Lana Restaurant
210 Rutledge St, Charleston, SC, 29403
Lana Restaurant Menu
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Appetizers
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Soup
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Salads
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Pasta And Rice
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Entrees
Healthy Meal suggestions for Lana Restaurant
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Appetizers
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Soup
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Salads
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Pasta And Rice
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Entrees
Visit below restaurant in Charleston for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
210 Rutledge St
Charleston, SC, 29403 - Phone (843) 720-8899
- Website https://www.lanarestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
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.
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Colleen J.
After recently being invited to the *elite* Charleston Eating Club (it's a big deal, jealousy is only natural), 6 of us met up at Lana's for what was to be my first event. You would think that with a party of 6 that SOMETHING would go wrong - whether it was slow service, cold food or whatever - but instead, we were surprised at the end of the meal to be100% content. In fact, everything was actually above and beyond. We were able to try a little bit of everything, from scallops to an antipasto plate, to main courses and desserts. Everything we had was effing fantastic. At the end of the dinner we all agreed that the Antipasto plate and Duck plate deserved honorable mention- but again, EVERYTHING was delish. Dessert wise, my vote definitely goes to the Carrot Cake. It was lighter than your typical carrot cake and much better. Props Lana. Service was also above average. Our server, Bruce, was awesome - then again, waiting on a table of 6 foxy ladies must have been horrible (10 to 1 odds that he cried himself to sleep that night). Just saying. For those of you that say it's pricey, I'm poor and I disagree. For that service, that food, Bruce, and the great atmosphere I would even pay double. The Charleston Eating Club gives Lana's 5 stars. And if you didn't hear me before, we're a really big deal.
(5)Missy S.
Fantastic fresh grouper over broccoli rabe with cauliflower caper salad - superb - Paul kaiser is an excellent server!
(4)Ed M.
Off the beaten path, but worth the detour. Great friendly service...Catlin, Stephanie....wonderful food. Ate here twice. Compares favorably with better known places. Had great snapper dinner, and a shrimp cassoulet.
(5)Randy W.
What a great neighborhood restaurant. Great service and wine list. The gnocchi is to die for. Had the mushroom gnocchi for an appetizer. Wow is it good. Love the combination of flavors in the entrees. Great, non touristy choice for Charleston
(5)Ali M.
It's rare that the first place you stumble upon churns out a flawless experience, but I experienced this at Lana. My husband and I and my in-laws were staying at an apartment down the street and set out in search of a good atmosphere and good, reasonably priced food. We also had our one-month old daughter with us and wanted to feel comfortable. Lana was perfect. Our waiter was one if the most professional and courteous servers I've ever had. He was knowledgeable about the wine list, poured professionally, and patiently answered all our menu questions. Our order came out exactly as ordered, despite some substitutions, and everything was delicious. The gnocchi was soft and surely homemade, the risotto perfectly creamy, the scallops perfectly seared, and the blue cheese and poached pear salad a perfectly dressed collision of strong flavors. We enjoyed a meal for four, including three appetizers, one dessert, a bottle of wine and a digestif, for $200. The place feels like an elegant locals' haunt. I know that if I lived here I'd certainly be here once a week.
(5)Kathy S.
Had a wonderful meal with friends last night. The service and atmosphere were as good as the food. I recommend the Tile Fish. My husband raved about the Bolognese and our friend says he always gets the Duck. Will definitely return when I am in Charleston again.
(4)Randy L.
The wife and I visited this past weekend, had a wonderful meal. I had the rib-eye, which was cooked perfectly, with pom frites and garlic aioli. Wife had the braised short rib with garlic Parmesan risotto. both plates were amazing! The staff was awesome, never had an empty glass and we were treated as though we were the only ones in the building. 9pm reservation was a bit late for us and i think this lead to a more vocal crowd as it was just a bit on the noisy side, but calmed down as a couple of loud parties left. Took our Vanilla-Orange risotto pudding with crushed spiced pecans back to the B&B for a late desert. It to was wonderful, a bit on the strange side, but really enjoyed it. Overall, I cannot wait to visit again soon. A MUST VISIT in Charleston!
(5)Gisele H.
Some of the entrée portions (eg, short ribs) are so small that they wouldn't qualify for appetizers. I left feeling ripped-off ... and still hungry.
(2)Sarah R.
I was on vacation in Charleston and a friend's co-worker suggested Lana. We loved it! Notable wine list, reasonable prices and a veggie plate to die for! I'm vegan and it's hard to find places (especially in the south) that cater to both omnivores and plant lovers but they did it. The chef came around and made sure we were enjoying our meal and I made sure that he knew he made someone who doesn't like potatoes, a fan of his. Definitely a good pick and away from the touristy crowds of McCrady's (excellent by the way, but Lana was better!) and Husk, as well as Two Boroughs Larder. It's across from Hominy Grill but I wasn't even interested in Hominy after visiting Lana.
(5)Bill M.
wow wow wow. The food, the service, oh and did I mention the food.
(5)Leigh Y.
Amazing! I fell in love with gnocchi for the first time here! I started with the most delicious butternut squash soup with a sage drizzle! For my entrée, I had the unbelievably tasty gnocchi broccolini sautéed with pine nuts and sprinkled with golden raisins! I think about this meal often! Our waiter was very friendly!
(5)Skep T.
Came across Lana by happy accident on my first visit to Charleston and was quite pleased ...So much so that we went back later in the week! The vegetable plate is amazing, so hard to found gourmet vegetarian entrees but this one was divine. Nice atmosphere, relaxed but still nice. Good wine selection.
(5)Michelle L.
Anytime we bring family into town, we will definitely be bringing them here! It is a very classy restaurant, but the prices are very fair. They have pricier dishes, but also modestly priced items as well. We started with olives and calamari. We had a ton of leftover olives, and I am still enjoying them at home! The dipping sauce that came with the calamari was so perfect. I personally think that marinara often overpowers the calamari, so I was very happy to see the aioli that was served with it. I ordered the Mushroom Gnocchi (Gnocchi Funghi? I think it was called). It was SO good. So rich and creamy and oh so very dreamy. My husband ordered some sort of seafoody thing. (Mussels, shrimp, rigatoni...etc.) He really liked it. Clearly they took care with the food that they made for us. Finally, the gelato. Oh the gelato. It was very delicately flavored, so don't expect anything to overpower you with richness. The carmel was my favorite, and the cappacino was my husband's. Altogether a perfect meal! Not too expensive either (Mine was $13 I think? Hubs' was a little more, I forget. Either way you could pay that at Olive Garden and not get nearly as good of food.) Our server was excellent as well. I don't remember her name, but she had a good sense of humor. (Which is necessary when serving myself and my crazy hubs...we are practically children.) Even the chef introduced himself and shook our hands. Great experience. I highly recommend you check them out! (I would give - 1/4 of a star for the aforementioned table situation, but our server happily gave us another half of a table so we could sit together and not on top of our neighbors. If you are worried about sitting too close to someone I am sure you could call ahead and ask for one of the tables that isn't in the center.)
(5)Andrew B.
Very good food good wine list location near MUSC. Service excellent. I had risotto for main with fish soup to start. Soup was seasoned well with cumin. fish a little sparse but nice fish flavor. Risotto good sausage gave it a nice flavor bump
(4)M F.
Our waitress was wonderful. The appetizer (calamari) had a really unique sauce and was amazing. Our dinners, brought out by the owner/chef were also some of the best I have ever had. I will definitely be returning
(5)Amy C.
I went here for a celebratory lunch with my co-worker and mentor. There wasn't a wait which was what really attracted us there because try going going to the restaurants on Rutledge during lunch hour is everyone's waking nightmare...the long lines, the chaos..no thank you. Regardless, I digress....when we got there, tables were open but uncleaned. When we finally sat down, our server seemed out of breath and quite flustered. While she had an extensive knowledge of the menu, the fact that she seemed rushed made us feel rushed. I got the pasta with sauteed mushroom and boy oh boy, it was DELICIOUS! OH MANNNNNNNNNN. I also got to try their Croque Monsieur which was odd because they put mustard instead of a raspberry jam, and the server tried to sell me that meat and mustard go to gather, duhhh! However, if anyone knows anything a Croque Monsieur has some type of jelly jam on it instead of mustard! Why other justification do you have for charging $10 for a french sandwich if it isn't even FRENCH! With all my whining and moaning, I do think the food is ok-great, but the service is lacking; thus my star rating
(3)Kait R.
My boyfriend and I made the mistake of eating here recently. The service was beyond poor. Our server was smug at best. When I had "the nerve" to ask for my food to be prepared without onions he became absent and dismissive. He never checked back after delivering courses or he would have known that neither of us enjoyed our entrees. Don't waste your time or money! If you're looking for good Italian food check out Wild Olive on Johns Island; atmosphere, service, and food completely overshadow Lana.
(1)Jgjgjg J.
Pricey, and hard to tell what language the menu was in. i pulled out my iphone and started wikipedia-ing everything on the menu. the waitress was way way helpful with explaining everything on the menu. not my cup o tea. if youre a wine-o this would def be a spot you'd like. they've got a huge selection of wines and champagnes and what not. wine makes me sleepy, so i def. did not touch it. the food was really good. after all it should be! i got the beef entree well cause it was the only thing i was able to order with out looking like a fool haha. the beef consisted of a rib eye steak with a home made sauce on top which was real good. the salad was pretty much amazing, and the pomme frittes were good as well! i'm not gunna knock it cause of the price (was forewarned) and not gunna knock it cause of the menu (thats their style, plus the waitress was super helpful) all together it was yummy but ive had better ;)
(4)Judith R.
Great service, atmosphere, menu offerings, and food.
(5)Diggity D.
Best gourmet veggie plate in town! Great service and lots of locals present, which should vouch for the quality of food...
(5)Henri F.
We were just looking for a place that actually had room for us last minute on NYE. Everything about it was very nice, food, service, ambiance, location. Too bad we didnt have time for dessert. Would definitely go back
(5)dan d.
Meh meh and more meh. Lana wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. Underachieving or uninspiring might be better terms. For beers they had the same selection as a TGI Fridays forcing me to go the cocktail and wine route. My Mojito was refreshing but syrupy, and one of the glasses of wine I had tasted like purple turpentine. The food wasn't any better - my entree was beef three ways which set me back a cool $24. The concept of the plate was that you take a ribeye steak and prepare and serve it three different ways all on one plate. Interesting enough right? That's what I though until it was set down in front of me. There was a tiny little steak about the size of a racquet ball, a paper thin piece of carne asada like thing, and pasta shells stuffed with what must have been Dinty Moore Beef Stew. Yes beef stew in pasta shells as part of a $24 entree. I will not be back.
(2)Joseph N.
We went to Lana's on the recommendation of one of my clients. We were not disappointed. The service was fantastic and the food was really good. The pricing was a little high, but they do make you feel like its worth it. There is a great atmosphere in the tiny little bar/restaurant and its easy to get to by car as there is plenty of parking on the side street. I had the special, which was grouper, and my wife had a mushroom gnocchi dish. The grouper was cooked perfectly and the gnocchi was loaded with wild mushrooms (almost to a fault). They also have a pretty extensive wine list. We had to have dessert, because according to Ron Bennington, dessert is part of the meal. I had carrot cake and my wife had crème brûlée. I was not a huge fan of the carrot cake (although the ginger gelato served with it was fantastic), and the crème brûlée had a perfect custard but the glaze was a little on the thick side. I always hate to finish a meal on a sour note, but it really wasn't enough to spoil the whole experience. I would definitely go there again.
(4)Renee H.
This truly is one of my favorite local restaurants. The atmosphere is cozy and sophisticated. I'd highly recommend the Gnocchi Funghi, the Bolognese and the Risotto all are great. . My most recent rave would be the Braised Beef Shortribs that melt in your mouth and the Sautéed Flounder, some local veg in a leek fondue. YUM! We live near the ocean and they take advantage of that fact, the fish is super fresh. I love that Lana is off the beaten path and a locals favorite, also, parking isn't the issue here like it is for most downtown spots. p.s. The panne cotta, Awesome!
(5)Beverly B.
I also stayed at an inn (Ashley) a few blocks away. The restaurant was highly recommended by the staff. The dishes that stand out in my mind were the pate appetizer (served on a marble or granite slab), the pear and gorgonzola salad with cinnamon and nuts, the grouper special, and the duck entree. We were also treated to a taste of the pork trotter. I googled pork trotter back at the B&B and realized that I probably wouldn't have tried it knowing what it was, but who cares. It was spectacular! The seasoned waiter Kelly also helped to make for a very memorable night. I wish I didn't live in CT so I could go there more often.
(4)Diane M.
I really like Lana's. The food and service is excellent and the atmosphere is relaxing and hip.
(5)Glenn C.
Four days in Charleston on vacation, wouldn't you know it that the best meal of the trip was only two blocks from our B@B? Wife had duck and I had the grouper. Both were great. Appetizers were delicious and delivered quickly. Services was a bit slow, but server was overall very friendly and helped with our selections and questions. Only complaint was the dessert, creme brulee was perfect, but chocolate cake was so bitter as to be inedible. Over all great experience!
(5)Lindsey B.
Pretty restaurant with bad food and negligent service. I visited in May 2011 and ordered their 3 course special menu. The first course - a vegetable soup - was watery and tasteless. The second course - grilled shrimp and tomato bread - went beyond blackened to actually burned. The third course - grouper - was salty but otherwise palatable. What actually horrified me more than two of out three courses being awful, was that my waitress took away both the soup and the shrimp/tomato bread courses with half the food still on the plate and obviously uneaten and never ONCE asked if there was anything wrong or if I was enjoying my meal. My recommendation: Charleston is a great food town, but you need to go somewhere else than Lana to know that!
(1)Mikell B.
Lana is an elegant, but cozy place tucked into a part of Charleston where easy parking still exists. I went here with a group of girlfriends to celebrate a special occaision. Our waiter was prompt with drinks and knowledgeable about the menu. The vegetable plate at Lana is often touted as the best in Charleston, so as a vegetarian, it was my first choice. I couldn't have been more disappointed. My one request was that whatever the chef came up with should not have bell peppers in it. They are my one real food aversion. A beautiful veg plate arrived with little piles of different preparations, two of which were loaded down with peppers. I decided to eat around them, but quickly learned that no one had seasoned my food in the least. No butter, salt, garlic, basil...blah. I reluctantly sent it back to be seasoned (I spent years in f&b and try my hardest not to be a pain). Instead of reseasoning they remade the plate. Half of which was covered in bell peppers. Sigh. The owner came out to apologize, and was very sweet, but paid no mind to the fact that half of my plate still went uneaten. I might try Lana again, but with so many other great restaurants on the peninsula, I'm not really that motivated to do so.
(3)Andrea B.
After my terrible meal at Virginia's the night before, we were taken to lunch at Lana's. It was delightful. I had a cup of the minestrone soup (very good) and the mediterranean salad. The salad was huge and very filling. I would order it again. Other people had pasta, lamb, paninis. Nobody voiced any displeasure, and all of the plates were clean at the end of the meal. Everyone else had desert, and all of them were in love with their respective cakes. I however had none, so cannot really comment on that.
(4)Laura A.
Lana is my coworkers' go-to spot for cocktails after work. The atmosphere is chic but very relaxed, and the menu is delectable. We always get some nibbles from the appetizer menu, and the dip trio is a good place to start: delicious cilantro hummus, roasted baba ghanouj, and piquant tapenade accompanied by a generous pile of lavash. Add a glass of their house red or a decadent shot and watch those daytime worries melt away. I love Lana!
(4)Amy K.
This place is adorable (the perfect "neighborhood bistro") and the food is very good. Our friend brought my husband and I here for lunch on a recent visit to Charleston and I would definitely return given the chance. Service was friendly and knowledgeable without being too much; the food is fresh with interesting twists on the classic so it's just inventive enough, and I imagine that the bar is a great place to wind after work or grab a drink later in the night.
(4)Gerald T.
In town for business. Was recommended to me by a food snob who has great taste. Was very pleased with the drinks and food. Service at the bar. Lamb appetizer and Fish of the day for dinner. Amazing. Will be back soon.
(5)Robert B.
My wife and I dined here in late March, 2009, during a short visit to Charleston. The ambiance is pleasant, lively, with a vibe shaped by the clinentel from the medical school and Charleston College nearby. I had the special--braised short ribs of beef. It was fabulous. My wife's dinner was another one of the specials and we both remember it as being very good even though we can't recall what it was. The prices were quite reasonable considering the quality. The wine list could use a few more choices in the under $40 per bottle range. We would definitely recommend this for a visitor to Charleston.
(4)rebekah b.
On any given night in Charleston, there are certain restaurants where your dining experience is accompanied by a long wait for a table (Basil, for example), and then there are other places that are just a little bit off the beaten path (if being located across from Hominy Grill is off the beaten path). Lana is a neighborhood bistro with an eclectic menu that is just casual enough for dinner with friends but with an intimate feel that's perfect for date night. I love the pear and gorgonzola salad and their seafood dishes.
(4)Chelsea C.
This was a delicious find! The atmosphere was nice and intimate, but comfortable. The service was great, and most importantly, the food was fantastic! We had the calamari, spring gnocchi ( English peas, house-made ricotta, cream sauce), and house-made paté. All were very all seasoned and not too heavy for a spring evening. I almost try anything when it says its house made. This is a must try in Charleston.
(5)Wendy F.
Each dining experience at Lana over the past 10+ years has always been a triple play ... fabulous food ... wonderful service ... very fair pricing ... but, now, with the addition of free, secured parking in a lot across the street, Lana easily scores a home run. While we generally try 'new' restaurants during Restaurant Week, the deal at Lana, 3 for $33, coupled with the menu selections posted on Facebook, made dining at our favorite restaurant this past Saturday a no-brainer. (Note: the menu on Open Table was representative, not actual.) We were very warmly greeted, seated at a lovely window table and quickly approached by Rick, our wonderful server who reviewed the Restaurant Week items as well as the daily specials accompanying the 'regular' menu. Our selections - again, no brainers: spicy (very large) grilled shrimp with eggplant caponata and salsa verde; fresh, local pan roasted wreckfish served over marinated veggies, topped with a lite tomato & cuke salad and vinaigrette for me; meaty, fork tender braised short ribs served with creamy mashed potatoes, spinach, grilled red onions and romescu sauce for my hub ... and dreamy chocolate Budino (pudding) cake with expresso gelato for dessert. Throw in two rounds of crusty, warm sour dough, focaccia served with tangy olive oil for dipping and smooth and tall, cool, smooth Bohemians (Gin, St. Germaine, grapefruit juice and Angostura bitters and we left very, very happy. We have friends visiting next month from Baltimore and it's a sure bet that you'll find us at table 11 during their stay in Chucktown.
(5)Barbara R.
I loved it! After a horrible experience in another restaurant the day before, I felt like this food cleansed my intestines. I ordered the "Chicken" but without prosciutto and it was amazing! The chicken is nicely cooked with 3 potato croquettes. It had many veggies and the sauce (not dense, which I great) completed the meal. The chef even served me my food! The restaurant is clean and filled with great associates. This is a place for good food and they even make their own gelato! Desserts were 4 stars but the food was definitely 5.
(5)Julia S.
Lana's is our favorite restaurant! Whenever we are in town we make sure to stop by for a dinner date night. The menu offers a great variety of delicious meals from appetizer to desert! Their wine list is amazing and the imported grappa is a must try! Although it is described here as a Italian restaurant, I would place it more in the Mediterranean corner. Try the scallops as a appetizer, they will melt on your tongue! Yummmm!
(5)Jennifer P.
I really don't like leaving bad reviews but we were on vacation for only a couple days and were to disappointed not to warn others. The chef refused to sub out one vinaigrette for another on the salad we wanted. We ordered mussels as app and it was alright..def not great. The risotto was slightly undercooked and the gnocchi with broccoli seemed to have frozen broccoli (was mushy). Lastly the waitress was to tally absent after our orders, she didn't check up with us once. Would never go back
(1)Hana M.
A heads up: Lunch time was hectic because their lot isn't available until dinner time and parking in the area can be very tough. The majority of my 6 person party wasn't able to get in until a half hour after our reservation!! I was hoping this wouldn't be one of those places that don't sit you unless your whole party is there. But i sat right away and got to order drinks. Lana's drink menu is divine!! The strawberry shrub is jammy and the lavender lemon was so zesty and tart. Our waitress is also a bartender. Love the fried calamari and green goddess suace! This was done perfectly. The fries are so good too, worth ordering as an appetizer. (They were devoured with the remaining green goddess sauce) The fish bacalao tastes just like Campbell's Manhattan clam chowder!!! But without potato chunks, the cod pieces were very small so they reminded me of the clam pieces. I never had fish bacalao before so I can't compare flavors, but probably it's not something I will try again. Manhattan clam chowder really underwhelms me. I read the yelp reviews and looked at the pictures and scotty's review + picture of the scallops with gnocchi made me decide on that as my lunch entree. Scotty got five whole scallops and I got four?!!? LOL it's all good though... The scallops were very salty to me anyway so I gave them away and just ate the gnocchi/squash in broth (it was delicious). My aunt had the risotto du jour - spinach risotto and it was everyone's favorite dish. Everyone in my party really enjoyed themselves and left stuffed. The drinks and waitress (I think her name was Julie) were really good and the reason I round a 3.5 up to 4 star.
(4)M. C.
So came here with a group of 9 people to try something different. I come often to CHS to visit my cousin and we never do big dinner plans. She had never been either and so we decided that we would do the chefs tasting. You get an app, pasta, entree and dessert. We started with the lamb spanakopita, I didn't care for it. I thought it tasted like ground beef in an egg roll form. The shell was flaky and good but I didn't care for the meat. Most of the group thought they were ok. We also had the mussels....these I thoroughly enjoyed we did the table. Then we had the gnocchi, not the best I've had but also not the worse. The sausage and sauce they had on their was what seemed to be eaten off the plate as most everyone left about half or more of their gnocchi. We then had the Pork Scallopini. I was disappointed that this was the chefs choice. It was ok.......I don't think it represented the menu very well. Dessert they gave us a tasting of all of them. I am a HUGE dessert fan and their desserts were just ok. The presentation was very good but something with the flavors didn't win me over. All in all I don't know if the tasting was worth it for me. Idk if I would go back. The service was great though! I will say that a palmetto bug fell on the table and bounced onto me during dinner. I was completely disgusted. It was a good thing it happened btwn the food being brought out. It's something I know they deal with down there but I'm still not ok with it happening during my meal.
(3)Scotty C.
I had never been to Lana until recently I met a friend for lunch. I always thought of it more as a dinner place but they have a pretty extensive lunch menu with reasonable prices too. There was almost as many options as on the dinner menu including soups, salads, apps, pastas, and entrees. Definitely a great way to try out a restaurant without breaking the bank at dinner time. I was eying some of the panini sandwiches but had to try the scallops. They were served with gnocchi, zucchini, and summer squash. I think it was about $13 and came with 5 or 6 decent sized scallops. I loved the pairing with the veggies and the gnocchi which made for a filling combination. The atmosphere is classy inside but it was casual at lunch. Not too many people in there when I happened to stop in so we had the waitresses full attention. She seemed like the type that would be that attentive anyway. Lana is now on my lunch radar when I'm downtown and I'm looking forward to giving the dinner menu a try as well.
(4)Taylor C.
Food was great, restaurant setting was nice, the only compliant is that the hostess stared at our table for 80% of the meal. It was very awkward and ruined the meal
(3)Bonnie W.
Delicious! I ordered the gnocchi with peas and cream sauce and it was heavenly. The gnocchi were perfect little melt in your mouth pillows. We did not have reservations, so we sat at the bar. The bartender was very knowledgable about the menu and Italian food in general, and it was an overall pleasant experience. The only reason I did not give this restaurant five stars is because the parking attendant in the new parking lot threatened to have us towed because he did not believe we really dined at the restaurant. He demanded to see our receipt and was overall very rude. He said he saw us arrive, but did not see us enter the restaurant, even though we walked straight in from the parking lot. Perhaps they should provide people with some sort of ticket to park there?
(4)Amy H.
Such a disappointment. Went for Valentine's Day dinner based on reading such rave reviews. Restaurant was bright and crowded.. not at all intimate and romantic. Upon arrival we were told to move our car to the lot across the street. My husband went to move the car and I was seated at our table, which was *wedged* in between two other tables. Overheard a waiter mention tables had been added to "pack as many people as possible in for the holiday dinner." No one approached the table to ask about drink orders or even greet us for another five minutes after my husband returned. When the waiter finally came to the table we ordered drinks and asked to place an order for appetizers. His response was to tell us the daily specials and then ran off. He seemed overwhelmed with the evening's activity level. Food did come out of the kitchen promptly, but we were not excited about it. The meal did not taste bad, but there was nothing special about it either. Everything was average at best. Certainly not worthy of a special evening out.
(1)Tom L.
We were disappointed in this restaurant despite the recommendation of a friend and the glowing reviews. We were seated right away and ordered a bottle of Honig Sauvignon Blanc, reasonably priced. Our waiter told us the specials. We decided on the mussels for an app. "Oh, I forgot to tell you we don't have any mussels", said our waiter. Okay, we split a watercress salad. The watercress was very tough. It was like eating sticks. My wife ordered the daily fish special which was sea bass. I ordered the lamb stew. It sounded good with dates, nuts, and couscous. It was very ordinary. A few pieces of lamb served in a sauce over couscous. Some red peppers but no discernible dates. The sea bass was tough and chewy. We are not dessert people so that was it. Not very good.
(2)Jon G.
This place is off the beaten path near downtown Charleston, so parking on the street is plentiful at most times. The neighborhood, however, is slightly sketchy so be ready for that. Our server was professional, attentive and friendly. She did a terrific job with everything. The wine list is terrific and they had our favorite cabernet - St. Supery - that is often difficult to find. We a delicious cheese plate & scallops to start. Both were excellent. We were let down by our entrees, however. I had a short rib special that was extremely fatty and topped with a large amount of cold remoulade that succeeded in chilling the whole dish. Worse was my wife's - the grouper. It was well presented but so beyond salty that it was literally inedible. We aren't complaining types so we decided to skip dessert and be on our way. Maybe we'll give it another shot in the future - it may have just been an off night in the kitchen.
(3)Katy D.
Lana is so tasty! We normally go here for Restaurant Week because it is on the pricier side. But I always forget about it if we need a spot to take visitors or for a special occasion- it is definitely overshadowed by some of Charleston's more trendy and well known spots. But Lana should not be overlooked because it is a top contender! I had tilefish which was super fresh and cooked to perfection. My boyfriend had the ribeye which was delicious too. Desserts were amazing too- olive oil cake and panna cota. I like the Mediterranean flare to the food as well. Love that the chef runs food the whole night- makes him so much more accessible which you rarely see and too restaurants in Charleston! Bottom line- try it if you haven't!
(5)Rodger L.
This was a great restaurant away from the more tourist oriented areas of Charleston. Mostly local folks here. Attentive wait staff. The food was outstanding. My wife had the steak and I swear they gave three potatoes worth of fries with it. But these are not just an average fry. They are done to perfection. The steak was awesome, more than she could eat. The scallop appetizer was great but only four average size scallops. Could have been a little more generous. I had the grouper ratatouille. The piece of grouper was done to perfection but was also a bit on the small side. They could have been more generous with the squash and zucchini too. The chicken and corn soup was outstanding. Their bottle of house wine was a deal. Get it. I would highly recommend Lana's.
(4)Sydney G.
Didn't really know what to expect when we went here for restaurant week, but I was pleasantly surprised. Food was really good. And I have to agree with most of the other reviewers and say that the Lamb Spanikopita is on point. Definitely try the olive oil lemon cake as well, it really surprised me. Seating arrangements were a little cramped, and it was super loud, but I still had a really great experience. Definitely plan to get there 10-15 minutes ahead of time to find parking.
(4)David K.
As always John has delivered a fantastic meal! I am a huge fan of the braised short rib and bolognese!
(5)Michelle S.
Love, love, love this place. My girlfriends and I discovered it during restaurant week years ago and have been going back ever since. We sit at the community table and enjoy the amazing tapas! I just can't get enough of the pomme frittes (sp?). I take newbies all the time and have never had a bad meal. The atmosphere is cozy but not crowded and the noise level is medium. I don't feel like I have too whisper or yell to hear my friends. They serve charleston coffee roasters too, whom I love! Overall, can't say enough about this place!
(5)Joe B.
Great food. Awesome cocktails. Romantic ambiance. We had the chefs tasting plates. 4 courses. They tailored it to our dietary needs. Excellent.
(5)Gloria C.
The food was simply too salty. The table and chairs were not comfortable. The service was pretentious.
(2)Rosie C.
First the food was delicious, fresh, and unique. But food aside, our waiter Paul was the most attentive, intelligent, and terrific waiter we have ever experienced. As he announced, he is the table whisperer. Secondly, when else do u dine and have the chef come out and serve u?. John is fantastic and clearly haS a passion for what he does. The 2 of them made a 4oth and 5oth birthday a standout memorable awesome experience. U have to try this restaurant!!!!! My favorite was the bacaloa soup, scrumptious, fresh fish, so delicious. Luv it!!!!
(5)Jason B.
Great meal at a "new to us" place. Loved everything we had - Tuscan Onion soup, Italian wedding soup, lamb spanakopita, gnocchi broccoli, and pappardelle bolognese. Our server Paul was great - perfect attentive level. This will be a once a month dinner for us. Out of all the places in CHS, Lana has shot to one of my top 3 faves.
(5)Cory R.
I've lived in downtown Chas for 4 years, all within walking distance of hominy, fuel, and Lana. I'd tried them all BUT Lana because it always looked classier than what I could afford. I am glad to say that I finally had the opportunity to indulge it for lunch and it was superb. The food was delicious and well balanced, not too heavy or light. On top of that, Lana's prices were slightly lower than Fuel or Hominy! I wish I'd discovered this Chucktown gem 3 1/2 years ago.
(5)Roger Y.
Consistently good food, and you seldom go wrong with the risotto of the day.
(4)Susan L.
Because of the consistently outstanding food and service, LANA continues to be one of our favorite places to dine in CHS for lunch and dinner. However, this past Friday evening our food and wine were really good, but our server, while very efficient, was not well versed on the menu. When we ordered our first bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, she was not at all familiar with it. Okay, that's understandable, but when our cheese course was delivered, other than the Manchego, she had No Idea what cheeses were on the slab. NOT okay. Her excuse was that the kitchen was too slammed to tell her the cheese names....? Thank goodness, our cheese fanatic daughter was able to describe each offering for us. Is the cheese plate supposed to be served with no bread or crackers other than the table bread? Most of our table bread had been consumed before the cheese arrived at our table. Please be aware that I am not slamming this waitress. She was Very Pleasant and our wine/food arrived in a timely manner, but she needs some more training. We will return to Lana again, assuming that this was just an off night. No problems finding a parking place and a friendly staff serving killer food and libations in a comfortable atmosphere.
(4)Jay J.
I visited during restaurant week last week and the entire experience was absolutely fantastic. The food was definitely on point (great shrimp app, melt in your mouth short ribs, and a wonderfully creamy panna cotta). The service was good (never ran out of bread, water, or wine). Two thumbs way up, give them a shot!
(5)Alexandra R.
I really really want to like Lana. I live a block away, the prices aren't outrageous, and my boyfriend and his family are Italian and constantly on te hunt for good Italian restaurants (need I say more). But sadly, everytime I go I leave disappointed. The atmosphere is lackluster at best, and the food is just not worth eating. The mushroom dish was the most boring thing I've ever eaten, except for the broccoli and sausage gnocchi. No flavors except a bit of a kick and the gnocchi were so heavy it was like eating bricks not soft pillows!! The bolo genes is passable as is the lamb spanikopita, but nothing to write home about. I hope the chef finds some inspiration somewhere somehow because I'd really like to become a regular but the food is just not worth it.
(1)Theresa D.
After living in Charleston for several years, I finally had the chance to try Lana, and I was not disappointed! The atmosphere was beautiful; classy and elegant without being overly stuffy. Our waiter and the other wait staff were wonderfully attentive and made us feel very welcome (which is really saying something since we were seated next to a table of 17.) The food was delicious-leaning towards Italian, but with some other Mediterranean touches that made the dishes a little more interesting. The gnocchi broccoli had a surprising amount of spice that I really enjoyed. The antipasti and root vegetable salad were also great. My family loved their meals as well-the daily fish and risotto both went over very well! I definitely plan to go back to Lana ASAP!
(5)Tony D.
Great meal and great environment! Small, quaint restaurant with a comfortable feel and phenomenal food. Went as a group and everyone got something different. For appetizers, the Spanakopita was by far the best, and definitely the greatest take on this mediterranean appetizer I've ever had. The mussels and gnocchi ai funghi were also quite delicious. For dinner, the Duck, was hands down the best thing on the menu. You receive a healthy portion of both seared duck breast and leg confit. It was cooked perfectly and melted in my mouth. The steak was not far behind either. Cooked a perfect medium-rare a top a very large bed of house made fries. The Fruti di Mare was also good, but nothing special. It came with two giant scallops and muscles. Were it not for the large selection of great restaurants in Charleston, we would surely return, but we are only a here a short time, and there is much to try. Definitely would recommend to anyone visiting or new to the area.
(5)Tim P.
If I lived in Charleston I would be a regular. It's just that kind of place you want to go to every time you want something good or just don't want to cook. I sat at the bar. The bartender was so personable and professional. I sat between some Charleston locals and heard all the dish and learned exactly what a gay man would do if he had a daughter that needed wrangling. The food, service and ambience were just so perfect. They could write a book about how to do a neighborhood jewel.
(5)Cole B.
First thing noticed was the upkeep of the restaurant. The walls, artwork, tables, and restrooms looked as if they had been painted just a week prior. To find out it had been open for nearly 10 years only signified the love put into the restaurant. I sat at the bar and ordered the prix fix menu ($35 and it was a steal). First course was fresh baked bread with a high quality evoo. Second was Italian wedding soup that was fantastic, made in house all the way down to the baby meatballs. Next was an extraordinary shrimp dish ( seemed like a tequila/lime type marinade?) on a salad bed of cilantro, red onion, and middle eastern spiced chick peas(I may be wrong but with spice but the explosion of different flavors was insanely delicious) dressed in the most subtle if any dressing. Short ribs followed with root veggies in a tangy vinegar based type BBQ'ish sauce. Truthfully, the first bite I was not impressed with the flavor (though everything was cooked perfectly) but the bartender paired it with their Red Zinfandel, that honestly, provided one of the truly holy moments where I was left dumbfounded and in utter bliss. I mean it, I still have goosebumps. Finished the dinner with a trio of house made Gelato that exemplified desert without overbearing sweetness. I had the privilege of tasting most of their wines by the glass, (by my request as I'm practicing for my sommelier cert.) their practically all non-domestic wine list was truly a pleasure. They had a Merlot from Veneto with the appassimento (Amarone) process applied that was to die for...among others. It was truly a pleasure and I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to all. Bravo! I wish I remembered the bartender's name as she was a true pleasure...
(5)Carlo B.
While vacationing in the Charleston area I was craving Italian food and we found Lana. We had a antipasti for appetizer which was a tour of Italy..... It consisted of a fish salad, Italian meats, eggplant, three different cheeses, liver pate and cucumber salad. I am sure I missed something but it was all delicious. For my main course I had a home made ribbon pasta with Veal Bolognese in a light red sauce. The wife saved herself by having a salad which she loved. Desert consisted of homemade carrot cake which was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. Just want to give credit to Kaiser, our waiter for a great experience. He was very knowledgeable about the wine and food. No rushing just a great experience.
(5)John B.
Very good bolognese
(4)Preston M.
Great experience all around! Every bit of our food was delicious even the olive oil (roasted garlic) that came with the bread. The Granny Smith salad with citrus vinaigrette was excellent and the flounder was cooked to perfection served over a purée of some sort and with fresh vegetables. The wine was perfect and the menu was packed with so many great options that we could not decide. We left very happy and are planning on going back with friends as soon as this weekend. This is truly one of Charleston's hidden gems in the restaurant scene.
(5)Susie G.
I Really Wanted To Like It But..... When we first moved here a few years back one of my fondest memories was the dinner celebration we had after we closed on our house. Our realtor and his wife took us to Lana for dinner for what I must say was a very memorable meal. It's funny to think that we've never been back so when restaurant week came around we decided to make that one of our first stops. From the get go, I should have spoken up. In what was a veritable empty restaurant we were sat at a tiny two-top along a very long banquette of other tables. Unfortunately, I didn't. As we started to look over our menu options imagine my surprise when the very NEXT table was sat directly next to us, and almost on top of us. Really? The mom and daughter from New Jersey were very nice, but because the acoustics in the restaurant weren't great, with such a small crowd we felt like we had to whisper through our meal. Hardly a pleasant experience and unfortunately, it goes south rather quickly. Fresh bread with olive oil was quickly delivered to the table. The bread was warm and house made, we thought that this would be another great Lana meal. Not so much with the great meal. Our first course was by far our best. The Gnocchi Abruzzese, again house made, were piping hot, fluffy and topped with a spicy lamb and tomato ragu. The Spicy Grilled Shrimp with Eggplant Caponata Salsa Verde defied adjectives and I thoroughly enjoyed it - now on to our entrees. My Pan Roasted Local Fish (Tile Fish), Fennel Tomatoes, Squash, Zucchini, Local Potatoes and Shrimp and Saffron broth was just okay. Although the fish was cooked very nicely, the items that accompanied the fish were cold. When we flagged someone down to get a warmer version, they were happy to help but the "redo" was tepid at best. Unfortunately this was the better of the two meals. The Crispy Pork Confit Mepkin with Abbey Oyster Mushrooms, Braised Greens and a Balsamic Agrodolce looked like three small pieces of Jimmy Dean's breakfast sausage, so charred that we thought this must be a mistake. Not only was pork confit charred the dish itself was doused in a balsamic reduction that overpowered the meal. As patient as my husband is in matters like this, he did call our mystery-man server (since we hadn't seen him for most of the meal and he never introduced himself) over and ask him if this was the correct preparation of the dish. Our server explained the prepping of the dish and said, "Yes sir, this is the way it's made. The pork is seared off. " Not being able to contain myself I said, "Charred?" to which he replied "Yes Mam". Our desserts were also sad. The Orange Vanilla Risotto Pudding with Cinnamon Spiced Pecan was terrible. The "pudding" was more like a milky concoction with nuts floating in it that was way too sweet. My Lemon Olive Oil Cake with Warm Berry Compote was attractive, but over baked and very dry. I love Restaurant Week and the opportunity it provides everyone to visit restaurants they may not normally visit since the prices are so reasonable. However, if you're a restaurant, and you're going to participate, you should be better prepared than Lana was for our dining experience this past Saturday.
(2)Carissa K.
What an amazing evening! Our sever was Kelley and he was just what we needed for a romantic evening. He waited on us when we wanted to be waited on and gave us our privacy when we wanted to be intimate. I enjoyed that even though it was a casual atmosphere with jeans and polos you still had the upscale sophisticated dinning. 5 star food, 5 star service and 5 star ambiance.
(5)Mark L.
Great Happy Hour I cannot speak for the food except for a goat cheese ball I had that was amazing but it is one of the best happy hours in Charleston. 2.50 for a glass of wine, 3.00 cocktails or cheap bottles. It is a great environment to sit at a high top or the bar and just let loose or have a professional meeting.
(4)JP S.
Came in for dessert. All desserts are in-house home made. We opted for the Lemon tart and the Panna Cotta with a flan-custardy bottom drizzled with dried figs pieces. This is a cool stop off for dessert, but they also offer some delicious entrees. Stephanie our waitress was supergreat and very helpful when decision time came to picking our dessert. She was spot-on with her recommendations.
(4)Janet L.
I went here while vacationing and I was extremely impressed with the food as well as the excellent service. I had the pork chop with risotto and my fiancé had a steak. It was well seasoned, rich, and just melted in your mouth. Portions were very satisfying, but we were celebrating so we got dessert. I HIGHLY recommend the cinnamon gelato.
(5)Eileen M.
Do yourself a favor and order the Lamb Spanakopita and Braised Short Ribs. Amazing service and specialty cocktails.
(4)