Off the beaten path, and well worth the trip. It's a small, rustic, market/restaurant that serves delicious food. If you're a picky eater, this is not the place for you, but if you love a culinary treat that you weren't expecting, this is your spot. My husband and I went and ordered a bunch of small plates and a burger to split. We shared everything and were disappointed with nothing. We live just a few blocks from this place and never went, no idea why. Now it's a regular stop on our list of favorites!
(5)
George H.
Came to town just for the weekend and knew that brunch at Two Boroughs Larder was a must. Happy to see you could order from the full menu, not just the brunch options and proceeded to order everything on the menu. The scene at Two Boroughs is welcoming and the staff is happy to answer questions and offer suggestions on what dishes are must trys, which is great for people visiting or just not sure of what they're in the mood for that day. I thought the burger was perfect, cooked well and seasoned just enough so it didn't get boring after initial bite. The cheese sauce was great and all they need to do now is serve some warm pretzels with it and I'll never leave the bar area. Also tried the kale which came with fish sauce that I couldn't really taste, but my friends felt the flavor was a bit strong so maybe ask for a lighter hand on fish sauce if you're not used to the stuff on your greens Others in my group ordered the noodle soup, carbonara, and scramble. I wish they would package their carbonara and send to NYC because it's the best pasta dish I've tasted and would like to eat it all the time. Point being, go visit and enjoy some beer or mimosas with your brunch.
(5)
Brandon R.
The burger is fantastic! They just sold out, and our waitress told us that the owner/chef has decided to stop making the burgers for a while because people are ordering them too much! He wants you to order something else, but they are so good!
After a late-night of bar-hopping, we strolled in here for some late night grub. Very cool vibe inside, great food, and helpful staff. I can only speak for the Ramen, but it was fantastic. Highly recommend giving this "locals" place a shot.
(4)
Frank K.
We have eaten about five times here in the past six months so this is more in the way of an overall impression of the place after dinner and breakfast visits. The food is generally excellent, with a creative flair, even on such standards as their bowl of noodles, breakfast sandwiches, etc. Having lived in a place where authentic Vietnamese/Thai and Japanese restaurants were more common than they are here, I really appreciate the intense tastes of pork broth and buckwheat noodles, mixed in with greens, mushrooms, and other ingredients. The breakfast sandwiches are absolutely fantastic although very rich. Their breakfast sandwich choices include a well crafted local bakery brioche topped with an egg and house made scrapple. TBL dinner entrees are more expensive than their standards, but I think they're generally worth it. Compared to such standouts as FIG and Charleston Grill, two of our favorites in Charleston, TBL is competitive in terms of quality. Keep an eye out on their menu. When they have things like roasted baby carrots or other local veggies as sides, they tend to be brightly flavored, distinctive, and very much in keeping with their own vision of farm to table. Service is generally good as well as friendly and they seem to have a consistent focus on quality all around. Some of their deserts including the YesUMay cookie/ice cream sandwiches are absolutely terrific. All in all, TBL is bit of a strange combination. You can come here and have a good dinner and easily spend $100+ for a couple (including one beer each and a shared desert) or you could spend $50, perhaps forgoing the desert. So as a result of the sometimes slightly pricey-seeming entrees, TBL has got a bit of a reputation as being "expensive." Its not really true, but its sort of understandable.
(4)
Andrew H.
Great place. Food (and drink) were just what the doctor ordered after a long night out. It is quite small and cramped, but they do well with the space they have. It is definitely a hipster joint - from the chefs down to the waiters and waitresses. That's why it loses one star - we got a bit tired of the intentional hipster 'I'm better than you' aloofness that equates to medium poor service in my book. I suppose if you're a hipster then you don't notice it, but if you're not then it can really stick in your craw. We were there for brunch and I had the pork neck with broccoli rabe and a soft boiled egg. Fantastic! One of my buddies got one of the sandwiches which was also great. But when I tasted the ramen noodle dish I wish I had gotten that. Really really great place. But, if you're over 45 don't go as you may be entirely invisible to the staff and they'll never know you're there.
(4)
Corey A.
Came here for a very relaxed lunch. My friend and I split a few small plates and a sandwich. The tuna conserva with shishito peppers is a menu staple for a reason - it's freaking delicious. The blistered and slightly sweet (sometimes spicy) Japanese varietal pepper is one of my favorites. The sweetbreads with radicchio, lardo, quail egg, anchovy was a good dish that was hindered by the supreme bitterness of the radicchio. The presentation was beautiful though. The Cuban sandwich was a lunch-only offering and is perhaps the best rendition I've ever tasted. This flavor bomb had smokey pork neck, ham, house pickles, manchego cheese and mustard jus. Two Boroughs Larder is a laid-back neighborhood gem with an inspired global menu. They also sell a lot of varied products for the kitchen and home - meat, eggs, milk, beer & wine, etc. I would gladly return next time I'm in Chucktown.
(4)
Jay N.
Came here on out last day in Charleston, after we checked out of the hotel with a few hours before we had to get to the airport. I was worried we wouldn't be able to find any parking with out monster sized rental suv, but luckily, we found an easy pull-in spot right around the corner. The place was pretty quiet when we were there since it was at an odd time on a weekday. I got a bowl-o-noodles and the BF had a breakfast sandwich. Man that noodle was great! I wasn't expecting any spice so I was caught a bit off guard by the heat. I am addicted to ramen and this satisfies that craving. The BF was still hungry after his breakfast sandwich, and he ended up getting a bologna sandwich (half of which I ate on the plane). The BF loved all the sandwiches and I thought they all tasted great too. Next time, we're not going to wait until our last day to come to TBL.
Two Boroughs Larder is yet another fantastic addition to the wonderful food scene in Charleston. Though they had only been open two days when I stopped in for dinner, they already had their game tight. They didn't have their liquor license yet, but the owner indicated they would have it pretty soon. The decor is farmhouse chic with a butcher block bar and modern, but comfortable seating. Lots of exposed brick and reclaimed wood all over the place. I even liked the interesting mechanism used to open the bathroom doors. Go and see what I mean. The menu is fairly small, but most of the ingredients are locally sourced, so it changes every day. The date is even stamped on the menu. I had the country fried rabbit that came delicious little pickled carrots. I've never had fried rabbit before, but the great fry batter and rabbit went really well together. Sort of like high-end carnival food if there is such a thing. It's a rare menu item, so I'd have to recommend you get it. At $7 it's a good price. The $3 house made chips were tasty two. The potatoes they use are tiny, so the chips are quarter sized, but well worth getting. Of course I had to get the PBLT (Pork Belly Lettuce Tomato) sandwich because pork belly cooked correctly is one of the best things on Earth. The arugula mayo, pork belly, and lettuce had a great earthy taste that was simply fantastic. A really joyous eating experience. If you want to drink something stronger than soft drinks or coffee, call ahead to see their license status. Once the word of mouth spreads on this place it's going to be slammed as there aren't too many table inside, so I highly recommend going sooner rather than later!
(4)
Sophia T.
I have been dying to try this spot since I read the review in the NYT Magazine. My expectations were exceeded. The menu changes daily, so there is no point in me describing my meal in detail. I kindly thank the chef for whipping up such delicious treats and compliment the staff for the quick service. I am not the only one singing high praises for this spot..even the table next to us couldn't help but share their appreciation for the spot. I hear the only downer is that the line is unbearable in the evening. Can't wait to return to try one of the breakfast sandwiches that my fellow yelpers recommend.
(5)
Jeffrey B.
Probably 4.5 stars if I had the choice, but I'll lean up because we had a neat, memorable experience. Great happy hour deal, $3 for certain bottles and for glasses of the house red/white. The house red was delicious and super flavorful, what a bargain! Waygu tartare was excellent, very inventive dish with thoughtful preparation and flavors. The standout of our meal, however, was the lamb tongue and sweetbreads, amazing. The beautiful presentation on a long wooden board only enhanced the experience. I really enjoyed the noodle bowl, very fulfilling and clean, nuanced flavors that didnt try to hard. Perfectly seasoned, add the mushrooms for 50 cents! Bought some house-made charcuterie on our way out. This place has alot of potential, inventive, confident cooking.
(5)
Forrest I.
On our visit to Charleston, we ate dinner here twice. The menus changed on each visit, and the food was fresh and exciting enough to please even the most jaded, pointy-headed New Yorker. My mother enjoyed her meal (a Cassoulet) so much, she shed tears - I shiitake you not. Excellent beer and wine selections. Attentive, genuine service, that makes you feel at home. The casual layout of the space, and an open-kitchen plan help enhance the welcoming atmosphere. Two Boroughs Larder, please open a branch in one of our NYC boroughs - We'll eat you up. We love you so! Some samples from our visits: *Ox tail was amazing - the pepper in it left a tingling of flavorful fireworks. *Vegetable Curry - honey-dominant, light on curry flavor - a good veg option. *Beet salad was fresh and delicate. *Cassoulet was very savory and delectable, not overly heavy at all. *Pig ears were a new adventure for me - Good salt and vinegar flavor, crunchy parts were good, chewy parts were challengey.
(5)
Adrienne E.
Everything was delicious. Had the octopus, tuna, peppers, okra, and bread and butter. The only thing I found strange was that they didn't serve iced tea.
(3)
Wade S.
My impressions of what appears to be the over zealous attempt by hipsters to open a restaurant. Decor: The restaurant is rather quaint with it's rustic appearance (barn wood and tin) and eclectic mix of seating options. It was cozy and the concept was great, execution not so much. - I am all for a dimly lit restaurant to add to it's charm. However it was so dark in this restaurant that we needed to use our cell phones so we could read the menus. - The seating at our table were these great metal chairs that appeared as if they fell out of a photo of a patio in a fifties designer magazine. The problem with the chairs is that after sitting for over two hours just for dinner (more on that later) they became incredibly uncomfortable. Also, since they had no cushion and were polished metal you continued to slide out of them. - The table. We were a party of five that was seated at a table that would be better suited for a party of four. But this was not a problem as the plate/bowls were very small (more on that later) Service: We arrived at approximately seven on a rainy Tuesday night. When we entered there was a large community table that would seat ten and then a smaller table that was set for eight. Both vacant. According to their website it states, "Because we aim to keep The Larder infused within the community, we accommodate walk-ins only and do not accept reservations" and therefore we did not call to make a reservation. However when we told the hostess we had a party of five she asked if we had called ahead. "Well no, your website says it does not accept reservations." This appeared to confuse and irritate the person seating us. She called in a couple of servers and after some whispered conversation they disassembled the table set for eight and created a smaller table for five. We were seated and immediately provided with menus and drink orders were took. Drinks were delivered within about ten minutes as was water. We were waiting on two other members of our party which arrived shortly after the drinks were delivered. The server came back approximately ten minutes later and took the new arrivals drink orders and our dinner orders. Several members of the party ordered appetizers. The apps were delivered to the table within about 15 minutes (I'll discuss the food later). This is where the metal chair comment comes into play. It was almost one hour to the minute after the appetizers were delivered that our entrees came out. Tables that had been seated after us received their orders prior. Needless to say, shiny metal chairs were becoming very uncomfortable. Apparently there are some execution issues in the kitchen. Periodically throughout the meal the server would return to refill our water glasses and see if we needed anything. Keep in mind that although slow the server was very pleasant. Food: Very good and Great flavor! - Apps: Tuna Conserva was delicious. Sun-choke and Garlic soup and Roasted Brussels Sprouts were stated to be very good as well. -Entrees: Several had the Noodle Bowls and claimed they were very good. I had the Hot Chicken. The flavors were great but this is where I discuss the plate sizes. Now, before I go into what was on my plate I want to say that I am not one to want large IHOP size portions of food. BUT, I do expect a serving that matches the price. The Hot Chicken was 24 dollars and this is what it consisted of: One Chicken wing drummie, Six Quarter sized chicken medallions, Seven leafs of spinach, ten fava beans, and some type of cream sauce and a sprinkling of green onion. Now flavor wise, it was delicious. But for $24 dollars I expected a little more than an 8" bowl with the above in it. This was the case for the other entrees as well. The Check: Our checks were delivered at the 2 1/2 hour mark of our seating. My check alone which included The Hot Chicken, a Glass of wine and a beer was $53.00. This is way too much for what was sat on the table in front of me. One member of our party happen to notice that a 20% gratuity had been added to all of our checks. HUH? Seriously? Now, if you are going to do this then the server should make this known when presenting the checks. Also, was this because we were a party of five? If so isn't that an odd number to apply this rule to...I could see parties of six or more, but five? Had it been just me and my partner I would have asked them to remove it from the check. Now let me say that we are 20%+ tippers anyway, but don't add it my check and then not mention it. We paid our check and left. So this is my take on Two Boroughs Larder. I would like to close with saying that I am not a diner who rarely goes to dinner at new and upcoming restaurants. I have dined as some of the finest restaurants in the world. There are too many great restaurants in Charleston to bother stopping at Two Boroughs Larder.
Love love love the $5 breakfast sandwich, with choice of bacon, scrapple, or ham. Delicious on a tasted brioche bun, perfectly soft-poached egg, and cheese. The food was simply awesome! The only thing that needs to be worked on is service- we waited 45-50 minutes for two apps and three breakfast sandwiches, and there were only 3 other tables there around 3pm on a weekday! Love the funky decor.
(4)
Drew S.
Try the charcuterie board! Had spreads, multiple types of sausages and pates. Also loooooved the lamb ribs and they had half price mimosas at the bar. Lives up to the hype, check them out!
(5)
Carrington S.
This place is awesome. I had one of the best breakfast sandwiches of my life here and I can't wait to go back. The atmosphere really makes this place though from exposed brick to quality beers and wine and friendly wait staff. They also have small unique knick knacks for sale against one wall. This place has a lot of character.
(5)
Ellen L.
What an awesome experience! Couldn't have chosen a better restaurant. Went with a party of 4 with the intention of trying as many dishes as possible. The small plates menu offered the perfect opportunity to do this. We tried the chartrucciere platter - loved loved loved the pate. We also had the clams (so yummy), the summer pepper soup (very light and flavorful), the tuna and wagyu tartare (one of my favorites). Luckily we were there for burger night. Split one with the egg (is there any better way to eat it) and wished we had ordered another. Finally, although we were quite full, we had to try the duck entree and, of course, their famous noodle bowl. Both dishes lived up to the rest of the meal. Service was super and very friendly. Spoke to the owners and chef, Josh and Heather, who were very welcoming and friendly. Couldn't ask for better hospitality. We highly recommend Two Boroughs Larder and can't wait to return!!!!
(5)
John L.
I rounded down. This place really gets 3.5 stars. We went on Saturday night to grab drinks and apps. It was still early and very quiet in there. We had the octopus with nduja (a spicy spreadable sausage), San Marzano tomatoes, and fava beans. It was a small portion, but delicious. Probably the best octopus I've ever had. We also tried the clams with radish and avocado. They were great. My one gripe - the broth was the most enjoyable part of the dish and they didn't serve any bread to sop it up... I wanted to try the noodles, but we had to go. I will be going back for those. In a nutshell... The food is awesome. The servers are friendly and knowledgeable. The menu is creative, limited, and pricy. It's beer and wine only (no cocktails). The space is cool with lots of reclaimed wood, but it's very cozy in there (you'll likely be elbow to elbow with someone)... I liked it.
(3)
Bob C.
Great service, cool atmosphere n great food. Burger n Belgium beer was a treat!
(5)
Andy N.
Just had one of their breakfast sandwiches... Yum fucking yum is how i would describe it. Only 5 bucks and so perfect. The egg was has a slightly runny yoke which was not messy but kept the sandwich from being dry. The bacon was such high quality as well as the cheese and bread. Can't beat it...I give it the best breakfast sammy in town award!
(5)
Craig F.
Last night was my third visit to "TBL" and I have to say that it is now my favourite restaurant in Charleston (and that is saying a LOT, because per capita, Chucktown has some of the best restaurants in the world, bar none). I have always loved every meal, but last night, I finally decided to try one of their specialties: the noodle bowl with pork and a soft boiled egg. OMG it was heaven in a bowl. Bursting with flavor. The broth was flavorful and not the least bit salty. The crispy pieces of pork, partnered with the luscious and golden egg was sublime. It is a small space with character to spare. Just love how "lived in" it feel to it that is cozy and welcoming. They have an interesting selection of gift items, too (one of my friends called it "Cracker Barrel" meets "Anthropologie"...I agree with the latter more than the former). I have never had a problem getting a table there but I fear every time that will change because the food is special. Please seek this place out, It is well worth it.
(5)
Erin P.
I love Two Boroughs Larder because they take simple, unexpected ingredients and turn them into something magical. The space is so cozy and the staff are so welcoming that you feel as if you should invite them over to dinner sometime. TBL is great because you can change the experience each time. You can order some amazing small plates to share and have a lovely evening on the cheap or you can go all out and order several courses and a bottle of wine for a big date night. And even though I hate menus with photos, I'm constantly checking their Instagram feed to see which new items I may want to try before I head in. My go-to order is their noodle bowl - with all the extras. Extra pork, kimchee, pickled mushrooms and make it spicy! The perfectly poached egg sitting atop the impeccably cooked noodles and aromatic broth is my favorite, it's like carefully unwrapping a tiny present each time I get to break it open. This bowl is my new go-to comfort food. And there's always enough to take home leftovers.
(5)
Laurie T.
Our favorite of all the places we ate in 10 days in Charleston. Amazingly good food. They accommodated our bringing in our own wine (for a fee) very nicely. We had great service, but all of a sudden our server deserted us and let others wait on us. We were not ignored, but she was still around and ended up processing our payment, so it was a little weird. My brother and husband had the quail and loved it. It was amazingly prepared and nice portion. The goat was quite well received as well. We were told to come before 7 and we'd have no problem getting a table. Quite true. NICE neighborhood place where the locals go. Oh and the oatmeal pie dessert was out of this world. Something I would never pick but it was phenomenal.
(5)
Louis p.
Truly unique and worth the money....lots of care goes into every dish
(5)
T.J. H.
Bottom line, excellent food and excellent service, the rest is just gushing. A quiet neighborhood spot, TBL is a relatively new restaurant (only open since 8/2011 so don't be deterred by it's small number of reviews) with an interesting menu and great wine and beer list. I had the Duck Confit Fried Rice and Roasted Okra as a side. Both were delicious with asian inspired flavors subtly worked through. Our waitress was friendly and attentive and even introduced us to one of the owners who was also waiting tables (it's a small place). Even though it was closing she spent a long while chatting about her and her husband starting the business and giving us recommendations for other good spots in Charleston. It's their first venture as owners and it's obvious that they care not just about the food, but about the whole experience. Honestly it's the kinda of place that I would want to own. So do yourself a favor and visit this place whether you're a local or a tourist.
(5)
Melisa K.
Casual, but eclectic cuisine without trying to hard. Fantastic noodle bowl and we have visited the far east many times. On par with a Singapore noodle bowl! Order with extra pork because it was melt in your mouth. Cold beer and I love how the wine is served in small glasses like in Europe. Lamb Fried Rice was delicious. Lamb belly was good but a bit too fatty for me. Loved the atmosphere. Really relaxed with such amazing food.
(5)
Zuzzi E.
Adorable little spot with a random menu... The ramen is best in the city. And they have the most refreshing iced green tea. Great for a meal with pals or casual date!
(5)
Tracey D.
First time there, and I tried their bowl-o-noodles. It was certainly far from the best, but I added more meat + kimchi, and it made pretty decent. Had a bad experience with the tuna conserva (tuna w/ Shishito peppers) since I was expecting more tuna; the plate was 90% peppers...that was insanely spicey--and I consider myself to have pretty high tolerance--so that came out as a surprise. Would not get that again. My friends ordered a duck and steak dish, and I thought those were pretty good (maybe 8 out of 10 star). We also really enjoyed their beef tartare. I won't let one bad appetizer experience drag me down, would definitely come back to try other things on their changing menu
(3)
Seth S.
World class, locally sourced foodie cuisine in a cool Charleston hipster setting, Two Boroughs Larder is as good as it gets. With a James Beard nominated chef and wife team, it's more than worth the effort to find this great place. It's in a slightly offbeat part of town--perhaps Charleston's equivalent of Williamsburg, and parking is not the easiest here. But all of our dishes were excellent--potato & clam soup, chilled corn & peach chowder, and a pork in broth stood out. The brown sugar oatmeal pie was absolutely excellent, and the place has an impressive selection of beers and wines too. Warm service and nice low key vibe to boot. Highly recommended.
(5)
Richard P.
We arrived to Charleston pretty late and decided going to Two Boroughs Larder for a late dinner based on a friend's recommendation. When we got their, we thought we were too late and that they had already closed. Turns out that they were almost closed but there were still a few tables in the 2nd room. We didn't want to the one of 'those' customers that walks in right before a business closes, but the server assured us it was fine. We ordered some beer and several dishes including their ramen. All the dishes (oysters, beef tartar, noodle soup, flank steak, etc) were really good. Since their menu changes all the time, I won't go into details other than the food, the service and atmosphere really makes this a very enjoyable and intimate dining experience. I'd go back in a heartbeat the next time I visit Charleston.
(5)
Bob B.
My wife and I came here twice in one day on our recent trip to Charleston. Once for breakfast and then again for dinner. My wife got the noodle bowl and it was really well executed, a bit pricy with the add-ons, but tasty. I got the scrapple breakfast sandwich and I loved it. I can't say that I've ever had scrapple before, but if it was offered at more places in Tampa and tasted this good, I'd be down for it. For dinner we both got the Wednesday burger offering and it was juicy, had great flavor, and the mornay sauce was a great addition. I savored every bite, but could've scarfed it down in a minute. The two 5 oz patties were more than adequate portion-wise. Service was delightful on both visits. I would like to add we had our 7 month old kid with us and there were no issues with accomodations and pleasantries.
(5)
Sonya M.
Pretty good spot and a little out of the way from the King Street strip. Good experience overall, and my dish of ramen was good - not amazing. But that's what I get for ordering ramen in Charleston, right? I think my date's beef tartare was just OK with him - he didn't love the "raw-ness" from what I sensed though. The wild onion pancakes were delicious. Clams were out of this world - a must try!
(4)
Lindsay B.
The breakfast sandwich did not disappoint. At $5, I would eat this weekly if I lived in the area. I heard myself make an "MMmmmm" noise loudly after my first bite while sitting solo at the bar.The sweet tea was bottled, but still the best bottled sweet tea I've ever had. The ambience of this place is great - Laid back with interesting design features everywhere (artwork, fixtures etc). It looked like a great place to meet people and grab a bite.
(5)
Tim K.
Almost lost a star due to overcooked noodles but the service made up for it. Two Boroughs Larder has a nice hipster environement. It's a store and a really good restaurant. They have a communal table for those in favour of socializing over food. The dinner menu looks somewhat pricey at first because most of the items or above $20. But than again you have a small separate section with one dish for $10: the Ramen Noodle Soup. A dark broth with lots of meat (also when you don't ask for the extra meat) which is filled with flavor and definitely gets you in the right spot. Did i mention they have a pretty well stocked fridge with different kinds of beer from all over the country? As mentioned before, the service is spotless. Very friendly ladies who give you that homey feeling and a great sense of hospitality.
(5)
Anna G.
Amazing breakfast sandwiches! So good that I forgot to take pictures (the horror!). I had the chicken sausage one, while my husband ordered the pork scrapple sandwich. They were $6 each, but based on size and taste, I wouldn't have batted an eyelash if they were in the $8-10 range instead. The bread the sandwiches were on was also really good and nicely toasted. I can't remember right now, but I think they were sourdough rolls. The restaurant itself is quite small and tucked away in a neighborhood. There are some tables and bar seating. At 10:30am on a Tuesday it was just us and 3 other patrons. The aesthetic is very rustic and farmy.
(5)
Han C.
The most hipster place we ate in Charleston was Two Boroughs Larder. The restaurant is tiny, with one long communal table and a few small two-tops. The clientele is straight out of Williamsburg, with vintage outfits and an apartment full of cats Instagrammed on the daily. The other half of the restaurant is dedicated to self-service, locally made alcohol and Orangina. While the pork belly, pistachio and rhubarb was a tasty and unique combo,the brussels sprouts and lamb ragu stole our hearts - slightly bitter and tender greens with an amazingly savory and spicy ragu. We scraped this dish clean with our tongues. Most of the reviews you see will say that the beef ramen is really delicious, but it's just okay and borderline bland (even though the egg is clearly on point!). It would benefit immensely from the gritty chili oil you find in most Asian noodle shops. The desserts are worth a mention also. You can get a little jarful of creamy, chocolate ganache studded with crushed pistachios or cookies and milk. One cookie had marshmallows, and it makes me wonder why there just aren't more cookies with the chewy goodness of melty marshmallows. (These are the types of things that keep me up at night.)
(4)
Hannah S.
So- hipster to the max, but delicious food and wonderful opportunities to get local groceries, like veal sweetbreads, grass fed beef, South Carolina milk, artisanal cheeses and various charcuterie. I had the caraway bagel with smoked trout, dill, and creme fraiche. YUMMMMMMM! this was so good. boyfriend had a duck egg, chorizo, and smoky greens garnished with fried chicken skins. also yum. combine that with two cold-pressed vegan coffees- best lunch ever. menu changes daily- check online for the most recent.
(4)
Keith H.
Three Noodle Bowls Larder? Yummmmmm Pretty unique menu with some great items, including the awesome, filling and affordable noodle bowl (nothing better on a chilly Charleston day/night). Plus the space and decor is just AWESOME! Loved it! Seriously, I'd just hang out in there if I could. I don't believe the "open kitchen" is done on purpose, like some restaurants do, but is just a result of the space they have. Either way, it was really cool to watch the chefs at work. True professionals and great fun! Clams were cooked and seasoned really well and the sourdough bread was perfect for dipping in the clam sauce and putting some of their in-house butter on. Mmmmm mmm that clam sauce was good good gooooooood! The drink selection is pretty good and reasonable for a small place like this. Not too overwhelming, but with plenty of choices for all, and the prices are fair. The staff is EXCELLENT; they were all attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. My only complaint is that the menu seems to be lacking a "large plate" or entree in the $15-20 dollar range. I think this would really give a great option for people, because the $25, $29, $32 and $90 (for two people) large plate prices scare some people away. Then the small/sharing/bite-size plates can range upwards of 15-18 dollars themselves, but would probably not fill you up. There needs to be a happy medium! We found that happy medium in the noodle bowl which starts at 10$ but you can do add-ons for 1$ each. However, if you're not into noodles and not looking to spend $30ish on an entree, you may be out of luck here. If that's the case, just come here when you're looking for a drink and a snack. I'd go here again; in fact, I WILL go here again. I'd recommend it to MOST of my friends and family.
(4)
Kimber C.
I had bavette steak which was very flavorful. The cut of meat was a bit more tough and difficult to break apart. The mflavor profile was there though and was a perfect medium rare. The potatoes, pork belly, and the chimichurri were delicious! The olive dish was boring, but ok. The happy hour wine was decent. It was worth the visit for sure. I'd consider going back and trying something else.
(4)
Marina N.
Yes yes yes! Wanted everything on the menu and in the store. This place is not just a worthy destination, it is worth a pilgrimage. It's cute, food is delicious and bursting with flavor, some wonderfully inventive dishes on the menu, service is friendly. Where to begin? Short rib with root vegetables and white chocolate. When your toddler is grabbing the slices of meat in their hands and chomping away while doing a little dance, you know it's a great dish. Meat was tender and dripping with bacony juices. The subtlety of the white chocolate with the root vegetables, so rich and delicious. Lamb ribs with Szechuan peppercorn (slightly numbing) and sesame oil. Bravo! The brussel sprouts in soubise. J'adore! The Wagyu tartare is fantastic! Brain is doing a happy dance! Steelhead trout prepared so delicately, plated like a precious treasure on an ivory pillow of foamy sauce with jewels of green and white cauliflower sprinkled around it. Rapturous meal! Actually, it was the best we had in Charleston. We also ate at Charleston Grill, Cru, 82 Queen, Fish, and The Grocery. Next time, I'll make sure to visit The Ordinary for the seafood, Magnolia's for fried chicken, and Hominy Grill for the nasty biscuit but this place will be first on my list.
(5)
Rhoda G.
I wasn't too keen on sitting near the entrance but the restaurant itself is pretty small. They offered a lot of small plates and everything sounded appetizing. We decided to get the seasonal lettuce, roasted brussel sprouts, roasted sweet potatoes and each of us got ourselves a "main" course. I got the chickpea soup and my boyfriend got the bowl-o-noodle. I loved the roasted brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes. They were cooked perfectly and the favors were delicious. I thought the seasonal lettuce was okay. I got to try some of the bowl-o-noodle and thought it was just okay also. The best thing of the meal was dessert! We decided to get the oatmeal brown sugar pie and seriously one of the best desserts I ever had. If they have given me a whole pie, I would have eaten it right there. Overall despite some hit and miss dishes, I had a great experience. The service was attentive and the dishes that I loved everything tasted fresh and delicious. Definitely coming back to try more and get some of that oatmeal brown sugar pie! Tip - Parking in this neighborhood is not great. There is a parking garage 2 blocks away near King street.
(4)
Emily V.
I came here for a very late lunch (around 3 PM) and I was one of the only people there. My server was super friendly, just great service. The decorations inside are really beautiful and very hipster-ish. The menu is sort of a choose your own adventure sort of situation. As in, popcorn, steak, ramen, and breakfast sandwiches are all on the same menu. I kinda hate this sort of situation at restaurants because it makes it really confusing as a diner to know what they're good at (and I can't imagine a chef can be good at everything). I got the bowl o'noodles because a lot of reviews seemed to like them. They were good. Not great. The soft egg was overcooked and not runny in the middle. The noodles were a little chewy and overcooked. The pork confit was by far the best part of the dish. It was delicious and perfect. I spent a dollar extra for the kimchi which, though good, didn't really necessitate an extra dollar. Honestly, I probably would have been happier if the bowl was $11 and I didn't have to pay extra for kimchi. The shop part of the store has a lot of nice products, most which I've seen before through mail programs, it would be nice to get to buy them in person here, though. Overall, I would go back, I just wasn't super impressed. I would order something different next time.
(3)
Sue F.
Cool and chill atmosphere with rustic decor. The noodle bowl and dessert was amazing!! I wasn't a fan of the beef tartar it felt like raw hamburger and the menu was limited but the service was outstanding! Definitely something different you should try!
(4)
Eugenia F.
The restaurant deserves five stars because it has character and seeks to push Charleston clientele to new gastronomic places. It reminded me of small roadside bistros in the agricultural and vineyard regions of Aquitaine, Midi-Pyranees and Languedoc that served local wines (rough or tannic by high French standards) and simple but delicious dishes made from local products. I had a series of small plates, including roasted local Brussels sprouts, bone marrow with carrots and turnips in broth, lambs tongue and fried sweetbreads. All were very good with the exception of the Brussels sprouts which were too salty and too heavily oiled. The bone marrow is a must have.
(5)
TJ L.
Another great, local, diamond in the rough! (See the Chucktown trend here, people?) I stopped by TBL a few nights ago to grab some noodles based on the the crazy chatter and the pictures I've seen on social media that I've tried to paw at through my phone's screen. TBL ***may*** currently be my favorite restaurant atmosphere as of late. It's pretty dim inside, with lots of antique/rustic tables, glassware, and so on adorning the place. You can tell from the ingredients they use, and what I see laying on the counters back in the kitchen that the food here is fresh. The noodle bowl does, indeed live up to the reviews, right down to the farm fresh egg. The kimchi (for an extra buck) spices things up, and hits all of the right spots. Very friendly staff, and it's pretty easy to find a parking spot on the street and run in. Easily one of my top places in town.
(5)
Rob G.
Great little restaurant nestled away in a residential neighborhood. The food was farm to table, very simple southern fair, but distinguished being cooked so perfectly. I had the steak and my wife had clams. Both were excellent. The only downside is that the menu is very limited. The beer menu was also very good, however, and reasonably priced.
(4)
Everett B.
Good place for a quick bite, stopped in for brunch right after getting into Charleston. We started with some elderflower mimosas that while good, weren't easily distinguished from any regular mimosa. I had the Chicken Boudin Blanc and my friend had the Peperonata sandwiches and we split an order of the Roasted Brussel Sprouts. The Brussel sprouts were the only thing that really stood out (delicious). The sandwiches were good (bread was very fresh) but nothing out of the ordinary. Staff was friendly and the decor had the Cracker Barrel you can buy anything in the room thing going on. All in all I'd go back again to try a few more dishes.
(3)
Staci T.
This was a fabulous dining experience! We got here early for a reservation but were seated immediately. Had the bread and salad to start, with sweetbreads as the main. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned! The okra on my husband's wagyu meal were charred to perfection. Dessert was on another level- the oatmeal cream pie with caramel sea salt ice cream. Wonderful service and food, would come back in a heartbeat!
(5)
Marisa F.
Definitely a great find. Some of the best food in Charleston and I have been EVERYWHERE. Small, quiet, good music playing and exceptional food.
(5)
Carley J.
Absolutey delish! Super creative yet really tasty menu with different items every day. Don't be afraid to try something new. You won't be disappointed. Great feel to the place as well with reclaimed wood tables and brick walls. The owners are really nice and always available to answer questions about the menu. Very local-friendly; they use as much local produce as they can so you know what you're eating is super fresh. A must try spot in charleston!
(5)
Rebecca A.
Leading up to my Birthday celebration this weekend, a couple friends and I decided to treat ourselves on a Thursday afternoon with lunch at TBL. So glad we did, because the sour taste I left with after my first visit (due to our server), was gone as soon as we walked into the door this time. I already knew the food here was fantastic, so to be greeted so friendly, I knew this was going to be a great visit. The server was knowledgeable, attentive, and a delight the entire time. We ordered four small plates, (Sorry no pics, my friends and I all dug in too fast!) Included in our selections were the tuna conserva with Shishito peppers, and the warm Summer pepper soup with lime, yogurt, and hazelnut. Both excellent. The other two selections, from which I believe were daily or weekly specials, was homemade pasta with homemade chorizo, corn, and okra, as well as the hot dog. The pasta was great and the hot dog was on a roll like some places use for lobster rolls. Fresh, buttery,and toasted deliciousness. No matter what you choose for your meal selections, it's all wonderful, but I must let you also know to save room to have a slice of their brown sugar oatmeal pie. I felt so sinful because it truly taste like a cold spoonful of baked brown sugar and butter. Pure yumminess! Our slice was also topped with a scoop of that days homemade salted caramel ice cream. This pie is so good, if you want to buy a whole one you must order it a week in advance and it cost $40!! It's a labor of love I tell ya.
(4)
Chris H.
This was my second visit. I went with my husband the first time when we were visiting Charleston and I took my girlfriends this past weekend. The service was impeccable and that says a lot given how late we were on top of how finicky my friends were about the menu! The food was all excellent though. The charcuterie steals the show although the popcorn is pretty amazing. The mignonette on the west coast (WA) oysters really stood out too. The environment is so cozy and warm too. We'll be back for certain!
(5)
Caitlin M.
My husband and I have been here three times now and each time we go we are thankful that we have a two hour drive to get here because we'd be there every chance we got if we didn't have such a drive. The servers know their product - ask what you should have and go on their recommendation. Then get a mr weeds iced coffee. This restaurant is a gem among gems and I'm telling you to go the first chance you get!
(5)
Emily D.
Service was par. If you want to leave this restaurant full, order one of everything off the menu. Twenty eight dollars for two wings of chicken in gravy. The ribs were something I wouldn't feed to my dog, pure gristle on a bone. The goat was good. The burger was big.
(2)
Trenicia W.
The guy I went with said this is a restraurant that chefs love. I can believe it, everything is delicious but it's definitely things that the average joe wouldn't consider trying. I had the Bowl O Noodles, better than my favorite pho place, it like pho and ramen on steroids and you will love it (get it with the kimchi adds a nice kick). The roasted asparagus was deelish, and also an off the beaten path (for me) choice the bone marrow. I was hesistant about trying it, but it was so rich and delicious, I am dreaming about it! I also tried the dessert, I forget the name, its a pie, very rich, if you're not a big sweets person it may be sugar overload but one bite won't hurt!
(5)
Dio S.
Had a good lunch here during Charleston visit. Two Boroughs has been one of the more well known happening places to eat in Charleston last two years. It has been cited by multiple Atlanta chefs as among their favorite places to eat in the southeast. I expected inventive dishes, explosive flavors, casual but energetic vibe, maybe a bit of hipster whimsy. Two Boroughs satisfied on all fronts. I can see myself eating here frequently if I lived in Charleston. The smaller-than-expected space was somewhat cramped (I guess I should have taken the word larder more literally). It's most suitable for a quick stop or some sort of casual gathering at the communal table. The ramen-inspired noodle bowl exceeded my (admittedly, measured) expectations, with self-assured broth and tremendous noodles, thoroughly satisfying though not quite so good that I'd be missing it all the way from Atlanta. Better yet are the 10 or so small plates including really outstanding local clams, slow cooked egg, thoughtful vegetable preparations, and charcuterie. The variety is good for the size of the menu. When I say I can see myself eating here often, these delightful gems are mainly what I was thinking of. I would have liked it more if a couple more dishes similar in spirit to the noodle bowl are offered--say, a paella perhaps. As is, outside of the small plates you might or might not want the about 4 main dishes offered, in the form of $30 roast duck and such like. I personally would feel a bit hesitant to order one of those after sharing 3~4 small plates with somebody. The afternoon downtime is probably the best time to eat here. Not only do you bypass the elbowroom problem, but get to enjoy charming natural lighting.
(4)
Hans K.
This place is insane and it sits in a COCH neighborhood that you Wouldn't be in unless you are a Student or the parent of a student...Neilia was the most amazing ambassador and secret (she pulls double duty at The Grocery). Try the scrapple Sandwich and good Palm Pale Ale at Brunch Or...come in for a great dinner and to go Growler of draught beer...let's be clear..when in Chucktown you try Two Boroughs and ask for Neilia
(5)
Mira K.
Absolutely incredible. Atmosphere was lovely and trendy. Waitress was incredibly sweet and accommodating. Delicious and satisfying brunch - didn't feel too heavy. The brown sugar oatmeal pie was to die for. This place is a must!
(5)
Tara C.
We had a private event with Two Buroughs and it was one of the most enjoyable meals of my life. I'm a total foodie and have experienced food in many countries, this meal ranked in my top 3 best. We have indulged in most of the top ranked Charleston restaurants and this unassuming 40 seat restaurant has topped them all. The Chef is incredibly talented and he wowed the entire group with every course. You won't regret trying this little gem!
(5)
Carlin R.
Give this place business! Two Boroughs Larder is a gem downtown, where laid back, low-priced, inventive restaurants are hard to find. The chefs are fully engaged with their business, adjusting and adding to the menu often. I just had their bowl of noodles for the first time and it was out of this world good. I got it with kimchi, pickled mushrooms, and pork belly and I highly recommend all three.
(5)
Andre B.
The wife and I were wrapping up our tour de food Charleston and we decided to stop in at Two Boroughs Larder for breakfast/brunch on Thanksgiving Saturday. We had been here on a few other occasions for breakfast and really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Before this visit, I would have said 4 to 4.5 stars, but after the noodle bowl that I had, they have graduated to 5 star territory. I was happy when our server said that the noodle bowl was available all day, including breakfast. The wife had some type of vegetarian egg sandwich, which was good, but let's get back to the noodle bowl. I am not sure if they have different noodle bowl variations, but mine included crispy pork, an egg and I opted for kimchi, mushrooms and sesame greens as my added toppings. Next time, I will also add extra crispy pork. All the components were awesome and I managed to finish every little bit of the delicious broth. The big surprise was the kimchi, which was legit spicy and not like some "white people kimchi" as I like to call it that doesn't have any spice or flavor. We split the oatmeal sugar pie for dessert and it was a perfect sweet ending to the meal. We will definitely return on future trips to Charleston, and there will be many. The only drawback is parking, but when we are on the tour de food, walking is always a good idea to burn off a few extra calories!
(5)
Michael H.
What a wonderful discovery! We had done the run of the usual restaurants in Charleston; fun, but nothing that I'd call a religious experience. On our last night in the city we wanted something different and decided to give Two Boroughs a try. We looked at the menu online before we went and were a bit flummoxed, but we decided to throw caution to the wind and try it anyways. Oh. My. God. Possibly one of the 10 best meals we've ever had on the East Coast. Nothing we had in Charleston could compare to the culinary skill wielded by the chefs in the Two Boroughs kitchen. A thoughtful and creative use of ingredients that I wouldn't have thought to pare. We were too full for dessert on this go-round, but we'll DEFINITELY be back.
(5)
Jared F.
Best breakfast I've had in a while. The poached eggs with grits, dried shrimp an greens was a perfect melding of Southern and Southeast Asian flavors that totally surprised me. Can't imagine how good the rest of the menu is. The staff was friendly in a formal/efficient way and the interior was exactly was also spot on.
(5)
Kayla J.
I've been here about 5-6 times and it's become a staple of mine here in Charleston. I switch between ordering 5-6 small plates between my boyfriend and I or just us going to town on 2 noodle bowls. Either way you go, you cannot go wrong. The building is adorable. Very small, personable, intimate, romantic?, and rustic. They somehow made the industrial movement look and feel homey. I applaud them. The service has always been awesome and food delivered within a reasonable amount of time. Some people's biggest complaint about this restaurant is that the "food takes too long!!!" Well I have a response that: this is not the type of dinner you go out to and rush your way through. Sit down, relax, have a glass of wine, and enjoy your company and your food. As I said before, this place is small; it's intimate, enjoy it for the love of God!! It is an open kitchen, you can see the staff chugging away and working hard making your food; it's not like they are standing there instagramming your food for you because let's be real; you were going to anyways. Their craft beer selection is always diverse and the wine list isn't too shabby. I've tried all the reds by the glass and although I wasn't super pumped on any of them, they were all obviously drinkable and enjoyable. Now on to the most important part: THE FOOD! The menu changes quite often, varying from season to season and what's good that day from local farms. I've tried 3 different types of soup here. All have been really hearty and big on the veggies which is the kind of soup I like. I've had the beef tartar, the shishito peppers, the clams, the breakfast sandwiches, the noodle bowl, seasonal lettuce salad, brussel sprouts, sweetbreads, halibut, hot chicken, bread and butter...the list really does go on. You really cannot go wrong. I feel like my bowl o noodle needs a separate paragraph though. First off, noodle bowl night is on tuesdays and they offer more toppings into the bowl but the normal list is offered all week lunch and dinner. I always get whatever I can in the bowl. Soft egg, pork confit, onion, pickled mushrooms, kimchi, EXTRA KIMCHI, sesame greens, and brussel leaves. If that description of a dish doesn't turn you on in the weirdest way possible there is a damn good reason we aren't Yelp friends. Dessert: Order the oatmeal pie. It is like crack. Although I've never tried crack. Recently TB has had a blast of people giving them 1 and 2 star ratings and I am SHOCKED. When i give out 1 and 2 stars it's drunkenly going to Taco Bell because they won't serve me at 2:01am when all I want is a bean burrito or the place that gives me food poisoning. But hey, to each is own! And quite frankly, the more noodle bowl for me.
(5)
Fiona D.
Really cool place.. I wanted to take my boyfriend somewhere cool & different for date day. The food is amazing & its a cute/cool environment to share each other's company & share a bowl of food together
(4)
Susan F.
Dinner portions were extremely small and expensive! The chairs are hard metal and cold. Not a good experience. The clam were the smallest clams that I have ever seen.
(1)
Chris G.
Would have given five stars, if not for the uninterested/unhelpful service. Great little spot that is cropping up around the country with a focus on local produce and ingredients as well as specialty merchandise. Really seeing a renaissance of butchers and well made and crafted food, we just wish the service matched the setting.
(4)
Scotty C.
TBL never disappoints. Read my last review for more examples. I recently came in and finally knocked the bowl-o-noodle off my bucket list and had to give an update. For those of you complaining about not getting enough food for your dollar here, you obviously have never ordered the noodles. For $10, you get a giant bowl of ramen style noodle cooked firmly to the perfect texture. Throw in the pork confit, pork broth, and a soft boiled egg... that's your start. You can stop right there and be happy or you can add a handful of extra items for anywhere from $0.50 to $2.00. I wasn't sure what to expect out of them but, was intrigued enough by the pickled mushrooms throw those in the mix. Best decision I made all day. They had so much flavor and with such a firm texture it was like adding an extra protein to the bowl. I'm not a huge fan of kimchi but, I do like the heat so I added some hot sauce. It already has a bit of chilli oil in the broth but, the sriracha gave it an extra boost. It was the first cool day in Charleston and that was the perfect meal to pair it with. I started with a spiced fall brew and finished with a Chocolate Budino... perfection.
(5)
Mandy W.
The food is not as good as I expected seriously, I ordered three dishes and I waited an hour to have them all on my table.The noodle is fine, tartar is good.
(3)
Jaycie H.
Two Boroughs Larder is a modern rustic restaurant. It seems slightly confusing what type of restaurant this is from the name but it is kind of an asian restaurant (chop sticks at the tables). But they serve other things as well. The menu is quite short, veggie options, lamb, something expensive and the noodles. Since the noodles seemed to be the specialty I decided to get that. I got peas and chicken sausage. There was an obscene amount of soy sauce/beef bullion mixture and the noodles were tasteless. Our bellini was great on the other hand. We were there for 2 hours total (including waiting to be seated) and I feel that that is far too long especially since we got the simplest thing on the menu. Didn't get appetizers or desert either. Our server was nice though. If noodles are like your favorite thing you may want to give this place a try but I did not enjoy it. My husband liked his food, see his Yelp review for more info!
(2)
Elisabeth P.
What they lack in parking they more than make up in the food. Inventive and tasty ingredients. I was impressed with the glass of wine the waitstaff chose for me. Rare to hear "we have something you will love" and be presented with the second most affordable wine option on the menu...and really love it. I wish we had grabbed some of the take home items here but we were too stuff to ever contemplate eating again. Of course go for the noodle bowl + kimchi and double pork. We also sampled black cod collar (the spare ribs of the ocean) - should have nabbed two and chicken liver mouse. Service was personable when they popped by but a little spotty. Chef is nominated for best chef from Food & Wine magazine Southeast so get in before it gets crazy.
(4)
Jessica B.
Came here randomly and was pleasantly surprised! The menu changes every so often, so it's a shame people won't be able to try the things I'm reviewing. Boyfriend and I ordered the sweet corn veloute and WOW. We licked up every bit of it. The sweetness of the corn and the savoriness of the bacon was an out of this world combo. We also got the wagyu tartare that came with these mini pancakes. I've never had such an amazing tartare. The wagyu was very fresh and you could clearly see it in the color. Thinking about it now makes my mouth water....ANYWAY.... They've got a nice beverage selection too. They offer growlers of select beers to go. I loved the wall of merchandise. There were so many things from local vendors that it made me want to buy one of everything. The shop has a corgi mascot and being a corgi owners ourselves, we were obviously was drawn to all the corgi merchandise. Walter the corgi has magnets for sale, half of the proceeds are donated to Pet Helpers, which is very nice. So, of course, we bought one. Overall, LOVED the food, drinks, merchandise and just everything about this place!! Would definitely come back next time I'm down in Charleston.
(5)
Nate H.
This place is awesome, hands down! I was so excited I found this small restaurant on my visit to Charleston. While this place is in a small spot, they've got a bar, various sale items ranging from slingshot cold brew to local beef, and tables all set up in there without being too cramped. Their menu seems to rotate, slightly changing depending on what day it is. I opted for a noodle bowl with a soft egg and shaved rare beef. It was absolutely delicious! The broth was a bit on the salty side, but drowned that out with a carafe of Bellini. And the beef was fantastic! They also have vegetarian options, so meat haters don't be scared off. We did have to wait for around 20 minutes for a table, the hostess was very nice and even took our number so that we could wander around until our table was ready. Overall great service, great locally sourced food, and cozy atmosphere. I'll be back to give the bar a shot next time.
(5)
Kevin B.
Just WOW!! Live in Florida, heard great things so deiced to try it the day before we left charlston! Tried the fried bologna sandwich, which had Kim chi and pickles. Then topped of with a fried egg.. Which was awesome, but then had the noodle bowl... Pork, fresh noodles, soft boiled egg.. A must try!! Best part you can add Kim chi, extra pork, mushrooms. They have specials on Tuesday night for special noodle bowls.. It was so good we had to leave the next day, but we're there at 10am (when they open) to get two more noodle bowls to bring back to Florida!!! Small place but really cool, away from downtown. The hard part is finding a parking spot.
(5)
Shelby B.
The atmosphere was great as well as beer choices. But the food selection was really limited and overpriced. The vegetarian options were small and the meat options were extremely greasy. I got a burger and needed a towel to soak up all the grease. Go shop there but don't eat there
(2)
Mark B.
I have a general thing against going to a restaurant and ordering the same item every time. I rather get to know a chef and their restaurant through several different dishes over multiple visits. It's like listening to an artist's full album rather than buying a single. With that said, I have been here four times and have little idea about what everything else on the menu besides the soup tastes like. After my first bowl on that first visit I have been making trips every three weeks or so to 2BL, not out of convenience (I have to drive across the bridge) or lack of interest in other restaurants (I recently had to make a second restaurant list on my phone because the first one had reached maximum size for the app), but because once I start thinking about that soup I don't stop thinking about it for the next few days until I get a bowl. Every meal I have in the interim is in comparison to the soup: "This steak/salad/stir-fry/pie is okay, but what it really needs is noodles, pork broth, pickled mushrooms, and greens..." It's a bowl of umami and sighs. And it's always on the edge of too-salty, which is why the waitstaff always bring a bottle of water to the table to avoid having to make multiple trips for refills. You'll want to add the extra pork, pickled mushrooms, and greens to get the full experience. I have added the kimchi, but it didn't do much for me. Today I washed it all down with the oatmeal brown sugar pie. I'm now going to nap in my car.
(5)
Austin A.
Having tried every ramen bowl in charleston, this is hands down the best in the city. If you're looking for a fantastic noodle bowl, look no further, because this place is what you're looking for. The atmosphere is fantastic as well!
(5)
Bill E.
Came here one night for dinner from a recommendation from Sean Brock and Kevin McQuaide from the Courtyard. They suggested arriving before 7 as that is when the restaurant gets packed and as Sean said "I'm surprised there is no line out the door wanting to eat here, easily my pick for best restaurant in Charleston." Those are high words of praise from a James Beard award winner, I sat at the bar and ordered a Belgian on draft first and also started off with the Rabbit dish which had loin, peas, cheddar wurst and a demi. It was good, I really liked the peas and the cheddar wurst, but to me the rabbit was a bit dry and while the sauce helped it just needed that extra something. Also would have been great if bread was served as I had some extra sauce and left it on the plate. Next I moved onto the Red Porigy served with pasta a brown butter sauce and a few other things I can't remember. It was cooked perfect and the flavors of the dish went very well together, I just think a grate of lemon with a micro plane over the dish would have done wonders. Dessert was next as I ordered a chocolate budino with pistachios and sea salt, very rich, but very good. Service was very good. Note-They don't take American Express.
(4)
Maria M.
I randomly came across this place while looking for a thrift shop. I decided to stop for a bite here for lunch instead. The service was spectacular, they tended my every need. It's not that hard to make me happy, just refill my drink and make sure I'm good. The waitress was savvy about the food when I asked about the finish of the bowl o noodles, as she said chili oil was what I was tasting. The place was rustic and chic, and I really liked the atmosphere. Their dessert menu was lackluster, but with that said id definitely recommend stopping by. Their spread of food has good variety, and their noodles were delicious and perfectly cooked: even the boiled egg was runny on the inside! I definitely will stop by again and try some of their breakfast sandwiches! By the way, the waitress told me that they change the menu all the time, and the only thing that is constant on it is the noodles.
(4)
Colleen J.
What up, TBL?! Gosh, is Yelp aware of my noodle obsession? Well, if not, allow me to tell you. I will search far and wide, cross vast distances, and maybe even fight to the death for a solid bowl of noodles. It's an addiction. The Bowl-o-noodles at Two Boroughs kicks it! I always add kimchi and a few other fixins' to sass it up. I get it almost every time and I am always so happy I could spit... but I don't because that would be an inappropriate thing to do in a restaurant, obviously. I've had the beets, the brussels, and tried their egg sandwiches. All items have pleased me. They also have a great selection of beers to choose from. A meal here can be pricey, but it's fresh, local and delicious - def worth it. One more thing... yeah... it is definitely a hipster haven, but that is many places around Upper King right now. Throw on some thick rimmed glasses and join the crowd. It's more fun that way.
(4)
Sherry K.
We have some serious foodie friends in from DC for a few days getting their bi-annual Chucktown fix. We have plans to join them for dinner tonight but by happenstance, ran into them on King St. on Thursday night as we were headed out for a quick bite. They insisted we join them at Two Burroughs Larder and after a quick call to the restaurant, they assured us it was fine! Oh my, my.....we had nine in our party and we all love food and wine so it was an easy decision to order EVERYTHING on the menu and share! Yep, that's what we did. Everything was fresh, delicious, beautifully presented. Love the atmosphere, the service, I could go on and on! I will be going back with my husband often and probably not ordering the entire menu but enjoying it just as much as my first visit.
(5)
Janelle R.
Very cute establishment. There was nothing wrong with the food or service, but I guess I'm not much of a formal "foodie". Loved how it's tucked away and intimate. Great prices, too.
(4)
Michael U.
Items selected: Fried Quail - Popcorn, Blueberry, Aged Cheddar, Fish Sauce Roasted Goat - Fava Bean, Sunflower Seed, Goat Jus Bread and Butter - Everything Bread, NC Butter Scrapple Sandwich - Farm Egg, Aged Cheddar, Hard Roll Whipped Ricotta - Country Bread, Anchoiade Described as a "charming locally owned restaurant" featuring a kitchen, bar, beer/wine shop, and store with provisions both edible and not from local purveyors Two Boroughs Larder seemed like one of those can't miss dining experiences, a fact bolstered by an innovative hyper-seasonal menu available throughout the day, and yet when it was all said and done there was nothing I'd have rather done than miss every moment of our nearly ninety minute succession of poor service, forgotten plates, and nonchalant indifference to the fact that the larder is, in fact, in the business of food 'service.' Small in size and largely empty save for a few folks chatting at the bar when we arrived it would not be long before one of two servers approached and presented menus and water, returning shortly thereafter lacking both a smile and any significant knowledge of the menu, and with orders placed the bread and whipped ricotta would arrive swiftly - both decent but not particularly memorable - before the wait began...a nearly hour long delay later attributed to the young woman being 'new' without any semblance of an apology. Spending much of our wait browsing the store and chatting before finally deciding to inquire as to the nature of the delay when the quail and goat did arrive both were quite good but minuscule in portion given the $16 and $12, respective, tabs - a situation all the more frustrating when the wrong sandwich arrived - the pork neck in place of the scrapple - further delaying the meal while we awaited the admittedly funky and delicious sandwich which was delivered without a word simultaneously with the bill.
(2)
Tyler S.
I've been looking forward to writing about this place for a while, but I wanted to try more of the menu first, which I have ,and I'm very, very pleased. If you didn't know what this place was, you would drive right past it and never know what you were missing. Once you did find out, you would hate yourself for the lost time that could have been spent eating here. Scotty steered me to TBL for their Wednesday night burger special. They only serve burgers on Wednesdays, and there is a limited supply, so get it while the gettings good. The burgers can change every week, so you who knows what you'll get? Just trust me when I say it will be one serious foodgasm. I think it is safe to say that after years of searching, I may have found the proverbial 10. I couldn't tell you exactly what is on it, but I can say 2 delicious patties+some kind of decadent cheese sauce+the perfect buns=the best burger I've ever had. You may want to eat it with a fork though. I know, it sounds wrong, but to hell with conventional eating methods. It's all about the flavor! When I had family visiting, I decided to take them to this little hidden treasure. We each ordered several different dishes and tried everything on the table. Here's the rundown: Wagyu Belly Tartare - this was the first time I've ever had Wagyu and my first experience with tartare. I was an excellent new experience. I'm glad I branched out. Franks and Beans - it's nothing like the beanie weenies I had as a kid. This dish was one of the group favorites. Veal Sweetbreads - this was one of my personal favorites. There are so many different flavors to this dish, I can't go into them all, but they were all delicious. Whipped Rocotta - you gotta have some cheese with the meal, and they did it just right. A fantastic light dish. Bowl of Noodles with extra Kimchi and Sesame Greens - I went with Colleen's recommendation. Lesson to learn here: Trust your fellow Yelps! Last but not least, a hot dog, but not just any hot dog. It was a ribeye dog and it was the best dog I've had. I recommend any one of these dishes and have no doubt that anything else on the ever changing menu will be fantastic. If you like to branch out and try things that are off the beaten path, this is the place to do it. Oh yeah, and craft beer! They have a lot of beer that I haven't seen anywhere else. If you are drinking beer, its going to be craft because they don't offer your usual run of the mill domestics. Two thumbs up TBL. Keep it up and see you soon!
(5)
Lavinia K.
The service was excellent and the atmosphere is very farm to table. We had a fantastic meal with the most wonderful ingredients. My husband had a melon soup which was very refreshing and seasonal and I had a noodle bowl with kale and pickled mushrooms. They were both excellent choices. However, The very best thing that we had there was the Pie... It was a truly magnificent take on Chess Pie and to die for! It is not to miss. Enjoy!
(4)
Sophia R.
This place is really cute. Classic and quaint. Love the bar but food and drink are way overpriced. Shared the octopus, tuna and brussel sprouts with two glasses of wine for $50 bucks a person. Octopus and Brussel sprouts were good, but food came out cold. And the plate of peppers with a few pieces of tuna for 14 bucks didn't seem too fabulous. Advice, if you like to feel hip and trendy go here for a glass of wine and then move on.
(3)
Phil A.
We were really looking forward to this dinner. Two Boroughs sounded just like what we like--a gastropub that really focuses on excellent food, and on a small scale. Unfortunately, it was the flavor that was on a really small scale, not to mention the portion size. I will say that the celery salad was decent, but that's where my positive comments for the evening end. Whatever you do, don't be duped into ordering the "hot chicken." A drumette and five medallions that might as well have not been coated in aInything at all, because there was no crispiness whatsoever. If that meat was "confit," I'll eat my hat, and it sat in a little pool of what tasted like barbecue sauce from a bottle, with a little cayenne added to it. My dining partner had the halibut, which was "sous-vide," and then supposedly put in the saute pan before serving. Sous-vide is a BAD idea for fish. Come to think of it, sous-vide is a bad idea for ANYTHING! For dessert we shared a slice of the oatmeal pie--decent flavor combination with the ice cream, but the pie itself was hard enough to need a jackhammer. Not what I'm looking for in a dessert. Two Boroughs, please get your act together. I hope you read this review, and I hope a lot of other potential customers do as well.
(1)
Julie B.
I had the noodle bowl and added pickled mushrooms. It was delicious!! I think the menu is a bit pricy. My noodle bowl was $10.50 then add on a mimosa for $6 add tax and tip and I am at over $20 for lunch. It was delicious though and the peeps there were very friendly!
(4)
Sarah B.
One of the best meals we had in Charlestown, and that's saying a LOT:) Don't miss the charcuterie, pate was on par with our fav in France. Great beer selection too, and loved the ambiance and the impeccable service, joy!
(5)
Jane E.
Adorable little place tucked away from the crowds off King St. Noodle bowl was yummy, as was nori popcorn and asparagus with pea flowers. Don't miss out on happy hour if you are there before 6pm!
(4)
Kyle V.
I've been here once for brunch and once for dinner, I had the noodle bowl with pork confit and the egg & picked mushrooms for lunch. I thought it was flawless. Tonight, for dinner I tried the clams as an appetizer and are the scallops as my entree. The artichoke was an interesting combo with the carrot and seafood. Whatever sauce they put on the bottom was great. Boyfriend has the rabbit sausage which was incredible as well.
(5)
Meredith V.
I wasn't impressed. I'm pretty sure that to be known for aloof servers that are unresponsive to kindness is only a good thing if you are building up your resume to hope to work for a place like Dick's Last Resort. It certainly shouldn't be a characteristic of a restaurant considered to be on the ascent in a foodie city. I tried the whipped ricotta which came slathered on one large piece of bread. It was very good, but the $6 price point for the amount was laughable. I had the noodle bowl as well. It was just ok. The bad service and prices will keep me from returning.
(2)
Michael W.
Wonderful food. Very cool atmosphere. Excellent service. If you're in Charleston and don't dine here you've missed somethoing special.
(5)
Stephen D.
When I have dreams of an artsy place, that serves creative but simple food, with fresh ingredients, in a stylistic setting, whilst serving wine & beer, i dream of a place like Two Boroughs Larder. We were brought to this place by the dude from Bin152, they did not steer us wrong. For those who own refrigerators and shop at stores, a larder is a basement/cellar where preserved foods/spirits/meats are stored over the winter so as to enjoy seasonal ingredient off season without the use of modern refrigeration. The menu here is inspiring and indulgent. From all day breakfast sandwiches with bacon or scrapple, to sweet breads and cauliflower to dark chocolate & extra virgin olive oil. The best part is everything on the menu can be ordered any time of day, thymus gland in the AM is more satisfying than you could know. The run down: Bacon, egg, cheddar on a roll, the bread was crispy on the outside and fluffy in. Scrapple, egg, cheddar, rich and umami (thank you food blogs) Sweet breads, egg, cauliflower, lightly crispy and savory Chocolate Budino, Sea Salt. Olive Oil. Pistachios. gluttonous AND ORDER THIS WITH A fresh donut, Ugly donut, but the best ever! The coffee here is great, and i couldn't even finish a mug because our server kept asking me if I wanted her to warm up my coffee, how could you say no to consistently 125 degree coffee? The service is pretty awesome, everyone is helpful and engaging. ingredients/suppliers are listed on a chalkboard and change with the days. They also sell tons of housewares, food provisions, and unique gifts. We visited this place twice in 2 days and it was well worth it. It's out of the way of downtown, but it's still pretty close.
(5)
Desiree H.
The scrapple breakfast sandwich is one of my favorites of all time. All of the food is good though, quality, depth, and freshness in every bite.
(5)
Myra K.
Outside the historic district but well worth the walk. Do not leave without trying the oatmeal brown sugar pie! Yummy!
(5)
Terrell O.
The service was great and the food was excellent. I went on a Saturday and ordered off the brunch menu. I was only in Charleston for a day but would go here again in a heartbeat.
(4)
Linda S.
Such a wonderful find for a Saturday brunch/lunch. Definitely off the beaten tourist path, but packed with in-the-know young foodies. We waited about 20 minutes for a table, and service was notably slow. But, oh! My carbonara was a perfect bowl of comfort: fat, fluffy noodles; salty, savory little chunks of bacon; fresh green peas -- all brought together by the light but creamy goodness of farm-fresh egg and top with a generous grating of parmesan. My husband's lamb dish had a flavorful, spicy broth that hit all the right happy notes. He also appreciated the good selection of craft beers, while I enjoyed a refreshing Orangina mimosa. So much happiness in one lunch!
(4)
Cheri W.
Casual and not to miss! Extremely hospitable atmosphere--as though you could go here every day and it would be a good thing, you'd look forward to it each day. Great drinks, great service, great charcuterie.
(5)
Laurence T.
I'm slowly coming to the realization that hipsters may be hip but they don't necessarily know how to deliver good food. Granted, the space and ambience was hip and I felt hip for being able to eat here. The server was young and hip and the tattooed cover young chefs in the kitchen all looked very hip. What was not hip was the food. The bone marrow was a small portion and needed a few more minutes under the broiler. I really prefer bone marrow to be served with sea salt, instead of some oily, salty sauce, which occurred in this case. My favorite bone marrow dish is served at my beloved Kata Robata in Houston, with sea salt and picked onions and mustard seeds available. I order the clams for the entree and the saltiness of the dish made it inedible. I know there is a trend to put bacon on EVERYTHING but it's gotten to point of absurdity. Clams are meant to be eaten in its own broth because they are naturally briny and sweet. You don't kill the natural flavors by making it taste like pork. In this case, the entire dish just tasted like salt. Young chefs need to learn restraint!!! Just because you can does not mean you should.
(2)
Allen P.
I'll keep this short but to the point. Charleston has an amazing restaurant scene. Growing up in the city, I've watched food culture in this city grow from impressive for such a small city to it's present status as a culinary destination, where even good restaurants can't cut it amongst the competition. Local cuisine, modern South fare, great atmosphere---a new eatery has to be something special to earn accolades here. With that in mind, this place has become my favorite casual place in Charleston. The atmosphere is laid back, simple, and perfect for a relaxing afternoon when you have nowhere better to be. The service is nothing special, but the food is inventive, simple, and completely focused on what just plain tastes good. In my opinion, this is a must-go for anyone who loves no frills, fantastic eats in Charleston. Recommend: whatever hash dish they're serving that day.
(5)
Curtrik W.
Two BL is a unique, neighborhood gem with exceptional food and service. The four diners all enjoyed their meals commenting on the above a average food preparation and a one of a kind menu. I understand why chefs across the country who visit Charleston always make time for Two Boroughs Larder. A must go and dine top five.
(4)
Brandon O.
This place has some serious variety. Really can go from $ to $$$. Love that in a restaurant. The breakfast sandwiches ($) are some of the best I've ever had, and so cheap. Noodle night and burger night are casual, mid-range priced special nights ($$). Dinner is sometimes ultra fancy and can get expensive but is so good and most times the dishes are one of a kind experiences ($$$). Brunch is fantastic. The interior is really nice. The store section is interesting and they carry some great little lines of products but they're sometimes difficult to get to. Beer selection is also really great and diverse. It's in my top 5 favorite places to go in Charleston.
(5)
Mary W.
If you want great food and price/parking is not an issue then this is the place to go. Food is excellent but it's slightly overpriced for the portions. Parking is a hassle but it is worth the walk if you are interested in trying something out of the way. My husband and I tried the oysters, the clams (two different kinds), the wagyu tartare, the brussel sprouts, the homemade kimchi, and a delicious dessert (I don't remember the name - but it was homemade caramel sea salt ice cream on top of a brown sugar pie). The clams, kimchi, and dessert were by far our favorites. The service was great - attentive but not overbearing. This place seems to really care about the quality of food and its customer service. It is well worth a visit if you are in Charleston.
(4)
Yng L.
Came here on a Saturday morning and was seated right away with a group of 5. Although friendly, the waitstaff did not seem to be very knowledgable, and the service was spotty. We found limited vegetarian options. I ordered the soft scramble with chanterelles. It was underwhelming and a little runny for my taste. My companions had a few other items. The carbonara pasta was described as lacking. The bacon was a crutch for a sauce otherwise lacking in complexity. The fried chicken was spicy and tasty, although nothing out of the ordinary. The kale salad was novel and inspired. A traditional dressing with complimentary boquerones. The warm seeded bread with butter was nice. Well seasoned with tempered butter. The coffee was excellent. This place seems to have a lot of potential. Clearly the direction is there, but the execution is a little lacking. Or maybe we just didn't order the right menu items.
(3)
Dru M.
Quick and dirty review here. Pros -very friendly and knowledgeable staff -menu seems to update pretty often -the sweet corn veloute was out of this world -wagyu tartare was great especially with the sauce (that I cannot remember atm), alaro came with some delicious mini pancakes -beer selection was good for its size -we have a corgi and the shop inside had a ton of corgi inspired items so we were biased a bit Cons -parking? perhaps, we walked from our hotel however -size, I can see this place getting hectic/busy I'd love to come back.
(5)
Jason K.
This place gets it right. It can take some time on the weekend as they are typically busy. The Pontine is incredible. Breakfast sandwiches, noodle bowls, etc....all awesome.
(5)
Sam L.
Great little place for food and drinks for brunch. The 'Bowl-o-Noodles' had a flavorful broth (could use a little less salt), house made Kimchi, and pork. The noodles were chewy and had great texture. The Bellini and cider were great as well. About the only downside was the Egg Al Forno was average and didn't really have the wow factor of the other dishes. That dish needed more salt and contrast between ingredients.
(4)
Joelle H.
What a great place! Came here while vacationing in Charleston and actually headed back the next morning before going to the airport because it was so good. I had the bacon egg and cheese sandwich which is NOT your typical bacon egg and cheese. My husband had the scrapple, egg & cheese sandwich and sweet breads. Quality ingredients. A menu that changes daily. Clean and awesome vibe with an extremely friendly waitress. My only negative comment is that we ordered the "peppers" off the menu on our second visit and, while I love hot food, these were so hot they were inedible. This should have been mentioned on the menu or mentioned to us when we ordered. I love what they are doing and would recommend this place to all - even just for the breakfast sandwiches!
(5)
Pinaki S.
Ramen is out of the world! (Really, ramen?) Yes. Ramen. I'm trying to force it to be my neighborhood bar, eating here four weekends in a row, but it's more of an eatery than hang out spot. Food is really amazing, but I'm worried about the slow crowds (primetime on Friday/Saturday has always been easy-in and easy-out). Not sure if they want/need crowds like up the street at the great--but-less-daring Five Loaves, but hope that means they'll stick around. Great, great atmosphere. Fill your growler here!
(4)
Ryan O.
I can't say a whole lot about this place because sadly I only had time to go once. This was my last stop in Charleston and I really regret that because had I known how good it was going to be I would have went at least twice. I had the pork noodle bowl here and to this day it is still the best pork noodle dish I've ever had. The broth had an incredible flavor and I'm not ashamed to admit I went total fat kid and crushed the whole thing. Since my visit I've seen Two Boroughs' praise being sung by many top chefs in numerous articles/publications so I have no doubt the rest of their menu as top notch as that noodles bowl. I really can't wait for my next visit to Charleston as this is going to be one of my first stops.
(5)
Billy L.
Living in Brooklyn I appreciate a place that you can go to if you want to refill a growler, pick up craft beer, or sit down for a kick ass meal. I opted for brunch here and went with the pork scrapple sandwich. Served up on a hard roll, it's a breakfast I can't find in Brooklyn and hit the spot. The whole atmosphere is the epitome of a great brunch place. It's tiny and there's a bar in the middle of one room along with a huge beer fridge, so I can see how when it gets busy the place overflows. But if you have any doubts on where to spend a lazy Sunday in Charleston before a game, they'll be gone by the time you walk through the front door here.
(5)
Logan C.
Went here Friday night, and will be coming back often. Clams for appetizer were great and the noodles with kimchi were excellent. Great atmosphere as well, very chill. Interesting menu items and very different from most places. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great hidden spot.
(5)
Susie G.
In the course of about two weeks five people have mentioned Two Boroughs Larder, a restaurant that opened last August just outside of King Street. All of them have said, "You'd love it there." So this was our restaurant of choice for a quick bite before a neighborhood event this evening. The restaurant is easy to find on Coming Street but parking is next to nothing. We circled a few times and then found a spot. We were lucky because it was Saturday and the Residential Parking only is lifted. About the name which to me is a bit confusing. They are close to two Boroughs in Charleston, Cannonborough and Elliotborough. Okay, that part is pretty easy, but what's with the Larder? In sleuthing a "Larder" on Webster.com was defined as a "Cooling area to store food prior to use. Larders were commonplace in houses before the widespread use of refrigerators. Mystery solved. Interesting stories but nowhere in the restaurant were these fun facts displayed and I think that could add value to your visit. One site called the design of the restaurant "Industrial Chic" which I thought is spot on. Refurbished wood and steel are creatively used to form tables, their "Family Table", the bar and its stools. Kitschy, but it works very well. The owners also are all about sourcing local foods and respecting the food that they source, which is nothing new here in the Low Country, but still appreciated. On this lazy Saturday we walked in for a very late lunch and there were a few people seated in the various tables. We were told to sit where we wanted and got a great table by the window. Our server quickly stopped by. No generic "diet coke" at this place. I ordered a crafted lo-cal root beer and my husband got a Mexican Coca-Cola. 'Don't know why the funky drinks, but they were good nonetheless. There were two menus on the day we arrived. A small, five item brunch menu and their regular, all-day menu. Both were very interesting. No meat and potatoes at this place!! The menu is a unique combination of creative and just over the edge. We took the recommendation of our server who recommended the Carbonara (only served with Brunch), and the Chicken Skin Fried Rice. How unique is that?? And then we waited. And waited. And waited. I don't know how we get so lucky but with so few people in the restaurant, three line cooks on in a very tiny kitchen (visible from the dining room), why would lunch ever have to take 30-35 minutes?? It did though, unfortunately. When it finally arrived the server said, "The kitchen says their sorry for the delay." Thank you, I thought, but after all this time this lunch better rock. The Chicken Skin Fried Rice with Szechuan peppercorns, fried farm egg, Palmetto sweets, Mepkin Abbey mushrooms, peanut puree, Carolina Gold Rice and Togarashi (a Japanese Chili Sauce) was outstanding. Crispy skins mixed with dark meat chicken and richly seasoned. A real treat. Then there was my dish. I was so disappointed. Carbonara is one of my favorite dishes and I rarely order it since it's so laden with calories. The server spoke so highly of it I couldn't resist. The last time I had it was in the North End in Boston, a true Italian section of the city and I can still remember it. This Carbonara was made with Bucatini pasta (a thick spaghetti-like pasta), bacon and Grana Padao Cheese. Right away it looked puny. Not for nothing but for $15.00 give a sister some pasta, this bowl was skimpy. All in all the pasta was cooked perfectly but the sauce lacked flavor and it was very, very thin. Slices of uncooked, unappetizing garlic dotted the bowl. I had to get up to find our server to ask for some salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. I thought that it would help, but in hindsight it wasn't much of an improvement. I didn't ask to have it "fixed" as I thought that this was their recipe and I would just get another duplicate version. All 'n all I liked Two Boroughs Larder and will give it another chance. The atmosphere is funky and the service was good. I just know to avoid the Carbonara. They are having a dinner on April 11th which is 5 courses for $55, which actually sounds interesting and something that we might try.
(3)
Dan A.
We went to this place on a visit to Charleston, urged on by Yelp reviews, which in retrospect seem faked-- "This place is awesome!" Our experience did not merit four stars or anything like it, so I feel obliged to correct the record. The vibe is hipper than thou, touting its local ingredients, but has no oysters or any of the other local seafoods. It has an curious, perhaps eclectic menu. We ordered what they call "bowl-o-rama," one of its specialties and what other restaurants call remen noodles. Perhaps they were angry we did not select the pricier options. But the noodles, which should take minutes to prepare took a full hour to arrive. It is not as if we were eager to linger over the ambience-- which is not great as at least half the restaurant isd dominated by refrigerator cases of beer and soda-- as we had two small kids, bedtimes fast approaching. There was, in the interim, no visit from the waitress to explain or apologize. When we called her over to inquire, she said that each bowl was prepare to order, which is nonsense, as she conceded, all ramen broth is made well in advance, and the noodles cook up in a minute or two. The waitress did send the manager over, who apologized, but did not explain. They do have good bread and butter, which they charge $4 for (and it's a small loaf). Charging for bread seems to be the custom in Charleston. But another custom in Charleston is good food. And the noodles, when they finally arrived, were way too salty and not worth waiting a minute for. A salad was no better. The one star is for the fact that they serve Sprecher's Root Beer, which one rarely sees and is the best.
(1)
Richard A.
This place is a touch of class. One of the very very best I have ever ate at. Casual yet edgy. Awesome food. Local grocery bought foods. The wait staff are great, food better and modern bliss.
(5)
Sarah S.
Here's what you do -- take a friend on Wednesday night and get there in time for happy hour. Get a glass of red and the celery salad - thinly sliced celery, green apple, red onion, parm, crushed hazelnuts, and maybe lemon juice? Order a burger and brussels to share (trust me on the sharing, the burger is decadent and has two patties). If you play to win, finish with the oatmeal pie.
(5)
Maria T.
This humble little place serves freaking fantastic food. The noodle bowl is fantastic. As a matter of fact I think I am going now! No, I know I am going now! This will be my fourth visit, and each and every time I walk away thinking damn that was good food. P.S. Jokes on me. Closed on Sunday :/ But next Saturday....I'm totally quenching my Larder craving!
(4)
Michael T.
Visited this place again to give it another chance. This is a great place with huge potential, but I am disappointed overall. The quality of the food is very good, hip decor, and a cool staff, they can be a little too cool at times leaving you wanting more in terms of service. The dishes are way over priced for the portion sizes that you receive. After you have a meal here, you will then have to go have a second meal somewhere else in order to satiate your appetite. However, if you eat like a bird and can survive on a minimal intake of calories, then you will be just fine.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jessica S.
Off the beaten path, and well worth the trip. It's a small, rustic, market/restaurant that serves delicious food. If you're a picky eater, this is not the place for you, but if you love a culinary treat that you weren't expecting, this is your spot. My husband and I went and ordered a bunch of small plates and a burger to split. We shared everything and were disappointed with nothing. We live just a few blocks from this place and never went, no idea why. Now it's a regular stop on our list of favorites!
(5)George H.
Came to town just for the weekend and knew that brunch at Two Boroughs Larder was a must. Happy to see you could order from the full menu, not just the brunch options and proceeded to order everything on the menu. The scene at Two Boroughs is welcoming and the staff is happy to answer questions and offer suggestions on what dishes are must trys, which is great for people visiting or just not sure of what they're in the mood for that day. I thought the burger was perfect, cooked well and seasoned just enough so it didn't get boring after initial bite. The cheese sauce was great and all they need to do now is serve some warm pretzels with it and I'll never leave the bar area. Also tried the kale which came with fish sauce that I couldn't really taste, but my friends felt the flavor was a bit strong so maybe ask for a lighter hand on fish sauce if you're not used to the stuff on your greens Others in my group ordered the noodle soup, carbonara, and scramble. I wish they would package their carbonara and send to NYC because it's the best pasta dish I've tasted and would like to eat it all the time. Point being, go visit and enjoy some beer or mimosas with your brunch.
(5)Brandon R.
The burger is fantastic! They just sold out, and our waitress told us that the owner/chef has decided to stop making the burgers for a while because people are ordering them too much! He wants you to order something else, but they are so good!
(5)Aleks K.
I'm giving three but I vote 2.5. Noodle bowl was tasty - noodles, 1 soft egg, 2 slices of pork, modest portion. Velouté was definitely a small plate. Budino was velvety, I liked it, topped with olive oil and pistachios, my boyfriend had one bite and said it was awful. Could get expensive quickly, we paid $30 for three things. Not very filling. Cool place, you go for the atmosphere for sure, but we wouldn't return for the food.
(3)A K.
After a late-night of bar-hopping, we strolled in here for some late night grub. Very cool vibe inside, great food, and helpful staff. I can only speak for the Ramen, but it was fantastic. Highly recommend giving this "locals" place a shot.
(4)Frank K.
We have eaten about five times here in the past six months so this is more in the way of an overall impression of the place after dinner and breakfast visits. The food is generally excellent, with a creative flair, even on such standards as their bowl of noodles, breakfast sandwiches, etc. Having lived in a place where authentic Vietnamese/Thai and Japanese restaurants were more common than they are here, I really appreciate the intense tastes of pork broth and buckwheat noodles, mixed in with greens, mushrooms, and other ingredients. The breakfast sandwiches are absolutely fantastic although very rich. Their breakfast sandwich choices include a well crafted local bakery brioche topped with an egg and house made scrapple. TBL dinner entrees are more expensive than their standards, but I think they're generally worth it. Compared to such standouts as FIG and Charleston Grill, two of our favorites in Charleston, TBL is competitive in terms of quality. Keep an eye out on their menu. When they have things like roasted baby carrots or other local veggies as sides, they tend to be brightly flavored, distinctive, and very much in keeping with their own vision of farm to table. Service is generally good as well as friendly and they seem to have a consistent focus on quality all around. Some of their deserts including the YesUMay cookie/ice cream sandwiches are absolutely terrific. All in all, TBL is bit of a strange combination. You can come here and have a good dinner and easily spend $100+ for a couple (including one beer each and a shared desert) or you could spend $50, perhaps forgoing the desert. So as a result of the sometimes slightly pricey-seeming entrees, TBL has got a bit of a reputation as being "expensive." Its not really true, but its sort of understandable.
(4)Andrew H.
Great place. Food (and drink) were just what the doctor ordered after a long night out. It is quite small and cramped, but they do well with the space they have. It is definitely a hipster joint - from the chefs down to the waiters and waitresses. That's why it loses one star - we got a bit tired of the intentional hipster 'I'm better than you' aloofness that equates to medium poor service in my book. I suppose if you're a hipster then you don't notice it, but if you're not then it can really stick in your craw. We were there for brunch and I had the pork neck with broccoli rabe and a soft boiled egg. Fantastic! One of my buddies got one of the sandwiches which was also great. But when I tasted the ramen noodle dish I wish I had gotten that. Really really great place. But, if you're over 45 don't go as you may be entirely invisible to the staff and they'll never know you're there.
(4)Corey A.
Came here for a very relaxed lunch. My friend and I split a few small plates and a sandwich. The tuna conserva with shishito peppers is a menu staple for a reason - it's freaking delicious. The blistered and slightly sweet (sometimes spicy) Japanese varietal pepper is one of my favorites. The sweetbreads with radicchio, lardo, quail egg, anchovy was a good dish that was hindered by the supreme bitterness of the radicchio. The presentation was beautiful though. The Cuban sandwich was a lunch-only offering and is perhaps the best rendition I've ever tasted. This flavor bomb had smokey pork neck, ham, house pickles, manchego cheese and mustard jus. Two Boroughs Larder is a laid-back neighborhood gem with an inspired global menu. They also sell a lot of varied products for the kitchen and home - meat, eggs, milk, beer & wine, etc. I would gladly return next time I'm in Chucktown.
(4)Jay N.
Came here on out last day in Charleston, after we checked out of the hotel with a few hours before we had to get to the airport. I was worried we wouldn't be able to find any parking with out monster sized rental suv, but luckily, we found an easy pull-in spot right around the corner. The place was pretty quiet when we were there since it was at an odd time on a weekday. I got a bowl-o-noodles and the BF had a breakfast sandwich. Man that noodle was great! I wasn't expecting any spice so I was caught a bit off guard by the heat. I am addicted to ramen and this satisfies that craving. The BF was still hungry after his breakfast sandwich, and he ended up getting a bologna sandwich (half of which I ate on the plane). The BF loved all the sandwiches and I thought they all tasted great too. Next time, we're not going to wait until our last day to come to TBL.
(4)Catharine L.
Corn velouté with crispy chicken skin. Seriously, that is all I have to say about this place: corn velouté with crispy chicken skin.
(5)Taylor A.
Two Boroughs Larder is yet another fantastic addition to the wonderful food scene in Charleston. Though they had only been open two days when I stopped in for dinner, they already had their game tight. They didn't have their liquor license yet, but the owner indicated they would have it pretty soon. The decor is farmhouse chic with a butcher block bar and modern, but comfortable seating. Lots of exposed brick and reclaimed wood all over the place. I even liked the interesting mechanism used to open the bathroom doors. Go and see what I mean. The menu is fairly small, but most of the ingredients are locally sourced, so it changes every day. The date is even stamped on the menu. I had the country fried rabbit that came delicious little pickled carrots. I've never had fried rabbit before, but the great fry batter and rabbit went really well together. Sort of like high-end carnival food if there is such a thing. It's a rare menu item, so I'd have to recommend you get it. At $7 it's a good price. The $3 house made chips were tasty two. The potatoes they use are tiny, so the chips are quarter sized, but well worth getting. Of course I had to get the PBLT (Pork Belly Lettuce Tomato) sandwich because pork belly cooked correctly is one of the best things on Earth. The arugula mayo, pork belly, and lettuce had a great earthy taste that was simply fantastic. A really joyous eating experience. If you want to drink something stronger than soft drinks or coffee, call ahead to see their license status. Once the word of mouth spreads on this place it's going to be slammed as there aren't too many table inside, so I highly recommend going sooner rather than later!
(4)Sophia T.
I have been dying to try this spot since I read the review in the NYT Magazine. My expectations were exceeded. The menu changes daily, so there is no point in me describing my meal in detail. I kindly thank the chef for whipping up such delicious treats and compliment the staff for the quick service. I am not the only one singing high praises for this spot..even the table next to us couldn't help but share their appreciation for the spot. I hear the only downer is that the line is unbearable in the evening. Can't wait to return to try one of the breakfast sandwiches that my fellow yelpers recommend.
(5)Jeffrey B.
Probably 4.5 stars if I had the choice, but I'll lean up because we had a neat, memorable experience. Great happy hour deal, $3 for certain bottles and for glasses of the house red/white. The house red was delicious and super flavorful, what a bargain! Waygu tartare was excellent, very inventive dish with thoughtful preparation and flavors. The standout of our meal, however, was the lamb tongue and sweetbreads, amazing. The beautiful presentation on a long wooden board only enhanced the experience. I really enjoyed the noodle bowl, very fulfilling and clean, nuanced flavors that didnt try to hard. Perfectly seasoned, add the mushrooms for 50 cents! Bought some house-made charcuterie on our way out. This place has alot of potential, inventive, confident cooking.
(5)Forrest I.
On our visit to Charleston, we ate dinner here twice. The menus changed on each visit, and the food was fresh and exciting enough to please even the most jaded, pointy-headed New Yorker. My mother enjoyed her meal (a Cassoulet) so much, she shed tears - I shiitake you not. Excellent beer and wine selections. Attentive, genuine service, that makes you feel at home. The casual layout of the space, and an open-kitchen plan help enhance the welcoming atmosphere. Two Boroughs Larder, please open a branch in one of our NYC boroughs - We'll eat you up. We love you so! Some samples from our visits: *Ox tail was amazing - the pepper in it left a tingling of flavorful fireworks. *Vegetable Curry - honey-dominant, light on curry flavor - a good veg option. *Beet salad was fresh and delicate. *Cassoulet was very savory and delectable, not overly heavy at all. *Pig ears were a new adventure for me - Good salt and vinegar flavor, crunchy parts were good, chewy parts were challengey.
(5)Adrienne E.
Everything was delicious. Had the octopus, tuna, peppers, okra, and bread and butter. The only thing I found strange was that they didn't serve iced tea.
(3)Wade S.
My impressions of what appears to be the over zealous attempt by hipsters to open a restaurant. Decor: The restaurant is rather quaint with it's rustic appearance (barn wood and tin) and eclectic mix of seating options. It was cozy and the concept was great, execution not so much. - I am all for a dimly lit restaurant to add to it's charm. However it was so dark in this restaurant that we needed to use our cell phones so we could read the menus. - The seating at our table were these great metal chairs that appeared as if they fell out of a photo of a patio in a fifties designer magazine. The problem with the chairs is that after sitting for over two hours just for dinner (more on that later) they became incredibly uncomfortable. Also, since they had no cushion and were polished metal you continued to slide out of them. - The table. We were a party of five that was seated at a table that would be better suited for a party of four. But this was not a problem as the plate/bowls were very small (more on that later) Service: We arrived at approximately seven on a rainy Tuesday night. When we entered there was a large community table that would seat ten and then a smaller table that was set for eight. Both vacant. According to their website it states, "Because we aim to keep The Larder infused within the community, we accommodate walk-ins only and do not accept reservations" and therefore we did not call to make a reservation. However when we told the hostess we had a party of five she asked if we had called ahead. "Well no, your website says it does not accept reservations." This appeared to confuse and irritate the person seating us. She called in a couple of servers and after some whispered conversation they disassembled the table set for eight and created a smaller table for five. We were seated and immediately provided with menus and drink orders were took. Drinks were delivered within about ten minutes as was water. We were waiting on two other members of our party which arrived shortly after the drinks were delivered. The server came back approximately ten minutes later and took the new arrivals drink orders and our dinner orders. Several members of the party ordered appetizers. The apps were delivered to the table within about 15 minutes (I'll discuss the food later). This is where the metal chair comment comes into play. It was almost one hour to the minute after the appetizers were delivered that our entrees came out. Tables that had been seated after us received their orders prior. Needless to say, shiny metal chairs were becoming very uncomfortable. Apparently there are some execution issues in the kitchen. Periodically throughout the meal the server would return to refill our water glasses and see if we needed anything. Keep in mind that although slow the server was very pleasant. Food: Very good and Great flavor! - Apps: Tuna Conserva was delicious. Sun-choke and Garlic soup and Roasted Brussels Sprouts were stated to be very good as well. -Entrees: Several had the Noodle Bowls and claimed they were very good. I had the Hot Chicken. The flavors were great but this is where I discuss the plate sizes. Now, before I go into what was on my plate I want to say that I am not one to want large IHOP size portions of food. BUT, I do expect a serving that matches the price. The Hot Chicken was 24 dollars and this is what it consisted of: One Chicken wing drummie, Six Quarter sized chicken medallions, Seven leafs of spinach, ten fava beans, and some type of cream sauce and a sprinkling of green onion. Now flavor wise, it was delicious. But for $24 dollars I expected a little more than an 8" bowl with the above in it. This was the case for the other entrees as well. The Check: Our checks were delivered at the 2 1/2 hour mark of our seating. My check alone which included The Hot Chicken, a Glass of wine and a beer was $53.00. This is way too much for what was sat on the table in front of me. One member of our party happen to notice that a 20% gratuity had been added to all of our checks. HUH? Seriously? Now, if you are going to do this then the server should make this known when presenting the checks. Also, was this because we were a party of five? If so isn't that an odd number to apply this rule to...I could see parties of six or more, but five? Had it been just me and my partner I would have asked them to remove it from the check. Now let me say that we are 20%+ tippers anyway, but don't add it my check and then not mention it. We paid our check and left. So this is my take on Two Boroughs Larder. I would like to close with saying that I am not a diner who rarely goes to dinner at new and upcoming restaurants. I have dined as some of the finest restaurants in the world. There are too many great restaurants in Charleston to bother stopping at Two Boroughs Larder.
(1)Joanna G.
The sweet corn velouté is other-worldly.
(5)Angela L.
Love love love the $5 breakfast sandwich, with choice of bacon, scrapple, or ham. Delicious on a tasted brioche bun, perfectly soft-poached egg, and cheese. The food was simply awesome! The only thing that needs to be worked on is service- we waited 45-50 minutes for two apps and three breakfast sandwiches, and there were only 3 other tables there around 3pm on a weekday! Love the funky decor.
(4)Drew S.
Try the charcuterie board! Had spreads, multiple types of sausages and pates. Also loooooved the lamb ribs and they had half price mimosas at the bar. Lives up to the hype, check them out!
(5)Carrington S.
This place is awesome. I had one of the best breakfast sandwiches of my life here and I can't wait to go back. The atmosphere really makes this place though from exposed brick to quality beers and wine and friendly wait staff. They also have small unique knick knacks for sale against one wall. This place has a lot of character.
(5)Ellen L.
What an awesome experience! Couldn't have chosen a better restaurant. Went with a party of 4 with the intention of trying as many dishes as possible. The small plates menu offered the perfect opportunity to do this. We tried the chartrucciere platter - loved loved loved the pate. We also had the clams (so yummy), the summer pepper soup (very light and flavorful), the tuna and wagyu tartare (one of my favorites). Luckily we were there for burger night. Split one with the egg (is there any better way to eat it) and wished we had ordered another. Finally, although we were quite full, we had to try the duck entree and, of course, their famous noodle bowl. Both dishes lived up to the rest of the meal. Service was super and very friendly. Spoke to the owners and chef, Josh and Heather, who were very welcoming and friendly. Couldn't ask for better hospitality. We highly recommend Two Boroughs Larder and can't wait to return!!!!
(5)John L.
I rounded down. This place really gets 3.5 stars. We went on Saturday night to grab drinks and apps. It was still early and very quiet in there. We had the octopus with nduja (a spicy spreadable sausage), San Marzano tomatoes, and fava beans. It was a small portion, but delicious. Probably the best octopus I've ever had. We also tried the clams with radish and avocado. They were great. My one gripe - the broth was the most enjoyable part of the dish and they didn't serve any bread to sop it up... I wanted to try the noodles, but we had to go. I will be going back for those. In a nutshell... The food is awesome. The servers are friendly and knowledgeable. The menu is creative, limited, and pricy. It's beer and wine only (no cocktails). The space is cool with lots of reclaimed wood, but it's very cozy in there (you'll likely be elbow to elbow with someone)... I liked it.
(3)Bob C.
Great service, cool atmosphere n great food. Burger n Belgium beer was a treat!
(5)Andy N.
Just had one of their breakfast sandwiches... Yum fucking yum is how i would describe it. Only 5 bucks and so perfect. The egg was has a slightly runny yoke which was not messy but kept the sandwich from being dry. The bacon was such high quality as well as the cheese and bread. Can't beat it...I give it the best breakfast sammy in town award!
(5)Craig F.
Last night was my third visit to "TBL" and I have to say that it is now my favourite restaurant in Charleston (and that is saying a LOT, because per capita, Chucktown has some of the best restaurants in the world, bar none). I have always loved every meal, but last night, I finally decided to try one of their specialties: the noodle bowl with pork and a soft boiled egg. OMG it was heaven in a bowl. Bursting with flavor. The broth was flavorful and not the least bit salty. The crispy pieces of pork, partnered with the luscious and golden egg was sublime. It is a small space with character to spare. Just love how "lived in" it feel to it that is cozy and welcoming. They have an interesting selection of gift items, too (one of my friends called it "Cracker Barrel" meets "Anthropologie"...I agree with the latter more than the former). I have never had a problem getting a table there but I fear every time that will change because the food is special. Please seek this place out, It is well worth it.
(5)Erin P.
I love Two Boroughs Larder because they take simple, unexpected ingredients and turn them into something magical. The space is so cozy and the staff are so welcoming that you feel as if you should invite them over to dinner sometime. TBL is great because you can change the experience each time. You can order some amazing small plates to share and have a lovely evening on the cheap or you can go all out and order several courses and a bottle of wine for a big date night. And even though I hate menus with photos, I'm constantly checking their Instagram feed to see which new items I may want to try before I head in. My go-to order is their noodle bowl - with all the extras. Extra pork, kimchee, pickled mushrooms and make it spicy! The perfectly poached egg sitting atop the impeccably cooked noodles and aromatic broth is my favorite, it's like carefully unwrapping a tiny present each time I get to break it open. This bowl is my new go-to comfort food. And there's always enough to take home leftovers.
(5)Laurie T.
Our favorite of all the places we ate in 10 days in Charleston. Amazingly good food. They accommodated our bringing in our own wine (for a fee) very nicely. We had great service, but all of a sudden our server deserted us and let others wait on us. We were not ignored, but she was still around and ended up processing our payment, so it was a little weird. My brother and husband had the quail and loved it. It was amazingly prepared and nice portion. The goat was quite well received as well. We were told to come before 7 and we'd have no problem getting a table. Quite true. NICE neighborhood place where the locals go. Oh and the oatmeal pie dessert was out of this world. Something I would never pick but it was phenomenal.
(5)Louis p.
Truly unique and worth the money....lots of care goes into every dish
(5)T.J. H.
Bottom line, excellent food and excellent service, the rest is just gushing. A quiet neighborhood spot, TBL is a relatively new restaurant (only open since 8/2011 so don't be deterred by it's small number of reviews) with an interesting menu and great wine and beer list. I had the Duck Confit Fried Rice and Roasted Okra as a side. Both were delicious with asian inspired flavors subtly worked through. Our waitress was friendly and attentive and even introduced us to one of the owners who was also waiting tables (it's a small place). Even though it was closing she spent a long while chatting about her and her husband starting the business and giving us recommendations for other good spots in Charleston. It's their first venture as owners and it's obvious that they care not just about the food, but about the whole experience. Honestly it's the kinda of place that I would want to own. So do yourself a favor and visit this place whether you're a local or a tourist.
(5)Melisa K.
Casual, but eclectic cuisine without trying to hard. Fantastic noodle bowl and we have visited the far east many times. On par with a Singapore noodle bowl! Order with extra pork because it was melt in your mouth. Cold beer and I love how the wine is served in small glasses like in Europe. Lamb Fried Rice was delicious. Lamb belly was good but a bit too fatty for me. Loved the atmosphere. Really relaxed with such amazing food.
(5)Zuzzi E.
Adorable little spot with a random menu... The ramen is best in the city. And they have the most refreshing iced green tea. Great for a meal with pals or casual date!
(5)Tracey D.
First time there, and I tried their bowl-o-noodles. It was certainly far from the best, but I added more meat + kimchi, and it made pretty decent. Had a bad experience with the tuna conserva (tuna w/ Shishito peppers) since I was expecting more tuna; the plate was 90% peppers...that was insanely spicey--and I consider myself to have pretty high tolerance--so that came out as a surprise. Would not get that again. My friends ordered a duck and steak dish, and I thought those were pretty good (maybe 8 out of 10 star). We also really enjoyed their beef tartare. I won't let one bad appetizer experience drag me down, would definitely come back to try other things on their changing menu
(3)Seth S.
World class, locally sourced foodie cuisine in a cool Charleston hipster setting, Two Boroughs Larder is as good as it gets. With a James Beard nominated chef and wife team, it's more than worth the effort to find this great place. It's in a slightly offbeat part of town--perhaps Charleston's equivalent of Williamsburg, and parking is not the easiest here. But all of our dishes were excellent--potato & clam soup, chilled corn & peach chowder, and a pork in broth stood out. The brown sugar oatmeal pie was absolutely excellent, and the place has an impressive selection of beers and wines too. Warm service and nice low key vibe to boot. Highly recommended.
(5)Richard P.
We arrived to Charleston pretty late and decided going to Two Boroughs Larder for a late dinner based on a friend's recommendation. When we got their, we thought we were too late and that they had already closed. Turns out that they were almost closed but there were still a few tables in the 2nd room. We didn't want to the one of 'those' customers that walks in right before a business closes, but the server assured us it was fine. We ordered some beer and several dishes including their ramen. All the dishes (oysters, beef tartar, noodle soup, flank steak, etc) were really good. Since their menu changes all the time, I won't go into details other than the food, the service and atmosphere really makes this a very enjoyable and intimate dining experience. I'd go back in a heartbeat the next time I visit Charleston.
(5)Bob B.
My wife and I came here twice in one day on our recent trip to Charleston. Once for breakfast and then again for dinner. My wife got the noodle bowl and it was really well executed, a bit pricy with the add-ons, but tasty. I got the scrapple breakfast sandwich and I loved it. I can't say that I've ever had scrapple before, but if it was offered at more places in Tampa and tasted this good, I'd be down for it. For dinner we both got the Wednesday burger offering and it was juicy, had great flavor, and the mornay sauce was a great addition. I savored every bite, but could've scarfed it down in a minute. The two 5 oz patties were more than adequate portion-wise. Service was delightful on both visits. I would like to add we had our 7 month old kid with us and there were no issues with accomodations and pleasantries.
(5)Sonya M.
Pretty good spot and a little out of the way from the King Street strip. Good experience overall, and my dish of ramen was good - not amazing. But that's what I get for ordering ramen in Charleston, right? I think my date's beef tartare was just OK with him - he didn't love the "raw-ness" from what I sensed though. The wild onion pancakes were delicious. Clams were out of this world - a must try!
(4)Lindsay B.
The breakfast sandwich did not disappoint. At $5, I would eat this weekly if I lived in the area. I heard myself make an "MMmmmm" noise loudly after my first bite while sitting solo at the bar.The sweet tea was bottled, but still the best bottled sweet tea I've ever had. The ambience of this place is great - Laid back with interesting design features everywhere (artwork, fixtures etc). It looked like a great place to meet people and grab a bite.
(5)Tim K.
Almost lost a star due to overcooked noodles but the service made up for it. Two Boroughs Larder has a nice hipster environement. It's a store and a really good restaurant. They have a communal table for those in favour of socializing over food. The dinner menu looks somewhat pricey at first because most of the items or above $20. But than again you have a small separate section with one dish for $10: the Ramen Noodle Soup. A dark broth with lots of meat (also when you don't ask for the extra meat) which is filled with flavor and definitely gets you in the right spot. Did i mention they have a pretty well stocked fridge with different kinds of beer from all over the country? As mentioned before, the service is spotless. Very friendly ladies who give you that homey feeling and a great sense of hospitality.
(5)Anna G.
Amazing breakfast sandwiches! So good that I forgot to take pictures (the horror!). I had the chicken sausage one, while my husband ordered the pork scrapple sandwich. They were $6 each, but based on size and taste, I wouldn't have batted an eyelash if they were in the $8-10 range instead. The bread the sandwiches were on was also really good and nicely toasted. I can't remember right now, but I think they were sourdough rolls. The restaurant itself is quite small and tucked away in a neighborhood. There are some tables and bar seating. At 10:30am on a Tuesday it was just us and 3 other patrons. The aesthetic is very rustic and farmy.
(5)Han C.
The most hipster place we ate in Charleston was Two Boroughs Larder. The restaurant is tiny, with one long communal table and a few small two-tops. The clientele is straight out of Williamsburg, with vintage outfits and an apartment full of cats Instagrammed on the daily. The other half of the restaurant is dedicated to self-service, locally made alcohol and Orangina. While the pork belly, pistachio and rhubarb was a tasty and unique combo,the brussels sprouts and lamb ragu stole our hearts - slightly bitter and tender greens with an amazingly savory and spicy ragu. We scraped this dish clean with our tongues. Most of the reviews you see will say that the beef ramen is really delicious, but it's just okay and borderline bland (even though the egg is clearly on point!). It would benefit immensely from the gritty chili oil you find in most Asian noodle shops. The desserts are worth a mention also. You can get a little jarful of creamy, chocolate ganache studded with crushed pistachios or cookies and milk. One cookie had marshmallows, and it makes me wonder why there just aren't more cookies with the chewy goodness of melty marshmallows. (These are the types of things that keep me up at night.)
(4)Hannah S.
So- hipster to the max, but delicious food and wonderful opportunities to get local groceries, like veal sweetbreads, grass fed beef, South Carolina milk, artisanal cheeses and various charcuterie. I had the caraway bagel with smoked trout, dill, and creme fraiche. YUMMMMMMM! this was so good. boyfriend had a duck egg, chorizo, and smoky greens garnished with fried chicken skins. also yum. combine that with two cold-pressed vegan coffees- best lunch ever. menu changes daily- check online for the most recent.
(4)Keith H.
Three Noodle Bowls Larder? Yummmmmm Pretty unique menu with some great items, including the awesome, filling and affordable noodle bowl (nothing better on a chilly Charleston day/night). Plus the space and decor is just AWESOME! Loved it! Seriously, I'd just hang out in there if I could. I don't believe the "open kitchen" is done on purpose, like some restaurants do, but is just a result of the space they have. Either way, it was really cool to watch the chefs at work. True professionals and great fun! Clams were cooked and seasoned really well and the sourdough bread was perfect for dipping in the clam sauce and putting some of their in-house butter on. Mmmmm mmm that clam sauce was good good gooooooood! The drink selection is pretty good and reasonable for a small place like this. Not too overwhelming, but with plenty of choices for all, and the prices are fair. The staff is EXCELLENT; they were all attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. My only complaint is that the menu seems to be lacking a "large plate" or entree in the $15-20 dollar range. I think this would really give a great option for people, because the $25, $29, $32 and $90 (for two people) large plate prices scare some people away. Then the small/sharing/bite-size plates can range upwards of 15-18 dollars themselves, but would probably not fill you up. There needs to be a happy medium! We found that happy medium in the noodle bowl which starts at 10$ but you can do add-ons for 1$ each. However, if you're not into noodles and not looking to spend $30ish on an entree, you may be out of luck here. If that's the case, just come here when you're looking for a drink and a snack. I'd go here again; in fact, I WILL go here again. I'd recommend it to MOST of my friends and family.
(4)Kimber C.
I had bavette steak which was very flavorful. The cut of meat was a bit more tough and difficult to break apart. The mflavor profile was there though and was a perfect medium rare. The potatoes, pork belly, and the chimichurri were delicious! The olive dish was boring, but ok. The happy hour wine was decent. It was worth the visit for sure. I'd consider going back and trying something else.
(4)Marina N.
Yes yes yes! Wanted everything on the menu and in the store. This place is not just a worthy destination, it is worth a pilgrimage. It's cute, food is delicious and bursting with flavor, some wonderfully inventive dishes on the menu, service is friendly. Where to begin? Short rib with root vegetables and white chocolate. When your toddler is grabbing the slices of meat in their hands and chomping away while doing a little dance, you know it's a great dish. Meat was tender and dripping with bacony juices. The subtlety of the white chocolate with the root vegetables, so rich and delicious. Lamb ribs with Szechuan peppercorn (slightly numbing) and sesame oil. Bravo! The brussel sprouts in soubise. J'adore! The Wagyu tartare is fantastic! Brain is doing a happy dance! Steelhead trout prepared so delicately, plated like a precious treasure on an ivory pillow of foamy sauce with jewels of green and white cauliflower sprinkled around it. Rapturous meal! Actually, it was the best we had in Charleston. We also ate at Charleston Grill, Cru, 82 Queen, Fish, and The Grocery. Next time, I'll make sure to visit The Ordinary for the seafood, Magnolia's for fried chicken, and Hominy Grill for the nasty biscuit but this place will be first on my list.
(5)Rhoda G.
I wasn't too keen on sitting near the entrance but the restaurant itself is pretty small. They offered a lot of small plates and everything sounded appetizing. We decided to get the seasonal lettuce, roasted brussel sprouts, roasted sweet potatoes and each of us got ourselves a "main" course. I got the chickpea soup and my boyfriend got the bowl-o-noodle. I loved the roasted brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes. They were cooked perfectly and the favors were delicious. I thought the seasonal lettuce was okay. I got to try some of the bowl-o-noodle and thought it was just okay also. The best thing of the meal was dessert! We decided to get the oatmeal brown sugar pie and seriously one of the best desserts I ever had. If they have given me a whole pie, I would have eaten it right there. Overall despite some hit and miss dishes, I had a great experience. The service was attentive and the dishes that I loved everything tasted fresh and delicious. Definitely coming back to try more and get some of that oatmeal brown sugar pie! Tip - Parking in this neighborhood is not great. There is a parking garage 2 blocks away near King street.
(4)Emily V.
I came here for a very late lunch (around 3 PM) and I was one of the only people there. My server was super friendly, just great service. The decorations inside are really beautiful and very hipster-ish. The menu is sort of a choose your own adventure sort of situation. As in, popcorn, steak, ramen, and breakfast sandwiches are all on the same menu. I kinda hate this sort of situation at restaurants because it makes it really confusing as a diner to know what they're good at (and I can't imagine a chef can be good at everything). I got the bowl o'noodles because a lot of reviews seemed to like them. They were good. Not great. The soft egg was overcooked and not runny in the middle. The noodles were a little chewy and overcooked. The pork confit was by far the best part of the dish. It was delicious and perfect. I spent a dollar extra for the kimchi which, though good, didn't really necessitate an extra dollar. Honestly, I probably would have been happier if the bowl was $11 and I didn't have to pay extra for kimchi. The shop part of the store has a lot of nice products, most which I've seen before through mail programs, it would be nice to get to buy them in person here, though. Overall, I would go back, I just wasn't super impressed. I would order something different next time.
(3)Sue F.
Cool and chill atmosphere with rustic decor. The noodle bowl and dessert was amazing!! I wasn't a fan of the beef tartar it felt like raw hamburger and the menu was limited but the service was outstanding! Definitely something different you should try!
(4)Eugenia F.
The restaurant deserves five stars because it has character and seeks to push Charleston clientele to new gastronomic places. It reminded me of small roadside bistros in the agricultural and vineyard regions of Aquitaine, Midi-Pyranees and Languedoc that served local wines (rough or tannic by high French standards) and simple but delicious dishes made from local products. I had a series of small plates, including roasted local Brussels sprouts, bone marrow with carrots and turnips in broth, lambs tongue and fried sweetbreads. All were very good with the exception of the Brussels sprouts which were too salty and too heavily oiled. The bone marrow is a must have.
(5)TJ L.
Another great, local, diamond in the rough! (See the Chucktown trend here, people?) I stopped by TBL a few nights ago to grab some noodles based on the the crazy chatter and the pictures I've seen on social media that I've tried to paw at through my phone's screen. TBL ***may*** currently be my favorite restaurant atmosphere as of late. It's pretty dim inside, with lots of antique/rustic tables, glassware, and so on adorning the place. You can tell from the ingredients they use, and what I see laying on the counters back in the kitchen that the food here is fresh. The noodle bowl does, indeed live up to the reviews, right down to the farm fresh egg. The kimchi (for an extra buck) spices things up, and hits all of the right spots. Very friendly staff, and it's pretty easy to find a parking spot on the street and run in. Easily one of my top places in town.
(5)Rob G.
Great little restaurant nestled away in a residential neighborhood. The food was farm to table, very simple southern fair, but distinguished being cooked so perfectly. I had the steak and my wife had clams. Both were excellent. The only downside is that the menu is very limited. The beer menu was also very good, however, and reasonably priced.
(4)Everett B.
Good place for a quick bite, stopped in for brunch right after getting into Charleston. We started with some elderflower mimosas that while good, weren't easily distinguished from any regular mimosa. I had the Chicken Boudin Blanc and my friend had the Peperonata sandwiches and we split an order of the Roasted Brussel Sprouts. The Brussel sprouts were the only thing that really stood out (delicious). The sandwiches were good (bread was very fresh) but nothing out of the ordinary. Staff was friendly and the decor had the Cracker Barrel you can buy anything in the room thing going on. All in all I'd go back again to try a few more dishes.
(3)Staci T.
This was a fabulous dining experience! We got here early for a reservation but were seated immediately. Had the bread and salad to start, with sweetbreads as the main. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned! The okra on my husband's wagyu meal were charred to perfection. Dessert was on another level- the oatmeal cream pie with caramel sea salt ice cream. Wonderful service and food, would come back in a heartbeat!
(5)Marisa F.
Definitely a great find. Some of the best food in Charleston and I have been EVERYWHERE. Small, quiet, good music playing and exceptional food.
(5)Carley J.
Absolutey delish! Super creative yet really tasty menu with different items every day. Don't be afraid to try something new. You won't be disappointed. Great feel to the place as well with reclaimed wood tables and brick walls. The owners are really nice and always available to answer questions about the menu. Very local-friendly; they use as much local produce as they can so you know what you're eating is super fresh. A must try spot in charleston!
(5)Rebecca A.
Leading up to my Birthday celebration this weekend, a couple friends and I decided to treat ourselves on a Thursday afternoon with lunch at TBL. So glad we did, because the sour taste I left with after my first visit (due to our server), was gone as soon as we walked into the door this time. I already knew the food here was fantastic, so to be greeted so friendly, I knew this was going to be a great visit. The server was knowledgeable, attentive, and a delight the entire time. We ordered four small plates, (Sorry no pics, my friends and I all dug in too fast!) Included in our selections were the tuna conserva with Shishito peppers, and the warm Summer pepper soup with lime, yogurt, and hazelnut. Both excellent. The other two selections, from which I believe were daily or weekly specials, was homemade pasta with homemade chorizo, corn, and okra, as well as the hot dog. The pasta was great and the hot dog was on a roll like some places use for lobster rolls. Fresh, buttery,and toasted deliciousness. No matter what you choose for your meal selections, it's all wonderful, but I must let you also know to save room to have a slice of their brown sugar oatmeal pie. I felt so sinful because it truly taste like a cold spoonful of baked brown sugar and butter. Pure yumminess! Our slice was also topped with a scoop of that days homemade salted caramel ice cream. This pie is so good, if you want to buy a whole one you must order it a week in advance and it cost $40!! It's a labor of love I tell ya.
(4)Chris H.
This was my second visit. I went with my husband the first time when we were visiting Charleston and I took my girlfriends this past weekend. The service was impeccable and that says a lot given how late we were on top of how finicky my friends were about the menu! The food was all excellent though. The charcuterie steals the show although the popcorn is pretty amazing. The mignonette on the west coast (WA) oysters really stood out too. The environment is so cozy and warm too. We'll be back for certain!
(5)Caitlin M.
My husband and I have been here three times now and each time we go we are thankful that we have a two hour drive to get here because we'd be there every chance we got if we didn't have such a drive. The servers know their product - ask what you should have and go on their recommendation. Then get a mr weeds iced coffee. This restaurant is a gem among gems and I'm telling you to go the first chance you get!
(5)Emily D.
Service was par. If you want to leave this restaurant full, order one of everything off the menu. Twenty eight dollars for two wings of chicken in gravy. The ribs were something I wouldn't feed to my dog, pure gristle on a bone. The goat was good. The burger was big.
(2)Trenicia W.
The guy I went with said this is a restraurant that chefs love. I can believe it, everything is delicious but it's definitely things that the average joe wouldn't consider trying. I had the Bowl O Noodles, better than my favorite pho place, it like pho and ramen on steroids and you will love it (get it with the kimchi adds a nice kick). The roasted asparagus was deelish, and also an off the beaten path (for me) choice the bone marrow. I was hesistant about trying it, but it was so rich and delicious, I am dreaming about it! I also tried the dessert, I forget the name, its a pie, very rich, if you're not a big sweets person it may be sugar overload but one bite won't hurt!
(5)Dio S.
Had a good lunch here during Charleston visit. Two Boroughs has been one of the more well known happening places to eat in Charleston last two years. It has been cited by multiple Atlanta chefs as among their favorite places to eat in the southeast. I expected inventive dishes, explosive flavors, casual but energetic vibe, maybe a bit of hipster whimsy. Two Boroughs satisfied on all fronts. I can see myself eating here frequently if I lived in Charleston. The smaller-than-expected space was somewhat cramped (I guess I should have taken the word larder more literally). It's most suitable for a quick stop or some sort of casual gathering at the communal table. The ramen-inspired noodle bowl exceeded my (admittedly, measured) expectations, with self-assured broth and tremendous noodles, thoroughly satisfying though not quite so good that I'd be missing it all the way from Atlanta. Better yet are the 10 or so small plates including really outstanding local clams, slow cooked egg, thoughtful vegetable preparations, and charcuterie. The variety is good for the size of the menu. When I say I can see myself eating here often, these delightful gems are mainly what I was thinking of. I would have liked it more if a couple more dishes similar in spirit to the noodle bowl are offered--say, a paella perhaps. As is, outside of the small plates you might or might not want the about 4 main dishes offered, in the form of $30 roast duck and such like. I personally would feel a bit hesitant to order one of those after sharing 3~4 small plates with somebody. The afternoon downtime is probably the best time to eat here. Not only do you bypass the elbowroom problem, but get to enjoy charming natural lighting.
(4)Hans K.
This place is insane and it sits in a COCH neighborhood that you Wouldn't be in unless you are a Student or the parent of a student...Neilia was the most amazing ambassador and secret (she pulls double duty at The Grocery). Try the scrapple Sandwich and good Palm Pale Ale at Brunch Or...come in for a great dinner and to go Growler of draught beer...let's be clear..when in Chucktown you try Two Boroughs and ask for Neilia
(5)Mira K.
Absolutely incredible. Atmosphere was lovely and trendy. Waitress was incredibly sweet and accommodating. Delicious and satisfying brunch - didn't feel too heavy. The brown sugar oatmeal pie was to die for. This place is a must!
(5)Tara C.
We had a private event with Two Buroughs and it was one of the most enjoyable meals of my life. I'm a total foodie and have experienced food in many countries, this meal ranked in my top 3 best. We have indulged in most of the top ranked Charleston restaurants and this unassuming 40 seat restaurant has topped them all. The Chef is incredibly talented and he wowed the entire group with every course. You won't regret trying this little gem!
(5)Carlin R.
Give this place business! Two Boroughs Larder is a gem downtown, where laid back, low-priced, inventive restaurants are hard to find. The chefs are fully engaged with their business, adjusting and adding to the menu often. I just had their bowl of noodles for the first time and it was out of this world good. I got it with kimchi, pickled mushrooms, and pork belly and I highly recommend all three.
(5)Andre B.
The wife and I were wrapping up our tour de food Charleston and we decided to stop in at Two Boroughs Larder for breakfast/brunch on Thanksgiving Saturday. We had been here on a few other occasions for breakfast and really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Before this visit, I would have said 4 to 4.5 stars, but after the noodle bowl that I had, they have graduated to 5 star territory. I was happy when our server said that the noodle bowl was available all day, including breakfast. The wife had some type of vegetarian egg sandwich, which was good, but let's get back to the noodle bowl. I am not sure if they have different noodle bowl variations, but mine included crispy pork, an egg and I opted for kimchi, mushrooms and sesame greens as my added toppings. Next time, I will also add extra crispy pork. All the components were awesome and I managed to finish every little bit of the delicious broth. The big surprise was the kimchi, which was legit spicy and not like some "white people kimchi" as I like to call it that doesn't have any spice or flavor. We split the oatmeal sugar pie for dessert and it was a perfect sweet ending to the meal. We will definitely return on future trips to Charleston, and there will be many. The only drawback is parking, but when we are on the tour de food, walking is always a good idea to burn off a few extra calories!
(5)Michael H.
What a wonderful discovery! We had done the run of the usual restaurants in Charleston; fun, but nothing that I'd call a religious experience. On our last night in the city we wanted something different and decided to give Two Boroughs a try. We looked at the menu online before we went and were a bit flummoxed, but we decided to throw caution to the wind and try it anyways. Oh. My. God. Possibly one of the 10 best meals we've ever had on the East Coast. Nothing we had in Charleston could compare to the culinary skill wielded by the chefs in the Two Boroughs kitchen. A thoughtful and creative use of ingredients that I wouldn't have thought to pare. We were too full for dessert on this go-round, but we'll DEFINITELY be back.
(5)Jared F.
Best breakfast I've had in a while. The poached eggs with grits, dried shrimp an greens was a perfect melding of Southern and Southeast Asian flavors that totally surprised me. Can't imagine how good the rest of the menu is. The staff was friendly in a formal/efficient way and the interior was exactly was also spot on.
(5)Kayla J.
I've been here about 5-6 times and it's become a staple of mine here in Charleston. I switch between ordering 5-6 small plates between my boyfriend and I or just us going to town on 2 noodle bowls. Either way you go, you cannot go wrong. The building is adorable. Very small, personable, intimate, romantic?, and rustic. They somehow made the industrial movement look and feel homey. I applaud them. The service has always been awesome and food delivered within a reasonable amount of time. Some people's biggest complaint about this restaurant is that the "food takes too long!!!" Well I have a response that: this is not the type of dinner you go out to and rush your way through. Sit down, relax, have a glass of wine, and enjoy your company and your food. As I said before, this place is small; it's intimate, enjoy it for the love of God!! It is an open kitchen, you can see the staff chugging away and working hard making your food; it's not like they are standing there instagramming your food for you because let's be real; you were going to anyways. Their craft beer selection is always diverse and the wine list isn't too shabby. I've tried all the reds by the glass and although I wasn't super pumped on any of them, they were all obviously drinkable and enjoyable. Now on to the most important part: THE FOOD! The menu changes quite often, varying from season to season and what's good that day from local farms. I've tried 3 different types of soup here. All have been really hearty and big on the veggies which is the kind of soup I like. I've had the beef tartar, the shishito peppers, the clams, the breakfast sandwiches, the noodle bowl, seasonal lettuce salad, brussel sprouts, sweetbreads, halibut, hot chicken, bread and butter...the list really does go on. You really cannot go wrong. I feel like my bowl o noodle needs a separate paragraph though. First off, noodle bowl night is on tuesdays and they offer more toppings into the bowl but the normal list is offered all week lunch and dinner. I always get whatever I can in the bowl. Soft egg, pork confit, onion, pickled mushrooms, kimchi, EXTRA KIMCHI, sesame greens, and brussel leaves. If that description of a dish doesn't turn you on in the weirdest way possible there is a damn good reason we aren't Yelp friends. Dessert: Order the oatmeal pie. It is like crack. Although I've never tried crack. Recently TB has had a blast of people giving them 1 and 2 star ratings and I am SHOCKED. When i give out 1 and 2 stars it's drunkenly going to Taco Bell because they won't serve me at 2:01am when all I want is a bean burrito or the place that gives me food poisoning. But hey, to each is own! And quite frankly, the more noodle bowl for me.
(5)Fiona D.
Really cool place.. I wanted to take my boyfriend somewhere cool & different for date day. The food is amazing & its a cute/cool environment to share each other's company & share a bowl of food together
(4)Susan F.
Dinner portions were extremely small and expensive! The chairs are hard metal and cold. Not a good experience. The clam were the smallest clams that I have ever seen.
(1)Chris G.
Would have given five stars, if not for the uninterested/unhelpful service. Great little spot that is cropping up around the country with a focus on local produce and ingredients as well as specialty merchandise. Really seeing a renaissance of butchers and well made and crafted food, we just wish the service matched the setting.
(4)Scotty C.
TBL never disappoints. Read my last review for more examples. I recently came in and finally knocked the bowl-o-noodle off my bucket list and had to give an update. For those of you complaining about not getting enough food for your dollar here, you obviously have never ordered the noodles. For $10, you get a giant bowl of ramen style noodle cooked firmly to the perfect texture. Throw in the pork confit, pork broth, and a soft boiled egg... that's your start. You can stop right there and be happy or you can add a handful of extra items for anywhere from $0.50 to $2.00. I wasn't sure what to expect out of them but, was intrigued enough by the pickled mushrooms throw those in the mix. Best decision I made all day. They had so much flavor and with such a firm texture it was like adding an extra protein to the bowl. I'm not a huge fan of kimchi but, I do like the heat so I added some hot sauce. It already has a bit of chilli oil in the broth but, the sriracha gave it an extra boost. It was the first cool day in Charleston and that was the perfect meal to pair it with. I started with a spiced fall brew and finished with a Chocolate Budino... perfection.
(5)Mandy W.
The food is not as good as I expected seriously, I ordered three dishes and I waited an hour to have them all on my table.The noodle is fine, tartar is good.
(3)Jaycie H.
Two Boroughs Larder is a modern rustic restaurant. It seems slightly confusing what type of restaurant this is from the name but it is kind of an asian restaurant (chop sticks at the tables). But they serve other things as well. The menu is quite short, veggie options, lamb, something expensive and the noodles. Since the noodles seemed to be the specialty I decided to get that. I got peas and chicken sausage. There was an obscene amount of soy sauce/beef bullion mixture and the noodles were tasteless. Our bellini was great on the other hand. We were there for 2 hours total (including waiting to be seated) and I feel that that is far too long especially since we got the simplest thing on the menu. Didn't get appetizers or desert either. Our server was nice though. If noodles are like your favorite thing you may want to give this place a try but I did not enjoy it. My husband liked his food, see his Yelp review for more info!
(2)Elisabeth P.
What they lack in parking they more than make up in the food. Inventive and tasty ingredients. I was impressed with the glass of wine the waitstaff chose for me. Rare to hear "we have something you will love" and be presented with the second most affordable wine option on the menu...and really love it. I wish we had grabbed some of the take home items here but we were too stuff to ever contemplate eating again. Of course go for the noodle bowl + kimchi and double pork. We also sampled black cod collar (the spare ribs of the ocean) - should have nabbed two and chicken liver mouse. Service was personable when they popped by but a little spotty. Chef is nominated for best chef from Food & Wine magazine Southeast so get in before it gets crazy.
(4)Jessica B.
Came here randomly and was pleasantly surprised! The menu changes every so often, so it's a shame people won't be able to try the things I'm reviewing. Boyfriend and I ordered the sweet corn veloute and WOW. We licked up every bit of it. The sweetness of the corn and the savoriness of the bacon was an out of this world combo. We also got the wagyu tartare that came with these mini pancakes. I've never had such an amazing tartare. The wagyu was very fresh and you could clearly see it in the color. Thinking about it now makes my mouth water....ANYWAY.... They've got a nice beverage selection too. They offer growlers of select beers to go. I loved the wall of merchandise. There were so many things from local vendors that it made me want to buy one of everything. The shop has a corgi mascot and being a corgi owners ourselves, we were obviously was drawn to all the corgi merchandise. Walter the corgi has magnets for sale, half of the proceeds are donated to Pet Helpers, which is very nice. So, of course, we bought one. Overall, LOVED the food, drinks, merchandise and just everything about this place!! Would definitely come back next time I'm down in Charleston.
(5)Nate H.
This place is awesome, hands down! I was so excited I found this small restaurant on my visit to Charleston. While this place is in a small spot, they've got a bar, various sale items ranging from slingshot cold brew to local beef, and tables all set up in there without being too cramped. Their menu seems to rotate, slightly changing depending on what day it is. I opted for a noodle bowl with a soft egg and shaved rare beef. It was absolutely delicious! The broth was a bit on the salty side, but drowned that out with a carafe of Bellini. And the beef was fantastic! They also have vegetarian options, so meat haters don't be scared off. We did have to wait for around 20 minutes for a table, the hostess was very nice and even took our number so that we could wander around until our table was ready. Overall great service, great locally sourced food, and cozy atmosphere. I'll be back to give the bar a shot next time.
(5)Kevin B.
Just WOW!! Live in Florida, heard great things so deiced to try it the day before we left charlston! Tried the fried bologna sandwich, which had Kim chi and pickles. Then topped of with a fried egg.. Which was awesome, but then had the noodle bowl... Pork, fresh noodles, soft boiled egg.. A must try!! Best part you can add Kim chi, extra pork, mushrooms. They have specials on Tuesday night for special noodle bowls.. It was so good we had to leave the next day, but we're there at 10am (when they open) to get two more noodle bowls to bring back to Florida!!! Small place but really cool, away from downtown. The hard part is finding a parking spot.
(5)Shelby B.
The atmosphere was great as well as beer choices. But the food selection was really limited and overpriced. The vegetarian options were small and the meat options were extremely greasy. I got a burger and needed a towel to soak up all the grease. Go shop there but don't eat there
(2)Mark B.
I have a general thing against going to a restaurant and ordering the same item every time. I rather get to know a chef and their restaurant through several different dishes over multiple visits. It's like listening to an artist's full album rather than buying a single. With that said, I have been here four times and have little idea about what everything else on the menu besides the soup tastes like. After my first bowl on that first visit I have been making trips every three weeks or so to 2BL, not out of convenience (I have to drive across the bridge) or lack of interest in other restaurants (I recently had to make a second restaurant list on my phone because the first one had reached maximum size for the app), but because once I start thinking about that soup I don't stop thinking about it for the next few days until I get a bowl. Every meal I have in the interim is in comparison to the soup: "This steak/salad/stir-fry/pie is okay, but what it really needs is noodles, pork broth, pickled mushrooms, and greens..." It's a bowl of umami and sighs. And it's always on the edge of too-salty, which is why the waitstaff always bring a bottle of water to the table to avoid having to make multiple trips for refills. You'll want to add the extra pork, pickled mushrooms, and greens to get the full experience. I have added the kimchi, but it didn't do much for me. Today I washed it all down with the oatmeal brown sugar pie. I'm now going to nap in my car.
(5)Austin A.
Having tried every ramen bowl in charleston, this is hands down the best in the city. If you're looking for a fantastic noodle bowl, look no further, because this place is what you're looking for. The atmosphere is fantastic as well!
(5)Bill E.
Came here one night for dinner from a recommendation from Sean Brock and Kevin McQuaide from the Courtyard. They suggested arriving before 7 as that is when the restaurant gets packed and as Sean said "I'm surprised there is no line out the door wanting to eat here, easily my pick for best restaurant in Charleston." Those are high words of praise from a James Beard award winner, I sat at the bar and ordered a Belgian on draft first and also started off with the Rabbit dish which had loin, peas, cheddar wurst and a demi. It was good, I really liked the peas and the cheddar wurst, but to me the rabbit was a bit dry and while the sauce helped it just needed that extra something. Also would have been great if bread was served as I had some extra sauce and left it on the plate. Next I moved onto the Red Porigy served with pasta a brown butter sauce and a few other things I can't remember. It was cooked perfect and the flavors of the dish went very well together, I just think a grate of lemon with a micro plane over the dish would have done wonders. Dessert was next as I ordered a chocolate budino with pistachios and sea salt, very rich, but very good. Service was very good. Note-They don't take American Express.
(4)Maria M.
I randomly came across this place while looking for a thrift shop. I decided to stop for a bite here for lunch instead. The service was spectacular, they tended my every need. It's not that hard to make me happy, just refill my drink and make sure I'm good. The waitress was savvy about the food when I asked about the finish of the bowl o noodles, as she said chili oil was what I was tasting. The place was rustic and chic, and I really liked the atmosphere. Their dessert menu was lackluster, but with that said id definitely recommend stopping by. Their spread of food has good variety, and their noodles were delicious and perfectly cooked: even the boiled egg was runny on the inside! I definitely will stop by again and try some of their breakfast sandwiches! By the way, the waitress told me that they change the menu all the time, and the only thing that is constant on it is the noodles.
(4)Colleen J.
What up, TBL?! Gosh, is Yelp aware of my noodle obsession? Well, if not, allow me to tell you. I will search far and wide, cross vast distances, and maybe even fight to the death for a solid bowl of noodles. It's an addiction. The Bowl-o-noodles at Two Boroughs kicks it! I always add kimchi and a few other fixins' to sass it up. I get it almost every time and I am always so happy I could spit... but I don't because that would be an inappropriate thing to do in a restaurant, obviously. I've had the beets, the brussels, and tried their egg sandwiches. All items have pleased me. They also have a great selection of beers to choose from. A meal here can be pricey, but it's fresh, local and delicious - def worth it. One more thing... yeah... it is definitely a hipster haven, but that is many places around Upper King right now. Throw on some thick rimmed glasses and join the crowd. It's more fun that way.
(4)Sherry K.
We have some serious foodie friends in from DC for a few days getting their bi-annual Chucktown fix. We have plans to join them for dinner tonight but by happenstance, ran into them on King St. on Thursday night as we were headed out for a quick bite. They insisted we join them at Two Burroughs Larder and after a quick call to the restaurant, they assured us it was fine! Oh my, my.....we had nine in our party and we all love food and wine so it was an easy decision to order EVERYTHING on the menu and share! Yep, that's what we did. Everything was fresh, delicious, beautifully presented. Love the atmosphere, the service, I could go on and on! I will be going back with my husband often and probably not ordering the entire menu but enjoying it just as much as my first visit.
(5)Janelle R.
Very cute establishment. There was nothing wrong with the food or service, but I guess I'm not much of a formal "foodie". Loved how it's tucked away and intimate. Great prices, too.
(4)Michael U.
Items selected: Fried Quail - Popcorn, Blueberry, Aged Cheddar, Fish Sauce Roasted Goat - Fava Bean, Sunflower Seed, Goat Jus Bread and Butter - Everything Bread, NC Butter Scrapple Sandwich - Farm Egg, Aged Cheddar, Hard Roll Whipped Ricotta - Country Bread, Anchoiade Described as a "charming locally owned restaurant" featuring a kitchen, bar, beer/wine shop, and store with provisions both edible and not from local purveyors Two Boroughs Larder seemed like one of those can't miss dining experiences, a fact bolstered by an innovative hyper-seasonal menu available throughout the day, and yet when it was all said and done there was nothing I'd have rather done than miss every moment of our nearly ninety minute succession of poor service, forgotten plates, and nonchalant indifference to the fact that the larder is, in fact, in the business of food 'service.' Small in size and largely empty save for a few folks chatting at the bar when we arrived it would not be long before one of two servers approached and presented menus and water, returning shortly thereafter lacking both a smile and any significant knowledge of the menu, and with orders placed the bread and whipped ricotta would arrive swiftly - both decent but not particularly memorable - before the wait began...a nearly hour long delay later attributed to the young woman being 'new' without any semblance of an apology. Spending much of our wait browsing the store and chatting before finally deciding to inquire as to the nature of the delay when the quail and goat did arrive both were quite good but minuscule in portion given the $16 and $12, respective, tabs - a situation all the more frustrating when the wrong sandwich arrived - the pork neck in place of the scrapple - further delaying the meal while we awaited the admittedly funky and delicious sandwich which was delivered without a word simultaneously with the bill.
(2)Tyler S.
I've been looking forward to writing about this place for a while, but I wanted to try more of the menu first, which I have ,and I'm very, very pleased. If you didn't know what this place was, you would drive right past it and never know what you were missing. Once you did find out, you would hate yourself for the lost time that could have been spent eating here. Scotty steered me to TBL for their Wednesday night burger special. They only serve burgers on Wednesdays, and there is a limited supply, so get it while the gettings good. The burgers can change every week, so you who knows what you'll get? Just trust me when I say it will be one serious foodgasm. I think it is safe to say that after years of searching, I may have found the proverbial 10. I couldn't tell you exactly what is on it, but I can say 2 delicious patties+some kind of decadent cheese sauce+the perfect buns=the best burger I've ever had. You may want to eat it with a fork though. I know, it sounds wrong, but to hell with conventional eating methods. It's all about the flavor! When I had family visiting, I decided to take them to this little hidden treasure. We each ordered several different dishes and tried everything on the table. Here's the rundown: Wagyu Belly Tartare - this was the first time I've ever had Wagyu and my first experience with tartare. I was an excellent new experience. I'm glad I branched out. Franks and Beans - it's nothing like the beanie weenies I had as a kid. This dish was one of the group favorites. Veal Sweetbreads - this was one of my personal favorites. There are so many different flavors to this dish, I can't go into them all, but they were all delicious. Whipped Rocotta - you gotta have some cheese with the meal, and they did it just right. A fantastic light dish. Bowl of Noodles with extra Kimchi and Sesame Greens - I went with Colleen's recommendation. Lesson to learn here: Trust your fellow Yelps! Last but not least, a hot dog, but not just any hot dog. It was a ribeye dog and it was the best dog I've had. I recommend any one of these dishes and have no doubt that anything else on the ever changing menu will be fantastic. If you like to branch out and try things that are off the beaten path, this is the place to do it. Oh yeah, and craft beer! They have a lot of beer that I haven't seen anywhere else. If you are drinking beer, its going to be craft because they don't offer your usual run of the mill domestics. Two thumbs up TBL. Keep it up and see you soon!
(5)Lavinia K.
The service was excellent and the atmosphere is very farm to table. We had a fantastic meal with the most wonderful ingredients. My husband had a melon soup which was very refreshing and seasonal and I had a noodle bowl with kale and pickled mushrooms. They were both excellent choices. However, The very best thing that we had there was the Pie... It was a truly magnificent take on Chess Pie and to die for! It is not to miss. Enjoy!
(4)Sophia R.
This place is really cute. Classic and quaint. Love the bar but food and drink are way overpriced. Shared the octopus, tuna and brussel sprouts with two glasses of wine for $50 bucks a person. Octopus and Brussel sprouts were good, but food came out cold. And the plate of peppers with a few pieces of tuna for 14 bucks didn't seem too fabulous. Advice, if you like to feel hip and trendy go here for a glass of wine and then move on.
(3)Phil A.
We were really looking forward to this dinner. Two Boroughs sounded just like what we like--a gastropub that really focuses on excellent food, and on a small scale. Unfortunately, it was the flavor that was on a really small scale, not to mention the portion size. I will say that the celery salad was decent, but that's where my positive comments for the evening end. Whatever you do, don't be duped into ordering the "hot chicken." A drumette and five medallions that might as well have not been coated in aInything at all, because there was no crispiness whatsoever. If that meat was "confit," I'll eat my hat, and it sat in a little pool of what tasted like barbecue sauce from a bottle, with a little cayenne added to it. My dining partner had the halibut, which was "sous-vide," and then supposedly put in the saute pan before serving. Sous-vide is a BAD idea for fish. Come to think of it, sous-vide is a bad idea for ANYTHING! For dessert we shared a slice of the oatmeal pie--decent flavor combination with the ice cream, but the pie itself was hard enough to need a jackhammer. Not what I'm looking for in a dessert. Two Boroughs, please get your act together. I hope you read this review, and I hope a lot of other potential customers do as well.
(1)Julie B.
I had the noodle bowl and added pickled mushrooms. It was delicious!! I think the menu is a bit pricy. My noodle bowl was $10.50 then add on a mimosa for $6 add tax and tip and I am at over $20 for lunch. It was delicious though and the peeps there were very friendly!
(4)Sarah B.
One of the best meals we had in Charlestown, and that's saying a LOT:) Don't miss the charcuterie, pate was on par with our fav in France. Great beer selection too, and loved the ambiance and the impeccable service, joy!
(5)Jane E.
Adorable little place tucked away from the crowds off King St. Noodle bowl was yummy, as was nori popcorn and asparagus with pea flowers. Don't miss out on happy hour if you are there before 6pm!
(4)Kyle V.
I've been here once for brunch and once for dinner, I had the noodle bowl with pork confit and the egg & picked mushrooms for lunch. I thought it was flawless. Tonight, for dinner I tried the clams as an appetizer and are the scallops as my entree. The artichoke was an interesting combo with the carrot and seafood. Whatever sauce they put on the bottom was great. Boyfriend has the rabbit sausage which was incredible as well.
(5)Meredith V.
I wasn't impressed. I'm pretty sure that to be known for aloof servers that are unresponsive to kindness is only a good thing if you are building up your resume to hope to work for a place like Dick's Last Resort. It certainly shouldn't be a characteristic of a restaurant considered to be on the ascent in a foodie city. I tried the whipped ricotta which came slathered on one large piece of bread. It was very good, but the $6 price point for the amount was laughable. I had the noodle bowl as well. It was just ok. The bad service and prices will keep me from returning.
(2)Michael W.
Wonderful food. Very cool atmosphere. Excellent service. If you're in Charleston and don't dine here you've missed somethoing special.
(5)Stephen D.
When I have dreams of an artsy place, that serves creative but simple food, with fresh ingredients, in a stylistic setting, whilst serving wine & beer, i dream of a place like Two Boroughs Larder. We were brought to this place by the dude from Bin152, they did not steer us wrong. For those who own refrigerators and shop at stores, a larder is a basement/cellar where preserved foods/spirits/meats are stored over the winter so as to enjoy seasonal ingredient off season without the use of modern refrigeration. The menu here is inspiring and indulgent. From all day breakfast sandwiches with bacon or scrapple, to sweet breads and cauliflower to dark chocolate & extra virgin olive oil. The best part is everything on the menu can be ordered any time of day, thymus gland in the AM is more satisfying than you could know. The run down: Bacon, egg, cheddar on a roll, the bread was crispy on the outside and fluffy in. Scrapple, egg, cheddar, rich and umami (thank you food blogs) Sweet breads, egg, cauliflower, lightly crispy and savory Chocolate Budino, Sea Salt. Olive Oil. Pistachios. gluttonous AND ORDER THIS WITH A fresh donut, Ugly donut, but the best ever! The coffee here is great, and i couldn't even finish a mug because our server kept asking me if I wanted her to warm up my coffee, how could you say no to consistently 125 degree coffee? The service is pretty awesome, everyone is helpful and engaging. ingredients/suppliers are listed on a chalkboard and change with the days. They also sell tons of housewares, food provisions, and unique gifts. We visited this place twice in 2 days and it was well worth it. It's out of the way of downtown, but it's still pretty close.
(5)Desiree H.
The scrapple breakfast sandwich is one of my favorites of all time. All of the food is good though, quality, depth, and freshness in every bite.
(5)Myra K.
Outside the historic district but well worth the walk. Do not leave without trying the oatmeal brown sugar pie! Yummy!
(5)Terrell O.
The service was great and the food was excellent. I went on a Saturday and ordered off the brunch menu. I was only in Charleston for a day but would go here again in a heartbeat.
(4)Linda S.
Such a wonderful find for a Saturday brunch/lunch. Definitely off the beaten tourist path, but packed with in-the-know young foodies. We waited about 20 minutes for a table, and service was notably slow. But, oh! My carbonara was a perfect bowl of comfort: fat, fluffy noodles; salty, savory little chunks of bacon; fresh green peas -- all brought together by the light but creamy goodness of farm-fresh egg and top with a generous grating of parmesan. My husband's lamb dish had a flavorful, spicy broth that hit all the right happy notes. He also appreciated the good selection of craft beers, while I enjoyed a refreshing Orangina mimosa. So much happiness in one lunch!
(4)Cheri W.
Casual and not to miss! Extremely hospitable atmosphere--as though you could go here every day and it would be a good thing, you'd look forward to it each day. Great drinks, great service, great charcuterie.
(5)Laurence T.
I'm slowly coming to the realization that hipsters may be hip but they don't necessarily know how to deliver good food. Granted, the space and ambience was hip and I felt hip for being able to eat here. The server was young and hip and the tattooed cover young chefs in the kitchen all looked very hip. What was not hip was the food. The bone marrow was a small portion and needed a few more minutes under the broiler. I really prefer bone marrow to be served with sea salt, instead of some oily, salty sauce, which occurred in this case. My favorite bone marrow dish is served at my beloved Kata Robata in Houston, with sea salt and picked onions and mustard seeds available. I order the clams for the entree and the saltiness of the dish made it inedible. I know there is a trend to put bacon on EVERYTHING but it's gotten to point of absurdity. Clams are meant to be eaten in its own broth because they are naturally briny and sweet. You don't kill the natural flavors by making it taste like pork. In this case, the entire dish just tasted like salt. Young chefs need to learn restraint!!! Just because you can does not mean you should.
(2)Allen P.
I'll keep this short but to the point. Charleston has an amazing restaurant scene. Growing up in the city, I've watched food culture in this city grow from impressive for such a small city to it's present status as a culinary destination, where even good restaurants can't cut it amongst the competition. Local cuisine, modern South fare, great atmosphere---a new eatery has to be something special to earn accolades here. With that in mind, this place has become my favorite casual place in Charleston. The atmosphere is laid back, simple, and perfect for a relaxing afternoon when you have nowhere better to be. The service is nothing special, but the food is inventive, simple, and completely focused on what just plain tastes good. In my opinion, this is a must-go for anyone who loves no frills, fantastic eats in Charleston. Recommend: whatever hash dish they're serving that day.
(5)Curtrik W.
Two BL is a unique, neighborhood gem with exceptional food and service. The four diners all enjoyed their meals commenting on the above a average food preparation and a one of a kind menu. I understand why chefs across the country who visit Charleston always make time for Two Boroughs Larder. A must go and dine top five.
(4)Brandon O.
This place has some serious variety. Really can go from $ to $$$. Love that in a restaurant. The breakfast sandwiches ($) are some of the best I've ever had, and so cheap. Noodle night and burger night are casual, mid-range priced special nights ($$). Dinner is sometimes ultra fancy and can get expensive but is so good and most times the dishes are one of a kind experiences ($$$). Brunch is fantastic. The interior is really nice. The store section is interesting and they carry some great little lines of products but they're sometimes difficult to get to. Beer selection is also really great and diverse. It's in my top 5 favorite places to go in Charleston.
(5)Mary W.
If you want great food and price/parking is not an issue then this is the place to go. Food is excellent but it's slightly overpriced for the portions. Parking is a hassle but it is worth the walk if you are interested in trying something out of the way. My husband and I tried the oysters, the clams (two different kinds), the wagyu tartare, the brussel sprouts, the homemade kimchi, and a delicious dessert (I don't remember the name - but it was homemade caramel sea salt ice cream on top of a brown sugar pie). The clams, kimchi, and dessert were by far our favorites. The service was great - attentive but not overbearing. This place seems to really care about the quality of food and its customer service. It is well worth a visit if you are in Charleston.
(4)Yng L.
Came here on a Saturday morning and was seated right away with a group of 5. Although friendly, the waitstaff did not seem to be very knowledgable, and the service was spotty. We found limited vegetarian options. I ordered the soft scramble with chanterelles. It was underwhelming and a little runny for my taste. My companions had a few other items. The carbonara pasta was described as lacking. The bacon was a crutch for a sauce otherwise lacking in complexity. The fried chicken was spicy and tasty, although nothing out of the ordinary. The kale salad was novel and inspired. A traditional dressing with complimentary boquerones. The warm seeded bread with butter was nice. Well seasoned with tempered butter. The coffee was excellent. This place seems to have a lot of potential. Clearly the direction is there, but the execution is a little lacking. Or maybe we just didn't order the right menu items.
(3)Dru M.
Quick and dirty review here. Pros -very friendly and knowledgeable staff -menu seems to update pretty often -the sweet corn veloute was out of this world -wagyu tartare was great especially with the sauce (that I cannot remember atm), alaro came with some delicious mini pancakes -beer selection was good for its size -we have a corgi and the shop inside had a ton of corgi inspired items so we were biased a bit Cons -parking? perhaps, we walked from our hotel however -size, I can see this place getting hectic/busy I'd love to come back.
(5)Jason K.
This place gets it right. It can take some time on the weekend as they are typically busy. The Pontine is incredible. Breakfast sandwiches, noodle bowls, etc....all awesome.
(5)Sam L.
Great little place for food and drinks for brunch. The 'Bowl-o-Noodles' had a flavorful broth (could use a little less salt), house made Kimchi, and pork. The noodles were chewy and had great texture. The Bellini and cider were great as well. About the only downside was the Egg Al Forno was average and didn't really have the wow factor of the other dishes. That dish needed more salt and contrast between ingredients.
(4)Joelle H.
What a great place! Came here while vacationing in Charleston and actually headed back the next morning before going to the airport because it was so good. I had the bacon egg and cheese sandwich which is NOT your typical bacon egg and cheese. My husband had the scrapple, egg & cheese sandwich and sweet breads. Quality ingredients. A menu that changes daily. Clean and awesome vibe with an extremely friendly waitress. My only negative comment is that we ordered the "peppers" off the menu on our second visit and, while I love hot food, these were so hot they were inedible. This should have been mentioned on the menu or mentioned to us when we ordered. I love what they are doing and would recommend this place to all - even just for the breakfast sandwiches!
(5)Pinaki S.
Ramen is out of the world! (Really, ramen?) Yes. Ramen. I'm trying to force it to be my neighborhood bar, eating here four weekends in a row, but it's more of an eatery than hang out spot. Food is really amazing, but I'm worried about the slow crowds (primetime on Friday/Saturday has always been easy-in and easy-out). Not sure if they want/need crowds like up the street at the great--but-less-daring Five Loaves, but hope that means they'll stick around. Great, great atmosphere. Fill your growler here!
(4)Ryan O.
I can't say a whole lot about this place because sadly I only had time to go once. This was my last stop in Charleston and I really regret that because had I known how good it was going to be I would have went at least twice. I had the pork noodle bowl here and to this day it is still the best pork noodle dish I've ever had. The broth had an incredible flavor and I'm not ashamed to admit I went total fat kid and crushed the whole thing. Since my visit I've seen Two Boroughs' praise being sung by many top chefs in numerous articles/publications so I have no doubt the rest of their menu as top notch as that noodles bowl. I really can't wait for my next visit to Charleston as this is going to be one of my first stops.
(5)Billy L.
Living in Brooklyn I appreciate a place that you can go to if you want to refill a growler, pick up craft beer, or sit down for a kick ass meal. I opted for brunch here and went with the pork scrapple sandwich. Served up on a hard roll, it's a breakfast I can't find in Brooklyn and hit the spot. The whole atmosphere is the epitome of a great brunch place. It's tiny and there's a bar in the middle of one room along with a huge beer fridge, so I can see how when it gets busy the place overflows. But if you have any doubts on where to spend a lazy Sunday in Charleston before a game, they'll be gone by the time you walk through the front door here.
(5)Logan C.
Went here Friday night, and will be coming back often. Clams for appetizer were great and the noodles with kimchi were excellent. Great atmosphere as well, very chill. Interesting menu items and very different from most places. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great hidden spot.
(5)Susie G.
In the course of about two weeks five people have mentioned Two Boroughs Larder, a restaurant that opened last August just outside of King Street. All of them have said, "You'd love it there." So this was our restaurant of choice for a quick bite before a neighborhood event this evening. The restaurant is easy to find on Coming Street but parking is next to nothing. We circled a few times and then found a spot. We were lucky because it was Saturday and the Residential Parking only is lifted. About the name which to me is a bit confusing. They are close to two Boroughs in Charleston, Cannonborough and Elliotborough. Okay, that part is pretty easy, but what's with the Larder? In sleuthing a "Larder" on Webster.com was defined as a "Cooling area to store food prior to use. Larders were commonplace in houses before the widespread use of refrigerators. Mystery solved. Interesting stories but nowhere in the restaurant were these fun facts displayed and I think that could add value to your visit. One site called the design of the restaurant "Industrial Chic" which I thought is spot on. Refurbished wood and steel are creatively used to form tables, their "Family Table", the bar and its stools. Kitschy, but it works very well. The owners also are all about sourcing local foods and respecting the food that they source, which is nothing new here in the Low Country, but still appreciated. On this lazy Saturday we walked in for a very late lunch and there were a few people seated in the various tables. We were told to sit where we wanted and got a great table by the window. Our server quickly stopped by. No generic "diet coke" at this place. I ordered a crafted lo-cal root beer and my husband got a Mexican Coca-Cola. 'Don't know why the funky drinks, but they were good nonetheless. There were two menus on the day we arrived. A small, five item brunch menu and their regular, all-day menu. Both were very interesting. No meat and potatoes at this place!! The menu is a unique combination of creative and just over the edge. We took the recommendation of our server who recommended the Carbonara (only served with Brunch), and the Chicken Skin Fried Rice. How unique is that?? And then we waited. And waited. And waited. I don't know how we get so lucky but with so few people in the restaurant, three line cooks on in a very tiny kitchen (visible from the dining room), why would lunch ever have to take 30-35 minutes?? It did though, unfortunately. When it finally arrived the server said, "The kitchen says their sorry for the delay." Thank you, I thought, but after all this time this lunch better rock. The Chicken Skin Fried Rice with Szechuan peppercorns, fried farm egg, Palmetto sweets, Mepkin Abbey mushrooms, peanut puree, Carolina Gold Rice and Togarashi (a Japanese Chili Sauce) was outstanding. Crispy skins mixed with dark meat chicken and richly seasoned. A real treat. Then there was my dish. I was so disappointed. Carbonara is one of my favorite dishes and I rarely order it since it's so laden with calories. The server spoke so highly of it I couldn't resist. The last time I had it was in the North End in Boston, a true Italian section of the city and I can still remember it. This Carbonara was made with Bucatini pasta (a thick spaghetti-like pasta), bacon and Grana Padao Cheese. Right away it looked puny. Not for nothing but for $15.00 give a sister some pasta, this bowl was skimpy. All in all the pasta was cooked perfectly but the sauce lacked flavor and it was very, very thin. Slices of uncooked, unappetizing garlic dotted the bowl. I had to get up to find our server to ask for some salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. I thought that it would help, but in hindsight it wasn't much of an improvement. I didn't ask to have it "fixed" as I thought that this was their recipe and I would just get another duplicate version. All 'n all I liked Two Boroughs Larder and will give it another chance. The atmosphere is funky and the service was good. I just know to avoid the Carbonara. They are having a dinner on April 11th which is 5 courses for $55, which actually sounds interesting and something that we might try.
(3)Dan A.
We went to this place on a visit to Charleston, urged on by Yelp reviews, which in retrospect seem faked-- "This place is awesome!" Our experience did not merit four stars or anything like it, so I feel obliged to correct the record. The vibe is hipper than thou, touting its local ingredients, but has no oysters or any of the other local seafoods. It has an curious, perhaps eclectic menu. We ordered what they call "bowl-o-rama," one of its specialties and what other restaurants call remen noodles. Perhaps they were angry we did not select the pricier options. But the noodles, which should take minutes to prepare took a full hour to arrive. It is not as if we were eager to linger over the ambience-- which is not great as at least half the restaurant isd dominated by refrigerator cases of beer and soda-- as we had two small kids, bedtimes fast approaching. There was, in the interim, no visit from the waitress to explain or apologize. When we called her over to inquire, she said that each bowl was prepare to order, which is nonsense, as she conceded, all ramen broth is made well in advance, and the noodles cook up in a minute or two. The waitress did send the manager over, who apologized, but did not explain. They do have good bread and butter, which they charge $4 for (and it's a small loaf). Charging for bread seems to be the custom in Charleston. But another custom in Charleston is good food. And the noodles, when they finally arrived, were way too salty and not worth waiting a minute for. A salad was no better. The one star is for the fact that they serve Sprecher's Root Beer, which one rarely sees and is the best.
(1)Richard A.
This place is a touch of class. One of the very very best I have ever ate at. Casual yet edgy. Awesome food. Local grocery bought foods. The wait staff are great, food better and modern bliss.
(5)Sarah S.
Here's what you do -- take a friend on Wednesday night and get there in time for happy hour. Get a glass of red and the celery salad - thinly sliced celery, green apple, red onion, parm, crushed hazelnuts, and maybe lemon juice? Order a burger and brussels to share (trust me on the sharing, the burger is decadent and has two patties). If you play to win, finish with the oatmeal pie.
(5)Maria T.
This humble little place serves freaking fantastic food. The noodle bowl is fantastic. As a matter of fact I think I am going now! No, I know I am going now! This will be my fourth visit, and each and every time I walk away thinking damn that was good food. P.S. Jokes on me. Closed on Sunday :/ But next Saturday....I'm totally quenching my Larder craving!
(4)Michael T.
Visited this place again to give it another chance. This is a great place with huge potential, but I am disappointed overall. The quality of the food is very good, hip decor, and a cool staff, they can be a little too cool at times leaving you wanting more in terms of service. The dishes are way over priced for the portion sizes that you receive. After you have a meal here, you will then have to go have a second meal somewhere else in order to satiate your appetite. However, if you eat like a bird and can survive on a minimal intake of calories, then you will be just fine.
(3)