If you come to Charleston, SC, and want to experience fine dining I have a few suggestions for you. I’ve based these suggestions on the taste of food, dining experience, and ambiance of the restaurant. These are some nice places for a romantic date, a nice brunch, or a girls’ night out. In my experience, although it’s fine dining you don’t have to be dressed to the nines. You can definitely wear jeans.
1. Hall’s Chophouse
I’ve been to Hall’s multiple times for date nights to celebrate our anniversary. I took hubby there Downtown for his birthday in January 2020. We’ve also done the Gospel Brunch at Hall’s.
The steak tastes really good. I also like the shrimp & grits. Their desserts are delicious. I had a banana cake once and it was so good! Their French toasts are the absolute best I’ve ever had. The service is 5 star. We’ve always been greeted as we entered and left the restaurant. I’ve never had a server to disappoint. The owner has always come to our table to engage with us and ask how did we enjoy the meal.
2. 82 Queen
82 Queen is the name of the restaurant and the location of the restaurant. The restaurant looks like a historic home. I’ve been here twice and I want to go back again.
When my friend Shawn and I went for restaurant week, we sat on the porch. I wasn’t thrilled about our seating but the food was good. When my hubby and I went for restaurant week we sat outside. It was night time so I couldn’t bask in all of it. However, it looks like you’re eating in a garden. This is definitely a place where you can eat outside for fine dining. The service was great on each visit. 82 Queen has award-winning She Crab soup and tasty braised ribs. I can’t remember what else I had. I do recall ordering a chicken bog and I didn’t like it and I swapped it for something else.
3. Magnolia’s
Shrimp and Grits
My husband and I went here once for Sunday brunch after attending Second Sunday on King. That’s a local event on King Street. I had shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes. It was yummy! After eating the shrimp & grits I declared it to be the best in town.
Our server was amazing. The ambiance was nice. Our table had a white table cloth and a fresh flower in the vase. Remember what I said about the dress code earlier. Well, a dude was there with a football jersey on. I was like, really in Magnolia’s.
4. High Cotton
I’ve only been to High Cotton once. It’s in the family of Hall’s Chophouse. From what I can remember the food wasn’t anything to brag about. I don’t even remember what I had. The ambiance was nice. Some people were dressed up. Many of the men had on jeans and a blazer. I had on some nice leggings that looked like pants and a short-sleeve sweater with a pair of boots.
My brother-in-law decided to take me there for my birthday along with his girlfriend. What I didn’t know is that he planned to propose to her the same night! So soon afterward I became a third wheel. Speaking of a love story, did you know a scene from The Notebook was shot here?
5. Peninsula Grill
This restaurant has a beautiful romantic setting. It’s expensive for sure. When my husband and I were dating we ate here. This was my very first time at a fine dining restaurant. I wore my black satin above the knee BCBG halter dress. I’m telling you I was cute! By the way, I still have that dress. I can’t fit it, but I have it.
I don’t remember what I had to eat at the time. It’s been over 10 years since I’ve been there. All I can remember is questioning the type of experience that I thought I was supposed to receive. I left wondering if I was treated fairly. In addition to that, I wondered if the waiter thought we didn’t belong there. These feelings probably were derived from insecurity. I mean after all, I was only used to eating at Applebee’s, and buffet restaurants like Shoney’s, Ryan’s, and Golden Corral.
Honorable Mention: Kiawah Island Golf Resort
The resort has several restaurants on-site. Two of the restaurants are fine dining which are The Atlantic Room at The Sanctuary and The Ocean Room at The Ocean Course. It looks extremely elegant. I’ve never been, but I’d like to give it a try. The resort overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. At one of the restaurants, an appetizer costs about $30. I teased my husband by saying we can order an appetizer to split and that will be our meal. LOL.