, but the food was dated and heavy handed, The management was wonderful though, aside from the grouper we never complained about anything, but they were very aware of what was going on and actually gave us a round of free drinks (that had to do more with the fact that it took 30 minutes for our drinks to get from the bar to our table, and they were the wrong ones) and only charged us for a 3 and 4 course tasting. Still, I won't be returning.
(2)
Jane M.
Ok, this could be a very long review, but I'm editing: this is the best restaurant on the planet. Everything is perfect. The wine list is perfect. As a member of the American Institute of Wine and Food, I've enjoyed many fine places, but this is the best. Hands down. I did a three course "fixed price" with wine pairings (plus dessert, which is included) and I don't have enough superlatives to describe the meal. Just go -- even if you have to make a special trip to Baltimore. It is worth it.
(5)
John D.
This place was great. I went there for the first time the week after thanksgiving. The food was excellent, well thought out and executed perfectly. This type of food isn't so much about if it tastes good, because it all does; but more to experience clean perfectly seasoned flavors and combinations. THE SHRIMP AND GRITS WERE AWESOME. There was a sauce served with the salmon that I didn't particularly care for. Of course I find it funny that these fancy shmancy restaurants have "upscale waiters" with accents from various European countries. I must admit, our waiter was very knowledgable and threw a terrific cheese plate together after dinner. Now for 6 people all with wine pairings the bill came up to about 800+tip. Not the best value but I don't care because the food was delicious
(5)
Davi H.
The entire experience is amazing. This is my parent's favorite place so my family went for my mom's birthday. The atmosphere is definitely upscale, but not stuffy. Same for the service-the maitre d and waitstaff was all friendly and unpretentious. The chef even paid a visit to our table. As for the food, it was unbelievable. The restaurant has a series of tasting menu options and we did the 3-course. The turbot was quite possibly the best dish I have ever had. It was served in a lemon buerre blanc sauce and a carrot puree, then topped with seared foie gras. I had never tried foie gras before and never had an intention to, but the waiter convinced me that I would love it and he was so right! The four components were supposed to be eaten simultaneously in one bite so they could complement each other, and it worked perfectly. The veal sweetbread was also tasty, and I finished off my meal with the maple beignets w/ pecan ice cream... delicioso!! The place is definitely pricey, but well worth it for the food and experience!
(5)
Maureen P.
Ok so let's start out by saying this place is EXPENSIVE. I mean really. The average person has to be ready for it. I was because I went with my friends who had been there before and are foodies like me. Let me also say that if you are not the above I don't think you can appreciate the cost of this restaurant. I mean that in the nicest way. I had been waiting to go here forever, final the Baltimore food mecca and a birthday celebration too! we had the 4 course with wine pairings. Although all of us are wine folk we are not sommeliers by any means so let the experts pick. Unless you are one! The amuse-bouche was a lovely soup with truffle oil. YUMMY! On to my first course...lobster soup with curry...a tender flavorful piece of lobster with a lobster reduction poured over at the table, curry and arugala oil under the poached lobster. Amazing! This actually may have been my favorite course, so simple but with all the best flavors. This review could go on forever...so I like to keep them short so I wont go into every detail. My other course included shrimp and grits, norweigan salmon with a red wine, shallot ruby port sauce, and a grilled rack of lamb with rosemary,capers, aged sherry...yum across the board. We all split a cheese serving, the blue cheese we had is perhaps the best cheese i have ever tasted. Oh my goodness is all I can say. All in al a wonderful experience both in service and in food and wine. But of course it is always the company that truly puts the whip cream on the top of the evening! Save your money and experience this at least once:)
(5)
Sherri H.
I chose this restaurant due to the YELP reviews and it was a VERY GOOD CHOICE! Fine dining - excellent wines by the glass, even Veuve by the glass. Tasting menu of about 25 selections to choose from, I chose five and could barely touch the last one. Dessert and coffee are part of the menu so try and leave some room. Also very good. The staff treated us as if we were regulars, and so very professional at the same time. Pricey, of course. It's fine dining. I hope Michilin doesn't go in and throw a bunch of stars on them and screw the whole thing up. I find once Michilin has something to say, everything changes, and usually not for the better.
(5)
Sumit B.
One of the top 3 restaurants at which I have ever had the pleasure of dining....I would highly recommend 3 courses as we quickly slipped into food coma sometime between the beginning of course 4 and the multi-layered dessert. Yum!
(5)
Mike A.
The best service I have ever experienced. The food is top notch but really the attention to detail in the service really makes this place stand out. If that's important to you then this is the place for you.
(5)
Justin K.
So i am new to yelp and wm enjoying giving my opinion since my wife doesn't always listen to me. I have been to Charleston 7-8 times because my wife likes tasting menus and its right down the block. Our last experience was HORRIBLE!!! We went no reason but to have dinner. The food was mediocre at best. Everything was over salted excpet for the Lobster soup and fried oysters. The only real reason I tolerate going there is because they have the blue cheese stuffed olives for my dirty martini. We each did 6 courses and a bunch a drinks. $350 later i was drunk and annoyed. I tend to ge heated when i drink so out of respect for my wife i did not confront the manager regarding my dissapointment. I did however fill out the comment card that came with the bill. i explained my dissapoinment. 2 weeks later i recieved a letter from the manager appiligizing for the poor experience and that on our next visit he would assure the food was to my liking and that i could even have food specially prepared for us. No where in the letter was any mention of any complenatary drink or food on our next visit...just that they would assure us the food would be better. I wanted to write a letter back saying thanks for appoligizing but that is not satisfactory. needless to say when our friends asked us to join them for dinner last week i told them i would never set foot in charleston again. i am just dissapoined based on the fact that i have spent over 2k there in the past that more was not done to appease my distaste. sincerly NOT A FAN.
(2)
Jay C.
Since I moved to Baltimore, I have tried many different restaurants. So far, this is the best. I mean...One of the best ever! Service was great. Food was delicious and well decorated. May be the perfect place for the daters. I had four course meal with wine. It was enough for me. I am going to try three course next time. The best part was the dessert with four bite size chocolates. Yes! it was expensive, but will visit again!
(5)
Rho S.
Fabulous. Each course was excellent. The wine pairings were spot on. Do not pass up a chance to dine here.
(5)
Michael O.
This is perfection. After eating here you will crave your next visit.
(5)
Natasha R.
If I could give a zero, I would. Sooooo pretentious. We ate at the bar to avoid the formality and bullshit that goes along with sitting in their new designer decorated showroom, I mean dining room. The menu is very boring. Macaroni and cheese with truffle oil? Puhleeeeeeese. Oyster with mayonnaise ramoulade?????? I thought that this was going to be a pleasant place with nice service and exciting southern cuisine. No and no. When I asked Ingrid the bartender, if I could get my next "tasting menu course", before my husband finished his and because my previous course was 1 fork full of nothing, as far as taste goes, I was informed that the "chef", Cindy Wolff does not allow that. So it was a very Nazi experience. Then, I went outside to smoke since I was told I could not have my next course yet. When I came back in, they warned my husband that he was talking to loud AT THE BAR!!!! I was rushed through the last course, when the "chef " decided it was time for me to eat it and then they whisked it away. Ahhhhh, looked forward to eating there for so long and was sooooooooooo disappointed. Check was over $300 and I wish that all of the people who think it is going to be a great place would see this review and not waste their money.
(1)
Kati K.
I feel unfair dinging a restaurant without having tried the food. Believe me, I would have loved to try the food, but was put off by one of the hands-down worst customer service attitudes I've ever encountered from a restaurant. Here's the story: my family goes out for Thanksgiving dinner; I'm a vegetarian, the rest of my party is not. We called a number of restaurants to inquire if they were open on Thanksgiving and if they had a vegetarian option on their Thanksgiving menu. My other foible is that I hate mushrooms (which some restaurants over-rely on to compensate for the lack of meat), so I usually ask ahead if the dish is mushroom-based; if so, I take a pass, and it's all good. So we call the Charleston to ask if there's a vegetarian alternative to the Thanksgiving entree. The gentleman on the phone says yes. We ask what it is. He says "We don't really like to say ahead of time...if that makes any sense." We say "Um...why can't you say ahead of time?" (Because the regular Thanksgiving meal is posted ahead of time.) Now, pause for a minute. I completely understand if a restaurant isn't planning to mass-prepare veggie alternatives. I understand if a restaurant can't/won't do vegetarian at all and straight-up tells me so. I also understand if that's such a one-off request that the chef just whips something up on the fly, based on what's on hand in the kitchen that day. I've been to plenty of restaurants where that's the case, and they've all assured me that the chef will improvise but can certainly accomodate a no-mushroom request. Back to Charleston, where we've asked the man on the phone why they don't like to divulge the vegetarian dish ahead of time. He says "Well, you know, because it might not be to everyone's taste..." I'm sorry, WHAT? You don't want to tell people the dish ahead of time because you're worried they won't like it...sooooo you'd rather take their money first, THEN serve the mystery dish and not give a fig whether it's something the customer likes or would have chosen to eat had she known what it was ahead of time?? That rationale is just ludicrous, especially given the price point and supposed caliber of the establishment. Needless to say, that killed our Thanksgiving plan, and probably our interest in any future visits as well.
(1)
A. C.
(03/19/2012) Attended a prix fixe dinner, hosted by someone else, but that's not a bad thing. The amuse bouche was a demitasse of the unctuous mushroom bisque with a small round French bread crouton topped with a swirl of vanilla(?) scented whipped butter. The 4-course menu started with the Butternut and White Bean Soup, silky smooth, flavored with smokey ham hock, not sweet but savory; sauteed buttery and meaty oyster mushrooms on a tender, coarse-ground cheesy grit cake; perfect medium-rare 4 oz. portion of beefy tenderloin with a garlicky, parsley chimichurri drizzle, brunoise potatoes, and crunchy-rendered, salty, fatty bacon cubes. Dessert was a lovely individual mini-"bundt" of warm toffee cake (crusted on outside, tender within) with pineapple compote, vanilla bean ice cream and bourbon-sorghum syrup (not too sweet, hint of salt). Service and location always spot-on, the place is upscale, but not stuffy or uncomfortable. Nice for special occasion celebrations or whenever you want to drop the big bucks and treat yourself.
(5)
Asheley W.
My parents took me here to celebrate my college graduation and it was one of the best meals I've ever had. The restaurant itself is gorgeous and each room seems to have a slightly different style. Get there a few minutes before your reservation and enjoy a cocktail at the bar. The menu changes regularly and the "small" plates allow you to try so many different things, especially when everyone in the group orders something different. It's also nice to walk away from such a nice meal without feeling overly stuffed. Their wine list is extensive, the service is impeccable, and the food is innovative and delicious. This is a true gem in Baltimore.
(5)
Rasi W.
Been here only once, and it's a dinner that I would never forget. Clearly, Dining at the Charleston is a gastronomic tour through delicately prepared, thoughtfully presented delectable food by Chef Cindy Wolf. It is not a dinner, but really an experience. Not to mention you will pay for that as such. While the prices are truly steep, this is what you have to pay for for amazing food. The experience was fantastic and if I can afford it, would not hesitate to go back there again... Anybody feeling generous to take me out?
(5)
Lauren E.
Amazing as always! I had the artichoke soup (OMG, I need that recipe!), the scallop, steak... the cheese cart is my favorite part. So yummy! Thanks again for a very special evening!
(5)
Aron F.
Went here for my birthday June '09. Had seven courses with wine pairings. Everything was exquisite! Can't wait to go again. Definitely my favorite place in Baltimore. The service is excellent. The BEST lobster bisque ever!
(5)
Charlotte B.
Lovely evening, with the strange exception of the grilled quail, which was served with its tiny little blackened head still attached. What was up with that? It wasn't too appetizing . .food with a face. An itty-bitty, teeny-tiny, angry-looking, charred lil' birdface. It was a little difficult to cope with. I was all trying to enjoy my lovely dining experience, and it was staring back at me, like, "Hey! Hey! Quit eating me!"
(4)
Ernest P.
An all-around 5 star experience. Called ahead to let them know it was my wife's birthday, requesting a particular dining room/window view. We had to wait a few extra minutes to be seated, as they were prepared for my request and were waiting for the right table to become available. From there the service was perfect, not too stuffy. Got 6 courses, plus dessert. The waiter took care of matching up 1/2 glasses of wine for almost all our courses. A birthday candle with dessert topped off the evening, where even the valet said happy birthday to my wife. The food was of course delicious, no real mis-steps. Shrimp and Grits were of course very nice, though I would have preferred a bit more of the grits! The shellfish bisque was even better though, as it contained a good bit of super tender lobster meat, and a swirl of vibrantly green tarragon oil was that added just enough background herbaceousness to complement the sweet lobster meat. Salmon tartare was nice and clean tasting as was the wild scottish smoked salmon salad. Foie Gras was cooked perfectly but most memorable for the most delicious strawberries, whose natural flavor was maximized with some aged balsamic. My wife's favorite course was the Buffalo tenderloin (again with creamy grits!) with Turbot with Asparagus and lemon buerre blanc a close second. My Seared Tuna with Red wine reduction was nice even though not over the top. It was simply fun to enjoy the meaty fish in a typically red meat preparation. A nice glass of pinot noir added to the effect. Dessert, always included, ended the meal on a fine note. Strawberry soup showcased perfect local berries, whose sweetness was smoothed out on the palate by a luscious creamy creme fraiche parfait. I had the chocolate and coffee napoleon with salted caramel ice cream. I must admit that the ice cream on its own was in fact quite salty, but when eaten with the Napoleon provided a really fun mix of salty, sweet, smooth and crunchy . . . Not sure i'd order it again but it was full of flavor. All in all, with tip came to $400 so not a cheap night, but sometimes you get what you pay for, and this meal was one of those times.
(5)
Adam F.
Fantastic - one of the best restaurants I have been to, anywhere in the world. You won't regret the visit, if you can stomach the price.
(5)
Justin W.
I'm not a foodie, and I'll admit I can't tell the difference between perfect and merely amazing. However, this place was perfect!
(5)
Epi C.
Simply one of the best restaurants I've been to. Food was amazing and the wine pairing very original. expect a culinary adventure.
(5)
Carson F.
Baltimore is a city with many wonderful places to eat and Charleston sit atop them all. Chef and owner Cindy Wolfe is Baltimore's leading lady when it comes to fine dining with multiple amazing spots such as Pazo, has made this place something truly special. The menu is an ever changing tasting menu with 3,4,5 or 6 courses as well as usually featuring a Chef's menu as well. I have been here multiple times and every single time has impressed more and more. The food is truly something special and the wine list is huge with some of the best wine I've ever had. It is an expensive place, but I always leave feeling that it was well worth the money. Do yourself a favor and give Charleston a try. Make it a special occasion if you need an excuse.
(5)
Chris B.
Outstanding. Would give it 5 stars, but the prices are just ridiculous. You get what you would expect, but bring your wallet and plan to pay for the service and atmosphere.
(4)
Jodi E.
Charming, met all my food desires, so kind the staff!! Loved it!!!
(5)
Erik N.
This place is absolutely the best place in Baltimore. The food is always consistent and the service amazing. We go there every 6-8 weeks and have been frequenting Charleston since they opened years ago. The food is amazing. Don't miss the soft crabs if they are on the menu. Also, Chef know how to do sweetbreads right which are usually available. If you are looking for a great place to dine, look no further, this place is amazing.
(5)
LaJuana W.
Went here with my husband on our anniversary! Fabulous food and wine! The service was impeccable. Who could ask for anything more?
(5)
Mariangela S.
Baltimore is shaping up to be quite a sophisticated, south of the Mason Dixon line city! Chef Cindy Wolf presides over the kitchen here and the food is very upscale American with a focus on the best ingredients from Maryland. The cornmeal-encrusted oysters with lemon-cayenne mayonnaise (ok I hate mayo but loved the oysters) and soft-shelled crab (when in season) are delicious. The only real complaint I would have is about the quantity of butter used in every single dish - but I guess that's just Southern hospitality! Desserts are good and very sinful! They have an excellent wine list - apparently Robert Parker is a frequent diner.
(4)
Brent S.
My wife and I ate here for our anniversary last year. The food here is great, just about every course that we had was unbelievable. The food didn't really seem like Southern to me, it was just really really good. Each dish was pretty unique, but the dishes aren't so complicated that you don't know what you're ordering. The service was excellent. The atmosphere is fancy enough to feel like it's a special place, but not too fancy that you feel underdressed if you don't have a jacket. I can't say enough about this place. It is pricey, but it's well worth it for special occasions.
(5)
Steve P.
I thought this place was GREAT! Being from the south, I had high expectation and the chef exceeded every one of them. From the beautifully decorated restaurant, to the knowledgeable and attentive wait staff, to the food. Everything was on point. I would highly recommend this place to those looking for a nice night out in Baltimore.
(5)
Lodde D.
This was a great meal, although there's something about the food that left me wanting more. Especially for the price - about $400 for two people with all the drinks and gratuity (the overall check exceeded $700). We ended up going with the 5 course option. I'll go through what I ordered, and my usual stupidity on the experience: * Prior to the first course, my Martini was pretty good. They brought out bread - A choice of Sourdough, Raisin Bread, and Cornbread. I went with the latter - A notch better than what you can get at Boston Market. * There was a surprise course. Mushroom/Broccoli Soup with a cheese puff. It was a half-decent. A notch better than Campbell's. * First Course: Tuna Tartare. The tuna was surprisingly unflavorful. I found myself disappointed in not ordering the Lobster Soup. I tasted my fiancee's Shrimp and Grits... Those were better, but didn't blow me away. We recently had better at a restaurant out in Clifton, VA (Trummer's). * Second Course: Crab Cake. Extremely disappointing. Fortunately from here, things got better, but this was a joke. I thought AYFKM. The cake itself was the size of an egg. The flavor of the crab, cake, and sauce was incredibly uncomplex. I've probably had 30 different crab cakes from restaurants in my life - This would fall in the bottom third. * Third Course: Scallop. My second favorite dish of the night. The scallop, capers, and cauliflower were cooked perfectly. However, the scallops weren't U-10. I'm not sure if they were U-20. U-100 perhaps? At a heralded restaurant, I'm always expecting to get a scallop as big as a billiard ball. Perhaps I need re-evaluate my expectations. * Fourth Course: Rabbit. This was a great dish. The flavor of the rabbit with the sauce was rich. The meat was tender and flavorful. A similar taste to chicken, but better texture and taste when cooked properly. This was another dish that didn't disappoint. * Fifth Course: Salmon. This was not close to being the best salmon I've had, but a decent piece of fish, and flavored with very interesting oils that increased the complexity. However, my fiancee's Buffalo cut course was absolutely incredible. If I ever come back to give this place a second chance, I'd order this course - Easily my top recommendation on the menu. * Dessert: Blueberry Compote and Creme Fraiche Ice Cream. Comes with the dinner, as a part of any selection of courses. The ice cream was terrific. I felt bad for my fiancee's choice of the "flourless" chocolate cake. After taking a bite, I just about spit the cake onto the butter plate (at this point, the alcohol had kicked in). I loudly exclaimed, "this needs *flour*"! A couple of servers looked appalled. "I want you the @#$! out of here," was written all over their faces. * There was another "surprise" dessert tray, which amounted to being four bite sized pastries for each person at the table. A lemon puff (eh), a chocolate truffle (eh), a granola bunch (eh), and something else completely unmemorable. So, eh, why the hell even bring this crap out? They should have spent more effort on the desserts themselves, like that "flourless" chocolate cake. * I will say the Bailey's coffee that came with my desserts was the best I've ever had. So, why 3 stars? I don't know - This was an experience with ups and downs. It's interesting - It didn't come close to meeting my expectations, but I can't think of many meals recently that were better. However, for the price, I could have made a significant contribution to my breast reduction surgery. So, what have I learned? 1) With such large man boobs, I need to stop eating out. 2) I think I belong in a group home.
(3)
Lola F.
Just returned from probably the most memorable fine dining experience ever! Charleston is a very expensive, 4 star restaurant noted to be Baltimore's best restaurant. They have every reason to be snooty but arent!! The surroundings are beautiful and the wait staff offers impeccable service with a very friendly and personal approach. This is a "tasting" restaurant... you pick how many courses you will have, what they will be and whether you want the wine pairings or not. Dont worry about not getting enough to eat as the portions are very generous.. Little extras are served a long the way and dessert is not a maybe but a must that is included with the courses. Also don't skip the cheese cart between dinner and dessert! We spent 4 hours there for a magnificent leisurely dinner with friends and enjoyed every minute of it. I look forward to going back again in the future. The Dining Room Captain who took care of us was Ryan and he was amazing. He and his team are definitely an asset to the restaurant!
(5)
Adam O.
Charleston is a wonderful restaurant, but it didn't live up to my expectations. Of course, how can it when you hear so many great things about a place; It even got a decent write-up in the Wall Street Journal. While the service and decor are absolutely phenominal, I have to say the food wasn't so great. I've had so many good meals in Baltimore that were much more reasonable than Charleston. I liked the concept of the multi-course meals, but I was expecting some more innovative (and delicious dishes). Sorry I can't be more specific, I ate there about 10 months ago. I will say I was slightly dissapointed but that does not by any means make Charleston a bad restaurant, just overpriced.
(3)
Lynn B.
Pan roasted scallop with red beet risotto was delicious. Place is a bit over the top and pricey. Did I say pricey? VERY PRICEY. Lots of chic pretty people. Not exactly lais back casual as I was hoping. My server did mention several times that they had 800 bottle wine cellar even though we all drank beer. Funny stuff. maybe there was a wine sales contest for the servers that night. he was trying like heck to sell us wine. I'm sorry - who the heck is going for the $ 212 six course meal. These restaurant people are cray cray
(3)
Chris H.
The short of it: this restaurant is amazing. It's an incredible experience that will honestly make you feel like you're much more important than you actually are. The wine list is absurd, and while I was only able to afford about 5% of them, the one we did get was great. The portions will seem a little small upon first delivery, however you will leave feeling full (and your wallet feeling empty). I personally felt like a bull in a china shop, with how fancy and decadent it is, but our waitress could tell we had spent the rest of the day drinking and kept it appreciably casual with us. I'll definitely come back and hope to have a parent or other relative paying.
(5)
Carlos O.
This was a wonderful restaurant. My wife and I came for our 8th Wedding Anniversary. This is very Fine dining and you will spend some money. You have the option, I believe, to select between 4 or 6 courses. My wife and I both had five courses. In addition to the number of courses, you then get dessert as part of your meal. Portions are not the smallest and not the largest. But for fine dining, they feed you well. You won't be disappointed with the portions. They have an extensive Wine selection. Cocktails and great beer selections were a nice surprise. The service was excellent. You get plenty of attention and plenty of privacy. I did have some minor issues that prevent a five star rating. I had some chunks of shell in my oysters on the half shell dish. I also had a piece of lobster shell in my lobster bisque. Then my fois gras was slightly undercooked. There was a very cold center in the fois gras. The sear on the outside was perfect and all dishes were delicious. I enjoyed all of the dishes but these minor mistakes should not happen at a restaurant like this, when you spend a few hundred dollars. Also the assistant server over poured my beer and the foam overflowed, not a big deal, but when you lose half of your drink, you should get a new one to top me off. Especially a $12 beer. Anyways, great place and I highly recommend trying this place for a romantic dinner setting.
This place does not live up to it's hype (except the bill - that definitely lives up to the hype). I came here to celebrate with my husband. We were expecting a nice atmosphere, but mostly the restaurant felt dead and catering towards high power businessmen. Being pregnant, I did not order wine, which I felt was a no-no from our waiter. I understand my bill won't be as much, but please. The food was fine. We got several dishes and they all had nice flavors, but the portions were small. And while the food was good, it wasn't *that* good. It really didn't compare with other high end restaurants in Baltimore. I'm surprised this place is so highly reputed.
(3)
Aisha L.
What can I say? Hmmm, Awesome! The decor is modern but inviting, the lighting is intimate and romantic, the staff are trained so well I felt like a duchess. Never had such a fuss made about the type of bread I enjoy. Oh I loved every moment! The waitress is actually a "captain" well excuuuuse me. We had a team of people that worked our table like a fine tuned machine. The menu was incredible, you can order several courses and each course comes with a wine pairing. So lovely to learn about wine regions as you dine. I had Risotto which was prepared perfectly. Then came the lamb, I love lamb, so I may be biased, but it was tender, and flavorful it was just the right temperature. I LOVE THIS PLACE!
(5)
GP A.
One of our absolute favorite special occasion dining experiences in Baltimore,MD. I typically order the 4 course option while my husband orders the 5 course with wine pairing. We have never been disappointed in our dining experience. We've been four different times now and certainly plan to go back. The last time we went, we did notice that there was more that was plated, which was nice being that the meal is fairly expensive. That said, next time we'll likely choose one course less than our norm as we ended up having leftovers, which were just as delicious the next day.
(5)
Stella W.
Need to give Cindy Wolfe and Charleston 10 plus stars!! Best dining experience, service and food ever. Period. Food is creative and fresh, and the service seamless. Truly an outstanding gem in this day and age. You go Cindy Wolfe!
(5)
Yvonne T.
Food was super delicious! The lobster bisque and the foie gras had to be among the best I have ever had. The other two dishes I picked were the mushroom pastry and the scallops and they were both great. The only let down of the meal were the petit fours... the macarons were so very chewy... :( It was nice to be able to freely choose what you want to eat in this course system they have. This really is my problem, but I happen to be drawn to four courses that all have intense flavors. I wish the amuse bouche was something lighter... or they offer one more palette cleanser before going to desserts... to help balance things out. Service was one of the best we have ever had. My husband spat out his gum on a piece of paper as our waiter approach and the waiter immediately put his palm out so he can dump it out for him. I walked into the restaurant with a scarf on, and as i was about to walk out with my scarf stuffed in my bag, the host ask me if if I have left my scarf behind. They really pay attention to the little things to make your dining experience there memorable. beware cocktails are STRONG!!
(4)
Casey C.
Of course this is one of if not the best restaurant and experiences in Baltimore, you just have to gauge if it is worth the money. For special occasions you really can't do any better. It is very stuffy compared to the other Cindy Wolf restaurants but if you are going here I'm sure that isn't a surprise.
(5)
Brandon D.
Single handedly the best Restaurant in the state!!! They deliver on service and every course is out of this world. If you're looking for a place to make your special occasion have that special feeling this is the place!!!
(5)
christina j.
The is the ultimate dining experience! Both myself and my visiting dining companion enjoyed a 5 course tasting menu with wine to compliment. We put ourselves in the hands of Chef, who created a deliciously wonderful menu for each of us. She did not disappoint. Some favorites were butter poached lobster soup, scallops, and snails. I highly recommend Charleston. If feeling adventurous, have Chef create a tasting menu for you! Menu is seasonal. Service is top notch, and everyone is friendly and accommodating. I can't wait for Spring. The cheese trolley is a great alternative to the dessert menu, especially with a glass of port.
(5)
Randy G.
If I would have left Baltimore and not eaten here, the trip would have been a loss. It was recommended to me by a yelp friend and so glad she advised to make reservations. Every time I come to Baltimore, this has to be on my list and yours. You are greeted with professionalism and the highest standard of customer service when you dine here. The service, explanation of dishes, presentation, creativity, flavors, and execution is impeccable. The menu is setup in a tasting style and I chose the 5-taster route. So strap in for a longer but intriguing and tasty review. I started with the Rabbit Empanada Confit. The pastry was crunchy and flaky and the flavors were simply delicious. The Shrimp & Stone Ground Creamy Grits with tasso ham, andouille sausage, and fresh chives was out of this world. I could have had an enormous bowl of this. The shrimp were perfect, but this dish had four surprises. The creamy grits were not traditional in presentation, but smoother in texture. The sausage cubed in the dish were spectacular. It heightened the flavor and complimented the shrimp so well. The ham was crispy in tiny bits, hidden throughout, giving the surprise crunch. The broth I could have drank a gallon of it. I ended up eating more bread than I expected to soak everything up. The Burgundy Snails with buttery poached garlic & shallot, lardons, red wine reduction, in a puff pastry tray was light and flaky. I haven't had escargot that didn't have to be so salty. The reduction was a terrific pairing with the snails along with the lardons to give it the extra flavor and balance of heaviness. The Pan Roasted Washington State Halibut was the next serving with grilled eggplant, nicoise olives, roasted cippolini onions, and extra virgin olive. This easily could have been in Food and Wine Magazine. It looked and tasted perfect. It had an excellent sear on one side with a delicate browning on the other. The fish was flaky and light and when you combined it with the grilled eggplant, it was an excellent marriage for texture and flavor. The olives and onions provided a nice salty sweet contrast to make it an even better dish. There are two stars in the Grilled Buffalo Tenderloin with braised napa cabbage, lardons, and roasted pablano pepper cream. The first is the magnificently tender meat and the exquisite pablano sauce. The two together are in perfect harmony. They are paired so well, with it complimenting and balancing each other's heaviness. Dessert was ecstasy on a plate. The Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake with caramelized bourbon marshmallow, espresso cream, and graham cracker streuse was OH SO delicious. If I weren't so full, I would have another. This was rich and light, creamy and crunchy, sweet and bitter all at the same time. My compliments to all the chefs and front of the house staff for a fabulous meal and experience.
(5)
Laura B.
This restaurant is outstanding from start to finish. We were greeted warmly at the door and quickly shown to our table. We each tried 5 items. I had the lobster bisque, beet salad, quail, duck and tenderloin. My spouse had the quail, frois gois, snails, green tomato crab sandwich, smoked salmon. Each item was better than the last. Our serving staff was knowledgeable about the product and gave great recommendations. I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough. We work hard for our money and they appreciate you as a customer.
(5)
Michael T.
You go here for the experience. The food was delicious but as expected for the price. The ambience was quite good and going there as a college student was a little shocker. Everyone was very nice and courteous. Food was good, but not overly so. Again, I'm not sure if it's worth the price. The experience, however, is. Get the lobster curry soup. The foie gras was also delicious. Make reservations!!
(4)
Landy L.
Best restaurant in Baltimore. Subtly beautiful tones in every dish and perfectly matched with the wine pairings. It'll cost you a pretty penny but worth the splurge. Only issue was I had requested a table by the window months in advance, but was not seated at one as requested that evening. Dining there was otherwise a great experience.
One of my dear friends brought me here for my 30th Birthday! She and I love trying out different places and the Charleston had been on our radar. We were seated in the Wine Library and it was lovely. The Rich Lobster Soup with Curry was just amazing and probably the most succulent lobster I have ever had. We moved on to the infamous Charleston Oysters which were sadly disappointing. The oysters were a bit greasy. I let our waiter know and he quickly rectified the issue and brought out the Shrimp and Grits which were excellent. They also brought out a piece of cake with a candle, in addition to my dessert order. Which was a nice added a touch. Overall a great experience and wonderful service. I think that is what makes the Charleston stand out, it is an experience.
(4)
Helen D.
For that special evening out or to get great food without any fussiness or pretentiousness, Charleston is the place to go. Love the 3, 4, or 5 course concept where dessert is included and not considered a course. The shrimp and grits was my favorite years ago when they were at the old location and it is still a FAVE.
(5)
Erica H.
Amazing, we decided to do the 5 course tasting and it was so good. Lobster bisque, tuna tartar, crab cake, salmon amazing. You pay for good service, food and excellent wine.
The Charleston is by far the fanciest restaurant I've been to in Baltimore to date. I hadn't done much research before I went in to eat, so I was a little taken aback at how amazing everything--the service, the food, the atmosphere--was, but I had an amazing experience. Immediately as I walked in, I was greeted and offered to have my bags stored while I ate. As I was walking out, without even needing to ask, my backpack was placed in my hand. My waitress was courteous, very prompt, and very friendly. I was seated in a quiet room with comfortable chairs that felt a lot like an old fashioned library, except with wine bottles on the walls instead of books. It was a cozy and relaxing place to be. Overall, despite how I was probably slightly underdressed, I felt so welcome here. Unlike a normal restaurant where you order appetizers, entrees, etc., here you have to order a minimum of three courses (but of course you can get more), and they can be anything on the menu. I had the rockfish, the duck, and the lamb since I didn't want to waste my time with salad. Additionally, a small soup and dessert were given by the chef and the beginning and end of the meal, respectively. The food was delicious, and it was still great as leftovers the next day. I didn't have anything to drink, but they had an extensive wine list I saw when I sat down. This is definitely a place for special occasions, so I'm not going to come here once a week, but I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Anthony N.
***Charleston's build-your-own tasting menu is reasonably priced and offers a wide variety of flavor combinations and ingredients; the quality of the cuisine though is a notch below SF's and Chciago's great fine dining restaurants*** Cindy Wolf's Charleston is a longstanding fine dining restaurant in Baltimore. High-end and well-respected fine dining restaurants are not often located in waterfront areas, but Charleston is (located right in the Inner Harbor with a waterfront view from the lounge). The main dining area is nice. It is warm with white tablecloth and elegant touches but not stuffy. There is also a modern and clean open kitchen at the center, which creates a lot of energy (Cindy Wolf is right there expediting orders). The menu is similar to Gary Danko. It features a reasonably priced build-your-own tasting menu of 3-6 courses as well as a seasonal tasting menu. Like Gary Danko, Charleston features a great variety of ingredients with lots of meats, seafood, vegetables, and fruits. The menu is a subtle mix of French and Southern cuisine. I opted for the build-your-own tasting menu and elected for 5 courses (the good thing is dessert does not count as a course; it is complimentary). The meal started with an amuse of artichoke soup and a gougere. The soup was fine. I liked the distinct crust and airiness of the gougere, but I wish it was warmer. The bread was warm though. There was a very good and lightly sweet cornbread as well as a nice roll with a good chew. I started with their shrimp and grits--an always on the menu item. The grits were good and creamy. There was a nice garnish of savory tasso ham. The shrimp was okay. It was nicely cooked, but it could have used more color. I think the dish needed more spiciness as well. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Next came a scallop with English peas, fava beans, chives, chervil, and a lemon beurre blanc. The garnishes were great. It was a nice spring dish with plump and very nicely cooked peas. I liked the fresh herbs and enjoyed the smooth beurre blanc, which had a refreshing lemon flavor and was not too rich. yelp.com/user_local_phot… The scallop was just okay. It was tender, but I still would have preferred a more moist and softer center. My next course was the foie gras with French green lentils and salsa verde. The foie gras was interesting. It was like cold foie gras at the center (the kind you get with a torchon) and a seared and warm outside. The foie gras had a good flavor, but I think I would preferred if it was just seared or just served cold. I did not like the contrasting textures. yelp.com/user_local_phot… I did not like the garnishes either. They were fine by themselves, but I would have preferred something sweet to go with the foie gras. Next was a special--grilled veal sweetbreads with caramelized cauliflower, capers, walnuts, and brown butter sauce. Like the foie gras, it was an interesting preparation with the sweetbread flattened and grilled--kind of like a pork chop. The garnishes were okay, but like a lot of Charleston's food, I felt it could have used more flavor. My final savory course was the pan roasted duck with pear and rhubarb compote and Calvados sauce. The garnishes were good. The compote was sweet and slightly tart. The Calvados sauce was a thick but still very thin sauce that completely enveloped the meat without being too heavy or rich. The duck was just okay. It had a crispy skin, but it could have been juicier. It was quite dry around the edges. Dessert was good. I had a carrot and walnut cake with orange segments, a walnut tuile and a buttermilk orange panna cotta topped with a huckleberry compote. The cake was a little dense and dry, but the flavors of the carrot and walnut flavors really came across. The panna cotta was creamy and good and the compote was nicely sweet. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Service was very good. The staff was pleasant, professional and polite. The food came out at a quick and even pace. I really liked the manager, who was friendly, professional and really on top of things. Prices were reasonable given the variety of proteins and ingredients you get to experience as well as the substantial portions. Charleston is a pleasant restaurant and the food is decent, but it just does not serve the flavorful, unique and high quality cuisine you find in SF or Chicago. It still seems to be a good and seasonal restaurant to celebrate a special occasion in Baltimore. There is a nearby parking structure as well as valet parking that services the restaurants in this area; I believe Charleston validates.
(3)
Elliot K.
I don't get it....food was good. Not amazing. Prize was unfounded. Spent $219 for a five course with wine pairing. Wine pours were small and not worth the $70 up charge for the same menu without the pairing. I can name 10 local restaurants that I would rather spend my $520 tab for two people at than this place. One of those would include cheescake factory. I could cook most of this food at home. And all of it if I spent some time on groceries and Food processors. My dinner. The lobster bisque...no complaints. It was perfect. The double tar tar....it was an overreached ceviche. Average but like any other citrused fish. Head on shrimp over yellow rice...peel and eat would have been more satisfying. Short rib with steamed veggies was fatty and unseasoned. Desert was good. Chocalty and decadent but a normal sweet from anywhere. Cocktails were good. Wine list is for show. Restaurant is beautiful and atmosphere is nice. Service is excellent. It's A little quiet. Some background music would be nice. Kind I like a library in there. But it's clean and pretty. In review....we won't go back. Completely overpriced. Average food. People who claim this place is "amazing" are food snobs. They say it is good cause it's expensive. I have money to spend and i won't spend it here again. If you want the "fine dining" experience...go somewhere it's worth it. This isn't the place.
(2)
Andrew C.
Fantastic restaurant in every manner. One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. This restaurant would be highly-rated in any city in America, including New York and San Francisco. Food is amazing and everything I had was memorable. The lobster bisque and fried oysters were particularly special. Service was professional and impeccable without being stuffy. This was a fine-dining experience without pretension. I had the 4-course meal (plus included dessert) with the wine pairing. That was plenty of food although some of my friends had 5 and even 6 and enjoyed it. When I return I'll probably not do the pairing and just order wine by a bottle, only because I felt like some of the pairings were a little outside of my preference (sherry for one, several carbonated wines, etc.) Everything about this restaurant was impressive. Well worth the high price.
(5)
Racquel C.
I've declared this the best fine dining restaurant in Baltimore. The food is simply incredible. The atmosphere might be a little stuffy, but the food is incredibly flavorful and delicious.
(5)
Ken M.
My favorite place in harbor east , always take my clients for drinks and have never been let down amazing service and great atmosphere!!
(5)
Eric K.
Overview: Had their 6 course wine pairing. Was one of the most expensive places I have eaten, but not one of the best. It might be because I came in with overly high expectations. Pros: 1) Clear Upscale Ambience and Service 2) Fantastic Attentive Service 3) Waiter took time to educate us on the food that was being served 4) Great Preparation 5) Good Ingredient Quality/Freshness Cons: 1) Overpriced for what you get 2) Flavor profiles not memorable, the food while prepared well were extremely basic considering the price range. 3) Serving Sizes extremely small.
(3)
Kat W.
This is definitely a place to go for the experience. My SO and I came here a few months back. There is valet service which is nice, as parking would be a hassle. There is staff to take your jackets at the door if you desire. The place is the definition of fine dining, as it seems very formal and professional with quiet chatter. My SO and I felt a little out of place, being the youngest ones in the restaurant by several decades. We noticed that it may have affected our service a bit; although the service was great in terms of having our water glasses constantly refilled, table cleared out between courses, etc., not once were we asked how everything tasted. We both opted for the four course menu each without wine pairing. The amuse bouche was a beet soup that we did not particularly care for, but felt was well executed. I ordered the lobster curry soup based on reviews to start, which was rich, creamy and delicious. The chunks of lobster were extremely satisfying, but I felt the soup was too salty for my tastes. The beef tartare we ordered was delicious. In addition, some other items we had were foie gras, beef tenderloin and duck. Each time, the star of the dish (the protein) was spectacular, however, we felt that the other components did not necessarily work (the sauces, sides, etc. did not meet up to our expectations). I will say, however, I had the best beef tenderloins I have had in my life there. The pacing was great, with a nice lull in between each dish for us to enjoy the atmosphere. It felt like fine dining at its peak. Our desserts were a bit disappointing, though the ice creams were well made. There was a complimentary small plate of macarons and assorted bites that my SO and I did not care for also. Without the wine pairings and after tax and tip, we had spent almost $300 here, so make sure its truly a special occasion to come. We left feeling full, but not overwhelmingly so, which is surprising seeing as we are both usually light eaters. Overall, I would recommend the Charleston for the experience, but it did not meet my expectations when it comes down to price. The sides/garnish/sauce to every dish was disappointing, but I can see why it is a special place to go.
(4)
Peter G.
I'm not sure if underwhelming or disappointing is the right term to use for Charleston restaurant. The exceptionally high bill was NOT the primary reason for my disappointment, but it was shocking none the less. First, the good. We chose the included wine pairings with our 3-course meals. Overall, the pairing was spectacular, clearly the highlight of the evening. The glassware, china, and silver were equally special. This provided the little extra oomph that one would expect from a fine restaurant. Our server was attentive and professional, though I do have some negative remarks that I will explain later. The rest of the staff were all pleasant, courteous, and attentive. The food. My bride and I each had three courses and we each chose different courses. I chose the Lobster Curry Soup, the Shrimp Grits, and the Roast Duck. My wife chose the Artichoke Soup, Frisee and Rocket Salad, and the Chicken dish. Of the six courses, only the soups were truly exceptional, but even those were no better than you would find at another fine establishment. The chicken, grits and salad were simply okay - nothing special to remember. The duck was unappetizing and flavorless. The accompanying olive and potato clearly overwhelmed any flavor of the duck. The worst thing I can say about the duck is that I have had better duck at a cheap Thai restaurant. Unfortunately, the dessert wasn't much better. I had the mint mousse cake and my spouse chose the pecan crepes. While the presentation was nice, the taste was rather blah. The crepes were tough and chewy. The ambiance. We sat in a corner table in the front dining room. With the exception of the large lighted wall decoration (that looked like a giant sea shell), the room was rather nondescript. Plain elegance? Maybe. There were several other tables occupied when we arrived. As we have come to expect, there was a wide range of dress among other patrons. My wife was offered a pillow to place behind her back; I was not. I found the bench seat very uncomfortable and asked for a pillow. It helped, but not much. I remained rather uncomfortable for our entire stay. We tried to note any connection with Charleston in the room (and the restaurant). Except for the grits and the pecans on the crepes, we noted no connection. The room seemed brighter than most high-end restaurants. Perhaps it was our table location, or perhaps it is to allow the diner to have a better view of the presentation of the food. Somehow, though, it just didn't fit. The other thing I noted about the ambiance was the snooty feel. This was apparent from the time we walked in until we left. As described above, the staff was courteous and attentive, but they were definitely not what I would call friendly. Even our fellow patrons seemed to take on an air of snobbery that was just unexplainable. The service. As mentioned above, the service was very professional. We were greeted inside the door, but it almost seemed that we surprised the maître d'. At first, I could not tell whether he was the host or another guest. He quickly regrouped and brought us the short way to our table. We did not see or hear from him again. Strange. It appears that Charleston uses the team concept for service. We had the one primary server, but others brought various items. Unfortunately, not all had the same command of the English language and at least one was difficult to understand. Interestingly, once we finished our dinner, we had no further interaction with our primary server. Another young lady brought and collected the check. While we wanted to thank our primary server personally, she seemed to avoid our table after dinner. I don't know what that is about but found it very odd. We even waited for her after paying the check, but felt intentionally avoided. My wife was not even offered a refill on her coffee by any of the wait staff. Finally, we got up to leave. We were in no particular rush to leave - and even walked in to look at the bar. We got a snobbish look from a patron in the corner and hardly a glance from the bartender. At no point, from the time we got up from the table, negotiated around a drink cart in the hallway, meandered into the bar, and left the restaurant did we get a "goodbye" or "thank you" from anyone. I left over a 20% tip, so I find it hard to believe that we were getting the cold shoulder for stiffing the wait staff. We've had much better experiences (and food) at three other restaurants nearby in Baltimore - Chingale, Capital Grille, and Wit and Wisdom. Whenever we have an excellent time at any particular restaurant, we can wait to bring friends back to share the experience. I cannot say that to be the case with Charleston. I doubt we will be back.
(3)
Susanna W.
Hands down best restaurant in Baltimore, and one of my favorite restaurants in the country. The menu changes slightly every season, but the food is always delicious. Their lobster soup is amazing in every way and is something you must get!
(5)
Na H.
Just went for a nightcap after eating at another establshment and this place was so perfect....sleek and sophisticated. Had a Basil and Hayden neat with a slice of lime and out came a waiter with a bowl of truffle oil potatoes chips with truffle cream on the top! The chips wear crispy, not greasy and the truffle cream, though l am not a fan of mushrooms, was pretty decent. All in all the perfect place to go when you want to wind down in an environment that is laid back.
(4)
Bhavi A.
Amazing food and upscale experience. We got the 4 course and I ordered the tuna tartar, quail, veal sweetbreads, and the OMG fois gras. The tuna tartar was picturesque and super fresh. Made for a nice picture too ;) The veal was very tasty with the puff pastry in mushroom sauce. At first I though dang these portions are tiny, I could eat double that. But then the fois gras came out The fois gras was so rich and the liver was so fatty and soft and melt in your mouth with an overall wintery taste in the sauce, I just wanted to curl up in a ball and hibernate afterwards. No seriously, we all started to feel sleepy after that fish which just shows you how pure fatty it was. Fois gras- once in your life. Do it. The quail was good and tender too with rich polenta but honestly after the fois gras kicked my ass, I really couldn't stomach any more food. Desserts were not as great (I got the lemon tart) but the buttermilk ice cream thingy was really good (can't remember the name). I actually felt pretty juvenile and annoying trying to take pictures of my food while others were snooting it up, but whatevs... Overall, Charleston is a must visit in Baltimore!
(5)
Doris Z.
THE BEST in Baltimore!! Food was great, service was great, the environment was great, I'd give it a 6 star if I can. And I loved that they've got so many roses in the lady's room lol.
(5)
Ipek S.
Get the whole menu with pairings if u can splurge a grand- totally worth it! I have been there with 3 more people on a weekend night and we have ordered everything (yes, every single thing on the menu with the wine pairings and desserts) and rotated them all night just like in a Bourdain show. Our server Chanel was incredible, impeccable service from the start to the very end. Every single thing I tried was amazing, according to my boyfriend the desserts were a little too usual ( I don't agree with him though, I have enjoyed them). I don't know why this restaurant don't have a Michelin star because she really deserves it. I have had a few 3star experiences before in New York City and none of them was as impeccable as this one, yet simple ingredients with a creative combination. I was simply amazed!
(5)
Dan S.
I'm going to repeat what has already been said a hundred times already. The Charleston is the best restaurant in Baltimore. The price is exorbitant, but you get what you pay for. My wife and I stopped by for our Anniversary this year. We were blown away. We ordered the 6 courses with wine pairings. Every dish was very likely the best preparation I've ever tried of that respective item. We ordered the Lobster Curry Soup, Smoked Salmon Salad, Shrimp & Grits, Turbot, Foie Gras, and Beef Filet. Each wine paired very well with its dish. My only complaint would be the following: The waiter told my wife that he would have a menu signed by Chef Wolfe and mailed to us, since Chef Wolfe had left for the night. We never received the menu in the mail.
(5)
Jen N.
What an amazing experience! I got the 4 course: fried oysters, beef tenderloin, duck, rockfish...all were cooked to perfection. The restaurant will take care of you with ANY requests you have. Our server was superbbb!
(5)
Joanna C.
It takes leaving New York to realize how great and affordable a fancy dinner out can be. At the recommendation of our hotel, I came to the Charleston with two of my coworkers: we were not disappointed. There were a few other full tables when we arrived, but the restaurant stayed fairly empty throughout the meal. It's a fairly romantic restaurant with dim lights and little noise. Our waiter brought us just the wine menu first and took a while getting back to us. Afterwards, we got the dinner menu. It's an amazing deal (3 courses for $79, and dessert is included!) where you just pick 3 items on the menu though I noticed there is a wine pairing option. May have been good to know before we ordered the wine. You can also do anywhere from 3-6 courses if you're feeling hungry. I started with the Cornmeal-Fried Oysters, because it's Baltimore and the oysters are supposed to be fresh from the harbor. I'm not a big fried food person, but the oysters were nice. I then followed with the Fresh Artichoke, which was a medley of fresh vegetables. Yum yum yum, I wanted more! Good thing I didn't have more, because the Head on Shrimp was creamy, filling, and most importantly, delicious. Finally, as a frozen dessert person, I wasn't drawn to any of the dessert options and asked the waiter for some of the ice cream/sorbets. I had the Mango, Lemon, and Salted Caramel, all of which were delicious. Service was friendly the whole time and they did a good job pacing out the courses. It's a restaurant where you could stay for 3 hours and they would be happy to have you there. Great food and great concept: would love to come back.
(4)
Kay T.
Excellent service. Great food and romantic atmosphere. The duck was delicious and the lobster bisque was the best I've ever had. Buffalo was great too. I had the wine pairing which I would recommend also. There was this delicious pink carbonated wine. Would definitely recommend. It's a bit pricey, but worth it.
(5)
Christopher W.
Oh the decisions.... This place is definitely vintage classy and has the potential of getting more than your money's worth. What makes this place special is the pricing structure. You pay by the # of items on the menu. With that said you can pay $XXX amount for 4 soups or that same amount for 4 main courses. I wouldn't advise going with 4 main courses, but it is a way to definitely get more bang for the buck. The server and wait staff all do an excellent job to make sure that your experience with the restaurant is top notch. I think what makes this place stand out from other restaurants is the wine selection and knowledgeable staff of said wines. Not only that, each item on the menu has its own "recommended" pairing. Had I had known this before ordering a bottle, I most likely would have done so..... mistakes have been made. The awkward is the timetable of this place for first timers. You are given the drinks menu without the actual food menu to start. From here you get your drink and your bread and are given the menu close to when your drink is finished. From here, you then order the food and proceed to the cheese cart (included with meal) and desert (included with meal). My only gripe is the bathroom. Although it is clean, it feels a little cramped and small.
(5)
Tunaidi A.
This is my new favorite restaurant in Baltimore. Charleston is hands down amazing in every aspect. Since my words cannot accurately do justice and accurately depict the high quality, subtle flavors, and seemingly intricate preparation of each dish here, I'll save myself the embarrassment. What you do need to know is that every item on Charleston's menu is fabulous. You can't go wrong with anything. Speaking of menu, it changes pretty frequently -- weekly, I believe. There are about 20 dishes on the menu and you can choose any of these for a 3, 4, 5, or 6 course meal with varying prices. And of course, there are also wine pairing (3 oz) available for each dish. Dessert is a separate menu, and included in the price for the 3-6 course meal. Service is impeccable, valet parking is complimentary, and you'll leave wanting to come back sooner rather than later.
(5)
Andrea C.
I liked it because it was honest to the name. 'Top three restaurant in Baltimore' when I visited (May 2014), and enough stuck up people to brag about it filling the seats. It was my birthday celebration. You absolutely have to get the drink pairings if you wish to visit the restaurant - the selections are spot on. Dessert left me unimpressed - I think it lacked creativity and highlighted that the strengths of the menu are based on seasonal items and cooking techniques - but the chef coming over to the table made up for it. I gave the place 4 stars, because I think Cinghiale (May 2015) is just as good if not better. Also, the server was off-putting and clearly unimpressed by my party... I think it has to do with the vibe of the place. Expect to be looked at weirdly if you choose to have louder than normal fun while you eat. I just didn't like feeling like I had to eat a certain way because the place was fancy - big deal - good food, expensive taste. No need to compromise how comfortable I feel eating my food and enjoying my company simply because the food is expensive. Maybe it's because I'm Italian that I feel this way... Either way, apart from the server, this is a do-over for very special occasions and a pre-planned menu that will blow your socks off. The hype is well founded, I just wasn't expecting it the place to be so conceited.
(4)
Jordan R.
Had the meal of my life at this restaurant. For our anniversary, my wife got the five course meal wife wine pairings, I got seven without. Each bite was better than the next, and we definitely got enough food. The service was also impeccable.
(5)
Edward S.
I asked my wife of 17 years to marry me here. We eat hear every year or so. Two of the best decisions I have made.
(5)
V H.
It may be one of the best dining experiences that I've ever had. My meat and potatoes boyfriend was equally impressed. Honestly, we were concerned that we would not be able to find dishes that he would enjoy but every dish was fantastic. We did the wine pairings and were happy with all but one of the selections. We were also concerned that the portions would be too small. We elected for four courses and were quite satisfied. The staff was welcoming, knowledgeable, and extremely attentive. I can't wait until we go back.
(5)
Dan P.
I preface this review by noting that Yelpers have stated that this restaurant is not worth the price. This may be so, but if you are going here, you should know that in advance. This isn't a restaurant where you just show up and then suddenly realize the meals start at $79 for three courses and no alcohol. my parents took me and the wife here for a special occasion. We would not have normally gone here because of the price. That aside, the food is good. The wife and I ordered the lobster bisque. This is the second time we have eaten there and second time we each had the lobster bisque. Each time the base was good, but the lobster was tough. We thought it was a mistake the first time. Apparently it was not. The mozzarella would have been great... as a dessert. The blood orange killed the subtlety of this dish. It just tasted like blood orange and the beets tasted like nothing. The goat cheese and mushroom puff pastry was outstanding. The wife and I each had this and loved it. We each ordered the dourade, which was good. The wife complained that she ate too slow and as a result it became oily quickly. She had three really good bites. I eat like a pig and did not have the same problem. I ordered the duo of tartare (salmon and rockfish). This was delicious. It was salty and perfectly seasoned without being overpowering. The desserts were good. Among the four of us, we had all of the desserts. The milk chocolate mousse torte was the best. Service here is hard to beat. No complaints. Cindy Wolf came out to talk to us twice and seemed genuinely interested in speaking to the customers. I recommend this place if you don't mind dropping $135 a person minimum and like small courses. Better still, get taken there by someone who pays your bill.
(4)
Patrick C.
I am not sure what is going on at Charleston, but I wonder if they are bored. That is how the food comes across for me. On the plus side, the service was excellent, with efficient and pleasant staff. Wines were both excellent. The food? Lobster Bisque was excellent. The fried green tomatoes were ok, but really nothing to write home about. Crab cake was meh. And the roasted lamb? Nicely cooked but tasteless and way over salted. Dessert was totally forgettable. Here is what just blows me away - Basically this is a tasting menu. OK. I do not expect that two different dishes would be served with the identical sauce - an emerald green light oil, which was beautiful but added little. We got this twice, once with the lamb and once with the crab cake. Kind of disappointing.
(2)
Angie L.
Everything was superb. Had the fried oysters, buffalo mozzarella fried green tomatoes and the scallops. Cooked to perfection and super fresh.
(5)
J N.
I had dinner for the first time at Charleston. If you are looking for amazing service, atmosphere and good food, i would def recommend this restaurant. All the food was good but only two of four dishes stood out. The lobster curry soup and buffalo tenderloin were amazing! Also, the wine pairing with the buffalo was perfect. It might be my preference for red meat over fish but if i ordered again i would have had both tenderloin dishes on the menu. I also tried a bite of the chicken....also amazing, not sure about the wine. The rockfish was a little boring. At the end of the meal i ordered a glass of red wine. The server was very considerate in offering 3oz or 6oz. He could have just poured 6 but read my mind with it being the end of the night and an expensive wine, knew to offer the smaller serving. It is a very highend place, look and feel, but our server was professional and relaxed all at the same time.
(5)
Patrick B.
I can totally appreciate the remarks made by some of the negative reviewers; but thankfully, ours was not a shared experience. This meal ranked among the very top dining experiences I have had. Start with free valet parking, a very nice touch in Baltimore Harbor. Treated with polite respect from the moment we pulled up to the curb. Our head server was funny, personable, knowledgeable and very helpful about the dishes. Style of ordering is different. Diner is presented with a list of approximately 20 dishes from appetizers through red meats. One may order anything on the menu, and the meal's cost is determined by the number of course, from 3 to 6. A wine pairing is also available, offering about a half-glass matched to each dish/course. The only "required" course is dessert, which is complementary. Suffice it to say, the food was amazing! From soup to salad to fish to lamb, everything was imaginative, creative and delicious. Portions are not over-large, as some reviewers have pointed out; but the aim here should not be to walk away feeling stuffed, but satisfied. Two things beside service deserve special mention: One, as good as everything else we ate was, the highlight of the meal was the goat cheese mousse. Maybe the best dessert I've ever eaten, smooth and ephemeral-light with an amazingly complicated sweet/salty/musty taste. Two, B was served a fish course the individual parts of which she liked but didn't think that they worked well together. In addition, she did not like the wine pairing. We were not charged for the entire course! THAT'S how a restaurant is supposed to work! Charleston is not for every week dining. I'm not sure I could even appreciate it going there frequently. But for a special occasion, I've found none better. Well worth saving for.
(5)
Scott O.
The food is quite good. Not the best in the world. But maybe the best in Baltimore -- if high-end food is your thing. The chef is obviously talented, and the food reflects an low-country influence. The comfortable dining room is inhabited by well-healed retired clientele, and the wait staff competent and knowledgeable. My wife and I ordered the six-course tasting menu so we could each sample a lot of the dishes. The six-course option is $119, which works out to about $20 per dish. That's $20 for a modest salad, $20 more for a small soup. In other expensive restaurants of this caliber (with James Beard award winning chefs), each would be about $10 and they would be twice as big. The soup and salad were good, as good as any we've had, but not any better than a very good soup and salad anywhere else. Just twice the price and half the size. The entrees, also $20 each, seemed more reasonably priced. The duck and the rock fish were very good, and the Foie Gras was amazing. If you go, be sure to get the foie gras. But the portions were 1.5-2.5 ounces each, which is fine for foie gras, but for the others it was a third to a quarter of what a similar restaurant would serve. The wine was unexciting, and about $15 for half a glass. The deserts were also very good, and very tiny. The entire creme brulee trio could fit into a tablespoon. Just because prices are high doesn't mean the restaurant is better. But the food here was good enough to tolerate the prices, until.... When the waiter brought our check, he had divided our order into two three-course tasting menus rather than the six-course we had requested. The result was a check that was thirty percent higher than what we had ordered. So now, the $20 salad and the $20 soup became $26 each. It was a bitter surprise at the end of an expensive, but good meal. In a vacuum, five-stars for the food. But deduct a star for the excessive prices, another for the small portions and overall low value, and a third for the shyster waiter. If you want a high--quality, high-priced, low value meal, there plenty of places to go where the waiters don't rip you off for an extra two-bits.
(2)
Trey G.
Without question the best restaurant in Baltimore. Wifey and I went for our anniversary and it was one we will always remember. We have eaten at some pretty stellar restaurants around the world and the Charleston rivals any of them. Is it expensive? Yes. However, compared to other high end restaurants like in NYC, this place is a value. Where can you get 5 courses of true fine dining for a 100 bucks. The best part is that you make your own tasting menu from all the options! I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices so I'll spare the details of our meal. We will definitely be back!
(5)
D Z.
Food is amazing from beginning to end. Been here 3 times and great every time...but you need to save up for this meal. Recommended - foie gras, lobster bisque, corn bread, sirloin, angus, lamb, pheasant
(5)
J B.
Overall the dining experience was very, very good. I will say that I felt that some of the food was a little bit too salty. I don't think that it really needed to be... The food was well-prepared and presented. We went with the four course menu based on the recommendation of the server. Keep in mind that is four courses PLUS dessert. As it turns out the portion sizes are actually a little bit bigger than we expected so we will definitely go with the three course menu if we do it again. That will be the perfect amount of food.
(5)
Stephanie M.
I would give Charleston 10 stars if possible!!! This place exceeded my expectations and I'm truly happy I chose this restaurant to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. I did some research prior to having my heart set on Charleston and from reading the Yelp reviews on this restaurant and scrolling through the pictures I fell in love with this place. I could not wait to come and experience what everyone else had. When we first arrived the valet parking was free, definitely a plus. Then we were greeted and seated in a matter of 30 seconds. Once seated we met our amazing knowledgeable server, Brian, who wished my boyfriend a happy birthday. This little gesture won my heart over once again. He then walked us through the menu, gave us the background on the courses, the chef and the desserts (which is included regardless of which course option you choose). We decided to go with the 3 course menu, which is $79 per person and selected cocktails instead of the wine pairings. We wanted to start out small since some of the reviews mentioned that the plate sizes were perfect and not small at all. Plus, we could easily add an additional course which wasn't a problem at all. We got our cocktails, I had the delicious Raz-putin Martini and my boyfriend had a Brown Ale, which was also delicious. Brian came over and mentioned that the Chef had prepared an appetizer for us, which was on the house. This was one of two additional dishes that the Chef sent our way, again a huge plus!! The appetizer consisted of artichoke soup and an amazing tuna with capers on toast. We received our courses one by one and every single dish was amazingly orchestrated along with the additional dish from the Chef. My favorite of the 3 courses we had selected was the Tuna Tartar and my boyfriend's favorite was the Shrimp Creole. Lastly, we finished the night by selecting a dessert of our choosing. They added a single candle on my boyfriend's dessert choice and again wished him a happy birthday. All in all, this was a great experience we both got to share. I must say if you don't mind spending a couple of hundreds from time to time on good food, ambiance and service then Charleston is definitely the place to go! Bon appetit!
(5)
Jeanette H.
Pleasantly surprised, very pleased. Some Latin- and some French-influenced American dishes. Pre-fix, you can choose 3/4/5 course meals, and can choose from across all categories: e.g. for a 3-course pre-fix, you can even choose 3 entrees if you wanted to, or 3 appetizers, or 1 from each. No dish was disappointing, and service was excellent. I had our desserts to go, as we were tired ---- and actually forgot to wait for them, and no one ran after us either :) so I can't critique the desserts. Ambiance was great, wine selection decent.
(4)
Megan C.
The most outstanding dining experience ever! Food, staff, and wine made this the best date night we've ever had. Every bite and every sip was better than the last. Three courses, pear and spinach salad, amazing. We had scallops, lamb, pheasant, lobster bisque all absolutely delicious. Bryan couldn't have been a better help picking and choosing and teaching us how to order to get the most out of our experience. We will be returning without a doubt.
(5)
Priscilla S.
We had dinner at this restaurant for my boyfriend's birthday. We ordered a 3 course dinner with wine pairing and a Chef's menu of the moment. For the 3 courses, we chose the rich lobster soup with curry, pan roasted turbot and pan roasted duck. The courses were served as an entree, and there was no distinction between appetizer or main course. Despite that, we were stuffed and barely managed to finish our desserts. The food was exquisite with a touch of Asian fusion, although I have had better degustation experiences at other restaurants. The service was impeccable and intimate. I informed the restaurant ahead of time that it was my boyfriend's birthday and the service staff showered him with birthday wishes throughout the night, which made the narcissist in him very happy. All in all, a very pleasant experience. It was fine dining with intimate service, and we left happy and satisfied. Indisputably one of the best restaurants in Baltimore, and although pricey at ~$100/person, it is worth it. :)
(4)
Brian R.
I researched the best restaurants in Baltimore and this was #1 and I see why. This place was pure perfection. I would never be able to afford this on a weekly basis but special occasion, yes. Every dish, server, host, etc. Was of the utmost high class. I actually felt like someone who is actually important that night. I don't regret not a penny.
(5)
Nayoung L.
I went for the 6 course meal and loved every single course. I was expecting a small portion for a typical chef's menu and was surprised by generous serving size. I would definitely recommend the restaurant for a special occasion.
(5)
Jaime R.
I was first at this restaurant at least 7 years ago while in Baltimore on business. When I knew I was going to Baltimore again I knew I wanted to return. This restaurant has evolved and gotten even better. The decor is beautiful, service is superb and so is the food and wine list. My courses were mushroom soup with foie gras butter and toasted brioche. It was perfection. My partner's first course was a crab cake that she said was wonderful. All crab meat, no filler or binder. Next up for me was a crispy grit cake and oyster mushroom fricassee with goat cheese cream and a red wine reduction. Wow. My partner had shrimp and stone ground creamy grits with Tasso ham, andouille sausage and fresh chives. Main course for me was chicken leg confit with lemon saffron risotto and aged reggiano. My partner had the same but with chicken breast. The courses were perfect portions, expertly done. We were sitting right near the open, well run kitchen. I had a Domaine Tempier La Migoua Bandol 1999 that went well with every course. This is a prize fix menu where you can choose 3, 4, 5 or 6 courses. You may also choose to have wine pairings with each course. Dessert is at. I charge and in addition to the number of courses you choose. There is also a well rounded cheese cart. Peter, our server and Brian the sommelier were wonderful as well. During our dinner both the chef-owner and wine director owner came by our table. This is truly one of the best restaurant experiences I've had. I will be sure to return if ever in Baltimore. Heck, it was SO good I may arrange to come to Baltimore just to come here. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation.
(5)
Karlene C.
On a gusty Baltimore evening, the boyfriend and I went here to celebrate our anniversary back in April. This is probably the nicest restaurant we have ever been too. To be honest, it could be a little bit intimidating. But the food and drink. THE FOOD AND DRINK. After you are greeted at the door, and given complementary coat checks, you are escorted to their bar, well stocked with fine liquors and a solid beer selection. I forgot what we got, but both of our beer selections were delightful. When a table is ready for you, the host will come get you and escort you to the table. This is what we had (not in order): Boyfriend (with wine pairing): cornmeal fried Soft shell crab, fresh octopus salad, big eyed tuna tartare, pan roasted marget of duck. Every time a new dish was about to be put on the table, the staff would come and introduce the bottle, describe the vintage, and pour a glass as they informed us of the flavor and aroma profiles. Me (didn't get wine pairings): cornmeal fried oysters, Lobster bisque with curry (not always available I think), porcini Mushroom Risotto and the grilled buffalo tenderloin We tried each dish that the other person ordered, and my GOD. Each bite was perfectly prepared and delicious doesn't even describe how good the food tastes. As I recall the memory of this meal for this review, my stomach growls in frustration. For dessert: I got the rhubarb-rasberry gateau and my boyfriend eventually got the crepes suzette (they sold out of the dessert he wanted originally). Paired with great coffee and a complimentary dessert plate, it was a perfect ending to a basically flawless meal. Overall: Food was beyond delicious and the wine pairings were perfect and showed the chef's knowledge and aptitude for the craft (FYI I believe she is a James Beard Award recipient for that area). Everything was perfectly cooked and prepared; nothing overdone, under-seasoned or anything like that. Each bite was perfect. Service was impeccable, and the staff really know what they're talking about, were incredibly helpful with suggestions AND THEY DIDN'T RUSH US. Ambiance was straight on, and appropriate of a restaurant of that level and caliber: classy and elegant. The kitchen and its chef constantly rotate menu items to take advantage of what is fresh and available in B'more. If you're ever in Baltimore and really want to splurge (our bill was around 300 bucks), or want to really impress someone special, I'd go here. But make reservations. I used OpenTable and I didn't run into a problem.
(5)
Kris L.
This is not chronological the order of my courses, but the order of pure deliciousness :D #1 Lobster bisque - not your typical lobster bisque as it had large shunks of lobster claw meat and a perfect splash of curry oil. PERFECTION #2 Beef short ribs (no knife needed). My 1 year old nephew could have eaten it. Or a toothless grandma #4 Bison - SO SO tender #5 Tilefish over cauliflower. Heavy on butter...just the way I like it #6 Chocolate mousse dessert #7 Tuna tartare-tons of citrus. In a good way The service was flawless. The wine list was fabulous. The ambiance was perfect. #VOTE BEST FINE DINING in Baltimore
(5)
David C.
We are Los Angelenos and were visiting friends here in Baltimore. Charleston is their favorite restaurant so they wanted to treat us here. The result is: I am going to have to compare all my future food experiences against this new gold standard! First, the service, the table setting, and the ambience are all very carefully appointed and attentive. The servers were well-trained in both food knowledge and customer service. The feel of the place is elegant. Our dinner began with a good amuse bouche type of soup and pastry puff, which was nice but not amazing... but a good touch. We all chose the $91 per person meal, which is 4 courses plus dessert. RICH LOBSTER SOUP WITH CURRY was excellent. The lobster pieces were fresh, tender, perfectedly seasoned, and generous. The soup was creamy and so decadent. Grilled veal sweatbread (not bad for a strange piece of protein... try it but would have preferred something else). Pan-roasted Magret of Duck was good. Grilled Beef Tenderloin was a perfect medium peice of meat with the mushroom and madeira cream... so good. Oh, the potato gratin that came with the beef: sooo delcious in it's own cast iron skillet/pot. I tried other people's food: the Bigeye Tuna Tartar was average to me, and the foie gras was not seared well and too fatty, so a bit strange. Other highlight of the night: Lemon Tart and Creme Fraiche Bavaroi, cassis champagne Sorbet, Fresh ginger macerated berries: complex, not too heavy, sophisticated, delicious; such artistry. I didn't love my "stawberry shortcake", so I kep eating my friend's lemon tart and all the stuff around it. I am thinking of an excuse to go visit my friends in Baltiimore again soon...
(5)
J R.
The prices are eye-bulging but I can tell you that the food and service make up for it. Definitely fancier than anything I'm accustomed to but the staff were very polite and even did something special for my boyfriends birthday. If I ever want to spend $200-$300 again, this will be the place.
(5)
Andy K.
Came here for wife's bday, service was fantastic which is to be expected. The wine parings were good, the food however especially the rockfish was pretty bland. Other stuff seemed over salted, did not live up to the hype whereas a place like volt did when we went there for anniversary a couple years back. I would go to ouzo bay if you're in the mood for a 200-300 dinner for two.
(3)
Eric W.
Back in Baltimore for business for the first time in over a year and decided to have dinner at the Charleston again because my last meal here was so good. Well, nothing has changed and that is a good thing. Food and service still outstanding. Good portions are just the right size to allow to try a number of dishes. Fabulous wine list, including a great selection of half bottles. Great for a romantic dinner or a business person looking for a nice place to dine alone. Cannot go wrong here either way.
(5)
Michael L.
My first five star restaurant review. Wow. This place was just Wow. Every moment of the dinner was amazing, from being greeted and seated until we left. The food was fantastic, the service superb. I cannot think of anything I would change about my dinner there, aside from a less talkative neighboring couple. This is the best dinner I've ever had and I'd love to go back.
(5)
Jennifer H.
It took me a while to finally write this review because I debated giving it a 3 or a 4. First, let me start by saying I had very HIGH expectations for this meal. I basically wanted it to be the best meal of my life. The food was not, but the service was truly the best I've ever experienced, which bumped up the rating. My husband and I sat in the room with the water view, which was lovely. It was fun to dress up and eat here, something I had been wanting to do for a while. We both did the 4 course tasting menu plus dessert and wine pairings. The meal started with an amuse-bouche, which was a nice touch- it was a cauliflower soup with a salmon mousse on the side. My courses: Fried Oysters (4 stars)- delish, but nothing over the top spectacular Lobster Salad (2 stars)- both my husband and I really did not like this. And how can you not like lobster?! I think we were expecting something different. I thought it would be a salad with lobster and peaches on top, but literally it was a lobster salad-meaning a cold, mayo-based salad of chopped up lobster with a lot of tarragon. Not my favorite. Rockfish w/ lemon oil risotto (5 stars)- Outstanding. Buffalo Tenderloin (5 stars)- Outstanding and cooked perfectly My husband's: Rockfish ceviche (5 stars) Excellent. Lobster Salad (2 stars- bleh we made this mistake 2x unfortunately) Crab cake (2 stars) *This is my main reason for why I was so upset with this food. 1. Baltimore is know for crab cakes and 2. there were so many shells in it that we had to keep spitting out :( Beef tenderloin (5 stars) Then we each got to choose a dessert, which were great (I got an apricot blueberry tart) and they also brought a little platter of bite-sized selections as well. Needless to say, we were stuffed! In summary, the wine pairings were stellar. I loved every wine and even ordered an extra glass at the end. For the food, as you can see some courses were better than others. Also, it was so much food. I think the 3 course would have been sufficient, but it was fun to try. For the total price of about $350, I would expect everything to be perfect and it was not, hence the 4 star rating. I am not sure if I would ever go back.
(4)
H H.
Charleston delivered again. My new wife and I decided to have a small marriage ceremony at the Howard County court house recently. For dinner, we celebrated with a small group of immediate family at Charleston. We could not have been more satisfied with the ease of planning, the service, and of course the meal. My two children (7 and 8) loved the place as well. I was proud that they got experimental with their palettes, they tried the escargot, foie gras, and turbot among other things. I also had the turbot which was expertly paired with a rich, buttery white wine. Chef Wolf also paid us a personal visit and congratulations which was very nice and thoughtful. I look forward to dining at Charleston again and again.
(5)
Rachel S.
Came here to celebrate my enagement. Service was excellent, but I've had significantly better meals for WAY less money. Baltimore is my hometown and I've eaten my way through the city. I've traveled across Europe and eaten at some of the finest restaurants in the world. I understand portion size and the importance of quality v . quantity, but the course size at the Charleston is ridiculously small. Not spectacular food + elitism + overly small portions + pricey = 3 stars at best.
(3)
Carl W.
Let me first start by saying the service was excellent. We each had the 4 course option from the menu and although everything was very good/excellent, our real complaint is that nothing had a "wow!" factor. Now don't get me wrong, although the food preparation, ingredients, and presentation was top notch- we just didn't leave really impressed. The only food quality complaint was a shrimp entree where the shrimp appeared to have been thawed earlier that morning, instead of fresh from the Gulf. One more example was the cheese course, from my recollection, there was nothing offered which we haven't seen a thousand times before, surely they could have offered a cheese not easily found in most gourmet grocery stores like Wegmans or Eddies. When the total cost of your meal approaches $450, you should leave feeling like you experienced something new as well as felt challenged about what haute cuisine can be. The bottom line is if you've never been to a great restaurant before, you'll think Charleston is amazing, otherwise, you will feel quite the opposite.
(3)
Vanessa S.
Elite! Best of the best! By far the best dining experience I have had in Baltimore. Everything about this place is elegant. You will not find better service in Baltimore! If you lack class or the wallet to handle this place then stay at home!
(5)
Letty P.
Food concept is delicious and service is great. You can't go wrong picking this place to eat.
(5)
Burak M.
You can't beat the experience at Charleston. Great food, wine and service. Well worth it!
(5)
Krissy P.
my husband and I came here for dinner on 05/3/2014. We made a reservation for Sat at 6.30pm but ended up being around the restaurant at 5.30pm which they were willing to move our reservation up and seated us promptly. We had the 4 course meal which was for $91 pp I believe. Decor - Classy/elegant.. definately a very sophisticated vibe. Service - Great/ Our glass was always full and the plates were cleared once we were done. We didn't feel rush at any point. Food - was good but nothing special. Would recommend you try the shrimp creole and lobster with coconut soup. We didn't get to share the meal since we felt a bit akward swapping spoons in there. lol Dessert was included in the meal and a little tray of tiny chocoloates. I would go back again for special occasion. The total bill came out to be a bit under $300
(4)
Kristi S.
From the service, to the wine, to the 5 courses.... Everything was outstanding! Chef Cindy Wolf really out did herself. We started with the lobster bisque, moved into soft shell crab, then rok fish, salad, and ended with the duck. The lobster bisque, rok fish, and the duck were my favorites and really even then it was so hard to choose a clear winner!
(5)
Lauren L.
So this was an experience. My boyfriend and I met my brother in law ( BIL) here for dinner last night. My BIL made the reservation because he had done his research and was eager to try out the chef's beard award winning food and extensive wine selection. I, after doing my own research, was excited as well and had high expectations. Valet was complimentary and appreciated in the city. We started with cocktails at the bar which faces the ocean. The bartender was friendly but not personable however the drinks were very strong. We moved to the dining room which was understated and the lighting was warm and inviting. The waiter was good but not the most knowledgable when we asked him detailed questions about preparation. Before we even started eating the chef came out to introduce herself to everyone dining which was very nice but I wish we could have talked to her after our meal. They served an complimentary pallet cleanser of warm cream of broccoli soup and mini kroger. Both were excellent. The way the menu is designed, you can chose to try three to six courses of your choice with no restrictions with or without a wine pairing. My BIL and I chose the wine pairing which was well worth it. I ordered four course and the men ordered five. The serving sizing are more appetizer size but still substantial. If it weren't for my desire to try more dishes, I would have been full from three courses easily. We ordered a variety of dishes but I will give you our impressions: Do order: Lobster soup - amazing with lots of meat Octopus - unique preparation that melts in your mouth Foie gras - not the best we've ever had but still outstanding Rabbit - unlike any rabbit we'd ever had, the meat was unbelievably tender and flavorful Buffalo - great preparation and complete dish, also very tender Consider: Lamb, scallops, salmon tartar, beef tenderloin Don't order: Duck with lentils - the duck was wonderful but the large portion of lentils was drowned in bacon fat, waaay too overpowering and ruined the dish The cheese selection was nice and the desserts were complimentary. The fact is that we had a total of 17 different plates among the three of us and there was only one bad dish. Those are some great odds which you don't often find at these types of restaurants. The service was attentive with a few mistakes including taking my napkin when I went to the restroom and not replacing it, confusing one dish for another when describing it at placement, forgetting a water glass and of course not being entirely familiar with the food preparation. Overall it is an experience to have if you are in Baltimore and are in search of fine dining. The chef has some unique flavor combinations and satisfying comfort dishes. The menu changes regularly but it seems like the buffalo and the lobster soup are essentials. If you're feeling adventurous, try the rabbit and definitely do the wine pairings.
(4)
Ross E.
Not 5 stars for the following reason: the chicken was overcooked and pretty bland (though served with a tasty mushroom risotto). I don't usually eat chicken but I though this restaurant could deliver - unfortunately not. Having said that, I like everything else: - Multi-course format with matching wines lets you do a "DIY" tasting menu - Matching wines were good - Fantastic interior and service - Desserts included with your meal - Lobster with curry soup was fantastic - Fried oysters were also superb - cornmeal-encrusted but yet fairly light, like tempura style - Shrimp and grits (with bacon bits in the grits) were amazing. I often fine shrimp to be over-cooked in the US, but these were perfectly done - Other dishes (beef tenderloin, duck, warm artichoke salad) were also good.
I have been to Charleston's on several occasions now but have only eaten in the dining room on one occasion. Unfortunately, that one time was the least appreciated of my visits. On that occasion my issues were only service related. It took someone nearly 15 minutes to greet us at the door and offer to take our coats, another couple had the same issue and they had been there additional time. I requested bottled water, which never appeared during the meal, even after reminding them twice. Also, while this might seem trivial, my date and I were both well dressed, in dark outfits and we were only offered white napkins, not black ones. Again, to many that might seem trivial but, in a fine dining establishment with the best rated service in Baltimore, I find issues like these a potential indicator to remind staff of proper service. The food itself was very good and no matter where I have eaten, at the bar or in the dining room, I have always enjoyed the presentations, tastes and portions. While the restaurant is primarily focused on a more formalized, chef's multi-course tasting menu, those of us who like to drop by the bar after work and get a drink and a bite to eat in an upscale atmosphere, it would be nice to see several more options on a small plate/appetizer basis.
(4)
Bella B.
This has to be Baltimore's finest restaurant, and I always make sure to have one or two meals here during my annual trips to Baltimore. Guests choose any 3, 4 or more dishes from the fixed-price menu with or without the recommended wine pairings for each dish. Dessert is included, and you will be regaled with amuse-bouche and mignardises. All the plates are small, permitting 4-6 courses. Wine selection by glass is large, and the bottle selection would take and hour to read. The food is always exceptional, the service impeccable, and the atmosphere relaxing. Charleston also has one of the best cheese carts, too, a tradition that seems to be dying in restaurants in France. One cannot go wrong with any of the dishes on the menu. Even a simple soup will be a fine delight for the palate. I very highly recommend Charleston if you crave Everything is a prix fixe; just select the number of courses you want. Michelin-quality food and service.
(5)
James M.
Chef Wolfe is amazing!!! I had the best meal of my life here. You definitely need to go with a four course meal minimum to try a variety of new things. Don't order something typical like a steak - go with something out the box and Chef Wolfe will blow you away. If they have curry lobster bisque when you go, def get it. A small appetizer and desert are included in the meal and not counted as a course. They give you a nice selection of bread and the wine is not overly expensive since you can get it by the glass and half glass. Only reason this isn't a five star review is because my waiter annoyed me with something he said. He said "oh she is ordering for herself?". Yea she is more than capable and I didn't hear you ask any other table that, and no one else ordered for there date. It rubbed me the wrong way but as expensive as that meal was he still got a fat tip.
(4)
Christina W.
I came here for an anniversary with my boyfriend in December. It's been a while since then, but the experience has stuck with me. It is very expensive, especially if you order drinks. I believe we each had a 4 course meal and 2 drinks, which totaled up to at least $300 before tip. I can't remember every dish we had, but I can tell you I loved their oysters, foie gras, and desserts plate. The oysters were served with cucumbers and cavier. I didn't think that this would be a good combination, but the cucumbers added a perfect hint of freshness and the cavier added the salty element, to make up for the lack of brininess in the oysters. It was the first time I had foie gras, but I was not disappointed. I was expecting a similar taste and texture to regular chicken liver, but was pleasantly surprised. The foie gras melted in my mouth, and was a light taste. It was excellently complemented with a mini crepe and fruit sauce. As for the dessert, I can't remember which dessert we ordered, but was impressed by the complimentary dessert plate. I have no idea what they are actually called, but I'll call them a series of mini macaroons. Each one was a very different from the next, and the order was carefully thought out. For example, one was chewy and fruity, and the next was a light chocolate marshmallow. The last was crunchy and minty; a perfect ending to the meal. As for the service, it was hands down the nicest and fanciest place I've been to. Every time I got up to go to the bathroom, our waitress would switch out my napkin for a new one. I was given a new set of utensils for every dish. It seemed every 4 tables had their own wait staff, to ensure they would never be waiting for anything. I would definitely come back here again, but only on very special occasions.
(5)
Ryan Z.
You already know from Yelp that Charleston is about as good as it gets, and that chef Cindy Wolf artfully captures the magic of low country cooking in an unpretentious fine dining experiences. Instead of giving more (albeit deserved) praise to the food, let me share a few tips and observations that might enhance your visit. 1) Number of courses to order. You have your choice of 3 to 6 courses, though I'm sure they'd let you order more. I am a guy who eats a lot, and oftentimes fine dining leaves me searching for a slice of pizza afterwards. I ordered the 4 course ($88) menu, and with the additional dessert course included in that price, I left very comfortable. Not bursting at the seams full, but pleasantly comfortable for the rest of the night. I could have done a fifth savory course, but six might have been too much. Be cautious not to overeat the delicious bread for fear of filling up too soon. 2) What to wear. This is one of the swankiest restaurants in Baltimore, but like most places these days, a strict dress code is not enforced. At a minimum you should wear slacks and a dress shirt, and many patrons wore blazers. Denim will make you feel very out of place. As I walked in, an older couple walked out complaining that they had not been warned beforehand of how dressy of a place this way. Please use your heads people - do you really think that other patrons would be wearing cargo pants and sandals at a $100/person+ restaurant? 3) Wine pricing. As a light drinker, I LOVED that I could order a 3oz. pour of any wine by the glass. What was odd was that many wines cost much more than double the 3oz. price for a 6oz. pour. So, you might want to get several 3oz. pours instead. 4) Kids. Leave them at home. There is nothing on the menu that will appeal to youngsters. For a family who was clearly from Southern California (dad in designer jeans showing too much chest, mom in fancy sandals, two perfect looking kids), the cooks had to go across the street to their sister restaurant (Cinghiale) to get some pasta for the kids, and the kids looked restless and miserable as their parents ate course after course (one kid curled up on the settee and took a nap). Enjoy a date night and leave the kids at home. 4) I still have dreams about the curry soup with lobster meat. Perhaps you will too.
(5)
Nick M.
If you want a romantic dinner, with a very modern French spin, you can't beat this spot. It's a bit over the top, but in a very classy way. Excellent, A+ service, the food is so good that any words here to describe it would be a waste. it's best to go with the tasting style menu and probably 4 or 5 courses. They are not big portions, but all very filling. The decor is beautiful. Parket is valet. You are likely to see local celebs, or business leaders in here on any given night. Enjoy!
(5)
Dave A.
Going to Charleston is an event, and you could compare it to an evening at the BSO, which also helps put price into perspective. To echo what all people on Yelp have said, the food is incredible, but the service is even better. All the wait staff are passionate about what they do and want to share (not condescend) their knowledge. Lovely place to celebrate a milestone or big achievement!
(5)
Sarah M.
My husband and I went to Charleston to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. It was a great experience. I mentioned our anniversary when making our reservation and all of the staff we encountered wished us happy anniversary throughout our dining experience. We arrived a little early and our table wasn't quite ready, not wanting to sit in the bar, we opted to stand in the entryway which was a bit awkward and I felt like we were in the way but the wait wasn't too long. The hostess and the maitre d were both very kind and accommodating. The table that we were seated at allowed us a view of the kitchen which was nice but we kind of felt like we were on display in the middle of the restaurant, other tables seemed more intimate. We both opted to do 4 courses and then a dessert which is complimentary. They also bring a cheese cart around before dessert but at that point we were stuffed. Our meal started with an amuse bouche of olive miso mousse on a crostini and gruyere cheese popovers. My courses Cornmeal Fried Oysters with Mayonnaise Pan Roasted Rockfish, Cauliflower, Walnuts, Capers, Lemon Brown Butter Foie Gras, Bacon and Potato Hash Beef Tenderloin atop brioche, Mushrooms, Jerusalem Artichoke Puree and Whiskey Sauce His courses Hamachi Crudo Shrimp & Stone Ground Creamy Grits, Tasso Ham, Andouille Sausage Pan Roasted Rockfish (same as mine) Buffalo Tenderloin, Crispy Shallots, Cabbage, Poblano Cream All of the courses were delicious. As I've read in other reviews, nothing particularly blew me away but this is clearly one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. A few courses particularly stood out. The oysters were fantastic, delicately crispy with a great briney taste as you bit into them. The foie gras was delicious, the hash and sauce that accompanied I could have done without but the foie itself was cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth. Both tenderloins were also perfectly cooked and the accompaniments were delicious. A few things were over seasoned and I felt the fish was sadly under seasoned but each protein was cooked perfectly which is a rare find. Dessert began with a mignardises, 4 individual perfect bites, a crispy chocolate piece, an orange jellie, a almond macaron with raspberry cream and a salted chocolate piece. I had the bread pudding special of the day. It renewed my hope in bread pudding. As one of my favorite desserts I am always eager to try and usually let down by the experience. This bread pudding was perfect and the vanilla anglaise and sliced strawberry were perfect compliments. My husband had the crepes suzette which judging from his quickly empty plate I think were spot on. From the minute we walked in until we left the staff was attentive and accommodating but not overbearing. The service flowed perfectly to the point that you almost didn't even notice your glass being refilled or the next course being served. All of the servers knew what they were serving and were able to provide a detailed description of each course. This is a great place for a romantic night out and a very special occasion. Not sure when I'll be back but I truly enjoyed the experience.
(5)
Dandy D.
I have had plenty of good and great meals. This was truly the BEST I have ever experienced. Maribel was a gem of a server. Cindy Wolf knows exactly what she is doing. Every single thing was Perfection.
Very classy establishment from the moment I walked in the door. The decor, the hospitality, and the atmosphere were absolutely superb. That's where my good experience stops. I went on a Saturday night and sat at the bar for a drink and was also anticipating a nice dinner. The bar was very nice, and there were two couples sitting on either side of me. There was no greeting or even an acknowledgment of my existence by the bartender for at least 15 minutes. While I was sitting there, two older gentleman approached the bar and were immediately greeted and had their drink order taken. I remained seated, at this point perplexed, wondering how long it would take for the bartender to acknowledge me. Finally, after about 25 minutes, the bartender handed me a drink menu and didn't say a word. I eventually asserted myself and placed my drink order. When I received my drink, it was mediocre at best. At this point, I was ready to leave and didn't ask for a dinner menu. I am a 25 year old professional who has worked at upscale restaurants while I was in school , and I feel as though I became a victim of "quicker service to the older classier folks so I can get a better tip". It happens people, trust me. I expected better service from an establishment of this caliber. I'm not sure if I will return.
(2)
Greg F.
Really, it would have been shocking if a place like this were disappointing. The a la carte choosing 3-6 courses menu is interesting, and makes it easy to taste a bunch of different foods. My food experience= appetizer - salmon puree on cracker - delicious, very light, just the right type of thing to get the saliva working. First dinner course - Tuna Tartar, excellent, minced and mixed with onions just right to taste the tuna, and to enjoy the other flavors. Second - Lobster soup, grossly delicious. Had a cream based light curry soup with it... OMG. Third - Rockfish, this was okay, it was very good, but i really should have chosen something different. Forth - Buffalo tenderloin, medium rare and succulent. One of the best pieces of meat I've ever had, and it was the perfect culmination to the savory adventure. Dessert - yes dessert too! Chocolate s'mores awesomeness, the had carmeled marshmallows, over cinnamon ice-cream and decadent flour-less chocolate cake type thing.
(4)
Eddie C.
Best restaurant in B'more for sure. But needs to update their menu and create some new dishes.
(4)
Frank G.
We dined here mid-week and the place was full, yet the service was exemplary- attentive and friendly without hovering. We were the last to leave but never felt rushed. The menu choices were excellent in particular the lobster soup. The wine list is very extensive and a bit over priced as might be expected
(5)
Ida C.
Our dinner in the bar/lounge area of Baltimore's Charleston restaurant was rich with disappointments and liberally peppered with disinterested service. I don't know if it was just an off night, but during our brief meal at the bar, we got the feeling that the bartender could not wait for us to leave. This was particularly disappointing as we packed fancy clothes for our otherwise casual weekend trip to Baltimore just so we could check out Chef Wolf's cuisine. We made the decision to eat at the bar so we could order a la carte from the menu, skirt food coma and remain alert enough to check out the bars in Fells Point after dinner. When we arrived at 8:45p on a Saturday night, there was ample seating available at the bar and a few lounge tables open. We chose seats at the bar, which reminded me of a more intimate version of the bar at New York's Marea, all warm colors and thoughtful, flattering lighting. We requested drink menus and ordered interesting cocktails. Although the cocktails took a while to make, they were ultimately delicious and on the strong side, which we appreciated. We then requested the food menu, and after waiting a rather long interval, politely repeated our request. After another interminable interval, we finally received the menu. We asked how the a la carte ordering worked and the bartender impatiently explained that each item could be ordered individually and prices varied depending on the item. When we asked how much each item would be, he said $15-20 each, but if we ordered three or more items, prices would default to the prix fixe pricing, which was a bit confusing because the 3 course prix fixe is $76. I'm no math genius, but given that 2 items would range from $30-40 and 3 items would be $76, it seemed like a strange bargain to charge an $36 for the third dish off the same menu. With this in mind, we each ordered one item on the menu to start, figuring that if they were truly exquisite, the extra dough might be a fair trade. Driven to covetous lust by Duff Goldman's description of the Burgundy Snails on Best Thing I Ever Ate, my choice was made before I ever set foot in the restaurant. El Queso Grande opted for the Pan-Roasted Wild Rockfish. Both were petite dishes, aggressively compensating for size with butter. I was disappointed by the difference in preparation of the snails vs. Duff Goldman's description. Rather than butter-poached garlic and bacon puff pastry, the snails were served on top of creamy grits. It was good, but rather pedestrian. El Queso Grande enjoyed his dish and especially loved the mushrooms. We went through another frustrating round to request, request again and finally get our check and pay the bill. PARTING THOUGHT: Perhaps the dining room is James Beard worthy, but I would definitely advise against a meal at the bar / lounge if you are only in town for a weekend...why risk disappointment when there are so many other options in town?
(2)
Richard W.
I keep coming back here every time I get to Baltimore. It never disappoints. The service is appropriately restrained but still friendly. The food is exquisite. Turbot cooked to perfection. The crab cake (I normally avoid them) is non-pareil. Extraordinary wine selection, with extensive by-the-glass options. Searching for a flaw, I found a small hole in the tablecloth. Otherwise: flawless! If quality is your polestar this restaurant is for you.
(5)
Quorum A.
Totally enjoyed the concept and the dishes. Good food albeit at a very steep price...hence the four star rating. Service was above par. I would come back here for a very very special occasion.
(4)
Hong L.
As a James Beard Awards nominee, I had high expectations of the food at Charleston Restaurant. And for the most part, it exceeded it. Charleston's dishes are eclectic. At first, I was hesitant at some of the dishes because of the various flavors and components in the dish. However, all doubt ceased to exist, as I bit into my first bites of my dish. Charleston does a fix meal - 3 dishes to 5 dishes . I would suggest 4 dishes if you rather hungry. All the plates are small dishes but definitely shareable , so if you are in a group try ordering different types of food. Most of the food we had was centered around lobster (soup and salad) which was delicious! Service was top notch , I couldn't have asked for more! The only thing I was disappointed in was the dessert... something the restaurant can definitely improve on.
(5)
Gerard R.
Food here was awesome! I was afraid this place was going to be really overrated, but it did not disappoint. Hands down the best restaurant i've eaten at baltimore. Grew up here in the 80s and 90s but go back frequently. We had the 3-course chef's choice (which also then adds dessert as well, so really more like 4 courses). Thank goodness we didn't get the 4-course option that the waiter was pushing! The lobster bisque was probably the best i've ever eaten!!! It's an expensive place, but the quality to the food and the prep is excellent! I'll be back! Valet is complimentary.
(5)
Mark N.
Only stopped into the bar for a drink. But decided to get a little comfortable. Started with a mint Julip (one of my favs while visiting the charleston). My friend had a superb martini. We decided to get an order of the foiegras paired with a sweet white..... Then floated onto a red wine with the cheese trolley. Ours included the eppois, a blu, and another which I'm drawing a blank. The eppois will always be my favorite (oh, so stinky). An impromptu visit that satisfied most of our senses.... But hey, would you expect anything less?
(5)
Jason L.
One of my favorite restaurants. My wife and I are never disappointed with their tasting menu. Service is excellent. One of my favorite restaurants for upscale dining.
(5)
Chris C.
We have just returned from dinner at Charleston. On our 7th visit it was just as remarkable and memorable as the first. As I told the maitre d', it is like dining in heaven. Everything, is executed to perfection. Every member of their staff has been trained with one purpose in mind: to deliver a dining experience that the customer will never forget. Cindy Wolf and Tony Foreman are masters at their craft. Perfect food paired with exquisite wines. Every bite and every sip are a taste party! No exaggeration. If you want to experience the best of the best, go to Charleston. It took us 2 hours to get their tonight due to traffic and I would endure that every night of the week to dine at Charleston. My meal was the indescribably delicious lobster and curry soup, followed by the rockfish ceviche, the saffron and shrimp risotto, and the lamb tenderloin. Cheese course was one defying description. Dessert followed -- the raspberry napoleon and 2 half glasses of champagne that very nearly made me become a French citizen. Chef Cindy Wolf has a culinary talent worthy of a Congressional Medal of Honor. Her partner, Tony Foreman, is a wine whisperer -- he can pair a wine with a dish like none other. I cannot recommend this restaurant with any higher praise than to say it is sheer perfection. Take your dining dollar and run to Charleston. Sit back and let the experts work their magic and you will have a fantastic time. I promise that you will experience a gold standard meal. Others may try, but NONE, NONE will ever come close to matching the perfection of Charleston. What a pleasure it always is to dine there! Thank you, Charleston staff, for devoting yourself to the very fine art of extraordinary dining! You make memories happen night after night after night...take a bow!
(5)
Vishal S.
There is a reason that this restaurant has been voted among the top 10 restaurants of the country. The food is absolutely splendid. We had a 4 course meal with wine and it was amazing. They have good choices of food. Also they serve bread in between the meals. The service is excellent.
(5)
Robert W.
Dined here with a few friends the other night. Amazing. The consistency of the service, quality of the food, wine pairings are all perfect. 5 courses (lobster bisque, shrimp and grits, sweet breads, foie and duck. ) It is definitely a level above all other restaurants in Baltimore. I'm not trying to detract from my other favorites in the city, but the Charleston deserves a Michelin star.
(5)
Ferdinand A.
Enjoyed this plc everytime I've been, but tonite I was craving sweetbreads so I thought... Charleston!!! But to my demise I was turned away because of my attire, i was greeted with " where do u think your goin?" and i replied, to the bar to eat.. Not the way your dressed, I don't need to post how much my clothes cost but obviously it didn't look expensive enough.. I will never return to this plc again.. How's that. And I'll make sure none of my friends return either.. Note to manager, don't b that stuck up, in Baltimore.. I've never encountered that amount of rudeness anywhere.. Not even at Korean/Chinese places, and they're known for that
(1)
Gerry S.
I love dining alone. It's a rare treat for me, as the husband is usually along for dinner. But when he's away, there's nothing I love more than sitting down at a nice restaurant and taking my time eating a lovely dinner. Because, let me tell you, I can eat SLOWLY. I'm one of those weirdos who, given half a chance and good enough food, will set the fork and knife down in between bites, close my eyes, and just let meal wash over me, bite by bite. And if I'm going to sit down and truly savor a dinner, Charleston is as good a choice as any there is. So, just to say it up front: this is an exquisite restaurant, and you should eat here at some point. It's food that deserves your attention and your time. It's also food that's going to cost you a bit. My dinner for one was $150, and I wasn't extravagant in my choices. And like most restaurants in this rarefied class, dinner can be somewhat akin to going to church: Everything's beautiful, rehearsed, and moves with a polished, formal grace. You're probably under-dressed; you're pretty sure there are rules you don't know, and when you break one you're going to be exposed as a heathen. The waiters know more about food and wine than you do, and it's easy to feel intimidated. But here's my secret to a place like this: admit your utter lack of culture, ask questions no matter how stupid you think they are, and put yourself in your waiter's hands. They'll appreciate the chance to show off, and if you give effusive feedback about how much you're enjoying yourself, they'll warm up to you, I promise. So, beyond all that, let me give you my one...it would be unfair to even call it a quibble...with Charleston. For me, eating at Charleston is like listening to a recital by an utterly brilliant technician. Every note is perfect. Every nuance managed, every passage utterly mastered, every flourish spot-on, and not a single thing with the performance is wrong. And somewhere in all of that carefully-controlled mastery, I start to wonder if the soul stepped out the door when I wasn't looking, and the joke's on me. I'm not sure I actually know who Charleston is, the way you can know a friend. I'm dazzled, but I'm not loved. Maybe I'm not even dazzled; I'm just managed. Beautifully, carefully managed.
(5)
Mark H.
I would give Charlston ten stars if I could. We asked for chef's recommendation on all five courses, dessert, and wine parings for each course. Chef Cindy Wolf is simply amazing. We were blown away with each creation that came to the table and were even presented with some surprise appetizers and other items that were not even on the menu. We also had a sampling of five exquisite cheeses from the trolley. I cannot fail to mention Ryan, who was phenomenal, and walked us through the menu items, wine parings, grapes, the cheese trolley, and all the way to the desserts and cordials. His knowledge is second to none, and your dining experience will be completely taken to the next level with his expertise. When you are finished with dinner, be sure and stop by the bar for a scotch from Charlston's extensive selection. We will certainly be back, as it is number one on our dining destinations. I will defer making any suggestions as what to select from the menu as it is seasonal. We had ten different choices between the two of us and not a single one disappointed. Charlston's cuisine truly does reign supreme!
(5)
Emily L.
Dining at Charleston really is a singular experience -- as in, everyone should experience it a single time. Even if I could afford to eat here every night, I'm not sure I would; it's a lovely memory and I think it's best saved for really, really special occasions. Ironically, my husband and I made plans to eat here at the very last minute because a friend was celebrating her birthday (not a landmark birthday -- just a birthday.) But I don't think we could have had a better experience. Atmosphere: "intimate" is the best word I can imagine. Pleasant rumbles of low conversation and homey kitchen noises from the open kitchen, where Cindy Wolf visibly presided all evening. No loud music, no raucous laughter and no goofiness from the service staff. Everyone seems to understand that diners there expect a perfect experience. Food: I don't know what I can possibly say that others haven't, but it's incredible. The soups were velvety, perfectly-seasoned and well-studded with chunks of crab, lobster or mushroom (yes, we shared, which may be gauche for such a high-end place, but we couldn't help ourselves!) Oysters were airily crisp; fish was meltingly tender, as was the buffalo. I steer clear of organ meat, but having enjoyed the foie gras tremendously I wondered whether I wouldn't enjoy the sweetbreads, too! The bread could have made a meal in itself -- tiny flour-dusted French rolls, cornbread madeleines and a chewy olive baguette that makes guest appearances in my dreams to date. Oh, and if you go and don't order the shrimp and grits, we are no longer friends. Wine: all but one of us ordered pairings, and after our first arrived she changed her mind and ordered them, too. They really are perfect. I love wine but remain a novice; this was the first time I've really understood how the right wine can make such a difference. We tried them alone, then with the food, and they complimented each other so perfectly it really heightened the experience. (A word to the wise: they claim each pairing is a "half glass" but pour by hand and don't measure; I'd say it's closer to 3/4 of a glass. By the end of four courses, I wished I had skipped the pre-dinner cocktail!) Cheese: We chose four varieties completely on a whim, and enjoyed all of them. It's just a taste, enough to give you some breathing room between dinner and dessert. Dessert: A "mandatory" course that all diners receive regardless of choices (a decision I wish more restaurants would follow!) We enjoyed a variety of sweets, from cream puffs to mousse and chocolates, each bite-sized and wonderfully complex. Service: Our server was a sweet, tiny woman who added an air of decorum to the experience. She didn't get chatty, but accommodated us from start to finish with grace and good humor (including a visit from the chef, who materialized out of nowhere to accept our raving compliments.) It was a beautiful night, and maybe I'd like to return in about ten years. The price tag will sure help to delay me, but it was worth every penny. I just loved it.
(5)
Buffy M.
Dreamy! We enjoyed all the tastes and it is impossible to make a poor menu selection. We felt comfortable and content in the warm cantaloupe surroundings. The staff were extremely accommodating- yes we can have dry white wine pairings with each dish if we please. Interesting to note, each staff member has amazing posture- good one Ms. Cindy!
(5)
Richard L.
I had to arrange a business dinner for the Board of Directors of my company, and as everyone generally likes to eat things that are delicious and drink wines that are also as delicious, I already knew I was going to pick the Charleston. Our group was seven people, which requires you to call in and make special reservations - up to 6 you can use Opentable, but after that the restaurant needs a bit of preparation to make sure your evening is fantastic. I worked with Heather over e-mail and the phone, and she made it very easy for me to arrange everything - one of our members has a gluten free diet, so he was properly accounted for. The menus had our company name and the words "board of directors dinner" on it as well, a nice, personal touch that really did seem like going the extra mile. The table was perfect and located in a slightly more isolated section of the dining room so that we could have some privacy - we discussed going with the private room but decided that it was a bit too expensive for just 7 people. Heather helped me pick the tasting menu (I settled in at 5 courses plus the optional dessert) and that was that. Until we actually got to the food. Each course had two options - I can only speak on the options I selected but the others were all just as marvelous. Oh god the food. We started with an amuse bouche, goat cheese + marscapone on a toasted brioche round with a small cup of mushroom soup - creamy with a hit of acid that cut into the sharpness of the goat cheese. For the starter soup the lobster bisque came out as bowls of lobster meat and a thin edge of curry oil cutting in a seductive line across the bottom of a pale white bowl, into which a tureen of perfectly orange and pink bisque was poured. The olive oil left a nutty aftertaste on the tongue as well, which was appreciated in cutting the richness of the sweet lobster and the bisque. For the second course I had the roasted beet salad with goat cheese and aged balsamic. It is a fairly standard salad (I've seen it with roasted orange beets as well, but the red beets tend to be my favorite due to their higher sugar content), and it was made perfectly. This was followed by the third course, one of the signature dishes - oysters fried in cornmeal with a light aioli dipping sauce. I can say that I ate them with my hands - the cornmeal was so light and airy that I did not even bother using my fork. I should point out here that at this point I was a bit full, and dubious of my ability to eat more. The next course was a maryland rockfish(local) delicated cooked on a bed of mushrooms and other root vegetables. It was fantastic - the fish was cooked perfectly and delicately to the point where a knife was only needed to cut the crispy and delicious skin for consumption. This was followed by a local buffalo(gunpowder farms) tenderloin topped with a quail egg, placed on top of spaetzle and a thin layer of demiglace (at least it tasted like demiglace). The five courses at this point were quite a bit. To be honest, we could have gone with four courses but this is America, and dammit we are going to eat well, and we are going to eat a lot. The sixth course was dessert - the lemon meringue tart with gold leaf, lemon sorbetto, white chocolate garnish and chopped nuts was incredible, especially with their fantastic espresso. The restaurant also brought out their usual after dinner snacks - macaroons, chocolates, a bit of airy ganache covered rice krispie, and a meringue coated in a light dusting of cinnamon. A great meal is nothing without great wine and great service of course, and the Charleston provided amazing service, as is to be expected. For wine, I ordered two bottles of a nice Margaux - margaux being a softer and less complex red that pairs well with many different dishes. Everyone praised the wine, especially as the wait staff helpfully decanted it before we began our meal, and allowed it time to breathe and aerate. At the end of the dinner we simply got up, thanked the wait staff, and left. My credit card was already on file, and the payment was processed without me having to worry about tip, or giving them my card, or anything of that nature - truly one of the greatest, most comfortable meals I have ever eaten, and a perfect example of why the Charleston is the best restaurant in Baltimore, and one of the best in the United States. Their adherence to local produce and meats, their attention to details, their absolute mastery of service make this the restaurant to go to for any special occasion, and as someone who travels and tends to go to very, very nice restaurants, I can comfortably say this is at the top of my list.
(5)
Matthew C.
This place is really trying to replicate the experience at a French 3 star restaurant with American ingredients and recipes. Amuse bouche - beef empanada and black bean soup. The empanada needed more spices but the black bean soup was delicious and pleasantly spicy. A great start. Fried oysters - perfectly done - like eating fried oceany cream. Lobster bisque (really butter poached lobster in a lobster cream stock). Incredibly rich and delicious. Shrimp and grits - very, very good. Fois gras. The fois was good. I'm not sure that the sausage went with it. To spicy and powerful. I loved the sauce though. Veal sweetbreads. I like this but I'm not sure that grilling them is as good as pan frying or roasting. Squab - delicious. I had the Perigord truffles on top and they were unheated and the aromas did not really hit me like they should have. Cheese course. Very well put together. I had sulles sur cher and Colston Basset. Spice cake. Very good. Petits fours - very nice touch. The wine list has good breadth but lacked most of the producers in the regions I like (with the exception of Huet, which I ordered). Service is very friendly and professional.
(5)
Melissa S.
Absolutely fabulous. Visited Charleston for our 11th wedding anniversary after celebrating at Ruth's Chris for years and being disappointed the last few times. Heard that Charleston was the best, and we were not disappointed! The food was superb. Every dish was interesting, and we loved the menu choices. My husband ordered the Chef's menu with 5 set courses, and I ordered 5 courses separately. It was so exciting waiting for each course! I started with the lobster curry soup & he had the corn chowder. Both were beyond delicious. I tried the duck, buffalo, tenderloin tartare, shrimp & grits, and he had crab cakes and rockfish... Every single thing was a compelling presentation of unique ingredients, all fresh & local. Marcie was the most attentive waiter I have ever had. Very personable & friendly. Chef Cindy even came to the table to greet us, and we were presented with ALL of the desserts and sweet treats as a gift for our anniversary. The espresso in my cappuccino made me feel like I was back in Italy. I just can't rave enough! We WILL be back!
(5)
Patrick C.
The food and service were amazing. I had the chef's special menu and the food was really amazing. The only slight issue I had with the food was the Lamb was order medium rare and it came medium well. Otherwise the food was incredibly tasty. The ambiance however was less than stellar. They seated us in the bar area despite having a reservation. When going to this type of resteraunt and paying $134 for my meal, I would expect to be in the main dinning room. I guess they overbook or something.
(3)
Chinmay M.
Without a doubt one of the finest restaurants I've ever dinned at. While recently visiting Baltimore for work, I was looking for some fine dining options & found this Gem by James Beard award nominee Chef Wolf. We were lucky to get a same day reservation and were blown away by the food. The lobster curry soup, the foie gras, the artichoke hearts & the asparagus preparation were simply phenomenal. Whether you are a vegetarian or not it's a star of inner harbor not to be missed.
(5)
Norman M.
I had not been to Baltimore in over 13 years. Charleston was at the top of my dining list after a excellent meal in 2000. I was shocked at how much this restaurant has matured during that time. We were seated promptly at a table that offered a view of the kitchen. Both the seating host and our waiter checked on us throughout our meal. The wine list is more extensive and expensive but has a number of quality choices that are reasonable prices. The sommelier was very knowledgeable and conversed with us for several minutes even though he knew we were not ordering an expensive bottle. The menu had so many great sounding dishes that it was difficult to select just three or four. Each selection was beautifully plated and served by an expertly trained staff. Duck breast, buffalo tenderloin and outstanding fried oysters were my selections. This is a first rate dining experience on the order with any in the region. The highlight of the evening was a visit from Chef Wolfe to our table.
(5)
Kimberly R.
My grandmother came in town for my birthday weekend and we were fortunate to stumble upon Charleston. We selected the 4 course meal and made different selections to get a taste of pretty much everything, and there wasn't a single dish we disliked. It's definitely pricey, but such an incredible meal. Creative, controlled, perfectly portioned, and a wonderful ambiance. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Niran A.
Not that long ago, I dined at Cinghiale, one of the restaurants in the Foreman Wolf restaurant group. The experience was so good that I decided I had to try the flagship restaurant of the group - The Charleston. The Charleston is also located right in Harbor East, a pebble throw away from Cinghiale. While the Charleston just may be the most expensive restaurant in Baltimore, it is definitely one of the best - if not the best. We started with the fried oysters and the tuna tartar. The oysters were a bit mundane and I definitely expected more from a restaurant of this caliber. The oysters themselves were undoubtedly fresh but they were just merely fried and then served with an aioli - very basic. A citrus micro green salad or something to dress it up would have helped. We were skeptical to order the tuna tartar because it's so over done, but this was amazing. I truly have never tasted tuna so good. The accompaniment was basic to allow the ocean flavors of the tuna really shine. A subtle dash of earthy olive oil, scallion and cucumber was all the dish needed. Next was the star of the entire meal - the lobster soup with curry. The bowl arrives to your table with a generous heaping of succulent lobster tail meat with arugula oil on the bottom of the bowl. The waiter then pours the soup around the lobster as you begin to take in all the aromas of the curry, sherry and cream. The velvety soft texture of the soup is something nearly impossible to achieve at home. With each bite you get the richness of the cream, sharpness of the sherry and then the perfect accent of the curry. Not to mention the lobster which was perfectly cooked and incredibly delicious on its own. To be honest, even when I was in Boston I didn't have lobster so tasty and prepared so well. After having some time to breath after the rich soups the main courses came out. First was the pan roasted rockfish and roasted magret of duck. Both were small 3oz. portions, but very satisfying. The rockfish is served with oyster mushrooms and a lemon burre blanc sauce. The delicate fish was very nice with the rich mushrooms and citrus wine reduction. My only complaint about this dish was that the portion of the fish was from closer to the tail of the fish so it was a bit tougher. The duck was sheer perfection however. The fat side was scored and then rendered out in the cooking process to create a very crispy exterior with a nice medium rare center. The duck was well seasoned with salt and coarse black pepper and then served with a red wine demi glace over creamy risotto. The risotto had so much depth of flavor, which was excellent with the tender meaty duck and the full-bodied sauce. We then moved to our final savory course, which were the meat selections. We settled upon the filet mignon and buffalo tenderloin. Again, both were small portions, which actually make you get surprisingly full. The beef was served with tempura style vegetables on top with a poblano cream sauce. The beef was expectedly tender and well seasoned, with each bite essentially melting in your mouth. The poblano sauce was an interesting spicy warmth that helped make a usually simple flavored cut of beef very delicious. The crispy vegetables on top were a complete waste and were completely out of place in the dish. We quickly moved all of them to another plate so that we could enjoy the main star - the beef. The buffalo tenderloin was even better than the beef though. The buffalo had a more pungent spice rub which was then grilled not roasted. There was a slight char crust on the beef, which created a nice contrast to the soft oyster mushrooms and creamy polenta. The meat naturally had more flavor than the filet mignon with a slight gamey not, but would be appreciated by anyone who appreciates steak. All in all, The Charleston is perfection is every sense. Every component of the restaurant and every ingredient of each dish are of the highest quality. The wait staff does an incredible job to make you feel comfortable and is very knowledgeable about the menu and wine list. Our server, Brian, was even courteous enough to offer a complimentary additional course because he could tell we really just like so many things on the menu. Additionally, you will get some other complimentary items such as amuse bouche, which that evening was a mini curried beef empanada and goat cheese crostini as well as mini dessert bites at the end of the meal. When you go to The Charleston you will definitely receive an experience that can stack up against almost any other restaurant. This is without a doubt the most complete restaurant experience and one of the best meals you will ever receive in Baltimore.
(5)
Lauren G.
This was absolutely the most divine dining experience I've ever experienced. I made my reservation two months in advance for my husband's birthday. In that time, I figured we'd try Pazo to get a taste Chef Wolf's cuisine, and was not blown away. After that experience, I actually struggled with whether I should cancel my reservation, as this would be a lot of money to spend to not be blown away. Well, needless to say from my rating, I'm so happy I didn't as this was the best restaurant experience I've ever had. I ordered 5 courses without the wine pairings, and my husband ordered 6 courses with pairings. My courses were: fried oysters, salmon tartare, shrimp and grits, arugula salad, and beef tenderloin and for dessert, the lemon tart. The only dish that didn't blow me away was the shrimp and grits, and this is because I have a mental block against grits not being a breakfast food, but the shrimp were cooked perfectly. Every other dish was amazing. So amazing was the food that we stopped just short of licking our plates. Our reservation was @ 7:30, and we didn't leave until close to 10:30...fat, happy, and so stuffed, we regretted finding the street parking and not using valet. We'll remember this for next time. The service was amazing as well. As soon as we finished one course, our silverware and napkin were exchanged . At no time did one course arrive before another was completed and each course was the perfect temperature. The wine pairings perfectly matched each dish according to my husband, and the staff extremely knowledgeable about each wine. Perfect service all around. I've already started filling my piggy bank for my next Charleston experience.
(5)
Chaka H.
Beautiful decor. Exquisite ambiance. Delectable food. You must know that when you decide to dine at Charleston, you are deciding to undergo an experience that you will undoubtedly remember forever. My bf and I decided to treat ourselves to an especially fancy dinner given our birthdays were recent and we've both completed big projects at work. We dressed up, drove a few minutes and left our car with the valet. And then it began... we sat at the bar for a few minutes, because we were a little early for our reservation (don't ever try and eat here without making a reservation!) and the bar was an amazing experience! Sexy and glamorous, the plush couches, small round tables and intimate quarters was fun! When our table was ready, we were seated in the luxurious dining area, where we could see the master chef Wolf and her team busily creating works of magic! We both ordered 4 courses and decided to be extra fancy and have wine pairings. My favorite dish was the macaroni and cheese, duck confit with truffles. OH MY GOD. Best dish ever. The other dishes were also amazing, but this dish won.... hands down. I would also recommend the turbot, I had to consciously decide to slow down because it was delicious. Our waiter, Ryan, was attentive, fun, knowledgeable and kept nearby to ensure we were happy. Our experience was amazing, and I would love to go again!
(5)
Cris J.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary on Nov. 1, and everything about the evening was perfect. We each had five courses, and I splurged on the caviar service. The food, the service, and the atmosphere were perfect. We had plans after dinner, but we decided to scrub them and stretch out dinner as long as possible; we enjoyed being pampered and savoring some of the best food we've ever had.
(5)
Beee K.
One of the best meals of my life. It is really hard to satisfy people if the food is expensive, since they have to bring A game every single time. They do. I have one of the best memories of my life here. Worth a try.
(5)
J. Burke M.
Been a couple times and, instead of boring you with each and every course, I'll just say that everything that everyone at my table had, each time I've went, was fantastic. This is the preeminent dining experience in Baltimore, and would be a first-rate experience anywhere. Treat yourself.
(5)
George H.
The ambiance and noise level (or lack thereof) deserves 5/5 stars. The food, however, is another story. The cheese selection was outstanding. No complaints there. For the main dishes, each was drenched in sauce. The only flavor was the sauce. My buffalo tenderloin looked like soup, as did my lamb tenderloin. Considering the top price (w/wine) is $180/person plus tip, the food left much to be desired.
(2)
Naomi G.
As much as I like Baltimore - coming from the Chicago dining scene, I was a little disappointed with the quality of restaurants in Baltimore. I'm not a food snob by any means, but Chicago's restaurants are clearly in a different class - and I'm disheartened that experiencing that quality of a dining experience requires (for the most part) going to a fine dining establishment of this stature. That being said - this is not only the best restaurant I have been to in Baltimore, but most certainly one of the best meals I've had in my life. Plenty of reviewers have said most of what needs to be said. I'll just throw in some comments. This is definitely a restaurant for a special occasion. If you want to make a birthday, anniversary, etc. incredibly memorable, take them here! Food, service, atmosphere - the entire dining experience was absolutely as good as it gets. For the small people who can eat a ton (like me): I'm not sure how many people could eat more than the 4 course dinner, especially if you're drinking as well - keep in mind there will be an amuse bouche, cheese cart selection, and complimentary dessert. I ordered the 5 course, and it was simply too much. Not the best place to over order. My one tiny complaint is that they don't require formal attire. There were a few patrons wearing jeans, which depleted the atmosphere a little. There are very few times when you should dress to the nines these days, and going to a restaurant of this class should be one of them.
(5)
Phil S.
Simply put, without a doubt, THE best dining experience in Baltimore. It's one of the few high end places that can truly stand up to (if not exceed) similar DC experiences. It's been two years since I visited but I can still taste the corn chowder. Un...be...lievable. Chef Cindy Wolf is a true artist. Notable highlights included the bison tenderloin (pretty sure it was from Gunpowder Farms), the crab cakes and the shrimp and grits. If you've got the money honey, just go.
(5)
Yelpisdabomb P.
We liked it. I wasn't blown away as some other reviewers.. Very expensive. Nice for a special occasion.. Doubt we'll go back. Good for a one time occasion then move on.. Careful with the wine pairing.. They are very CONSERVATIVE on the pours. Didn't seem worth it. Food very good but beware that what seems like a main entree will be VERY small. My rockfish was the size of a silver dollar and the lamb was 2 fingers of lamb. The appetizers are good portions .
(3)
Mary W.
Fantastic! I had such a wonderful experience dining here. The decor is extremely posh and high-end, and the staff treat you as if you are an extremely special guest. The waitstaff gave great recommendations when we wanted them and advised us on how many courses we should order- I ordered 4, but probably would have been fine with 3. I started with the grilled romaine and goat cheese salad, then had the heads on shrimp with grits, followed by the rockfish special, and finished with the lamb. They also made the BEST Dirty Vodka Martini I've ever had. Pretty pricey also, but completely worth it. Great experience, great meal!
(5)
Kaitlyn G.
This was one of those meals I'll remember forever. My boyfriend and I went on a Saturday for his birthday, with a reservation at 5:30. It was extremely quiet, almost uncomfortable, with the staff stationed right next to our table in an empty room. They brought the first (complimentary) course which was sort of an amuse bouche, but maybe slightly larger. It was some sort of soup with a bite-sized buttery roll, I don't particularly remember because I was still going over the courses that I choose in my head. We both choose to have 5 courses, which was one course too many, but a good experience. Four would have been perfect, as the various fresh breads being offered between courses are hard to pass up, and dessert is included (not one of your courses) and larger than expected. Neither of us did the wine pairings, I opted to have one 6 oz. glass of white with the majority of my meal (mainly seafood) and a 3 oz. glass of red with my final (beef) course and dessert. This is roughly what I had: Artichoke Soup with Arugula Oil Tuna Tartar with cucumber Shrimp with Grits with sausage Turbot Filet with Artichoke flan in an artichoke broth Beef Tenderloin with pepper sauce and fried onion and green beans It was perfect, but if I had to cut out one of the 5 to make it a 4 course meal I would skip the Tuna. Do NOT skip soup, and definitely get the Shrimp and Grits with sausage, they're buttery and rich and way more refined than they sound on the menu. My favorite thing though, which may not be everyone's favorite thing, was the Turbot filet with Artichoke flan. The filet was cooked like no other piece of fish I've ever had...light brown and slightly crispy all around the outside and soft and moist on the inside. It came served on the dish next to the light green flan with little greens on the side, and the broth was delicately poured into the dish at the table. The server prompted me to utilize the spoon to really get some of the broth: this was the best advice I've ever had from anyone in a restaurant, ever. With every bite the flan slightly melted into the broth as the tiny green softened up. The fish remained crispy even while soaking in the broth. I can't say enough about this dish, it was both warm and cozy and sophisticated at the same time. I will DREAM about this dish. After two courses I had already decided that I wanted to dine there on my birthday this year as well.
(5)
Shannon W.
Literally the best restaurant in Baltimore. We have probably been 50 times in the last 9 years and we have never had a single bad dish. The rabbit, when in season, is one the best courses you will eat anywhere in the country. And I didn't know that it was possible to make rockfish so decedent with the creamy lemon butter beurre blanc and wild mushrooms. The service over the years has been rock solid although I will say that the last couple of years it has gotten a tad stuffy. It is our opinion that an excellent server has the ability to adapt to the personality of the table. We love excellent meals but also enjoy a bit of warmth and a spritz of humor. A few of our most recent visits were lacking in this department in spite of our attempts to engage the staff. It is unfortunate that our old favorites have left but I believe we have just found a new favorite in Ken and one of the managers. We also realize that others may prefer a more reserved service. Either way we are warming to the the relatively new staff and we will continue our pleasure filled visits!
(5)
Meredith J.
The food and service here are amazing although I do have some (small) drawbacks to point out. What I really liked about the service is that everyone at the Charleston is treated like royalty. When we ordered, we decided to buy a bottle of wine rather than go with the pairings. The sommelier made a recommendation based on both of our orders, tasted the wine, and poured it for us. I ordered three courses, and then received dessert "for free" because we were told that "the chef insists that everyone have dessert." I ordered the corn chowder, tomato salad, and duck for my meal and had the trio of creme brulee for dessert. The corn chowder was my favorite course, however I wish I could have tasted more of the bacon and andouille in the soup. It was creamy and there wasn't too much corn. The duck was also very, very good. I really liked how the nectarine compote complimented the duck and there was just enough that I could have a bite of nectarine with each bite of duck. Dessert came with a small plate of dessert "bites" which I could not eat because I was too full (I couldn't even finish the creme brulee, but loved each one.) Overall, I would recommend The Charleston to locals, not to people visiting Baltimore because I feel that there are much better places to eat when visiting Baltimore. Also, I feel like this restaurant is one of many and you can get the same taste and feel near wherever you live. Additionally, for the amount of money that we spent on dinner, I don't think it was worth it. The plates were too small. My biggest complaint about The Charleston is that the parking situation is not conducive to those of us living in the city. Though they offer free parking, they do not have a complimentary pick-up and drop-off service for diners who live close to the restaurant. This is just simply annoying. Though I am giving The Charleston 4 stars, I don't think I need to go back again. It was a delicious experience but I'm not becoming a regular here. It is not worth the money to frequent. Places like Flemings, Salt, and Jack's Bistro are VERY comparable and half the price.
(4)
Attaicus C.
OMG it the best meal I ever had. THE BEST MEAL I EVER HAD !! I can't say that enough.. You order the food by courses.. we had the 5 course meal.. I had Lobster bisque soup Arugula salad Shrimp and grits Rock fish Buffalo tenderloin but this actually turns into 7 courses because. it actually included cheese and desert What made this even more over the top was the FANTASTIC AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE .. Our server was Leslie.. If you go here ask for her.. she is awesome.. and strikingly beautiful. You can't go wrong with her.
(5)
Kim C.
I went to Charleston on black-truffle-night--everything, including desserts, had truffle. It's been awhile, but I can still remember the macaroni and cheese with black truffle shavings; in a word: orgasmic. Singularly the best mac-and-cheese I've ever had in my life. (Plates are small, so go with more dishes than fewer. You will NOT regret it.)
(5)
Abe L.
Still haven't been back since this occurred in December. Never got any follow up from Tony Foreman - who went back on his Manager's word to rectify the situation. What a shame - I will continue to avoid all of Cindy and Tony's restaurants. Really a pitiful way to treat a "regular" customer.
(1)
Ateet A.
So first a shout out to my sister who bought me a gift certificate to this restaurant for my birthday last year. I just haven't had a chance to get myself over there. Well I finally made reservations to have dinner at the Charleston with my friend this past Friday. You get there with complimentary valet, a nice hostess ready to take your coat, and an amazing staff that was very receptive to whatever we needed. We were seated within minutes of our arrival if not less, it did help that we arrived 5 minutes prior to our reservation of 630pm. The gentleman got us to our table for two and set us up with the wine list but we opted to see the cocktail menu instead. Now the tables are a little closer to each other than I would like but it's a restaurant in Baltimore where space is sometimes limited. Our waiter took our drink order, I stuck with coke but my friend tried a few of their different martinis and loved them all. Our waiter was very well-versed in the drinks and very attentive so he definitely gets 5 stars. Now onto the menu, their menu is set up with multiple different items for you to try and are made not as tasting sample, not as main courses but somewhere in the middle which I thought was very nice. So basically you get the menu and you make the choice of getting a 3, 4, 5, or 6 course dinner and ...oh yeah... a choice of 5 different desserts is included with whatever option you choose and not a part of the number of courses. The menu doesn't have appetizers, entrees, sides, etc, but rather a list of 22 items from which you can customize and make your own multi-course dinner. My friend got the 4 course, while I took on the 6 course which is a lot of food even for someone like me who has done 21 course tastings or 15 course tastings as these were much larger portions than I anticipated and they kept coming at a rather speedy flow, at least faster than I was used to. For my first course, I had the Big-Eye Tuna Tartare which was good however, I would have liked a little more avocado to give it a little more creaminess and after just coming back from Hawaii and trying the tuna there, there is no one that has Tuna that tastes like what is available in Hawaii! But still a very good dish. Second, I had the Rich Lobster Soup with Curry. This was rather an interesting concoction with their use of Arugula and curry oil which gave it a distinct taste that married well with the PERFECTLY poached lobster, seriously perfect and the lobster stock reduction with cream. My third course was Heads on Shrimp and Real Grits. Now I must be honest, I am not a person who likes Grits, but I have noticed many of the fine dining restaurants are now stumbling with it and refining it into a taste that I like and making it be more than just a feel good southern home-style food. This dish was again very well balanced from the heads that I had to take off of the perfectly cooked shrimp to the Grits that were definitely cooked with bits of ham and andouille sausage which gave it that extra taste and kick that it needs, very well designed dish. My fourth course was the duck breast which was prepared medium rare which again was just right. It was there with a sauce that I cannot figure out yet but I believe it to be a blend of the cranberries and pears that were underneath it. I believe the sauce was a little salty for me but again married perfectly with the sweetness of the pears and cranberry type chutney and apples underneath. My fifth course was the Grilled Beef Tenderloin cooked Medium Rare which had some beans, bacon, and arugula on the side. All in all the meat was very well prepared and the temperature was just right, I think I might have wanted a little more seasoning or flavor to go along with the meat, so not my favorite but still cooked well. Lastly for course six, I had the Braised Beef Short Ribs. These were cooked for a while and again the right way. It fell apart as soon as my fork hit it and was great, tasted well and the sides were cooked perfectly Yukon, carrots, parsnips, etc. Since this was my last course, I had trouble finishing it and I believe couldn't finish all of it. It was too much food too fast. I think 4 or 5 courses would have been just perfect for me but 6 is a lot. My friend also had a huge highlight which was the Grouper that she really liked, plus a few of the things that were already described above in my course selections. The Grouper apparently was so popular that they ran out of it later that night. After all these courses, you are given a choice of the 5 desserts on the menu. My friend had the chocolate Pave which she said was amazing and I had the Gingerbread and Local Apples with apple ice cream, again very good! We both topped it off with a glass each of the Moscato, perfect way to end the perfect night. Did I forget to mention the pastry chef sent out four little bite size bundles of sweetness, nice little touch. Very good place to dine, great service, great food, will tell others!
(4)
Lana T.
One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Having dined through most of the Michelin starred restaurants in San Francisco, I think it might still be THE best restaurant I've ever been to. Yes, it's really expensive--I think there's something like a $80 minimum per person, not including tax&tip. It's basically a prix fixe where you can pick whichever courses you want, and pay depending on how many you got. Dessert is included! Portions are tiny. But this place is the very definition of quality over quantity. I had: -Rich Lobster Soup with Curry -Jumbo Lump Crabcake, English Peas, Roasted Sweet Corn, Mustard Cream -Grilled Rabbit Loin & Rabbit Confit, Porcini Mushroom Risotto -Lavender, Earl Grey Tea, and Rose creme brulee No complaints, nothing to nitpick. Beautiful presentation and complex flavors. Everything was almost too pretty to eat, yet the beauty of these dishes was far more than skin deep. The only thing is that I would have been happy to have more of it! Besides, the bread here is amazing. My friend and I ate way more of their olive bread than was necessary or appropriate... haha. Cornbread is also delicious, and I don't even like cornbread. Yes, it's a rather snooty establishment, but never did I feel that my waitress was condescending. Service is impeccable! I really liked the decor and especially restaurants with open kitchens, which the Charleston has. Expensive but mind-blowing and totally worth it. Must try at least once. I love Cindy Wolf and all her restaurants and this is no exception!
(5)
Erica C.
Charleston, you are snooty, but I love you. The wait staff is excellent, the fellow diners are pure snobs. I'll detail my experiences: happy hour "cocktail hour", dinner, dessert. Cocktail hour (or in my case, champagne)- Cocktail hour seems to be a new phenomenon at Charleston. You can get a glass of champagne for $10 or some-kind-of cocktail for $7ish and four complimentary itty bitty oeur d'oeuvres. The champagne is champagne de venoge brut rose. Delicious! Divine! The price per glass is generous. The oeur d'oeuvres were quite tasty- a petit toast with mousse of sorts on top, an espresso cup of cauliflower soup, a salmon spoon, and a few pieces of deep fried zucchini. It was a delightful pair for $10. Maybe it is because cocktail hour is pretty new, but the place was packed and fellow diners were rude when I went to sit at the bar. No knock at the wait staff, whom were sweet and accommodating, just the fellow cocktail hour enthusiasts. It is certainly for an older crowd. Dinner- I decided on a four course with wine pairings. It was essentially a slightly larger portion of tapas. The lobster bisque was divine, but the sherry pairing was a bit rough....ehh I just think sherry tastes like rubbing alcohol. The duck breast was excellent as was the beef tenderloin. One came with a Cabernet Savignon and the other came with some kind of Spanish red wine. The turbot with Chardonnay was an elegant mix. The dessert was okay, but nothing noteworthy. The dessert menu is better than the dessert with the courses. Dessert- Sometimes you just want dessert and coffee. Wandering from Cinghiale for dinner, to the lounge Charleston for dessert is an excellent evening. The desserts are complex pieces of heaven (chocolate bars, panna cotta, the typical swank food) and they come with a plate of miniatures, compliments of the pastry chef. The wait staff doesn't treat you like a cheapskate because you are just there for dessert either, which is common at swanky institutions. I just wrote a novel, but you get the idea. Lovely staff. Pricey, but delicious food. Pompous fellow diners.
(4)
Alan M.
Please don't get me wrong. Charleston is a great restaurant. Service and ambiance were tops. But at the prices they charge, I expect to be wowed by virtually everything I ordered. Sadly, that was not the case. The assorted breads brought to the table consisted of cornbread (ordinary), raisin bread (as good as what I get elsewhere) and what I think was French bread (no yeasty taste). The butter that came with the breads lacked the fresh, tangy taste of the best butters. The magret of duck was stringy and hard to chew. The soft shell crab was well-prepared but not better than lots of other places. The rockfish was well-prepared but served with bland accompaniments leaving the whole dish quite uninteresting. The two desserts we ordered (an apple and a pear tart) were tasteless and uninspiring. The bottom dough of the pear tart was soggy. Other parts of the meal did wow, e.g., the artichoke soup, the lobster bisque. But for $120 per person (incl tax and tip - no drinks), I think I am entitled to expect better.
(2)
Nick B.
So much anticipation, so little to talk about. I have been wanting to go here forever now and finally pulled the trigger. It's good. But it's not great and it's definitely not worth the price. The good. The service is great. The wine selection and drinks are great. The menu is thought out and the execution is excellent. The problem I have is that in this price range I have high expectations. Out of all the places I have been that are in this price range I wound place the charleston at the bottom. They just don't do it. There are no wow moments. Not a whole lot that even represents the city. Fried oysters and fried soft shell crab? Come on. The beet salad was good the buffalo was excellent and the octopus was great. The lobster "soup" everyone talks about is ok at best. I don't get why everyone raves about this. It's a bisque. The lobster is done perfectly but it's still just a basic bisque. It's sweet creamy and rich. That's what I expect. It doesn't deliver the wow I wanted. Cindy's other place Chingali is across the street. Go there. Better food. Way better prices.
(3)
Mike V.
Good lord is this place delicious and well worth the price (especially for the right person or occasion). In this case, treating out fabulous host and former sorority sister of my amazing little sis (along with my sister of course). I've been very fortunate to eat at many amazing restaurants up and down the west coast courtesy of a very close friend who was basically raised in the restaurant business and shared my love of great food, but with places like Charleston, they make it effortless to select impeccable dishes. killer wine pairings as well (and I'm usually a scotch and martini kind of guy). Would I go back? absolutely. who am I going to take? y closest DC friends, you know who you are, start starving yourself now.
(5)
Anna K.
My husband took me to Charleston as a make-up Birthday dinner. My actual Birthday is in December but I got sick and we couldn't go out. Finally, almost 6 months later (after much anticipation) we went to Charleston and they did not disappoint. This restaurant really grasps fine dining. The service was impeccable and everyone who approached our table told me "happy birthday" ... everyone. It was lovely. We opted for five courses (plus cheese) with wine pairings and I was bursting at the seams by the end of the meal. Because I don't remember each wine I will just say that the wine pairings were spot-on - some of them were surprising but all of them made perfect sense. Here's a lonnnnng run down of what we ate: Rich Lobster Soup - A+, what a divine way to begin a meal. I've never had such wonderful lobster in my life. Artichoke Soup - A, it was very rich and well balanced Scallop Ceviche (a special) - A-, I wanted a little more flavor from this and it was a bit one-dimensional. Shrimp and Grits - A, this was one of my husband's better dishes of the night. Halibut - A++ Oh, My, God. This was the dish of the evening for me. These chefs can prepare an amazing piece of halibut. I hope they keep this one on the menu forever because it deserves it!! Crab Cake - B-, the crab wasn't very lumpy and the cake didn't have much substance. A disappointment Foie Gras - A+, I loved the strawberry with this piece of foie gras. Delicious. Sweetbreads - B+, a little dry Buffalo Tenderloin - B+, this dish was unfortunate for me as our final protein. The flavor was truly one dimensional. A pity. For desert I was offered a special cupcake (for my birthday) and my husband had the chocolate pudding cake (DIVINE!!!). I cannot even sing the praises of this pudding cake enough. Wonderful! While there were a few misses on the menu the experience as a whole was rich and fulfilling. I felt pampered and my taste buds were thrilled to experience so many wonderful dishes. This meal will cost you plenty but if food is a passion for you, you don't want to miss Charleston.
(5)
Kylie H.
Thank you for a wonderful experience! The staff was amazing, Chef Wolf came by to say hello, truly a great experience... From the lobster curry to the foie gras to dessert a home run.... My ONLY hesitation to give it five stars is both my and my beau's main course (turbot and lamb sausage) were incredibly salty...and this is coming from someone who LOVES her salt... Outside of that, everything was incredible... The homemade puff pastry was so light and fluffy, I could have eaten that all night long alone... And again, the lobster curry is still making my mouth water... Thank you for an incredible experience.
(4)
Lynn N.
Perfect. The food is excellent, in fact, so so special. The service is impeccable. The setting is lovely. LOVE this restaurant.
(5)
Sam V.
This is a place to go on special occasions. Food is very pricey and ran us 150 per person with tax and tip. That being said, food was very good. We got 6 courses which we chose from a long list of options and everything was great. I would suggest the lobster bisque, buffalo, and lamb. Service is un beatable and they make sure your experience is as good as possible. Dessert is included with your meal purchase. If you are a fan of wines, they offer a pairing of a glass per entree which they have chosen as a great fit. When I hit the lottery, I will be back here.
(5)
Karen D.
Excellent food and excellent service. Enjoyed the decor and ambience here. Very relaxing meal after a long hard couple of weeks at Johns Hopkins.
(5)
Loretta C.
We went to the Charleston for our 26th anniversary. It was wonderful! The decor, service food, everything was outstanding. We want to try Chingale now (part of the Forman/Wolf group). We might even take our teenage sons, but prices will probably stop us. You do get what you pay for though.
(5)
Michael A.
My incredible wife took me here for my birthday. What an incredible experience. Probably the best lobster bisque I've ever had. Everything was exceptional, service, food, drink. Only minor blunder was the tool bag @ the table next to us with his phone ringing and talking about the menu prices to exceptional (I'm assuming) person on the other end. Best dining experience in Baltimore
(5)
Zhihong z.
High price, food taste just so so. Do not recommend!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Rachel R.
I was treated to this incredible restaurant for my birthday with a great group of people. The service was outstanding, and the food was out of this world amazing. Their wine list is extraordinary. Definitely for very special occasions, and worth every penny and calorie.
(5)Michelle J.
I was at Baltimore for a few days and was surprised how great the food and service is here. You get to choose from 3-6 courses. It was pricy but the food really fills you up AND it comes with dessert. Local Asparagus Soup - The name didn't sound that great to me but man, it was DELICIOUS. I wouldn't have mind getting 3 courses of this asparagus soup. Note: I tried all the meat dishes here and all of them were superb. I honestly do not like most meat/steaks at restaurants. The only meats I've liked at restaurants were Korean BBQ. However, this place was probably the first place where I was very pleased with how the meat tasted. For Dessert: I recommend the Lemon Chest Tart. By dessert time, I thought someone had to roll me out of the restaurant because I was so freakin' full, but once I tasted this dessert, my stomach suddenly made more room for it. On top of the dessert, they brought out extra complementary dessert (one of them being a macaron). Service: AMAZING. Everyone here really paid so much attention to our needs and was willing to provide service as best as they can. Such nice people here. I WILL DEFINITELY RETURN HERE FOR SURE!!!!!
(5)Brian D.
My wife and I have developed an expense habit, and have no regrets about it. We were last there two weeks ago and each time, we are almost looking for a reason to be ciritical of some aspect of the evening. However each time, our expectations (which are off the charts for The Chalreston) are consistently exceeded. From cocktails to cheese and everything in between is just outstanding. One piece of advice for first timers.......just relax and enjoy the experience. The staff is more than happy to walk you through the dishes and entert
(5)Jack D.
Charleston is an amazing restaurant. It is gorgeous on the inside with an amazing bar. The service is slightly formal, but very helpful and welcoming. The food looks as beautiful as it tastes. I enjoyed everything see you soon.......
(4)Mohun K.
Excellent food. Did not disappoint. We finally came back after our first visit in 2005 (before Yelp) and we were very satisfied. Had the four course tasting menu with wine pairing - wife had the seasonal October menu preset by the chef. A memorable meal. Dinner on 10/6/12
(5)J W R.
What a phenomenal experience. Chef Cindy Wolf is at the top of her form in Harbor East, Baltimore. 3, 4, 5 or more courses are available, each with a perfectly selected wine pairing. Small portions that allow one to taste different things, but not too much so that you feel sick when you depart. What I really like about this place is that it is quiet -- you can actually have a nice conversation with your dinner partner and the food is just phenomenal. All locally sourced, from the freshest ingredients, Chef Wolf creates magic with each presentation. On this occasion, I had a wild octopus salad, crab cake, lamb and a pavlova for desert. Each one outdid itself -- I was truly impressed with each dish. Extensive wine list. This is a must dine when in Baltimore and for the foodies out there, it is worth the trip if you don't live in Baltimore.
(5)Kim E.
Best meal I've had in Baltimore - hands down. I tried 4 entrees, two of which will remain in my memory for years to come. The curried lobster bisque was divine and the buffalo filet was the single best piece if meat that I have ever tasted. Made it seem possible for meat to actually melt in ones mouth. I generally pass on bread, however (ladies), don't make that mistake. Splurge. The cornbread (I know, cornbread?!!) was delicious and surprisingly enough, a great palate cleanser. Great service, great atmosphere, perfect evening!
(5)Jeff F.
Came in here a few weeks ago after having enjoyed a meal at Cinghiale (sister restaurant) on a prior trip and everyone pretty much saying if you want a gastro-experience a cut about, head to Charleston. Also have a buddy in Baltimore who's eaten at more Michelin stars globally than I ever will who says Charleston beats out anything in he's had in DC. From the moment I walked in, was seated and took a look at the menu, I had a great feeling. Charleston is absolutely on par with some of the best restaurants I've eaten at in NYC - creative, expertly constructed courses that at a minimum impressed and in many cases left a memorable mark. I would highly recommend trying Charleston at least once and get a minimum of 5 courses and ideally 6.
(5)Steve S.
Went back to Baltimore for the first time in 14 years. This place was quite nice. It has a high class reputation and it lived up to it. Location was nice, right on the Inner harbor. Decor is a bit dated, but that is their fine dining style. Anyway, it was all about the food and service, and this place had that. You can either go with a la carte, or chef's seasonal choice menu. GF and I took choice menu with the wine pairing. Amuse bouche was an artichoke soup in an espresso cup. I am not a big artichoke fan, but this soup was really good. I did not even know that one could get that much flavor out of an artichoke. First course was a corn chowder. It was really nice and thick and had a lot of corn in it. Nothing super special, but it was a good start. I would have preferred a bowl of the artichoke soup, but this was nice. Corn was really fresh. Next course was fried soft shell crab in butter sauce. For those of you who are not familiar with Baltimore and the crab scene, it is what lobster is to New England. There is a special way to eat these, you just eat the whole thing. Claws and all. It may seem odd at first, but it was really tasty and delicious. Next course was a scallop course, Presentation was nice. Scallop was cooked perfectly. Then came the grilled beef tenderloin. It had a fried quail egg on top and came with fried green tomatoes. Cooked to a perfect med rare. There is really not to much more to say. We threw in a cheese tray option. While a bit pricey at $8 dollars per, they probably had about 20 different choices. I know a think or 2 about cheese and was quite impressed with the servers explanation of each. If you go cheese plate, I would recommend to stay away from the ones that you know and try something new. This is a good opportunity for that. For the dessert option, I went with a chocolate pate with cayenne pepper. It was nice. Very rich and probably a bit much at the end of a big meal. GF went with a watermelon slush dessert. It came with panna cotta and fresh watermelon. Overall the meal was good. Service was excellent as it should be at that type of place. The extra touches and the wine pairing really put it over the top. If you want fine dining in Baltimore, this is a must!
(4)Sandy V.
Charleston is an amazing restaurant. It is gorgeous on the inside with an amazing bar. The service is slightly formal, but very helpful and welcoming. The food looks as beautiful as it tastes. I enjoyed everything I ordered and can't wait to travel to Baltimore to visit again. Attire: More dressy than casual. I wore a dress and heels and felt comfortable. Dress pants and a nice top would be fine as well.
(5)Betty W.
Loved our wait staff especially our waiter Dom. It had been awhile since I have been here (lived 3000 miles away) but I don't remember it being soooooooooooo overpriced. I always felt that although it was a pricey restaurant for Baltimore that it was at least worth every bit due to their service, wine choices, and delicious recipes. This last visit on a Friday night in June 2012 left me wondering "has all of the praise Cindy Wolfe has achieved made her leave the kitchen to amateurs? I ordered the 5 course (108.00) menu choice and I have to say only 2 of the 5 dishes were noteworthy. The lobster bisque and the rock fish were to die for...a definite recommendation! Unfortunately the lamb chop did not have any flavor to wow me (I must say I make mine much juicier and tastier) and the medium rare (cooked perfectly) beef filet was also tasteless as it was overpowered by an oily taste (Im assuming they drizzled butter or oil on it as there should be no fat on this cut), Very disappointing. Finally, the sweetbreads were extremely salty though they had a good taste underneath all of the salt) The last two dishes led me to my comment that "amateurs" may have been in the kitchen. Saltiness and grease are just not anything you want to taste at a gourmet restaurant...not too mention they don't blend well with a nice sip of wine! Now you might think I was a little piggy (yes I can be) eating five courses but lets just say I have had tapas much bigger than these servings. Our waiter did however at the end of the meal give me a huge serving of the most delicious basil mint ice cream!! The service was impeccable so when the bill came to over 320.00 for two (we had a bottle of wine that was almost 100.00) his 20 percent tip was well deserved. I have to say the next night I ate at Ale Marys and paid less than 20 dollars for a great meal and a Banana Bread Beer...I quietly thought to myself..."I think I enjoyed this meal much better"! In summary, too many strike-outs for a restaurant and chef with this reputation.
(3)Amanda K.
This is one of Baltimore's best. The cuisine is unriveled. The ambiance is perfect for a night out with friends or an intimate date. The service immpeccible
(5)sarah s.
Over 2 years after my first visit, Charleston still shines. This is the best restaurant in the Baltimore-DC area. Not just the best restaurant in Baltimore, mind you- this beats any restaurant I've been to in DC. The service is absolutely flawless. The dining room is elegant yet cozy. The waitstaff are so knowledgable about the menu, and you can tell they love FOOD. Their knowledge of wine is educational yet unpretentious. I love, love, love this restaurant. I won't wait 2 years again before going back.
(5)ilove m.
Their menu is seasonal and fixed, but boy are the ingredients fresh. Our meal was absolutely delicious from the first bite to our last. Our server was attentive, but not overly so. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Liz R.
This is, hands down, the best meal either of us has ever had. And this will be a long review... I'd read the Yelp reviews and knew there was a good waitress mentioned a couple of times, but I couldn't remember the name! Got home, re-checked... oh yeah, we had Leslie too! She was wonderful - beyond knowledgeable, friendly but not bubbly, and there whenever you needed her (but not hanging over your shoulder all the time). We had an 8pm reservation Saturday 09/11. Arrived 10 minutes early and were seated in the bar to wait. Cushy bar, and an excellent dirty martini. One of the servers brought over truffled potato chips with truffled creme fraiche to go with our drinks (we saw other tables in the bar also receive this treat... but hello, truffled stuff goooooood!). Promptly at 8pm we were taken to our table, a roomy two-top in a back room, with 5-6 other tables and wide windows that overlooked the quiet street and water. Very pleased with this setup because the larger main room was brighter and louder. Leslie explained how the menu worked (3 to 6 small 'tasting' courses, with or without wine pairings) and said 4 courses would work for the normal appetite. We ordered 5, me with wine and Ken without. Amuse Bouche: Vichyssoise (cold potato and leek soup) - 4.5 1st Course: Jumbo Lump Crabcake, sweet corn and haricot verts (aka green beans) salad, mustard cream + Pouilly-Fuisse (me) and Lobster Soup with curry (Ken) - 3.5 and 4 2nd Course: Steak Tartare, jalapeno oil + Brut Rose (me) and Heirloom Tomato, Baby Lettuce, Goat Cheese Medallion salad (Ken) - 3 and 5 3rd Course: Fresh Baby Artichoke Risotto, Morel mushrooms, local butter beans + Soave Classico (me) and pan-roasted Halibut, mushroom fricassee, lemon beurre blanc (Ken) - 4.5 and 5 4th Course: Turbot, mushroom fricassee, lemon beurre blanc - special + Chardonnay (me) and Grilled gunpowder buffalo tenderloin, creamy polenta, oyster mushrooms, crispy shallots (Ken) - 4.5 and 4 5th Course: pan-seared Foie Gras, local Gala apples, Calvados pan sauce + Chateau Lahonade-Peyraguey (me) and grilled Lamb Rack chop, pomegranate, saffron rice, eggplant caviar (Ken) - 5 and 3 Cheese: we chose 3 with the assistance of the smart and funny 'cheese guy' - I wish we'd gotten his name to include it because he was, seriously, a cheese whisperer! 'Cheese guy' slid me some wine too. Dessert (included): I saw 'salted caramel' in one's description and said yes, yes, yes. It ended up being a bit too much chocolate for me, but still a nice end to the meal. Ken chose more wisely with the panna cotta, fresh fruit and fresh raspberry sorbet. My favorites of the evening were the foie gras (melted in your mouth like the most delicious butter ever) and Ken's halibut (something magical about that whole dish). Ken's favorites were... he just named off everything he ate when I asked him! (when I forced him to name a couple he said his fish, any of the mushrooms and the Heirloom tomatoes) $320 + tip. OMG expensive but how often will we have the chance to dine in one of the best restaurants in the entire country? Charleston exceeded our extremely high expectations.
(5)Alex H.
Review in a hurry: Outrageously expensive for a just-okay overall experience. Terrible wine pairings, absurdly long table wait (even with a reservation!!), and oblivious service. Review in detail: My husband and I came here on a weekend trip to Baltimore from D.C. because the Charleston is heralded as "the best restaurant" in Baltimore. If that's the case, then I pity the Bmore food scene. We had a 9:30 PM reservation and weren't seated until 10:20. That's nearly AN HOUR WAIT for a table! What the heck was the point of my reservation?? No one apologized, or offered us a free drink or app to tide us over, or acted like this was horribly unprofessional or a big deal. The bar area was full of people in the same boat as us, too. They all looked super ticked off. So the meal obviously got off on the wrong foot. We decided to do the tasting menu with wine pairings. I'm not sure who is creating the pairing combos, but they were awful. The wine did not compliment the food or make it better, like it should. Instead, the wine either overpowered the taste of the food or changed the taste of the food in a negative way. It was bizarre. The food was fine, but not very memorable, which is a huge problem when you're paying $300 for a meal. The asparagus soup was very good, but the Hudson Valley Foie Gras was gross. I can't believe I didn't like it because foie gras is one of my favorite things. But it was like breakfast. The quail egg with it overpowered the dish, and it was very, very salty. It also tasted extremely oily and fatty. I just felt gross eating it, you know? I call the service "oblivious" because I have a nut food allergy and the waitress/kitchen served me a desert with nuts in it anyway. Thankfully, I trust no one and examined the food, as I always do. But she promised me the restaurant would take care of it and me and none of the food we ordered would contain nuts. When you're dining at a restaurant as expensive as this one, I don't think accommodating a food allergy is too much to ask for. In summary, I've had much better meals for way less money. And someone needs to re-examine those crazy wine pairings.
(2)Sonya A.
Went ages ago- remember the crab bisque was quite tasty. Great place to bring guests that eat like a bird you want impress.
(4)Robert P.
This is a serious dining establishment. Attention to detail and artistry is applied to everything. As soon as you get there you realize that this will be a good experience. Six of us had dinner and everyone was very satisfied at the end of the meal. I started with a Gimlet cocktail that was prepared just right. Then on to the chef's menu with wine pairings. Expensive, but it is a very, very enjoyable experience. The crab cakes were terrific.
(5)Maria C.
Lovely. The Charleston is really nice. We had to wait a few minutes for our table and instead of ordering a drink at the bar, I ordered hot tea since I was cold. They brought out a whole spread with a mini teapot, cup and saucer, and sugar and cream. The green tea was really good and had a fruity aroma to it. They also gave us a little dish of potato chips with truffle creme fraiche. The food was pretty good too. Beef carpaccio, fried green tomato sandwich were my favorites. Wine pairings were excellent. The cheese dish was quite good. Dessert - creme brulee trio comes with another tray of desserts - a sampler. Overall a lovely experience.
(4)K Sera S.
Updated again, 7/12: Yet again, an amazing meal and fantastic, attentive service. There is simply no better place in Baltimore for the full-on dining experience! I've said it before and thought it was time to say it again. There's no better restaurant in Baltimore for the full-on experience of simply amazing food, exception service and pleasant ambiance. My only complaint isn't their fault at all--it's "yours." Dress for dinner, people! I'm not saying ladies in kid gloves and gowns, men in top hat and tails, but when you walk in to a place like this in khakis or jeans (or worse!), you are not telling me that you're too cool be concerned with the trappings of fashion. You're telling me that you're a rude person with an inflated sense of entitlement and no respect for those around you.
(5)Debby D.
Travelled from DC to enjoy this restaurant. Way exceeded our expectations. Superb service, food and ambiance. Cindy Wolf is beautiful and runs a first class ship. We've been to all the other Mid-Atlantic James Beard nominees and she wins our vote hands down. To this all other restaurants should aspire. Perfection.
(5)Katya M.
Amazing food. I got the three course. Asparagus soup, fried green tomato "sandwich", and the sea scallop. To die for!
(5)Daniela R.
This was by far the most luxurious and romantic restaurant I have ever been. Each course either offered perfections of divine dishes already experienced or supplied new milestones to my taste palate. This meal was one for the ages and I hope I can come back soon.
(5)Tiffany N.
The only thing here that will blow you away is the pricing. After dinner I thought... Awww, man! That's it? That's the meal people have been spending hundreds of dollars on? That's the ambiance everyone has been raving about? Let's be honest, the food is good. It's very good, but it's not the best tasting meal I've had in Baltimore. The presentation of the food was very clean. Everything was cooked well, except for the jalapenos and onions served with the rockfish. The menu referred to the fried calamari as "calamari beignets. I was instantly intrigued. Upon their arrival, I was disappointed to find they were merely fried calamari. They were tasty, yet calling them beignets was deceptive and a feeble attempt to make them sound more interesting. The service was excellent, but it should be at a restaurant of such notoriety. The crowd was older, the noise level is low...really low. There's no background music. We were closely seated in between two other couples. If we weren't talking, all we could hear were the conversations next to us. How about a little jazz or something!?!?! For me, this place just didn't live up to the hype. If you're looking for a high-end take on low country food, I recommend Woodberry Kitchen or Bluegrass instead.
(3)Nathan C.
At this point, Charleston is hands-down the best meal I've had in a restaurant. We took my mom out here for her birthday; the six of us attending had a stunning time demolishing our dinners and dessert. And a bunch of wine. And some digestifs. And some little cookies and trifles. Way over the top, all the way from the amuse bouche at the start to the overly decadent desserts. And, I had an Armagnac from the year I was born. Woot. The food - the standouts for me were the venison and the buffalo tenderloin. Both were absolutely perfect, in cooking, in texture, and in presentation. But every single one of the thirty-five dishes consumed that night by our table was five-star. Speaking of five-star, the service was impeccable. I swear they have more staff than customers. And, to use a technical term, they know their shit here. From wine to food, every member of the staff seemed to know the entire menu and all the wines backwards and forwards. Note that this place ain't even remotely cheap, and parties of 5 or more get a 20% gratuity added. If you're trying to keep it reasonable, stick with the X-course dinners, get a single glass of wine, and stay the hell away from the cheese and dessert wine carts (I'm looking at you, 36-year-old Armagnac)
(5)Brien C.
As many others have said, the best meal I've ever eaten, hands down. My wife and I both ordered "The Season" (the chef's selection menu) with wine pairings, and none of the dishes disappointed. The standout for me was the rich lobster soup with curry. The presentation was amazing and the flavor combination was as wonderful as it was unexpected. The local buffalo tenderloin was also amazing, so much so that I was a bit sad when I finished it. The service was excellent. The door staff took my wife's coat and returned it to her at the end of the night with no coat check ticket or description of the coat she checked (I guess they just remember what coat goes with each diner? Or they store the coats with the table number? However they do it it was a nice touch). When the waitress brought the check, she also took our valet ticket so our car was waiting when we finished dinner. Overall, Charleston is just an incredible dining experience. The only bad thing I could say about it is that it's so expensive I won't be able to return as quickly as I'd like.
(5)Brooklyn W.
Seriously, the best restaurant ever. This food, ambiance, wait staff (they dress in suits--what a fancy touch) was absolutely fabolous. What topped it all off..I sent an email to the restaurant stating how pleased I was and the manager replied back....you can't go wrong....best food, best service, best everything.
(5)David H.
It doesn't get any better than this...really!! The food is excellent, the service is superior. A little too much wine with the fixed course wine flight, but other than that, it was just about perfect. Everything really was great, but the duck stands out to me after a couple days as the most memorable item we selected.
(5)Charles M.
I am afraid that my post will come across as disgruntled and filled with hyperbole. Yet words do not do justice to just how disappointing our entire evening was last time we visited Charleston. It was simply one of the worst dining experiences at this price point that I have experienced in any city, at any time. Our waiter was a pompous ass that reminded more of a salesperson at Hermes more than a server. One would think we were doing him a courtesy by sitting in his section and that he alone was responsible for everything bright and good in this world. Were his condescension and grandstanding not enough, the food was incredibly underwhelming. Having read other posts from those that have dined at other Michelin starred restaurants, I cannot help but gasp in disbelief. To compare Charleston to Gary Danko or any other elite San Francisco establishment is to compare the Hampton Inn to the Mandarin Oriental. Next time I am in Baltimore, I will look forward to better drinks, far better food and entirely better class of service at Woodberry Kitchen. Or, far more likely, wait until I am home in D.C. and goto Marcel's. Or, without hyperbole or joke, in retrospect I would rather light the $200 per person I spent on fire and know that the money was better spent.
(1)Keith T.
One of the finest dining experiences I have had. Food, service, and surroundings were second to none. This is a special place, and would be at the top of my list for a special occasion. It is pricey, but you do get what you pay for.
(5)McFamished W.
This restaurant is overpriced and unexciting. This is a beautifully decorated restaurant; the bar is the only room with any windows so a view of the waterfront is not available while in the dining room and it is not a romantic place to take a partner. We were warmly greeted by a really pleasant hostess and made to feel at home, after that this restaurant basically fell apart. Our waiter was pretentious and made us feel uncomfortable. We ordered the rich lobster soup with curry and the artichoke soup. The rich lobster soup with curry was very tasty and certainly rich, not the best selection to start the evening with. The artichoke soup was delightful and oozing with lovely garden flavors. The cornmeal-fried oysters were excellent plump and tasty but a little overcooked. We ordered several other dishes that were typical American Cooking bland.
(2)Lydia A.
Food was amazing. Server was great, steered us toward some great dishes. had a few different types of hors d'oeuvres served to us before we even sat down at the table which we appreciated. Everything tasted fantastic and we can't wait to go back!
(5)Vanessa P.
My boss and I were in town for a business conference and were invited to a dinner party here hosted by one of the vendors. It was truly an all around incredible experience. Upon walking into Charleston it was incredibly welcoming and cozy. The interior design was simple, yet homey, creating a very comfortable ambiance. Because we were a private party, we took about 3-4 tables in the wine cellar/room located towards the back of the restaurant. Prior to our meal, the staff came around with hors d'oeuvres (salmon tartare, empanadas, and fried oysters - all delicious) and wine while everyone mingled. All of the wait staff was top notch. My additional 3 courses included an artichoke soup, grilled rock-fish, and the heavenly salty caramel ice cream. The soup was ok, I'm more of a tomato soup lover, but it was still very good. The grilled rock-fish was deliciously cooked and topped with button mushrooms. I can easily say the mushrooms here were the most delicious mushrooms I've ever had. And all of it was topped with lemon buerre blanc, which to me was just a fancy phrase for deliciousness. Despite being stuffed from all of the wonderful food, I had to make room for dessert. It was a scrumptious plate of sweet and salty - a combination my taste buds always enjoy, and this dessert did not disappoint. It included a chocolate and coffee napoleon with a side of salted caramel ice cream. I'm a pretty picky ice cream lover but this was the bees knees in ice cream. A week after my trip and I'm still craving this stuff. To finish we were offered coffee but our table couldn't resist a waiter's inquiry regarding dessert wines. I'm not entirely sure which brand was ordered, but it was an Armagnac - I was told it was a 1984 vintage. We all took sips from a glass that could've been mistaken for a fish bowl on a stem - it was quite big. The aroma of the Armagnac was very strong and could be smelled from across the table. I've tried ports and other fortified wines before but have found many of them to be too sweet. Just a tiny sip and I was surprised at how balanced and smooth the flavor was, however it was syrupy (thickness). It may have changed my mind next time I'm offered a dessert wine. Bottom line: This restaurant is fantastic. Although I didn't pay, the service and quality of food is well worth the price regardless of whether you opt for the 3 or 6 course meal. I would highly recommend Charleston to anyone visiting the city looking for a delicious meal and a comfortable, yet upscale atmosphere.
(5)Meatdowntown C.
Avoid wasting $300. There is nothing exceptional about this place. The food is just okay and the experience is nothing really to remark. This restaurant will never compare to anything in CHicago, DC or Boston. Avoid it!
(1)Michael H.
We came from Denver,CO on recommendations and found an incredible dinner -- service, food, wine, drinks all first rate. Hard to find any concerns other than cost of $350 for 2 people (4 courses each with suggested wines, cocktails, tip, tax = bottom line cost) and rather formal atmosphere. In defense of those 2 issues, this restaurant is one of the greatest I have enjoyed any place in the world and I was comfortable in a collared sport-shirt with no tie or jacket. Would highly recommend this great restaurant for a once in a lifetime dinner, cost be damned!
(5)Maria M.
Well what can I say.... it's delish!!! My husband took me here for my birthday and I was very impressed. Lots of great things and a couple of good things. All in all the experience was great! First of, it's complimentary valet which is always a good thing. If we're paying so much for the food, it's nice to know they give you a break for parking since it is in downtown Baltimore. In any case, we were welcomed and seated right away (we had a reservation, so i'm sure that helped). We decided to get the 6 course meal! I was soooo full at the end of it, I wasn't sure if I could fit in dessert which is mandatory by the way. And free. So go for it! I started off with the lobster bisque soup with curry and that was amazing. It was not with bits and pieces of lobster, but with chunks of lobster... very impressive. Very savory and tasty. Some reviewers thought it was too salty... but I really loved the flavor. Probably, the best I've tasted. Then I ordered the crabcake. It was with lump crab and very little filling on top of spinach and some mayo-based sauce. Amazing. Loved it!! not too salty but very flavorful! The 3rd course is asparagus: I needed a break before the meat so i got something light. It was good. It included chunks of cream cheese with it. Pretty good with the asparagus. The 4th course was Grilled salmon. Nothing out of the ordinary but still really good. The 5th was scallops. I don't know how they cook it, but it was delish. It was two big pieces of scallops on top of beans and bacon. Very good! My last course was the beef tenderloin. I admit that I did not finish this. I only was able to take a bite because I was so full. I even gave my husband piece of my other courses and I was still full. In any case, they usually serve all their meat medium rare... but i chose medium well because I like it like that. And it was still juicy and not dry at all. So very good! The dessert came and I almost about died because I could not breathe at all. I got the white chocolate and strawberry dome which is a dish with vanilla bean mousse or something topped with white chocolate and strawberries. So good! And I would've finished it but I couldn't take more than a couple of bites before succumbing to my body saying it can take no more! Lol My husband could not decided which dessert he wanted and so our waiter actually gave him both... hahaha.. the creme brulee and the rhubarb tart. All was delicious! Then we got complimentary mini-pastries. I don't know how we ate them... but i took tiny little bites our of them. The dishes come out one at a time... so were were there for about 2.5 hours... definitely different experience from other food places we've been to. The atmosphere was great. Our waiter was amazing and the food was delish! What more can a girl ask for on her birthday =). Expensive but definitely worth it for special occasions! =) YAY!
(5)Gaz H.
Had a four course tasting menu here for a special occasion. It was all good. The lobster bisque: all good. The meat and fish offerings: all good. Dessert: all good. Service is attentive without being obsequious. The explanation of the chef's philosophy was a bit much, but the food was worth sitting through it. I did not pick up the check on my latest visit, but bring dosh.
(5)Valerie T.
What other reviews say about price is very true. If you aren't prepared for things to get spendy, choose somewhere else. But if you're ok with around $300 for two for their wine paring menu, do yourself a favor and savor the experience. I had a perfectly-prepared buffalo steak and another course of venison. Every bite was a revelation.
(5)Sean C.
Ok...so I was meeting a friend in Baltimore....and wanted to find a great restaurant....stumbled across Charleston's and booked it for last Thursday night. Wow, i must tell you this place is awesome! The ambiance in this place is top level.....the decor/furnishings/lighting/mood is very warm and modern with an old school mahogany touch. I love a nice crisp white table cloth with beautiful dish wear and glasses. The attention to detail in this place is really neat. Now before suck on the knee caps of this place any further i do have one MAJOR gripe. When we walked in the table wasn't ready yet so the hostess said we could sit at the bar to have a drink. The hostess was a middle/late aged blonde superbly dressed and very proper. Ten min later she walks up to the bar to let us know the table is ready and my first impression was very nice.....she said she would have our drinks brought to our table and i was really impressed. She then seated us at our table in one of the middle rooms. When i was online earlier looking at their website i noticed that they had different rooms with different names for the rooms. I asked her basically which rooms were which and what were their names and she kinda scoffed at me and gave me a dirty look....almost like it was beneath her to even have to have this conversation. I literally had to press the question again saying.......what is this room called and don't you have multiple rooms with different names? Whereas, she finally responded with "Sir, you are in the wine library...and we do have another room called the Palm room. Why is she making me feel like i'm bugging her by asking a question about the place??? My problem is this....when i go to a restaurant as a foodie and i'm gonna spend $300 on two people to eat.....i like to know about the restaurant and i like to freely ask questions and inquire about who the chef is or some history of the restaurant....i don't think thats too high maintenance...now if i'm going to chipotle i don't need any information but this is not chipotle. So for this woman to almost make feel uncomfortable to ask about the restaurant and still not even give me one of the rooms names in my mind is unacceptable and just plain rude! That being said, I never had to see the hostess for the rest of my meal and let me just say that everything that happened after that fiasco was simply marvelous! Our waitress was lovely, i don't recall her name but i believe she was Latina and we loved her! The food was just amazing....I had the 5 course without the wine pairings since i was drinking cocktails and my friend had the 4 course. All i can say is that the food was impeccably prepared and plated on the most beautiful dish wear i've ever seen! I actually had to know the maker of the plates they are soo lovely i'm going to buy from this manufacturer out of France. Everything tasted and looked awesome! I would give this place 5 stars if not for the rude episode with the hostess and i'll definitely be back and barring any issues with staff if the food and service are the same i will definitely give 5 stars. You really can't miss in this place I loved it!
(4)Beth L.
Food is excellent here. I had the lobster bisque soup, the crab cakes, the arugula salad, and the panna cotta. Everything was prepared just right. They are very generous with the wine. Beautiful venue. Prices are extremely high. Be sure you know what you are getting yourself into before you come here. But the food is excellent.
(5)Roger M.
Best restaurant in Baltimore and maybe DC too. Would be a standout in NYC. When I think of the best meals and dining experiences I've EVER had in my life, Charleston is right at the top. A few meals I had in Italy, one at Commander's Palace in NOLA, a place on 56th in Manhattan and another at a little Italian bistro in Sun Valley are up there too. Safe to say, I LOVE FOOD! From the moment we walked into Charleston, we felt like celebrities. I can't give you a line-by-line account of what we had, but every course was better than the next. Just perfectly cooked and delicious beyond words. The wait staff is very professional and has a sixth-sense of when to approach the table, when to get water, fill the wine glass, ask if everything was alright, etc. The food came out perfectly warm (not too hot, never cool) and the courses were timed perfectly, never feeling rushed. My wife was a little stuffed near the end, so the waiter brought over a FREE digestif (grappa) and pillow. Meals are priced by the number of courses you get. You can select any 3, 4 or 5 items from their menu and will be charged for how many courses you want. Each course can also be paired with a matched wine, which will increase the price sharply. It's not cheap here, but still way less than the best places in DC or NYC. A party of 4 with wine should expect to pay as much as $800 for dinner. Depending on your wine selection, $1000-$1500+ would be easy. BUT, a party of 2 that orders 1 glass of vino each from the wine menu and gets 3 courses each can walk away for under $225. Ignore the complainers on here who were likely LOOKING for things to whine about and will NEVER be satisfied. All of those stories smell of "you're not telling us something..." and feel exaggerated. If any wait staff or employee was anything but perfect, they would have been fired.
(5)Alisa K.
Delicious - literally the best restaurant in Baltimore. Service and execution is impeccable. Great vegetarian/pescatarian selection. Literally perfect.
(5)Matt T.
This place was amazing. The food was great, the service was impeccable, and the price (while high) was very reasonable compared to many places I have seen. So personally I do not like making a lot of decisions when I go to a nice place. I prefer a tasting menu and to let the chef do the thinking. However my family is very picky and since this meal was for my parents anniversary I was looking to find a good balance. Charleston's "Course Menu" allowed us to do just that. Everyone could chose what courses they want and how many they want without creating any issues for other diners which was nice for people who do not frequent tasting menu's. Now for the meal: The amuse-bouche was a cream mushroom soup shot which was fantastic. I had the arugula salad, the shrimp and grits (which were quite amazing), the chanterelle mushroom (which was possibly the best mushroom I have ever had anywhere, ever) and the braised beef. I also got the wine pairings which were both good and very reasonably priced for the meal. Highly recommend this to anyone with something to celebrate!
(5)Irene B.
Touted as the finest restaurant in Baltimore, we had to give Charleston a try on one of our trips home to visit the in-laws. The decor and ambiance are what I would expect from traditional fine dining establishments but not overly stuffy. We opted for the five-course 'tasting menu' and were surprised by the near entree sized portions. Being from San Francisco, I'm more accustomed to tasting menu portions to be exactly that. Just a taste. So be sure to come hungry or choose the three-course option instead. The service was impeccable and our waiter was incredibly friendly and helpful, even when we did not heed his advice to pair lighter dishes with richer ones. We had crab cakes, fois gras, roasted duck and sweet corn chowder and I believe we even had some beef tenderloin. I usually don't drink but for some insane reason we decided to each get the wine pairing. Each dish was beautifully prepared and would have been great for five different dinners but we had them all in one sitting. You can imagine how we were feeling toward the end. I'm a lightweight and can't really stomach rich foods so I was feeling quite bilious, to say the least. Thankfully, our kind waiter brought us yet more alcohol that he promised would calm our stomachs. I was too drunk to remember the name of it but to my surprise it helped settle my tummy. All in all we had a memorable dining experience and will definitely keep Charleston on our list of places to eat when we're back East again. Next time we'll hopefully remember not to be such piggies and take the advice of our waiter!
(5)Victoria L.
Being the sugar mama that I am (ha), I took my SO here for a celebration dinner. After spending an amazing and painful amount of money, we left feeling fat, sassy, and seriously well fed. I am not exactly the classiest gal on the block. However, a little black dress was perfect for the atmosphere. Definitely don a jacket if you're playing the part of the fella. The food is amazing and the rest of the reviews speak to it more than I could. If you're like me, and you're not a foodie but you enjoy being spoiled, go here. From how the sommelier treats you to the attentive waitstaff, to the treats from the pastry chef (and what girl doesn't like free pastries), I left feeling like what I spent wasn't remotely close to what it all was worth. I mean, I left feeling classy and cultured, so they must be good at their jobs. :D
(5)Elizabeth W.
We celebrated our anniversary here on July 10th, a Tuesday evening. Service was superb. We had 5 courses with wine pairings plus dessert. Each dish was very rich, so even with big appetites and coming hungry, 4 courses would have probably sufficed. They made us an anniversary cake for dessert with a beautiful gold sugar twist weaving through the cake, very creative and romantic! Great for special occasions.
(5)Jen A.
Charleston is expensive. But it is no contest the best place in Baltimore. Service is impeccable. The menu is a clever variation on a prix fixe. Somehow it is liberating to order this way and you always get dessert added on. The amuse bouche is always great. Wine pairings are expert. Even though it costs a lot, it feels like a good value.
(5)Shane N.
Overall this place had extremely well prepared food using classical techniques and high end service. My SO took me to the Charleston for my birthday dinner. I must say it was one of the better dinning experiences I have had. The thing about the Charleston is that it doesn't have a lot of spectacularly different menu items. What it does have is some classically prepared dishes that were cooked perfectly. The menu set up is something like a "prix fixe" menu, but you get to pick the number of courses. The options were 3,4,5, or 6 courses. This does not include dessert which is included in the price. They also have a wine pairing that includes a half of glass of wine chosen by the sommelier to match each course you select. The interesting thing was that you can choose from any of the menu items to build your dinner. So, you could have 6 meat courses; or 3 meat course and 2 fish courses; or 4 salads and a fish course. Basically any combination you want (with the exception being dessert). I went with the 5 courses and wine pairings. For the first course I had a lobster curry soup. It was basically a lobster bisque with some curry flavor. It was very good with a nice flavor. I could have used a little more heat. It has some whole poached lobster pieces which was nice. The next course I had the diver scallops. They were cooked perfectly. Very soft and buttery. The next course was one of the more unique items on the menu which was a fried grit cake. The cake was finished with a delicious chanterelle mushroom sauce and finished with some goat cream cheese. It was very rich, heavy and rustic. The tart goat cheese cut through it nicely. Very good. The next thing I had was an arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette. It was good, but just a salad. Nothing amazing. The last of my five courses was the grilled lamb chop. It came with rice and a Greek yogurt sauce. The lamb was cooked perfectly. The yogurt was really good and brought the whole thing together. Finally it came time for dessert. I had the vanilla panna cotta with a rasberry sorbet and mixed berries. It was delicious. The richness of the panna cotta went well with the tartness of the berries. My SO couldn't decide between a strawberry consomme with vanilla ice cream or some apple tart with a tamarind (maybe?) ice cream. She eventually she chose the consomme dish, but our waiter was nice enough to bring both. Speaking of our waiter, he was excellent. The whole staff was excellent which is what you expect from a restaurant like the Charleston, but they did not fail to deliver on service in any respect. I would comment about how the place is very pricey, but it is a high end restaurant and it has the prices to match. It is not the type of place you can go to every day, but it is nice for a special occasion dinner.
(5)Maryanne P.
I went with my significant other to this restaurant and it's simply great. It's quite pricey but you get what you pay for, which is great food. We each had the max number of plates, I think it was 6 or 7. The plates are small-medium so you won't get too full but are still able to try a variety of dishes. All dishes are great, but I personally liked the foie gras. I'll be saving up some money and going back to Charleston soon.
(5)Matthew L.
After 5 years I finally got around to eating at the Charleston. I will give credit where credits due, it lived up to the hype. First tip is you have to make a reservation for weekend dining. Everything is done tastefully and the service is excellent. Each member of the staff made sure to provide great attention and service. My wife and I each went with the 6 course meal. The courses are surprisingly large for fine dining. With the richness and depth of the dishes, we had a hard time finishing these and making it to dessert. I will repeat Andrew's advice and recommend mixing in some lighter sounding dishes. I was full until dinner the next day. My favorite courses were the pan seared foie gras, the fried soft shell crab, buffalo mozzarella and friend green tomatoes, and bison. The lamb chop, squab, shrimp and grits were also tasty. It may not be an every day meal, but it is spectacular.
(5)John I.
One of Baltimore's most elegant restaurants, the Charleston Restaurant represents true class and amazing gastronomic adventures in noveau American cuisine. At the restaurant I had the opportunity to meet the proprietor, Ms. Cindy Wolf, who indulged me on some of the key ingredients of the various dishes I ordered. This was a truly pleasant and surprise welcome. The decor is rich and warm. I would recommend more of a dressy casual dress for this place, but of course many people were dressed up in formal business attire. The service is good. Is it amazing? Hard to say. I was disappointed not to have met their onsite Sommelier. Usually when I attend a dinner at the finest restaurants and plan to order a glass or bottle of wine, it is always nice to speak to the "expert" on how best to evaluate their selections. This was a big issue for me at this restaurant. In addition, their wines by the glass were pathetic. I had a chance to review most of them during dinner and found the mark-up to be beyond comprehensible. I went through at least three tastings (which was nice), but in the end I did not enjoy my wine experience (and thus the overall 4/5 stars). Wine and wine insight are a critical part to an evening of enjoyment and pleasure. This is something they really need to improve on. Now on to the food. Here is what I ordered (with rating): Rich Lobster Soup with Curry * 10/10. A rich and somewhat spicy soup. Duo of Tartare: Big Eye Tuna, Avocado & Scottish Salmon with Osetra Caviar * 10/10. Very fresh. Finest ingredients. Highly recommend. Pan-Roasted Turbot, Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Carrot Purée * 7/10. Turbot was a bit dense and overcooked. Foie Gras had a bit more of a livery texture than I would have liked. Bigeye Tuna, Duck Fat Potatoes, Picholine Olives, Roasted Shallot Sauce *7/10. Nothing special. Sushi grade tuna traditionally undercooked. Not a big wow factor. Pan-Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Poached Pear, Pomegranate Sorbet *9/10. Perfect flavors across the various components of the dish. Nice pairing. Foie Grass was cooked perfectly. Grilled Gunpowder Farm Buffalo Tenderloin, Creamy Polenta, Oyster Mushrooms *7/10. A solid effort for a tougher meat. Veal Trio: Grilled Tenderloin, Sweetbreads & Shoulder Confit with Porcini Mushrooms *9/10. Beautifully done. Enjoyed the trio for its own representation. Appreciated "nude" presentation. Didn't require heavy sauce influences. Enjoy Baltimore!! Enjoy The Charleston Restaurant.
(4)Marcel B.
Uptight atmosphere. But the food was out of this world. A must go PERIOD !
(5)Lauren N.
So my husband had wanted to take me here for a long time. All the hype and excitment around it did not live up! We came for our anniversary and were so very disappointed. The service that night was surprisingly horrible. We kept being told that the chef would stop by the table and she never did. The dishes were not memorable and the prices were astronomical! I am not cheap when it comes to wonderful dining experiences. However, in this case it was not worth the $400 for the two of us. We were greeted with champagne that cost us $30 per glass, had to look for our waitress multiple times and just wasn't wowed whatsoever. We called the restaurant the next day and even spoke to the chef. They did absolutely nothing and just said it was crazy that evening because they had the mayor of Baltimore there. Does that mean you should ignore all of your other paying clients? Will not come back unless it was complimentary. Much rather go to Pazo, Chinghale or Petit Louis for the money!
(2)Brski B.
A James Beard nominee carries with it a certain amount of cache for the expectant diner - one simply expects excellence on some scale. And truly enough, Charleston gave us a splendid meal, the type of meal that is de rigueur for NoCal's finest dining - excellent work from a fine imagination using high quality product. My only complaint is not a complaint but a judgment - in my experience, I've eaten meals that have changed how I thought of food. Charleston gave me no religion even though I found no flaws in my meal. I suppose one could wonder how Charleston would do in a more competitive city, but that's pointless here. From service to food (including the worthwhile wine pairings), we were fully pleased. The amuse bouche was a potato and truffle soup served with small Gruyere beignets. It was as you might imagine, hard to fault - delicious if not exactly, startlingly imaginative. The lobster soup with curry was a lobster stock reduction with cream, poached lobster, arugula oil, and curry oil. My mouth watered slightly as I recalled this course; however, it was, alas, a lobster bisque - if you've had a good lobster bisque, you've had a good lobster bisque. Though it did have a flavor to note, the arugula oil was more about color than flavor. The curry oil was a nicer touch that did not intrude upon the flavor of the perfectly poached lobster. The ruby red shrimp and real grits was sautéed Carolina shrimp finished with andouille sausage, Tasso ham, and butter - served with creamy grits, natch. Both playful and mindful of the slightly Southern harmonies of Maryland. If you're looking for a Creole punch, this is not where you'll find it, but as an homage to the Cajun style, I found this to be delicious and flawless. The poached white asparagus with a whole grain mustard butter and crumbled fresh chèvre was very good. Was it anyone's favorite? No. But it was lightly tangy and refreshing to the palate. The Scottish smoked salmon (with egg yolk mousse, capers, and shallot brunoise) was more successful than the asparagus - very tasty - but not a stunning experience either. The mille feuille of veal sweetbreads was a puff pastry filled with sweetbreads, caramelized oyster mushrooms, and cognac cream. Sound preparation, but probably the least impressive dish of the night. Nothing to fault except the flavors were not spot-on to what we desired in sweetbreads that evening. The pan-seared Hudson Valley foie gras was poached 'en cocotte' with mirepoix and fresh black truffle; it was served with truffle brioche. My date said it was divine. My date is a bit mad about the foie. I like the foie, I never turn down the foie, but I am not mad about the foie. I'm more of a sucker for truffles; and yes, even the 'lesser' black truffle makes me irrational. Furthermore, the wines were kicking in right about now. All that noted, this was damn good foie. The pan-roasted Florida grouper was on the tasting menu that night, so I chose this as my fish course. It was served with a lemon beurre blanc and an oyster and white button mushroom fricassée. Again, it was flawless (well seasoned, perfectly roasted) and there was nothing wrong with any element of the plate - but it just stirred no fires. However, the pan-roasted rockfish sparked something more within me - I could only sample this plate, but there was something about the crisp skin of the fish with the deeply, richly, caramelized mushrooms that made me regret my own fish plate. The grilled Gunpowder Farm buffalo tenderloin with Barolo risotto and grilled zucchini was a pleasant surprise. I'm simply not a tenderloin guy, and I'd never tried buffalo tenderloin, but this was delicious because of (what I assume to be) a light dry-rub applied prior to grilling. Arguably my favorite sample of the evening. The grilled prime beef tenderloin was served with picholine olives, haricots verts, and duck fat roasted potatoes - and yes, you'd be hard pressed to find any flaw with this dish. I enjoyed my sample but the buffalo lingered longer. My final entrée, sautéed duck breast served with thinly roasted carrots (and other ingredients that I forget now), was as delicious as the evening. For dessert we tried the Charleston Candy Bar (cocoa nib panna cotta, peanut butter ice cream), vanilla rice pudding (passion fruit sauce, blood orange sorbet, orange chip), and buttermilk panna cotta (pistachio crumble, blood orange sorbet, orange supremes). What can I say of these 3 dishes? The 'candy bar' was the best 'candy bar' I ever tried, I didn't even know I liked rice pudding until I tried this one, and the panna cotta was like eating a pleasurable emotion. Finally, it's not as pricey as some will lead you to believe - yes, it's not cheap, but our bill came to a little over $700 after tip - 3 people eating 4 courses, 1 person eating 3 courses, 4 desserts, and 4 wine pairings. In sum? I'd come back without hesitation.
(4)Don L.
This is Baltimore Fine Dining! Every dish is cooked with intentionality and care. The plating of each dish is creative. The flavors are vibrant and distinguishable. I had the 5 course meal with wine. I highly recommend the wine pairings. They're PERFECT with each dish! (But be forewarned- it's a lot of wine!) Here are my 5 courses (I forget their actual names): 1) Tuna Tartare - Good tasting Tuna; a great way to start the meal. 2) Salad with Pheasant - hearty salad in a such a small bundle; dressing is a bit on the bland side for my taste...but the wine it's paired with will flavor things up! 3) Rockfish - Solid fish; can't go wrong 4) Buffalo Tenderloin - Tender meat cooked exactly to what I requested! 5) Veal Shortbreads - My FAVORITE out of the five. For those that don't know, it's not "bread" and actually it's better if you don't know what it is, because it tastes SOOO good. Dessert is included in the meal (I had the Chocolate Bombe). Thank goodness because a 5 course meal with wine is NOT cheap! It is definitely a great dining EXPERIENCE from the moment you enter the restaurant.
(5)B H.
This was a really fun night with a fantastic bottle of wine. I could go into detail but will spare you the blow by blow. My only warning is that while so many things on the menu look fantastic and you want to try them, many of the items are quite rich and it is important to plan strategically if you want to make it through the meal.
(4)Michelle M.
EXCELLENT! We had four courses with wine pairing. The Foie Gras was the best I have ever had. The service was impeccable. Very expensive but worth it for a special occasion. One of the most impressive wine lists we have ever seen, but there were also value priced wines. Would definitely go back!
(5)Gus L.
I got a four course meal with wine pairings. A little on the expensive side but possibly one of the best meals I have ever had. Not to mention that the service was absolutely flawless. As far as the attire goes, you could get away with wearing slacks and a dress shirt but you probably want to wear a jacket.
(5)Laura H.
Saw this restaurant reviewed in AAA magazine, and being a lover of all things "Low Country", I had to try it. I was impressed! The only reservation we could get on short notice was for 5:30, but it ended up working in our schedule and we went with it.. We got there at 5:25 and were told that the staff was finishing up their meeting with the chef and we could wait in the bar. No problem. I ordered a Malibu Bay Breeze and my husband ordered a Dark and Stormy. I was told that they didn't carry Malibu or any coconut rums. WHAT? Seems odd, but OK. I got an Amaretto Sour instead and it was very good. The bartender said he needed to get the ginger beer for my husbands drink. Well I think he sent someone to a liquor store cause he finally got his drink 20 minutes later! They comped us the drinks, but still- kind of annoying. So after that weirdness, everything was perfect. Our waiter was fantastic and gave us lots of great suggestions. He brought us the fried oysters for free and they were divine. Between the two of us, we liked those the best and also really enjoyed the lobster soup, the grilled beef and grilled lamb and the CHEESE TROLLEY! The shrimp and grits were decent, but not the best I've had. The little samples of watermelon/cucumber soup and goat cheese/avocado spread they brought out first were really good too. I am not a huge dessert person, but we both enjoyed what we got. I will definitely be going back!
(4)Tom C.
Easily our best dining experience in this area. Chef Cindy Wolf is a master. We were a party of six, celebrating the family matriarch's birthday at Charleston, a gift from her loving children. We sampled a wide variety of entrees, all of which were simply wonderful. I really like their dining concept: each patron selects three to six items from the menu at a fixed price. If you like, the staff has selected the perfect wine to pair with each entree. Or, you can select a bottle (bottles) from their extensive wine list. I suggest you follow the recommendations listed on the menu. Each pairing I enjoyed was a perfect match to the entree. I began with the shrimp and andouille sausage with grits paired with a 2007 Mt. Eden chardonnay. Superb! The shrimp was perfectly cooked, and the sausage and grits combination was a new taste treat for me. I followed this with a melt-in-your-mouth Scottish smoked salmon served with a Anjou, Domaine Jo Pithon "Les Pèpinières" (Loire Valley) 2005. The salmon rivaled that served at the world--famous Three Chimneys Inn on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, so you know it has to be good. For my third course I had the rack of venison; perfectly rare and the best I've ever tasted., perfectly paired with a barolo the vintner and vintage which I can't recall. My final course was a fork-tender buffalo tenderloin served with a 2004 LaDame de Montrose Saint Estephe Bordeaux. Out of this world! We then all enjoyed a variety of delicious cheeses and sherry. The meal was perfectly ended with a variety of desserts, port, Armagnac, and coffee. The service at Charleston is impeccable. The staff is totally professional, and we never wanted for anything. There seemed to be someone there anticipating our needs at every moment. They are happy to explain the Charleston's dining concept, and I suggest you listen carefully to their advice. You won't regret it. I really can't say enough about Charleston and Cindy Wolf. I've dined in restaurants from Towson to Tokyo, from Texas to Taipei, from Hanover to Honolulu, and I've never had a meal as good as this. I hesitate to use the word "perfect" to describe a dining experience, but our evening at Charleston tempts me to do just that.
(5)Chelsea M.
If only there were a 6th star for special exceptions to the Yelp scale. Days after visiting Charleston, I'm still dreaming of one of the most exceptional dining experiences I've had in or outside the Beltway. Charleston is spacious and stunning, blending traditional touches with modern decor to create an ambiance that feels elegant and comfortable at one (sometimes I find the grandest restaurants have trouble striking a balance between classy and stuffy). But this place is more than a pretty face- the real star here is the inventive menu, which displays the appetizer and entrees in one list from lightest to heaviest and encourages you to pick three to six options that strike your fancy. And the icing on the cake? Your cake doesn't count! Everyone gets dessert- it's included. Our lovely server Leslie did a splendid job explaining Charleston's unique options and helping our table navigate through the menu to identify our top 3 (or in my case, 4). The service from Leslie et al was attentive and friendly, as well as patient with my 21 questions of how to mix and match the menu best. Of course, with service and setting like this, the food could have been average and I would have been happy as an overstuffed clam. My Top 4 was flawless. My salad was a work of art - the base of an artichoke topped with fresh crab meat. The heirloom tomato gazpacho with lobster was both light and luxurious. Scottish smoked salmon with crispy potatoes and creme fraiche was a savory delight. My grilled buffalo tenderloin with creamy polenta and mushrooms is making regular cameos in my dreams and was a hit with my steak lover of a beau, too. I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the love affair I had with the bread basket that night- the cornbread was phenomenal. My table ended our evening with a grand finale of dessert and cheese, which also didn't disappoint. I rest my case. Charleston blew me away in every way and I can't wait to find a way back to Baltimore.
(5)Lin O.
Now I won't say that this is the BEST meal I've ever had, but it was damn good! I would give Charleston an awesome 4.7 stars if I could...lol!! The restaurant is definitely TOP NOTCH when it comes to service. I wasn't a huge fan of the decor but the colors are very contemporary and it had a very romantic feel to it which was great since it was me and the bf. Be prepared to put a dent in your bank account when going. We had the 4 course dinner and every single course came out delectable and amazingly presented! Here's what I had and some reveiws: Shrimp and Grits: Sooooo good! Would've ordered 2 if I knew how great it was! Veal Sweetbread: Tasty! never had anything like it before so I can't compare it to anything but definitely a surprising treat! Rockfish: The BEST hands down!! I savored every bite! Buffalo Tenderloin: Tender and flavorful! Overall, excellent experience and worth the money! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I wasn't a huge fan of the dessert offerings but i had the Apple Confit which was good but not blow my socks off. it takes a lot for me to give 5 stars. It's really gotta blow my socks off but Charleston almost did the trick!!
(4)Lynn W.
My favorite restaurant. The food is so incredibly good, and the service is just about as perfect as service can be, merging professionalism with easy and friendliness.
(5)Andrew K.
One of the best restaurants in Baltimore I've been to. I would definitely recommend putting in a reservation especially for a weekend dinner since the wait can be very long. You can choose from 4, 5, or 6 course meals. I chose the 6 course meal and even for me 6 course was tough to finish since dessert and bread is included and I would not recommend going so meat heavy as I did. Service was excellent and the plates of food come out at a pace where by the end of dinner, we were there over 2 hours. My favorite dishes were the crabcake, halibut, lamb chop and shrimp and grits. The cassoulet was a French special and that was also very good but there was a little too much beans for me. The buffalo tenderloin was cooked medium rare and also very good but it was my last plate and by then, I was pretty stuffed so I didn't enjoy it as much. I got the creme brulee and the rhubarb tart for dessert and the ginger icecream that comes with the tart was refreshing. With a glass of wine and a 6 course meal, you can easily spend around $150 per person so it's a very pricey meal but you definitely get what you pay for and I feel like for a special night, it's worth it. Valet parking is complimentary so don't worry about looking for parking.
(5)J H.
My new favorite restaurant in Baltimore! I decided to have dinner and lots of drinks at the bar since my friend and I were having a great time. Both food and service were excellent!
(5)Valerio M.
Freaking expensive, but worth every penny. The 5 course meal with wine paring was great, the ambient was excellent, as the service. And then great selection of desert wines and liquors. A great, extraordinary experience.
(5)Mark H.
The experience is pure decadence. The food is beyond anything in Baltimore, but it is more about the experience. The lobster bisque, oysters, rockfish, scallops, mussels, buffalo tenderloin, and squab are all exceptional. The wine pairings only add to the experience and they just kept bringing world class desserts. This place far exceeded my expectations ... Which were high to begin with.
(5)Chris J.
The Charleston is the best restaurant in Baltimore for a special occasion. The food, service, and location are great. Portions are small by design as you will have multiple courses and leave happy. I come here for the food and wine but also for the experience -- the servers explanation of the different courses, the server or sommeliers description of how the wine pairs with the dish, etc. The prices are in line with other high-end restaurants but I never feel that I've been overcharged as the experience has always been so positive. As some other reviewers have noted, it would be nice if there was a dress code since seeing other diners in jeans slightly diminishes the experience.
(5)Paolo G.
Very attentive and knowledgable service. I had the turbot, shrimp & grits, sweetbreads, and bison fillet. The turbot was not so great for my taste but everything else was very good, though I have had softer sweetbreads. I like the multi-course concept and I really like that they throw in dessert.
(4)Bernadette N.
I'm willing to give any restaurant a second chance - unless I get sick. Which was the case at Charleston. The hubs and I went to celebrate our move from to Maryland. Everyone had told us this is THE BEST place in Baltimore, so there was some level of expectation. We were initially turned off when we first made the reservations. We walked in midday (read: in tennis shoes and tank tops) and no one helped us for at least 15 minutes. Alas, they gave us a table for 9pm and all was forgiven. I mean, I knew this wasn't Fridays, we should have just called for the ressie. We arrived early, had a drink at the bar, very nice bartender was funny and courteous. All the menu options did sound appetizing, and I went a total duck route (foie gras app and duck again for dinner, something unimpressive in between). Hubs played it a little safer with something crustacean for an app, something with pasta for his second, and a rib-eye for dinner. Now, I got sick to my stomach immediately after ingesting my app - but in an effort not to ruin our first experience dining out in Baltimore, our new home town, I kept my mouth shut and smiled pretty . When we left and the hubs said "overrated and over priced, the steak was less than mediocre" - then I knew it wasn't just me. Maybe I would go back for a drink, but not the food. The service staff was mature and experienced, but I just don't know if there is enough experience in the kitchen to pull off their menu consistently.
(1)Anne L.
OMG Loved this place. The food was Phenom! The service was impeccable. The atmosphere was lovely. We couldn't recommend this highly enough. Pricey but worth it! We chose the 6 course menu w/ wine pairing and were very pleased and well satisfied. The lobster bisque and heads on shrimp with grits were my favorite. Hubby favored the smoked salmon and foie gras. The sommolier (sp?) was impressively knowledgeable. Would highly recommend!
(5)Ken C.
How anyone gives this place less than 5 stars is beyond me. It is one of the best south of New York. Service is impeccable, food is fantastic, and if you don't get the cheese cart you're missing the best part of the meal. The food is expensive and can tend to the heavy side (lots of butter and bacon), so you probably aren't eating here everyday. For a special occasion though, Charleston's can't be beat.
(5)Fat T.
Wen here for our anniversary. The food was excellent. Everything I tried was great. The service was comparable to some of the finest restaurants in NYC. Highly recommend for special occasions or every day if you don't mind dropping 300 for dinner on two.
(5)Flevoland D.
Of course. Best restaurant in the city. Fantastic food, impeccable service, luxurious setting. Worth a splurge.
(5)Bhairavi J.
We got gift certificate to Charleston as a wedding gift and went for our 3rd anniversary (yes, it took awhile for us to use the gift). It was amazing; from the bread and butter, to the soup to the main courses. We had a great time! The dirty martini was excellent as well :) It was very expensive, but something you should try if your wallet allows it.
(5)Steven S.
I went to Charleston to eat late last year. I went with five courses with wine pairings, which I think was a good amount of food. Protip: Don't make the same mistake as the diners sitting next to us and order a mismatched number of courses. Order the same number of courses to prevent food jealously. The service was pleasant. We had to wait an extra 15 minutes or so past our reservation to get a table, but the bar area made for some great people watching. As for the food itself, there were a couple standout dishes: RICH LOBSTER SOUP WITH CURRY - Amazing. I had to keep myself from licking the bowl. I think the key to this dish is the generous mix of oils. SWEETBREAD MILLE-FEUILLE - I love sweetbreads. These were not too oily, and perfectly salted. Presentation was nice and the mushrooms were tasty. HEADS-ON SHRIMP & STONE-MILLED GRITS - Solid shrimp and grits. The shrimp had a strong smokiness to it, and the ham was well browned. The grits had good consistency. One thing I really liked was that courses themselves were pretty substantial in size, and I felt quite full after five courses, whereas the typical tasting menu would leave me hungry. The one disappointment was a slightly boring piece of Filet Mignon, which I felt was overcooked. If I had to choose a restaurant in the Baltimore area for special occasions, or to impress someone who really loves food, it would be Charleston. It's a great place to eat, and arguably the best I've had in Baltimore thus far.
(4)Jon L.
My absolute favorite splurge, special occasion spot! For a business meal or a romantic evening , the Charleston always fits the bill. It's worth the hour long drive to inner harbor Baltimore without a doubt. Some staples that tend to appear regularly and are must haves....cornmeal fried oysters (light and crispy, masterful frying), lobster bisque, amazing shrimp and grits low country style, any type of foie gras or duck always...sweetbreads, tender and amazing, pan roasted turbot with the most succulent mushrooms you've ever had, buffalo tenderloin, really stinky cheeses and of course impeccable service. I had a nerve wrecking experience going with the owner/award winning sommelier's recommendation on a nice red wine pairing with the menu we had ordered. He decanted a beautiful Spanish wine at the table for us and explained that truly fine reds need to breathe a bit before you drink them. All I could think was OMG I'm going to need to dip into our home equity line of credit to pay for this and it ended up being only $70 and we were so thrilled with the whole experience. As far as we could see almost everything on the menu was local, organic and sustainable, what a true role model for the industry!
(5)Peter L.
We had a surprise birthday dinner for seven people at 9:30 on Saturday night and it was fantastic. We were there until midnight, but were never unattended to. The service is impeccable. The staff is very nice and welcoming. The food is delicious and the ability to order anywhere from 3-6 items will leave you satisfied (followed by delicious desserts and assorted candies). Be willing to spend a lot of money. Our bill for seven, with tip, wine, and cocktails was $1,050. It was worth it, if you can afford it! I had no idea Baltimore had a restaurant like this.
(5)Michelle P.
I was so looking forward to this restaurant after hearing all the wonderful reviews (not just on Yelp, but from many places). Last night my fiancee and I went to Charleston, he got the 5 course tasting menu and I had the 4 course. I started with the Curry Lobster Bisque, which I didn't really enjoy, but he thought it was good. The bisque was very heavy and overwhelmed the lobster. Next I had the white asparagus with chevre and mustard sauce, again, I wasn't impressed, my third course was the Foie Gras, which was very good, it came with a port wine poached pear, but was sitting in a pomegranite demi-glace that was too salty and overwhelming for a dish that is rich by definition. My last course was the buffalo, and that was terrible. The meat itself was cooked well and tasted good, but again, the sauce was too salty and overwhelmed the dish, it had a "barolo risotto" under it, I honestly just had to download the menu to see what it was sitting on because it tasted nothing like risotto, it was the consistency of peanut butter, and it was topped in fried onions, reminiscent of the green bean casserole my grandmother makes at Thanksgiving. Dessert was fine, but it didn't make up for my meal. My fiancee's meal was somewhat better than mine. He started with the cornmeal crusted fried oysters, and they were perfect. His second course was shrimp and grits, which were fine, but bland, not impressive. For his third course, he chose the grouper, that we actually sent back because it was gummy, either undercooked or a bad piece of fish. (We were both very sick that night, I would imagine it was from this). For his fourth coure he got sweetbreads, which were cooked well, but served on a biscuit and covered in mushrooms and gravy, not how I like my sweetbreads. Sweetbreads are fried, and heavy, yet delicate at the same time. They should not be served with biscuits and gravy, they should be served alone to highlight the tenderness and flavor. This was a real miss. His last course was the cassoulet. The duck and fried green tomatoes were good, but the cassoulet didn't seem to go with the other items it was served with. It was confused, but it tasted good. Again, his dessert was nice. The service here was great, but the food was dated and heavy handed, The management was wonderful though, aside from the grouper we never complained about anything, but they were very aware of what was going on and actually gave us a round of free drinks (that had to do more with the fact that it took 30 minutes for our drinks to get from the bar to our table, and they were the wrong ones) and only charged us for a 3 and 4 course tasting. Still, I won't be returning.
(2)Jane M.
Ok, this could be a very long review, but I'm editing: this is the best restaurant on the planet. Everything is perfect. The wine list is perfect. As a member of the American Institute of Wine and Food, I've enjoyed many fine places, but this is the best. Hands down. I did a three course "fixed price" with wine pairings (plus dessert, which is included) and I don't have enough superlatives to describe the meal. Just go -- even if you have to make a special trip to Baltimore. It is worth it.
(5)John D.
This place was great. I went there for the first time the week after thanksgiving. The food was excellent, well thought out and executed perfectly. This type of food isn't so much about if it tastes good, because it all does; but more to experience clean perfectly seasoned flavors and combinations. THE SHRIMP AND GRITS WERE AWESOME. There was a sauce served with the salmon that I didn't particularly care for. Of course I find it funny that these fancy shmancy restaurants have "upscale waiters" with accents from various European countries. I must admit, our waiter was very knowledgable and threw a terrific cheese plate together after dinner. Now for 6 people all with wine pairings the bill came up to about 800+tip. Not the best value but I don't care because the food was delicious
(5)Davi H.
The entire experience is amazing. This is my parent's favorite place so my family went for my mom's birthday. The atmosphere is definitely upscale, but not stuffy. Same for the service-the maitre d and waitstaff was all friendly and unpretentious. The chef even paid a visit to our table. As for the food, it was unbelievable. The restaurant has a series of tasting menu options and we did the 3-course. The turbot was quite possibly the best dish I have ever had. It was served in a lemon buerre blanc sauce and a carrot puree, then topped with seared foie gras. I had never tried foie gras before and never had an intention to, but the waiter convinced me that I would love it and he was so right! The four components were supposed to be eaten simultaneously in one bite so they could complement each other, and it worked perfectly. The veal sweetbread was also tasty, and I finished off my meal with the maple beignets w/ pecan ice cream... delicioso!! The place is definitely pricey, but well worth it for the food and experience!
(5)Maureen P.
Ok so let's start out by saying this place is EXPENSIVE. I mean really. The average person has to be ready for it. I was because I went with my friends who had been there before and are foodies like me. Let me also say that if you are not the above I don't think you can appreciate the cost of this restaurant. I mean that in the nicest way. I had been waiting to go here forever, final the Baltimore food mecca and a birthday celebration too! we had the 4 course with wine pairings. Although all of us are wine folk we are not sommeliers by any means so let the experts pick. Unless you are one! The amuse-bouche was a lovely soup with truffle oil. YUMMY! On to my first course...lobster soup with curry...a tender flavorful piece of lobster with a lobster reduction poured over at the table, curry and arugala oil under the poached lobster. Amazing! This actually may have been my favorite course, so simple but with all the best flavors. This review could go on forever...so I like to keep them short so I wont go into every detail. My other course included shrimp and grits, norweigan salmon with a red wine, shallot ruby port sauce, and a grilled rack of lamb with rosemary,capers, aged sherry...yum across the board. We all split a cheese serving, the blue cheese we had is perhaps the best cheese i have ever tasted. Oh my goodness is all I can say. All in al a wonderful experience both in service and in food and wine. But of course it is always the company that truly puts the whip cream on the top of the evening! Save your money and experience this at least once:)
(5)Sherri H.
I chose this restaurant due to the YELP reviews and it was a VERY GOOD CHOICE! Fine dining - excellent wines by the glass, even Veuve by the glass. Tasting menu of about 25 selections to choose from, I chose five and could barely touch the last one. Dessert and coffee are part of the menu so try and leave some room. Also very good. The staff treated us as if we were regulars, and so very professional at the same time. Pricey, of course. It's fine dining. I hope Michilin doesn't go in and throw a bunch of stars on them and screw the whole thing up. I find once Michilin has something to say, everything changes, and usually not for the better.
(5)Sumit B.
One of the top 3 restaurants at which I have ever had the pleasure of dining....I would highly recommend 3 courses as we quickly slipped into food coma sometime between the beginning of course 4 and the multi-layered dessert. Yum!
(5)Mike A.
The best service I have ever experienced. The food is top notch but really the attention to detail in the service really makes this place stand out. If that's important to you then this is the place for you.
(5)Justin K.
So i am new to yelp and wm enjoying giving my opinion since my wife doesn't always listen to me. I have been to Charleston 7-8 times because my wife likes tasting menus and its right down the block. Our last experience was HORRIBLE!!! We went no reason but to have dinner. The food was mediocre at best. Everything was over salted excpet for the Lobster soup and fried oysters. The only real reason I tolerate going there is because they have the blue cheese stuffed olives for my dirty martini. We each did 6 courses and a bunch a drinks. $350 later i was drunk and annoyed. I tend to ge heated when i drink so out of respect for my wife i did not confront the manager regarding my dissapointment. I did however fill out the comment card that came with the bill. i explained my dissapoinment. 2 weeks later i recieved a letter from the manager appiligizing for the poor experience and that on our next visit he would assure the food was to my liking and that i could even have food specially prepared for us. No where in the letter was any mention of any complenatary drink or food on our next visit...just that they would assure us the food would be better. I wanted to write a letter back saying thanks for appoligizing but that is not satisfactory. needless to say when our friends asked us to join them for dinner last week i told them i would never set foot in charleston again. i am just dissapoined based on the fact that i have spent over 2k there in the past that more was not done to appease my distaste. sincerly NOT A FAN.
(2)Jay C.
Since I moved to Baltimore, I have tried many different restaurants. So far, this is the best. I mean...One of the best ever! Service was great. Food was delicious and well decorated. May be the perfect place for the daters. I had four course meal with wine. It was enough for me. I am going to try three course next time. The best part was the dessert with four bite size chocolates. Yes! it was expensive, but will visit again!
(5)Rho S.
Fabulous. Each course was excellent. The wine pairings were spot on. Do not pass up a chance to dine here.
(5)Michael O.
This is perfection. After eating here you will crave your next visit.
(5)Natasha R.
If I could give a zero, I would. Sooooo pretentious. We ate at the bar to avoid the formality and bullshit that goes along with sitting in their new designer decorated showroom, I mean dining room. The menu is very boring. Macaroni and cheese with truffle oil? Puhleeeeeeese. Oyster with mayonnaise ramoulade?????? I thought that this was going to be a pleasant place with nice service and exciting southern cuisine. No and no. When I asked Ingrid the bartender, if I could get my next "tasting menu course", before my husband finished his and because my previous course was 1 fork full of nothing, as far as taste goes, I was informed that the "chef", Cindy Wolff does not allow that. So it was a very Nazi experience. Then, I went outside to smoke since I was told I could not have my next course yet. When I came back in, they warned my husband that he was talking to loud AT THE BAR!!!! I was rushed through the last course, when the "chef " decided it was time for me to eat it and then they whisked it away. Ahhhhh, looked forward to eating there for so long and was sooooooooooo disappointed. Check was over $300 and I wish that all of the people who think it is going to be a great place would see this review and not waste their money.
(1)Kati K.
I feel unfair dinging a restaurant without having tried the food. Believe me, I would have loved to try the food, but was put off by one of the hands-down worst customer service attitudes I've ever encountered from a restaurant. Here's the story: my family goes out for Thanksgiving dinner; I'm a vegetarian, the rest of my party is not. We called a number of restaurants to inquire if they were open on Thanksgiving and if they had a vegetarian option on their Thanksgiving menu. My other foible is that I hate mushrooms (which some restaurants over-rely on to compensate for the lack of meat), so I usually ask ahead if the dish is mushroom-based; if so, I take a pass, and it's all good. So we call the Charleston to ask if there's a vegetarian alternative to the Thanksgiving entree. The gentleman on the phone says yes. We ask what it is. He says "We don't really like to say ahead of time...if that makes any sense." We say "Um...why can't you say ahead of time?" (Because the regular Thanksgiving meal is posted ahead of time.) Now, pause for a minute. I completely understand if a restaurant isn't planning to mass-prepare veggie alternatives. I understand if a restaurant can't/won't do vegetarian at all and straight-up tells me so. I also understand if that's such a one-off request that the chef just whips something up on the fly, based on what's on hand in the kitchen that day. I've been to plenty of restaurants where that's the case, and they've all assured me that the chef will improvise but can certainly accomodate a no-mushroom request. Back to Charleston, where we've asked the man on the phone why they don't like to divulge the vegetarian dish ahead of time. He says "Well, you know, because it might not be to everyone's taste..." I'm sorry, WHAT? You don't want to tell people the dish ahead of time because you're worried they won't like it...sooooo you'd rather take their money first, THEN serve the mystery dish and not give a fig whether it's something the customer likes or would have chosen to eat had she known what it was ahead of time?? That rationale is just ludicrous, especially given the price point and supposed caliber of the establishment. Needless to say, that killed our Thanksgiving plan, and probably our interest in any future visits as well.
(1)A. C.
(03/19/2012) Attended a prix fixe dinner, hosted by someone else, but that's not a bad thing. The amuse bouche was a demitasse of the unctuous mushroom bisque with a small round French bread crouton topped with a swirl of vanilla(?) scented whipped butter. The 4-course menu started with the Butternut and White Bean Soup, silky smooth, flavored with smokey ham hock, not sweet but savory; sauteed buttery and meaty oyster mushrooms on a tender, coarse-ground cheesy grit cake; perfect medium-rare 4 oz. portion of beefy tenderloin with a garlicky, parsley chimichurri drizzle, brunoise potatoes, and crunchy-rendered, salty, fatty bacon cubes. Dessert was a lovely individual mini-"bundt" of warm toffee cake (crusted on outside, tender within) with pineapple compote, vanilla bean ice cream and bourbon-sorghum syrup (not too sweet, hint of salt). Service and location always spot-on, the place is upscale, but not stuffy or uncomfortable. Nice for special occasion celebrations or whenever you want to drop the big bucks and treat yourself.
(5)Asheley W.
My parents took me here to celebrate my college graduation and it was one of the best meals I've ever had. The restaurant itself is gorgeous and each room seems to have a slightly different style. Get there a few minutes before your reservation and enjoy a cocktail at the bar. The menu changes regularly and the "small" plates allow you to try so many different things, especially when everyone in the group orders something different. It's also nice to walk away from such a nice meal without feeling overly stuffed. Their wine list is extensive, the service is impeccable, and the food is innovative and delicious. This is a true gem in Baltimore.
(5)Rasi W.
Been here only once, and it's a dinner that I would never forget. Clearly, Dining at the Charleston is a gastronomic tour through delicately prepared, thoughtfully presented delectable food by Chef Cindy Wolf. It is not a dinner, but really an experience. Not to mention you will pay for that as such. While the prices are truly steep, this is what you have to pay for for amazing food. The experience was fantastic and if I can afford it, would not hesitate to go back there again... Anybody feeling generous to take me out?
(5)Lauren E.
Amazing as always! I had the artichoke soup (OMG, I need that recipe!), the scallop, steak... the cheese cart is my favorite part. So yummy! Thanks again for a very special evening!
(5)Aron F.
Went here for my birthday June '09. Had seven courses with wine pairings. Everything was exquisite! Can't wait to go again. Definitely my favorite place in Baltimore. The service is excellent. The BEST lobster bisque ever!
(5)Charlotte B.
Lovely evening, with the strange exception of the grilled quail, which was served with its tiny little blackened head still attached. What was up with that? It wasn't too appetizing . .food with a face. An itty-bitty, teeny-tiny, angry-looking, charred lil' birdface. It was a little difficult to cope with. I was all trying to enjoy my lovely dining experience, and it was staring back at me, like, "Hey! Hey! Quit eating me!"
(4)Ernest P.
An all-around 5 star experience. Called ahead to let them know it was my wife's birthday, requesting a particular dining room/window view. We had to wait a few extra minutes to be seated, as they were prepared for my request and were waiting for the right table to become available. From there the service was perfect, not too stuffy. Got 6 courses, plus dessert. The waiter took care of matching up 1/2 glasses of wine for almost all our courses. A birthday candle with dessert topped off the evening, where even the valet said happy birthday to my wife. The food was of course delicious, no real mis-steps. Shrimp and Grits were of course very nice, though I would have preferred a bit more of the grits! The shellfish bisque was even better though, as it contained a good bit of super tender lobster meat, and a swirl of vibrantly green tarragon oil was that added just enough background herbaceousness to complement the sweet lobster meat. Salmon tartare was nice and clean tasting as was the wild scottish smoked salmon salad. Foie Gras was cooked perfectly but most memorable for the most delicious strawberries, whose natural flavor was maximized with some aged balsamic. My wife's favorite course was the Buffalo tenderloin (again with creamy grits!) with Turbot with Asparagus and lemon buerre blanc a close second. My Seared Tuna with Red wine reduction was nice even though not over the top. It was simply fun to enjoy the meaty fish in a typically red meat preparation. A nice glass of pinot noir added to the effect. Dessert, always included, ended the meal on a fine note. Strawberry soup showcased perfect local berries, whose sweetness was smoothed out on the palate by a luscious creamy creme fraiche parfait. I had the chocolate and coffee napoleon with salted caramel ice cream. I must admit that the ice cream on its own was in fact quite salty, but when eaten with the Napoleon provided a really fun mix of salty, sweet, smooth and crunchy . . . Not sure i'd order it again but it was full of flavor. All in all, with tip came to $400 so not a cheap night, but sometimes you get what you pay for, and this meal was one of those times.
(5)Adam F.
Fantastic - one of the best restaurants I have been to, anywhere in the world. You won't regret the visit, if you can stomach the price.
(5)Justin W.
I'm not a foodie, and I'll admit I can't tell the difference between perfect and merely amazing. However, this place was perfect!
(5)Epi C.
Simply one of the best restaurants I've been to. Food was amazing and the wine pairing very original. expect a culinary adventure.
(5)Carson F.
Baltimore is a city with many wonderful places to eat and Charleston sit atop them all. Chef and owner Cindy Wolfe is Baltimore's leading lady when it comes to fine dining with multiple amazing spots such as Pazo, has made this place something truly special. The menu is an ever changing tasting menu with 3,4,5 or 6 courses as well as usually featuring a Chef's menu as well. I have been here multiple times and every single time has impressed more and more. The food is truly something special and the wine list is huge with some of the best wine I've ever had. It is an expensive place, but I always leave feeling that it was well worth the money. Do yourself a favor and give Charleston a try. Make it a special occasion if you need an excuse.
(5)Chris B.
Outstanding. Would give it 5 stars, but the prices are just ridiculous. You get what you would expect, but bring your wallet and plan to pay for the service and atmosphere.
(4)Jodi E.
Charming, met all my food desires, so kind the staff!! Loved it!!!
(5)Erik N.
This place is absolutely the best place in Baltimore. The food is always consistent and the service amazing. We go there every 6-8 weeks and have been frequenting Charleston since they opened years ago. The food is amazing. Don't miss the soft crabs if they are on the menu. Also, Chef know how to do sweetbreads right which are usually available. If you are looking for a great place to dine, look no further, this place is amazing.
(5)LaJuana W.
Went here with my husband on our anniversary! Fabulous food and wine! The service was impeccable. Who could ask for anything more?
(5)Mariangela S.
Baltimore is shaping up to be quite a sophisticated, south of the Mason Dixon line city! Chef Cindy Wolf presides over the kitchen here and the food is very upscale American with a focus on the best ingredients from Maryland. The cornmeal-encrusted oysters with lemon-cayenne mayonnaise (ok I hate mayo but loved the oysters) and soft-shelled crab (when in season) are delicious. The only real complaint I would have is about the quantity of butter used in every single dish - but I guess that's just Southern hospitality! Desserts are good and very sinful! They have an excellent wine list - apparently Robert Parker is a frequent diner.
(4)Brent S.
My wife and I ate here for our anniversary last year. The food here is great, just about every course that we had was unbelievable. The food didn't really seem like Southern to me, it was just really really good. Each dish was pretty unique, but the dishes aren't so complicated that you don't know what you're ordering. The service was excellent. The atmosphere is fancy enough to feel like it's a special place, but not too fancy that you feel underdressed if you don't have a jacket. I can't say enough about this place. It is pricey, but it's well worth it for special occasions.
(5)Steve P.
I thought this place was GREAT! Being from the south, I had high expectation and the chef exceeded every one of them. From the beautifully decorated restaurant, to the knowledgeable and attentive wait staff, to the food. Everything was on point. I would highly recommend this place to those looking for a nice night out in Baltimore.
(5)Lodde D.
This was a great meal, although there's something about the food that left me wanting more. Especially for the price - about $400 for two people with all the drinks and gratuity (the overall check exceeded $700). We ended up going with the 5 course option. I'll go through what I ordered, and my usual stupidity on the experience: * Prior to the first course, my Martini was pretty good. They brought out bread - A choice of Sourdough, Raisin Bread, and Cornbread. I went with the latter - A notch better than what you can get at Boston Market. * There was a surprise course. Mushroom/Broccoli Soup with a cheese puff. It was a half-decent. A notch better than Campbell's. * First Course: Tuna Tartare. The tuna was surprisingly unflavorful. I found myself disappointed in not ordering the Lobster Soup. I tasted my fiancee's Shrimp and Grits... Those were better, but didn't blow me away. We recently had better at a restaurant out in Clifton, VA (Trummer's). * Second Course: Crab Cake. Extremely disappointing. Fortunately from here, things got better, but this was a joke. I thought AYFKM. The cake itself was the size of an egg. The flavor of the crab, cake, and sauce was incredibly uncomplex. I've probably had 30 different crab cakes from restaurants in my life - This would fall in the bottom third. * Third Course: Scallop. My second favorite dish of the night. The scallop, capers, and cauliflower were cooked perfectly. However, the scallops weren't U-10. I'm not sure if they were U-20. U-100 perhaps? At a heralded restaurant, I'm always expecting to get a scallop as big as a billiard ball. Perhaps I need re-evaluate my expectations. * Fourth Course: Rabbit. This was a great dish. The flavor of the rabbit with the sauce was rich. The meat was tender and flavorful. A similar taste to chicken, but better texture and taste when cooked properly. This was another dish that didn't disappoint. * Fifth Course: Salmon. This was not close to being the best salmon I've had, but a decent piece of fish, and flavored with very interesting oils that increased the complexity. However, my fiancee's Buffalo cut course was absolutely incredible. If I ever come back to give this place a second chance, I'd order this course - Easily my top recommendation on the menu. * Dessert: Blueberry Compote and Creme Fraiche Ice Cream. Comes with the dinner, as a part of any selection of courses. The ice cream was terrific. I felt bad for my fiancee's choice of the "flourless" chocolate cake. After taking a bite, I just about spit the cake onto the butter plate (at this point, the alcohol had kicked in). I loudly exclaimed, "this needs *flour*"! A couple of servers looked appalled. "I want you the @#$! out of here," was written all over their faces. * There was another "surprise" dessert tray, which amounted to being four bite sized pastries for each person at the table. A lemon puff (eh), a chocolate truffle (eh), a granola bunch (eh), and something else completely unmemorable. So, eh, why the hell even bring this crap out? They should have spent more effort on the desserts themselves, like that "flourless" chocolate cake. * I will say the Bailey's coffee that came with my desserts was the best I've ever had. So, why 3 stars? I don't know - This was an experience with ups and downs. It's interesting - It didn't come close to meeting my expectations, but I can't think of many meals recently that were better. However, for the price, I could have made a significant contribution to my breast reduction surgery. So, what have I learned? 1) With such large man boobs, I need to stop eating out. 2) I think I belong in a group home.
(3)Lola F.
Just returned from probably the most memorable fine dining experience ever! Charleston is a very expensive, 4 star restaurant noted to be Baltimore's best restaurant. They have every reason to be snooty but arent!! The surroundings are beautiful and the wait staff offers impeccable service with a very friendly and personal approach. This is a "tasting" restaurant... you pick how many courses you will have, what they will be and whether you want the wine pairings or not. Dont worry about not getting enough to eat as the portions are very generous.. Little extras are served a long the way and dessert is not a maybe but a must that is included with the courses. Also don't skip the cheese cart between dinner and dessert! We spent 4 hours there for a magnificent leisurely dinner with friends and enjoyed every minute of it. I look forward to going back again in the future. The Dining Room Captain who took care of us was Ryan and he was amazing. He and his team are definitely an asset to the restaurant!
(5)Adam O.
Charleston is a wonderful restaurant, but it didn't live up to my expectations. Of course, how can it when you hear so many great things about a place; It even got a decent write-up in the Wall Street Journal. While the service and decor are absolutely phenominal, I have to say the food wasn't so great. I've had so many good meals in Baltimore that were much more reasonable than Charleston. I liked the concept of the multi-course meals, but I was expecting some more innovative (and delicious dishes). Sorry I can't be more specific, I ate there about 10 months ago. I will say I was slightly dissapointed but that does not by any means make Charleston a bad restaurant, just overpriced.
(3)Lynn B.
Pan roasted scallop with red beet risotto was delicious. Place is a bit over the top and pricey. Did I say pricey? VERY PRICEY. Lots of chic pretty people. Not exactly lais back casual as I was hoping. My server did mention several times that they had 800 bottle wine cellar even though we all drank beer. Funny stuff. maybe there was a wine sales contest for the servers that night. he was trying like heck to sell us wine. I'm sorry - who the heck is going for the $ 212 six course meal. These restaurant people are cray cray
(3)Chris H.
The short of it: this restaurant is amazing. It's an incredible experience that will honestly make you feel like you're much more important than you actually are. The wine list is absurd, and while I was only able to afford about 5% of them, the one we did get was great. The portions will seem a little small upon first delivery, however you will leave feeling full (and your wallet feeling empty). I personally felt like a bull in a china shop, with how fancy and decadent it is, but our waitress could tell we had spent the rest of the day drinking and kept it appreciably casual with us. I'll definitely come back and hope to have a parent or other relative paying.
(5)Carlos O.
This was a wonderful restaurant. My wife and I came for our 8th Wedding Anniversary. This is very Fine dining and you will spend some money. You have the option, I believe, to select between 4 or 6 courses. My wife and I both had five courses. In addition to the number of courses, you then get dessert as part of your meal. Portions are not the smallest and not the largest. But for fine dining, they feed you well. You won't be disappointed with the portions. They have an extensive Wine selection. Cocktails and great beer selections were a nice surprise. The service was excellent. You get plenty of attention and plenty of privacy. I did have some minor issues that prevent a five star rating. I had some chunks of shell in my oysters on the half shell dish. I also had a piece of lobster shell in my lobster bisque. Then my fois gras was slightly undercooked. There was a very cold center in the fois gras. The sear on the outside was perfect and all dishes were delicious. I enjoyed all of the dishes but these minor mistakes should not happen at a restaurant like this, when you spend a few hundred dollars. Also the assistant server over poured my beer and the foam overflowed, not a big deal, but when you lose half of your drink, you should get a new one to top me off. Especially a $12 beer. Anyways, great place and I highly recommend trying this place for a romantic dinner setting.
(4)Jenine F.
I so loved the Lobster with Curry soup, Spinach with Goat Cheese Salad & Snails. We shared the Leek Soup w/Foie Gras and Corn crusted Oysters as our amuse bouchée. Mister loved the Shrimp & Grits, Chicken with Red Beans & Rice and Buffalo Tenderloin (Cindy Wolf recommends it medium rare and she's right). The cheese cart caught our eye and we tried the Eloisses and Ardrahan cheeses- OMG. And since we were celebrating our anniversary, we toasted each other with brut rose champagne and wedding cake with cookies.
(5)Diane B.
This place does not live up to it's hype (except the bill - that definitely lives up to the hype). I came here to celebrate with my husband. We were expecting a nice atmosphere, but mostly the restaurant felt dead and catering towards high power businessmen. Being pregnant, I did not order wine, which I felt was a no-no from our waiter. I understand my bill won't be as much, but please. The food was fine. We got several dishes and they all had nice flavors, but the portions were small. And while the food was good, it wasn't *that* good. It really didn't compare with other high end restaurants in Baltimore. I'm surprised this place is so highly reputed.
(3)Aisha L.
What can I say? Hmmm, Awesome! The decor is modern but inviting, the lighting is intimate and romantic, the staff are trained so well I felt like a duchess. Never had such a fuss made about the type of bread I enjoy. Oh I loved every moment! The waitress is actually a "captain" well excuuuuse me. We had a team of people that worked our table like a fine tuned machine. The menu was incredible, you can order several courses and each course comes with a wine pairing. So lovely to learn about wine regions as you dine. I had Risotto which was prepared perfectly. Then came the lamb, I love lamb, so I may be biased, but it was tender, and flavorful it was just the right temperature. I LOVE THIS PLACE!
(5)GP A.
One of our absolute favorite special occasion dining experiences in Baltimore,MD. I typically order the 4 course option while my husband orders the 5 course with wine pairing. We have never been disappointed in our dining experience. We've been four different times now and certainly plan to go back. The last time we went, we did notice that there was more that was plated, which was nice being that the meal is fairly expensive. That said, next time we'll likely choose one course less than our norm as we ended up having leftovers, which were just as delicious the next day.
(5)Stella W.
Need to give Cindy Wolfe and Charleston 10 plus stars!! Best dining experience, service and food ever. Period. Food is creative and fresh, and the service seamless. Truly an outstanding gem in this day and age. You go Cindy Wolfe!
(5)Yvonne T.
Food was super delicious! The lobster bisque and the foie gras had to be among the best I have ever had. The other two dishes I picked were the mushroom pastry and the scallops and they were both great. The only let down of the meal were the petit fours... the macarons were so very chewy... :( It was nice to be able to freely choose what you want to eat in this course system they have. This really is my problem, but I happen to be drawn to four courses that all have intense flavors. I wish the amuse bouche was something lighter... or they offer one more palette cleanser before going to desserts... to help balance things out. Service was one of the best we have ever had. My husband spat out his gum on a piece of paper as our waiter approach and the waiter immediately put his palm out so he can dump it out for him. I walked into the restaurant with a scarf on, and as i was about to walk out with my scarf stuffed in my bag, the host ask me if if I have left my scarf behind. They really pay attention to the little things to make your dining experience there memorable. beware cocktails are STRONG!!
(4)Casey C.
Of course this is one of if not the best restaurant and experiences in Baltimore, you just have to gauge if it is worth the money. For special occasions you really can't do any better. It is very stuffy compared to the other Cindy Wolf restaurants but if you are going here I'm sure that isn't a surprise.
(5)Brandon D.
Single handedly the best Restaurant in the state!!! They deliver on service and every course is out of this world. If you're looking for a place to make your special occasion have that special feeling this is the place!!!
(5)christina j.
The is the ultimate dining experience! Both myself and my visiting dining companion enjoyed a 5 course tasting menu with wine to compliment. We put ourselves in the hands of Chef, who created a deliciously wonderful menu for each of us. She did not disappoint. Some favorites were butter poached lobster soup, scallops, and snails. I highly recommend Charleston. If feeling adventurous, have Chef create a tasting menu for you! Menu is seasonal. Service is top notch, and everyone is friendly and accommodating. I can't wait for Spring. The cheese trolley is a great alternative to the dessert menu, especially with a glass of port.
(5)Randy G.
If I would have left Baltimore and not eaten here, the trip would have been a loss. It was recommended to me by a yelp friend and so glad she advised to make reservations. Every time I come to Baltimore, this has to be on my list and yours. You are greeted with professionalism and the highest standard of customer service when you dine here. The service, explanation of dishes, presentation, creativity, flavors, and execution is impeccable. The menu is setup in a tasting style and I chose the 5-taster route. So strap in for a longer but intriguing and tasty review. I started with the Rabbit Empanada Confit. The pastry was crunchy and flaky and the flavors were simply delicious. The Shrimp & Stone Ground Creamy Grits with tasso ham, andouille sausage, and fresh chives was out of this world. I could have had an enormous bowl of this. The shrimp were perfect, but this dish had four surprises. The creamy grits were not traditional in presentation, but smoother in texture. The sausage cubed in the dish were spectacular. It heightened the flavor and complimented the shrimp so well. The ham was crispy in tiny bits, hidden throughout, giving the surprise crunch. The broth I could have drank a gallon of it. I ended up eating more bread than I expected to soak everything up. The Burgundy Snails with buttery poached garlic & shallot, lardons, red wine reduction, in a puff pastry tray was light and flaky. I haven't had escargot that didn't have to be so salty. The reduction was a terrific pairing with the snails along with the lardons to give it the extra flavor and balance of heaviness. The Pan Roasted Washington State Halibut was the next serving with grilled eggplant, nicoise olives, roasted cippolini onions, and extra virgin olive. This easily could have been in Food and Wine Magazine. It looked and tasted perfect. It had an excellent sear on one side with a delicate browning on the other. The fish was flaky and light and when you combined it with the grilled eggplant, it was an excellent marriage for texture and flavor. The olives and onions provided a nice salty sweet contrast to make it an even better dish. There are two stars in the Grilled Buffalo Tenderloin with braised napa cabbage, lardons, and roasted pablano pepper cream. The first is the magnificently tender meat and the exquisite pablano sauce. The two together are in perfect harmony. They are paired so well, with it complimenting and balancing each other's heaviness. Dessert was ecstasy on a plate. The Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake with caramelized bourbon marshmallow, espresso cream, and graham cracker streuse was OH SO delicious. If I weren't so full, I would have another. This was rich and light, creamy and crunchy, sweet and bitter all at the same time. My compliments to all the chefs and front of the house staff for a fabulous meal and experience.
(5)Laura B.
This restaurant is outstanding from start to finish. We were greeted warmly at the door and quickly shown to our table. We each tried 5 items. I had the lobster bisque, beet salad, quail, duck and tenderloin. My spouse had the quail, frois gois, snails, green tomato crab sandwich, smoked salmon. Each item was better than the last. Our serving staff was knowledgeable about the product and gave great recommendations. I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough. We work hard for our money and they appreciate you as a customer.
(5)Michael T.
You go here for the experience. The food was delicious but as expected for the price. The ambience was quite good and going there as a college student was a little shocker. Everyone was very nice and courteous. Food was good, but not overly so. Again, I'm not sure if it's worth the price. The experience, however, is. Get the lobster curry soup. The foie gras was also delicious. Make reservations!!
(4)Landy L.
Best restaurant in Baltimore. Subtly beautiful tones in every dish and perfectly matched with the wine pairings. It'll cost you a pretty penny but worth the splurge. Only issue was I had requested a table by the window months in advance, but was not seated at one as requested that evening. Dining there was otherwise a great experience.
(5)Brooke C.
The great: dirty martini; a 2007 Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley; mushroom soup amuse bouche; the idea of allowing for any number of dishes at a set price; seasonal menu (I assume); multiple small dishes The good: artichoke soup, artichoke heart w/ beets and Brussels sprouts The average: beef tenderloin, quail, fried oysters, frisée salad The ugly: no character to the restaurant and decor, stuffy atmosphere; Macaroons were terrible, desserts (raspberry macaroon meringue, chocolate mousse, hazelnut cake) were average to spit-it-out bad We had very high expectations and were met with only an average meal overall, highlights being the martinis and wine. The food was just ok, nothing was really a wow except a tiny amuse bouche (shot of mushroom soup) at the start. It wasn't creative nor unique, nor expertly prepared staples. Definitely not worth $500 for three guests. Maybe worth $50/person with our cocktails and wine. I don't mind paying a premium price (and I wasn't even paying! Though great food and atmosphere can be worth every penny of $500 for three) but I and my husband expect a lot more for this price tag. Head to Block and Larder in Denver, CO, Second Empire in Raleigh, NC, Carlos Bistro in Colorado Springs, CO or Nana's in Durham, NC or Blu in Charleston, SC, or The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC or Bistro 112 in Shepardstown, WV, to name a few for a better, more satisfying, interesting, cheaper meal. From my husband: It felt too stuffy to have a casual conversation (this is BALTIMORE!). Overall, in short, decent booze and uninspiring food. I would not go back.
(3)Tiffany K.
One of my dear friends brought me here for my 30th Birthday! She and I love trying out different places and the Charleston had been on our radar. We were seated in the Wine Library and it was lovely. The Rich Lobster Soup with Curry was just amazing and probably the most succulent lobster I have ever had. We moved on to the infamous Charleston Oysters which were sadly disappointing. The oysters were a bit greasy. I let our waiter know and he quickly rectified the issue and brought out the Shrimp and Grits which were excellent. They also brought out a piece of cake with a candle, in addition to my dessert order. Which was a nice added a touch. Overall a great experience and wonderful service. I think that is what makes the Charleston stand out, it is an experience.
(4)Helen D.
For that special evening out or to get great food without any fussiness or pretentiousness, Charleston is the place to go. Love the 3, 4, or 5 course concept where dessert is included and not considered a course. The shrimp and grits was my favorite years ago when they were at the old location and it is still a FAVE.
(5)Erica H.
Amazing, we decided to do the 5 course tasting and it was so good. Lobster bisque, tuna tartar, crab cake, salmon amazing. You pay for good service, food and excellent wine.
(5)Rebecca G.
Procrastination at its finest - a writeup of a meal that we had exactly 364 days ago. We visited The Charleston and decided to do four savory courses each. I also got the wine pairings with mine, feeling like this is definitely a place where I can trust the sommelier. His courses: Local Heirloom Tomato & Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella Salad, fresh fava beans, saffron & lime vinaigrette Jumbo Lump Crabcake, roasted local sweet corn, fresh fava beans, whole grain mustard cream Grilled Gunpowder Farm Buffalo Tenderloin, creamy polenta, crispy shallots, oyster mushrooms Grilled Beef Tenderloin, local garlic & Yukon Gold potato purée, quail's egg, fried green tomato Peach shortcake, peach sorbet Her courses: Local Sweet Corn Chowder, roasted Eastern Shore sweet corn, bacon Andouille Big-Eye Tuna Tartare, cucumber, tiny capers, jalapeño oil Pan-Roasted Turbot, oyster & button mushroom fricassée, lemon beurre blanc Pan-Roasted Magret of Duck, local Methley plum & peach compote, cinnamon scented Beaumes-de-Venise reduction Panna Cotta, local berries & yellow peaches, wildflower honey And, sweets for the table (crumble cookie, macaron, meringue, caramel) Some notes on our meal: Service was excellent, very attentive and formal. We were there on a Monday night, and there were only a few other tables. Each dish is small and composed of many perfectly executed elements - perfectly balanced acidity, perfectly chopped vegetables, amazingly fresh fish, great sauces. This is one of those places that D will order seafood, and enjoys it - he loved the crab cake. This may actually have been the first Baltimore crab cake that he enjoyed - little to no filler, sweet and fresh meat with little extra added. My favorite was the turbot - a great sauce, perfectly cooked mushrooms and fish mixing well. D's favorite was the buffalo - tender and flavorful with great polenta. Definitely a great place for a special occasion - not an inexpensive meal, but when every single bite is fantastic, it can be worth it sometimes!
(5)Ryan B.
The Charleston is by far the fanciest restaurant I've been to in Baltimore to date. I hadn't done much research before I went in to eat, so I was a little taken aback at how amazing everything--the service, the food, the atmosphere--was, but I had an amazing experience. Immediately as I walked in, I was greeted and offered to have my bags stored while I ate. As I was walking out, without even needing to ask, my backpack was placed in my hand. My waitress was courteous, very prompt, and very friendly. I was seated in a quiet room with comfortable chairs that felt a lot like an old fashioned library, except with wine bottles on the walls instead of books. It was a cozy and relaxing place to be. Overall, despite how I was probably slightly underdressed, I felt so welcome here. Unlike a normal restaurant where you order appetizers, entrees, etc., here you have to order a minimum of three courses (but of course you can get more), and they can be anything on the menu. I had the rockfish, the duck, and the lamb since I didn't want to waste my time with salad. Additionally, a small soup and dessert were given by the chef and the beginning and end of the meal, respectively. The food was delicious, and it was still great as leftovers the next day. I didn't have anything to drink, but they had an extensive wine list I saw when I sat down. This is definitely a place for special occasions, so I'm not going to come here once a week, but I'll be back for sure.
(5)Anthony N.
***Charleston's build-your-own tasting menu is reasonably priced and offers a wide variety of flavor combinations and ingredients; the quality of the cuisine though is a notch below SF's and Chciago's great fine dining restaurants*** Cindy Wolf's Charleston is a longstanding fine dining restaurant in Baltimore. High-end and well-respected fine dining restaurants are not often located in waterfront areas, but Charleston is (located right in the Inner Harbor with a waterfront view from the lounge). The main dining area is nice. It is warm with white tablecloth and elegant touches but not stuffy. There is also a modern and clean open kitchen at the center, which creates a lot of energy (Cindy Wolf is right there expediting orders). The menu is similar to Gary Danko. It features a reasonably priced build-your-own tasting menu of 3-6 courses as well as a seasonal tasting menu. Like Gary Danko, Charleston features a great variety of ingredients with lots of meats, seafood, vegetables, and fruits. The menu is a subtle mix of French and Southern cuisine. I opted for the build-your-own tasting menu and elected for 5 courses (the good thing is dessert does not count as a course; it is complimentary). The meal started with an amuse of artichoke soup and a gougere. The soup was fine. I liked the distinct crust and airiness of the gougere, but I wish it was warmer. The bread was warm though. There was a very good and lightly sweet cornbread as well as a nice roll with a good chew. I started with their shrimp and grits--an always on the menu item. The grits were good and creamy. There was a nice garnish of savory tasso ham. The shrimp was okay. It was nicely cooked, but it could have used more color. I think the dish needed more spiciness as well. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Next came a scallop with English peas, fava beans, chives, chervil, and a lemon beurre blanc. The garnishes were great. It was a nice spring dish with plump and very nicely cooked peas. I liked the fresh herbs and enjoyed the smooth beurre blanc, which had a refreshing lemon flavor and was not too rich. yelp.com/user_local_phot… The scallop was just okay. It was tender, but I still would have preferred a more moist and softer center. My next course was the foie gras with French green lentils and salsa verde. The foie gras was interesting. It was like cold foie gras at the center (the kind you get with a torchon) and a seared and warm outside. The foie gras had a good flavor, but I think I would preferred if it was just seared or just served cold. I did not like the contrasting textures. yelp.com/user_local_phot… I did not like the garnishes either. They were fine by themselves, but I would have preferred something sweet to go with the foie gras. Next was a special--grilled veal sweetbreads with caramelized cauliflower, capers, walnuts, and brown butter sauce. Like the foie gras, it was an interesting preparation with the sweetbread flattened and grilled--kind of like a pork chop. The garnishes were okay, but like a lot of Charleston's food, I felt it could have used more flavor. My final savory course was the pan roasted duck with pear and rhubarb compote and Calvados sauce. The garnishes were good. The compote was sweet and slightly tart. The Calvados sauce was a thick but still very thin sauce that completely enveloped the meat without being too heavy or rich. The duck was just okay. It had a crispy skin, but it could have been juicier. It was quite dry around the edges. Dessert was good. I had a carrot and walnut cake with orange segments, a walnut tuile and a buttermilk orange panna cotta topped with a huckleberry compote. The cake was a little dense and dry, but the flavors of the carrot and walnut flavors really came across. The panna cotta was creamy and good and the compote was nicely sweet. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Service was very good. The staff was pleasant, professional and polite. The food came out at a quick and even pace. I really liked the manager, who was friendly, professional and really on top of things. Prices were reasonable given the variety of proteins and ingredients you get to experience as well as the substantial portions. Charleston is a pleasant restaurant and the food is decent, but it just does not serve the flavorful, unique and high quality cuisine you find in SF or Chicago. It still seems to be a good and seasonal restaurant to celebrate a special occasion in Baltimore. There is a nearby parking structure as well as valet parking that services the restaurants in this area; I believe Charleston validates.
(3)Elliot K.
I don't get it....food was good. Not amazing. Prize was unfounded. Spent $219 for a five course with wine pairing. Wine pours were small and not worth the $70 up charge for the same menu without the pairing. I can name 10 local restaurants that I would rather spend my $520 tab for two people at than this place. One of those would include cheescake factory. I could cook most of this food at home. And all of it if I spent some time on groceries and Food processors. My dinner. The lobster bisque...no complaints. It was perfect. The double tar tar....it was an overreached ceviche. Average but like any other citrused fish. Head on shrimp over yellow rice...peel and eat would have been more satisfying. Short rib with steamed veggies was fatty and unseasoned. Desert was good. Chocalty and decadent but a normal sweet from anywhere. Cocktails were good. Wine list is for show. Restaurant is beautiful and atmosphere is nice. Service is excellent. It's A little quiet. Some background music would be nice. Kind I like a library in there. But it's clean and pretty. In review....we won't go back. Completely overpriced. Average food. People who claim this place is "amazing" are food snobs. They say it is good cause it's expensive. I have money to spend and i won't spend it here again. If you want the "fine dining" experience...go somewhere it's worth it. This isn't the place.
(2)Andrew C.
Fantastic restaurant in every manner. One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. This restaurant would be highly-rated in any city in America, including New York and San Francisco. Food is amazing and everything I had was memorable. The lobster bisque and fried oysters were particularly special. Service was professional and impeccable without being stuffy. This was a fine-dining experience without pretension. I had the 4-course meal (plus included dessert) with the wine pairing. That was plenty of food although some of my friends had 5 and even 6 and enjoyed it. When I return I'll probably not do the pairing and just order wine by a bottle, only because I felt like some of the pairings were a little outside of my preference (sherry for one, several carbonated wines, etc.) Everything about this restaurant was impressive. Well worth the high price.
(5)Racquel C.
I've declared this the best fine dining restaurant in Baltimore. The food is simply incredible. The atmosphere might be a little stuffy, but the food is incredibly flavorful and delicious.
(5)Ken M.
My favorite place in harbor east , always take my clients for drinks and have never been let down amazing service and great atmosphere!!
(5)Eric K.
Overview: Had their 6 course wine pairing. Was one of the most expensive places I have eaten, but not one of the best. It might be because I came in with overly high expectations. Pros: 1) Clear Upscale Ambience and Service 2) Fantastic Attentive Service 3) Waiter took time to educate us on the food that was being served 4) Great Preparation 5) Good Ingredient Quality/Freshness Cons: 1) Overpriced for what you get 2) Flavor profiles not memorable, the food while prepared well were extremely basic considering the price range. 3) Serving Sizes extremely small.
(3)Kat W.
This is definitely a place to go for the experience. My SO and I came here a few months back. There is valet service which is nice, as parking would be a hassle. There is staff to take your jackets at the door if you desire. The place is the definition of fine dining, as it seems very formal and professional with quiet chatter. My SO and I felt a little out of place, being the youngest ones in the restaurant by several decades. We noticed that it may have affected our service a bit; although the service was great in terms of having our water glasses constantly refilled, table cleared out between courses, etc., not once were we asked how everything tasted. We both opted for the four course menu each without wine pairing. The amuse bouche was a beet soup that we did not particularly care for, but felt was well executed. I ordered the lobster curry soup based on reviews to start, which was rich, creamy and delicious. The chunks of lobster were extremely satisfying, but I felt the soup was too salty for my tastes. The beef tartare we ordered was delicious. In addition, some other items we had were foie gras, beef tenderloin and duck. Each time, the star of the dish (the protein) was spectacular, however, we felt that the other components did not necessarily work (the sauces, sides, etc. did not meet up to our expectations). I will say, however, I had the best beef tenderloins I have had in my life there. The pacing was great, with a nice lull in between each dish for us to enjoy the atmosphere. It felt like fine dining at its peak. Our desserts were a bit disappointing, though the ice creams were well made. There was a complimentary small plate of macarons and assorted bites that my SO and I did not care for also. Without the wine pairings and after tax and tip, we had spent almost $300 here, so make sure its truly a special occasion to come. We left feeling full, but not overwhelmingly so, which is surprising seeing as we are both usually light eaters. Overall, I would recommend the Charleston for the experience, but it did not meet my expectations when it comes down to price. The sides/garnish/sauce to every dish was disappointing, but I can see why it is a special place to go.
(4)Peter G.
I'm not sure if underwhelming or disappointing is the right term to use for Charleston restaurant. The exceptionally high bill was NOT the primary reason for my disappointment, but it was shocking none the less. First, the good. We chose the included wine pairings with our 3-course meals. Overall, the pairing was spectacular, clearly the highlight of the evening. The glassware, china, and silver were equally special. This provided the little extra oomph that one would expect from a fine restaurant. Our server was attentive and professional, though I do have some negative remarks that I will explain later. The rest of the staff were all pleasant, courteous, and attentive. The food. My bride and I each had three courses and we each chose different courses. I chose the Lobster Curry Soup, the Shrimp Grits, and the Roast Duck. My wife chose the Artichoke Soup, Frisee and Rocket Salad, and the Chicken dish. Of the six courses, only the soups were truly exceptional, but even those were no better than you would find at another fine establishment. The chicken, grits and salad were simply okay - nothing special to remember. The duck was unappetizing and flavorless. The accompanying olive and potato clearly overwhelmed any flavor of the duck. The worst thing I can say about the duck is that I have had better duck at a cheap Thai restaurant. Unfortunately, the dessert wasn't much better. I had the mint mousse cake and my spouse chose the pecan crepes. While the presentation was nice, the taste was rather blah. The crepes were tough and chewy. The ambiance. We sat in a corner table in the front dining room. With the exception of the large lighted wall decoration (that looked like a giant sea shell), the room was rather nondescript. Plain elegance? Maybe. There were several other tables occupied when we arrived. As we have come to expect, there was a wide range of dress among other patrons. My wife was offered a pillow to place behind her back; I was not. I found the bench seat very uncomfortable and asked for a pillow. It helped, but not much. I remained rather uncomfortable for our entire stay. We tried to note any connection with Charleston in the room (and the restaurant). Except for the grits and the pecans on the crepes, we noted no connection. The room seemed brighter than most high-end restaurants. Perhaps it was our table location, or perhaps it is to allow the diner to have a better view of the presentation of the food. Somehow, though, it just didn't fit. The other thing I noted about the ambiance was the snooty feel. This was apparent from the time we walked in until we left. As described above, the staff was courteous and attentive, but they were definitely not what I would call friendly. Even our fellow patrons seemed to take on an air of snobbery that was just unexplainable. The service. As mentioned above, the service was very professional. We were greeted inside the door, but it almost seemed that we surprised the maître d'. At first, I could not tell whether he was the host or another guest. He quickly regrouped and brought us the short way to our table. We did not see or hear from him again. Strange. It appears that Charleston uses the team concept for service. We had the one primary server, but others brought various items. Unfortunately, not all had the same command of the English language and at least one was difficult to understand. Interestingly, once we finished our dinner, we had no further interaction with our primary server. Another young lady brought and collected the check. While we wanted to thank our primary server personally, she seemed to avoid our table after dinner. I don't know what that is about but found it very odd. We even waited for her after paying the check, but felt intentionally avoided. My wife was not even offered a refill on her coffee by any of the wait staff. Finally, we got up to leave. We were in no particular rush to leave - and even walked in to look at the bar. We got a snobbish look from a patron in the corner and hardly a glance from the bartender. At no point, from the time we got up from the table, negotiated around a drink cart in the hallway, meandered into the bar, and left the restaurant did we get a "goodbye" or "thank you" from anyone. I left over a 20% tip, so I find it hard to believe that we were getting the cold shoulder for stiffing the wait staff. We've had much better experiences (and food) at three other restaurants nearby in Baltimore - Chingale, Capital Grille, and Wit and Wisdom. Whenever we have an excellent time at any particular restaurant, we can wait to bring friends back to share the experience. I cannot say that to be the case with Charleston. I doubt we will be back.
(3)Susanna W.
Hands down best restaurant in Baltimore, and one of my favorite restaurants in the country. The menu changes slightly every season, but the food is always delicious. Their lobster soup is amazing in every way and is something you must get!
(5)Na H.
Just went for a nightcap after eating at another establshment and this place was so perfect....sleek and sophisticated. Had a Basil and Hayden neat with a slice of lime and out came a waiter with a bowl of truffle oil potatoes chips with truffle cream on the top! The chips wear crispy, not greasy and the truffle cream, though l am not a fan of mushrooms, was pretty decent. All in all the perfect place to go when you want to wind down in an environment that is laid back.
(4)Bhavi A.
Amazing food and upscale experience. We got the 4 course and I ordered the tuna tartar, quail, veal sweetbreads, and the OMG fois gras. The tuna tartar was picturesque and super fresh. Made for a nice picture too ;) The veal was very tasty with the puff pastry in mushroom sauce. At first I though dang these portions are tiny, I could eat double that. But then the fois gras came out The fois gras was so rich and the liver was so fatty and soft and melt in your mouth with an overall wintery taste in the sauce, I just wanted to curl up in a ball and hibernate afterwards. No seriously, we all started to feel sleepy after that fish which just shows you how pure fatty it was. Fois gras- once in your life. Do it. The quail was good and tender too with rich polenta but honestly after the fois gras kicked my ass, I really couldn't stomach any more food. Desserts were not as great (I got the lemon tart) but the buttermilk ice cream thingy was really good (can't remember the name). I actually felt pretty juvenile and annoying trying to take pictures of my food while others were snooting it up, but whatevs... Overall, Charleston is a must visit in Baltimore!
(5)Doris Z.
THE BEST in Baltimore!! Food was great, service was great, the environment was great, I'd give it a 6 star if I can. And I loved that they've got so many roses in the lady's room lol.
(5)Ipek S.
Get the whole menu with pairings if u can splurge a grand- totally worth it! I have been there with 3 more people on a weekend night and we have ordered everything (yes, every single thing on the menu with the wine pairings and desserts) and rotated them all night just like in a Bourdain show. Our server Chanel was incredible, impeccable service from the start to the very end. Every single thing I tried was amazing, according to my boyfriend the desserts were a little too usual ( I don't agree with him though, I have enjoyed them). I don't know why this restaurant don't have a Michelin star because she really deserves it. I have had a few 3star experiences before in New York City and none of them was as impeccable as this one, yet simple ingredients with a creative combination. I was simply amazed!
(5)Dan S.
I'm going to repeat what has already been said a hundred times already. The Charleston is the best restaurant in Baltimore. The price is exorbitant, but you get what you pay for. My wife and I stopped by for our Anniversary this year. We were blown away. We ordered the 6 courses with wine pairings. Every dish was very likely the best preparation I've ever tried of that respective item. We ordered the Lobster Curry Soup, Smoked Salmon Salad, Shrimp & Grits, Turbot, Foie Gras, and Beef Filet. Each wine paired very well with its dish. My only complaint would be the following: The waiter told my wife that he would have a menu signed by Chef Wolfe and mailed to us, since Chef Wolfe had left for the night. We never received the menu in the mail.
(5)Jen N.
What an amazing experience! I got the 4 course: fried oysters, beef tenderloin, duck, rockfish...all were cooked to perfection. The restaurant will take care of you with ANY requests you have. Our server was superbbb!
(5)Joanna C.
It takes leaving New York to realize how great and affordable a fancy dinner out can be. At the recommendation of our hotel, I came to the Charleston with two of my coworkers: we were not disappointed. There were a few other full tables when we arrived, but the restaurant stayed fairly empty throughout the meal. It's a fairly romantic restaurant with dim lights and little noise. Our waiter brought us just the wine menu first and took a while getting back to us. Afterwards, we got the dinner menu. It's an amazing deal (3 courses for $79, and dessert is included!) where you just pick 3 items on the menu though I noticed there is a wine pairing option. May have been good to know before we ordered the wine. You can also do anywhere from 3-6 courses if you're feeling hungry. I started with the Cornmeal-Fried Oysters, because it's Baltimore and the oysters are supposed to be fresh from the harbor. I'm not a big fried food person, but the oysters were nice. I then followed with the Fresh Artichoke, which was a medley of fresh vegetables. Yum yum yum, I wanted more! Good thing I didn't have more, because the Head on Shrimp was creamy, filling, and most importantly, delicious. Finally, as a frozen dessert person, I wasn't drawn to any of the dessert options and asked the waiter for some of the ice cream/sorbets. I had the Mango, Lemon, and Salted Caramel, all of which were delicious. Service was friendly the whole time and they did a good job pacing out the courses. It's a restaurant where you could stay for 3 hours and they would be happy to have you there. Great food and great concept: would love to come back.
(4)Kay T.
Excellent service. Great food and romantic atmosphere. The duck was delicious and the lobster bisque was the best I've ever had. Buffalo was great too. I had the wine pairing which I would recommend also. There was this delicious pink carbonated wine. Would definitely recommend. It's a bit pricey, but worth it.
(5)Christopher W.
Oh the decisions.... This place is definitely vintage classy and has the potential of getting more than your money's worth. What makes this place special is the pricing structure. You pay by the # of items on the menu. With that said you can pay $XXX amount for 4 soups or that same amount for 4 main courses. I wouldn't advise going with 4 main courses, but it is a way to definitely get more bang for the buck. The server and wait staff all do an excellent job to make sure that your experience with the restaurant is top notch. I think what makes this place stand out from other restaurants is the wine selection and knowledgeable staff of said wines. Not only that, each item on the menu has its own "recommended" pairing. Had I had known this before ordering a bottle, I most likely would have done so..... mistakes have been made. The awkward is the timetable of this place for first timers. You are given the drinks menu without the actual food menu to start. From here you get your drink and your bread and are given the menu close to when your drink is finished. From here, you then order the food and proceed to the cheese cart (included with meal) and desert (included with meal). My only gripe is the bathroom. Although it is clean, it feels a little cramped and small.
(5)Tunaidi A.
This is my new favorite restaurant in Baltimore. Charleston is hands down amazing in every aspect. Since my words cannot accurately do justice and accurately depict the high quality, subtle flavors, and seemingly intricate preparation of each dish here, I'll save myself the embarrassment. What you do need to know is that every item on Charleston's menu is fabulous. You can't go wrong with anything. Speaking of menu, it changes pretty frequently -- weekly, I believe. There are about 20 dishes on the menu and you can choose any of these for a 3, 4, 5, or 6 course meal with varying prices. And of course, there are also wine pairing (3 oz) available for each dish. Dessert is a separate menu, and included in the price for the 3-6 course meal. Service is impeccable, valet parking is complimentary, and you'll leave wanting to come back sooner rather than later.
(5)Andrea C.
I liked it because it was honest to the name. 'Top three restaurant in Baltimore' when I visited (May 2014), and enough stuck up people to brag about it filling the seats. It was my birthday celebration. You absolutely have to get the drink pairings if you wish to visit the restaurant - the selections are spot on. Dessert left me unimpressed - I think it lacked creativity and highlighted that the strengths of the menu are based on seasonal items and cooking techniques - but the chef coming over to the table made up for it. I gave the place 4 stars, because I think Cinghiale (May 2015) is just as good if not better. Also, the server was off-putting and clearly unimpressed by my party... I think it has to do with the vibe of the place. Expect to be looked at weirdly if you choose to have louder than normal fun while you eat. I just didn't like feeling like I had to eat a certain way because the place was fancy - big deal - good food, expensive taste. No need to compromise how comfortable I feel eating my food and enjoying my company simply because the food is expensive. Maybe it's because I'm Italian that I feel this way... Either way, apart from the server, this is a do-over for very special occasions and a pre-planned menu that will blow your socks off. The hype is well founded, I just wasn't expecting it the place to be so conceited.
(4)Jordan R.
Had the meal of my life at this restaurant. For our anniversary, my wife got the five course meal wife wine pairings, I got seven without. Each bite was better than the next, and we definitely got enough food. The service was also impeccable.
(5)Edward S.
I asked my wife of 17 years to marry me here. We eat hear every year or so. Two of the best decisions I have made.
(5)V H.
It may be one of the best dining experiences that I've ever had. My meat and potatoes boyfriend was equally impressed. Honestly, we were concerned that we would not be able to find dishes that he would enjoy but every dish was fantastic. We did the wine pairings and were happy with all but one of the selections. We were also concerned that the portions would be too small. We elected for four courses and were quite satisfied. The staff was welcoming, knowledgeable, and extremely attentive. I can't wait until we go back.
(5)Dan P.
I preface this review by noting that Yelpers have stated that this restaurant is not worth the price. This may be so, but if you are going here, you should know that in advance. This isn't a restaurant where you just show up and then suddenly realize the meals start at $79 for three courses and no alcohol. my parents took me and the wife here for a special occasion. We would not have normally gone here because of the price. That aside, the food is good. The wife and I ordered the lobster bisque. This is the second time we have eaten there and second time we each had the lobster bisque. Each time the base was good, but the lobster was tough. We thought it was a mistake the first time. Apparently it was not. The mozzarella would have been great... as a dessert. The blood orange killed the subtlety of this dish. It just tasted like blood orange and the beets tasted like nothing. The goat cheese and mushroom puff pastry was outstanding. The wife and I each had this and loved it. We each ordered the dourade, which was good. The wife complained that she ate too slow and as a result it became oily quickly. She had three really good bites. I eat like a pig and did not have the same problem. I ordered the duo of tartare (salmon and rockfish). This was delicious. It was salty and perfectly seasoned without being overpowering. The desserts were good. Among the four of us, we had all of the desserts. The milk chocolate mousse torte was the best. Service here is hard to beat. No complaints. Cindy Wolf came out to talk to us twice and seemed genuinely interested in speaking to the customers. I recommend this place if you don't mind dropping $135 a person minimum and like small courses. Better still, get taken there by someone who pays your bill.
(4)Patrick C.
I am not sure what is going on at Charleston, but I wonder if they are bored. That is how the food comes across for me. On the plus side, the service was excellent, with efficient and pleasant staff. Wines were both excellent. The food? Lobster Bisque was excellent. The fried green tomatoes were ok, but really nothing to write home about. Crab cake was meh. And the roasted lamb? Nicely cooked but tasteless and way over salted. Dessert was totally forgettable. Here is what just blows me away - Basically this is a tasting menu. OK. I do not expect that two different dishes would be served with the identical sauce - an emerald green light oil, which was beautiful but added little. We got this twice, once with the lamb and once with the crab cake. Kind of disappointing.
(2)Angie L.
Everything was superb. Had the fried oysters, buffalo mozzarella fried green tomatoes and the scallops. Cooked to perfection and super fresh.
(5)J N.
I had dinner for the first time at Charleston. If you are looking for amazing service, atmosphere and good food, i would def recommend this restaurant. All the food was good but only two of four dishes stood out. The lobster curry soup and buffalo tenderloin were amazing! Also, the wine pairing with the buffalo was perfect. It might be my preference for red meat over fish but if i ordered again i would have had both tenderloin dishes on the menu. I also tried a bite of the chicken....also amazing, not sure about the wine. The rockfish was a little boring. At the end of the meal i ordered a glass of red wine. The server was very considerate in offering 3oz or 6oz. He could have just poured 6 but read my mind with it being the end of the night and an expensive wine, knew to offer the smaller serving. It is a very highend place, look and feel, but our server was professional and relaxed all at the same time.
(5)Patrick B.
I can totally appreciate the remarks made by some of the negative reviewers; but thankfully, ours was not a shared experience. This meal ranked among the very top dining experiences I have had. Start with free valet parking, a very nice touch in Baltimore Harbor. Treated with polite respect from the moment we pulled up to the curb. Our head server was funny, personable, knowledgeable and very helpful about the dishes. Style of ordering is different. Diner is presented with a list of approximately 20 dishes from appetizers through red meats. One may order anything on the menu, and the meal's cost is determined by the number of course, from 3 to 6. A wine pairing is also available, offering about a half-glass matched to each dish/course. The only "required" course is dessert, which is complementary. Suffice it to say, the food was amazing! From soup to salad to fish to lamb, everything was imaginative, creative and delicious. Portions are not over-large, as some reviewers have pointed out; but the aim here should not be to walk away feeling stuffed, but satisfied. Two things beside service deserve special mention: One, as good as everything else we ate was, the highlight of the meal was the goat cheese mousse. Maybe the best dessert I've ever eaten, smooth and ephemeral-light with an amazingly complicated sweet/salty/musty taste. Two, B was served a fish course the individual parts of which she liked but didn't think that they worked well together. In addition, she did not like the wine pairing. We were not charged for the entire course! THAT'S how a restaurant is supposed to work! Charleston is not for every week dining. I'm not sure I could even appreciate it going there frequently. But for a special occasion, I've found none better. Well worth saving for.
(5)Scott O.
The food is quite good. Not the best in the world. But maybe the best in Baltimore -- if high-end food is your thing. The chef is obviously talented, and the food reflects an low-country influence. The comfortable dining room is inhabited by well-healed retired clientele, and the wait staff competent and knowledgeable. My wife and I ordered the six-course tasting menu so we could each sample a lot of the dishes. The six-course option is $119, which works out to about $20 per dish. That's $20 for a modest salad, $20 more for a small soup. In other expensive restaurants of this caliber (with James Beard award winning chefs), each would be about $10 and they would be twice as big. The soup and salad were good, as good as any we've had, but not any better than a very good soup and salad anywhere else. Just twice the price and half the size. The entrees, also $20 each, seemed more reasonably priced. The duck and the rock fish were very good, and the Foie Gras was amazing. If you go, be sure to get the foie gras. But the portions were 1.5-2.5 ounces each, which is fine for foie gras, but for the others it was a third to a quarter of what a similar restaurant would serve. The wine was unexciting, and about $15 for half a glass. The deserts were also very good, and very tiny. The entire creme brulee trio could fit into a tablespoon. Just because prices are high doesn't mean the restaurant is better. But the food here was good enough to tolerate the prices, until.... When the waiter brought our check, he had divided our order into two three-course tasting menus rather than the six-course we had requested. The result was a check that was thirty percent higher than what we had ordered. So now, the $20 salad and the $20 soup became $26 each. It was a bitter surprise at the end of an expensive, but good meal. In a vacuum, five-stars for the food. But deduct a star for the excessive prices, another for the small portions and overall low value, and a third for the shyster waiter. If you want a high--quality, high-priced, low value meal, there plenty of places to go where the waiters don't rip you off for an extra two-bits.
(2)Trey G.
Without question the best restaurant in Baltimore. Wifey and I went for our anniversary and it was one we will always remember. We have eaten at some pretty stellar restaurants around the world and the Charleston rivals any of them. Is it expensive? Yes. However, compared to other high end restaurants like in NYC, this place is a value. Where can you get 5 courses of true fine dining for a 100 bucks. The best part is that you make your own tasting menu from all the options! I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices so I'll spare the details of our meal. We will definitely be back!
(5)D Z.
Food is amazing from beginning to end. Been here 3 times and great every time...but you need to save up for this meal. Recommended - foie gras, lobster bisque, corn bread, sirloin, angus, lamb, pheasant
(5)J B.
Overall the dining experience was very, very good. I will say that I felt that some of the food was a little bit too salty. I don't think that it really needed to be... The food was well-prepared and presented. We went with the four course menu based on the recommendation of the server. Keep in mind that is four courses PLUS dessert. As it turns out the portion sizes are actually a little bit bigger than we expected so we will definitely go with the three course menu if we do it again. That will be the perfect amount of food.
(5)Stephanie M.
I would give Charleston 10 stars if possible!!! This place exceeded my expectations and I'm truly happy I chose this restaurant to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. I did some research prior to having my heart set on Charleston and from reading the Yelp reviews on this restaurant and scrolling through the pictures I fell in love with this place. I could not wait to come and experience what everyone else had. When we first arrived the valet parking was free, definitely a plus. Then we were greeted and seated in a matter of 30 seconds. Once seated we met our amazing knowledgeable server, Brian, who wished my boyfriend a happy birthday. This little gesture won my heart over once again. He then walked us through the menu, gave us the background on the courses, the chef and the desserts (which is included regardless of which course option you choose). We decided to go with the 3 course menu, which is $79 per person and selected cocktails instead of the wine pairings. We wanted to start out small since some of the reviews mentioned that the plate sizes were perfect and not small at all. Plus, we could easily add an additional course which wasn't a problem at all. We got our cocktails, I had the delicious Raz-putin Martini and my boyfriend had a Brown Ale, which was also delicious. Brian came over and mentioned that the Chef had prepared an appetizer for us, which was on the house. This was one of two additional dishes that the Chef sent our way, again a huge plus!! The appetizer consisted of artichoke soup and an amazing tuna with capers on toast. We received our courses one by one and every single dish was amazingly orchestrated along with the additional dish from the Chef. My favorite of the 3 courses we had selected was the Tuna Tartar and my boyfriend's favorite was the Shrimp Creole. Lastly, we finished the night by selecting a dessert of our choosing. They added a single candle on my boyfriend's dessert choice and again wished him a happy birthday. All in all, this was a great experience we both got to share. I must say if you don't mind spending a couple of hundreds from time to time on good food, ambiance and service then Charleston is definitely the place to go! Bon appetit!
(5)Jeanette H.
Pleasantly surprised, very pleased. Some Latin- and some French-influenced American dishes. Pre-fix, you can choose 3/4/5 course meals, and can choose from across all categories: e.g. for a 3-course pre-fix, you can even choose 3 entrees if you wanted to, or 3 appetizers, or 1 from each. No dish was disappointing, and service was excellent. I had our desserts to go, as we were tired ---- and actually forgot to wait for them, and no one ran after us either :) so I can't critique the desserts. Ambiance was great, wine selection decent.
(4)Megan C.
The most outstanding dining experience ever! Food, staff, and wine made this the best date night we've ever had. Every bite and every sip was better than the last. Three courses, pear and spinach salad, amazing. We had scallops, lamb, pheasant, lobster bisque all absolutely delicious. Bryan couldn't have been a better help picking and choosing and teaching us how to order to get the most out of our experience. We will be returning without a doubt.
(5)Priscilla S.
We had dinner at this restaurant for my boyfriend's birthday. We ordered a 3 course dinner with wine pairing and a Chef's menu of the moment. For the 3 courses, we chose the rich lobster soup with curry, pan roasted turbot and pan roasted duck. The courses were served as an entree, and there was no distinction between appetizer or main course. Despite that, we were stuffed and barely managed to finish our desserts. The food was exquisite with a touch of Asian fusion, although I have had better degustation experiences at other restaurants. The service was impeccable and intimate. I informed the restaurant ahead of time that it was my boyfriend's birthday and the service staff showered him with birthday wishes throughout the night, which made the narcissist in him very happy. All in all, a very pleasant experience. It was fine dining with intimate service, and we left happy and satisfied. Indisputably one of the best restaurants in Baltimore, and although pricey at ~$100/person, it is worth it. :)
(4)Brian R.
I researched the best restaurants in Baltimore and this was #1 and I see why. This place was pure perfection. I would never be able to afford this on a weekly basis but special occasion, yes. Every dish, server, host, etc. Was of the utmost high class. I actually felt like someone who is actually important that night. I don't regret not a penny.
(5)Nayoung L.
I went for the 6 course meal and loved every single course. I was expecting a small portion for a typical chef's menu and was surprised by generous serving size. I would definitely recommend the restaurant for a special occasion.
(5)Jaime R.
I was first at this restaurant at least 7 years ago while in Baltimore on business. When I knew I was going to Baltimore again I knew I wanted to return. This restaurant has evolved and gotten even better. The decor is beautiful, service is superb and so is the food and wine list. My courses were mushroom soup with foie gras butter and toasted brioche. It was perfection. My partner's first course was a crab cake that she said was wonderful. All crab meat, no filler or binder. Next up for me was a crispy grit cake and oyster mushroom fricassee with goat cheese cream and a red wine reduction. Wow. My partner had shrimp and stone ground creamy grits with Tasso ham, andouille sausage and fresh chives. Main course for me was chicken leg confit with lemon saffron risotto and aged reggiano. My partner had the same but with chicken breast. The courses were perfect portions, expertly done. We were sitting right near the open, well run kitchen. I had a Domaine Tempier La Migoua Bandol 1999 that went well with every course. This is a prize fix menu where you can choose 3, 4, 5 or 6 courses. You may also choose to have wine pairings with each course. Dessert is at. I charge and in addition to the number of courses you choose. There is also a well rounded cheese cart. Peter, our server and Brian the sommelier were wonderful as well. During our dinner both the chef-owner and wine director owner came by our table. This is truly one of the best restaurant experiences I've had. I will be sure to return if ever in Baltimore. Heck, it was SO good I may arrange to come to Baltimore just to come here. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation.
(5)Karlene C.
On a gusty Baltimore evening, the boyfriend and I went here to celebrate our anniversary back in April. This is probably the nicest restaurant we have ever been too. To be honest, it could be a little bit intimidating. But the food and drink. THE FOOD AND DRINK. After you are greeted at the door, and given complementary coat checks, you are escorted to their bar, well stocked with fine liquors and a solid beer selection. I forgot what we got, but both of our beer selections were delightful. When a table is ready for you, the host will come get you and escort you to the table. This is what we had (not in order): Boyfriend (with wine pairing): cornmeal fried Soft shell crab, fresh octopus salad, big eyed tuna tartare, pan roasted marget of duck. Every time a new dish was about to be put on the table, the staff would come and introduce the bottle, describe the vintage, and pour a glass as they informed us of the flavor and aroma profiles. Me (didn't get wine pairings): cornmeal fried oysters, Lobster bisque with curry (not always available I think), porcini Mushroom Risotto and the grilled buffalo tenderloin We tried each dish that the other person ordered, and my GOD. Each bite was perfectly prepared and delicious doesn't even describe how good the food tastes. As I recall the memory of this meal for this review, my stomach growls in frustration. For dessert: I got the rhubarb-rasberry gateau and my boyfriend eventually got the crepes suzette (they sold out of the dessert he wanted originally). Paired with great coffee and a complimentary dessert plate, it was a perfect ending to a basically flawless meal. Overall: Food was beyond delicious and the wine pairings were perfect and showed the chef's knowledge and aptitude for the craft (FYI I believe she is a James Beard Award recipient for that area). Everything was perfectly cooked and prepared; nothing overdone, under-seasoned or anything like that. Each bite was perfect. Service was impeccable, and the staff really know what they're talking about, were incredibly helpful with suggestions AND THEY DIDN'T RUSH US. Ambiance was straight on, and appropriate of a restaurant of that level and caliber: classy and elegant. The kitchen and its chef constantly rotate menu items to take advantage of what is fresh and available in B'more. If you're ever in Baltimore and really want to splurge (our bill was around 300 bucks), or want to really impress someone special, I'd go here. But make reservations. I used OpenTable and I didn't run into a problem.
(5)Kris L.
This is not chronological the order of my courses, but the order of pure deliciousness :D #1 Lobster bisque - not your typical lobster bisque as it had large shunks of lobster claw meat and a perfect splash of curry oil. PERFECTION #2 Beef short ribs (no knife needed). My 1 year old nephew could have eaten it. Or a toothless grandma #4 Bison - SO SO tender #5 Tilefish over cauliflower. Heavy on butter...just the way I like it #6 Chocolate mousse dessert #7 Tuna tartare-tons of citrus. In a good way The service was flawless. The wine list was fabulous. The ambiance was perfect. #VOTE BEST FINE DINING in Baltimore
(5)David C.
We are Los Angelenos and were visiting friends here in Baltimore. Charleston is their favorite restaurant so they wanted to treat us here. The result is: I am going to have to compare all my future food experiences against this new gold standard! First, the service, the table setting, and the ambience are all very carefully appointed and attentive. The servers were well-trained in both food knowledge and customer service. The feel of the place is elegant. Our dinner began with a good amuse bouche type of soup and pastry puff, which was nice but not amazing... but a good touch. We all chose the $91 per person meal, which is 4 courses plus dessert. RICH LOBSTER SOUP WITH CURRY was excellent. The lobster pieces were fresh, tender, perfectedly seasoned, and generous. The soup was creamy and so decadent. Grilled veal sweatbread (not bad for a strange piece of protein... try it but would have preferred something else). Pan-roasted Magret of Duck was good. Grilled Beef Tenderloin was a perfect medium peice of meat with the mushroom and madeira cream... so good. Oh, the potato gratin that came with the beef: sooo delcious in it's own cast iron skillet/pot. I tried other people's food: the Bigeye Tuna Tartar was average to me, and the foie gras was not seared well and too fatty, so a bit strange. Other highlight of the night: Lemon Tart and Creme Fraiche Bavaroi, cassis champagne Sorbet, Fresh ginger macerated berries: complex, not too heavy, sophisticated, delicious; such artistry. I didn't love my "stawberry shortcake", so I kep eating my friend's lemon tart and all the stuff around it. I am thinking of an excuse to go visit my friends in Baltiimore again soon...
(5)J R.
The prices are eye-bulging but I can tell you that the food and service make up for it. Definitely fancier than anything I'm accustomed to but the staff were very polite and even did something special for my boyfriends birthday. If I ever want to spend $200-$300 again, this will be the place.
(5)Andy K.
Came here for wife's bday, service was fantastic which is to be expected. The wine parings were good, the food however especially the rockfish was pretty bland. Other stuff seemed over salted, did not live up to the hype whereas a place like volt did when we went there for anniversary a couple years back. I would go to ouzo bay if you're in the mood for a 200-300 dinner for two.
(3)Eric W.
Back in Baltimore for business for the first time in over a year and decided to have dinner at the Charleston again because my last meal here was so good. Well, nothing has changed and that is a good thing. Food and service still outstanding. Good portions are just the right size to allow to try a number of dishes. Fabulous wine list, including a great selection of half bottles. Great for a romantic dinner or a business person looking for a nice place to dine alone. Cannot go wrong here either way.
(5)Michael L.
My first five star restaurant review. Wow. This place was just Wow. Every moment of the dinner was amazing, from being greeted and seated until we left. The food was fantastic, the service superb. I cannot think of anything I would change about my dinner there, aside from a less talkative neighboring couple. This is the best dinner I've ever had and I'd love to go back.
(5)Jennifer H.
It took me a while to finally write this review because I debated giving it a 3 or a 4. First, let me start by saying I had very HIGH expectations for this meal. I basically wanted it to be the best meal of my life. The food was not, but the service was truly the best I've ever experienced, which bumped up the rating. My husband and I sat in the room with the water view, which was lovely. It was fun to dress up and eat here, something I had been wanting to do for a while. We both did the 4 course tasting menu plus dessert and wine pairings. The meal started with an amuse-bouche, which was a nice touch- it was a cauliflower soup with a salmon mousse on the side. My courses: Fried Oysters (4 stars)- delish, but nothing over the top spectacular Lobster Salad (2 stars)- both my husband and I really did not like this. And how can you not like lobster?! I think we were expecting something different. I thought it would be a salad with lobster and peaches on top, but literally it was a lobster salad-meaning a cold, mayo-based salad of chopped up lobster with a lot of tarragon. Not my favorite. Rockfish w/ lemon oil risotto (5 stars)- Outstanding. Buffalo Tenderloin (5 stars)- Outstanding and cooked perfectly My husband's: Rockfish ceviche (5 stars) Excellent. Lobster Salad (2 stars- bleh we made this mistake 2x unfortunately) Crab cake (2 stars) *This is my main reason for why I was so upset with this food. 1. Baltimore is know for crab cakes and 2. there were so many shells in it that we had to keep spitting out :( Beef tenderloin (5 stars) Then we each got to choose a dessert, which were great (I got an apricot blueberry tart) and they also brought a little platter of bite-sized selections as well. Needless to say, we were stuffed! In summary, the wine pairings were stellar. I loved every wine and even ordered an extra glass at the end. For the food, as you can see some courses were better than others. Also, it was so much food. I think the 3 course would have been sufficient, but it was fun to try. For the total price of about $350, I would expect everything to be perfect and it was not, hence the 4 star rating. I am not sure if I would ever go back.
(4)H H.
Charleston delivered again. My new wife and I decided to have a small marriage ceremony at the Howard County court house recently. For dinner, we celebrated with a small group of immediate family at Charleston. We could not have been more satisfied with the ease of planning, the service, and of course the meal. My two children (7 and 8) loved the place as well. I was proud that they got experimental with their palettes, they tried the escargot, foie gras, and turbot among other things. I also had the turbot which was expertly paired with a rich, buttery white wine. Chef Wolf also paid us a personal visit and congratulations which was very nice and thoughtful. I look forward to dining at Charleston again and again.
(5)Rachel S.
Came here to celebrate my enagement. Service was excellent, but I've had significantly better meals for WAY less money. Baltimore is my hometown and I've eaten my way through the city. I've traveled across Europe and eaten at some of the finest restaurants in the world. I understand portion size and the importance of quality v . quantity, but the course size at the Charleston is ridiculously small. Not spectacular food + elitism + overly small portions + pricey = 3 stars at best.
(3)Carl W.
Let me first start by saying the service was excellent. We each had the 4 course option from the menu and although everything was very good/excellent, our real complaint is that nothing had a "wow!" factor. Now don't get me wrong, although the food preparation, ingredients, and presentation was top notch- we just didn't leave really impressed. The only food quality complaint was a shrimp entree where the shrimp appeared to have been thawed earlier that morning, instead of fresh from the Gulf. One more example was the cheese course, from my recollection, there was nothing offered which we haven't seen a thousand times before, surely they could have offered a cheese not easily found in most gourmet grocery stores like Wegmans or Eddies. When the total cost of your meal approaches $450, you should leave feeling like you experienced something new as well as felt challenged about what haute cuisine can be. The bottom line is if you've never been to a great restaurant before, you'll think Charleston is amazing, otherwise, you will feel quite the opposite.
(3)Vanessa S.
Elite! Best of the best! By far the best dining experience I have had in Baltimore. Everything about this place is elegant. You will not find better service in Baltimore! If you lack class or the wallet to handle this place then stay at home!
(5)Letty P.
Food concept is delicious and service is great. You can't go wrong picking this place to eat.
(5)Burak M.
You can't beat the experience at Charleston. Great food, wine and service. Well worth it!
(5)Krissy P.
my husband and I came here for dinner on 05/3/2014. We made a reservation for Sat at 6.30pm but ended up being around the restaurant at 5.30pm which they were willing to move our reservation up and seated us promptly. We had the 4 course meal which was for $91 pp I believe. Decor - Classy/elegant.. definately a very sophisticated vibe. Service - Great/ Our glass was always full and the plates were cleared once we were done. We didn't feel rush at any point. Food - was good but nothing special. Would recommend you try the shrimp creole and lobster with coconut soup. We didn't get to share the meal since we felt a bit akward swapping spoons in there. lol Dessert was included in the meal and a little tray of tiny chocoloates. I would go back again for special occasion. The total bill came out to be a bit under $300
(4)Kristi S.
From the service, to the wine, to the 5 courses.... Everything was outstanding! Chef Cindy Wolf really out did herself. We started with the lobster bisque, moved into soft shell crab, then rok fish, salad, and ended with the duck. The lobster bisque, rok fish, and the duck were my favorites and really even then it was so hard to choose a clear winner!
(5)Lauren L.
So this was an experience. My boyfriend and I met my brother in law ( BIL) here for dinner last night. My BIL made the reservation because he had done his research and was eager to try out the chef's beard award winning food and extensive wine selection. I, after doing my own research, was excited as well and had high expectations. Valet was complimentary and appreciated in the city. We started with cocktails at the bar which faces the ocean. The bartender was friendly but not personable however the drinks were very strong. We moved to the dining room which was understated and the lighting was warm and inviting. The waiter was good but not the most knowledgable when we asked him detailed questions about preparation. Before we even started eating the chef came out to introduce herself to everyone dining which was very nice but I wish we could have talked to her after our meal. They served an complimentary pallet cleanser of warm cream of broccoli soup and mini kroger. Both were excellent. The way the menu is designed, you can chose to try three to six courses of your choice with no restrictions with or without a wine pairing. My BIL and I chose the wine pairing which was well worth it. I ordered four course and the men ordered five. The serving sizing are more appetizer size but still substantial. If it weren't for my desire to try more dishes, I would have been full from three courses easily. We ordered a variety of dishes but I will give you our impressions: Do order: Lobster soup - amazing with lots of meat Octopus - unique preparation that melts in your mouth Foie gras - not the best we've ever had but still outstanding Rabbit - unlike any rabbit we'd ever had, the meat was unbelievably tender and flavorful Buffalo - great preparation and complete dish, also very tender Consider: Lamb, scallops, salmon tartar, beef tenderloin Don't order: Duck with lentils - the duck was wonderful but the large portion of lentils was drowned in bacon fat, waaay too overpowering and ruined the dish The cheese selection was nice and the desserts were complimentary. The fact is that we had a total of 17 different plates among the three of us and there was only one bad dish. Those are some great odds which you don't often find at these types of restaurants. The service was attentive with a few mistakes including taking my napkin when I went to the restroom and not replacing it, confusing one dish for another when describing it at placement, forgetting a water glass and of course not being entirely familiar with the food preparation. Overall it is an experience to have if you are in Baltimore and are in search of fine dining. The chef has some unique flavor combinations and satisfying comfort dishes. The menu changes regularly but it seems like the buffalo and the lobster soup are essentials. If you're feeling adventurous, try the rabbit and definitely do the wine pairings.
(4)Ross E.
Not 5 stars for the following reason: the chicken was overcooked and pretty bland (though served with a tasty mushroom risotto). I don't usually eat chicken but I though this restaurant could deliver - unfortunately not. Having said that, I like everything else: - Multi-course format with matching wines lets you do a "DIY" tasting menu - Matching wines were good - Fantastic interior and service - Desserts included with your meal - Lobster with curry soup was fantastic - Fried oysters were also superb - cornmeal-encrusted but yet fairly light, like tempura style - Shrimp and grits (with bacon bits in the grits) were amazing. I often fine shrimp to be over-cooked in the US, but these were perfectly done - Other dishes (beef tenderloin, duck, warm artichoke salad) were also good.
(4)Mu W.
When a simple roasted corn bisque brings you to a perfect, uninterrupted bliss, you know you are eating something extraordinary. This is exactly the dining experience that Charleston has to offer. No need for truffle or caviar, the exceptional culinary art brings out the best in the ingredients and transforms them into something exceedingly beautiful. I should say that Charleston also has the exquisite dishes that you would expect at fine dining. Though, I should also say, when your food seems out of this world, who cares if the ingredients are expensive or rare**. The bottom line is, no matter what the main ingredients were, my fiancée and I were amazed dish after dish. With exceptional food, what makes Charleston perfect is their pleasant atmosphere and perfect service. The experience is classy, elegant, and far from pretentious. Will gladly return for special occasions :) ** Rant: for example, I've had my share of poorly balanced 'truffle' dishes at several restaurants. I started to believe that they are gimmicks to charge you more. Do avoid. Talented chefs don't rely on expensive ingredients; they use their skills.
(5)Mike H.
I have been to Charleston's on several occasions now but have only eaten in the dining room on one occasion. Unfortunately, that one time was the least appreciated of my visits. On that occasion my issues were only service related. It took someone nearly 15 minutes to greet us at the door and offer to take our coats, another couple had the same issue and they had been there additional time. I requested bottled water, which never appeared during the meal, even after reminding them twice. Also, while this might seem trivial, my date and I were both well dressed, in dark outfits and we were only offered white napkins, not black ones. Again, to many that might seem trivial but, in a fine dining establishment with the best rated service in Baltimore, I find issues like these a potential indicator to remind staff of proper service. The food itself was very good and no matter where I have eaten, at the bar or in the dining room, I have always enjoyed the presentations, tastes and portions. While the restaurant is primarily focused on a more formalized, chef's multi-course tasting menu, those of us who like to drop by the bar after work and get a drink and a bite to eat in an upscale atmosphere, it would be nice to see several more options on a small plate/appetizer basis.
(4)Bella B.
This has to be Baltimore's finest restaurant, and I always make sure to have one or two meals here during my annual trips to Baltimore. Guests choose any 3, 4 or more dishes from the fixed-price menu with or without the recommended wine pairings for each dish. Dessert is included, and you will be regaled with amuse-bouche and mignardises. All the plates are small, permitting 4-6 courses. Wine selection by glass is large, and the bottle selection would take and hour to read. The food is always exceptional, the service impeccable, and the atmosphere relaxing. Charleston also has one of the best cheese carts, too, a tradition that seems to be dying in restaurants in France. One cannot go wrong with any of the dishes on the menu. Even a simple soup will be a fine delight for the palate. I very highly recommend Charleston if you crave Everything is a prix fixe; just select the number of courses you want. Michelin-quality food and service.
(5)James M.
Chef Wolfe is amazing!!! I had the best meal of my life here. You definitely need to go with a four course meal minimum to try a variety of new things. Don't order something typical like a steak - go with something out the box and Chef Wolfe will blow you away. If they have curry lobster bisque when you go, def get it. A small appetizer and desert are included in the meal and not counted as a course. They give you a nice selection of bread and the wine is not overly expensive since you can get it by the glass and half glass. Only reason this isn't a five star review is because my waiter annoyed me with something he said. He said "oh she is ordering for herself?". Yea she is more than capable and I didn't hear you ask any other table that, and no one else ordered for there date. It rubbed me the wrong way but as expensive as that meal was he still got a fat tip.
(4)Christina W.
I came here for an anniversary with my boyfriend in December. It's been a while since then, but the experience has stuck with me. It is very expensive, especially if you order drinks. I believe we each had a 4 course meal and 2 drinks, which totaled up to at least $300 before tip. I can't remember every dish we had, but I can tell you I loved their oysters, foie gras, and desserts plate. The oysters were served with cucumbers and cavier. I didn't think that this would be a good combination, but the cucumbers added a perfect hint of freshness and the cavier added the salty element, to make up for the lack of brininess in the oysters. It was the first time I had foie gras, but I was not disappointed. I was expecting a similar taste and texture to regular chicken liver, but was pleasantly surprised. The foie gras melted in my mouth, and was a light taste. It was excellently complemented with a mini crepe and fruit sauce. As for the dessert, I can't remember which dessert we ordered, but was impressed by the complimentary dessert plate. I have no idea what they are actually called, but I'll call them a series of mini macaroons. Each one was a very different from the next, and the order was carefully thought out. For example, one was chewy and fruity, and the next was a light chocolate marshmallow. The last was crunchy and minty; a perfect ending to the meal. As for the service, it was hands down the nicest and fanciest place I've been to. Every time I got up to go to the bathroom, our waitress would switch out my napkin for a new one. I was given a new set of utensils for every dish. It seemed every 4 tables had their own wait staff, to ensure they would never be waiting for anything. I would definitely come back here again, but only on very special occasions.
(5)Ryan Z.
You already know from Yelp that Charleston is about as good as it gets, and that chef Cindy Wolf artfully captures the magic of low country cooking in an unpretentious fine dining experiences. Instead of giving more (albeit deserved) praise to the food, let me share a few tips and observations that might enhance your visit. 1) Number of courses to order. You have your choice of 3 to 6 courses, though I'm sure they'd let you order more. I am a guy who eats a lot, and oftentimes fine dining leaves me searching for a slice of pizza afterwards. I ordered the 4 course ($88) menu, and with the additional dessert course included in that price, I left very comfortable. Not bursting at the seams full, but pleasantly comfortable for the rest of the night. I could have done a fifth savory course, but six might have been too much. Be cautious not to overeat the delicious bread for fear of filling up too soon. 2) What to wear. This is one of the swankiest restaurants in Baltimore, but like most places these days, a strict dress code is not enforced. At a minimum you should wear slacks and a dress shirt, and many patrons wore blazers. Denim will make you feel very out of place. As I walked in, an older couple walked out complaining that they had not been warned beforehand of how dressy of a place this way. Please use your heads people - do you really think that other patrons would be wearing cargo pants and sandals at a $100/person+ restaurant? 3) Wine pricing. As a light drinker, I LOVED that I could order a 3oz. pour of any wine by the glass. What was odd was that many wines cost much more than double the 3oz. price for a 6oz. pour. So, you might want to get several 3oz. pours instead. 4) Kids. Leave them at home. There is nothing on the menu that will appeal to youngsters. For a family who was clearly from Southern California (dad in designer jeans showing too much chest, mom in fancy sandals, two perfect looking kids), the cooks had to go across the street to their sister restaurant (Cinghiale) to get some pasta for the kids, and the kids looked restless and miserable as their parents ate course after course (one kid curled up on the settee and took a nap). Enjoy a date night and leave the kids at home. 4) I still have dreams about the curry soup with lobster meat. Perhaps you will too.
(5)Nick M.
If you want a romantic dinner, with a very modern French spin, you can't beat this spot. It's a bit over the top, but in a very classy way. Excellent, A+ service, the food is so good that any words here to describe it would be a waste. it's best to go with the tasting style menu and probably 4 or 5 courses. They are not big portions, but all very filling. The decor is beautiful. Parket is valet. You are likely to see local celebs, or business leaders in here on any given night. Enjoy!
(5)Dave A.
Going to Charleston is an event, and you could compare it to an evening at the BSO, which also helps put price into perspective. To echo what all people on Yelp have said, the food is incredible, but the service is even better. All the wait staff are passionate about what they do and want to share (not condescend) their knowledge. Lovely place to celebrate a milestone or big achievement!
(5)Sarah M.
My husband and I went to Charleston to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. It was a great experience. I mentioned our anniversary when making our reservation and all of the staff we encountered wished us happy anniversary throughout our dining experience. We arrived a little early and our table wasn't quite ready, not wanting to sit in the bar, we opted to stand in the entryway which was a bit awkward and I felt like we were in the way but the wait wasn't too long. The hostess and the maitre d were both very kind and accommodating. The table that we were seated at allowed us a view of the kitchen which was nice but we kind of felt like we were on display in the middle of the restaurant, other tables seemed more intimate. We both opted to do 4 courses and then a dessert which is complimentary. They also bring a cheese cart around before dessert but at that point we were stuffed. Our meal started with an amuse bouche of olive miso mousse on a crostini and gruyere cheese popovers. My courses Cornmeal Fried Oysters with Mayonnaise Pan Roasted Rockfish, Cauliflower, Walnuts, Capers, Lemon Brown Butter Foie Gras, Bacon and Potato Hash Beef Tenderloin atop brioche, Mushrooms, Jerusalem Artichoke Puree and Whiskey Sauce His courses Hamachi Crudo Shrimp & Stone Ground Creamy Grits, Tasso Ham, Andouille Sausage Pan Roasted Rockfish (same as mine) Buffalo Tenderloin, Crispy Shallots, Cabbage, Poblano Cream All of the courses were delicious. As I've read in other reviews, nothing particularly blew me away but this is clearly one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. A few courses particularly stood out. The oysters were fantastic, delicately crispy with a great briney taste as you bit into them. The foie gras was delicious, the hash and sauce that accompanied I could have done without but the foie itself was cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth. Both tenderloins were also perfectly cooked and the accompaniments were delicious. A few things were over seasoned and I felt the fish was sadly under seasoned but each protein was cooked perfectly which is a rare find. Dessert began with a mignardises, 4 individual perfect bites, a crispy chocolate piece, an orange jellie, a almond macaron with raspberry cream and a salted chocolate piece. I had the bread pudding special of the day. It renewed my hope in bread pudding. As one of my favorite desserts I am always eager to try and usually let down by the experience. This bread pudding was perfect and the vanilla anglaise and sliced strawberry were perfect compliments. My husband had the crepes suzette which judging from his quickly empty plate I think were spot on. From the minute we walked in until we left the staff was attentive and accommodating but not overbearing. The service flowed perfectly to the point that you almost didn't even notice your glass being refilled or the next course being served. All of the servers knew what they were serving and were able to provide a detailed description of each course. This is a great place for a romantic night out and a very special occasion. Not sure when I'll be back but I truly enjoyed the experience.
(5)Dandy D.
I have had plenty of good and great meals. This was truly the BEST I have ever experienced. Maribel was a gem of a server. Cindy Wolf knows exactly what she is doing. Every single thing was Perfection.
(5)Bob L.
My wife and I decided to make things easy on ourselves this Thanksgiving. This meant no traveling to visit out-of-state relatives and, more importantly, no cooking of any kind. But where to go? Having visited another of the Wolf/Foreman properties recently (see my review of Pazo) and feeling the desire to really pamper ourselves we headed over to Charleston. Our bellies were empty and our expectations were high. Charleston is considered by those plugged into the Baltimore culinary world to be the best restaurant in the city. Its high-end take on traditional low-country cuisine gets raves from nearly everyone lucky enough to experience it and the attention they lavish on their guests is equally well-known. Normally, when we set out on a gastroquest, I'm a bit trepidatious. For some reason, I had no reservations on the evening of our visit - well, I had reservations, but the good kind. Tucked away in Baltimore's swank Harbor East, Charleston is just out of the way enough to add to the feeling of exclusivity while still making you feel that you're right in the middle of the city. There's valet, of course, but on the night of our visit street parking was easily accessible. When you enter the restaurant through the smoked white glass double doors you immediately get the feeling that this will be unlike any dining experience you've ever had. Smiling host, gracious coat check, and on to the bar. It was like we truly were welcome guests in their house. Speaking of the bar, it's dark, velvety, and a bit on the snug side. My wife and I felt a bit out of place among the baby boomer crowd, but once a small table freed up we were able to grab a seat. We sat, lost in each other's company and immersed in our own little world, happily chatting, people watching (is that someone famous at the bar?), and oblivious to the wait. The beer list is pretty limited here, so I opted for the Pilsner Urquell, a wonderful light traditional Czech pilsner; IMHO, one of the best representations of the style on the market. Not too heavy, well-balanced and perfect before dinner. My wife went with some kind of fruity cocktail. It made her smile. All was good. Within about 20 minutes, we were ushered through the sold-out dining room, past the holiday walla to our table. Our table was perfect. A two-top Located toward the rear of the restaurant immediately against a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the moonlight harbor, it couldn't have been any better. Poetic, I know. I'm not sure where the other reviewers got the tight, crowded feeling they described. I thought the tables were well-spaced and intimate. To keep the libations flowing, I went with a Saison Dupont (a beautiful, spicy and musty Belgian-style farmhouse ale) and my wife a glass of Riesling. Now, to the food. I won't bother to dissect each and every dish we experienced that night but I will attempt a brief (hard for me) synopsis: A prix fixe thanksgiving meal that elevated traditional turkey day fare to new heights. Since we were sharing we were able to try just about everything. Kicking things off a small salad of arugula and baby greens dressed in a lemon vinaigrette and a bowl of sweet, smoky corn chowder. Maybe the best soup I've ever put in my mouth. The mains, succulent tryptophanically-tasty turkey breast with stuffing (Where those cucumbers in there?) and tart cranberry compote, braised short rib resting on a perfectly piped dollop of creamy, buttery whipped potatoes and surrounded by a pan-sauce demi glace. Moving next to the sized-for-two family style sides of hop John and collards braised with pork hocks the southern influence was evident. I forgot to mention the house-made rolls and corn bread. I could have made a meal out of those alone. We weren't done yet. Arriving next to our table a small silver platter graced with a selection of 4 different petit fours, two each. If memory serves, cranberry muffin, caramel in dark chocolate, spice cake and some kind of caramel nut square. Every one of them oozed of attention to detail. It took restraint to stop myself from popping them all in my mouth immediately. For dessert, coffee, sweet potato tart and a slice of chocolate mousse cake. Kudos to the pastry chef for two stellar creations. It's clichéd, but our experience can be summed up in one word, wow. Charleston is most certainly deserving of its reputation - great service, impeccable food and wonderful atmosphere. There aren't many true fine dining establishments in the city but the duo of Wolf and Foreman are doing their best to change that. This is the kind of place that, for us, will be reserved for those special occasions where the usual just won't do. It's full of class and they treat you like royalty. I'm definitely not used to this kind of service, but part of me doesn't want to be. What makes an experience like dining at Charleston so special is the fact that it's not an every-day experience. Now, what special occasion can I dream up next...
(5)Joel A.
Very classy establishment from the moment I walked in the door. The decor, the hospitality, and the atmosphere were absolutely superb. That's where my good experience stops. I went on a Saturday night and sat at the bar for a drink and was also anticipating a nice dinner. The bar was very nice, and there were two couples sitting on either side of me. There was no greeting or even an acknowledgment of my existence by the bartender for at least 15 minutes. While I was sitting there, two older gentleman approached the bar and were immediately greeted and had their drink order taken. I remained seated, at this point perplexed, wondering how long it would take for the bartender to acknowledge me. Finally, after about 25 minutes, the bartender handed me a drink menu and didn't say a word. I eventually asserted myself and placed my drink order. When I received my drink, it was mediocre at best. At this point, I was ready to leave and didn't ask for a dinner menu. I am a 25 year old professional who has worked at upscale restaurants while I was in school , and I feel as though I became a victim of "quicker service to the older classier folks so I can get a better tip". It happens people, trust me. I expected better service from an establishment of this caliber. I'm not sure if I will return.
(2)Greg F.
Really, it would have been shocking if a place like this were disappointing. The a la carte choosing 3-6 courses menu is interesting, and makes it easy to taste a bunch of different foods. My food experience= appetizer - salmon puree on cracker - delicious, very light, just the right type of thing to get the saliva working. First dinner course - Tuna Tartar, excellent, minced and mixed with onions just right to taste the tuna, and to enjoy the other flavors. Second - Lobster soup, grossly delicious. Had a cream based light curry soup with it... OMG. Third - Rockfish, this was okay, it was very good, but i really should have chosen something different. Forth - Buffalo tenderloin, medium rare and succulent. One of the best pieces of meat I've ever had, and it was the perfect culmination to the savory adventure. Dessert - yes dessert too! Chocolate s'mores awesomeness, the had carmeled marshmallows, over cinnamon ice-cream and decadent flour-less chocolate cake type thing.
(4)Eddie C.
Best restaurant in B'more for sure. But needs to update their menu and create some new dishes.
(4)Frank G.
We dined here mid-week and the place was full, yet the service was exemplary- attentive and friendly without hovering. We were the last to leave but never felt rushed. The menu choices were excellent in particular the lobster soup. The wine list is very extensive and a bit over priced as might be expected
(5)Ida C.
Our dinner in the bar/lounge area of Baltimore's Charleston restaurant was rich with disappointments and liberally peppered with disinterested service. I don't know if it was just an off night, but during our brief meal at the bar, we got the feeling that the bartender could not wait for us to leave. This was particularly disappointing as we packed fancy clothes for our otherwise casual weekend trip to Baltimore just so we could check out Chef Wolf's cuisine. We made the decision to eat at the bar so we could order a la carte from the menu, skirt food coma and remain alert enough to check out the bars in Fells Point after dinner. When we arrived at 8:45p on a Saturday night, there was ample seating available at the bar and a few lounge tables open. We chose seats at the bar, which reminded me of a more intimate version of the bar at New York's Marea, all warm colors and thoughtful, flattering lighting. We requested drink menus and ordered interesting cocktails. Although the cocktails took a while to make, they were ultimately delicious and on the strong side, which we appreciated. We then requested the food menu, and after waiting a rather long interval, politely repeated our request. After another interminable interval, we finally received the menu. We asked how the a la carte ordering worked and the bartender impatiently explained that each item could be ordered individually and prices varied depending on the item. When we asked how much each item would be, he said $15-20 each, but if we ordered three or more items, prices would default to the prix fixe pricing, which was a bit confusing because the 3 course prix fixe is $76. I'm no math genius, but given that 2 items would range from $30-40 and 3 items would be $76, it seemed like a strange bargain to charge an $36 for the third dish off the same menu. With this in mind, we each ordered one item on the menu to start, figuring that if they were truly exquisite, the extra dough might be a fair trade. Driven to covetous lust by Duff Goldman's description of the Burgundy Snails on Best Thing I Ever Ate, my choice was made before I ever set foot in the restaurant. El Queso Grande opted for the Pan-Roasted Wild Rockfish. Both were petite dishes, aggressively compensating for size with butter. I was disappointed by the difference in preparation of the snails vs. Duff Goldman's description. Rather than butter-poached garlic and bacon puff pastry, the snails were served on top of creamy grits. It was good, but rather pedestrian. El Queso Grande enjoyed his dish and especially loved the mushrooms. We went through another frustrating round to request, request again and finally get our check and pay the bill. PARTING THOUGHT: Perhaps the dining room is James Beard worthy, but I would definitely advise against a meal at the bar / lounge if you are only in town for a weekend...why risk disappointment when there are so many other options in town?
(2)Richard W.
I keep coming back here every time I get to Baltimore. It never disappoints. The service is appropriately restrained but still friendly. The food is exquisite. Turbot cooked to perfection. The crab cake (I normally avoid them) is non-pareil. Extraordinary wine selection, with extensive by-the-glass options. Searching for a flaw, I found a small hole in the tablecloth. Otherwise: flawless! If quality is your polestar this restaurant is for you.
(5)Quorum A.
Totally enjoyed the concept and the dishes. Good food albeit at a very steep price...hence the four star rating. Service was above par. I would come back here for a very very special occasion.
(4)Hong L.
As a James Beard Awards nominee, I had high expectations of the food at Charleston Restaurant. And for the most part, it exceeded it. Charleston's dishes are eclectic. At first, I was hesitant at some of the dishes because of the various flavors and components in the dish. However, all doubt ceased to exist, as I bit into my first bites of my dish. Charleston does a fix meal - 3 dishes to 5 dishes . I would suggest 4 dishes if you rather hungry. All the plates are small dishes but definitely shareable , so if you are in a group try ordering different types of food. Most of the food we had was centered around lobster (soup and salad) which was delicious! Service was top notch , I couldn't have asked for more! The only thing I was disappointed in was the dessert... something the restaurant can definitely improve on.
(5)Gerard R.
Food here was awesome! I was afraid this place was going to be really overrated, but it did not disappoint. Hands down the best restaurant i've eaten at baltimore. Grew up here in the 80s and 90s but go back frequently. We had the 3-course chef's choice (which also then adds dessert as well, so really more like 4 courses). Thank goodness we didn't get the 4-course option that the waiter was pushing! The lobster bisque was probably the best i've ever eaten!!! It's an expensive place, but the quality to the food and the prep is excellent! I'll be back! Valet is complimentary.
(5)Mark N.
Only stopped into the bar for a drink. But decided to get a little comfortable. Started with a mint Julip (one of my favs while visiting the charleston). My friend had a superb martini. We decided to get an order of the foiegras paired with a sweet white..... Then floated onto a red wine with the cheese trolley. Ours included the eppois, a blu, and another which I'm drawing a blank. The eppois will always be my favorite (oh, so stinky). An impromptu visit that satisfied most of our senses.... But hey, would you expect anything less?
(5)Jason L.
One of my favorite restaurants. My wife and I are never disappointed with their tasting menu. Service is excellent. One of my favorite restaurants for upscale dining.
(5)Chris C.
We have just returned from dinner at Charleston. On our 7th visit it was just as remarkable and memorable as the first. As I told the maitre d', it is like dining in heaven. Everything, is executed to perfection. Every member of their staff has been trained with one purpose in mind: to deliver a dining experience that the customer will never forget. Cindy Wolf and Tony Foreman are masters at their craft. Perfect food paired with exquisite wines. Every bite and every sip are a taste party! No exaggeration. If you want to experience the best of the best, go to Charleston. It took us 2 hours to get their tonight due to traffic and I would endure that every night of the week to dine at Charleston. My meal was the indescribably delicious lobster and curry soup, followed by the rockfish ceviche, the saffron and shrimp risotto, and the lamb tenderloin. Cheese course was one defying description. Dessert followed -- the raspberry napoleon and 2 half glasses of champagne that very nearly made me become a French citizen. Chef Cindy Wolf has a culinary talent worthy of a Congressional Medal of Honor. Her partner, Tony Foreman, is a wine whisperer -- he can pair a wine with a dish like none other. I cannot recommend this restaurant with any higher praise than to say it is sheer perfection. Take your dining dollar and run to Charleston. Sit back and let the experts work their magic and you will have a fantastic time. I promise that you will experience a gold standard meal. Others may try, but NONE, NONE will ever come close to matching the perfection of Charleston. What a pleasure it always is to dine there! Thank you, Charleston staff, for devoting yourself to the very fine art of extraordinary dining! You make memories happen night after night after night...take a bow!
(5)Vishal S.
There is a reason that this restaurant has been voted among the top 10 restaurants of the country. The food is absolutely splendid. We had a 4 course meal with wine and it was amazing. They have good choices of food. Also they serve bread in between the meals. The service is excellent.
(5)Robert W.
Dined here with a few friends the other night. Amazing. The consistency of the service, quality of the food, wine pairings are all perfect. 5 courses (lobster bisque, shrimp and grits, sweet breads, foie and duck. ) It is definitely a level above all other restaurants in Baltimore. I'm not trying to detract from my other favorites in the city, but the Charleston deserves a Michelin star.
(5)Ferdinand A.
Enjoyed this plc everytime I've been, but tonite I was craving sweetbreads so I thought... Charleston!!! But to my demise I was turned away because of my attire, i was greeted with " where do u think your goin?" and i replied, to the bar to eat.. Not the way your dressed, I don't need to post how much my clothes cost but obviously it didn't look expensive enough.. I will never return to this plc again.. How's that. And I'll make sure none of my friends return either.. Note to manager, don't b that stuck up, in Baltimore.. I've never encountered that amount of rudeness anywhere.. Not even at Korean/Chinese places, and they're known for that
(1)Gerry S.
I love dining alone. It's a rare treat for me, as the husband is usually along for dinner. But when he's away, there's nothing I love more than sitting down at a nice restaurant and taking my time eating a lovely dinner. Because, let me tell you, I can eat SLOWLY. I'm one of those weirdos who, given half a chance and good enough food, will set the fork and knife down in between bites, close my eyes, and just let meal wash over me, bite by bite. And if I'm going to sit down and truly savor a dinner, Charleston is as good a choice as any there is. So, just to say it up front: this is an exquisite restaurant, and you should eat here at some point. It's food that deserves your attention and your time. It's also food that's going to cost you a bit. My dinner for one was $150, and I wasn't extravagant in my choices. And like most restaurants in this rarefied class, dinner can be somewhat akin to going to church: Everything's beautiful, rehearsed, and moves with a polished, formal grace. You're probably under-dressed; you're pretty sure there are rules you don't know, and when you break one you're going to be exposed as a heathen. The waiters know more about food and wine than you do, and it's easy to feel intimidated. But here's my secret to a place like this: admit your utter lack of culture, ask questions no matter how stupid you think they are, and put yourself in your waiter's hands. They'll appreciate the chance to show off, and if you give effusive feedback about how much you're enjoying yourself, they'll warm up to you, I promise. So, beyond all that, let me give you my one...it would be unfair to even call it a quibble...with Charleston. For me, eating at Charleston is like listening to a recital by an utterly brilliant technician. Every note is perfect. Every nuance managed, every passage utterly mastered, every flourish spot-on, and not a single thing with the performance is wrong. And somewhere in all of that carefully-controlled mastery, I start to wonder if the soul stepped out the door when I wasn't looking, and the joke's on me. I'm not sure I actually know who Charleston is, the way you can know a friend. I'm dazzled, but I'm not loved. Maybe I'm not even dazzled; I'm just managed. Beautifully, carefully managed.
(5)Mark H.
I would give Charlston ten stars if I could. We asked for chef's recommendation on all five courses, dessert, and wine parings for each course. Chef Cindy Wolf is simply amazing. We were blown away with each creation that came to the table and were even presented with some surprise appetizers and other items that were not even on the menu. We also had a sampling of five exquisite cheeses from the trolley. I cannot fail to mention Ryan, who was phenomenal, and walked us through the menu items, wine parings, grapes, the cheese trolley, and all the way to the desserts and cordials. His knowledge is second to none, and your dining experience will be completely taken to the next level with his expertise. When you are finished with dinner, be sure and stop by the bar for a scotch from Charlston's extensive selection. We will certainly be back, as it is number one on our dining destinations. I will defer making any suggestions as what to select from the menu as it is seasonal. We had ten different choices between the two of us and not a single one disappointed. Charlston's cuisine truly does reign supreme!
(5)Emily L.
Dining at Charleston really is a singular experience -- as in, everyone should experience it a single time. Even if I could afford to eat here every night, I'm not sure I would; it's a lovely memory and I think it's best saved for really, really special occasions. Ironically, my husband and I made plans to eat here at the very last minute because a friend was celebrating her birthday (not a landmark birthday -- just a birthday.) But I don't think we could have had a better experience. Atmosphere: "intimate" is the best word I can imagine. Pleasant rumbles of low conversation and homey kitchen noises from the open kitchen, where Cindy Wolf visibly presided all evening. No loud music, no raucous laughter and no goofiness from the service staff. Everyone seems to understand that diners there expect a perfect experience. Food: I don't know what I can possibly say that others haven't, but it's incredible. The soups were velvety, perfectly-seasoned and well-studded with chunks of crab, lobster or mushroom (yes, we shared, which may be gauche for such a high-end place, but we couldn't help ourselves!) Oysters were airily crisp; fish was meltingly tender, as was the buffalo. I steer clear of organ meat, but having enjoyed the foie gras tremendously I wondered whether I wouldn't enjoy the sweetbreads, too! The bread could have made a meal in itself -- tiny flour-dusted French rolls, cornbread madeleines and a chewy olive baguette that makes guest appearances in my dreams to date. Oh, and if you go and don't order the shrimp and grits, we are no longer friends. Wine: all but one of us ordered pairings, and after our first arrived she changed her mind and ordered them, too. They really are perfect. I love wine but remain a novice; this was the first time I've really understood how the right wine can make such a difference. We tried them alone, then with the food, and they complimented each other so perfectly it really heightened the experience. (A word to the wise: they claim each pairing is a "half glass" but pour by hand and don't measure; I'd say it's closer to 3/4 of a glass. By the end of four courses, I wished I had skipped the pre-dinner cocktail!) Cheese: We chose four varieties completely on a whim, and enjoyed all of them. It's just a taste, enough to give you some breathing room between dinner and dessert. Dessert: A "mandatory" course that all diners receive regardless of choices (a decision I wish more restaurants would follow!) We enjoyed a variety of sweets, from cream puffs to mousse and chocolates, each bite-sized and wonderfully complex. Service: Our server was a sweet, tiny woman who added an air of decorum to the experience. She didn't get chatty, but accommodated us from start to finish with grace and good humor (including a visit from the chef, who materialized out of nowhere to accept our raving compliments.) It was a beautiful night, and maybe I'd like to return in about ten years. The price tag will sure help to delay me, but it was worth every penny. I just loved it.
(5)Buffy M.
Dreamy! We enjoyed all the tastes and it is impossible to make a poor menu selection. We felt comfortable and content in the warm cantaloupe surroundings. The staff were extremely accommodating- yes we can have dry white wine pairings with each dish if we please. Interesting to note, each staff member has amazing posture- good one Ms. Cindy!
(5)Richard L.
I had to arrange a business dinner for the Board of Directors of my company, and as everyone generally likes to eat things that are delicious and drink wines that are also as delicious, I already knew I was going to pick the Charleston. Our group was seven people, which requires you to call in and make special reservations - up to 6 you can use Opentable, but after that the restaurant needs a bit of preparation to make sure your evening is fantastic. I worked with Heather over e-mail and the phone, and she made it very easy for me to arrange everything - one of our members has a gluten free diet, so he was properly accounted for. The menus had our company name and the words "board of directors dinner" on it as well, a nice, personal touch that really did seem like going the extra mile. The table was perfect and located in a slightly more isolated section of the dining room so that we could have some privacy - we discussed going with the private room but decided that it was a bit too expensive for just 7 people. Heather helped me pick the tasting menu (I settled in at 5 courses plus the optional dessert) and that was that. Until we actually got to the food. Each course had two options - I can only speak on the options I selected but the others were all just as marvelous. Oh god the food. We started with an amuse bouche, goat cheese + marscapone on a toasted brioche round with a small cup of mushroom soup - creamy with a hit of acid that cut into the sharpness of the goat cheese. For the starter soup the lobster bisque came out as bowls of lobster meat and a thin edge of curry oil cutting in a seductive line across the bottom of a pale white bowl, into which a tureen of perfectly orange and pink bisque was poured. The olive oil left a nutty aftertaste on the tongue as well, which was appreciated in cutting the richness of the sweet lobster and the bisque. For the second course I had the roasted beet salad with goat cheese and aged balsamic. It is a fairly standard salad (I've seen it with roasted orange beets as well, but the red beets tend to be my favorite due to their higher sugar content), and it was made perfectly. This was followed by the third course, one of the signature dishes - oysters fried in cornmeal with a light aioli dipping sauce. I can say that I ate them with my hands - the cornmeal was so light and airy that I did not even bother using my fork. I should point out here that at this point I was a bit full, and dubious of my ability to eat more. The next course was a maryland rockfish(local) delicated cooked on a bed of mushrooms and other root vegetables. It was fantastic - the fish was cooked perfectly and delicately to the point where a knife was only needed to cut the crispy and delicious skin for consumption. This was followed by a local buffalo(gunpowder farms) tenderloin topped with a quail egg, placed on top of spaetzle and a thin layer of demiglace (at least it tasted like demiglace). The five courses at this point were quite a bit. To be honest, we could have gone with four courses but this is America, and dammit we are going to eat well, and we are going to eat a lot. The sixth course was dessert - the lemon meringue tart with gold leaf, lemon sorbetto, white chocolate garnish and chopped nuts was incredible, especially with their fantastic espresso. The restaurant also brought out their usual after dinner snacks - macaroons, chocolates, a bit of airy ganache covered rice krispie, and a meringue coated in a light dusting of cinnamon. A great meal is nothing without great wine and great service of course, and the Charleston provided amazing service, as is to be expected. For wine, I ordered two bottles of a nice Margaux - margaux being a softer and less complex red that pairs well with many different dishes. Everyone praised the wine, especially as the wait staff helpfully decanted it before we began our meal, and allowed it time to breathe and aerate. At the end of the dinner we simply got up, thanked the wait staff, and left. My credit card was already on file, and the payment was processed without me having to worry about tip, or giving them my card, or anything of that nature - truly one of the greatest, most comfortable meals I have ever eaten, and a perfect example of why the Charleston is the best restaurant in Baltimore, and one of the best in the United States. Their adherence to local produce and meats, their attention to details, their absolute mastery of service make this the restaurant to go to for any special occasion, and as someone who travels and tends to go to very, very nice restaurants, I can comfortably say this is at the top of my list.
(5)Matthew C.
This place is really trying to replicate the experience at a French 3 star restaurant with American ingredients and recipes. Amuse bouche - beef empanada and black bean soup. The empanada needed more spices but the black bean soup was delicious and pleasantly spicy. A great start. Fried oysters - perfectly done - like eating fried oceany cream. Lobster bisque (really butter poached lobster in a lobster cream stock). Incredibly rich and delicious. Shrimp and grits - very, very good. Fois gras. The fois was good. I'm not sure that the sausage went with it. To spicy and powerful. I loved the sauce though. Veal sweetbreads. I like this but I'm not sure that grilling them is as good as pan frying or roasting. Squab - delicious. I had the Perigord truffles on top and they were unheated and the aromas did not really hit me like they should have. Cheese course. Very well put together. I had sulles sur cher and Colston Basset. Spice cake. Very good. Petits fours - very nice touch. The wine list has good breadth but lacked most of the producers in the regions I like (with the exception of Huet, which I ordered). Service is very friendly and professional.
(5)Melissa S.
Absolutely fabulous. Visited Charleston for our 11th wedding anniversary after celebrating at Ruth's Chris for years and being disappointed the last few times. Heard that Charleston was the best, and we were not disappointed! The food was superb. Every dish was interesting, and we loved the menu choices. My husband ordered the Chef's menu with 5 set courses, and I ordered 5 courses separately. It was so exciting waiting for each course! I started with the lobster curry soup & he had the corn chowder. Both were beyond delicious. I tried the duck, buffalo, tenderloin tartare, shrimp & grits, and he had crab cakes and rockfish... Every single thing was a compelling presentation of unique ingredients, all fresh & local. Marcie was the most attentive waiter I have ever had. Very personable & friendly. Chef Cindy even came to the table to greet us, and we were presented with ALL of the desserts and sweet treats as a gift for our anniversary. The espresso in my cappuccino made me feel like I was back in Italy. I just can't rave enough! We WILL be back!
(5)Patrick C.
The food and service were amazing. I had the chef's special menu and the food was really amazing. The only slight issue I had with the food was the Lamb was order medium rare and it came medium well. Otherwise the food was incredibly tasty. The ambiance however was less than stellar. They seated us in the bar area despite having a reservation. When going to this type of resteraunt and paying $134 for my meal, I would expect to be in the main dinning room. I guess they overbook or something.
(3)Chinmay M.
Without a doubt one of the finest restaurants I've ever dinned at. While recently visiting Baltimore for work, I was looking for some fine dining options & found this Gem by James Beard award nominee Chef Wolf. We were lucky to get a same day reservation and were blown away by the food. The lobster curry soup, the foie gras, the artichoke hearts & the asparagus preparation were simply phenomenal. Whether you are a vegetarian or not it's a star of inner harbor not to be missed.
(5)Norman M.
I had not been to Baltimore in over 13 years. Charleston was at the top of my dining list after a excellent meal in 2000. I was shocked at how much this restaurant has matured during that time. We were seated promptly at a table that offered a view of the kitchen. Both the seating host and our waiter checked on us throughout our meal. The wine list is more extensive and expensive but has a number of quality choices that are reasonable prices. The sommelier was very knowledgeable and conversed with us for several minutes even though he knew we were not ordering an expensive bottle. The menu had so many great sounding dishes that it was difficult to select just three or four. Each selection was beautifully plated and served by an expertly trained staff. Duck breast, buffalo tenderloin and outstanding fried oysters were my selections. This is a first rate dining experience on the order with any in the region. The highlight of the evening was a visit from Chef Wolfe to our table.
(5)Kimberly R.
My grandmother came in town for my birthday weekend and we were fortunate to stumble upon Charleston. We selected the 4 course meal and made different selections to get a taste of pretty much everything, and there wasn't a single dish we disliked. It's definitely pricey, but such an incredible meal. Creative, controlled, perfectly portioned, and a wonderful ambiance. I will definitely be back!
(5)Niran A.
Not that long ago, I dined at Cinghiale, one of the restaurants in the Foreman Wolf restaurant group. The experience was so good that I decided I had to try the flagship restaurant of the group - The Charleston. The Charleston is also located right in Harbor East, a pebble throw away from Cinghiale. While the Charleston just may be the most expensive restaurant in Baltimore, it is definitely one of the best - if not the best. We started with the fried oysters and the tuna tartar. The oysters were a bit mundane and I definitely expected more from a restaurant of this caliber. The oysters themselves were undoubtedly fresh but they were just merely fried and then served with an aioli - very basic. A citrus micro green salad or something to dress it up would have helped. We were skeptical to order the tuna tartar because it's so over done, but this was amazing. I truly have never tasted tuna so good. The accompaniment was basic to allow the ocean flavors of the tuna really shine. A subtle dash of earthy olive oil, scallion and cucumber was all the dish needed. Next was the star of the entire meal - the lobster soup with curry. The bowl arrives to your table with a generous heaping of succulent lobster tail meat with arugula oil on the bottom of the bowl. The waiter then pours the soup around the lobster as you begin to take in all the aromas of the curry, sherry and cream. The velvety soft texture of the soup is something nearly impossible to achieve at home. With each bite you get the richness of the cream, sharpness of the sherry and then the perfect accent of the curry. Not to mention the lobster which was perfectly cooked and incredibly delicious on its own. To be honest, even when I was in Boston I didn't have lobster so tasty and prepared so well. After having some time to breath after the rich soups the main courses came out. First was the pan roasted rockfish and roasted magret of duck. Both were small 3oz. portions, but very satisfying. The rockfish is served with oyster mushrooms and a lemon burre blanc sauce. The delicate fish was very nice with the rich mushrooms and citrus wine reduction. My only complaint about this dish was that the portion of the fish was from closer to the tail of the fish so it was a bit tougher. The duck was sheer perfection however. The fat side was scored and then rendered out in the cooking process to create a very crispy exterior with a nice medium rare center. The duck was well seasoned with salt and coarse black pepper and then served with a red wine demi glace over creamy risotto. The risotto had so much depth of flavor, which was excellent with the tender meaty duck and the full-bodied sauce. We then moved to our final savory course, which were the meat selections. We settled upon the filet mignon and buffalo tenderloin. Again, both were small portions, which actually make you get surprisingly full. The beef was served with tempura style vegetables on top with a poblano cream sauce. The beef was expectedly tender and well seasoned, with each bite essentially melting in your mouth. The poblano sauce was an interesting spicy warmth that helped make a usually simple flavored cut of beef very delicious. The crispy vegetables on top were a complete waste and were completely out of place in the dish. We quickly moved all of them to another plate so that we could enjoy the main star - the beef. The buffalo tenderloin was even better than the beef though. The buffalo had a more pungent spice rub which was then grilled not roasted. There was a slight char crust on the beef, which created a nice contrast to the soft oyster mushrooms and creamy polenta. The meat naturally had more flavor than the filet mignon with a slight gamey not, but would be appreciated by anyone who appreciates steak. All in all, The Charleston is perfection is every sense. Every component of the restaurant and every ingredient of each dish are of the highest quality. The wait staff does an incredible job to make you feel comfortable and is very knowledgeable about the menu and wine list. Our server, Brian, was even courteous enough to offer a complimentary additional course because he could tell we really just like so many things on the menu. Additionally, you will get some other complimentary items such as amuse bouche, which that evening was a mini curried beef empanada and goat cheese crostini as well as mini dessert bites at the end of the meal. When you go to The Charleston you will definitely receive an experience that can stack up against almost any other restaurant. This is without a doubt the most complete restaurant experience and one of the best meals you will ever receive in Baltimore.
(5)Lauren G.
This was absolutely the most divine dining experience I've ever experienced. I made my reservation two months in advance for my husband's birthday. In that time, I figured we'd try Pazo to get a taste Chef Wolf's cuisine, and was not blown away. After that experience, I actually struggled with whether I should cancel my reservation, as this would be a lot of money to spend to not be blown away. Well, needless to say from my rating, I'm so happy I didn't as this was the best restaurant experience I've ever had. I ordered 5 courses without the wine pairings, and my husband ordered 6 courses with pairings. My courses were: fried oysters, salmon tartare, shrimp and grits, arugula salad, and beef tenderloin and for dessert, the lemon tart. The only dish that didn't blow me away was the shrimp and grits, and this is because I have a mental block against grits not being a breakfast food, but the shrimp were cooked perfectly. Every other dish was amazing. So amazing was the food that we stopped just short of licking our plates. Our reservation was @ 7:30, and we didn't leave until close to 10:30...fat, happy, and so stuffed, we regretted finding the street parking and not using valet. We'll remember this for next time. The service was amazing as well. As soon as we finished one course, our silverware and napkin were exchanged . At no time did one course arrive before another was completed and each course was the perfect temperature. The wine pairings perfectly matched each dish according to my husband, and the staff extremely knowledgeable about each wine. Perfect service all around. I've already started filling my piggy bank for my next Charleston experience.
(5)Chaka H.
Beautiful decor. Exquisite ambiance. Delectable food. You must know that when you decide to dine at Charleston, you are deciding to undergo an experience that you will undoubtedly remember forever. My bf and I decided to treat ourselves to an especially fancy dinner given our birthdays were recent and we've both completed big projects at work. We dressed up, drove a few minutes and left our car with the valet. And then it began... we sat at the bar for a few minutes, because we were a little early for our reservation (don't ever try and eat here without making a reservation!) and the bar was an amazing experience! Sexy and glamorous, the plush couches, small round tables and intimate quarters was fun! When our table was ready, we were seated in the luxurious dining area, where we could see the master chef Wolf and her team busily creating works of magic! We both ordered 4 courses and decided to be extra fancy and have wine pairings. My favorite dish was the macaroni and cheese, duck confit with truffles. OH MY GOD. Best dish ever. The other dishes were also amazing, but this dish won.... hands down. I would also recommend the turbot, I had to consciously decide to slow down because it was delicious. Our waiter, Ryan, was attentive, fun, knowledgeable and kept nearby to ensure we were happy. Our experience was amazing, and I would love to go again!
(5)Cris J.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary on Nov. 1, and everything about the evening was perfect. We each had five courses, and I splurged on the caviar service. The food, the service, and the atmosphere were perfect. We had plans after dinner, but we decided to scrub them and stretch out dinner as long as possible; we enjoyed being pampered and savoring some of the best food we've ever had.
(5)Beee K.
One of the best meals of my life. It is really hard to satisfy people if the food is expensive, since they have to bring A game every single time. They do. I have one of the best memories of my life here. Worth a try.
(5)J. Burke M.
Been a couple times and, instead of boring you with each and every course, I'll just say that everything that everyone at my table had, each time I've went, was fantastic. This is the preeminent dining experience in Baltimore, and would be a first-rate experience anywhere. Treat yourself.
(5)George H.
The ambiance and noise level (or lack thereof) deserves 5/5 stars. The food, however, is another story. The cheese selection was outstanding. No complaints there. For the main dishes, each was drenched in sauce. The only flavor was the sauce. My buffalo tenderloin looked like soup, as did my lamb tenderloin. Considering the top price (w/wine) is $180/person plus tip, the food left much to be desired.
(2)Naomi G.
As much as I like Baltimore - coming from the Chicago dining scene, I was a little disappointed with the quality of restaurants in Baltimore. I'm not a food snob by any means, but Chicago's restaurants are clearly in a different class - and I'm disheartened that experiencing that quality of a dining experience requires (for the most part) going to a fine dining establishment of this stature. That being said - this is not only the best restaurant I have been to in Baltimore, but most certainly one of the best meals I've had in my life. Plenty of reviewers have said most of what needs to be said. I'll just throw in some comments. This is definitely a restaurant for a special occasion. If you want to make a birthday, anniversary, etc. incredibly memorable, take them here! Food, service, atmosphere - the entire dining experience was absolutely as good as it gets. For the small people who can eat a ton (like me): I'm not sure how many people could eat more than the 4 course dinner, especially if you're drinking as well - keep in mind there will be an amuse bouche, cheese cart selection, and complimentary dessert. I ordered the 5 course, and it was simply too much. Not the best place to over order. My one tiny complaint is that they don't require formal attire. There were a few patrons wearing jeans, which depleted the atmosphere a little. There are very few times when you should dress to the nines these days, and going to a restaurant of this class should be one of them.
(5)Phil S.
Simply put, without a doubt, THE best dining experience in Baltimore. It's one of the few high end places that can truly stand up to (if not exceed) similar DC experiences. It's been two years since I visited but I can still taste the corn chowder. Un...be...lievable. Chef Cindy Wolf is a true artist. Notable highlights included the bison tenderloin (pretty sure it was from Gunpowder Farms), the crab cakes and the shrimp and grits. If you've got the money honey, just go.
(5)Yelpisdabomb P.
We liked it. I wasn't blown away as some other reviewers.. Very expensive. Nice for a special occasion.. Doubt we'll go back. Good for a one time occasion then move on.. Careful with the wine pairing.. They are very CONSERVATIVE on the pours. Didn't seem worth it. Food very good but beware that what seems like a main entree will be VERY small. My rockfish was the size of a silver dollar and the lamb was 2 fingers of lamb. The appetizers are good portions .
(3)Mary W.
Fantastic! I had such a wonderful experience dining here. The decor is extremely posh and high-end, and the staff treat you as if you are an extremely special guest. The waitstaff gave great recommendations when we wanted them and advised us on how many courses we should order- I ordered 4, but probably would have been fine with 3. I started with the grilled romaine and goat cheese salad, then had the heads on shrimp with grits, followed by the rockfish special, and finished with the lamb. They also made the BEST Dirty Vodka Martini I've ever had. Pretty pricey also, but completely worth it. Great experience, great meal!
(5)Kaitlyn G.
This was one of those meals I'll remember forever. My boyfriend and I went on a Saturday for his birthday, with a reservation at 5:30. It was extremely quiet, almost uncomfortable, with the staff stationed right next to our table in an empty room. They brought the first (complimentary) course which was sort of an amuse bouche, but maybe slightly larger. It was some sort of soup with a bite-sized buttery roll, I don't particularly remember because I was still going over the courses that I choose in my head. We both choose to have 5 courses, which was one course too many, but a good experience. Four would have been perfect, as the various fresh breads being offered between courses are hard to pass up, and dessert is included (not one of your courses) and larger than expected. Neither of us did the wine pairings, I opted to have one 6 oz. glass of white with the majority of my meal (mainly seafood) and a 3 oz. glass of red with my final (beef) course and dessert. This is roughly what I had: Artichoke Soup with Arugula Oil Tuna Tartar with cucumber Shrimp with Grits with sausage Turbot Filet with Artichoke flan in an artichoke broth Beef Tenderloin with pepper sauce and fried onion and green beans It was perfect, but if I had to cut out one of the 5 to make it a 4 course meal I would skip the Tuna. Do NOT skip soup, and definitely get the Shrimp and Grits with sausage, they're buttery and rich and way more refined than they sound on the menu. My favorite thing though, which may not be everyone's favorite thing, was the Turbot filet with Artichoke flan. The filet was cooked like no other piece of fish I've ever had...light brown and slightly crispy all around the outside and soft and moist on the inside. It came served on the dish next to the light green flan with little greens on the side, and the broth was delicately poured into the dish at the table. The server prompted me to utilize the spoon to really get some of the broth: this was the best advice I've ever had from anyone in a restaurant, ever. With every bite the flan slightly melted into the broth as the tiny green softened up. The fish remained crispy even while soaking in the broth. I can't say enough about this dish, it was both warm and cozy and sophisticated at the same time. I will DREAM about this dish. After two courses I had already decided that I wanted to dine there on my birthday this year as well.
(5)Shannon W.
Literally the best restaurant in Baltimore. We have probably been 50 times in the last 9 years and we have never had a single bad dish. The rabbit, when in season, is one the best courses you will eat anywhere in the country. And I didn't know that it was possible to make rockfish so decedent with the creamy lemon butter beurre blanc and wild mushrooms. The service over the years has been rock solid although I will say that the last couple of years it has gotten a tad stuffy. It is our opinion that an excellent server has the ability to adapt to the personality of the table. We love excellent meals but also enjoy a bit of warmth and a spritz of humor. A few of our most recent visits were lacking in this department in spite of our attempts to engage the staff. It is unfortunate that our old favorites have left but I believe we have just found a new favorite in Ken and one of the managers. We also realize that others may prefer a more reserved service. Either way we are warming to the the relatively new staff and we will continue our pleasure filled visits!
(5)Meredith J.
The food and service here are amazing although I do have some (small) drawbacks to point out. What I really liked about the service is that everyone at the Charleston is treated like royalty. When we ordered, we decided to buy a bottle of wine rather than go with the pairings. The sommelier made a recommendation based on both of our orders, tasted the wine, and poured it for us. I ordered three courses, and then received dessert "for free" because we were told that "the chef insists that everyone have dessert." I ordered the corn chowder, tomato salad, and duck for my meal and had the trio of creme brulee for dessert. The corn chowder was my favorite course, however I wish I could have tasted more of the bacon and andouille in the soup. It was creamy and there wasn't too much corn. The duck was also very, very good. I really liked how the nectarine compote complimented the duck and there was just enough that I could have a bite of nectarine with each bite of duck. Dessert came with a small plate of dessert "bites" which I could not eat because I was too full (I couldn't even finish the creme brulee, but loved each one.) Overall, I would recommend The Charleston to locals, not to people visiting Baltimore because I feel that there are much better places to eat when visiting Baltimore. Also, I feel like this restaurant is one of many and you can get the same taste and feel near wherever you live. Additionally, for the amount of money that we spent on dinner, I don't think it was worth it. The plates were too small. My biggest complaint about The Charleston is that the parking situation is not conducive to those of us living in the city. Though they offer free parking, they do not have a complimentary pick-up and drop-off service for diners who live close to the restaurant. This is just simply annoying. Though I am giving The Charleston 4 stars, I don't think I need to go back again. It was a delicious experience but I'm not becoming a regular here. It is not worth the money to frequent. Places like Flemings, Salt, and Jack's Bistro are VERY comparable and half the price.
(4)Attaicus C.
OMG it the best meal I ever had. THE BEST MEAL I EVER HAD !! I can't say that enough.. You order the food by courses.. we had the 5 course meal.. I had Lobster bisque soup Arugula salad Shrimp and grits Rock fish Buffalo tenderloin but this actually turns into 7 courses because. it actually included cheese and desert What made this even more over the top was the FANTASTIC AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE .. Our server was Leslie.. If you go here ask for her.. she is awesome.. and strikingly beautiful. You can't go wrong with her.
(5)Kim C.
I went to Charleston on black-truffle-night--everything, including desserts, had truffle. It's been awhile, but I can still remember the macaroni and cheese with black truffle shavings; in a word: orgasmic. Singularly the best mac-and-cheese I've ever had in my life. (Plates are small, so go with more dishes than fewer. You will NOT regret it.)
(5)Abe L.
Still haven't been back since this occurred in December. Never got any follow up from Tony Foreman - who went back on his Manager's word to rectify the situation. What a shame - I will continue to avoid all of Cindy and Tony's restaurants. Really a pitiful way to treat a "regular" customer.
(1)Ateet A.
So first a shout out to my sister who bought me a gift certificate to this restaurant for my birthday last year. I just haven't had a chance to get myself over there. Well I finally made reservations to have dinner at the Charleston with my friend this past Friday. You get there with complimentary valet, a nice hostess ready to take your coat, and an amazing staff that was very receptive to whatever we needed. We were seated within minutes of our arrival if not less, it did help that we arrived 5 minutes prior to our reservation of 630pm. The gentleman got us to our table for two and set us up with the wine list but we opted to see the cocktail menu instead. Now the tables are a little closer to each other than I would like but it's a restaurant in Baltimore where space is sometimes limited. Our waiter took our drink order, I stuck with coke but my friend tried a few of their different martinis and loved them all. Our waiter was very well-versed in the drinks and very attentive so he definitely gets 5 stars. Now onto the menu, their menu is set up with multiple different items for you to try and are made not as tasting sample, not as main courses but somewhere in the middle which I thought was very nice. So basically you get the menu and you make the choice of getting a 3, 4, 5, or 6 course dinner and ...oh yeah... a choice of 5 different desserts is included with whatever option you choose and not a part of the number of courses. The menu doesn't have appetizers, entrees, sides, etc, but rather a list of 22 items from which you can customize and make your own multi-course dinner. My friend got the 4 course, while I took on the 6 course which is a lot of food even for someone like me who has done 21 course tastings or 15 course tastings as these were much larger portions than I anticipated and they kept coming at a rather speedy flow, at least faster than I was used to. For my first course, I had the Big-Eye Tuna Tartare which was good however, I would have liked a little more avocado to give it a little more creaminess and after just coming back from Hawaii and trying the tuna there, there is no one that has Tuna that tastes like what is available in Hawaii! But still a very good dish. Second, I had the Rich Lobster Soup with Curry. This was rather an interesting concoction with their use of Arugula and curry oil which gave it a distinct taste that married well with the PERFECTLY poached lobster, seriously perfect and the lobster stock reduction with cream. My third course was Heads on Shrimp and Real Grits. Now I must be honest, I am not a person who likes Grits, but I have noticed many of the fine dining restaurants are now stumbling with it and refining it into a taste that I like and making it be more than just a feel good southern home-style food. This dish was again very well balanced from the heads that I had to take off of the perfectly cooked shrimp to the Grits that were definitely cooked with bits of ham and andouille sausage which gave it that extra taste and kick that it needs, very well designed dish. My fourth course was the duck breast which was prepared medium rare which again was just right. It was there with a sauce that I cannot figure out yet but I believe it to be a blend of the cranberries and pears that were underneath it. I believe the sauce was a little salty for me but again married perfectly with the sweetness of the pears and cranberry type chutney and apples underneath. My fifth course was the Grilled Beef Tenderloin cooked Medium Rare which had some beans, bacon, and arugula on the side. All in all the meat was very well prepared and the temperature was just right, I think I might have wanted a little more seasoning or flavor to go along with the meat, so not my favorite but still cooked well. Lastly for course six, I had the Braised Beef Short Ribs. These were cooked for a while and again the right way. It fell apart as soon as my fork hit it and was great, tasted well and the sides were cooked perfectly Yukon, carrots, parsnips, etc. Since this was my last course, I had trouble finishing it and I believe couldn't finish all of it. It was too much food too fast. I think 4 or 5 courses would have been just perfect for me but 6 is a lot. My friend also had a huge highlight which was the Grouper that she really liked, plus a few of the things that were already described above in my course selections. The Grouper apparently was so popular that they ran out of it later that night. After all these courses, you are given a choice of the 5 desserts on the menu. My friend had the chocolate Pave which she said was amazing and I had the Gingerbread and Local Apples with apple ice cream, again very good! We both topped it off with a glass each of the Moscato, perfect way to end the perfect night. Did I forget to mention the pastry chef sent out four little bite size bundles of sweetness, nice little touch. Very good place to dine, great service, great food, will tell others!
(4)Lana T.
One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Having dined through most of the Michelin starred restaurants in San Francisco, I think it might still be THE best restaurant I've ever been to. Yes, it's really expensive--I think there's something like a $80 minimum per person, not including tax&tip. It's basically a prix fixe where you can pick whichever courses you want, and pay depending on how many you got. Dessert is included! Portions are tiny. But this place is the very definition of quality over quantity. I had: -Rich Lobster Soup with Curry -Jumbo Lump Crabcake, English Peas, Roasted Sweet Corn, Mustard Cream -Grilled Rabbit Loin & Rabbit Confit, Porcini Mushroom Risotto -Lavender, Earl Grey Tea, and Rose creme brulee No complaints, nothing to nitpick. Beautiful presentation and complex flavors. Everything was almost too pretty to eat, yet the beauty of these dishes was far more than skin deep. The only thing is that I would have been happy to have more of it! Besides, the bread here is amazing. My friend and I ate way more of their olive bread than was necessary or appropriate... haha. Cornbread is also delicious, and I don't even like cornbread. Yes, it's a rather snooty establishment, but never did I feel that my waitress was condescending. Service is impeccable! I really liked the decor and especially restaurants with open kitchens, which the Charleston has. Expensive but mind-blowing and totally worth it. Must try at least once. I love Cindy Wolf and all her restaurants and this is no exception!
(5)Erica C.
Charleston, you are snooty, but I love you. The wait staff is excellent, the fellow diners are pure snobs. I'll detail my experiences: happy hour "cocktail hour", dinner, dessert. Cocktail hour (or in my case, champagne)- Cocktail hour seems to be a new phenomenon at Charleston. You can get a glass of champagne for $10 or some-kind-of cocktail for $7ish and four complimentary itty bitty oeur d'oeuvres. The champagne is champagne de venoge brut rose. Delicious! Divine! The price per glass is generous. The oeur d'oeuvres were quite tasty- a petit toast with mousse of sorts on top, an espresso cup of cauliflower soup, a salmon spoon, and a few pieces of deep fried zucchini. It was a delightful pair for $10. Maybe it is because cocktail hour is pretty new, but the place was packed and fellow diners were rude when I went to sit at the bar. No knock at the wait staff, whom were sweet and accommodating, just the fellow cocktail hour enthusiasts. It is certainly for an older crowd. Dinner- I decided on a four course with wine pairings. It was essentially a slightly larger portion of tapas. The lobster bisque was divine, but the sherry pairing was a bit rough....ehh I just think sherry tastes like rubbing alcohol. The duck breast was excellent as was the beef tenderloin. One came with a Cabernet Savignon and the other came with some kind of Spanish red wine. The turbot with Chardonnay was an elegant mix. The dessert was okay, but nothing noteworthy. The dessert menu is better than the dessert with the courses. Dessert- Sometimes you just want dessert and coffee. Wandering from Cinghiale for dinner, to the lounge Charleston for dessert is an excellent evening. The desserts are complex pieces of heaven (chocolate bars, panna cotta, the typical swank food) and they come with a plate of miniatures, compliments of the pastry chef. The wait staff doesn't treat you like a cheapskate because you are just there for dessert either, which is common at swanky institutions. I just wrote a novel, but you get the idea. Lovely staff. Pricey, but delicious food. Pompous fellow diners.
(4)Alan M.
Please don't get me wrong. Charleston is a great restaurant. Service and ambiance were tops. But at the prices they charge, I expect to be wowed by virtually everything I ordered. Sadly, that was not the case. The assorted breads brought to the table consisted of cornbread (ordinary), raisin bread (as good as what I get elsewhere) and what I think was French bread (no yeasty taste). The butter that came with the breads lacked the fresh, tangy taste of the best butters. The magret of duck was stringy and hard to chew. The soft shell crab was well-prepared but not better than lots of other places. The rockfish was well-prepared but served with bland accompaniments leaving the whole dish quite uninteresting. The two desserts we ordered (an apple and a pear tart) were tasteless and uninspiring. The bottom dough of the pear tart was soggy. Other parts of the meal did wow, e.g., the artichoke soup, the lobster bisque. But for $120 per person (incl tax and tip - no drinks), I think I am entitled to expect better.
(2)Nick B.
So much anticipation, so little to talk about. I have been wanting to go here forever now and finally pulled the trigger. It's good. But it's not great and it's definitely not worth the price. The good. The service is great. The wine selection and drinks are great. The menu is thought out and the execution is excellent. The problem I have is that in this price range I have high expectations. Out of all the places I have been that are in this price range I wound place the charleston at the bottom. They just don't do it. There are no wow moments. Not a whole lot that even represents the city. Fried oysters and fried soft shell crab? Come on. The beet salad was good the buffalo was excellent and the octopus was great. The lobster "soup" everyone talks about is ok at best. I don't get why everyone raves about this. It's a bisque. The lobster is done perfectly but it's still just a basic bisque. It's sweet creamy and rich. That's what I expect. It doesn't deliver the wow I wanted. Cindy's other place Chingali is across the street. Go there. Better food. Way better prices.
(3)Mike V.
Good lord is this place delicious and well worth the price (especially for the right person or occasion). In this case, treating out fabulous host and former sorority sister of my amazing little sis (along with my sister of course). I've been very fortunate to eat at many amazing restaurants up and down the west coast courtesy of a very close friend who was basically raised in the restaurant business and shared my love of great food, but with places like Charleston, they make it effortless to select impeccable dishes. killer wine pairings as well (and I'm usually a scotch and martini kind of guy). Would I go back? absolutely. who am I going to take? y closest DC friends, you know who you are, start starving yourself now.
(5)Anna K.
My husband took me to Charleston as a make-up Birthday dinner. My actual Birthday is in December but I got sick and we couldn't go out. Finally, almost 6 months later (after much anticipation) we went to Charleston and they did not disappoint. This restaurant really grasps fine dining. The service was impeccable and everyone who approached our table told me "happy birthday" ... everyone. It was lovely. We opted for five courses (plus cheese) with wine pairings and I was bursting at the seams by the end of the meal. Because I don't remember each wine I will just say that the wine pairings were spot-on - some of them were surprising but all of them made perfect sense. Here's a lonnnnng run down of what we ate: Rich Lobster Soup - A+, what a divine way to begin a meal. I've never had such wonderful lobster in my life. Artichoke Soup - A, it was very rich and well balanced Scallop Ceviche (a special) - A-, I wanted a little more flavor from this and it was a bit one-dimensional. Shrimp and Grits - A, this was one of my husband's better dishes of the night. Halibut - A++ Oh, My, God. This was the dish of the evening for me. These chefs can prepare an amazing piece of halibut. I hope they keep this one on the menu forever because it deserves it!! Crab Cake - B-, the crab wasn't very lumpy and the cake didn't have much substance. A disappointment Foie Gras - A+, I loved the strawberry with this piece of foie gras. Delicious. Sweetbreads - B+, a little dry Buffalo Tenderloin - B+, this dish was unfortunate for me as our final protein. The flavor was truly one dimensional. A pity. For desert I was offered a special cupcake (for my birthday) and my husband had the chocolate pudding cake (DIVINE!!!). I cannot even sing the praises of this pudding cake enough. Wonderful! While there were a few misses on the menu the experience as a whole was rich and fulfilling. I felt pampered and my taste buds were thrilled to experience so many wonderful dishes. This meal will cost you plenty but if food is a passion for you, you don't want to miss Charleston.
(5)Kylie H.
Thank you for a wonderful experience! The staff was amazing, Chef Wolf came by to say hello, truly a great experience... From the lobster curry to the foie gras to dessert a home run.... My ONLY hesitation to give it five stars is both my and my beau's main course (turbot and lamb sausage) were incredibly salty...and this is coming from someone who LOVES her salt... Outside of that, everything was incredible... The homemade puff pastry was so light and fluffy, I could have eaten that all night long alone... And again, the lobster curry is still making my mouth water... Thank you for an incredible experience.
(4)Lynn N.
Perfect. The food is excellent, in fact, so so special. The service is impeccable. The setting is lovely. LOVE this restaurant.
(5)Sam V.
This is a place to go on special occasions. Food is very pricey and ran us 150 per person with tax and tip. That being said, food was very good. We got 6 courses which we chose from a long list of options and everything was great. I would suggest the lobster bisque, buffalo, and lamb. Service is un beatable and they make sure your experience is as good as possible. Dessert is included with your meal purchase. If you are a fan of wines, they offer a pairing of a glass per entree which they have chosen as a great fit. When I hit the lottery, I will be back here.
(5)Karen D.
Excellent food and excellent service. Enjoyed the decor and ambience here. Very relaxing meal after a long hard couple of weeks at Johns Hopkins.
(5)Loretta C.
We went to the Charleston for our 26th anniversary. It was wonderful! The decor, service food, everything was outstanding. We want to try Chingale now (part of the Forman/Wolf group). We might even take our teenage sons, but prices will probably stop us. You do get what you pay for though.
(5)Michael A.
My incredible wife took me here for my birthday. What an incredible experience. Probably the best lobster bisque I've ever had. Everything was exceptional, service, food, drink. Only minor blunder was the tool bag @ the table next to us with his phone ringing and talking about the menu prices to exceptional (I'm assuming) person on the other end. Best dining experience in Baltimore
(5)Zhihong z.
High price, food taste just so so. Do not recommend!
(1)