I was just at the restaurant the other night from walking down the cool alley I loved the vibe. We started with drinks at the bar and our bartender was the best. Cocktails were beyond yummy and his knowledge in the history of the building was so fun. While waiting for our whole party we started speaking to our server, he made a great suggestion about a seafood tower so of course we got 2 and couldn't of been happier. From the apps to desert was spot on yummo!! The service so so good I thought I was in a 5 star restaurant! If you reading this I'm telling you, go! Next time my friends and I are in Charleston we will be having at least one meal here lol maybe two!
(5)
James S.
I had an excellent dinning experience. From the Italian salad, to the gnocchi, and finally the cheesecake! Everything was made to perfection and served by one of the nicest waitress. I was eating solo on work travel but this place would be perfect to take somebody out on a date. I'll be back next time in town for sure.
(5)
Jojo C.
I was here last weekend for a dinner with some friends and it was DELICIOUS! I had the restaurant week menu and the salad and risotto were fantastic but he best part was the milk chocolate and pistachio semi fredo....I can't even talk about it, it was that good. Great service and a comfortable atmosphere! I will most certainly be back again, hopefully soon!
(5)
Nicole S.
the pastas here are homemade and delicious. The Lamb Sugo and the Sunday sauce are great. the warm artichoke appetizer is also delicious. service is top notch have been there 3 times and it was always good, even he kids loved it.
(5)
Darren W.
Rustic italian lite theme on quiet side rd off King Street. Very nice decor, high ceilings and wooden beams in moderate size dining room and bar. Atmosphere vibrant but not too loud. Tomato mozzarella salad (their spin) very nice, Veal Masala over homemade ravioli delicious and Tiramisu was moist and excellent. Price point for high quality food and drinks overall moderate and good value. Service very good. Will go again.
(4)
Vietson N.
Spectacular food, great services, overall great experiences. 10/10 WOULD DINE AGAIN!
(5)
Amanda R.
I took my mother to Vincent Chicco's for her 60th birthday. When she was about 16...the building that is now Vincent Chicco's was her old ballet studio. We wanted to sit upstairs (which is where her dance studio was), but could not due to a wedding rehearsal dinner...so they accommodated us by putting us in a nice VIP booth instead. (They also let us quietly sneak upstairs just to take a look.) The food was amazing. The bruschetta was the best I have ever had. Do yourself a favor and order it. Our servers were great. We had Melody, who has been there since the beginning. She was very personable and knowledgeable on the food and wine. She was also training Dan, who was great as well. He made sure all our drinks and food were acceptable and was very professional. My mother got to choose a dessert from the menu for free due to it being her birthday. Needless to say, this dinner could not have gone any better. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Hugh L.
My wife and I went to Vincent Chico`s Saturday night. First of all the decor was beautiful and inviting. They really did a great job! We were seated and Walt was our server. We have know Walt was pleased to see him again. My wife ordered the pasta and it was great. I chose the sea bass and it also was great. We has salads before and a cold chocolate type dessert and that was to die for. My wife had wine and I had 12 year old Chivas but I it was way over priced for this establishment. I would highly recomend the restaurant and will be back again. I hope the price on the Chivas will be adjusted! Thank you Walt!
(4)
Donna B.
This is the best kept secret in Charleston. I am a real foodie. Travel all over the US on business and eat Italian whenever I can. The veal Picatta is the best I have ever had!! Oh my god, don't let me forget the Lamb Sugo! There are no words. If you are a lamb lover you have got to try it, amazing!! Beautiful atmosphere too. I have tried about 20 places here and this is at the top of my list. Don't miss it!!
(5)
Jackie T.
OMG...all I can say is that you NEED to seek this place out! This restaurant ranked high in so many ways...beautiful venue, very friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating staff AND exceptional food...a gastronomic trifecta!!! I just hope that I can make myself try something different (it will be difficult because it tasted so good that I am salivating as I am thinking about it) next time so I can experience more of the magic!
(5)
Supa D.
I had dinner here because my nephew had just started working there as a waiter and I was staying at MUSC all week with my sister, who had just undergone surgery for pancreatic cancer. I was exhausted and almost didn't go, but after the hospital cafeteria ran out of dinner food early (AGAIN - they cook everything in the morning so everything good sells out by the afternoon) I had to leave the hospital for food, no matter how tired I was. Two of the chefs treated me to dinner, after hearing what I was going through, and boy was I glad I went. The staff were lovely and compassionate and the food was super delicious. I had fish, the fresh catch of the day, and it was excellent. Especially after hospital food all week, it was just perfection. Appetizer was also super good. The chefs even sent me a 2nd small appetizer with figs as a treat and it was also super good. The only thing that didn't blow me away was the dessert, which I can't remember what it was, only that it was too sweet (and I love me some sweets). But overall it was a five star meal at a place with a super staff, except for my nephew, who they fired before he finished his five-day training. But I won't hold that against them bc he changes jobs more than most folks change their drawers lol, so he probably deserved it.
(5)
David G.
We went here for our fourth anniversary. It was the first day of restaurant week, and they were having a 3 courses for $30 special. Our server was snappy, but not remarkably knowledgable when it came to wine selections and pairing. The bread was great, it was served with peccarino, olive oil, and Maldon sea salt. My first course was the tomato bisque with fried cauliflower and balsamic reduction. It was a BiG bowl of tomato soup, probably about a quart. It tasted like your grandma made it, if her last name was Campbell. Acceptable, but not particularly spectacular. My main course was the risotto with braised lamb shoulder. It looked like a scoop from a day old batch of Zatarain's. It tasted alright, but, again, nothing to write home about. After that course I was so full, I couldn't finish my wine, I was so full! Dessert was the saving grace of the meal. I had the Panna cotta with the raspberry confit, and it was the first item in the meal that I actually thought was at the caliber of being part of Charleston restaurant week. All in all, it wasn't terrible, but in a city as culinarily renowned as charleston, it fell short of exceptional.
(1)
John G.
Beautiful restaurant with a great vibe. Service was awesome but food was basically acceptable. Not much more to say except that I hope they figure things out because it could be a great addition to the Charleston restaurant scene.
(3)
Frank C.
Quite possible one of the finest restaurants my wife and I have ever been in...food, service, ambiance...five stars all around.
(5)
Frank G.
WOW. What a unexpected surprise. Great place, great Italian food, done extremely well. Super atmosphere, service is exceptional. They even gave us a background on the place. There is a Social bar next door, as well as a Steak house next to that, same owner. In a alley, off of King. Food is priced well, and you will lick the plate. Only issue I had is that for 2 people, the seating is very close. Conversations are difficult. FrankG
(5)
Emily M.
Just finished up date night. What a great experience! Our server Daniel was so great! He was prompt, knew when to check on us, and provided a spot on wine recommendation. We will most definitely be back.
(5)
rich e.
What a find. Hidden between King street and Meeting street north of Calhoon, this is the best Italian restaurant in the city. The service staff are all on their games and the food was wonderful. We had the chicken Parmesan, Sunday Gravy and another spaghetti dish. The Chicken Parmesan was the best We've ever had.
(5)
Doug H.
My wife & I happenstanced on Vincents' looking for Italian & we were very happy with our choice. The waiter was very helpful and extremely polite. I got lobster spaghetti was outstanding, the lobster perfectly cooked. My wife ordered chicken picatta and sauce was delicious with capers. Dessert of chocolate semi Fredonia with pistachios tasted irresistible. Excellent meal and worth the price.
(5)
Adrienne L.
The server was great. The food was not. I wish I could have returned the product for a full refund because I left spending way too much money for food that was mediocre at best. I was so excited for the burrata cheese and was grossly disappointed. What's up with the low tables and high chairs where you can't even sit comfortably? At least my friend and I have some funny stories from the night to not make it a complete loss. Not worth the money I dropped though.
(1)
Lisa S.
Phenomenal service. Our server was very knowledgeable and attentive. We requested "the pink drink we saw on yelp" and he did some research to find out exactly which one it was. He gave great menu recommendations, offered us samples of wine, brought out a chefs special treat, and had a great sense of humor. We all felt so taken care of and appreciated as customers.
(5)
Renee S.
I celebrated my 50th birthday here and could not have been more pleased. The food was amazing; even though I was stuffed, I couldn't stop eating. The staff was awesome, shout out to Parker and the manager - Roscoe.
(5)
Julie T.
We came in today for Easter Brunch. Everything was amazing. We were greeted and seated promptly, our waitress was at our table nearly immediately to take our drink order. The Hubs and I decided on a pitcher of bloody Marys, and the Wee one had a Shirley Temple. Then we ordered the bagel with house-cured lox, house made sausage and eggs, chopped salad, grits, a bowl of she-crab soup, and a BLT (bacon was again house made). Everything was amazing. The lox were the best I've had outside of Europe. The chopped salad was perfect, and the addition of boiled peanuts made it southern and elegant. The she-crab soup was one of the top five I've had in Charleston. The grits made me a bit sad-I used to work at an old historic restaurant in Charleston, and I thought we had the best grits going . Vincent's put them to shame: they were that good! As I said above, everything was perfectly amazing. The flavors were balanced and each dish was composed and well thought out. We then decided that (since it's a holiday) desserts were in the cards. The hubs ordered cheesecake, I had a white chocolate mousse and pineapple bombe, the Wee had the deconstructed carrot cake. As full as we were from our main dishes, we finished nearly every bite of dessert! I will be returning to Vincent Chicco's very soon (and often) for dinner!
(5)
Bill B.
Funny they have great Italian food but the rib eye steak is a pretty good deal here. It came with greens and a potato dish that was delicious! I was really happy with the wine list to see a very affordable red wine on the menu for $25. What a cool looking place and the alley leading up to it screams old Charleston. Put it on the list to check out and be sure to stop next door for a cocktail!
(4)
Wendy E.
My first visit to Vincent's. It was excellent! My friends and I had the Restaurant Week menu- Caesar salad, chicken piccata and the lemon custard dessert. I want to praise Parker, our waiter, for his wonderful customer service and making us feel welcome in Charleston!
(5)
Roh H.
Great food but customer service is questionable... My friends and I really wanted to go to Rue a Jean but was recommended by the host to go to Vincent Chiccos to avoid the wait. He did fail to mention the dress code. We were casual and the first waiter already judged us by what we were wearing. It was semi casual for the dress code. That waiter already put us in a terrible mood. Our first appetizer was the bruschetta which was great. The colder temperature of the tomatoes definitely complimented the toast. Our personal waiter was very kind and informative. The only real problem was the judgement from the first waiter but after that this restaurant was not terrible at all. The chefs are doing a great job with the food.
(3)
Christi T.
Well let me just say that the restaurant in general is beautiful, especially with the spiral staircase leading up to the loft area where we were happily seated. The ambiance is warm, upscale yet rustic, and very intimate. The perfect place to celebrate Valentine's Day. We ordered the bruschetta as our appetizer which was fantastic. With tangy goat cheese, tomato and herbs it's difficult to go wrong. Their house made Rosemary bread was delicious as well. We were even given a complimentary amuse bouche from the chef between our appetizer and entree. The entrees we ordered were the veal saltimbocca which my husband raved about and I ordered the chicken piccata, both served with their house made fettuccine. Both dishes, though slightly under seasoned for my liking, particularly my chicken piccata, were delicious. The prosciutto wrapped around the veal seemed to add some much needed salt for that dish. Now to explain my 2 star rating. Originally I would've given a 4 star considering the food, ambiance and even the service but that changed a day later after I realized that the other half of my chicken piccata entree was underdone, yes, raw chicken!! Which explained my slight queezy feeling later that night which I disregarded as Valentine's Day indulgence. But after seeing the underdone chicken the day after it all made sense and that must've been the reason for my feeling ill the same night. This was such a disappointment. There is no excuse for underdone chicken and for that reason I don't think we'll be going back.
(2)
Michelle S.
First time here and it was delish. I loved the old building and that the servers give you a run down of it's history. I think that is something that could happen more in this town. The buildings have such great history so why not give your customers something else to talk about than just the food. Our server was helpful and we had a great experience. We went during restaurant week and occasionally the portions are smaller but this was not the case here. The buttermilk fried shrimp were amazing. I had the watermelon salad but I must have misread the description bc I did not find any watermelon in this salad. I had the duck which was perfectly cooked and the BF had the risotto that he loved. I would suggest giving this new restaurant a try and we will be bringing people back for sure.
(5)
Christine B.
Let me start off by saying that the food was EXCELLENT. So delicious. It is a place I would go repeatedly and send visitors to often because it was really spectacular italian food, from the appetizers to drinks to bread to the main meal (for all three of us). But the service was so horrible on christmas eve, I almost can't believe I forgot about it until right now. The service started off rocky, and when we asked about it we were told 3 servers called out. I can understand that being difficult...but the second we showed signs of weakness and understanding we were taken advantage of. Our server literally tossed things on the table before we could get a word in edgewise. The person who brought the wine couldn't open the bottle (and it came after we were 3/4 done with the meal already). The plates were piled on the table until dessert! It was really unacceptable. There was someone walking around checking on each table, but she never once came to ours. I was told she was the assistant general manager. I get that times were tough, but we were paying customers that chose this restaurant on a holiday, and it was such a bad experience we aren't sure we will go again (maybe I'll see if they do take out). EDIT: I just want to note that I see that this review may seem out of place among wonderful reviews - but it takes a lot for me to get this aggravated by restaurants and I think it has to do with the fact that it was a holiday, and my very first holiday in charleston.
(1)
Radha V.
Excellent food, excellent personalized service. I looked up their menu in Charleston restaurant guide and was very disappointed they did not have Vegetable Lasagna as per the guide. The chef personally came out and promised he would fix a good dinner for me. He made excellent tomatoes (fried green, roasted cherry, stuffed green) for appetizer. For main course he made Eggplant and vegetable Parmesan, he actually talked my carnivore husband into a mushroom pasta which he really enjoyed. Their Chocolate cake was delicious. At the end I found out the chef had the day off but he cooked my meal before he left, I left him a nice Thank you note
(5)
Ryan K.
Vincent Chiccoooooo's!! For some reason whenever I say the name, I feel like I have to yell it. Try it. It's super fun, right?!? If you didn't try it, you are dead to me. Moving on... I loved this place! It is such a unique space. Apparently the building has been around since the prohibition era as a blind tiger... or commonly known as a speakeasy. We got a quick history lesson from our waitress. The more you know (que the shooting star graphic). We ordered off the restaurant week menu and every dish was excellent! It is not easy finding quality italian food in Chalreston but I think Vincent Chicco's nailed it!
(5)
Jan A.
So good ! I had lobster spaghetti and I couldn't tolerate the cream sauce bc I am lactose intolerant so they made it with red sauce:) amazing! Kids loved theirs:) Had a red wine that was amazing! You definitely should try this place!
(4)
Steve S.
Sorry, but I think it's totally overrated and overpriced.... Not to mention mercenary. First off, our reservation was for upstairs, when prime seating was available that we were not"allowed" to have. There were no other people up there. Next, people all over were shivering in their seats; no one seemed to care... I ate my meal with a scarf around my neck. The veal saltimbocca was very good but the pasta got cold instantly; the chefs fish was dry and overwhelmed with rice At least four different employees tried to sell us additional drinks, that's all anyone seemed to care about....really. Never again... There are hundreds of better restaurants in the area
(2)
James G.
My wife and I ate at this restaurant on Saturday night. We live in Charleston and eat out pretty frequently. Here is the good and bad: Let me start with the good: the building is beautiful and the atmosphere is really nice. The menu was great and the food was delicious. We ordered the bruschetta appetizer and it might have been some of the best bruschetta we have ever had. We split a pasta dish for the entree and it too was delicious. Now onto the bad: when we walked in the restaurant wasn't very busy, which is unfortunate because part of the reason we were eating here is that all of our other restaurant choices were on a 30 minute wait. So to some degree you have to wonder why Vincent Chiccos hasn't quite caught on yet. Our hostess seated us right away and then proceeded to be our waitress, which is a little bit strange. We asked for bread and were told that they were out but "they could bake some for us if we really wanted it". They made us feel like we were inconveniencing them to have bread so we didn't "make them bake it for us". Then my wife spilled her prosecco and they cleaned it up right away but they asked us, "do you need some more prosecco". It seemed like something that should have just been understood. Again, not the best customer service for a nice restaurant that charges $30+ per entree. Overall the building is beautiful and the food is delicious, but the customer service could have been much better. It felt like the same level of service we would have gotten at a much cheaper restaurant. By the end of our meal (9:00 PM on a Saturday night) we were the only people in there and we felt rushed out by the staff. I think the restaurant would be more full at this time if the staff were a bit less focused on getting out the door and more focused on the customer dining experience. That being said, I would eat here again.
(3)
Kristen M.
We had a wonderful anniversary dinner. We received an amuse bouche compliments of the chef! Wine was reasonably priced. I had roasted artichoke app and he had the beef carpaccio. Both were fantastic. I loved my chicken piccata; I was a little hesitant to order something so ordinary, but it was anything but. My date loved his lobster spaghetti. We shared a dessert which was rich for my taste, but I'm not s big chocolate/peanut butter person. BF loved it. Our waitress was friendly and service was impeccable. I highly recommend this restaurant. It would be a great place for a special night.
(5)
Tom G.
This is one of several restaurants all in a row owned by the hospitality restaurant group; Rue de Jean, Coast, Micheal's on the Alley, etc. It's a nice swanky place with a great menu. We started with the Brushetta appetizer which was excellent. Three nice beers on tap and a great wine list. We had the Chicken Parmesan and the ribeye. Both were generous portions and we didn't leave hungry. The ribeye was excellent but the chicken parm was just OK. Not cheap, but it is downtown Charleston. So why only three stars? The service. For all this place can offer, how about bringing on one more person on the wait staff. Our gal wasn't slacking off but the overall service was poor. Waited quite a bit to place our drink and appetizer order. Would have loved a second beer and glass of wine, but couldn't flag her down to order a second. Waited quite a bit to get the check. There are countless great choices for dining in downtown Charleston; we may or may not try it again.
(3)
Sarah E.
We had dinner at Vincent Chicco's last Friday night and enjoyed the experience. The service was good and the decor was quite beautiful. We had a 7:00 reservation and were seated right away - the restaurant wasn't even half full for our whole meal. The salumi plate was probably our favorite thing we ordered. My husband had the carbonara and enjoyed it, but it wasn't his favorite version he'd ever had. The veggie lasagna was good as well. It would have been nice to be able to do a smaller portion so I could try some sides. Overall, it was good, but when there are so many options in Charleston, we weren't especially blown away.
(3)
Staci B.
Great location and space. Gave you the feeling of an old Italian restaurant in NYC. The food was great, as was the service. Pretty classic Italian menu - the chicken parm was phenomenal - one of the best I've had. Nice wine list as well. Would absolutely go back in a heart beat.
(4)
William T.
We stumbled on this place on Memorial Day weekend, quite by accident. The other restaurants in the "alley" were booked, so we thought we would give them a try. We were seated outside and promptly accommodated. The meal was spectacular! We chose to come back for our 30th wedding anniversary this time. Once again, we were treated like royalty. We started the evening with champagne. We ordered the bruchetta as an appetizer. Then we both ordered the veal piccata...again. Yes, it was THAT GOOD the first time we got it (in May) that we had to get it again. The combination of the capers and the wine sauce leaves an impression in your mind that keeps you wanting more! And then the chocolate creme brulee... Amazing night for many reasons, and Vincent Chicco's made it even more special!
(5)
Jessica C.
Vincent Chiccos was a very romantic place for dinner and good for groups. Upstairs dining was for larger groups like ours but elegant as well. The server recommended the soft shell crab ravioli for an appetizer...was not too happy about the price of it when the bill came. Most of the appetizers ranged from $10-$15 but of course the recommended one was $20 and not displayed in the menu. Now don't get me wrong the food was great but it didn't leave that ever lasting memory of the fabulous food/dining experience being stored in my food memory bank. I ordered the chicken piccata and my boyfriend had the veal..he enjoyed his more than me. When I reviewed this place in Yelp it showed $$ and I think it should have been more like $$$. For two people it was over $100 not including tip. That was for the $20 appetizer, a bottle of wine at $30 (the cheapest red wine they offered I might add) and 2 entrees. For a dinner full of carb loading pasta I think I would try a different place next time for Italian. Oh and this place was in an ally way off the main streets and the local taxi driver couldn't even find the place and had never heard of the palace...and the sign out front of the restaurant is smaller than a stop sign making it difficult to distinguish!
(3)
Adam K.
First off, the space is phenomenal. Very old-fashioned and rustic. An off-beat mixture of new and old tunes play on the stereo. The menu is a large Italian-American medley, with enough choices to suit even the pickiest of eater. We started off with a lovely burrata surrounded by olives and sundried tomatoes, a very respectable plate of bruschetta, and a hearty supply of bread, including a satisfyingly crusty ciabatta. I had the lamb sugo, a rustic and delicious Bolognese, flowing with sauce and meat juices, and peppered with tender lamb shoulder. The chicken parmesan was highly mediocre, as was the spaghetti and meatballs. Service wise, Vincent Chiccos was just "meh". While the wait staff was brisk and friendly, they also showed signs of sloppiness. The dessert menu, while offering many choices, was very disappointing. Jeni's Ice Cream is conveniently located nearby for a better dessert option.
(4)
Rob G.
My wife and I decided to try this "new" restaurant- open sine Jan 2014- last night- loved it! We had dinner outside in the "alley". Service was impeccable and the food was fantastic. Had a complimentary appetizer of seafood bisque which was great. I had veal Marsala and wife had veal piccata- both were perfect! The same ppl own all the restaurants in this row. - Rue Jean, Coast, Michaels Steakhouse, Victory Social Club and Vincent Chirricos. So they gave us menus from the steakhouse and Italian restaurant to choose from- different! We ordered Italian dinners and Michaels dessert. Everything was great. Gerard our waiter was fantastic, too. Try this place!
(5)
Stephanie W.
Food was outstanding! Servers were wonderful. Attentive but not intrusive. Quiet romantic ambience perfect for Valentines dinner.
(5)
Sarah D.
Ambience and service were nice - food was very mediocre. Maybe because chef was on vacay after a busy NYE. B team in the kitchen. Oh well.
(3)
Max M.
The made in house pasta was quite good. The baby spinach had a slight fishy order although it was to be prepared only with garlic and olive oil. As it was a Wednesday night, the adjoining club (next door) had music, which made it quite loud for a short while, later calming down. I guess that is what we got for coming at 6:30 p.m., what some might think as a happy hour time for dinner. Still, the six of us enjoyed the meal overall.
(4)
J R.
Fantastic place with a fun story behind the name. Vincent Chicco was a notorious bootlegger who if you asked to see the "blind Tiger" you received a drink. I ordered off menu and was obliged-The veal parm deserves a featured spot on their offerings. Nothing short of spectacular.
(5)
Lee S.
We were there for New Eve dinner. Friendly staff and very efficient. Wife and I both had Veal Marsala. One of the very best veal dishes in Charleston. Will be back many times.
(5)
Gloria C.
May 2015. We loved it. Everything was perfectly seasoned & served hot. The portions were good. We also had wonderful side potatoes & spinach for the table to share. The service was great. The seating was comfortable but a little more light would have been good. My 23 year old son said it was the best restaurant ever. We left trying to decide when we would come back & decided to celebrate my husbands birth there in 2 weeks.
(5)
Lauren B.
Awesome location, beautiful ambiance (especially love the curved booths), good service and the steak was amazing! My cocktail was a bit pricey, but the wine choices were very good with affordable choices. Great place to go with friends, you can actually heve a dinner conversation, unlike the acoustics in many other Charleston restaurants. We will be back!
(4)
Eileen M.
Awesome food! Great service. Artichoke appetizer is amazing. Haven't found good meatballs, aside from my own, until I came here. Highly recommended.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Colleen F.
I was just at the restaurant the other night from walking down the cool alley I loved the vibe. We started with drinks at the bar and our bartender was the best. Cocktails were beyond yummy and his knowledge in the history of the building was so fun. While waiting for our whole party we started speaking to our server, he made a great suggestion about a seafood tower so of course we got 2 and couldn't of been happier. From the apps to desert was spot on yummo!! The service so so good I thought I was in a 5 star restaurant! If you reading this I'm telling you, go! Next time my friends and I are in Charleston we will be having at least one meal here lol maybe two!
(5)James S.
I had an excellent dinning experience. From the Italian salad, to the gnocchi, and finally the cheesecake! Everything was made to perfection and served by one of the nicest waitress. I was eating solo on work travel but this place would be perfect to take somebody out on a date. I'll be back next time in town for sure.
(5)Jojo C.
I was here last weekend for a dinner with some friends and it was DELICIOUS! I had the restaurant week menu and the salad and risotto were fantastic but he best part was the milk chocolate and pistachio semi fredo....I can't even talk about it, it was that good. Great service and a comfortable atmosphere! I will most certainly be back again, hopefully soon!
(5)Nicole S.
the pastas here are homemade and delicious. The Lamb Sugo and the Sunday sauce are great. the warm artichoke appetizer is also delicious. service is top notch have been there 3 times and it was always good, even he kids loved it.
(5)Darren W.
Rustic italian lite theme on quiet side rd off King Street. Very nice decor, high ceilings and wooden beams in moderate size dining room and bar. Atmosphere vibrant but not too loud. Tomato mozzarella salad (their spin) very nice, Veal Masala over homemade ravioli delicious and Tiramisu was moist and excellent. Price point for high quality food and drinks overall moderate and good value. Service very good. Will go again.
(4)Vietson N.
Spectacular food, great services, overall great experiences. 10/10 WOULD DINE AGAIN!
(5)Amanda R.
I took my mother to Vincent Chicco's for her 60th birthday. When she was about 16...the building that is now Vincent Chicco's was her old ballet studio. We wanted to sit upstairs (which is where her dance studio was), but could not due to a wedding rehearsal dinner...so they accommodated us by putting us in a nice VIP booth instead. (They also let us quietly sneak upstairs just to take a look.) The food was amazing. The bruschetta was the best I have ever had. Do yourself a favor and order it. Our servers were great. We had Melody, who has been there since the beginning. She was very personable and knowledgeable on the food and wine. She was also training Dan, who was great as well. He made sure all our drinks and food were acceptable and was very professional. My mother got to choose a dessert from the menu for free due to it being her birthday. Needless to say, this dinner could not have gone any better. I will definitely be back!
(5)Hugh L.
My wife and I went to Vincent Chico`s Saturday night. First of all the decor was beautiful and inviting. They really did a great job! We were seated and Walt was our server. We have know Walt was pleased to see him again. My wife ordered the pasta and it was great. I chose the sea bass and it also was great. We has salads before and a cold chocolate type dessert and that was to die for. My wife had wine and I had 12 year old Chivas but I it was way over priced for this establishment. I would highly recomend the restaurant and will be back again. I hope the price on the Chivas will be adjusted! Thank you Walt!
(4)Donna B.
This is the best kept secret in Charleston. I am a real foodie. Travel all over the US on business and eat Italian whenever I can. The veal Picatta is the best I have ever had!! Oh my god, don't let me forget the Lamb Sugo! There are no words. If you are a lamb lover you have got to try it, amazing!! Beautiful atmosphere too. I have tried about 20 places here and this is at the top of my list. Don't miss it!!
(5)Jackie T.
OMG...all I can say is that you NEED to seek this place out! This restaurant ranked high in so many ways...beautiful venue, very friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating staff AND exceptional food...a gastronomic trifecta!!! I just hope that I can make myself try something different (it will be difficult because it tasted so good that I am salivating as I am thinking about it) next time so I can experience more of the magic!
(5)Supa D.
I had dinner here because my nephew had just started working there as a waiter and I was staying at MUSC all week with my sister, who had just undergone surgery for pancreatic cancer. I was exhausted and almost didn't go, but after the hospital cafeteria ran out of dinner food early (AGAIN - they cook everything in the morning so everything good sells out by the afternoon) I had to leave the hospital for food, no matter how tired I was. Two of the chefs treated me to dinner, after hearing what I was going through, and boy was I glad I went. The staff were lovely and compassionate and the food was super delicious. I had fish, the fresh catch of the day, and it was excellent. Especially after hospital food all week, it was just perfection. Appetizer was also super good. The chefs even sent me a 2nd small appetizer with figs as a treat and it was also super good. The only thing that didn't blow me away was the dessert, which I can't remember what it was, only that it was too sweet (and I love me some sweets). But overall it was a five star meal at a place with a super staff, except for my nephew, who they fired before he finished his five-day training. But I won't hold that against them bc he changes jobs more than most folks change their drawers lol, so he probably deserved it.
(5)David G.
We went here for our fourth anniversary. It was the first day of restaurant week, and they were having a 3 courses for $30 special. Our server was snappy, but not remarkably knowledgable when it came to wine selections and pairing. The bread was great, it was served with peccarino, olive oil, and Maldon sea salt. My first course was the tomato bisque with fried cauliflower and balsamic reduction. It was a BiG bowl of tomato soup, probably about a quart. It tasted like your grandma made it, if her last name was Campbell. Acceptable, but not particularly spectacular. My main course was the risotto with braised lamb shoulder. It looked like a scoop from a day old batch of Zatarain's. It tasted alright, but, again, nothing to write home about. After that course I was so full, I couldn't finish my wine, I was so full! Dessert was the saving grace of the meal. I had the Panna cotta with the raspberry confit, and it was the first item in the meal that I actually thought was at the caliber of being part of Charleston restaurant week. All in all, it wasn't terrible, but in a city as culinarily renowned as charleston, it fell short of exceptional.
(1)John G.
Beautiful restaurant with a great vibe. Service was awesome but food was basically acceptable. Not much more to say except that I hope they figure things out because it could be a great addition to the Charleston restaurant scene.
(3)Frank C.
Quite possible one of the finest restaurants my wife and I have ever been in...food, service, ambiance...five stars all around.
(5)Frank G.
WOW. What a unexpected surprise. Great place, great Italian food, done extremely well. Super atmosphere, service is exceptional. They even gave us a background on the place. There is a Social bar next door, as well as a Steak house next to that, same owner. In a alley, off of King. Food is priced well, and you will lick the plate. Only issue I had is that for 2 people, the seating is very close. Conversations are difficult. FrankG
(5)Emily M.
Just finished up date night. What a great experience! Our server Daniel was so great! He was prompt, knew when to check on us, and provided a spot on wine recommendation. We will most definitely be back.
(5)rich e.
What a find. Hidden between King street and Meeting street north of Calhoon, this is the best Italian restaurant in the city. The service staff are all on their games and the food was wonderful. We had the chicken Parmesan, Sunday Gravy and another spaghetti dish. The Chicken Parmesan was the best We've ever had.
(5)Doug H.
My wife & I happenstanced on Vincents' looking for Italian & we were very happy with our choice. The waiter was very helpful and extremely polite. I got lobster spaghetti was outstanding, the lobster perfectly cooked. My wife ordered chicken picatta and sauce was delicious with capers. Dessert of chocolate semi Fredonia with pistachios tasted irresistible. Excellent meal and worth the price.
(5)Adrienne L.
The server was great. The food was not. I wish I could have returned the product for a full refund because I left spending way too much money for food that was mediocre at best. I was so excited for the burrata cheese and was grossly disappointed. What's up with the low tables and high chairs where you can't even sit comfortably? At least my friend and I have some funny stories from the night to not make it a complete loss. Not worth the money I dropped though.
(1)Lisa S.
Phenomenal service. Our server was very knowledgeable and attentive. We requested "the pink drink we saw on yelp" and he did some research to find out exactly which one it was. He gave great menu recommendations, offered us samples of wine, brought out a chefs special treat, and had a great sense of humor. We all felt so taken care of and appreciated as customers.
(5)Renee S.
I celebrated my 50th birthday here and could not have been more pleased. The food was amazing; even though I was stuffed, I couldn't stop eating. The staff was awesome, shout out to Parker and the manager - Roscoe.
(5)Julie T.
We came in today for Easter Brunch. Everything was amazing. We were greeted and seated promptly, our waitress was at our table nearly immediately to take our drink order. The Hubs and I decided on a pitcher of bloody Marys, and the Wee one had a Shirley Temple. Then we ordered the bagel with house-cured lox, house made sausage and eggs, chopped salad, grits, a bowl of she-crab soup, and a BLT (bacon was again house made). Everything was amazing. The lox were the best I've had outside of Europe. The chopped salad was perfect, and the addition of boiled peanuts made it southern and elegant. The she-crab soup was one of the top five I've had in Charleston. The grits made me a bit sad-I used to work at an old historic restaurant in Charleston, and I thought we had the best grits going . Vincent's put them to shame: they were that good! As I said above, everything was perfectly amazing. The flavors were balanced and each dish was composed and well thought out. We then decided that (since it's a holiday) desserts were in the cards. The hubs ordered cheesecake, I had a white chocolate mousse and pineapple bombe, the Wee had the deconstructed carrot cake. As full as we were from our main dishes, we finished nearly every bite of dessert! I will be returning to Vincent Chicco's very soon (and often) for dinner!
(5)Bill B.
Funny they have great Italian food but the rib eye steak is a pretty good deal here. It came with greens and a potato dish that was delicious! I was really happy with the wine list to see a very affordable red wine on the menu for $25. What a cool looking place and the alley leading up to it screams old Charleston. Put it on the list to check out and be sure to stop next door for a cocktail!
(4)Wendy E.
My first visit to Vincent's. It was excellent! My friends and I had the Restaurant Week menu- Caesar salad, chicken piccata and the lemon custard dessert. I want to praise Parker, our waiter, for his wonderful customer service and making us feel welcome in Charleston!
(5)Roh H.
Great food but customer service is questionable... My friends and I really wanted to go to Rue a Jean but was recommended by the host to go to Vincent Chiccos to avoid the wait. He did fail to mention the dress code. We were casual and the first waiter already judged us by what we were wearing. It was semi casual for the dress code. That waiter already put us in a terrible mood. Our first appetizer was the bruschetta which was great. The colder temperature of the tomatoes definitely complimented the toast. Our personal waiter was very kind and informative. The only real problem was the judgement from the first waiter but after that this restaurant was not terrible at all. The chefs are doing a great job with the food.
(3)Christi T.
Well let me just say that the restaurant in general is beautiful, especially with the spiral staircase leading up to the loft area where we were happily seated. The ambiance is warm, upscale yet rustic, and very intimate. The perfect place to celebrate Valentine's Day. We ordered the bruschetta as our appetizer which was fantastic. With tangy goat cheese, tomato and herbs it's difficult to go wrong. Their house made Rosemary bread was delicious as well. We were even given a complimentary amuse bouche from the chef between our appetizer and entree. The entrees we ordered were the veal saltimbocca which my husband raved about and I ordered the chicken piccata, both served with their house made fettuccine. Both dishes, though slightly under seasoned for my liking, particularly my chicken piccata, were delicious. The prosciutto wrapped around the veal seemed to add some much needed salt for that dish. Now to explain my 2 star rating. Originally I would've given a 4 star considering the food, ambiance and even the service but that changed a day later after I realized that the other half of my chicken piccata entree was underdone, yes, raw chicken!! Which explained my slight queezy feeling later that night which I disregarded as Valentine's Day indulgence. But after seeing the underdone chicken the day after it all made sense and that must've been the reason for my feeling ill the same night. This was such a disappointment. There is no excuse for underdone chicken and for that reason I don't think we'll be going back.
(2)Michelle S.
First time here and it was delish. I loved the old building and that the servers give you a run down of it's history. I think that is something that could happen more in this town. The buildings have such great history so why not give your customers something else to talk about than just the food. Our server was helpful and we had a great experience. We went during restaurant week and occasionally the portions are smaller but this was not the case here. The buttermilk fried shrimp were amazing. I had the watermelon salad but I must have misread the description bc I did not find any watermelon in this salad. I had the duck which was perfectly cooked and the BF had the risotto that he loved. I would suggest giving this new restaurant a try and we will be bringing people back for sure.
(5)Christine B.
Let me start off by saying that the food was EXCELLENT. So delicious. It is a place I would go repeatedly and send visitors to often because it was really spectacular italian food, from the appetizers to drinks to bread to the main meal (for all three of us). But the service was so horrible on christmas eve, I almost can't believe I forgot about it until right now. The service started off rocky, and when we asked about it we were told 3 servers called out. I can understand that being difficult...but the second we showed signs of weakness and understanding we were taken advantage of. Our server literally tossed things on the table before we could get a word in edgewise. The person who brought the wine couldn't open the bottle (and it came after we were 3/4 done with the meal already). The plates were piled on the table until dessert! It was really unacceptable. There was someone walking around checking on each table, but she never once came to ours. I was told she was the assistant general manager. I get that times were tough, but we were paying customers that chose this restaurant on a holiday, and it was such a bad experience we aren't sure we will go again (maybe I'll see if they do take out). EDIT: I just want to note that I see that this review may seem out of place among wonderful reviews - but it takes a lot for me to get this aggravated by restaurants and I think it has to do with the fact that it was a holiday, and my very first holiday in charleston.
(1)Radha V.
Excellent food, excellent personalized service. I looked up their menu in Charleston restaurant guide and was very disappointed they did not have Vegetable Lasagna as per the guide. The chef personally came out and promised he would fix a good dinner for me. He made excellent tomatoes (fried green, roasted cherry, stuffed green) for appetizer. For main course he made Eggplant and vegetable Parmesan, he actually talked my carnivore husband into a mushroom pasta which he really enjoyed. Their Chocolate cake was delicious. At the end I found out the chef had the day off but he cooked my meal before he left, I left him a nice Thank you note
(5)Ryan K.
Vincent Chiccoooooo's!! For some reason whenever I say the name, I feel like I have to yell it. Try it. It's super fun, right?!? If you didn't try it, you are dead to me. Moving on... I loved this place! It is such a unique space. Apparently the building has been around since the prohibition era as a blind tiger... or commonly known as a speakeasy. We got a quick history lesson from our waitress. The more you know (que the shooting star graphic). We ordered off the restaurant week menu and every dish was excellent! It is not easy finding quality italian food in Chalreston but I think Vincent Chicco's nailed it!
(5)Jan A.
So good ! I had lobster spaghetti and I couldn't tolerate the cream sauce bc I am lactose intolerant so they made it with red sauce:) amazing! Kids loved theirs:) Had a red wine that was amazing! You definitely should try this place!
(4)Steve S.
Sorry, but I think it's totally overrated and overpriced.... Not to mention mercenary. First off, our reservation was for upstairs, when prime seating was available that we were not"allowed" to have. There were no other people up there. Next, people all over were shivering in their seats; no one seemed to care... I ate my meal with a scarf around my neck. The veal saltimbocca was very good but the pasta got cold instantly; the chefs fish was dry and overwhelmed with rice At least four different employees tried to sell us additional drinks, that's all anyone seemed to care about....really. Never again... There are hundreds of better restaurants in the area
(2)James G.
My wife and I ate at this restaurant on Saturday night. We live in Charleston and eat out pretty frequently. Here is the good and bad: Let me start with the good: the building is beautiful and the atmosphere is really nice. The menu was great and the food was delicious. We ordered the bruschetta appetizer and it might have been some of the best bruschetta we have ever had. We split a pasta dish for the entree and it too was delicious. Now onto the bad: when we walked in the restaurant wasn't very busy, which is unfortunate because part of the reason we were eating here is that all of our other restaurant choices were on a 30 minute wait. So to some degree you have to wonder why Vincent Chiccos hasn't quite caught on yet. Our hostess seated us right away and then proceeded to be our waitress, which is a little bit strange. We asked for bread and were told that they were out but "they could bake some for us if we really wanted it". They made us feel like we were inconveniencing them to have bread so we didn't "make them bake it for us". Then my wife spilled her prosecco and they cleaned it up right away but they asked us, "do you need some more prosecco". It seemed like something that should have just been understood. Again, not the best customer service for a nice restaurant that charges $30+ per entree. Overall the building is beautiful and the food is delicious, but the customer service could have been much better. It felt like the same level of service we would have gotten at a much cheaper restaurant. By the end of our meal (9:00 PM on a Saturday night) we were the only people in there and we felt rushed out by the staff. I think the restaurant would be more full at this time if the staff were a bit less focused on getting out the door and more focused on the customer dining experience. That being said, I would eat here again.
(3)Kristen M.
We had a wonderful anniversary dinner. We received an amuse bouche compliments of the chef! Wine was reasonably priced. I had roasted artichoke app and he had the beef carpaccio. Both were fantastic. I loved my chicken piccata; I was a little hesitant to order something so ordinary, but it was anything but. My date loved his lobster spaghetti. We shared a dessert which was rich for my taste, but I'm not s big chocolate/peanut butter person. BF loved it. Our waitress was friendly and service was impeccable. I highly recommend this restaurant. It would be a great place for a special night.
(5)Tom G.
This is one of several restaurants all in a row owned by the hospitality restaurant group; Rue de Jean, Coast, Micheal's on the Alley, etc. It's a nice swanky place with a great menu. We started with the Brushetta appetizer which was excellent. Three nice beers on tap and a great wine list. We had the Chicken Parmesan and the ribeye. Both were generous portions and we didn't leave hungry. The ribeye was excellent but the chicken parm was just OK. Not cheap, but it is downtown Charleston. So why only three stars? The service. For all this place can offer, how about bringing on one more person on the wait staff. Our gal wasn't slacking off but the overall service was poor. Waited quite a bit to place our drink and appetizer order. Would have loved a second beer and glass of wine, but couldn't flag her down to order a second. Waited quite a bit to get the check. There are countless great choices for dining in downtown Charleston; we may or may not try it again.
(3)Sarah E.
We had dinner at Vincent Chicco's last Friday night and enjoyed the experience. The service was good and the decor was quite beautiful. We had a 7:00 reservation and were seated right away - the restaurant wasn't even half full for our whole meal. The salumi plate was probably our favorite thing we ordered. My husband had the carbonara and enjoyed it, but it wasn't his favorite version he'd ever had. The veggie lasagna was good as well. It would have been nice to be able to do a smaller portion so I could try some sides. Overall, it was good, but when there are so many options in Charleston, we weren't especially blown away.
(3)Staci B.
Great location and space. Gave you the feeling of an old Italian restaurant in NYC. The food was great, as was the service. Pretty classic Italian menu - the chicken parm was phenomenal - one of the best I've had. Nice wine list as well. Would absolutely go back in a heart beat.
(4)William T.
We stumbled on this place on Memorial Day weekend, quite by accident. The other restaurants in the "alley" were booked, so we thought we would give them a try. We were seated outside and promptly accommodated. The meal was spectacular! We chose to come back for our 30th wedding anniversary this time. Once again, we were treated like royalty. We started the evening with champagne. We ordered the bruchetta as an appetizer. Then we both ordered the veal piccata...again. Yes, it was THAT GOOD the first time we got it (in May) that we had to get it again. The combination of the capers and the wine sauce leaves an impression in your mind that keeps you wanting more! And then the chocolate creme brulee... Amazing night for many reasons, and Vincent Chicco's made it even more special!
(5)Jessica C.
Vincent Chiccos was a very romantic place for dinner and good for groups. Upstairs dining was for larger groups like ours but elegant as well. The server recommended the soft shell crab ravioli for an appetizer...was not too happy about the price of it when the bill came. Most of the appetizers ranged from $10-$15 but of course the recommended one was $20 and not displayed in the menu. Now don't get me wrong the food was great but it didn't leave that ever lasting memory of the fabulous food/dining experience being stored in my food memory bank. I ordered the chicken piccata and my boyfriend had the veal..he enjoyed his more than me. When I reviewed this place in Yelp it showed $$ and I think it should have been more like $$$. For two people it was over $100 not including tip. That was for the $20 appetizer, a bottle of wine at $30 (the cheapest red wine they offered I might add) and 2 entrees. For a dinner full of carb loading pasta I think I would try a different place next time for Italian. Oh and this place was in an ally way off the main streets and the local taxi driver couldn't even find the place and had never heard of the palace...and the sign out front of the restaurant is smaller than a stop sign making it difficult to distinguish!
(3)Adam K.
First off, the space is phenomenal. Very old-fashioned and rustic. An off-beat mixture of new and old tunes play on the stereo. The menu is a large Italian-American medley, with enough choices to suit even the pickiest of eater. We started off with a lovely burrata surrounded by olives and sundried tomatoes, a very respectable plate of bruschetta, and a hearty supply of bread, including a satisfyingly crusty ciabatta. I had the lamb sugo, a rustic and delicious Bolognese, flowing with sauce and meat juices, and peppered with tender lamb shoulder. The chicken parmesan was highly mediocre, as was the spaghetti and meatballs. Service wise, Vincent Chiccos was just "meh". While the wait staff was brisk and friendly, they also showed signs of sloppiness. The dessert menu, while offering many choices, was very disappointing. Jeni's Ice Cream is conveniently located nearby for a better dessert option.
(4)Rob G.
My wife and I decided to try this "new" restaurant- open sine Jan 2014- last night- loved it! We had dinner outside in the "alley". Service was impeccable and the food was fantastic. Had a complimentary appetizer of seafood bisque which was great. I had veal Marsala and wife had veal piccata- both were perfect! The same ppl own all the restaurants in this row. - Rue Jean, Coast, Michaels Steakhouse, Victory Social Club and Vincent Chirricos. So they gave us menus from the steakhouse and Italian restaurant to choose from- different! We ordered Italian dinners and Michaels dessert. Everything was great. Gerard our waiter was fantastic, too. Try this place!
(5)Stephanie W.
Food was outstanding! Servers were wonderful. Attentive but not intrusive. Quiet romantic ambience perfect for Valentines dinner.
(5)Sarah D.
Ambience and service were nice - food was very mediocre. Maybe because chef was on vacay after a busy NYE. B team in the kitchen. Oh well.
(3)Max M.
The made in house pasta was quite good. The baby spinach had a slight fishy order although it was to be prepared only with garlic and olive oil. As it was a Wednesday night, the adjoining club (next door) had music, which made it quite loud for a short while, later calming down. I guess that is what we got for coming at 6:30 p.m., what some might think as a happy hour time for dinner. Still, the six of us enjoyed the meal overall.
(4)J R.
Fantastic place with a fun story behind the name. Vincent Chicco was a notorious bootlegger who if you asked to see the "blind Tiger" you received a drink. I ordered off menu and was obliged-The veal parm deserves a featured spot on their offerings. Nothing short of spectacular.
(5)Lee S.
We were there for New Eve dinner. Friendly staff and very efficient. Wife and I both had Veal Marsala. One of the very best veal dishes in Charleston. Will be back many times.
(5)Gloria C.
May 2015. We loved it. Everything was perfectly seasoned & served hot. The portions were good. We also had wonderful side potatoes & spinach for the table to share. The service was great. The seating was comfortable but a little more light would have been good. My 23 year old son said it was the best restaurant ever. We left trying to decide when we would come back & decided to celebrate my husbands birth there in 2 weeks.
(5)Lauren B.
Awesome location, beautiful ambiance (especially love the curved booths), good service and the steak was amazing! My cocktail was a bit pricey, but the wine choices were very good with affordable choices. Great place to go with friends, you can actually heve a dinner conversation, unlike the acoustics in many other Charleston restaurants. We will be back!
(4)Eileen M.
Awesome food! Great service. Artichoke appetizer is amazing. Haven't found good meatballs, aside from my own, until I came here. Highly recommended.
(5)