Charleston

I was totally psyched about visiting Charleston and the many good restaurants I was going to experience there. Not so much.....

Here is what I came up with:

Hyman's Seafood: People lines up the zing yang. Very organized in their seating style. We were seated, orders were taken for drinks and curiosity got the best of us about the two carefully placed straws on the saucer of our hot tea. Reason: According to the waiter they don't own spoons! And we thought it was a Southern custom we had not heard about. Nope, no spoons.
Food order was incorrect. Food was cold. Fish was not fresh.
Best part of the visit was the owner stopping by the table. Very personable. Repeat visit: NO.

Hanks: House Wine -- mediocre. Cosmos -- very good. Appetizers -- Great. Main course -- just o.k. Good service, nice atomosphere, priced fairly. Repeat Visit: YES

Magnolias: Great ambience. Appetizers were larger than expected and very good! My salmon salad GREAT! The waiter graciously opened my friends sealed tea bags, fluffed it up with his fingers and gently placed it in her hot water!! YUCK -- wondering if he washed his hands after I saw him at the urinal. (don't ask).
Return visit: YES

Blossom: Sunday brunch: Nicely decorated. Seated pretty promptly. Good Bloody Marys and believe or not they had fresh horseradish. Good so far. Second round of drinks were served in different glasses not only from the first round but also from each other. Explanation for serving different glassware at the same table: We were very busy today and no more clean glasses!! I guess the chef wasn't in too good a mood either because he wouldn't make an egg white omelet -- nope no special orders at Cypress!! Return visit: Probably not

Southent Brewery: Burgers and Pork Sandwich were good, prompt service, worse thing here was the bathroom two flights up!! Return visit: Yes

Fleets Landing: Drinks Great, Food very fresh and prepared correctly, service o.k. Worse part of the visit: took 20 minutes to get our check and their bathrooom could be cleaner. Return visit: Yes

Drinks on the top floor of the 225 building. Great drinks, great atmosphere. Very expensive. Repeat: YES!

So that's it peoples. My advice: Drinks and appetizers in Charleston is the way to go.