Went for Sunday brunch at 11:30am with two toddlers. The food was really good, but it took us nearly an hour to get a round of waters and then another 1/2 hour to get our coffee and other beverages. A member of our table asked what an item on the menu was, and the server replied blankly, "I don't know". I think we finally received our food about 1:30 pm and it was delicious. My biggest complaint was our apathetic, unavailable and insipid waiter who then shortchanged us when bringing our change back to the table. He never apologized once or tried to explain why the service was so slow, and must have been on some serious anxiety meds by the way he was acting. The servers dealing with the tables around us were exponentially more attentive. I finally got a refill on my coffee from one of them after flagging him down by waving my mug around in the air. They were lucky that we, not to mention the two kids, were so patient. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt in these situations when coupled with an explanation, but our server was beyond horrible. I'm getting angry just thinking about it again! There are tons of awesome restaurants in Chas, so next time we'll high tail it to one of those.
(2)
G B.
Excellent service, top quality food and cocktails. Unbelievably good pork chop and potatoes. It was packed on a random Tues night -- glad we came at 6:15. Unlike others, we had no problem with the timing of the service. Drinks were prompt and, despite the fact that we were a party of 8, all the food arrived together and in a very reasonable time. Love this place!
(5)
Will F.
Great place for a burger! Probably one of the best i have ever had. Pulled chicken sandwich was great as well. If you are on James Island, stop in. Im sure you'll like it.
(5)
Craig F.
This was my third time eating here and finally getting around to writing a review. I have found a consistency with the pros (many) and the cons (a very fixable few). Pros: Fresh, local ingredients that produce fresh, simple and tasty food. Last night, I had rockfish with corn and creamy smashed potatoes. A wonderful plate of food...all of the flavors merged well together. In the past, I enjoyed the veggie burger and one of the better brunches that I have had. The brown sugar pudding... I underestimated how flavorful and satisfying it would be...and surprisingly, not overly sweet, either. Cons: The place is noisy! My voice was strained when we left because I had to talk so loudly due to competing tables. Service, while passable, could use fine tuning. In particular, it seems that that they never have enough staff. Delivery of food (timing) was a problem both times I ate dinner there. Again, the cons do not dissuade me from eating there or recommending this terrific restaurant. It is unpretentious, excellent food that never has disappointed me. Enjoy!!!!
(4)
Ryan K.
You know what, I'm mad at myself. I always forget about this lovely place. Heart Woodfire Kitchen is a hidden gem out on James Island. It is probably in the top 3 for my favorite places to eat on the island just behind Mondo's Delite and my grandmother's house. That's not true, my grandmother lives in New Jersey. I shouldn't lie to you. Heart always plays with amazing flavors in their lowcountry cuisine. It is a very laid back and homely environment. Looking forward to remembering this place more often!
(4)
Charlie P.
Located on James Island, Heart Woofire Kitchen is a casual, chill spot to grab great food for brunch or dinner. While the menu didn't wow me, they offer basic American/Lowcountry cuisine with a focus on woodfire cooking. If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive place on James Island to grab a drink and brunch in the sunshine, I think Heart is a good bet. Must-order items: $4 Mimosa, $4 Bloody Mary, $4 Screwdriver Pork Chili Verde Breakfast Sandwich Local Clams
(3)
B B.
This has got to be my fav place in Charleston. We went for dinner and it was almost packed, and luckily we got a table. I ordered veggie pasta and husband got catch of the day with corn relish. Both were delicious and fresh. The ambiance is great. Laid back, yet romantic and not too casual. Perfect for a date night. What I love about this place is that it surprises you when you walk in. Looks like a normal restaurant from the outside until you walk in and its a pleasant surprise.
(5)
Mary Locke M.
I requested Lost Dog and instead I got Heart. Heart falls into the category of places I would eat at again but probably wouldn't suggest on my own. We walked in and were immediately seated in the corner. Normally that whole "Nobody puts Baby in the corner" is a pet peeve of mine, but this time it worked out in our favor. Immediately upon being seated, a child across the large, open, and very good at carrying sound dining room starting screaming. Actually we looked over and noted that the small child had climbed on top of the table for full effect of his temper tantrum. This obviously is not the restaurant's fault, but it is worth mentioning that the acoustics leave room for desire. Our server came over and was completely lacking in personality whatsoever. He took our drink orders. He delivered our drinks five minutes later. He took our brunch orders. He delivered our brunch 15 minutes later. It then took him until we were almost done with our food to come back and see how everything was. We'd actually been trying to find him for more drinks, ketchup, and a spoon for quite some time. I waited tables for years of my life, so all you have to do is tell me, "I'm in the weeds" and I'll be totally understanding and sympathetic. When you deliver my spoon with the speed and enthusiasm of a sloth and offer no explanation, however, then I get a little annoyed. As for the food itself, I had the pork chile verde with eggs over easy. It was really good, but not a huge serving and could have used some additional heat in my opinion. I would probably get it again, assuming I had a speedier server who would bring me hot sauce before I ate it all. One of my friends had a flat bread pizza, which looked quite tasty The other had biscuits and gravy with a side of bacon. The bacon was actually piled on top of the biscuits and covered in the gravy. This would have been okay except the gravy was a little off tasting. We all ate most of our food and not our server cleared our plates. Truthfully the food was pretty good and the service wasn't horrible, just somewhat slow and lacking in personality. Lost Dog it was not, but Heart didn't leave me heartbroken at least.
(3)
Liz L.
Went back after a long hiatus and really enjoyed everything we ordered. Beet salad, lamb kebabs, vegetable stew, smashed potatoes and rotisserie chicken - everything was outstanding. Bonus: also very affordable. The space has a bit of a cafeteria feel due to the large open space and super high ceilings, so ambiance is not the most intimate. I'm glad I have this another shot, I'll be coming back more often!
(4)
Scotty C.
I had a meeting here recently with an event planner who is always raving about Heart. It's the go-to spot for her and her man. I'd heard good things and was excited to check the place out, especially since I don't dine on JI all that often. She's all VIP up-in-there so our table was ready when my other friend and I arrived. We sat down at a table in the back. It wasn't too busy for a weeknight... perfect for discussing our upcoming event over dinner. I didn't really take notice of the outdoor patio but, I love the option for when the weather is bearable. There's a little bar area up front and you can smell the woodfire oven the moment you walk in. Otherwise it's pretty simple for decor. I do love that the tables are spread out a bit so you're not sitting in your neighbors lap... an oversight at many other places. I've been on a tuna-everything kick lately so when I heard about the Yellow Fin Tuna special my mind was made up. The fresh veggies served over top the tuna steak enhanced the freshness of each and every bite. Normally I would pair fish with a rice or light vegetables but, those mustard greens were calling my name. After receiving waitress confirmation that they were stellar, they became a must order item. Although it was an odd side to pair with tuna, it was my choice of side and I'm sticking to it. They were fantastic. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my tuna and mustard greens, I had to box up half of it to take home. It wasn't because the entree was too large but rather the appetizers were too delicious. We started with white bean toast points covered in tomato and fontina cheese. They somewhat reminded me of a cleverly unique bruschetta but definitely not bruschetta at the same time. The chef was happy to see my frequent diner friend in house and sent out a mixed plate of sliced sausage with stone ground mustard, delicious house made pickles, and perfectly golden crispy potatoes - All top notch. What really put me over the top though was the fontina cheese skewers wrapped in light and crispy prosciutto. I could've made an entree of these alone... so good. Even the bed of quinoa, which I normally find bland and boring, was exceptionally appetizing. I met the chef on the way out and he was humble about his food but, you could read the dedication off his brow. He even mentioned how they would be open all evening on the fourth of July because he didn't have the "heart" to deprive his customers of dinner on a Friday... see what I did there. Their staff truly has a lot of "heart"... okay I'll stop. I really "heart" this place... alright that's the last one - I promise.
(5)
Claire H.
Had a shrimp flatbread. It was on par with a frozen flat bread from Trader Joes. Fine, but forgettable. Odd menu. Lovely, capable server which was refreshing because Charleston is really starting to work my nerves with the bad service: it's either woefully undertrained or entitled attitude city.
(2)
Russell S.
Had brunch today. Ordered a flat bread but the server warned us it would take a half an hour. So we decided to order the Veggie SOS instead. It didn't bother us because it smells so good in the restaurant. The wood burning fire reminds me of camping out, so it's very calming. My wife thought the chairs were uncomfortable since they were metal with no cushions or lower back support (do restaurant owners test their chairs before they outfit their restaurant? ) The food we ordered was a little sloppy for our tastes but it was very good (every veggie imaginable mixed with eggs and cheese). We would come back, more for the wood burning smell than the food. I'll give it 4 stars because the iced tea was good and they served it in glasses rather than plastic, my pet peeve with restaurants at lunch.
(4)
Christy R.
We really enjoyed this meal! We had the fresh catch and the wood fired chicken. Both were really good. The beets were to die for. Excellent service!
(4)
Jessica B.
We tried Heart Woodfire Kitchen before venturing over to Wild Blue Ropes next door. I had purchased a Charleston Daily Deal to try them out, so this was the perfect opportunity. We attended while they were serving their brunch menu. The food was pretty delish. I ordered the flatbread that had roasted chicken, pecan pesto (made with parsley), spinach, onions and fontina cheese. It was the perfect size for a personal entree or to share as an appetizer. It tasted extremely fresh and I loved that it was made in a woodfire stove. The flavor was fantastic. My husband ordered the pork chili verde. It looked a bit messy, but he said the flavor was okay. It was a bit more runny/liquidy than I think he would have liked. We shared the brown butter bourbon pudding for dessert. The size was perfect for sharing and flavor was spot on. I will def order it again.
(4)
Jennifer N.
Breakfast on James Island! Deep into the Heart of James Island, by BI-LO, Heart Kitchen is a fan of MANY apparently, on a Sunday morning. The menu is eclectic, the prices are not Waffle House, but worthy of their quality, and with twisty breakfast options. The atmosphere is one big room with a big ceiling which can get loud. The seating is not cozy, but it's okay. Your meal will be great. Parking is behind, and we're grateful for this small business on James Isle to be successful.
(4)
Mike M.
What a great hidden find! Went there with my folks, cousin and roommates. We were short one person than we made our reservation for - my fault - I forgot to call and update, but the staff was extremely accommodating and if they were upset, they certainly didn't let it show. Service was great! Our server was knowledgeable and helpful when asked for recommendations. We had drinks to start - Mules and Dixie Whistles all around - well done and spectacular spins on the originals. I had the pasta and it was phenomenal. The pesto was creamy but not too creamy. Steak was ordered and my mom would not stop talking about how tender the meat was. We all tried a different dessert. Peach crisp was delicious! Chocolate Cake was also great - not too rich and sweet....a perfect balance. Lastly, the bourbon brown sugar pudding was a unique treat and everyone had dessert envy. Just the right amount of food to go home comfortably full!
(4)
Cat C.
The service is the upside. The menu is so limited, weird, and expensive. Why not make a few really good pizza flatbreads? Why only chicken with no noticeable chicken? The tiniest piece of chicken no different from roast chicken at home, $12. BBQ for $18. A $12 burger when big belly is down the road slaying you for $8? And no evident air conditioning?
(3)
Jeremy H.
Their brunch is wonderful. I had the pork chili Verde with eggs over easy all served on a bed of grits. While it was lacking some much needed crunchy or chewy texture, it hit the spot. Don't be afraid to branch out and try something new here. It's all delicious. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, while still having the feel of a semi modern farm.
(5)
Heidi D.
Great food with even better service. Just a tiny hidden gem off Folly road!!
(4)
Wendy W.
Still going, still love it and the Green Goddess dressing is still around but they like to call it ranch. Its not. But it is still super delicious
(5)
Kyle B.
Excellent food, especially at brunch. The breakfast flatbread is especially tasty. Only complaint is the service is very slow. Upon arrival noticed hardly anyone seated had food and waiter took forever to greet us. Over the course of the meal four different people served us but felt we didn't really have a server. Still the food is definitely worth it!
(4)
Yvonne K.
Been several times not a bad meal yet Sunday brunch is the best love the Grits. Inside noise level can be very loud but it is a small space plus people don't know how to use their inside voices anymore. Put your cell phones on vibrate please. Very accommodating to children. Staff very friendly & knowledge about the menu.
(5)
Mark J.
The food here is high end, without the pretentious feel. The food is dynamic, with great flavors, and a burger that's definitely handmade and deserves to be on anyone's "Best Burgers in Charleston" list. The inside is spacious, with plenty of seating, and some great cocktails. The sweet tea is brewed to perfection. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I'll be back there for sure.
(5)
Drew E.
Have been twice for brunch and love it! The breakfast sandwich is awesome and a huge bang-for-your-buck!! Their grits are usually a bit runny for my tastes but still very good! The waits can get long (for a table and then for food--I think they only have one oven) but it's worth it!
(5)
Michael K.
I dined here with 6 others on Sunday 5/25. This was my first time, but not the first for most of the table. These are my impressions: Starting with the decor - I liked that they have a nice outdoor area. We sat inside. I felt like the inside left a little to be desired. All low-top tables, metal chairs, kind of bland. The bar area is tiny. Frankly, nothing about the interior of this place made me very happy. I did not get the warm, comfortable feeling I usually seek out while I was inside there. Maybe some fabric on the seats or warmer lighting would help. The food is a hit! Definitely good stuff comes from this kitchen. I managed to consume a large variety of items during our visit (goat cheese/pepper jelly app; roasted clams, chicken livers, chicken flat bread, chili verde, crispy potatoes, cannellini beans w/pesto, creamed mustard greens). It was all pretty kick-ass. The goat cheese was sweet and delicious. Almost a desert. I love goat cheese... The clams were in an amazing broth and came with beautifully executed potatoes. The chili verde was very very good - simple and delicious. The Chicken Livers kicked some serious ass. The side salad with the skewered livers really made the dish a well balanced surprise. Those crispy potatoes they offer as a side are pretty fantastic too! Same with the mustard greens - i could put down a whole bowl of those. I was lucky enough to get a few bites of my friend's grass fed filet mignon. He described it perfectly as 'butter meat'. It was phenomenal. We also got to try some house made coffee liqueur, and that was very good too. All in all, this is a great place. I didn't love the interior design, but the food is amazing. Service that night was kind of slow too, but we had a good time.
(4)
Jake S.
Fantastic locals place with a dynamic menu - always finding new treats here even though we come by weekly. Sit at the bar with Josh and you are in for a treat. The menu is manageable in size so everything is fantastic. Must go! Oh... And the brunch is awesome, get the steak and eggs. Oh... And the mustard greens are unreal. Do you like delicious things? If you answered yes or perhaps or not really, you will still dig this place. The dining room is stark so sit at the bar and meet some other awesome people.
(5)
Beth C.
Once again - Heart delivers! Go for Restaurant Week. Go for Lunch. Go for Dinner. Go for Brunch. Last night it was the 4 for $30. Red wine, field pea salad, grilled local fish & shrimp over Carolina gold rice in a roasted tomato broth, and a peach crisp for dessert. STELLAR!
(5)
DracheMitch H.
Not really sure what is going on there. Are they not explaining the concept of service during training? Are they hiring DMV workers? The food is maybe 3.5 stars: not offensive, but not so great you would recommend it. The service is really a 1. The hostess always seems to struggle with how to seat people. The wait staff aren't very attentive, and they appear to wear blinders. The dining room isn't very large, so the wait staff disappear into the kitchen as a way of avoiding work. If you mention the lack of service at the front, they look at you like you speak a foreign language, and refuse to address it.
(2)
Julia C.
My bf and I had dinner on May 24 and it was delightful. The ambience, service, food, and cocktails were superb. We started with a grapefruit/gin/ginger concoction that was so refreshing and delicious. The appetizer we ordered was the lamb kabobs which were absolutely to die for! Then I got the shrimp polenta ham dish. The polenta was so light and slightly creamy and such a great side dish. He got the grilled fish special (mahi), which was cooked and seasoned perfectly. From the description I was concerned the fish flavor would be lost but it definitely was not. For desert we shared the homemade strawberry ice cream! Yum! We sat outside and some patrons had their dogs too. It was such a great summer meal and our favorite evening of a week at the beach! I highly recommend venturing outside of folly a few miles to dine at this little gem !
(5)
Harold W.
Excellent Brunch. Wasn't that busy when I got there. Had a little situation with the waiter but quickly was corrected and experience there was not negated due to this. Food was very local and different. They definitely have a different outlook on what a traditional breakfast should be or even look like.
(5)
Bill R.
What a delightful change from fast food. A good menu full of great choices. We had the $6.00 Burgers as it was their special of the day. The staff were pleasant and very attentive. We picked it because of the reviews and were not disappointed.
(4)
Benjamin L.
Good place for brunch!
(5)
Charles J.
The staff is always welcoming and friendly. I have yet to have anything bad come from there, everything is delicious. Give them a try if you haven't yet.
(5)
Natasha F.
My party of four plus one infant are here today for lunch. Excellent food! We shared two flatbreads (the rotisserie chicken and goat cheese and spinach). I had a small portion of the four cheese baked pasta and my husband and brother both had the burger. My cousin had the blackened catfish. The burgers were amazing and I wish I had ordered that. I don't like catfish, but the entree at Heart is tasty. For dessert, we shared an order of the bourbon brown sugar pudding and the strawberry semifreddo. So delicious! My daughter actually sat in the high chair, but there's no middle so you have to watch and make sure your little one doesn't slip out from under. I just kept my leg there. Also, no changing table, but the staff and owners will help accommodate you. Delightful wait staff. Wonderful atmosphere. Heart is definitely worth the drive out to James Island. Originally written May 23, 2013, but I just found it in my Drafts instead of posted. :(
(5)
Byron L.
Eat the chicken! The potatoes are seasoned to perfection. I enjoyed the small salad that came with the chicken.
(4)
Chris N.
We had an amazing lunch! Everything was so delicious, from the Chardonnay to the pork chili verde to the chocolate chip cookie! Really a hidden gem on JI! Awesome. Just Awesome!!
(5)
Amanda C.
DO NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY IT"S COVER! This place seriously stunned me when I walked in. I did not expect it! The decor was so cute! It's slightly pricy but you get what you pay for... excellent food and service. We came near closing time and didn't get any funny faces nor did they ask us to leave during their cleaning between lunch and dinner. I can't remember what I had but I do remember loving everything and that it was beautifully plated & swore I'd go back when in Charleston!
(5)
Robert R.
This is one of Charleston's best kept secrets. Strictly for locals. Best chicken in town. Excellent seafood. Vegetables fresh. Wonderful service. Family style restaurant. Fresh. Local. Nice people
(5)
Christi T.
My husband and I used a Groupon but we will definitely be back without one! The Eggplant dip and pita chips was great! My only critique here is that the pita chips could have used a bit more char for my liking, the dip however was very flavorful! The Rotisserie Chicken was great as well! It was a tad dry but I did order the breast portion which could have been the culprit there. My husband had the burger and according to him it was among the best in the area! Overall, very good experience! We will be back for the Crispy Russet Potatoes alone!
(4)
Cassandra B.
Best Bloody Mary! I had the biscuits sandwich - delicious! The grits were too soupy/watery for our taste. My bf had the chile verde which was delicious. Coffee was fantastic. And the coffee liqueur! Wow.
(5)
Awnnie M.
Mustard greens were to die for. Their burgers are really good and juicy, but it's definitely not a 11$ burger. One night a week they're half off, I think it's Wednesday. The drinks are kinda $$ but over all the food was really good and the waitress provided great service.
(4)
Cathy R.
Visiting my husbands hometown of James island - stopped into this local eatery based on reviews on Yelp. Wasn't disappointed - great, large, airy dining area with outside patio option. I had the black bean burger was one of the best I've had. Husband had rotisserie chicken which was perfectly seasoned along with grits that were creamy and filled with flavor. Kids had a pizza that was perfect for sharing, capped off with a giant homemade cookie that was warm right out of the oven. Hidden local gem, right on James Island - when you want something other than the usual chain restaurant fare.
(4)
Erin C.
Food is tasty, a little overpriced in my opinion, but different offerings than most places in the area. Thus place is crazy loud when it's busy.
(3)
Erin H.
I have been to Heart several times for brunch, lunch and dinner, and overall it is a pleasant addition to the James Island restaurant scene. However, I agree with many of the other reviewers in that the service is definitely sub-par. Each time that I've been to Heart, I have really enjoyed the food. I appreciate the variety of items on the menu. Some of my favorites include any of the flatbreads (breakfast or lunch/dinner), the veggie burger, and the creamed mustard greens. The food is very satisfying and overall is pretty reasonably priced. The service, on the other hand, has been mostly disappointing. On each visit, the service has been extremely slow, and it usually seems like they are understaffed in the front-of-the-house, even when they do not seem to be that busy. Though the servers and manager are mostly polite, I always get a "rushed" vibe from them. The servers don't tend to check on tables very often after putting in the food order (or even walk by enough so that they can be flagged down), so if you need something (another drink, a condiment), then it can be difficult to obtain. It's a shame that they seem so disorganized out front when the kitchen is putting out such good food. But, I will definitely go back to Heart in hopes that they have stepped up their service.
(3)
William L.
Ate a Sunday brunch here and the food was great. Some of the restaurants in Charleston can feel a little pretentious at times and you feel overwhelmed. This place is relaxed and they got good food. Nice little spot in James Island. Flatbreads were in da .
(5)
Mike M.
Been to Heart twice for Sunday brunch and was blessed! Food and service was great! Yes we will be back.
(5)
Elena L.
What a wonderful restaurant -- and on James Island! Excellent food. We will be back for sure.
(5)
Jennifer B.
My second time, we arrived around 7:30 on a Saturday night. There was a wait, but tables were empty, so that meant they either didn't have enough servers or the kitchen couldn't keep up. We sat down around 8pm and ordered two salads and the wreckfish special. I asked to try two types of dressings, green goddess and lemon ginger, and loved both, but was disappointed to see an extra .50 charge when the bill came. Would have been nice to have a head's up. Given the size of the salad, the one tiny ramekin wouldn't have been enough anyway. Wreckfish was amazing. Grilled to a golden perfection with a carrot, mustard grain chutney, with a side of spicy roasted cauliflower. My only bone of contention was that our waiter gave us a some attitude (just short of an eye roll) when we asked when our main entree would arrive. He said, "You just finished your salads," and actually he was wrong. Our empty plates sat on the table for a good 15 minutes before he came around to pre-bus. Dessert was a brown sugar bourbon pudding. Absolutely divine. My bill was $42 (no soda or alcohol). In the end, I can deal with a sassy waiter and a higher bill, when the food is excellent.
(4)
Benjamin G.
Heart, you puzzle me with your name and menu. My wife and I were so excited to find your oddly placed building so close to our campsite and we left a little confused, yet intrigued, with our experience. First, the smells coming from the kitchen were a bit off upon our entering. I had a to double-take and make sure it wasn't....dare I say...manure...but it just happened to be fish. Not pleasant, but an odd start to our dining experience. Very open dining area and plenty of room to walk around and maneuver between tables. They also have a HUGE patio. Plenty of tables but I guess they only seat you here if they have the staff to accommodate. Our server was friendly and sat us very close to the kitchen. I was excited to see the chef use the woodfire oven (I mean...come on. It's in the name, yeah?) and the rest of their operation. Our server didn't even mention any of the "woodfired" options on the menu, but just skipped right to recommending the most expensive appetizer available. A little disappointed by this. Apps: House-made pickles. All I can say is YUM. These were perfect. A menagerie of okra, sweet pickles, cauliflower, red peppers and carrots. Slight twinge of spice and perfectly tender. I'd get a double order of these bad boys next time. House-made focaccia. What a letdown. This was the worst focaccia I had ever tasted and was so disappointed that it had been made in the kitchen. It was so dry, bland and almost fought back with each bite. Their recipe needs some serious adjustment. I say this with love, as a bread maker and enthusiast. For $3 a plate and only two pieces per order, this needs some serious love. "Speidie." Otherwise known as "kabobs," to the lay person. I ordered the house-made pork sausage and chicken livers with bacon Speidie. The pork sausage was very mild and tasty. Served with a lovely Carolina mustard barbeque sauce that was tangy and packed with stone-ground mustard seeds. The chicken liver with bacon....I'm a little lost. Texture was there but flavor was lost in the smoky bacon. Not too jazzed about this misnomer. I feel like it could have been executed differently or at least separated better. The skewers rest on a Wheatberry salad with a balsamic reduction. Very chewy grain with onion, radishes and fennel. Very interesting pairing for skewers. Vegetable stew. This was wonderful! Jasmine rice, lemon yogurt, almonds, veggies and cumin, cumin, cumin! So good! Very well balanced and hearty. Not too heavy as a summer dish. Kale. Wow. I was blown away by how great the kale was. So tender and smoky from the anchovies. It was absolutely worth it. Just a little perplexed that the "woodfire oven" didn't even make a debut on our table. They've got some great things going here, but there just doesn't seem to be much synergy with the menu. I'd be happy to try again! Cheers!
(3)
Phoebe H.
Some of the best food I've had, especially on James Island. All very fresh ingredients. The 'warehouse' feel is kind of a stark contrast to the warm and colorful food. Also very expensive, but worth the money if you are in the market for a delicious meal. Their cocktail list is interesting and deliciously strong!
(4)
CT S.
I have gone here multiple times and love it each time. I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal. Try the potato side( though you can't go wrong with any other side) and the fish sandwich is the best! Great burgers too. If you have extra room, taste the homemade kahlua, you will not be disappointed. My parents also make it a point to head to Heart when they are in town. A great JI gem and awesome staff.
(5)
Amela R.
I was invited to brunch here to meet some old friends who were back in town and staying at Folly Beach. This place is very close to my home (in fact, we were regulars at the last restaurant that was in this spot). Because of latex glove use in the kitchen, I was unable to eat, but did have tea while everyone else ate. (Had I not been driving, the gin rickey would have been my choice.) The acorn squash and goat cheese flat bread was a table favorite. (My friend's husband, who'd ordered a more traditional meal, was sorry he hadn't gotten that.) The kids also got breakfast flatbreads, liking that they were having pizza for breakfast. The two things I didn't like about the place were 1) the kitchen was totally unwilling to even consider if there was anything they could do to help a guest find something not handled with latex gloves so that I could break bread with my friends, and 2) the service. Normally, when someone complains about the service, it's because there is none, but in this case, it was just the opposite. We could barely get 2 sentences out without someone coming to check if they could do anything for us. We were old friends trying to catch up. It was hard to do so with such constant attention.
(2)
Rebecca A.
Just ate dinner here for the first time and will definitely return. Our server was Nick and he was excellent! He knew the menu and was funny which made it that much more enjoyable. My best bite of the night came from the Green Pork Chili. It was seasoned perfectly and the pork was really tender. There was three of us so we shared the goat cheese/peppers/tomatoes flatbread (second best bite of the night), the warm potato salad with blue cheese and bacon (really good), fontina wrapped in prosciutto (good) ,the corn, okra, and tomatoes side veggie that said it had jalapeno butter but we couldn't really find that flavor in there, and then the catfish entree which was too mushy for our liking. For cocktails Nick recommended the Mule which was really really good. I also had their tequila drink, the Skinny. Good but the Mule, a vodka option, was much better to me.
(4)
Dave K.
The food is very good. However, service needs much work. Went twice in the last week. Once last Saturday and then last night. Last Saturday they had only one waiter and the manager was filling in a little. From the look of it, someone called it. Service took forever. Last night they appeared to have a full wait staff, but it wasn't any different than the service I had on Saturday. I told the manager that I had been waiting 15-20 minutes just for drink service (the rest of the meal service was slow as well). I told the manager, and he said he would handle it. He comped us for our drinks and said he was sorry. He did not fix the problem though. Our waiter was still slow. He spent more time in the back than he did with customers. This place has a lot of potential to do better. If they wish to continue to receive loyal customers, they need to work on how they handle their customers.
(2)
James T.
This place rocked my pants off...twice. 1st time we sat at the bar and got free coffee liqueur shots...because they're awesome. 2nd time, food was awesome but came with dairy when I had asked for no yogurt in my vegetable stew. I had to fish deep for that complaint. Everything about this place is rad.
(4)
Ellen W.
It was good but not great. If we are around James Island and hungry we would go back but would not go out of our way to go back.
(3)
Kevin M.
This place is pretty badass. I've driven by here a few times, but finally went in. My experience wad a pleasant reminder of how fortunate I am to live in a place like Charleston with so many restaurants and businesses that are so creative and so amazingly well done.
(5)
Alden J.
They have the best side dishes! Make sure you try two or three of them. Also the happy hour is excellent! A good way to check out their specialty cocktails for a reasonable price.
(4)
Jamie B.
I tried to understand the concept of this restaurant but left unimpressed. We cam here by the recommendations of friends. The decor was cute/cozy but lacked an available highchair for my baby. Upon receiving the menu, the food selection was pretty minimal. Jerk pork chop lacked the "jerk" flavor and the baked pasta was similar to Prego. An additional star was very the cup of chili- very flavorful and spicy. Two stars for unoriginal menu, pricey food in comparison to portions, and lack of taste.
(2)
Christina H.
Don't let the low key atmosphere fool ya! From the hand muddled cocktails to the deserts, my Boyfriend and I were in love with everything we ordered! I couldn't get enough of the Blackberry Lemonade with Vodka! (The Carolina Cup was a great drink as well!) As far as food, we ordered quite a few items (Sausage and Fontana Prosciutto skewers, Olives and both the Chicken and Shrimp Flat breads. If I had to choose one, the Shrimp Flat bread would be my top recommendation...Delic! We left very full and very happy.
(4)
Gregg S.
Five stars for the food. It never fails. I love everything I've had. I'm giving three stars because the ambiance is so sterile that I have a hard time convincing my SO and friends to go there!! I just made a lunch date with yet another friend who has been once with no desire to go back. I am bummed. The name of the place suggests coziness, but there is none of that. The high ceilings, concrete walls and bare floors make for a VERY loud environment. Even the chairs are metal. It feels like they may have run out of money after renovating the building and never really finished the dining room. I surely hope they do one day!
(3)
Amanda W.
We have had dinner at Heart several times and have never been disappointed! The flatbreads and clams are our go-to appetizers and always delicious. The rotisserie chicken is to die for, never had chicken so tender and delicious! Baked pasta and beef tenderloin are also amazing. The creamed mustard greens are a must have side for any meal! We are so happy to have a restaurant nearby with a 5-star quality menu as an alternative to facing traffic and parking downtown. The ONLY downside is they don't allow dogs on their patio...but maybe with enough requests they could change that policy! :)
(5)
David K.
I have never been disappointed at Heart; brunch, lunch and dinner have all been great! The wait staff is top notch and the food is second to none!
(5)
Aaron R.
Heart is an oasis in the dining desert that is James Island. We recently went for dinner on a Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The crowd was just right and we were seated promptly. The front of the house manager, Devon, welcomed us warmly and checked in on us a couple times throughout the evening, demonstrating a very authentic commitment to customer satisfaction. Our server was equally friendly and knowledgeable and they both really contributed to creating a welcoming and fun experience. The food here is excellent! The kitchen is anchored by a roaring wood burning oven that has some influence on just about everything on the menu. The menu is creative and has a great range of options that change daily and seasonally to reflect the very best ingredients available. We started with several appetizers, including the addictive house made focaccia bread, green pork chili, and grilled short rib skewers which were all delightful. We had the rotisserie half chicken and Berkshire pork shoulder, both slow roasted to a juicy perfection. The sweet potato and BBQ chicken flat bread had a perfect crust and a creative combination of flavors that everyone at the table enjoyed. The double cheeseburger came with bacon and a fried egg - a solid burger all around and even better when paired with the crispy yukon potato wedges. Heart has a compact but quality drink menu including a good number of craft beer and wine selections and a creative cocktail menu to wash it all down. Their price points for the drink menu are well below the downtown prices without sacrificing any quality. Several homemade desserts were on the specials board but we were too full to sample any, tempting as their homemade cookies sounded. Heart is a wonderful spot for any meal, they also offer lunch and weekend brunch which we will definitely check out. Pay them a visit, you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Cindy F.
We love this place. Everything we have eaten has been great. I especially love the flatbreads. My husband loves their potatoes as a side. It's a good place to go for brunch on Sunday too. We often sit at the bar and eat because the bartenders are so friendly and it smells good next to the wood fire oven. They have good coffee too!
(5)
Jarrod S.
This place is top notch. Fresh food and great service. Good price points for the high quality. This is what bret's roadside wanted to be.
(5)
Robin K.
Really surprisingly good. walked in kind of confused about the kitchen concept...originally felt like a take-out type place. But we figured we'd give in a try... The dining area was casual a bit like a cafeteria with random art on the walls. the service was really nice. We chose a bunch of small plates and a couple of flatbreads. Everything was so good and fresh. best grits we've ever had, delicious russet potatoes....amazing wood-fired flatbreads. And whats really cool is that the menu continually changes depending on the vegetable and produce in season. iRegardless of the lacking ambiance, i'm giving it 5 stars based on food quality, freshness, and taste. Also priced extremely reasonable. Going back again for sure!
(5)
Zaida J.
A few weeks back Groupon had a special for this restaurant so I pitched my friend and we both purchased one. Good thing too because I started planning the return visit immediately! We got there shortly after 5pm as I just headed there straight after work. Pretty sure we were the first patrons there. We asked to sit outside because it was a nice day but they aren't staffed for outside seating yet. Soon though! We started out with the flatbread served with extra virgin olive oil and a grilled speidie. A speidie is a "skewers served with charred onions, herb & grain salad, aged balsamic vinegar". There are a few variations of the speidie and we went with the Fontina wrapped in prosciutto. The flatbread was obviously fresh and the olive oil was high quality but it wasn't a stand-out. The speidie was DELICIOUS! Very tasty and the herb & grain salad was a nice treat. Next time I think I'll get a speidie and not share. :) We both ordered a rotisserie. I got the pork shoulder and my friend ordered the chicken. She chose the leg and thigh and it was served as a leg quarter. For a side, we went with our waiters recommendation and both got the kale. Each dish is also served with a side salad. Although I didn't try the chicken, my friend said it was very good. She also said she normally does not care for chicken skin but it was so delicious she had to eat it! So that obviously says a lot. I LOVED the kale! The side salad was scrumptious. The pork shoulder was served as several slices. Along it was well-flavored and cooked perfectly. What made it especially drool-worthy was the salsa verde. It was an apple-celery salsa verde. I'm not a huge celery fan, often omitting it in recipes, but it was PERFECT. I couldn't get enough of that salsa verde. So freakin' good, it's going to be difficult to order something different off the menu. As we sat and ate, the restaurant filled up. The table next to us ordered a flatbread and it looked so good! Definitely not skimpy so although I was hesitant to order one based on comments from other reviews, my worries disappeared after seeing what came out. For dessert we tried the homemade cookies and a frozen, nutty, caramel drizzled dessert (forgot the name!!). I didn't try the oatmeal cookie but didn't care for the chocolate chip cookie. It was huge though! The frozen dessert was very tasty. Loved that caramel sauce! It was a fantastic meal, our server (wish I remembered his name) was knowledgeable, personable, super attentive, and not afraid to joke around as we enjoyed giving him a hard time. :) I look forward to returning and sampling more of the menu!
(4)
Yumica Z.
I was pleased to see they had changed their menu and added new entrees since my last visit. I had the trout with some kind of yogurt sauce, and a side of crispy russet potatoes. The meal was delicious!
(4)
Lauren M.
Love the speedies and the baked pasta. I've gone several times and have never been disappointed. The manager or owner came to our table to see how everything was 2 out of 3 visits. They also took an order of speedies off of our bill because it took longer than usual to bring them out. They totally redeemed themselves without us even having to complain. Truly it was worth the wait, and we would have been happy to pay full price, but the nice gesture makes us all the more likely to return sooner rather than later. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Jessie B.
LOVE this place. We came in for an early dinner on a Friday afternoon with our 2 littles. The place was pretty empty, which is to be expected during the 2-5 restaurant lull time. Our server was great, he knew the menu well and was able to answer all of our questions promptly. We started out with the grilled skewer appetizers, one sausage, one short rib. The mustard sauce on the homemade sausage skewer was to die for. We also ordered the strawberry pecan crusted goat cheese salad for my son, which was great as well. For my entree, I had the wood-fired veggie stew with lemon yogurt and almonds. It was yummy, but I don't think I would get it again. The grilled fish was spectacular, the absolute star of the meal. Very fresh and nicely done. The FOH manager came over and introduced himself. It made us feel very appreciated and welcomed. He checked with us through-out our meal too. There was never a chance where we needed/wanted something and no one was around to ask. Next time I am in town I will definitely be back.
(4)
Nik G.
Heart has been our favorite spot for many months and while the wait staff is very good the kitchen just seems to get slower every visit. The last meal it took 55 minutes for our main course to arrive and there were only 3 other tables in the restaurant. The food has also started to noticeably go downhill. I've always ordered the butcher steak and it's degraded with each subsequent visit. Unfortunately we'll be finding a new favorite restaurant.
(1)
Frankie K.
I went for dinner with a couple of friends and we ate out in the patio. There were a few bothersome flies that were a nuisance and I would hope in the future they could remedy this as the patio is a nice place to relax. We ordered the sampler platter to share and it was excellent. There were many flavors, textures and colors to the different foods and we all thought it was a good selection. Then we waited and waited, about 50 minutes for our entrees of three pizzas. The waiter would not make eye contact and did not come over to the table for about 30 minutes, so I knew that was not a good sign. Having been in the industry I think that most people appreciate knowing there is a problem and that the waiter has just not been ignoring you. Finally I went inside to see what the issue was. They looked busy but not slammed. I finally found the waiter and asked when we would get out dinner and he said "soon" I reminded him how long we had waited. The manager stopped by shortly after that and apologized for the long delay in our order. He was very polite in his explanation that they got 19 pizzas ordered at around the same time and he offered free drinks or desserts. The effort by the manager redeemed our thoughts as we understand there are things that are not always in control but his acknowledgement went a long way with us. When the pizzas came they were tasty, light and crisp. We took home the desserts as it was getting late and they were quite good as well. All in all we would go again as the food was fresh, well seasoned and flavorful and the patio was relaxing.
(4)
Stacey F.
We just stumbled upon this place for brunch and wow, we're impressed and definitely going to return for dinner! They cook everything in a woodfire oven and the quality of ingredients is outstanding. We also had our 1 yr old with us and they were very accommodating. She loved their grits and she's a very picky eater. I had the egg frittata with asparagus and cheese and a cherry limeade cocktail! Delicious!
(4)
Bob M.
Stopped by here for lunch today. Our group had the blackened catfish sandwich,flatbread pizza, salads with sides of cannellini beans and herb roasted vegetables. The service was very good and the food was above average. The cannellini bean side was like a miniature bean stew and very good. The blackened catfish was nicely spiced and the Cajun mayo added a little more flavor. The only low point was the herb roasted veggies. They tasted great because of the wood fire roasting, but we're a little dry. They could have benefitted from a little toss with some sort of light sauce after roasting. We also had their Bloody Mary's, but nothing to rave about. They tasted a little watery and no bold tomato flavor. But all in all a good place for a nice meal. I'd go back again.
(4)
Sue M.
This was a difficult review to write because prior to my experience on New Year's Eve, I felt pretty positive about Heart. My husband and i wanted an early "normal" NY Eve dinner i.e. not a special menu so I called and was told they were open until 9 with a regular menu. Off we went, just right down the street! We were seated right away as there were just 2 two tops eating. We sat there for a full 5 minutes with no greeting, no "I'll be right with you", NOTHING! The kitchen looked miserable and there was no management in sight. The female server looked our way but nothing. We left. No one asked us why. I wrote a letter to the owners, who I have many mutual friends with, and have yet to hear back. This speaks to previous issues we have had with service although the food has always been good but pricey. Step it up Heart! It's tough out there.
(2)
Connie F.
LOVE THIS RESTAURANT! Make sure to try the chili, and one of the desserts! So yummy.
(5)
Trava B.
My husband and I came here to eat on Saturday and when we got there it was busy and we had a wait of about 15 minutes not bad so we both had a drink at their bar. They have craft cocktails so I had one I think was called the the "front porch" very yummy and fresh tasting! My hubby had a craft beer on draft which he liked very much but when we were called to for our table you had to tab out from the bar instead of carrying the tab over which was a little weird but whatever it was fine. Our server seemed like the most unhappy person ever I never did see a smile cross her face. The wait time after she took our order was extremely long so in the meantime we decided to have another drink which took forever to get also. When our food finally came I noticed my hubby's plate was missing a "small salad" that the menu said came with the entree so we re-read the menu and asked our waitress about it and she said no it doesn't come with it and I told her it's on the menu so she proceeds to read the menu and then say's "I don't know let me ask" SERIOUSLY!! So the manager comes over looks at his plate and then nod's to the waitress to bring a salad out it was a little weird. Anyway the food was fantastic! I had the swordfish w/basil butter & corn salsa and my side was a corn and potato side that had a very yummy broth. Hubby had the pork chop with peach and jalapeno relish the same side I had with of course the small salad (that we almost didn't get) the dressing on the salad was so good! Their service needs a lot work though and they are probably losing repeat customers because of it.
(3)
Ell B.
Exactly what I wanted in a brunch: great coffee, a broad selection, excellent eggs, and new twists on old standbys. This is my new favorite place in Charleston!
(5)
S W.
Great food, slow service. Took forever for drinks, we forgave once the food arrived. We have been twice and had same problem both times. Place not terribly busy so no excuse. If they fix that problem, I'd be happy to go back, otherwise Charleston has plenty of great restaurants with great service.
(3)
Lissa B.
We and another couple had a very nice meal this evening. The goat cheese appetizer was enough for four to share (sparingly). The shrimp flatbread was excellent. My husband's lamb flatbread was a bit dry and not really enough lamb on the flatbread. A side of taziki sauce would have been an excellent compliment. Side cole slaw and potatoes were great. Desserts were delicious. I like the colors and openness of the room, good background music, and our waitress, Lauren, made areal effort to ensure we were comfortable and satisfied. It's great to finally have assert restaurant locally that is this good and enjoyable. We will be back!
(5)
Doug W.
This is a relatively new place on James Island. We have been several times for brunch, but not for dinner. The food is consistently very good. The menu has a good variety. The restaurant is interesting inside, although it does have somewhat of a warehouse feel. Drinks, food, and service are all good. It's a great choice for brunch.
(4)
Chris P.
I love this place. A great addition for James Island as I feel the island lacks in choices for tasty cuisine. I have tried several things on the menu, but I have found my favorite: The Blackened Catfish Sandwich. I usually get a side of creamed mustard greens to go with that. If you have a chance to sit at the bar, they make their own mixes for drinks like White Russians.
(5)
Stefanie K.
Can't believe we hadn't come here before. Unique, delicious menu. We happily devoured the cheeseburger with house made pickles and flatbread with acorn squash, goat cheese, fennel, and cauliflower. The service was friendly and prompt. This is by far my new favorite restaurant on James Island. We'll be back to try one of their amazing sounding cocktails, too.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Fefe M.
Went for Sunday brunch at 11:30am with two toddlers. The food was really good, but it took us nearly an hour to get a round of waters and then another 1/2 hour to get our coffee and other beverages. A member of our table asked what an item on the menu was, and the server replied blankly, "I don't know". I think we finally received our food about 1:30 pm and it was delicious. My biggest complaint was our apathetic, unavailable and insipid waiter who then shortchanged us when bringing our change back to the table. He never apologized once or tried to explain why the service was so slow, and must have been on some serious anxiety meds by the way he was acting. The servers dealing with the tables around us were exponentially more attentive. I finally got a refill on my coffee from one of them after flagging him down by waving my mug around in the air. They were lucky that we, not to mention the two kids, were so patient. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt in these situations when coupled with an explanation, but our server was beyond horrible. I'm getting angry just thinking about it again! There are tons of awesome restaurants in Chas, so next time we'll high tail it to one of those.
(2)G B.
Excellent service, top quality food and cocktails. Unbelievably good pork chop and potatoes. It was packed on a random Tues night -- glad we came at 6:15. Unlike others, we had no problem with the timing of the service. Drinks were prompt and, despite the fact that we were a party of 8, all the food arrived together and in a very reasonable time. Love this place!
(5)Will F.
Great place for a burger! Probably one of the best i have ever had. Pulled chicken sandwich was great as well. If you are on James Island, stop in. Im sure you'll like it.
(5)Craig F.
This was my third time eating here and finally getting around to writing a review. I have found a consistency with the pros (many) and the cons (a very fixable few). Pros: Fresh, local ingredients that produce fresh, simple and tasty food. Last night, I had rockfish with corn and creamy smashed potatoes. A wonderful plate of food...all of the flavors merged well together. In the past, I enjoyed the veggie burger and one of the better brunches that I have had. The brown sugar pudding... I underestimated how flavorful and satisfying it would be...and surprisingly, not overly sweet, either. Cons: The place is noisy! My voice was strained when we left because I had to talk so loudly due to competing tables. Service, while passable, could use fine tuning. In particular, it seems that that they never have enough staff. Delivery of food (timing) was a problem both times I ate dinner there. Again, the cons do not dissuade me from eating there or recommending this terrific restaurant. It is unpretentious, excellent food that never has disappointed me. Enjoy!!!!
(4)Ryan K.
You know what, I'm mad at myself. I always forget about this lovely place. Heart Woodfire Kitchen is a hidden gem out on James Island. It is probably in the top 3 for my favorite places to eat on the island just behind Mondo's Delite and my grandmother's house. That's not true, my grandmother lives in New Jersey. I shouldn't lie to you. Heart always plays with amazing flavors in their lowcountry cuisine. It is a very laid back and homely environment. Looking forward to remembering this place more often!
(4)Charlie P.
Located on James Island, Heart Woofire Kitchen is a casual, chill spot to grab great food for brunch or dinner. While the menu didn't wow me, they offer basic American/Lowcountry cuisine with a focus on woodfire cooking. If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive place on James Island to grab a drink and brunch in the sunshine, I think Heart is a good bet. Must-order items: $4 Mimosa, $4 Bloody Mary, $4 Screwdriver Pork Chili Verde Breakfast Sandwich Local Clams
(3)B B.
This has got to be my fav place in Charleston. We went for dinner and it was almost packed, and luckily we got a table. I ordered veggie pasta and husband got catch of the day with corn relish. Both were delicious and fresh. The ambiance is great. Laid back, yet romantic and not too casual. Perfect for a date night. What I love about this place is that it surprises you when you walk in. Looks like a normal restaurant from the outside until you walk in and its a pleasant surprise.
(5)Mary Locke M.
I requested Lost Dog and instead I got Heart. Heart falls into the category of places I would eat at again but probably wouldn't suggest on my own. We walked in and were immediately seated in the corner. Normally that whole "Nobody puts Baby in the corner" is a pet peeve of mine, but this time it worked out in our favor. Immediately upon being seated, a child across the large, open, and very good at carrying sound dining room starting screaming. Actually we looked over and noted that the small child had climbed on top of the table for full effect of his temper tantrum. This obviously is not the restaurant's fault, but it is worth mentioning that the acoustics leave room for desire. Our server came over and was completely lacking in personality whatsoever. He took our drink orders. He delivered our drinks five minutes later. He took our brunch orders. He delivered our brunch 15 minutes later. It then took him until we were almost done with our food to come back and see how everything was. We'd actually been trying to find him for more drinks, ketchup, and a spoon for quite some time. I waited tables for years of my life, so all you have to do is tell me, "I'm in the weeds" and I'll be totally understanding and sympathetic. When you deliver my spoon with the speed and enthusiasm of a sloth and offer no explanation, however, then I get a little annoyed. As for the food itself, I had the pork chile verde with eggs over easy. It was really good, but not a huge serving and could have used some additional heat in my opinion. I would probably get it again, assuming I had a speedier server who would bring me hot sauce before I ate it all. One of my friends had a flat bread pizza, which looked quite tasty The other had biscuits and gravy with a side of bacon. The bacon was actually piled on top of the biscuits and covered in the gravy. This would have been okay except the gravy was a little off tasting. We all ate most of our food and not our server cleared our plates. Truthfully the food was pretty good and the service wasn't horrible, just somewhat slow and lacking in personality. Lost Dog it was not, but Heart didn't leave me heartbroken at least.
(3)Liz L.
Went back after a long hiatus and really enjoyed everything we ordered. Beet salad, lamb kebabs, vegetable stew, smashed potatoes and rotisserie chicken - everything was outstanding. Bonus: also very affordable. The space has a bit of a cafeteria feel due to the large open space and super high ceilings, so ambiance is not the most intimate. I'm glad I have this another shot, I'll be coming back more often!
(4)Scotty C.
I had a meeting here recently with an event planner who is always raving about Heart. It's the go-to spot for her and her man. I'd heard good things and was excited to check the place out, especially since I don't dine on JI all that often. She's all VIP up-in-there so our table was ready when my other friend and I arrived. We sat down at a table in the back. It wasn't too busy for a weeknight... perfect for discussing our upcoming event over dinner. I didn't really take notice of the outdoor patio but, I love the option for when the weather is bearable. There's a little bar area up front and you can smell the woodfire oven the moment you walk in. Otherwise it's pretty simple for decor. I do love that the tables are spread out a bit so you're not sitting in your neighbors lap... an oversight at many other places. I've been on a tuna-everything kick lately so when I heard about the Yellow Fin Tuna special my mind was made up. The fresh veggies served over top the tuna steak enhanced the freshness of each and every bite. Normally I would pair fish with a rice or light vegetables but, those mustard greens were calling my name. After receiving waitress confirmation that they were stellar, they became a must order item. Although it was an odd side to pair with tuna, it was my choice of side and I'm sticking to it. They were fantastic. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my tuna and mustard greens, I had to box up half of it to take home. It wasn't because the entree was too large but rather the appetizers were too delicious. We started with white bean toast points covered in tomato and fontina cheese. They somewhat reminded me of a cleverly unique bruschetta but definitely not bruschetta at the same time. The chef was happy to see my frequent diner friend in house and sent out a mixed plate of sliced sausage with stone ground mustard, delicious house made pickles, and perfectly golden crispy potatoes - All top notch. What really put me over the top though was the fontina cheese skewers wrapped in light and crispy prosciutto. I could've made an entree of these alone... so good. Even the bed of quinoa, which I normally find bland and boring, was exceptionally appetizing. I met the chef on the way out and he was humble about his food but, you could read the dedication off his brow. He even mentioned how they would be open all evening on the fourth of July because he didn't have the "heart" to deprive his customers of dinner on a Friday... see what I did there. Their staff truly has a lot of "heart"... okay I'll stop. I really "heart" this place... alright that's the last one - I promise.
(5)Claire H.
Had a shrimp flatbread. It was on par with a frozen flat bread from Trader Joes. Fine, but forgettable. Odd menu. Lovely, capable server which was refreshing because Charleston is really starting to work my nerves with the bad service: it's either woefully undertrained or entitled attitude city.
(2)Russell S.
Had brunch today. Ordered a flat bread but the server warned us it would take a half an hour. So we decided to order the Veggie SOS instead. It didn't bother us because it smells so good in the restaurant. The wood burning fire reminds me of camping out, so it's very calming. My wife thought the chairs were uncomfortable since they were metal with no cushions or lower back support (do restaurant owners test their chairs before they outfit their restaurant? ) The food we ordered was a little sloppy for our tastes but it was very good (every veggie imaginable mixed with eggs and cheese). We would come back, more for the wood burning smell than the food. I'll give it 4 stars because the iced tea was good and they served it in glasses rather than plastic, my pet peeve with restaurants at lunch.
(4)Christy R.
We really enjoyed this meal! We had the fresh catch and the wood fired chicken. Both were really good. The beets were to die for. Excellent service!
(4)Jessica B.
We tried Heart Woodfire Kitchen before venturing over to Wild Blue Ropes next door. I had purchased a Charleston Daily Deal to try them out, so this was the perfect opportunity. We attended while they were serving their brunch menu. The food was pretty delish. I ordered the flatbread that had roasted chicken, pecan pesto (made with parsley), spinach, onions and fontina cheese. It was the perfect size for a personal entree or to share as an appetizer. It tasted extremely fresh and I loved that it was made in a woodfire stove. The flavor was fantastic. My husband ordered the pork chili verde. It looked a bit messy, but he said the flavor was okay. It was a bit more runny/liquidy than I think he would have liked. We shared the brown butter bourbon pudding for dessert. The size was perfect for sharing and flavor was spot on. I will def order it again.
(4)Jennifer N.
Breakfast on James Island! Deep into the Heart of James Island, by BI-LO, Heart Kitchen is a fan of MANY apparently, on a Sunday morning. The menu is eclectic, the prices are not Waffle House, but worthy of their quality, and with twisty breakfast options. The atmosphere is one big room with a big ceiling which can get loud. The seating is not cozy, but it's okay. Your meal will be great. Parking is behind, and we're grateful for this small business on James Isle to be successful.
(4)Mike M.
What a great hidden find! Went there with my folks, cousin and roommates. We were short one person than we made our reservation for - my fault - I forgot to call and update, but the staff was extremely accommodating and if they were upset, they certainly didn't let it show. Service was great! Our server was knowledgeable and helpful when asked for recommendations. We had drinks to start - Mules and Dixie Whistles all around - well done and spectacular spins on the originals. I had the pasta and it was phenomenal. The pesto was creamy but not too creamy. Steak was ordered and my mom would not stop talking about how tender the meat was. We all tried a different dessert. Peach crisp was delicious! Chocolate Cake was also great - not too rich and sweet....a perfect balance. Lastly, the bourbon brown sugar pudding was a unique treat and everyone had dessert envy. Just the right amount of food to go home comfortably full!
(4)Cat C.
The service is the upside. The menu is so limited, weird, and expensive. Why not make a few really good pizza flatbreads? Why only chicken with no noticeable chicken? The tiniest piece of chicken no different from roast chicken at home, $12. BBQ for $18. A $12 burger when big belly is down the road slaying you for $8? And no evident air conditioning?
(3)Jeremy H.
Their brunch is wonderful. I had the pork chili Verde with eggs over easy all served on a bed of grits. While it was lacking some much needed crunchy or chewy texture, it hit the spot. Don't be afraid to branch out and try something new here. It's all delicious. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, while still having the feel of a semi modern farm.
(5)Heidi D.
Great food with even better service. Just a tiny hidden gem off Folly road!!
(4)Wendy W.
Still going, still love it and the Green Goddess dressing is still around but they like to call it ranch. Its not. But it is still super delicious
(5)Kyle B.
Excellent food, especially at brunch. The breakfast flatbread is especially tasty. Only complaint is the service is very slow. Upon arrival noticed hardly anyone seated had food and waiter took forever to greet us. Over the course of the meal four different people served us but felt we didn't really have a server. Still the food is definitely worth it!
(4)Yvonne K.
Been several times not a bad meal yet Sunday brunch is the best love the Grits. Inside noise level can be very loud but it is a small space plus people don't know how to use their inside voices anymore. Put your cell phones on vibrate please. Very accommodating to children. Staff very friendly & knowledge about the menu.
(5)Mark J.
The food here is high end, without the pretentious feel. The food is dynamic, with great flavors, and a burger that's definitely handmade and deserves to be on anyone's "Best Burgers in Charleston" list. The inside is spacious, with plenty of seating, and some great cocktails. The sweet tea is brewed to perfection. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I'll be back there for sure.
(5)Drew E.
Have been twice for brunch and love it! The breakfast sandwich is awesome and a huge bang-for-your-buck!! Their grits are usually a bit runny for my tastes but still very good! The waits can get long (for a table and then for food--I think they only have one oven) but it's worth it!
(5)Michael K.
I dined here with 6 others on Sunday 5/25. This was my first time, but not the first for most of the table. These are my impressions: Starting with the decor - I liked that they have a nice outdoor area. We sat inside. I felt like the inside left a little to be desired. All low-top tables, metal chairs, kind of bland. The bar area is tiny. Frankly, nothing about the interior of this place made me very happy. I did not get the warm, comfortable feeling I usually seek out while I was inside there. Maybe some fabric on the seats or warmer lighting would help. The food is a hit! Definitely good stuff comes from this kitchen. I managed to consume a large variety of items during our visit (goat cheese/pepper jelly app; roasted clams, chicken livers, chicken flat bread, chili verde, crispy potatoes, cannellini beans w/pesto, creamed mustard greens). It was all pretty kick-ass. The goat cheese was sweet and delicious. Almost a desert. I love goat cheese... The clams were in an amazing broth and came with beautifully executed potatoes. The chili verde was very very good - simple and delicious. The Chicken Livers kicked some serious ass. The side salad with the skewered livers really made the dish a well balanced surprise. Those crispy potatoes they offer as a side are pretty fantastic too! Same with the mustard greens - i could put down a whole bowl of those. I was lucky enough to get a few bites of my friend's grass fed filet mignon. He described it perfectly as 'butter meat'. It was phenomenal. We also got to try some house made coffee liqueur, and that was very good too. All in all, this is a great place. I didn't love the interior design, but the food is amazing. Service that night was kind of slow too, but we had a good time.
(4)Jake S.
Fantastic locals place with a dynamic menu - always finding new treats here even though we come by weekly. Sit at the bar with Josh and you are in for a treat. The menu is manageable in size so everything is fantastic. Must go! Oh... And the brunch is awesome, get the steak and eggs. Oh... And the mustard greens are unreal. Do you like delicious things? If you answered yes or perhaps or not really, you will still dig this place. The dining room is stark so sit at the bar and meet some other awesome people.
(5)Beth C.
Once again - Heart delivers! Go for Restaurant Week. Go for Lunch. Go for Dinner. Go for Brunch. Last night it was the 4 for $30. Red wine, field pea salad, grilled local fish & shrimp over Carolina gold rice in a roasted tomato broth, and a peach crisp for dessert. STELLAR!
(5)DracheMitch H.
Not really sure what is going on there. Are they not explaining the concept of service during training? Are they hiring DMV workers? The food is maybe 3.5 stars: not offensive, but not so great you would recommend it. The service is really a 1. The hostess always seems to struggle with how to seat people. The wait staff aren't very attentive, and they appear to wear blinders. The dining room isn't very large, so the wait staff disappear into the kitchen as a way of avoiding work. If you mention the lack of service at the front, they look at you like you speak a foreign language, and refuse to address it.
(2)Julia C.
My bf and I had dinner on May 24 and it was delightful. The ambience, service, food, and cocktails were superb. We started with a grapefruit/gin/ginger concoction that was so refreshing and delicious. The appetizer we ordered was the lamb kabobs which were absolutely to die for! Then I got the shrimp polenta ham dish. The polenta was so light and slightly creamy and such a great side dish. He got the grilled fish special (mahi), which was cooked and seasoned perfectly. From the description I was concerned the fish flavor would be lost but it definitely was not. For desert we shared the homemade strawberry ice cream! Yum! We sat outside and some patrons had their dogs too. It was such a great summer meal and our favorite evening of a week at the beach! I highly recommend venturing outside of folly a few miles to dine at this little gem !
(5)Harold W.
Excellent Brunch. Wasn't that busy when I got there. Had a little situation with the waiter but quickly was corrected and experience there was not negated due to this. Food was very local and different. They definitely have a different outlook on what a traditional breakfast should be or even look like.
(5)Bill R.
What a delightful change from fast food. A good menu full of great choices. We had the $6.00 Burgers as it was their special of the day. The staff were pleasant and very attentive. We picked it because of the reviews and were not disappointed.
(4)Benjamin L.
Good place for brunch!
(5)Charles J.
The staff is always welcoming and friendly. I have yet to have anything bad come from there, everything is delicious. Give them a try if you haven't yet.
(5)Natasha F.
My party of four plus one infant are here today for lunch. Excellent food! We shared two flatbreads (the rotisserie chicken and goat cheese and spinach). I had a small portion of the four cheese baked pasta and my husband and brother both had the burger. My cousin had the blackened catfish. The burgers were amazing and I wish I had ordered that. I don't like catfish, but the entree at Heart is tasty. For dessert, we shared an order of the bourbon brown sugar pudding and the strawberry semifreddo. So delicious! My daughter actually sat in the high chair, but there's no middle so you have to watch and make sure your little one doesn't slip out from under. I just kept my leg there. Also, no changing table, but the staff and owners will help accommodate you. Delightful wait staff. Wonderful atmosphere. Heart is definitely worth the drive out to James Island. Originally written May 23, 2013, but I just found it in my Drafts instead of posted. :(
(5)Byron L.
Eat the chicken! The potatoes are seasoned to perfection. I enjoyed the small salad that came with the chicken.
(4)Chris N.
We had an amazing lunch! Everything was so delicious, from the Chardonnay to the pork chili verde to the chocolate chip cookie! Really a hidden gem on JI! Awesome. Just Awesome!!
(5)Amanda C.
DO NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY IT"S COVER! This place seriously stunned me when I walked in. I did not expect it! The decor was so cute! It's slightly pricy but you get what you pay for... excellent food and service. We came near closing time and didn't get any funny faces nor did they ask us to leave during their cleaning between lunch and dinner. I can't remember what I had but I do remember loving everything and that it was beautifully plated & swore I'd go back when in Charleston!
(5)Robert R.
This is one of Charleston's best kept secrets. Strictly for locals. Best chicken in town. Excellent seafood. Vegetables fresh. Wonderful service. Family style restaurant. Fresh. Local. Nice people
(5)Christi T.
My husband and I used a Groupon but we will definitely be back without one! The Eggplant dip and pita chips was great! My only critique here is that the pita chips could have used a bit more char for my liking, the dip however was very flavorful! The Rotisserie Chicken was great as well! It was a tad dry but I did order the breast portion which could have been the culprit there. My husband had the burger and according to him it was among the best in the area! Overall, very good experience! We will be back for the Crispy Russet Potatoes alone!
(4)Cassandra B.
Best Bloody Mary! I had the biscuits sandwich - delicious! The grits were too soupy/watery for our taste. My bf had the chile verde which was delicious. Coffee was fantastic. And the coffee liqueur! Wow.
(5)Awnnie M.
Mustard greens were to die for. Their burgers are really good and juicy, but it's definitely not a 11$ burger. One night a week they're half off, I think it's Wednesday. The drinks are kinda $$ but over all the food was really good and the waitress provided great service.
(4)Cathy R.
Visiting my husbands hometown of James island - stopped into this local eatery based on reviews on Yelp. Wasn't disappointed - great, large, airy dining area with outside patio option. I had the black bean burger was one of the best I've had. Husband had rotisserie chicken which was perfectly seasoned along with grits that were creamy and filled with flavor. Kids had a pizza that was perfect for sharing, capped off with a giant homemade cookie that was warm right out of the oven. Hidden local gem, right on James Island - when you want something other than the usual chain restaurant fare.
(4)Erin C.
Food is tasty, a little overpriced in my opinion, but different offerings than most places in the area. Thus place is crazy loud when it's busy.
(3)Erin H.
I have been to Heart several times for brunch, lunch and dinner, and overall it is a pleasant addition to the James Island restaurant scene. However, I agree with many of the other reviewers in that the service is definitely sub-par. Each time that I've been to Heart, I have really enjoyed the food. I appreciate the variety of items on the menu. Some of my favorites include any of the flatbreads (breakfast or lunch/dinner), the veggie burger, and the creamed mustard greens. The food is very satisfying and overall is pretty reasonably priced. The service, on the other hand, has been mostly disappointing. On each visit, the service has been extremely slow, and it usually seems like they are understaffed in the front-of-the-house, even when they do not seem to be that busy. Though the servers and manager are mostly polite, I always get a "rushed" vibe from them. The servers don't tend to check on tables very often after putting in the food order (or even walk by enough so that they can be flagged down), so if you need something (another drink, a condiment), then it can be difficult to obtain. It's a shame that they seem so disorganized out front when the kitchen is putting out such good food. But, I will definitely go back to Heart in hopes that they have stepped up their service.
(3)William L.
Ate a Sunday brunch here and the food was great. Some of the restaurants in Charleston can feel a little pretentious at times and you feel overwhelmed. This place is relaxed and they got good food. Nice little spot in James Island. Flatbreads were in da .
(5)Mike M.
Been to Heart twice for Sunday brunch and was blessed! Food and service was great! Yes we will be back.
(5)Elena L.
What a wonderful restaurant -- and on James Island! Excellent food. We will be back for sure.
(5)Jennifer B.
My second time, we arrived around 7:30 on a Saturday night. There was a wait, but tables were empty, so that meant they either didn't have enough servers or the kitchen couldn't keep up. We sat down around 8pm and ordered two salads and the wreckfish special. I asked to try two types of dressings, green goddess and lemon ginger, and loved both, but was disappointed to see an extra .50 charge when the bill came. Would have been nice to have a head's up. Given the size of the salad, the one tiny ramekin wouldn't have been enough anyway. Wreckfish was amazing. Grilled to a golden perfection with a carrot, mustard grain chutney, with a side of spicy roasted cauliflower. My only bone of contention was that our waiter gave us a some attitude (just short of an eye roll) when we asked when our main entree would arrive. He said, "You just finished your salads," and actually he was wrong. Our empty plates sat on the table for a good 15 minutes before he came around to pre-bus. Dessert was a brown sugar bourbon pudding. Absolutely divine. My bill was $42 (no soda or alcohol). In the end, I can deal with a sassy waiter and a higher bill, when the food is excellent.
(4)Benjamin G.
Heart, you puzzle me with your name and menu. My wife and I were so excited to find your oddly placed building so close to our campsite and we left a little confused, yet intrigued, with our experience. First, the smells coming from the kitchen were a bit off upon our entering. I had a to double-take and make sure it wasn't....dare I say...manure...but it just happened to be fish. Not pleasant, but an odd start to our dining experience. Very open dining area and plenty of room to walk around and maneuver between tables. They also have a HUGE patio. Plenty of tables but I guess they only seat you here if they have the staff to accommodate. Our server was friendly and sat us very close to the kitchen. I was excited to see the chef use the woodfire oven (I mean...come on. It's in the name, yeah?) and the rest of their operation. Our server didn't even mention any of the "woodfired" options on the menu, but just skipped right to recommending the most expensive appetizer available. A little disappointed by this. Apps: House-made pickles. All I can say is YUM. These were perfect. A menagerie of okra, sweet pickles, cauliflower, red peppers and carrots. Slight twinge of spice and perfectly tender. I'd get a double order of these bad boys next time. House-made focaccia. What a letdown. This was the worst focaccia I had ever tasted and was so disappointed that it had been made in the kitchen. It was so dry, bland and almost fought back with each bite. Their recipe needs some serious adjustment. I say this with love, as a bread maker and enthusiast. For $3 a plate and only two pieces per order, this needs some serious love. "Speidie." Otherwise known as "kabobs," to the lay person. I ordered the house-made pork sausage and chicken livers with bacon Speidie. The pork sausage was very mild and tasty. Served with a lovely Carolina mustard barbeque sauce that was tangy and packed with stone-ground mustard seeds. The chicken liver with bacon....I'm a little lost. Texture was there but flavor was lost in the smoky bacon. Not too jazzed about this misnomer. I feel like it could have been executed differently or at least separated better. The skewers rest on a Wheatberry salad with a balsamic reduction. Very chewy grain with onion, radishes and fennel. Very interesting pairing for skewers. Vegetable stew. This was wonderful! Jasmine rice, lemon yogurt, almonds, veggies and cumin, cumin, cumin! So good! Very well balanced and hearty. Not too heavy as a summer dish. Kale. Wow. I was blown away by how great the kale was. So tender and smoky from the anchovies. It was absolutely worth it. Just a little perplexed that the "woodfire oven" didn't even make a debut on our table. They've got some great things going here, but there just doesn't seem to be much synergy with the menu. I'd be happy to try again! Cheers!
(3)Phoebe H.
Some of the best food I've had, especially on James Island. All very fresh ingredients. The 'warehouse' feel is kind of a stark contrast to the warm and colorful food. Also very expensive, but worth the money if you are in the market for a delicious meal. Their cocktail list is interesting and deliciously strong!
(4)CT S.
I have gone here multiple times and love it each time. I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal. Try the potato side( though you can't go wrong with any other side) and the fish sandwich is the best! Great burgers too. If you have extra room, taste the homemade kahlua, you will not be disappointed. My parents also make it a point to head to Heart when they are in town. A great JI gem and awesome staff.
(5)Amela R.
I was invited to brunch here to meet some old friends who were back in town and staying at Folly Beach. This place is very close to my home (in fact, we were regulars at the last restaurant that was in this spot). Because of latex glove use in the kitchen, I was unable to eat, but did have tea while everyone else ate. (Had I not been driving, the gin rickey would have been my choice.) The acorn squash and goat cheese flat bread was a table favorite. (My friend's husband, who'd ordered a more traditional meal, was sorry he hadn't gotten that.) The kids also got breakfast flatbreads, liking that they were having pizza for breakfast. The two things I didn't like about the place were 1) the kitchen was totally unwilling to even consider if there was anything they could do to help a guest find something not handled with latex gloves so that I could break bread with my friends, and 2) the service. Normally, when someone complains about the service, it's because there is none, but in this case, it was just the opposite. We could barely get 2 sentences out without someone coming to check if they could do anything for us. We were old friends trying to catch up. It was hard to do so with such constant attention.
(2)Rebecca A.
Just ate dinner here for the first time and will definitely return. Our server was Nick and he was excellent! He knew the menu and was funny which made it that much more enjoyable. My best bite of the night came from the Green Pork Chili. It was seasoned perfectly and the pork was really tender. There was three of us so we shared the goat cheese/peppers/tomatoes flatbread (second best bite of the night), the warm potato salad with blue cheese and bacon (really good), fontina wrapped in prosciutto (good) ,the corn, okra, and tomatoes side veggie that said it had jalapeno butter but we couldn't really find that flavor in there, and then the catfish entree which was too mushy for our liking. For cocktails Nick recommended the Mule which was really really good. I also had their tequila drink, the Skinny. Good but the Mule, a vodka option, was much better to me.
(4)Dave K.
The food is very good. However, service needs much work. Went twice in the last week. Once last Saturday and then last night. Last Saturday they had only one waiter and the manager was filling in a little. From the look of it, someone called it. Service took forever. Last night they appeared to have a full wait staff, but it wasn't any different than the service I had on Saturday. I told the manager that I had been waiting 15-20 minutes just for drink service (the rest of the meal service was slow as well). I told the manager, and he said he would handle it. He comped us for our drinks and said he was sorry. He did not fix the problem though. Our waiter was still slow. He spent more time in the back than he did with customers. This place has a lot of potential to do better. If they wish to continue to receive loyal customers, they need to work on how they handle their customers.
(2)James T.
This place rocked my pants off...twice. 1st time we sat at the bar and got free coffee liqueur shots...because they're awesome. 2nd time, food was awesome but came with dairy when I had asked for no yogurt in my vegetable stew. I had to fish deep for that complaint. Everything about this place is rad.
(4)Ellen W.
It was good but not great. If we are around James Island and hungry we would go back but would not go out of our way to go back.
(3)Kevin M.
This place is pretty badass. I've driven by here a few times, but finally went in. My experience wad a pleasant reminder of how fortunate I am to live in a place like Charleston with so many restaurants and businesses that are so creative and so amazingly well done.
(5)Alden J.
They have the best side dishes! Make sure you try two or three of them. Also the happy hour is excellent! A good way to check out their specialty cocktails for a reasonable price.
(4)Jamie B.
I tried to understand the concept of this restaurant but left unimpressed. We cam here by the recommendations of friends. The decor was cute/cozy but lacked an available highchair for my baby. Upon receiving the menu, the food selection was pretty minimal. Jerk pork chop lacked the "jerk" flavor and the baked pasta was similar to Prego. An additional star was very the cup of chili- very flavorful and spicy. Two stars for unoriginal menu, pricey food in comparison to portions, and lack of taste.
(2)Christina H.
Don't let the low key atmosphere fool ya! From the hand muddled cocktails to the deserts, my Boyfriend and I were in love with everything we ordered! I couldn't get enough of the Blackberry Lemonade with Vodka! (The Carolina Cup was a great drink as well!) As far as food, we ordered quite a few items (Sausage and Fontana Prosciutto skewers, Olives and both the Chicken and Shrimp Flat breads. If I had to choose one, the Shrimp Flat bread would be my top recommendation...Delic! We left very full and very happy.
(4)Gregg S.
Five stars for the food. It never fails. I love everything I've had. I'm giving three stars because the ambiance is so sterile that I have a hard time convincing my SO and friends to go there!! I just made a lunch date with yet another friend who has been once with no desire to go back. I am bummed. The name of the place suggests coziness, but there is none of that. The high ceilings, concrete walls and bare floors make for a VERY loud environment. Even the chairs are metal. It feels like they may have run out of money after renovating the building and never really finished the dining room. I surely hope they do one day!
(3)Amanda W.
We have had dinner at Heart several times and have never been disappointed! The flatbreads and clams are our go-to appetizers and always delicious. The rotisserie chicken is to die for, never had chicken so tender and delicious! Baked pasta and beef tenderloin are also amazing. The creamed mustard greens are a must have side for any meal! We are so happy to have a restaurant nearby with a 5-star quality menu as an alternative to facing traffic and parking downtown. The ONLY downside is they don't allow dogs on their patio...but maybe with enough requests they could change that policy! :)
(5)David K.
I have never been disappointed at Heart; brunch, lunch and dinner have all been great! The wait staff is top notch and the food is second to none!
(5)Aaron R.
Heart is an oasis in the dining desert that is James Island. We recently went for dinner on a Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The crowd was just right and we were seated promptly. The front of the house manager, Devon, welcomed us warmly and checked in on us a couple times throughout the evening, demonstrating a very authentic commitment to customer satisfaction. Our server was equally friendly and knowledgeable and they both really contributed to creating a welcoming and fun experience. The food here is excellent! The kitchen is anchored by a roaring wood burning oven that has some influence on just about everything on the menu. The menu is creative and has a great range of options that change daily and seasonally to reflect the very best ingredients available. We started with several appetizers, including the addictive house made focaccia bread, green pork chili, and grilled short rib skewers which were all delightful. We had the rotisserie half chicken and Berkshire pork shoulder, both slow roasted to a juicy perfection. The sweet potato and BBQ chicken flat bread had a perfect crust and a creative combination of flavors that everyone at the table enjoyed. The double cheeseburger came with bacon and a fried egg - a solid burger all around and even better when paired with the crispy yukon potato wedges. Heart has a compact but quality drink menu including a good number of craft beer and wine selections and a creative cocktail menu to wash it all down. Their price points for the drink menu are well below the downtown prices without sacrificing any quality. Several homemade desserts were on the specials board but we were too full to sample any, tempting as their homemade cookies sounded. Heart is a wonderful spot for any meal, they also offer lunch and weekend brunch which we will definitely check out. Pay them a visit, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Cindy F.
We love this place. Everything we have eaten has been great. I especially love the flatbreads. My husband loves their potatoes as a side. It's a good place to go for brunch on Sunday too. We often sit at the bar and eat because the bartenders are so friendly and it smells good next to the wood fire oven. They have good coffee too!
(5)Jarrod S.
This place is top notch. Fresh food and great service. Good price points for the high quality. This is what bret's roadside wanted to be.
(5)Robin K.
Really surprisingly good. walked in kind of confused about the kitchen concept...originally felt like a take-out type place. But we figured we'd give in a try... The dining area was casual a bit like a cafeteria with random art on the walls. the service was really nice. We chose a bunch of small plates and a couple of flatbreads. Everything was so good and fresh. best grits we've ever had, delicious russet potatoes....amazing wood-fired flatbreads. And whats really cool is that the menu continually changes depending on the vegetable and produce in season. iRegardless of the lacking ambiance, i'm giving it 5 stars based on food quality, freshness, and taste. Also priced extremely reasonable. Going back again for sure!
(5)Zaida J.
A few weeks back Groupon had a special for this restaurant so I pitched my friend and we both purchased one. Good thing too because I started planning the return visit immediately! We got there shortly after 5pm as I just headed there straight after work. Pretty sure we were the first patrons there. We asked to sit outside because it was a nice day but they aren't staffed for outside seating yet. Soon though! We started out with the flatbread served with extra virgin olive oil and a grilled speidie. A speidie is a "skewers served with charred onions, herb & grain salad, aged balsamic vinegar". There are a few variations of the speidie and we went with the Fontina wrapped in prosciutto. The flatbread was obviously fresh and the olive oil was high quality but it wasn't a stand-out. The speidie was DELICIOUS! Very tasty and the herb & grain salad was a nice treat. Next time I think I'll get a speidie and not share. :) We both ordered a rotisserie. I got the pork shoulder and my friend ordered the chicken. She chose the leg and thigh and it was served as a leg quarter. For a side, we went with our waiters recommendation and both got the kale. Each dish is also served with a side salad. Although I didn't try the chicken, my friend said it was very good. She also said she normally does not care for chicken skin but it was so delicious she had to eat it! So that obviously says a lot. I LOVED the kale! The side salad was scrumptious. The pork shoulder was served as several slices. Along it was well-flavored and cooked perfectly. What made it especially drool-worthy was the salsa verde. It was an apple-celery salsa verde. I'm not a huge celery fan, often omitting it in recipes, but it was PERFECT. I couldn't get enough of that salsa verde. So freakin' good, it's going to be difficult to order something different off the menu. As we sat and ate, the restaurant filled up. The table next to us ordered a flatbread and it looked so good! Definitely not skimpy so although I was hesitant to order one based on comments from other reviews, my worries disappeared after seeing what came out. For dessert we tried the homemade cookies and a frozen, nutty, caramel drizzled dessert (forgot the name!!). I didn't try the oatmeal cookie but didn't care for the chocolate chip cookie. It was huge though! The frozen dessert was very tasty. Loved that caramel sauce! It was a fantastic meal, our server (wish I remembered his name) was knowledgeable, personable, super attentive, and not afraid to joke around as we enjoyed giving him a hard time. :) I look forward to returning and sampling more of the menu!
(4)Yumica Z.
I was pleased to see they had changed their menu and added new entrees since my last visit. I had the trout with some kind of yogurt sauce, and a side of crispy russet potatoes. The meal was delicious!
(4)Lauren M.
Love the speedies and the baked pasta. I've gone several times and have never been disappointed. The manager or owner came to our table to see how everything was 2 out of 3 visits. They also took an order of speedies off of our bill because it took longer than usual to bring them out. They totally redeemed themselves without us even having to complain. Truly it was worth the wait, and we would have been happy to pay full price, but the nice gesture makes us all the more likely to return sooner rather than later. Definitely recommend!
(5)Jessie B.
LOVE this place. We came in for an early dinner on a Friday afternoon with our 2 littles. The place was pretty empty, which is to be expected during the 2-5 restaurant lull time. Our server was great, he knew the menu well and was able to answer all of our questions promptly. We started out with the grilled skewer appetizers, one sausage, one short rib. The mustard sauce on the homemade sausage skewer was to die for. We also ordered the strawberry pecan crusted goat cheese salad for my son, which was great as well. For my entree, I had the wood-fired veggie stew with lemon yogurt and almonds. It was yummy, but I don't think I would get it again. The grilled fish was spectacular, the absolute star of the meal. Very fresh and nicely done. The FOH manager came over and introduced himself. It made us feel very appreciated and welcomed. He checked with us through-out our meal too. There was never a chance where we needed/wanted something and no one was around to ask. Next time I am in town I will definitely be back.
(4)Nik G.
Heart has been our favorite spot for many months and while the wait staff is very good the kitchen just seems to get slower every visit. The last meal it took 55 minutes for our main course to arrive and there were only 3 other tables in the restaurant. The food has also started to noticeably go downhill. I've always ordered the butcher steak and it's degraded with each subsequent visit. Unfortunately we'll be finding a new favorite restaurant.
(1)Frankie K.
I went for dinner with a couple of friends and we ate out in the patio. There were a few bothersome flies that were a nuisance and I would hope in the future they could remedy this as the patio is a nice place to relax. We ordered the sampler platter to share and it was excellent. There were many flavors, textures and colors to the different foods and we all thought it was a good selection. Then we waited and waited, about 50 minutes for our entrees of three pizzas. The waiter would not make eye contact and did not come over to the table for about 30 minutes, so I knew that was not a good sign. Having been in the industry I think that most people appreciate knowing there is a problem and that the waiter has just not been ignoring you. Finally I went inside to see what the issue was. They looked busy but not slammed. I finally found the waiter and asked when we would get out dinner and he said "soon" I reminded him how long we had waited. The manager stopped by shortly after that and apologized for the long delay in our order. He was very polite in his explanation that they got 19 pizzas ordered at around the same time and he offered free drinks or desserts. The effort by the manager redeemed our thoughts as we understand there are things that are not always in control but his acknowledgement went a long way with us. When the pizzas came they were tasty, light and crisp. We took home the desserts as it was getting late and they were quite good as well. All in all we would go again as the food was fresh, well seasoned and flavorful and the patio was relaxing.
(4)Stacey F.
We just stumbled upon this place for brunch and wow, we're impressed and definitely going to return for dinner! They cook everything in a woodfire oven and the quality of ingredients is outstanding. We also had our 1 yr old with us and they were very accommodating. She loved their grits and she's a very picky eater. I had the egg frittata with asparagus and cheese and a cherry limeade cocktail! Delicious!
(4)Bob M.
Stopped by here for lunch today. Our group had the blackened catfish sandwich,flatbread pizza, salads with sides of cannellini beans and herb roasted vegetables. The service was very good and the food was above average. The cannellini bean side was like a miniature bean stew and very good. The blackened catfish was nicely spiced and the Cajun mayo added a little more flavor. The only low point was the herb roasted veggies. They tasted great because of the wood fire roasting, but we're a little dry. They could have benefitted from a little toss with some sort of light sauce after roasting. We also had their Bloody Mary's, but nothing to rave about. They tasted a little watery and no bold tomato flavor. But all in all a good place for a nice meal. I'd go back again.
(4)Sue M.
This was a difficult review to write because prior to my experience on New Year's Eve, I felt pretty positive about Heart. My husband and i wanted an early "normal" NY Eve dinner i.e. not a special menu so I called and was told they were open until 9 with a regular menu. Off we went, just right down the street! We were seated right away as there were just 2 two tops eating. We sat there for a full 5 minutes with no greeting, no "I'll be right with you", NOTHING! The kitchen looked miserable and there was no management in sight. The female server looked our way but nothing. We left. No one asked us why. I wrote a letter to the owners, who I have many mutual friends with, and have yet to hear back. This speaks to previous issues we have had with service although the food has always been good but pricey. Step it up Heart! It's tough out there.
(2)Connie F.
LOVE THIS RESTAURANT! Make sure to try the chili, and one of the desserts! So yummy.
(5)Trava B.
My husband and I came here to eat on Saturday and when we got there it was busy and we had a wait of about 15 minutes not bad so we both had a drink at their bar. They have craft cocktails so I had one I think was called the the "front porch" very yummy and fresh tasting! My hubby had a craft beer on draft which he liked very much but when we were called to for our table you had to tab out from the bar instead of carrying the tab over which was a little weird but whatever it was fine. Our server seemed like the most unhappy person ever I never did see a smile cross her face. The wait time after she took our order was extremely long so in the meantime we decided to have another drink which took forever to get also. When our food finally came I noticed my hubby's plate was missing a "small salad" that the menu said came with the entree so we re-read the menu and asked our waitress about it and she said no it doesn't come with it and I told her it's on the menu so she proceeds to read the menu and then say's "I don't know let me ask" SERIOUSLY!! So the manager comes over looks at his plate and then nod's to the waitress to bring a salad out it was a little weird. Anyway the food was fantastic! I had the swordfish w/basil butter & corn salsa and my side was a corn and potato side that had a very yummy broth. Hubby had the pork chop with peach and jalapeno relish the same side I had with of course the small salad (that we almost didn't get) the dressing on the salad was so good! Their service needs a lot work though and they are probably losing repeat customers because of it.
(3)Ell B.
Exactly what I wanted in a brunch: great coffee, a broad selection, excellent eggs, and new twists on old standbys. This is my new favorite place in Charleston!
(5)S W.
Great food, slow service. Took forever for drinks, we forgave once the food arrived. We have been twice and had same problem both times. Place not terribly busy so no excuse. If they fix that problem, I'd be happy to go back, otherwise Charleston has plenty of great restaurants with great service.
(3)Lissa B.
We and another couple had a very nice meal this evening. The goat cheese appetizer was enough for four to share (sparingly). The shrimp flatbread was excellent. My husband's lamb flatbread was a bit dry and not really enough lamb on the flatbread. A side of taziki sauce would have been an excellent compliment. Side cole slaw and potatoes were great. Desserts were delicious. I like the colors and openness of the room, good background music, and our waitress, Lauren, made areal effort to ensure we were comfortable and satisfied. It's great to finally have assert restaurant locally that is this good and enjoyable. We will be back!
(5)Doug W.
This is a relatively new place on James Island. We have been several times for brunch, but not for dinner. The food is consistently very good. The menu has a good variety. The restaurant is interesting inside, although it does have somewhat of a warehouse feel. Drinks, food, and service are all good. It's a great choice for brunch.
(4)Chris P.
I love this place. A great addition for James Island as I feel the island lacks in choices for tasty cuisine. I have tried several things on the menu, but I have found my favorite: The Blackened Catfish Sandwich. I usually get a side of creamed mustard greens to go with that. If you have a chance to sit at the bar, they make their own mixes for drinks like White Russians.
(5)Stefanie K.
Can't believe we hadn't come here before. Unique, delicious menu. We happily devoured the cheeseburger with house made pickles and flatbread with acorn squash, goat cheese, fennel, and cauliflower. The service was friendly and prompt. This is by far my new favorite restaurant on James Island. We'll be back to try one of their amazing sounding cocktails, too.
(5)