Charleston Grill, located inside Belmond Charleston Place in Charleston, SC, is equal parts jazz club and refined dining haven. Guided by Executive Chef Michelle Weaver, often called “Charleston’s Slow Food Maestro,” diners at Charleston Grill savor one Lowcountry delight after another. Dining here felt as though we had slipped back in time, to a more elegant and sophisticated time when things moved at a more relaxed pace.
Charleston Grill
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Address: 205 Meeting St
Charleston, SC 29401
Inside Belmond Charleston Place
Head Chef: Michelle Weaver
Food Type: Dinner
Dining Experience: Indoor
Awards: Forbes Four-Star Award
AAA Four Diamond Award for Food Excellence
Price: $125+ per Person
Dress Code: Smart Casual +
Reservations: Recommended
Special Diets: Vegetarian,
Gluten-Free (not GF dedicated), Pescatarian
Everyone having dinner here, including my husband and me, was dressed in a manner befitting such a highly acclaimed fine dining experience. I wore one of my favorite Lilly Pulitzer dresses while my husband broke out a bespoke suit. Live jazz by Gerald Gregory Duo accompanied our meal, serenading us throughout the experience. A team of waitstaff ensured that our glasses were never empty and perfectly paced our meals, so we were never left without something in front of us. We felt pampered to the highest degree throughout our meal.
The Ambience
Set in a dark wood alcove, tucked behind the hotel’s courtyard, but still in sight of the Gucci store inside The Shops at Belmond Charleston Place, the atmosphere was like a refined 1920s era speakeasy. Champagne bottles popped, bubbled, and spilled into eager glasses at nearly every table. At the same time, the jazz duo played on, going strong all evening, perfectly accompanying the sound of laughter and intimate chatter that floated through the restaurant on a balmy Charleston evening.
Houseplants adorned nearly every surface of the restaurant, making the entire experience feel a bit more mysterious, yet inviting at the same time. We were seated at a table near the courtyard, and we could watch birds come and go outside as the sunset over the city. It was such a captivating experience.
Charleston Grill’s Menu & Our Meals
The menu has three main sections, Roots & Stems, Waves & Marsh, and Field & Pasture. It also included fresh oysters and other local, sustainably sourced seafood and sustainable produce and Southern comfort foods with a global flair.
First, we ordered Local Oysters, which featured freshly caught oysters from Lowcountry Oyster Company topped with an heirloom pepper mignonette, served on a bed of salt flakes.
Anyone we spoke with about Charleston Grill said we couldn’t leave without trying their famous Charleston Crab Cake, which features creek shrimp, tomatoes, and lime-dill vinaigrette. Our waiter informed us that this was indeed their most popular appetizer, the recipe for these crab cakes hasn’t changed in the past 14 years. Unfortunately, I couldn’t try it since it is not gluten-free. However, Robin said it was as excellent as everyone told us it would be.
Anyone who knows me knows that I love salmon dishes, so it’s not surprising that I selected the Ōra King Salmon with leeks, marble potatoes, salmon roe, and red wine reduction as my main course. The combination of flavors was heavenly, and Executive Chef Michelle Weaver prepared the salmon perfectly.
Robin enjoyed the Shawarma Spiced Vegetables as his main course, and the presentation was so beautiful that I had to sneak a few bites as well. It was just as delicious as my salmon was. This option would be perfect for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone looking for a light, healthy meal with plenty of flavors.
For dessert, we split two different sweet dishes. I selected the Tahini Almond Dacquoise, which arrived covered in strawberries and accompanied by a scoop of strawberry sorbet.
Chocolate Pot de Créme is one of Robin’s favorite desserts, so when we saw that on the menu, it wasn’t even a question of whether or not we would try it.
Final Thoughts
Everything at Charleston Grill was delightful. From the moment we sat down, staff attended to our every need. Every bite of food here was divine, and I wanted to know what other delights the kitchen could whip up here, but I knew in my heart I couldn’t have taken another bite even if I’d wanted to at the end of our meal. The staff were all accommodating, the live music made our dinner very special, and everything was delightful. I highly recommend enjoying an evening at Charleston Grill if you have the chance. You won’t regret it!
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