Muse
82 Society St, Charleston, SC, 29401
Muse Menu
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Salads & Starters
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Entrees
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Sides
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Muse
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Salads & Starters
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Entrees
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Sides
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Desserts
Visit below restaurant in Charleston for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
82 Society St
Charleston, SC, 29401 - Phone (843) 577-1102
- Website https://www.charlestonmuse.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Eileen M.
Charming Old World atmosphere with great food and service. The flash fried whole seabass, tuscan seafood stew and roasted lamb were all amazing. Order a nice bottle of Chianti from their wine list or have a martini. The bartender knows how to make a stiff drink!
(4)Reagan M.
WONDERFUL! We had a bachelorette party in town this weekend, and went to Muse on Saturday night before we went out on the town. Donnie was SUCH a fun server to have, and the food was fantastic. Everyone on staff was fun, and humored us with our bride in her veil, and our silly name tags. Granted we are keeping it classy for a bachlorette party, if you know what I mean, but they were very accommodating. He even offered 8 separate checks at the end of the night! The food was fantastic too... the Bolognese was so fresh and authentic!
(5)Scott B.
This was the worst experience I have ever had in Charleston. The smell when you walk in is hideous, but I get it, it is an old trendy place. I should have known there was a problem because the restaurant had maybe 7 people in the whole place. The waitress smelled like she had been drinking and forgot the specials. We asked for a bottle of wine, salads and bread. The bread came out and it looked like they opened a bag of rolls...then the waitress came out and told us they were out of kale, which were our salads and sides. She also forgot to bring our wine...the reason was she forgot what we ordered. Finally the other salads we ordered came out and tasted horribly. After the horrible salads came out, the waitress came out with a bottle of wine which was different than what we ordered. They didn't have the wine we ordered. She tried to talk us into this new wine...we asked if the entrees had been started because we wanted the check. She became very confrontational. She was asking things like, why, because we didn't have your wine? Why, because we didn't have kale? When I went through all the problems with the dinner, she became condensating in her tone and mannerisms. Her attitude, added with all the other negatives mentioned leaves me to never eat there again. Oh, and when I asked for the manager, I was told she was not in but I could fill out a comment card...really?
(1)Katy D.
First problem with our evening at Muse was our table- we were seated in the small room upstairs which had 3 other tables jam-packed into the room. It was dark and dreary and there were very ugly long curtains covering any view that we might have had. Secondly, we didn't order beverages until at least 20 minutes after being seated. Clearly the waitress didn't know we had been waiting that long, because when she came over I mentioned that there weren't any paper towels in the bathroom and she chose to take care of that issue before letting us order- which further delayed us getting drinks. Other than the slow service- the food was simply mediocre and mostly underseasoned. Even though it was restaurant week, it was definitely not worth the $30. The only redeeming parts of the restaurant were the bar downstairs (looked really cozy) and the patio seating. If you are looking to just enjoy a glass of wine these would be optimal. This is why I chose to give it 3 stars instead of 2.
(3)John H.
Based on other Yelp reviews, I ventured into Muse the past weekend to have a nice early dinner the night before the Bridge Run. I know Charleston has a crazy competitive restaurant market - as far as uniqueness and good food so it was pretty hard to get reservations anywhere else. I wish I could say that the Muse was my first choice, but it wasn't... I am glad we got a table though. The Muse is located off of Society St... so it's tucked away (a little off the beaten path, but close enough to still get back to all the action). The service was great, out waitress was very attentive and kept us happy - even offering some good suggestions since we had not been there before. Recommend the Penne Parmesan w/ Grilled Shrimp entree and the - Seared Manchego Cheese & Arugula salad. Wish I partook in some wine, but that wouldn't have gone over well the next morning if I had to run somewhat of a decent time. I would definitely come back - the place has a lot of charm and the menu is not too big. I would say the prices are pretty up there, but I didn't mind paying for a special dinner since I was a "tourist" and don't eat here every night.
(4)Allison A.
The atmosphere at Muse is gorgeous. The location is wonderful. The food is fine, and overpriced. (1 cheese plate, 1 salad, 2 $8 glasses of wine- $57 BEFORE the 20% gratuity was added!!)The portions are small. The service SUCKS. My husband and I went for our anniversary back in October. We had made reservations and it was a weeknight- not terribly busy. Our waitress was so slow, we waited about 25 minutes for waters, and then another 10-15 on top of that for our wine. You can imagine how it went when we were ready to order and then two and a half hours later, ready to eat. There were times when we'd try to get our waitress's attention (because it had been SO long) and she refused to make eye contact. She'd walk directly behind my husband or me, refusing to look at us or acknowledge us until she was ready. This happened several times. We were very, very close to walking out. I took a chance on Muse again this past weekend and chalked that up to a bad experience. This time I brought 7 friends with me. The service was terrible once again. Painfully slow, unapologetic, rude, messy. They were busy, but the place is small, and they were not understaffed. It was ridiculous. On top of this- they added a 20% gratuity to our table for being a large party. 20%!!! I would have seriously debated giving them 15% had I had a choice in the matter. If you're going to force an inflated gratuity on a table, you need to prove that you're worthy of it. Muse has so much potential, but it's incredibly disapponting. I'll take my business back to Sermet's.
(2)Carl H.
Never heard of this place before. Was heading to the theater next door and saw this restaurant as "near by" on local internet searches so booked a table. Showed up with my wife and friend, decided to dine outside in their outdoor alley. It was really fun watching the folks walk by and it wasn't too cold. My wife and I both love calamari so we tried their grilled calimari. Was slightly disappointed because, although the flavor was great, it was a little chewey. We have had some non-fried calamari at some sushi places that tasted like butter and was just as smooth, so the texture in Muse's offering was just lacking. My wife made up a vegtable plate from some of their sides and just loved the succotash. I had the bolognese which was flavorful, and the friend had the shrimp over polenta. The polenta was very good and shrimp well cooked.
(3)Austin D.
The lamb chops at Muse were actually the best I've ever had in my life, no over exaggeration. Their wine list is very very extensive, and the establishment is tucked away in a cute retrofitted house. The seating can be tight if you have a large group, but you can usually make due if your party tops out at 11 or 12. Also, try and get there slightly earlier in the evening as they can run out of certain dishes early on due to popularity. Overall I loved the ambiance, knowledgeable waiters, and excellent lamb chops!
(5)Pres P.
I really wanted to try this place but unfortunately for me I had to cancel last minute.The hostess was really rude when I called to cancel and even interrupted me while I was apologizing to tell me that ",She could have booked my table with a thousand other couples." Well, you will never have to worry about me occupying one of your tables again so go ahead and book those other people.
(1)Jeff H.
GO TO THIS PLACE!!! My wife and I were staying across the street at the Marriott and the concierge suggested The Muse. I read the yelp mixed reviews, but we figured it is hot and the Muse is close so we said ok... we are sooooooo glad we did. ....... Muscles....... you must order these... I wanted to take a bath in them. I am 48 years old and a world traveler... these are the best muscles I have ever had... they are a destination dish and one of the big reasons I will return to Charleston. ........Bread....... good stuff especially to sop up the juice from the Muscle dish ........Tuscan Sea Food Stew......... Awesome ........Shrimp........ It is generally served over polenta, but I ask if I could have it over pasta... they said of course and it was awesome. Overall...based on our experience, I for sure highly recommend The Muse. Safe Travels!!!
(5)Nathan W.
Do not go to Muse during restaurant week! We waited a half hour to get seated when we had a reservation. Our waiter was disengaged and inexperienced. Our water glasses were empty the majority of the night and we waited an hour and a half to get our appetizer. The late summer salad was advertised as roasted heirloom tomatoes when they clearly were not. The white asparagus was bitter and not edible. Our main dish had clearly been sitting out the entire time as it had congealed and was cold. The desserts were also not memorable. Our first time at muse was fantastic so it a shame to see the level of service deteriorate.
(1)Elizabeth B.
This is one of the many reasons I need a boyfriend - so I'll have someone to cozy up with on the warm, inviting patio at Muse. Fortunately, my 3 gal pals were willing to fill in for the night, so we staked out a table under a heater in the way back of the outdoor dining alley. One of the ladies remarked "this feel like New Orleans" to which I replied "um, no, it feels like Charleston". And it's awesome. This charming little wine bar was busy, busy when we arrived but our sweet server helped us get glasses in hand and brought out a decadent chocolate torte for us to share. Delish! My crew walked over after a gut-bushing improv show at Theater 99 and it was the perfect way to end the evening. I highly recommend this spot for starting off or finishing up your night on the town. Though once you get to Muse, you might find yourself so comfortable that you never want to leave.
(4)Skip E.
Great Experience. Eating great food in a house built in the 1850's. Mussels are a must if you are a fan of mussels. A true Charleston experience.
(5)Evan E.
Lovely building, atmosphere and ambiance in an old home. Our server was excellent: personable and knowledgeable. Sadly the most important ingredient, the food itself, was sub-par, especially in comparison to the formidable Charleston fine-dining competition. Appetizer included Manchego cheese that had been cooked to the point that I had to attack it with a knife like I was sawing through wood to cut it. Penne Parmigiano pasta was super bland and almost completely without flavor. Sadly not recommended.
(3)Bridget O.
I have had decent experiences at Muse in the past, but the last one was very disappointing. I was with a decent-sized group of nine and I know those can be difficult to handle, but the service was unsatisfactory. We were at the table for 20 minutes before our waiter came to bring us all water, let alone ask if we wanted any other drinks or to take our order. The service was very slow throughout our meal. Also, I can appreciate the decorative quality of the plates they have on the table but you don't actually eat on, but it would be much appreciated if the staff would dust them once in a while. Our plates were covered in dust and that only made us feel worse about the poor service. On a positive note, the food was very good and the atmosphere was comfortable. I had the tagliatelle bolognese and I enjoyed it very much. The gnudi is delicious too. Overall, the food portion of the Muse dining experience is great. However, the service needs some work.
(3)AJ S.
This is a stellar restaurant. The decor is as wonderful as the food. I always get the Mediterranean platter-- it's worth it for the babaganoush alone. It's definitely the best I've ever had. The beet and goat cheese salad is another favorite. Muse strikes me as the kind of place found more in northern cities. You might go there to escape Charleston's saturation of southern cuisine. For this reason, I don't recommend it for out-of-town guests because it wouldn't give them that distinct Charleston experience. But a gem for everyone :)
(5)Morgan S.
It pains me to write this update. I've loved Muse for a long time but my last two visits there have been subpar at best. My husband and I went this past weekend and from start to finish it was kind of a disaster. Our service was poor. Our waitress was rude, to all the tables in the section, and you could hear the other three tables commenting on it as well. On top of being rude, she was slow. It was busy and maybe she was overloaded but you would think a restaurant of this caliber would stay fulling staffed around the holidays. The food was disappointing. I was sad to see the fried manchego salad gone from the menu - was one of my favorite items in all of Charleston. They had a replacement for it but didn't look as good. Instead I got the bruschetta of the night which was a major disappointment. I believe it was a rutabaga bruschetta. My husband got the tuna appetizer and did love it for what it's worth. What he didn't love, for good reason, was his overly salted veal saltimbocca. It was almost inedible. The polenta was so buttery and the veal was so salty it was a lethal combination. Muse needs to step up their game ASAP to keep with the top CHS restaurants. With Fig, Macintosh, Basil, The Grocery, etc being around - they need to make sure they stay relevant.
(2)Evan H.
Another top choice in Charleston. Despite having reservations, we had to wait a bit for our table. No matter, they have a huge selection of wine and the restuarant is situated in a large house, and the decour and ambiance was really cool. You almost felt like you were in your grandma's house (assuming she had a huge house) being served in the dining room. The downstairs bar was small and quaint and contained a great selection of wines by the glass. Upon completion, we headed upstairs in a room with only about 6 tables. My appetizer was a fresh salad with blood oranges and pine nuts, along with other veggies. For my main I had the sea bass with Cauliflower Puree in an Orange Saffron Sauce. The tastes went together perfectly and really was quite filling. No desert this time, but this place is a real winner. Four stars, closing in on 5.
(4)Michelle D.
Muse had delicious food and a great atmosphere/bar area. I ate at Muse on my last evening in Charleston, and believe I would have appreciated the meal more had I not eaten at so many other great places during my stay. If you are looking for a good italian restaurant, I would definetly recommend Muse
(3)Mark M.
I came here about 2 years ago. I had very good memories. Last night I came back. I had a mediocre entree which was cubes of lamb. For dessert I had a ricotta cheesecake which I didn't finish, and I like cheesecake. Service was also not that great considering there were some empty tables. My friends thought their meals were ok but not great.
(2)Sarah P.
I've wanted to go to Muse for quite some time now, and it's very close to where I live so I would have liked to make it a regular stop. Unfortunately, I was unimpressed. My friend and I stopped by for drinks and a light dinner on a Friday night and both of us were underwhelmed. We shared a bottle of wine and four starters: a mezze platter with baba ghanoush, hummus, cucumber salad, and olives (the best part of the meal); scallops with a polenta cake (not bad); grilled duck breast with dates and pomegranate/onion jus (unmemorable and overly sweet); and arugula salad with "seared" (read: fried) manchego. None of the food was memorable, and it wasn't cheap either. Disappointed.
(2)Taylor A.
As a child I would spend warm summer evenings at my grandmother's house in the south of France. Muse reminded me of her house, but this restaurant is better because it is much closer to my current home and isn't imaginary. I really loved the decor of the place and liked that each room of the house was unique and had only a few tables for privacy. If you're upstairs make sure you're not next to the bathroom door. It will certainly spoil your pleasant view. Hearing flushed probably won't make your escargot taste better. The waiter was not experienced enough for an intricate menu and wine list. He seemed to be more like a country-kitchen type restaurant waiter with a better costume. The beer list was nice, BUT didn't have any draft beers. If you have a book for wines by the bottle you need at LEAST a few draft beers. The appetizers were the best part of the meal. Grilled calamari that was the best I've ever had. Smoky and perfectly seasoned. A must get if you're into calamari. We also had the pork belly which is so hot right now! Crispy and perfectly cooked. The mussels were sub-par, like some other things. Well, maybe they were average. I don't want to make the mussels feel bad. I ordered the shrimp and polenta which were decent enough but not worth the price tag. The shrimp were overcooked and too small for the dish. Other shrimp dishes were not anything special either. A dining companion got the gnocchi which was decent, but again not worth the price. This place is alright, but if you're going to be dropping about $90 per couple with tip I expect more educated waiters and better food. There are MANY other place in Charleston to spend your money.
(3)Sarah J.
It's hard for me to give a bad review. it's hard for me to have a bad experience. Having worked in the hospitality industry in Charleston for 8 years, I know what to expect. When expectations are not met (usually they are exceeded) and I have an experience like this, I feel it's necessary to share. A friend of mine was celebrating her birthday on a Tuesday night. Originally, the party was going to be 12 people and at the last minute (the birthday girl was already at the restaurant having a drink at the bar) it switched to 8 people. So the 8 of us are in the bar having a drink and said birthday girl, let's call her Cindy Lou, was upset because 1- 4 of her friends had bailed and 2- the hostess had "yelled" at her for the party switching #s. I went up to the hostess and let her know we were ready to be seated and she was huffy and rude. I asked her if there was an issue and she proceeded to tell me she had just rearranged the entire upstairs, blah blah blah. I don't care what the issue was, none of us, especially Cindy Lou, needed to know or feel bad about it. i gathered the party and we followed the hostess (who is also the owner) upstairs to our table. At this point, other members of the party sensed something was wrong and asked Cindy Lou if she was ok. Our waitress said "everything is fine, now if we could just move on" attitudes flared and next thing I know, half the table is tweeting about our horrible experience. If the whole ordeal wasn't enough, the food was below par, poorly timed, and over priced. I was not impressed at all. By the time we finally had our drinks; almost 20 minutes for 8 waters, 2 bottles of wine, and 3 martinis, the situation was laughable and the female waitress had given up our table to a much more pleasant male server. No dice.
(1)Jeremy B.
Muse is great. My girlfriend and I went there for Charleston's restaurant week, and had the prix fixe meal. I started with the Mussel's (served in a broth of chorizo, garlic, parsley). Twas tasty. My g/f had a nice beet & greens salad with rock shrimp. Twas tasty as well. For the entree, I had the braised pork served with grits. The pork was super tender, not so braised, and I didn't expect it to be so fatty. But, it was good nonetheless. My g/f had the grilled shrimp served over penne. It had a wonderful creamy sauce and the shrimp were really amazing. And for dessert we both had the chocolate panna cotta served with hazelnut sauce. It was good but didn't blow our minds and the hazelnut sauce was a bit light to counter the bitterness of the chocolate. I had to pretend like I tasted it. On other notes, the wine selection is amazing if you're going all out (which we didn't). The ambiance is great being in an old traditional Charleston house. We don't know the history of it, but imagine cool things happened there. The service was so-so as we got passed up a few times to cater to the larger table next to us. Granted, our waitress did appear quite busy. So. All-in-all.. 4 stars. There are plenty of amazing restaurants in Charleston so I hesitate to give any 5 stars unless they really do blow my mind.
(4)Meg H.
Just not great. The hostess (owner?) seated us in a dark, cave like room though we were super early and the place was, literally, deserted. The service was slow and the 'eclectic' ipod mix the bartender was running grated on one's nerves. The food was decent but ridiculously overpriced. The wine selection was nice. By the time we left close to 7 the place was still mostly deserted except a couple of couples who had resorted to eating in the bar so they wouldn't be totally alone. The building is cool but we felt like we barged into someone's house and ordered dinner. Also, again, WAY overpriced. They need to shave 3 -4 bucks off of everything on the menu except the wine. It was appropriately priced compared to other restaurants.
(2)Jeff S.
Didn't eat here, but the restaurant is charming. The bar is in a small room, with stools for maybe 10 people, and a tiny TV. But it is a place for talking to people, not watching sports.
(4)Erica M.
I was staring at this little gem from my hotel room balcony at the Marriott. I pulled them up on facebook, loved everything I was seeing and wrote to them on their wall....their response was "Come by and visit us". I was telling the story to the concierge, Suzanne Cohen and she highly recommended that I do go over to Muse. Our group was looking for somewhere to have a drink before our dinner reservations and Suzanne said it was the perfect place. 5 of us were welcomed at their very awesome bar and felt like at home locals right away. What a cute, cozy, eclectic and friendly place. Drew the bartender was super accomodating and down to Earth. The owner (so sorry I didn't get your name) was there talking with friends and made you feel like you knew them forever. We ordered apps to snack at the bar too..... fantastic!!!!!!! Their menu is perfect and the food and presentation are amazing. Don't even hesitate if you just want to tuck away in a great little place.
(5)Jeff S.
My sister and I took my dad here last night for his 75th birthday. The restaurant is located in an old house on Society Street right close to the CofC campus. A very nice location and and the feel of the old house provided some nice ambiance. We were seated at a table against the wall that had two bench seats that had very loose legs and wobbled significantly like they would collapse at any moment. We let the server know who just said "It's fine, they wobble but they're safe"....not too impressive a response. Service in general was mediocre. Our server was not very friendly or attentive and didn't seem to know much about the food. Asked about the what kind of fish the species "Corvina" was, she had no useful info other than it was locally caught (BTW "Corvina" is a croaker for you locals). She was just there to take orders and bring food, and offered no insight whatsoever into anything on the menu. The wine list was impressive with a wide variety of red and white wines available both by the glass and bottle. Prices for the wines were also very reasonable. For an appetizer I got the grilled calamari. The calamari was slightly overcooked and tough, and was oversalted. It was topped with a generous amount of fresh basil, and while I love basil, it didn't seem to work with the other flavors of the dish. Couldn't finish it. My sister had a scallop and polenta cake which she said was delicious and my father had the sweetbreads which he loved. Main course I had the crispy sea bass. The presentation was a deboned whole fish on a bed of mashed potatoes. The potatoes were delicious, but there was only enough to hold the fish up for presentation, wish there had been a little more. The fish itself, sadly, was a disappointment. It was nicely flash fried, but had little else to offer. The bits of mango chutney and pickled radishes sprinkled on the plate didn't add a whole lot, making the whole dish a rather dry affair. No real sauce, and nothing you couldn't get from any seafood shack in myrtle beach, flavor-wise. My sister had the crab cakes ,which she loved, and my dad had the lamb chops which he stated were delicious. Maybe I just kept picking the wrong things? Lastly dessert, we got a carafe of french pressed coffee which was nice. I got a lemoncello cake slice and my dad and sister got a chocolate panna cotta and a chocolate torte respectively. The cake was just plain bad. Dry yellow cake that tasted like it was in the freezer too long with some lemon drizzle on top. The chocolate torte, however, which I tasted was delicious and my dad liked the panna cotta. I really wanted to like this place, but they need to do some work on their service staff and food quality if they want to compete with all of the other excellent restaurants in Charleston.
(2)Michael T.
Very expensive and overpriced. Food is decent if you enjoy dropping a car payment. Anyways, cool hip bar!
(3)Daniel K.
A fantastic meal! Great service and terrific wine pairing recommendations from our server. Nice and quiet and no waiting even with no reservation. Only negative was the high price charged for average port served with dessert. Other than that a great night.
(4)Robert H.
Visited with friends who have been staying in Charleston for several weeks. What a great intro to the C-town dining scene on our first night. My companions all had fish while I had a wonderful nicely portioned ribeye that was delivered at a perfect medium rare. The other entrees were all fish dishes. The tilefish was well prepared but was not the stand out that my steak was. Fresh ingredients were evident especially in the salads. I had a butter lettuce salad with blue cheese and walnuts that you will see one menus everywhere. However, Muse made this notable by just doing it better. Great flavors. Good wine list with enough wines by the glass to accommodate diners who have different desires. Portions were about right. Wonderful ambiance in an old house. Nice, tight little bar was a good spot to start and end out visit. Well recommended.
(4)Kyle R.
Below average experience here tonight. We were served by Danny with a party of 5. Ambiance was dark and dreary in a 2nd floor room by ourselves. Danny was cordial and service was average at best. We ordered muscles as the appetizer, they were tasteless(had to ask for salt/pepper on the table) . I ordered Grouper was nicely cooked however, very nice. My wife, had Muse's version of Italian cioppino(seafood stew). Her' meal was bland with no flavor. The part that leaves a sour taste in my mouth is Danny's service at the end of the meal. When we asked for the check, he brought out one check even though we wanted them split three ways(3 couples). He hurried away with a disheveled look on his face and said "sure". Then, he gave us our checks and told us that the gratuity was already included because we asked to split the checks. We were not told this, and it wasn't written anywhere on the menu. I just felt cheated, because the gratuity was 20%. I have been to many good restaurants all over the world and in Charleston. Trust me, this was not 20% service which is standard for me. I would steer clear of this place.
(2)Jim L.
I rarely give out five stars, but Muse nailed it for me. Located in an old dentist's home on Society off King, we were warmly greeted and taken to a quiet room upstairs. Although several of the reviewers complained about the service, Jennifer was excellent - attentive, responsive, pleasant and knowledgeable. The food was outstanding - the best meal on our trip so far. I started with sweetbreads on a purée of cauliflower with Brussels sprouts leaves and cherries. This strange mixture of tastes was excellent. My wife had the Bibb salad with blue cheese, sliced almonds and a lemon vinaigrette. Also great. For our mains I had the catch of the day - sautéed scallops and shrimp with fingerling potatoes, cherry tomatoes and arugula pesto. An explosion of flavours all cooked to perfection. My wife says she knows when I'm really really enjoying a dish because I tend to fixate on the plate and stop engaging in conversation. This makes me a lousy date, so beware if your partner is similarly inclined and orders the same dish. She had shrimp on a bed of marscapone polenta which she declared to be great delicious comfort food. We washed it all down with a couple of glasses of Oregon Pinot Noir which I think was a better choice than a white. Total cost, with tax was under $120, which I don't think was at all unreasonable given the quality of the food.
(5)Diane M.
Muse was a present--sheer comfort and refined eclecticism bundled, trussed, and hand-delivered to my Renaissance Charleston Hotel doorstep. A local professor couldn't recommend this restaurant and its wine list enough, and for that I am grateful. Muse is, literally, a house. Each room, alcove, hallway is painted a different color. Trust, it's not hokey. Patio is charming, but before alighting at a wrought-iron table in 90 deg heat, do walk up all flights of stairs for a peek or else some angel, somewhere, won't get its wings. My co-worker and I sat by a window in a small room painted lagoon blue. There was a white grand piano that I presume was purely decorative. No one sat down to it to bang out a Bette Mid. The waitress, pleasurable. As was the glass of white wine she brought me, an '04 Loire Sancerre. As was the sesame table bread. As was the canneloni pasta with eggplant, roasted pepper, Moroccan olives, and spicy marinara sauce. I have never, may never, find a place like Muse in New York. At Muse, time flies. At Muse, you are with family. At Muse, you are transported to some Buddhist vision Exec Chef J. Houser must've had in his Religious Studies class. To some island in the Mediterranean. Or to some region between Italy and France where the food is rustic and always comes first.
(5)Zuzzi E.
I loved this restaurant in an old Charleston house! It was cozy and romantic, and the food was fantastic. I'd recommend it for a date who likes seafood (especially scallops).
(4)Kathleen H.
The bar here is fun and intimate, like a parlor room of an old house and your sole host is the bartender. In no time at all you will feel like a regular, and then you realize that you are surrounded by regulars and it is really easy to see why. Pull up a chair, stay awhile... the food is lovely and the wine list will keep you coming back to try something new at an old favorite place.
(5)Jennifer B.
Reservations were for 7pm and we were promptly sat at a table directly in front of the only second floor restroom. I have to say that it was extremely off-putting to see both males and females in and out all night - a little like Grand Poop Central. The meal was good. I had the arugula salad with fried cheese. The vinaigrette was great, and I love cheese, but the two together didn't seem to go. And my friend said out loud what I was thinking, that the cheese was really hard to cut. I had ordered a scallop appetizer, and when I asked about where it was, the server told me that it would be coming out with the main course. That seemed odd to me, either she forgot to order it, or she didn't know any better. But it seemed like it was my fault that I didn't communicate the fact that I wanted my "appetizer" served before the main course. Rule of thumb from an ex-server, and in this order, appetizer, soup, salad, main entree. Scallop was excellent, but truly over shadowed the Bolognese with house made pasta. Flavors fell somewhat flat. Others in my party had the Veal Milanese (sauce perhaps a little too on the runny side), Filets were good, and the merguez good. If we do go again, I'll be sure to request to be seated in the front dining room, which was beautiful and situated far from the restroom.
(3)James V.
Okay, I'm down in the deep south and I can't tolerate fried food. I need to find the right place that will make my palate smile. Muse was a great choice, the food was really good and my family had a wonderful time at this charming restaurant. I recommend this restaurant to anyone living or visiting Charleston.
(5)Laura P.
Muse was my farewell to Charleston dinner, and I have to say, it left me with good thought and fuzzy feelings of my year there. This is a hidden gem that is not to be missed if you're in SC. The gnocchi bolognese is not to be missed but the sea bass, oh the sea bass, is so unique and delicious, you must get it. Never have I see a de-boned sea bass let alone on that was deep fried whole, but if there was ever a state to figure out every single way possible to fry a fish, it would be South Carolina. The wine selection is lovely too, and the whole ambience of the place is wonderful. While no part of me wants to move back to Charleston, Muse sure does make me think about going back to eat!
(5)Amy R.
I was underimpressed. The restaurant itself is lovely and romantic, but the food and service left much to be desired. My scallops arrived cold after a long wait, and when I pointed it out the server said he would talk to the chef - then nothing ever happened. Despite it being empty, the server was inattentive - think he was smoking out back with some other wait staff. Overpriced given the experience. The wine list was nice though.
(2)mis h.
There was nothing bad about our food. I said four stars simply cause when the Boy asked our waitress to decant our wine she stared at him blankly til he explained what decanting was. She was very sweet though and joked around with us, which is good cause we joke a lot. It was back in...October I believe when we went and since the menu is seasonal I'm sure that the dishes have changed at least slightly. I love the location first of all. You could never find it if you didn't know it was there. I love that they've kept the rooms intact in the house. We were sat in an upstairs room with only one other couple the entire night. I want to go back and sit at the bar because it looks gorgeous and I've had a conversation with the bartender before and he knows his stuff. The wine list is amazing. They have prices and varieties for everyone. Foodwise, we got the squid to start and the seared manchago salad. I got the gnocci that is year around and the Boy got the lamb with delicious eggplant lentil puree. For dessert we had the flourless chocolate cake with salted caramel ice cream. I especially loved the presentation on this cause it was a strip of cake, a strip of ice cream, a strip of cake, etc. It was amazing. This food was all so good that I actually remember every detail about it. I have dreams about going back, no lie.
(4)Allison H.
Amazing dinner at Muse. Chef Jason Houser is clever with his flavor combinations. Everything was balanced and cooked to perfection. There is a cute bar in the front room and outside patio seating. Some stand outs: Grilled Fresh Squid Tossed with Capers, Olive Oil, & Espelette Chili Pepper Grilled Duck Breast Rubbed with Sumac & served with Medjool Dates, Madeira Onions & Pomegranate Jus MaltagliatiRoughly cut Pasta with a Hint of Unsweetened Cocoa, layered over Lemon Ricotta and Fresh Pesto Gnocchi Bolognese Potato Dumplings in a Traditional Pork, Veal, & Beef Ragu topped with Parmesan Cheese Roasted Pork Tenderloin Over Chick Peas, Apricots, & Chorizo with a Sherry Reduction Harissa Grilled Lamb Tenderloin Grilled and served with Couscous and Cilantro Demi~Glaze I was so pleased to see that the food scene in Charleston is finally doing more than crab cakes and shrimp and grits! (Don't get me wrong...both amazing dishes, but do you really need all the restaurants in Charleston doing them!) Can't wait to visit again!
(5)eileen b.
Muse was right next to where we stayed. There was a large thunderstorm happening when we arrived. The host offered seating inside or out-we decided out as we had a great view of the storm on the covered patio. The host (can't remember his name) was SO incredibly accommodating moving tables around for a better seat. Server was nice and friendly. Food was outstanding. Had Wreckfish at Muse and another highly regarded restaurant in Charleston - Muse's was better! Their chocolate dessert that had a choc crunch crust and mousse was the best dessert I had in Charleston for the week (my friend actually went another nite and got the dessert to go). It was a slow nite due to the rain so maybe we rec'd extra special service but we felt very well taken care of. I don't think I'd like to sit inside the restaurant - it seems too formal and dark. The interior of the restaurant doesn't seem to match the quality of the food but we enjoyed ourselves tremendously outside!
(4)angel l.
comfortable atmosphere - service was good and our waitriess was busting her tail to wait on a large group along with us and did a great job. Had the greakk app. plate - very good. Food was good. Bar was really cozy.
(4)rebekah b.
Muse is so new that it's still kind of a secret, and after eating there, I'm inclined to keep it that way. If you go, stop for a drink in the small, cozy bar on the first floor but ask for a table on the 2nd floor which has an "Arabian Nights" feel to it. The menu is abbreviated compared to the wine list which is kind of mind-boggling, but the food is amazing. I had a salad with figs and pine nuts to start and then had the special which was stuffed cannelloni. For dessert I shared a chocolate tarte with espresso gelato. Muse is the kind of place where you can linger over your meal, and it caught me by surprise that 3 hours had gone by. It's pricey but well worth it.
(4)Craig K.
Went here for Valentine's Day and had a most perfect meal. The decor in an old house is charming, the food is amazing, and the portion sizes are just right to have several courses without feeling stuffed. Everything was perfect. However, with the old walls and wooden floors, the large party seated next to us was rather loud and the three parties in the room cheered when they left. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Lynn N.
The reason why I gave this restaurant 5 stars is not because it's named after my favorite band Muse (although that doesn't hurt, it's how my bf found the place in the first place) but because of all the restaurants I have ever been to, this has to be in the top three, and my favorite in Charleston. It's kinda hard to find unless you know where it is and that its there bc it used to be a cute two story house, and now it's a cute two story restaurant. We made a reservation so we didn't have to wait and for the quality of the food, we didn't wait long at all for each course to come out. I'm not going to go into details what we got, but we did each got an appetizer, a glass of wine, an entree, and desserts-- all delicious. So after about an hour and a half of conversation and eating, we finished full and so freaking happy. Good service, good atmosphere, good wine, and excellent food. Highly recommended for a dressy night out and a superb dining experience. Oh and Muse rocks!! (band and restaurant).
(5)Debbie D.
My husband and I returned to this restaurant for the third time last night while visiting. We discovered it about seven years ago after ducking under their patio during a rainstorm and had such fond memories that we couldn't wait to go back. We actually introduced the place to friends of ours who recently moved to Charleston. The food, service and ambiance were all that we remembered. We shared a bunch of appetizers to start. We loved the sausage and the mussels, while our vegetarian friend said she really enjoyed the meze platter. Then I had the sea bass, which was cooked perfectly. My husband gobbled down his veal scaloppine, which came out a little bit crispy. Our one other friend took advantage of the restaurant week menu, so we got to try his pate and tiramisu, both really good. Our server was Stephanie, and she couldn't have been more accommodating. It is always nice to go back to a place and not be disappointed when you have such high expectations. I rarely take the time to write reviews, but I just love this restaurant.
(5)Sydney G.
I visited Muse recently for a going away party for one of my coworkers. This is her favorite restaurant and she raves about it all the time, so I was really excited to try it. First, let's talk about the space. The interior is a little small and rustic, but because the weather was nice, we were able to score primo seating out on the patio. It was absolutely gorgeous. Some of the best patio dining in Charleston, I'd say. I'd give it higher marks if the view was better. We sat down and were greeted very promptly. They brought bread and some deliciously robust olive oil for us to dip it in. We ordered the cheese plate to share as a starter. It came with local honey, dried fruit, and nuts. There were 4 different kinds of cheeses, 2 softs, 1 medium, and 1 hard. They were all very tasty and creamy and paired really well with the honey. For my meal, I chose to go on the lighter side and ordered the heirloom tomato salad with pickled shrimp. The salad was a little on the small side for the price, but it was very tasty, and I liked the tanginess of the pickled shrimp with the sweetness of the tomatoes. I'd definitely order this again! I'd filled up on bread and cheese and tomatoes, so we didn't end up ordering dessert, but I think it would be worth trying again! My coworker let me try some of her gnocchi, and it was just awesome. I have my eye on the pancetta alfredo pasta next time. Yum!
(4)D D.
Best bolognese in Charleston Awesome bartenders true locals restaurants...food is really awesome. This place isn't for everyone but if you wanna sit at the bar or get pick up hard to find better food around town
(5)Jonathan M.
Food and atmosphere was great! I had the local shrimp and would definitely recommend it. The only criticism I have is that our server had a dry personality but the service was attentive.
(4)Banana S.
As soon as you walk into this dump the smell of feet hits you. The look of this place looks like they never reconstructed after the Civil War. Saying that this place is OVER priced is an UNDER statement. My husband and I came here for Valentine's Day while they were serving a pre-fixed menu. The cost was either $45 or $65 depending on the entree that you chose. We were served house bread which was pretty good. I had the Duck Confit salad to start. I actually enjoyed this salad and it gave me hope for the rest of the meal. My entree was the Pan Seared Snapper. The fish was too salty for my liking. I've made better fish dishes at home. I ended my meal with the tasteless Velvet Crepe except for the taste of burned caramel. The menu said "crepes", yet there was only one crepe on my plate. I'm still looking for the taste of red velvet. My husband had the Tuna Tartare, Whole Roasted Sea Bass and Chocolate Trio. The Tuna Tartare was good, but the rest of the meal definitely did not deem the price tag. The portions are small and I have never seen such a disheveled establishment, paint cracking, musky rugs etc. Also, I would not call the staff "friendly" by any means. It seemed that this restaurant was not prepared for this busy holiday. They appeared frazzled and they switched some items on the menu last minute. Final Thoughts: This place is a dump. For the kind of money that you are spending go to a restaurant that is actually clean!
(2)Michelle S.
My first time here. We came during restaurant week which can be hit or miss but there were five of us and we all had a great meal. Our server was not exactly on top of things but he was sweet and tried really hard. The mussels were great and the seafood paella was amazing. We sat outside on the porch which is the best thing about Charleston restaurants. I didn't visit inside but those who went in the restaurant said it was quant and adorable. I think it is a good place for a date or a group!
(4)Tracie J.
Solid food and wonderful service. Again, we chose this restaurant based on other reviews and we loved our visit. Our server was outstanding and the food measured up to the service. My husband had the special, trigger fish, and I had a shrimp dish as well as two appetizers ( meze platter, tuna tartar) and a choc torte for dessert. BUT ... the biggest surprise of all was the intimate dining experience here that allowed us to get to know the table next to us ... Bravo Muse ... This restaurant was a hit!!
(4)Lori Jill D.
I gave it 2 stars because the food deserves 5. Although the portion size of my dining guest was small, the chef did an amazing job pleasing the palate and with presentation. However, from the start of arriving with an almost empty restaurant we had 2 star service. No matter how great the food is, if you spend $100+ on a diner the service should reflect this kind of dining experience. It definitely did not! We had to ask for a wine list, we were asked if we knew what we wanted, we had to ask for chef's diner features. We had to ask for bread service half way through our meal from the hostess, and it was served with a bowl of olive oil. We had to fill our own wine glass from our bottle of wine. We had to ask for a check after the credit card sat on the table for at least 10 minutes. Do I need to say more?
(2)Ryan L.
Very charming place, quaint and rustic. Classic old hardwood floors, aged walls and paint. Beautiful. servers was great and extremely hard worker. He was very sincere and helpful. We had the Gnocchi and Local Shrimp both incredible, the best meal of our trip! Beautifully plated and delicious. Felt a lot like the upscale but intimate homestyle placed we found in New York but mixed with that southern charm and comfortably relaxed not at all rushed. A very enjoyable experience. We were nearly deterred by some of the poor reviews but very glad we gave this place a try. I would definitely recommend and we certainly will be coming back.
(5)Rob H.
Starting my review before food arrives. It is at least 85 degreees in this place. Our entire party is sweating. Check before eating in summer. No food is worth this. Would have left but we were large party on Saturday night.
(1)Luke V.
Dive bar/restaurant size meets upscale feel/food/drink I had an incredible bartender and the menu of an amazing restaurant. Last time I was there, Don, the bartender did not steer me wrong. Three custom drinks for me and my friend and his recommendation for food were spot on. We had the Mezze Plate and the Sweetbreads for apps and they were both incredible. Muse offers an incredibly personal feel, like this place is only open for you and a select group of people. Can't recommend this place enough, but I might regret it when I come back and there is no where to sit.
(5)Frank G.
What a small jewel In a back road off King. Must try it on a beautiful day, outside seating. Wife daughter an d I stopped in for "nibbles". Had the cheese plate, and a fe others. All very good, service friendly. Will go back again. Only one thing I noticed. When walking in, tables all around...but no settings on them. Makes it look like they are not ready for customers. set your tables, please, at least with a plate and napkins. Frank G
(4)J Z.
This is a hidden gem- the pasta was better than Fulton Five! The pillow gnocchi and the Bolognese was the best we have had out or at home! The waiter was very knowledgeable about the wine list and made a great suggestion! He also steered us the the entree choice that were fabulous! We highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)Joy S.
I've never been impressed with the food. I've always been surprised because everything sounds so good but then I'm disappointed. It's either bland or even worse, overly salty (I'm looking at you, sun-dried tomato gnocchi). Or gasp, the mussels are chewy. The food is just too overpriced for the quality. With their prices, they're competing with places like High Cotton, SNOB, Cypress, etc. And they're just not in that caliber. I do like the restaurant itself, though. It's nice and cozy in an old Charleston single house tucked away on Society Street. At times, it can feel a bit cramped though if you come on a busy night. The most redeeming thing about this place, and the reason for the three stars, is I really like the bar here. Again, it's nice and small so you inevitably end up knowing your neighbors. Pretty much everytime I come here, everyone at the bar ends up talking to each other, at times just having one big conversation. The bartenders are awesome, nice and friendly, never pushy and always up for some random conversation. And if the bar is full or it's a little too communal for your tastes, they have an awesome porch you can go hang out on and people watch.
(3)Dani Y.
Definitely one of the most underrated restaurants in Charleston. Muse is tucked away on Society street, just enough to escape the heavy traffic of King street (especially on the weekends.) This place is awesome. I have never had anything but the best service, food and experience at this spot. They have some of the best Italian food. The bouillabaisse is out of this world. The bowl comes overflowing with shrimp, mussels, scallops and fish all in a saffron broth that just makes you want to cry. You know when your food arrives in front of you and you're just so happy you feel like you could cry.. or dance?.... Yeah. You really can't go wrong with any dish at this cozy Italian spot. If the weather is nice, I recommend sitting on the outside patio. Explore their extensive- but not overwhelming- wine list. Ask for recommendations- they won't steer you wrong (or try to break the bank.) Definitely check this spot out. Whether you're on a date or with a big group, you're going to love it.
(5)Vy D.
Came here for restaurant week and thought the food was pretty average. I had the mussels, wreckfish, and red wine red velvet cake. The mussels had a nice broth with a little kick, although a few of the mussels were kind of fishy. The sausage in the mussels did not really seem to go. The wreckfish was good, but nothing really mindblowing. The red wine velvet cake had a nice flavor and was moist, although it was colored more like a chocolate cake than a red velvet cake. Service was good and the atmosphere was nice.
(3)Sky M.
Not my cup of tea. Just didn't like the vibe from the moment I walked in to the moment I walked out. Everything from the atmosphere to the food didn't settle well with me.
(1)G J.
Right across the street from the Renaissance in a little old home. Tables are tight so not a lot of privacy, but we got lucky next to a really nice local couple and joked with them all night. Had a the daily catch which was a locally caught trigger fish, not something you find often and it was amazing. Very good food and service overall.
(4)Scott M.
2 nights in a row on this trip and 3rd trip here. Very nice tasting dishes..mussels grouper with caul creames serrano corn. Off the chain Great staff Gerry was gracious. DONNIE is always accommodating and Beth is a great orchestrtor :) Thanks for the great tastes
(5)Michael R.
Been back a few times with my out of town friends and everyone had only great reviews. Great food, great quality and the entire staff is well educated about what they have on there menu.
(5)Paul T.
A little pricey but excellent food, service and atmosphere! Rob was our excellent and informative server. Ribeye was fantastic!
(4)Sofia N.
Went with a group of 9 people and food and service was incredible. Everyone left extremely impressed and satisfied with our meals. The gnocchi entree and the ricotta cheesecake are to die for!
(5)Deborah F.
I love this place! Great food, unusual and attractive atmosphere, fun bar and entertaining bartender. Have eaten here many times and will most definitely go back!
(4)Rick G.
Great little place. Really want to give it 3.5 stars. It's comfortable. Solid cuisine. Great atmosphere, but aren't most in charleston? Wide variety on the menu. We are outside, which was great in mid-may. Assuming impossible in the humid summer. Apps- solid. Had the clams. Luckily I wasn't starving. Waiter said 12-15. Dish came complete with 8. Main- dinner was a great swordfish special. Sides (Brussel sprouts and beans) were a little over cooked, but salvageable. Dessert- didn't get it, but I heard the fennel cheesecake was amazing! Keep on keeping on Muse.
(3)Stephanie P.
Out of the 3 days in our visit this was our first and favorite place. We literally fell upon it on our way to another restaurant and it won us over with it's amazing ambiance and outside patio. Fabulous and professional staff and really great food! I can't wait to go back the next time I'm in town.
(5)John M.
Horrible service. Tried to overcharge us. Food is mediocre. There are so many great restaurants in charleston...don't waste your time, money or appetite here.
(1)Pinaki S.
Not one of the famous Charleston spots, but I think it has some great things going for it: 1. Really beautiful interior. Old Charleston Single, but makes you feel like you're in another country really. 2. Not as difficult table to get as some of the other nice Charleston spots that have cool settings. 3. Food is really solid--good. 4. They have often a good pre-theater menu for the Threshold, which is right next door. Cons-- it is a little cramped and the tables are close together. "Mediterranean" more or less means Italian, but may want to focus their menu a bit more. Good spot.
(4)Arlene A.
Impromptu dinner choice. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Really easy to make reservations and felt welcomed. Food was satisfying with a good selection. Happy wth the chance to try this place out.
(3)Cathy C.
I was disappointed in the quality of food for the price. The fish was dry and plain with some uninteresting sautéed zucchini....the panna cotta was more like a store bought pudding. Better choices in charleston at these prices.
(2)Westie C.
Very pretentious. Food was mediocre and the service was awful. Cute place but really not worth the money. The server forgot about us and brought the salad after my husband had to ask her about it. The manager brought out our main dishes and unceremoniously plopped them on the table with no words and walked off. Other groups here were obviously all about being seen. Really unenjoyable and not worth the cost for average food.
(2)Jessica B.
Absolutely delicious the gnocchi and the sea bass were perfect. Very quaint and great service!
(5)Bob G.
We are frequent customers, and therefore would like to keep this place a secret, known only to a select group of friends. However the average review here does not adequately describe Muse. This is not Husk or Fig, nor does it pretend to be. The menu shows a Mediterranean persuasion, not another shrimp'n'grits place (though the shrimp and polenta dish is a nice twist.) The staff are professional, they know cuisine and take pride in what they serve and how they serve it. The kitchen makes their bread, their own merguez sausage, and a different bruschetta, soup, and fish dish every day. The wine list is just what we would like our own cellar to have, again with a Mediterranean accent. The best recommendation for Muse is the loyal local clientele. Visitors are also welcome and return each time they come back to Charleston. Just please don't tell all your friends.
(5)Charles A.
Amazing Mussels and beets for apps. Amazing veal and shrimp dish too. The wine bar is in a great nook in the converted Charleston home. Make sure to see Drew behind the bar providing great drinks and Southern charm for traveling "carpetbaggers" (like ourselves).
(4)Linda L.
My husband and I ate at Muse last night and had a delicious meal! We started with a Manhattan served up like a martini and they were perfect as well as being almost double what we expected. We ordered the kale, roasted beet salad which we split between us and the mere plate. The pita was slightly grilled and the hummus, cucumber salad, eggplant salad and olives were fresh and tasty. For my entree, I had scallops served with lima beans. The scallops were grilled to perfection and the lima beans were small and tender. My husband had the sheepshead fish which he said was excellent. We split a piece of ricotta cheese cake. It was light, moist and a perfect finish to a wonderful meal.
(5)Andrew B.
I see the reviews are mixed so I encourage you to give this place a chance. I don't know what's going on but my wife and I had a really nice meal. I had to dishes from the appetizer menu, mussels to start and grill calamari as my main. Both excellent and well presented especially the mussels. The mussels were in a lovely chorizo and red pepper broth arranged in a circle. My wife had a roasted wahoo over a mixture of low country beans, lima beans field peas... She liked it The house is charming. We sat on the porch under a huge red bougainvillea.
(4)Cassie M.
The food was good, but not good enough to warrant the high prices. My friends and I left hungry and had to stop and get more food somewhere else. Otherwise the staff were very courteous, and the food came out pretty quickly.
(2)Kelly G.
I really, really really wanted to write a positive review. This place is so quaint and has so much potential. Tucked away off of King Street and positioned beside a local theatre is Muse. A restaurant located inside an old Charleston house. Old wallpaper, antique rugs, and lavish chandeliers add a very classic Charleston feel. The bar area is small, yet offers a welcoming and intimate vibe. This place has all the makings of a fabulous spot. What is does not have, unfortunately, is very good food. When we arrived on a Monday evening, the restaurant seemed empty on the first floor, except for a few souls at the bar. We had to wait for the hostess. After a few minutes she came downstairs and walked us upstairs to seat us. I heard people! so I thought she would seat us amongst where other human beings were. Alas, she sat us in an empty room. We felt like the ugly stepsister. Now, I can bring the party anywhere I go, it just did not seem to make sense to sit us by ourselves. Anyways, the décor in the room was fabulous: fireplace, ceiling medallion, beautiful lighting, unicorn rugs!! it was great. We proceeded to peruse the menu. I would like to note the menu inside the restaurant was different from the menu posted outside on the window for passerbys to view. This was annoying because the very item that had swayed me to check out Muse was not available on the inside menu....FRAUD! lol For appetizers we ordered the grilled duck breast and a second app that was so forgettable that I forgot so I can't share the name, but it was not good. The grilled duck breast was an "A for effort": the texture was good, but the flavor was simply lacking. It had these stringy, funky onions that were NOT doing anything for it. For entrée I settled on the porkchop. My friend ordered the shrimp served over polenta with tomatoes, chorizo, capers & peppers. When my entrée arrived it seemed very, very busy. There was the porkchop, served with mashed potatoes, corn and asparagus. So yes, I did get a lot of food, if that is what you are after. Honestly, what I cared about was the porkchop and unfortunately it was just not good. It had a demi glaze sauce for it that was very good though. I honestly felt like the sides and the demi glaze served as a distraction to what should have been the main event: the pork chop. It tasted dry and it tasted old. So disappointed. As a coastal city, you expect the best sea food here for certain things, including shrimp. My friend's shrimp dish tasted like they scooped them out of a toilet. I love shrimp but these were disgusting. However, the polenta was good. Overall, I was very disappointed in my experience at Muse. Every restaurant has an "off" night and maybe this was it....so please take that into consideration when reading this review. I probably would give this restaurant another chance at some point, especially if FIG is booked or I can't get a seat in another restaurant.
(2)Andrew H.
Muse was the final stop for the fall 2013 restaurant week, but we only ate here because The Grocery was full and Muse had plenty of space. Is that a bad sign? Well, you'll soon find out. Originally I shied away from coming here because I thought "Muse" was a play on "amuse-bouche" which means a small serving from the chef or tapas style food, and I HATE tapas places. In my dictionary, tapas = being taken to the cleaners. You get like 1 scallop and a few clovers for $15 and maybe a thimble full of wine for $10, and all you feel afterwards is shame and regret. After 6 hours of drinking, we arrived at Muse right on time. Don't ask me how we drove there in case the cops are reading this. They led us to our table in an empty room, which I related to being put in timeout. I have a thing for empty rooms. They depress me. But enough about my personal quirks - here came our server, Danny. Danny made his first impressions by informing us they did not have the beer we wanted. Come on, man. First impressions are everything! It's like meeting a girl for the first time who tells you she just got out of prison and has 3 illegitimate children from 3 different men and that she will put out on the first date. Where is the challenge? It's like you have no self respect. It's like Danny didn't want me to give the place a good review. I was on a seafood kick, clearly, after 2 buckets of Miller Lite, and ordered the seafood salad and scallops. The seafood salad was tasty and light, which complimented the sugar and cheese covered pretzels I had earlier in the day, and the scallops were wonderful, rivaling the Palmetto Cafe in the Charleston Place. Well done. My erection after eating them was very firm and lasted for a while. For dessert, I got the nutella crap. It was as it sounded - a crap with nutella in the center. The baklava my friend had was actually crappier and made this Greek boy shake in fear. You don't try to change up our sacred recipe. Respect the Greeks or GTFO. We don't mess around. Muse gets 3 stars. I have to give it that because they frankly didn't try to surprise me. I need a restaurant that doesn't give it all away at the first meeting, and Muse simply didn't fit the description.
(3)Tyler G.
A fantastic spot just off of King Street. The menu has a wide variety of meat and fish selections - the shrimp and polenta and the grilled grouper were two favorites. You might want to share the main courses, so you can try one of the small plates. Wine list is short, but there are many reasonable selections. Reservation recommended.
(4)Laura P.
An excellent meal in a picturesque setting. We ate during Restaurant Week so it was also an excellent deal. The scallops were excellent (although only 3 on the plate) and the tilefish was delicious, also.
(5)Mike C.
3 nights in Charleston. Went to Halls chop and Blossom. Hands down no same contest this place was the winner.had mere chicken pate (it was the bomb) had carbobara, bolognese,maybe the best ever shrimp and grits and ended with French press coffee. This place is the bomb! !!!#
(5)Rebecca D.
I love this cute little restaurant. The atmosphere is romantic and intimate. Perfect lighting and great waitstaff. We had the duck egg carbonara. The pasta was homemade and of course, the duck egg accompanied it beautifully! I would recommend getting the duck egg fried which was also highly suggested by the waiter! The prices reflected the value. Not cheap but not too expensive either.
(4)Selphyne B.
Super cute and intimate patio setting is what you initially imprint upon. The staff was extremely friendly and welcoming from the moment they set eyes on you and being seated instantly despite being a bit early for our reservations was a huge bonus! The menu is simple and straight to the point with a rather large variety of flavor profiles despite its 1 page list of items from salad/starters through entrees. Dining patrons tonight were my mother in law, my husband and myself as a treat for my husbands graduation from the Nuke school. We ordered the Arugula salad and Bibb salad to share as a start. I personally preferred the arugula: it was larger of the two, it had pistachio nuts, citrus segments and a blood orange vinaigrette. As ordered from the menu it would feature a "seared manchego" which I do not like so I substituted for goat cheese and it was wonderful. The Bibb salad comes with goat cheese, toasted almonds and a light sherry vinaigrette. A great combination of flavors but a bit on the small side. My mother in law ordered the veal entree and was quite pleased with it. My husband ordered the Crispy Sea Bass which is presented as a whole fish (quite intimidating presentation) on a bed of parsnip and potato purée. The fish was the most wonderfully cooked and my husband was pretty disappointed that it was not a bottomless fish! For my entree I opted for the Spinach Gnudi with grilled shrimp. Oh the flavors!! The most light and delicate of textures which a delightful brown butter safe sauce and succulent, well grilled shrimp! We are all pleased, we would all highly recommend this place. It is quite pricey so it's probably best for a celebration but that is the only reason I can't give 5 stars. The portion sizing just did not consistently match up with price based on everything we tried.
(4)Bill S.
Great ambience in an old Charleston house complimented our amazing meal at Muse. I had the Swordfish which tasted like it just came off the boat that afternoon. The kale Caesar made for an interesting starter with a killer dark chocolate torta finishing off this wonderful meal. My wife had the lamb chops preceded by the baby beets and followed by the torta all if which she couldn't stop raving about. We'll be back!
(5)Stacy J.
If you've never been to Muse, you might forget about it. It's off the beaten path and doesn't get the attention from tourists. However, the staff and food are both great. I called last minute with a big party over a holiday weekend and they happily accommodated us. The food was great and impressed the out-of-towners. Not a bad wine list either, with some very reasonably-priced options!
(4)Michael K.
I ate at muse for the first time last weekend. I had never been and I heard good things. We were seating promptly upon arriving for our 830 reservation which was booked via open table 5 minutes before walking in. It's nice that there are still some restaurants in charleston you can go to on a Saturday night with little to no notice. Our server did not necessarily impress with outgoing and friendly behavior but more so was knowledgable regarding the menu and the wine which was good. We ordered bruschetta and mussels as apps. The bruschetta was great, but the mussels were off. Our server promptly removed from table and apologized so I was happy with the way she handled that. Our entrees were very nice too. I had the scallops with farro and found them to be perfectly cooked and rather delicious. My companions ordered the pasta bolognese and bouillabaisse respectively. The pasta was great, but the bouillabaisse tasted of those off mussels that must have been used to make the broth and most likely would have accompanied the dish if we hadn't obviously rejected them earlier. Nevertheless I thought the addition of orzo pasta to the dish was nice. If it were me I would have sent the bouillabaisse back but our companion insisted it was fine, but later relented it tasted off like the mussel app once we got home. We ordered the panna cotta for desert and that was very good too. Overall the food was great save for the fact they totally missed on bad mussels coming out of the kitchen repeatedly. Even without the literally bad taste left in our mouths from the mussels there was something missing. I feel the atmosphere was lacking, and the environment did not lead to as enjoyable a night it could have been. Maybe it was because we were upstairs, maybe it was the lighting. Not sure what exactly, but I did not leave there excited about possibly coming back. I must say the bar scene looked to be petty lively as we walked out. I would return though to give it another try given the mostly high quality food that left the kitchen and a suspicion that the upstairs dining area is simply lame.
(3)Gordon S.
Started with the cheese plate, good selection from France, Spain and England, then the Bolognese, both excellent. Paired with a nice 2009 haut-medoc. Finished with panna cotta paired with a nice muscato d'asti - perfect. Decent coffee. Nice wine by the glass list; excellent service. We will certainly be back.
(5)Ed G.
Very disappointing. It started with lipstick on the wine glass, bread that never came to the table (but the dipping oil was poured) and progressed to bad bruschetta . A hallmark of Italian cuisine is fresh foods. The bruschetta used tomato paste vs fresh tomatoes....in the summer. Not Italian. The main courses were a bouillabaisse and 'local shrimp'. The shrimp dish was an interesting take on shrimp and polenta. The bouillabaisse was a challenge with the bones and scales on the fish. An occasional bone I can understand, but scales?
(1)Christina M.
First time at this restaurant and it could not have been more of an exceptional experience! A amazing restaurant off the normal downtown grid. They have a large patio downstairs and smaller one upstairs. We sat at the large table when you first walk into the patio. We shared bruschetta that had mango on it, unique and fantastic, as well as the grilled calamari which again was delicious. I got the scallops and they were phenomenal! We had a server I believe his name was Danny? He was on top of everything, great wine suggestions, gave us an extra bruschetta for our odd numbered table, and was checking on us often enough but not too much. Great restaurant I highly recommend when you're in Charleston to avoid the typical places everyone goes or having a two hour wait.
(5)Syd W.
The waitress was absurdly rude and condescending. She was inattentive and careless. The food was good but not worth the price and terrible service.
(1)Steve M.
Solid dining experience. Romantic setting. Excellent menu and wine list.
(4)LA J.
Muse has delicious food. Do not go to Muse with a large party. A large group of friends was in town for a wedding this weekend. Several of us made late-dinner reservations at Muse. Muse simply does not have the space to accommodate large groups. The space is obviously meant for more intimate dining. I am not sure why they accepted a reservation for a party of fourteen if they did not have the space. Our server (Kristyn) was not very friendly. She did not smile. She seemed very exasperated to have us (remember though--we were no surprise--we had reservations). Everything we asked seemed to be an inconvenience--inconvenient to the point where we were afraid to leave our seats to go to the restroom for fear that she would yell at us for getting up. We did not ask for more water. We did not ask for more bread. We only spoke to Kristyn to place our order, to tell her that the food belonged to the next person, or to ask for the check. In addition to being generally miserable, Kristyn responded to more than one request with "Really?! REALLY?!" A friend and I shared the Prince Edward Island Mussels, the Grilled Duck Breast, and the Meze Platter (we decided to share three appetizers because we were indecisive and because the entree prices seemed a little beyond what we were willing to pay). The food was delicious. I would highly recommend the food--and I would expect that the service would be better in a smaller party and without Kristyn. Unfortunately, Kristyn ruined what would have been an otherwise wonderful dining experience.
(3)