Sermets Corner
276 King St, Charleston, SC, 29401
Sermets Corner Menu
-
Starters
-
Salads And Sandwiches
-
Entrees
Healthy Meal suggestions for Sermets Corner
-
Starters
-
Salads And Sandwiches
-
Entrees
Visit below restaurant in Charleston for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
276 King St
Charleston, SC, 29401 - Phone (843) 853-7775
- Website https://www.sermetsdowntown.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- 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 : Dressy
Ambience : Casual, Intimate, Classy
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Jamie D.
One word: Delicious. I went here for dinner with a group of nine girls celebrating a bachelorette party, and our experience was fantastic from start to finish. Our table was ready immediately upon arriving, and drinks were to the table within the first 10 minutes (waters were brought right away, cocktails took a few minutes since it was restaurant week and the bar had a long line of orders). I started with a grey goose gimlet, and this one was top-notch. My biggest pet peeve is a gimlet with Rose's, and this one was nothing but fresh squeezed lime. Crisp and refreshing. About halfway through dinner I switched to a coffee with Bailey's - you know, had to get some caffeine in prep for a late night - and the proportions of each were great. For my meal, I opted for the grilled salmon over mixed greens (minus the gorgonzola) and a side of yukon gold mashed potatoes.The salmon was grilled to perfection - juicy and tender fish coated in a crisp outer layer that gave it just the right balance of crunchiness to buttery texture. Oh, and the accompanying poached pear was a fantastic flavor fusion. And the mashed potatoes? Creamy, rich, buttery, indulgent, and so worth it. My dining companions were just as pleased with their orders (parmesan and basil encrusted salmon, shrimp with kalamata olives, feta, and basil over penne, and filet mignon), and a few of them even mentioned this being one of the best meals they've had in a very long time. I'd say that's quite a compliment. I can't finish this review without commenting on our server. He was amazing. Seriously on top of it, despite the packed restaurant and the large size of our group. When one drink order got lost midway through the meal, he brought it to my friend on-the-house. Not necessary, but absolutely appreciated. Kudos to great customer service!
(4)Amber M.
Let me just say that Sermets' website does NOT do it justice. Was completely expecting something totally different. I had this vision of a smokey, underground basement type establishment which would have been totally ok but instead I got a really classy place with beautiful artwork and decor. wow....their website needs to reflect this! Or maybe that's a good thing?? I dunno...moving on. Let's start with the fabulous: We were only in town for one night so I wanted to find a place that had some live jazz music. I was not let down! We sat at the bar until the show time started. The female bartender was awesome. She talked and chatted with us while we waited. The uniforms are so cute. Bow ties for the ladies and pink dress shirts. So cute. We were then escorted up stairs to the listening room. Wait ..what? Where are we going? The upstairs area is where the jazz music is and it was great. White tables with white chairs. The stage was so cool and very official looking. I quickly had a vision of me moonlighting as a jazz singer...draped across the white piano. LOL. We ordered another cocktail and ordered the calamari and the shrimp appetizers. Both were excellent. Full of flavor and very hot. This is going to be awesome. I was told by the bartender that the music director (who was also the drummer) is a traveling jazz musician and goes all over the world. I believed that. He was good. The entire band was good. I felt like I was in a different part of the country listening to Jazz music. Really professional, high quality music. I thought about the roaring 20s and what it would have been like to be alive during that era. I thought about the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. It was great. The NOT so Fab: Our reservation got messed up and they thought I was coming for the 8 o'clock show. I told them no....9:45. They quickly fixed that and allowed us to stay. Very accommodating. The hostess who took my reservation told me that there was not a sur charge for the 9:45 show. Only the 8 o'clock show. Wrong. There is a sur charge for both showings. They, again, took care of the fee for me since I was told wrong. My only two complaints. Now that I know..I'll be better prepared!!! Thank you for a wonderful night. I will make sure to tell everyone going to Charleston to visit Sermet's!!!
(4)Brian K.
The atmosphere was fantastic and the food was out of this world. I had the butternut squash pasta with chicken - it was so good!! The service was slightly better than average and we would have ordered dessert but by the time the waiter came back around to ask if we wanted in, about 15 minutes had passed and we were all full at that point. I would go back - I liked the spot and the bar looked pretty cool. Did I just see this place on Southern Charm??
(4)Jim T.
Seating was almost out the door. Our server seemed to be untrained . One member of our party ordered the duck...came out like shoe leather. Don't order the espresso. The portion wouldn't have filled a thimble. We dine at many places around town and this was our first time here, friends made the dining choicel. Never again!
(1)Morgan H.
Marvelous place. As out of town guests, my cousin and I really enjoyed Sermet's Corner. Riding through the streets with so much to get our attention, we noticed the Jazz bar. After eating some not so great food that evening, we decieded to walk around a little to take in Charleston. We made it to Sermet's and decided to sit at the bar for dessert and cocktails. I had the key lime pie and prosecco and my cousin had the cheese cake...praline if I recall. The cheesecake was awesome. Perfect really. All of the desserts are made in-house and we got to talk to the pastry chef. Everyone was really friendly. We talked to the bartender the whole time we sat there, trying to find the best biscuits in town (after striking out at Poogan's Porch and Hominy Grill). My key lime pie was also fantastic. Really really good key lime flavor that was tart and sweet with a wonderful buttery toasted crust. The only problem was that it was extremely tiny...and it was $8! Compared to the cheesecake it was like a runt lol. I asked if that was the usual portion or did something happen. They explained that it was probably the last piece and it doesn't usually come in such a small portion. I ate it all in a few bites. Even if you don't go to eat, I recommend you go and have some dessert at the bar. The food also looked great. We wish we would have made Sermet's our first stop. While we were at the bar I noticed someone that looked familiar, someone whos cd I have in my car (he's played in my city, Charlotte NC)...Charlton Singleton. He's a regular at Sermet's and was about to perform with his band. Really nice guy, we talked before he went upstairs to the Mez. I'm not sure of the show schedlue but it was a Saturday night when we were there and I'm also not sure of the price for the show with dinner or as a couple, but you can go upstairs for $10 for the show (without food). Lucky for us, Sermet's has a wonderful GM who cares about customer service and let us go upstairs after the tiny key lime pie thing. So we went up, sat at the bar and enjoyed the show. I think whomever is the feature that night does two shows. Sermet's definitely made repeat customers out of us. Next time we'll be there for dinner and a show.
(5)Krystal M.
My coworker and I had the pleasure of dining at Sermet's Downtown for the first time. We sat upstairs where we were able to enjoy live jazz during our meal. There is a small cover for dining upstairs, but it's well worth it. Sonny was our server and she was very attentive and sweet. For a starter we chose the Artichoke Torta. We had never had anything like that before and it was so good! It was a nice size portion for two people. For dinner my coworker chose the Chicken Sauteed with Smoked Bacon, Mushroom & Granny Smith Apples over Butternut Squash Ravioli. I tried the butternut squash ravioli and it was probably the best ravioli I've ever had. I definitely need to have it again! For dinner I chose the Lightly Crisped Parmesan & Herb Encrusted Eggplant over Three-Cheese Ravioli. I absolutely loved my entree. I would like to try and make this at home! For dessert we chose the cheese cake. The cheese cake changes daily. Our cheese cake was creme brulee. My coworker loved it, but I'm not much of a caramel fan. It was so nice to have a live jazz band playing during our dinner. We were still able to carry a conversation without everyone hearing us or us hearing other tables talking. Dining upstairs would be great for couples. It was actually really romantic! I'll will be sending people to Sermet's Downtown from now on!
(5)Larry S.
My wife and I recently spent 4 days in Charleston SC. This is one of 9 posts that include; The Charleston Place Hotel, Johnson Limo-Taxi and restaurants Eli's Table, Fulton 5, High Cotton, Macintosh, Magnolia's, The Mezz (aka Sermets Corner) and Sticky Fingers. Read them all to get a flavor of the city and the experience. Please take the time to see the battery, see the many art galleries and shops (our favorite was the honey store!) and enjoy the many many good restaurants. A spontaneous stop, to have a quick lunch as we were walking the city turned out to be one of the best decisions made in or stay in Charleston. My wife and I enjoyed the spot immensely. In fact, while I was at a conference session my wife went back the next day for lunch and then we recommended the restaurant to two friends - who both loved it! Again, its good food, very good food and a wait staff that is friendly, answered questions with enthusiasm and glad to talk! I don't want a new best friend but ask me if everything is ok because you want to know not have to ask. This was a great place to interact with the staff. I wish our schedule allowed us to come back for the jazz show. Definitely should be a stop on your Charleston tour! The grape vinaigrette on the salad was excellent! The basil and mushroom soup was fantastic. While most places offer a plain oil with the bread, Mezz had an excellent flavored oil We really enjoyed the painting of the executive chef at the base of the stairs. Formal but fun, simple but elegant. Just like the restaurant
(4)Cat C.
Sermets is careful. Steady kitchen, steady staff. The food is not going to blow you away, it's not Fig. But it is reliable, well done upscale for lunch. Suited to traditionalists who prefer white tablecloths. It is also the lovliest place on King to people watch from a window. And the best Croque Madame in Charleston.
(4)Jeff F.
Sermets is fantastic. Came in this past week for lunch and loved it. Posted up at the bar, grabbed an Allagash White on tap and had an exceptional salmon salad over mixed greens with apple champagne vinaigrette. The bar seemed to be filled with mostly locals - either native Charlestonians popping in to spend some time on King street or local business owners which made for good conversation. Recommended.
(4)Susie G.
An anchor in the bevy of restaurants in Charleston has always been Sermet's. This casual, unpretentious locale has recently undergone a remodel and we were excited to see the "new look". It did not disappoint. Gone is the heavy, wood-laden look which is replaced with a beautiful, contemporary interior. The restaurant is now full of light, gorgeous light fixtures, white pillars and ivory clothed seating. The difference is like night and day. We dined with our friends Dennis and Ginger from Carolina Coastal Properties and they too, thought the place looked magnificent. We hoped the experience would be equally enticing. From the beginning of our meal our server was "on the move". He was quick to take our beverage order, recite the specials at a rapid pace and then take off. This was probably the most we saw of him the entire evening. The four of us decided to split two "starters". One was the sautéed Calamari tossed with Capers, Orange Zest, Tomatoes, Basil, Pesto and Fennel over Spinach. This arrived piping hot, but lacking its friend, the other starter, Sashimi tuna with pineapple. So we waited, and waited, and waited - no tuna. About ten minutes later the tuna arrived. It was delicious as was the calamari, but the timing was seriously off. No sighting of our server either... (Note the pattern emerging). As the restaurant filled with patrons the energy increased and although this is a small place, it has a ton of potential to be a great spot. Our meals arrived and that's when the wheels fell off of the bus. My friend and I ordered shrimp, mussels, calamari and chorizo sausage sautéed with a shaved fennel in a mild Sambuca-tomato sauce tossed with linguini pasta. We were delivered a seafood pasta dish served over couscous. Since there are 2 dishes with shrimp on the menu, our waiter clearly placed our order for the wrong seafood dish. Luckily the manager was the person serving our meal and she quickly removed the erroneous dishes and said it would be a few minutes before our correct entrees arrived. In case you're wondering our server continued to be MIA. In hindsight we should have stuck with the dish originally served. We encouraged everyone else at the table to enjoy their meals as we waited for ours to arrive. The Grilled Salmon over Baby Green with Grilled Pears, Crumbled Gorgonzola and apple with Champagne Vinaigrette was delightful. The salmon was a very large portion served over a fresh, crisp salad and as I waited for my pasta I must admit I had salad envy. The Grilled Bone-In Pork chop braised in sweet tea and served with Gorgonzola Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes and accompanied by a sauté of cabbage and apple with smoked bacon was disappointing. The pork chop, though moist, was incredibly overcooked. Mind you our waiter said the chef recommends medium, which we requested. The mashed potatoes were cold and topped with a pile of crumbled gorgonzola that couldn't melt on a dare. The cabbage with apples and bacon was a nice add, but hey, who doesn't like bacon??? The Grilled Bone-In Pork chop braised in sweet tea and served with Gorgonzola Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes and accompanied by a sauté of cabbage and apple with smoked bacon Our pasta dishes arrived quickly but these tepid dishes were really nothing to write home about. Did we mention that we'd still not seen our server...? The pasta dish was marginal at best. How could this dish be lukewarm if it was supposed to be "rushed" for us? And then... the answer came to us. After we were finished and waiting for our check there seemed to be a commotion two tables down from us. One of the patrons was served our exact pasta dish only it looked exquisite. It was this heaping mound of pasta and people around her were commenting on it. It wasn't the "hint" of pasta with lukewarm seafood that we'd received. It was a mile high pile of linguini that was steaming hot and the seafood appeared to be standing at attention. Now I had mad pasta envy. I only wished that Sermet's had taken the time to rectify the situation with us correctly. It appeared that they may have taken another patron's entrée, split it in half and rushed it to our table. Although I commend the speed of service, I would gladly have waited for a great entrée to be served. People that read this blog mention that I should speak up when things go wrong. I get that. Unfortunately we never saw the server again (even our water glasses were empty...), until we asked for the bill. Sermet's is a gorgeous place, not too expensive, but needs a lot of work. We'll wait a bit until we return.
(2)Jason G.
My friends and I went to Sermets for brunch while in Charleston for the weekend, and overall, we had a good time there with very personable service. The atmosphere is bright and fresh, and we decided to sit at the bar because we wanted to have an interactive experience has opposed to just sitting down and eating food. The bartenders and managers there were very friendly and outgoing, and they made our brunch there a fun time to be had by all. The food itself was rather good, but the only had a lunch menu instead of a traditional brunch menu with eggs or pancakes or something like that. The calamari was tender and fresh, as were the mussels. Most importantly for brunch, the drinks and cocktails were not outrageously priced. Overall, my friends and I had a very good time at Sermets and would go back again to try out their dinner. We really liked the bright atmosphere and vibe there.
(4)Lori W.
Wishing we had a complete meal there instead of a late afternoon snack! My girlfriend and I walked here from our hotel around the corner on July 3. Having been a fan of Sermets for many years, I had heard about their renovation. It is beautiful, inviting and comfortable. We sat at the bar because as someone once told me: it's more fun to eat in a bar than drink in a restaurant. How true! Our bartender allowed me to sample two different wines: an Albarino and an Italian white. I was about to have a third taste when I realized I could have actually have consume a half glass before actually ordering!! Great wine selection by the glass. OK...what is is with bread and me? Warm bread. Dipping sauce that was made with care and not just some Harris Teeter EVOO..this had character, so much so that we asked for seconds and thirds...seriously...we loved our bread. Our highlight was the cold cucumber and yogurt dill soup. This was a serious bowl, not just a demitasse cup...bravo Sermets. The General Manager, Jennifer Russell, introduced herself and talked with us - so gracious and thanked us for our business. Too bad the manager at Magnolia's never took the time to do that. It really makes a difference. Next time: full meal, bottle of wine and more memories.
(4)Jodie M.
Good food! The menu was pretty small not a huge selection. I had lamb my mother had scallops we both enjoyed our meals.
(4)K B.
This place is OOOKAY. There are certainly better options and it won't be horrible if you go. Cool place.
(3)May A.
We had originally planned on going to Magnolias for lunch that day, but it was pouring rain and since we were on King Street shopping .. we took a chance and boy are we glad we did! As stated in previous reviews .. the decor is white table cloth and looks very high end and pretentious .. but once you get inside the staff is very welcoming, warm and friendly! Our server, Angel was fantastic from the get-go .. friendly, funny, knowledgeable and full of southern hospitality. She recommended the shrimp starter which was fanatastic! Just the right amount of flavor and zest. I would def order that again! My dining partner had the sauteed Calamari and enjoyed it so much he wrote down all the ingredients and will try re-creating the dish at home. We ordered several other dishes and everything we had was terrific, including the warm bread served with the sundried tomato olive oil. Because of the heavy rains we ended up staying several hours and throughout the stay .. Angel was pleasant, attentive (without being too intrusive) and didn't make us feel as though we had to leave to make room for other guests. Five stars for Sermets Corner .. fabulous venue, top-notch staff, and delicious food .. what more could you ask for? We'll be back next time we are in town!
(5)Kayla J.
First off I have to say I'm primarily writing this review because I've loved Sermets for years. Recently in the past year they decided to go white table cloth dining and I'm not happy about that. In fact, I do not come here anymore really because of that. The atmosphere is now stuffy and pretentious. Before the white table cloth look it was very nice inside. It gave the vibe of an awesome bistro and artsy hole in the wall. The exposed historic brick walls were decorated with the owners own paintings.It was refreshing to step inside and be able to be on King street and be served fabulous, fresh, and creative food in a relaxed environment. It was my mom and I's go to lunch spot when she came to visit me downtown. You could stop in during lunch for a break from the hustle and bustle of king street and college. Or you could have a romantic date night there. Now it just looks out of place and sad. The food though is fabulous. The baked artichoke torta is my favorite thing on the menu which is funny because it's an app. But I kid you not it is just bursting with flavor and every time I come here I HAVE to order it for the table. For an entree I usually stick to a pasta dish. They have changed a bit in the past so I do not know if what I had last time is still on the menu. I had the artichoke stuffed eggplant on a bed of raviolis with a creamy roasted tomato pesto sauce. It was to die for. I love the food here because it's very vegetarian friendly as well. Whether or not I go around recommending this place anymore is now circumstantial. Now that they are white table cloth, they are competing with more high class restaurants in the area. And when people ask me for a recommendation for a restaurant that servers great food around the 20-30 dollar price range, I do not mention this place. I send them to places like the macintosh or husk. It's the same price range and the atmosphere is just so much better. I want to recommend you Sermets but since you changed it has become so difficult. You are not casual anymore catering to the Mid King street clientele. The food is fabulous but sadly your new facelift has let me down.
(3)Pam D.
I have a server that knows when I walk in what order for us and out drinks are made by the time we sit. This tells you how often we eat here. Paul is the best server there. We actually wait for him if he is booked. Menu changed often. Fresh mozzarella is to die for. If you know my reviews I am huge on customer service and properly prepared food. Sermet never goes wrong. A Charleston must!
(5)Randy B.
Absolutely terrific and lovely place! I've eaten here a handful of times, but it's been some amount of years since my last visit to Charleston. Yet still, one of the most tasty and memorable dishes is still served, and it is so VERY WORTHY!: Pork tenderloin (and very tender I might add), in a lavender, honey sauce (& pomegranete, if I recall). Served with polenta and vegetables -- so dang yummy! The place is adorable, artsy, and colorful. Sermet, the owner and chef, is also an incredible painter. The walls are adorned with some of his paintings. He also is a very nice and pleasant man, as I've met and talked with him several times during my dining visits. I've also tried (and recommend) their chilled cucumber soup, grilled calamari, and sweet potato fries with parmesan. Bring it!
(4)Alyssa C.
Stumbled upon Sermet's while visiting King St. We checked Yelp reviews and were a bit skeptical, but went in anyways. We were very pleased with our dinner. We sat at the bar and within a few minutes we were greeted friendly and ordered our drinks. We were served fresh warm bread with an oil dipping sauce, that had a bit of a tomato flavor (yum!) I had the salmon salad with pear, gorgonzola and apple-mango vinegarette, while my boyfriend had crab cakes with stuffed ravioli, zucchini and onion. I'm new to the seafood game and this was my first time ordering salmon so I was hesitant, but Im so glad I did. The dressing was less of a vinegarette and more creamy and I asked for that and the gorgonzola on the side. I ended up eating just the salmon with the greens and pear and was so satisfied with my choice. My boyfriends meal was excellent as well. Our two entrees, a beer and a diet Coke were about $35 before tip. I would definately come back to Sermet's and suggest to any friends in the area!
(5)Marie M.
Went here for restaurant week and enjoyed what was probably one of the best meals of my life!! Our waiter was knowledgable, and even let me sample three wines before I chose one! He forgot to check in with us once we got our food, but overall service was good. My main dish though- amazing!!! Went with the chicken with butternut squash ravioli, it was heaven!! Can't say enough great things about that dish! My fiancé went with the fish which was also very tasty (but mine was better)!
(5)Katie N.
This review is for the upstairs jazz cafe, the Mezz. We saw this cute spot while we were walking/shopping. We stopped in and made reservations for one of the jazz shows. The jazz was nice, the food was OK, the service was fine. Everything seemed pretty average - - not terrible, not great. I had shrimp with cous cous. Personally the curry seasoning was too strong and I couldn't really enjoy it without feeling like my stomach hurt. My boyfriend had panko chicken which he said was not the greatest. Our waitress was nice but she didn't know how to serve up a glass of scotch on the rocks. It looked like a cup of ginger ale & ice you would get on the plane. The ambiance with the jazz show was nice. They don't allow too much conversation -- the focus is really on the music. We sat near a window so I was freezing the entire time -- get better insulation!! Overall, I would say the Mezz is an OK spot for a date or to listen to amateur jazz. But, generally everything is just OK.
(2)Andrew K.
Ate upstairs at the mezz jazz bar. Not impressed three filets ordered all well over cooked and poorly trimmed! Pork tenderloin was also over cooked came dry to the table. Then the best part of the evening was there was no soap in the men's bathroom can't help but think our waiter at some point used the restroom and then carried our food out... Just a hands down experience if you like eating expensive un sanitary shoe leather it was really nice of the manager to take 1/8th of the drinks of of the bill. Also was referred to as big man all evening by the waiter. Very very poor experience!!! On another note music was pleasant.
(1)Heath W.
Great local Charleston restaurant. Quality of food is on par with European standards. Crazy good garlic based olive oil, artichoke torta was very fresh and super good, and sweet potato fries were not too greasy, and had lots of flavor
(4)Ryan K.
One of my favorite places for dinner in Charleston. It recently went under some renovations but the menu thankfully has stayed the same, for the most part. The restaurant has a fancier feel now, but still very comfortable and a great location for people watching! Check it out!
(5)Lindsay C.
Let me preface this review by noting that I went to school with Sermet's girls and love them and their family. I used to hang out at their house and when I was in high school Sermet saw me selling Italian Ice on King Street near the restaurant (yes..I was one of THOSE girls) and brought me some water and lunch one day when it was like 100 degrees out. He is extremely nice and his girls are absolute sweethearts. Enough about that..now to the restaurant.. All of the art in the restaurant are his original pieces which I think is awesome and very unique. Also the restaurant is in a great location and is a good central spot if you are meeting friends. My absolute favorite dish is the Shrimp CousCous!!! It is absolutely delicious!!! The proscuitto and sun-dried tomatoes add so much to this dish. The sauce is amazing. I'm not a big couscous fan..with this meal being the only exception!! I have never had couscous that was so good! Cooked to perfection and just the right texture!! This is definitely a great place to check out! Love it!
(5)Teryn Bonime Ventura Realtor B.
Tasty grilled salmon salad & mussels. Very nice staff, excellence location, well priced! Nice place to go to after a fun day of shopping on King Street!
(5)richard s.
Used to go there when sermet cooked there and ran the place. Food is now small and bad. Fortunately daniel island not too far and can still get great sermet food there.
(2)Eva S.
We went to Sermets for a friends birthday. The food was decent but I can't say the same about the service. Paul was our server, he never bothered to introduce himself, the only reason I know his name is because I made sure to check on my receipt. He was very inattentive. We had to ask for drinks after ordering because he never offered. My friend had the shrimp and she noticed one wasn't de-veined, which is gross, and when she told him, there was no apology, he basically just nodded and walked away.
(3)John C.
First visit. There will be many more. We did not have a reservation, which gave us a chance to sit and have a drink at the bar to see if we liked the atmosphere. We loved it. The bartender was very good, making a recommendation of a wine that was spot on. Our waiter (Clay) was outstanding: attentive and very knowledgeable about every item on the menu. And the food! Outstanding!! We dine out frequently and do not hand out superlatives easily. This restaurant deserves high praise.
(5)Lauren G.
At the recommendation of our B&B, my sister and I tried this restaurant while on a girls weekend in Charleston. We had been touring a plantation all afternoon, and wanted a place we could go without changing into nicer clothes. When we looked in the window, we almost decided not to go because we felt very underdressed in jeans and t-shirts, as the tables and chairs are all covered in white linens. However, we were there for a really early seating, and figured we'd be gone by the time the "dressier" crowd arrived. I'm SO glad we decided to eat there! One of the other posters commented that the atmosphere is pretentious and stuffy now, but we didn't get that at all. The staff was very friendly, and I really liked the decor - kind of "traditional meets modern". We didn't have a chance to check out the jazz bar upstairs, but I would like to go back and try it some time. The serving sizes were bigger than expected, so we left the place a little overstuffed. (That was clearly our fault though - we ordered way too many things because everything looked so good!) We started with a bottle of the C&B cabernet sauvignon, recommended by our waiter. It did not disappoint. The bread they serve comes with olive oil, like many restaurants, but when our waiter poured it, it was bright orange! It comes infused with sun dried tomato and basil, and it was amazing! For appetizers, we tried the mussels and sweet potato fries. The mussels came with a creamy lemon sauce, which complimented the flavor nicely. The sweet potato fries were sprinkled with parmesan, which was a nice twist. I also tried the soup of the day, which was a cold champagne and peach soup. Our waiter told us it was practically like dessert, and he was right! I had the filet, which came with asparagus and mashed potatoes. My sister had the pork chop, which came with an apple chutney-type side. Both were delicious; we actually had to take the leftovers to go since we had filled up so much on the appetizers - oops! We did save a little room for dessert and I'm glad we did. We tried the turtle cheesecake, which was light and fluffy, and the chocolate caramel topping was excellent!
(5)Andrea H.
After a long travel day, my coworker and I were in serious need of a martini and some dinner. The hotel concierge recommended Sermet's Corner down the street. First and foremost, we ordered our martinis. Then we took a look at the menu. Yeah, I'm all for interesting food combinations, but this place seemed a little over the top. Especially one dish, what I like to refer to as "train wreck pasta". The dish is actually chicken sauteed with bacon, mushrooms, apples and butternut squash pasta in a marsala parmesan sauce. At first glance, I was wondering if they just got all the leftover stuff in the kitchen together and threw it in a dish. In the end, I couldn't resist, I had to find out how much of a train wreck it really was. Well, it turns out that the "train wreck pasta" was amazing. The fact that they give you the option of ordering a half portion was amazing as well. Still a good size and plenty for dinner. My coworker also enjoyed his chicken, chorizo and red pepper pasta in a red wine thyme gorgonzola sauce. Our server was really cool and took excellent care of us. The best part of the meal, though? We got the check and our martinis were $5.50. A tear came to my eye. I love you Sermet's. You've renewed my hope that you can throw a bunch of random stuff in a dish and it will still be good. I will always remember the time we spent together...and my $5.50 martini. *ok disclaimer, we actually ordered Bombay Sapphire straight up in a martini glass, so if an actual martini is more, I'm sorry. And if it is more, you should try to drink the alcohol straight up. It is better on many levels.
(4)Lynne S.
I did not come across this restaurant as I was planning my 4 day-3 night trip to Charleston. When we checked into our hotel, the front desk gave us a list of restaurants they recommended. We looked up the menu and read the reviews on Yelp. I am generally not into "eclectic" menus, but I thought the combinations of ingredients sounded interesting. It was 2 blocks from our hotel. There was plenty of seating and we were seated by the window which was very enjoyable as we could see the people (and many dogs) coming and going. Our server was very friendly and advised us of the fish of the day after taking our drink order. We took some time to consider, then order our entrees, as we like to enjoy our first cocktail before ordering. She kindly advised us that the kitchen would be closing soon as they would be preparing for their Christmas party (it was just after 6:30pm and we hadn't noticed the sign that was clearly posted on the door when we came in). She let us know that we could take a bit more time as the kitchen would be preparing their party food as well and would wait for our order. While were were considering our entrees, we were served very warm crusty bread with an olive oil, pureed sun-dried tomato dip (dig deep to get the yummy sun-dried tomato). We decided to split the meatballs and linguini and I ordered the mozzarella salad. The mozzarella is made in-house and had just the right balance of salt. With the basil oil and tomato it was perfect to add on top of the crusty bread for a. The mixed greens with vinaigrette added a nice balance to the mozzarella for a pseudo bruschetta. The linguini was cooked perfectly and the sauce was a nice balance to the savory meatballs (lamb and beef). The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo was a great wine and despite the party that the restaurant had planned, the waitress asked if we wanted another glass towards the end of our meal. She also emphasized that she didn't want to rush us into leaving. As we left the restaurant, the owner, Sermet, who had just arrived for the party, thanked us for coming and spoke to us for a few minutes. The atmosphere, the service and the food made this a great introduction to Charleston.
(5)Keith W.
We went to The Mazz Jazz Hall upstairs. The food was Ok, definitely needs to be seasoned. The music was incredible. Quintin was great.
(4)suzanne s.
Yum..and did I mention Yum? The bread and dipping sauce..yum! The braised short rib with couscous risotto, yum! The wine, yum! We loved our server, Katie. She is acutally a culinary school graduate looking to work her way up, so ask for her table. the only thing holding back the last star is the rather dour southern boys (seasoned men?) running the show up at the host stand. Get the corn cob out of any dark places, boys, and pretend you are running the best restaurant on King Street, because you are!
(4)Laura H.
Went here around 8 pm on a Saturday night. We were seated right away. The first table we were at was a bit unstable, but the staff was happy to let us move to another table. I got a chicken sandwich (with cheese and bacon) with sweet potato fries. It sounds kind of boring, but I was very happy with my meal. The two friends that I was with ordered items with shrimp, which they were both very happy with. Would definitely go back here again.
(5)Alisa W.
If you want to experience Sermet's the way it used to be, you have to go to Daniel Island. Sermet has rented out his name and menu to this establishment, but that's where the similarity ends. I ordered the same dishes I've enjoyed at Sermet's since he was back in West Ashley, in the mid-1990's. The salad had enough dressing on it for 6 salads. The shrimp, feta and kalamata olive entree may be the worst meal I've had in almost two decades of Charleston dining. The shrimp was overcooked. The pasta was so overcooked it fell apart when the fork hit it. The entire dish was at sea in a vast quantity of tomato sauce, and the feta cheese was nothing but a tablespoon of garnish on top of this red, mushy disaster. On top of bad food the server was so new to the game he didn't even think to inquire about a beverage order. We had to ask to order a bottle of wine. The restaurant is beautiful. I'll return for the jazz, but I'll take my dining dollars elsewhere until I hear that things have changed. There are great places to eat in Charleston. Sermet's downtown is decidedly NOT worth its new, upscale prices. I suppose they increased the prices to pay for the renovation. Too bad the quality of the food went so far down the scale. The new Sermet's downtown is lovely, but the food is a many-times-removed copy of what used to be reliably good dining at fair prices. I hope honest feedback can restore this former mainstay back to some semblance of culinary dignity. In the mean time, try Fig instead. Or Hominy Grill. Hominy renovated and managed to control prices and keep good food on the plate. Or just drive over to Daniel Island and tell the old crew how much you miss seeing them downtown. I should add that I called the restaurant about this experience -- during the meal, for my own reasons, I didn't want to get into the weeds about the food. They were very gracious and receptive to my feedback, and took my address to send me a gift certificate. I appreciate the responsiveness and would love to see them turn things around. Now that I've asked around a bit, I understand my experience is not unique, but I will try them again. Later.
(1)Hannah F.
Dress nicely- you might feel a bit out of place in shorts and a polo. Greeters kinda give you the eye- waiter was support friendly guy & very attentive. Had the shrimp, feta, & kalamata entree & it was the perfect size! Not stuffed afterwards so I split the chocolate ganache cake with two others which was amazing! The bread served at the beginning was soft and warm, and the tomato olive oil was tasty also. I would say it looks stuffier than it actually is...
(4)Goofy D.
Do not go. It was awful. I did not choose this one and was disappointed we went. Very bad. The concierge said it was like Jestines but more kid-friendly. Wrong on both counts. We had the chicken quesadillas for an appetizer. That was the best thing and it was just ok. The calamari was not fried. We definitely prefer fried calamari. I got the meatballs and four cheese ravioli. The ravioli was cold and the meatballs was hard. - got the same thing and didn't want to finish it. - got the chicken with chorizo. Not good. - liked her shrimp dish. Did I mention that I wouldn't go again or recommend it? Yuck.
(1)Steven P.
My first dining experience here was for lunch the other day with some friends. I think we all left feeling rather unsatisfied. The menu could be considered "adventurous" but I found the dishes to be more complex than necessary. The chicken & mushroom quesadilla with lemon tahini coulis was okay but nothing special. Since it was hot out, I tried the cold cucumber and yogurt soup. With plenty of dill, and I think a dash of basil, it was refreshing and pleasant but lacked any depth. I finally squeezed some lemon from my ice water into the soup and that gave it some of the zing I was missing. For the price, ($10) the crab cake served with a green salad was good but, again, not better than I've had in several other places. The service was mediocre, at best. Our server displayed no charm. I almost felt like we were not welcomed. Even after we had to wave for the server to point out that a key ingredient had been left off one of the plates, there still was not even a simple apology. They have a good wine list with standard rates but, no lemonade.
(2)Nicole P.
I ate here about a year ago and completely forgot that I had even eaten here. That should, on its own, be enough of a review for this restaurant. While the food was good, our server seemed completely uninterested in assisting us. The atmosphere was fine; I enjoyed the art of the walls but, all in all, there was something missing from there that I can't quite place my fingers on. It was just unmemorable. It wasn't the food or location, necessarily, it just seemed like a place to try once, have a fine time, and then to leave it at that.
(3)craig j.
This would move up to 3 stars if they did not bring our main course before we finished our apps. I was so amazed they did it I did not ask them to take them back. The food is decent, atmosphere ok and service avg. The place is cool, good prices and probably worth another visit given the prices and creative menu, but if you are coming in from out of town (which I did) skip it.
(2)David G.
My girlfriend and I went today for lunch. It was second Sunday, and the restaurant had some tables out on the sidewalk, so we decided to try it. We hadn't been to Sermet's since the remodelling. Aesthetics aside, this was a poor dining experience. While we waited for a table, we ordered some cocktails from the bar, one of which was spilled on our table by the bartender, the other he forgot to make. The bread, the best part of the meal unfortunately, was promptly brought to the table with Sermet's signature tomato infused olive oil. We ordered the calamari for an ap, and it was the most rubbery, bait tasting squid I've ever had. The accompanance of spinach and tomato was a nice touch, but the squid was to fishy and chewy to ingest. I ordered a Lamb burger, cooked medium. It came out well done and dry, crushing my hopes of dipping bread in the residual juices. There was NO juice. It was a hard, brick of a burger, and upon inspection, there was a sweet potato fry, smooshed and burnt sealed to the bottom of the patty. yuck. My girlfriend had Chicken with the butternut squash ravioli. For $16, this was a laughably small portion, containing 2 ravioli (that's right 2!!). Although the flavors were there, the portion didn't cut it for that price. The service was great, but for such a reputable place in such a great location, The food quality today was inexcusable, and we shan't be returning soon.
(2)Claire D.
I had my doubts about this place the first time I walked in - the menu hardly listed anything suitable for vegetarians. I took a chance on the mozzarella, spinach, and tomato pesto panini, and wow! It was delicious! Now it is my definite go-to every time I go there (and I go as often as I can). It also comes with a super tasty side salad. Not some soulless pile of shredded iceberg with a few carrot bits, but a nice arrangement of dark leafy greens, fresh vegetables, and a nice vinaigrette. Their sweet potato fries are pretty amazing too! The decor inside is really neat. Sermet is an artist, and a lot of his works are displayed on the wall as well as work from other artists. The place has a rich, warm atmosphere too.
(4)Karma F.
Great food and great prices. Sermet is not only a good chef he also helps the community of Charleston all the time. So please take your business to his corner or his courtyard in Daniel Island.
(5)Whit R.
Great. Really great! This is the restaurant that people don't read about because I guess they don't pay every concierge in the city to recommend them the way Magnolia's and Charleston Grill do. Anyway, go to Sermet's if you want delicious food and great wine in an intimate atmosphere that isn't all dark and full of couples on dates. The intimacy comes from the nice warm feel of the brick walls, the floor plan and the fact that everyone there is in a great mood because they're eating some of the best food they've ever had. Try it for yourself. If you disagree with this review, I will pay for your psychological exam, 'cause something ain't right.
(5)Roger S.
A favorite among locals as this place was recommended to us by more than one salesperson in different stores. Went there to grab a quick lunch as we were on a busy schedule. The atmosphere is a nice casual open seating area. The only drawback is that the tables are so close together that conversation may be limited unless you don't mind people next to you hearing every word you say. The service was fair - neither outstanding nor poor. The food was rather bland, certainly nothing special nor memorable. Crab cakes were rather "fishy" tasting. Turkey sandwich was fairly tasteless. With Caviar & Bananas right around the corner, its a no-brainer for a quick good lunch.
(2)eric c.
We eat at Sermet's Corner every time we're in Charleston, and it never fails to please. Very inviting environment, interesting oil paintings on the walls, fresh warm bread and oil on the table to keep you busy while you wait for the excellent food. And fairly kid-friendly to boot. Not the height of fine dining, but not the price of fine dining either. Reliable!
(4)Jason N.
finally got in here yesterday for a late lunch after keeping my eye on this cute little corner spot for years now. the crabcake "burger" turned out to be quite delish - on fluffy brioche-y kaiser roll; the sweet potato fries savory and hard to resist. the waitstaff very pleasant. we have been by to consider sermet's for breakfast/brunch but the menu was just not appealing to us; consequently, i recommend "real lunch" when resting from shopping/people watching on king. four stars for the crabcake sandwich alone. it's the only thing i tried so my enthusiasm is limited to this dish.
(4)Jimbo K.
Stayed near here last year, so I ate there a couple of times in July 2010. Went back Wednesday night and the food is still good. Great location right on King Street. Ask for the corner table in the window, the views are fun. Don't go to Sermets and expect fabulous gormet, but there is always good food and great service.
(3)Morgan S.
So I've passed Sermet's for close to five years now and had never entered. Boy was I missing out. My boyfriend and I went last weekend for lunch and had a wonderful meal. The atmosphere reminded me of a few places I've been in SoHo. Exposed brick, dim lighting, alternative staff members, etc. My boyfriend got the turkey burger and I had a panini - both were great. His sweet potato fries were great! Very creative. Oh - the have fountain Diet Coke! YES! I'll definitely go again!
(4)C T.
Cool laid back hang out place where the food was outstanding. Service was slow but we kept the drinks coming and enjoyed the day. Again the food is not your typical Charleston faire. It's different and great!!!
(3)Rafael R.
I had several fine meals there when it was Sermet's Corner but this is my first visit since the name changed to Sermet's Downtown and the quality and atmosphere felt completely different. The new mood is light--including white canvas slipcovered chairs and butcher paper tablecloths. There is a smarmy guy in searsucker and bow tie to meet you at the front with two women--as soon as you are greeted by three people who don't each play an important role you know you're paying too many salaries. The cozy, artsy feel is gone. The sun-dried tomato olive oil for dipping was extremely bland. My dish was barely warm and had to be sent back, but when it came back the steam was superficial and the ravioli underneath was still cold. Sad to see it go--it was the first place I was taken out to eat in Charleston but it's no longer the same place.
(2)Terry G.
We visited Sermets Corner today in Charleston. It was fabulous. My partner had Lavendar, Honey & Pepper Pork Tenderloin which was OH SO FABULOUS. And I had the Sea Cakes with Crab Avacado Ravioli. It was the BEST Ravioli I have ever had. The atmosphere was friendly with Sermet's paintings all over the walls. It was just a really great experience all around!
(5)Mikell B.
The staff was great. The people watching was incredible. But the food was very uninspired. Being a restaurant in Charleston is tough, they've got a lot to live up to, and I know Sermet's has been around for years, but even the sweet potato fries lacked panache...and those are kind of hard not to love. The gentleman had a chicken sandwich, which he actually didn't finish. This fella eats like he hasn't been fed in weeks everytime he sits down, so that he left food on the plate is really saying something. I had a caprese panini, that was missing the flava. Maybe your best bet is to go for people watching and wine?
(2)josie p.
I completely agree with the other reviewers on here... Although it's on King Street, many overlook the charm of this New York style restaurant. I love the unexpected decor of the inside- exposed brick, funky art on the walls, big dark windows. People are ALWAYS drinking when I go here no matter what time of day (good wine list), but the food is consistently good. I've had the turkey sandwich & a chicken dish here that both left me whole-heartedly satisfied. The best part about Sermet's is that you leave feeling like you had a really nice & expensive meal, but in fact, the prices are quite reasonable. Another beautiful thing about this place: you won't find it overcrowded with tourist since the concierge likely sent them to dumb Hyman's or some other fancy schmancy tourist trap.
(5)William W.
Wow...where do I start? The place is small, but incredibly noisy because there is nothing in there to deaden the sound. The bathroom is filthy. My hamburger was tough. They bring you bread and dipping sauce that looks JUST LIKE vomit. Worst of all, they don't have sweet tea. Will not be returning.
(1)Susan S.
Great place to go for inexpensive (comparatively speaking, of course), consistently-good, sit down fare in the heart of downtown. The menu gives you the option of having large or small sized portions too... a good option for if you are going somewhere after you eat and don't want to carry leftovers. The chef & proprietor (I'm guessing b/c his name is on it) Sermet is Turkish and spent 30 minutes at our table one time talking to a friend of mine who lived in Turkey for a period of time... Then he gave us a free desert- yummy!!! It may sound strange (I always get weird looks when I order them), but the sea cakes are really good when Sermet is cooking. The cold cucumber soup is yummy & the mussels make a nice lite meal. They also have a phenominal dessert wine (although the name escapes me)- it's white and really sweet. My roommate buys it from the bar and brings it home when she can.
(4)Claire M.
a nice little cafe - bistro-style place to go have an excellent lunch. the eggplant was right on - and portions are big, if you're into that kind of thing.
(4)Roger Y.
I bestow a 4th star because they made the extra effort to accommodate a party of nine on a busy Friday night after a College of Charleston graduation. The setting is beautiful and lends well to people watching on King Street. Our waiter provided excellent service. As I said, the service experience was first-rate. The food was ok. I and several others in our party ordered the sautéed filet beef tips with cheese tortellini. This dish desperately needs some seasoning. Garlic, herbs, something - maybe even just salt and pepper. It was bland. Precious ordered the chicken sautéed with smoked bacon. This is clearly the dish to order. Bursting with flavor from the smoked bacon. Get this. Odd there was no fish available the night of our visit. Mid-May on a clear day in Charleston and no fish available. Struck me as odd.
(4)Racquel P.
Came here on a Tuesday for dinner. Didn't know what to expect as just looking for somewhere to eat and this place was in the area. The food was good; I had the scallops. Very fresh. Our waiter seemed really disinterested and I have had better service elsewhere. Nothing really to rave about here. I would probably try another restaurant in the area before visiting again.
(3)Sally M.
I was so disappointed in this restaurant today for lunch. Service was slow. Food is way overpriced. I had the spinach strawberry salad and tasted like it had no dressing on it at all. I had tomato soup and it was thick and chunky and not at all as it was described on the menu. My daughter had the grilled chicken sandwich with truffle fries her bun was hard .my meal cost $42 and all we had were those two entrées and two tees for lunch very very overpriced restaurant will not be back
(1)Frank K.
As an occasional diner at Sermets over the years, its difficult to write something negative about a place whose servers are pleasant and whose King Street location is ideal, with an upgraded and attractive dining room. But the food--meh... We've tried a number of dishes over the years--mostly focusing on the vegetarian and seafood. And sandwiches and salads. The sandwiches are OK--if I go back, thats what I'd get. If I was writing a review for the sandwiches or salads, this would be a 3 star place. Similarly the fried green tomatoes with cheese curd are OK. Unfortunately, the "specialty pasta" dishes have a number of issues. This is purely subjective, but over the course of a half a dozen dinners over the past few years (and going back over a decade), my dining partner and I have been disappointed with the quality of pastas at Sermets. The stuffed eggplant sounds wonderful, but both of us have agreed that its overly greasy, and the ingredients are mushy to the point of losing any sense of individual flavorings of the artichoke, olives, etc. Similarly, the angel hair pasta with shrimp, sweet peas, wild mushrooms, cherry tomatoes in a parmesan cream sauce comes in oval pile, completely soaked with a sweetish parmesan cream sauce. Mushy ingredients with a overall off taste. Shrimp quality is subpar. Compared to Taste of Thai in West Ashley or Slightly North of Broad, whose prices for shrimp dishes are the same (SNOB) or less (Taste of Thai), the shrimp quality is really sad. Its been awhile since we had dinner entrees at Sermets, so its hard to evaluate as easily as our more recent visit. The fish dishes are generally acceptable without being "wow" that you get at the same or lesser prices at places like the Glass Onion, SNOB, High Cotton, or Macintosh among other standouts in town.
(2)Mary Locke M.
I'm not going to lie. This is the most touristy thing I've ever done. I was in town visiting friends and might have requested a "Southern Charm Weekend" because I was on a mission to meet one William Shepard Rose III. Fortunately my friends obliged my crazy and we had dinner at Sermets, and despite not stumbling upon the Southern Charm cast I had one of the best meals I've had in a really long time. Sermets is situated right on King Street, which in and of itself lends itself to great people watching while dining. We shockingly were able to get a 7:30 reservation the day of because of a large party cancellation. Once we got there, we quickly realized that the large cancellation was a prom party. Yeah, the majority of the dinner patrons were high school kids. It was really cute to see them all dressed up and on their best behavior. The atmosphere is refreshingly crisp, clean, and white. When you're from Atlanta and only have trendy overdone restaurants to choose from, it is a breath of fresh air to go to a nice traditional spot like this. Our server was on point on service and food recommendations. We had lobster bisque and caprese salad for appetizers. The lobster bisque had the perfect amount of lobster and cream to it - definitely could have eaten that for dinner alone. My friends had the filet mignon over tortellini and salmon entrée respectively. I had the shrimp sautéed over angel hair pasta, and it was declared the table winner after we tried each other's entrees. It's a very hearty serving of shrimp sautéed with tomatoes, sweet peas, mushrooms, and peppers tossed in a cream sauce over angel hair pasta. Everything about dinner at Sermets made for a perfect downtown Charleston experience. It's the kind of place that I'd like to go on a date (with Shep) or else take my parents. All and all, it's a crowd pleasing class act of a restaurant. Consider me sold.
(5)Jess D.
Not really my style. The place itself is really nice. Beautiful scene with big windows to watch the passersby, but the food was just OK. And for the price, not the best Italian option for downtown. The waiters were nice and attentive, but didn't tell us the specials, didn't offer us a wine menu and brought the check before asking about dessert. Overall, the scene seemed a bit old. The menu had some dated options, and the clientele seemed to match. If you're in search for some good Italian or general Mediterranean food, I would check out some better options down the way. We had the Artichoke Torta, Filet Mignon Tortellini and Eggplant Veal Parmesan and weren't too impressed. The jazz bar upstairs, however, is a different story. Fantastic. I believe there's a separate Yelp page for that (with higher star ratings).
(3)Frank G.
Went there this weekend,for,drinks. They may have a new bartender. Ordered martini, received it in a large glass that was only 3/4 full. When I asked, she told me that she could make me a double ... So, if that is the martini you make, then use a smaller glass, or fill up the one you do use. It looks bad when not full. By the way, I never received a martini like this before there. Frank G
(3)Daisy D.
Such an interesting place to have a bevy of mixed reviews. Sermets was discovered while some of our group was strolling the streets of Charleston. I was hiding from the humidity and taking a nap. After we dressed for the evening, we strolled up to Sermets and were happy they were able to accommodate us seeing it was the last night of Charleston Restaurant Week. Even though I'm lacking in pictorial evidence, it will be quite a while before I forget this menu (or what we dined on). We shared three appetizers at the table. The sweet potato fries were good, but nothing special. The hands-down winner at the table was the salmon rillette. It was plated differently than what I expected, but it was delicious. It was like tuna salad made with the freshest of salmon instead. All of us want to try to replicate this dish at home. For my entree I ordered the parmesan and basil crusted salmon with yukon gold mash & roasted vegetables. The salmon was cooked to perfection; the crust was delicious and added tons of flavor. The mash was delicious as were the vegetables, but I was so full I couldn't finish it all. We definitely ate well in Charleston. I will have to say that my 'yelp ability factor' was truly tested the weekend we were in Charleston as most of the places we found were discovered while wandering the streets. Of course I always scoped them out on the app before ordering, but Charleston definitely still offers a lot to it's adventurous/non-smartphone tourists.
(4)Olivia M.
We had the squash ravioli with bacon and chicken for dinner and it was delicious. We had the salted caramel cake for dessert and I can still taste how amazing it was. I would definitely come back to this restaurant again! The service was amazing as well!
(5)Luciana L.
I was eating by myself, so I took a seat at the bar at around the same time as another gentleman. The bartender gave the other man his menu, took his order and brought him his drink all before so much as giving me a menu. After I had ordered (eventually - took forever), another woman sat down near me - and the bartender told her the night's specials, something he hadn't done for me. I have no idea why I was treated differently from other patrons. I confronted the bartender and he gave me a lame excuse that I now can't remember. I was really upset about this, however. To add insult to injury, the food wasn't even that great. It was passable (especially since I was really hungry), but that's about it. I really can't recommend this place at all. I will be skipping it the next time I'm in Charleston.
(1)Kara T.
Came in for a quick lunch and had to try shrimp and grits before we left Charleston. Divinely prepared with just the right balance of cheddar and bacon and a savory light sauce. I may have taken a year off my life expectancy given how rich and creamy it was but well worth the risk. I akso had a nice, basic salad that balanced it out. Located in the heart of the King Street shopping district it was a nice place to take a lunch break.
(4)Jill L.
Not our first time here, but enjoyed it as much as we remembered. Terrific wine list and service in this quintessential Charleston bistro. Salmon cakes were moist and flavorful, salad greens were crisp and peppery tossed with just the right amount of a vinaigrette, and the shrimp and grits were divine.
(4)Zack H.
Great jazz band and entertainment; but the service isn't up to par and the food is "eh". A note to Sermets - never let a guests water glass reach the bottom (especially not for 20 minutes) and always offer black napkins so the white lent doesn't get on the guests black dress pants. Restaurant 101 guys...
(2)Steve J.
1/18: Hoo whee! What a spur of the moment pick for a 50th birthday dinner! Awesome. Lobster bisque starter had the correct amount of lobster and bacon. Followed with the filet, green beans and smashed tots. The filet was melt in mouth. Hated to see it end. The demi glacé made all 3 parts of the dish come together wonderfully. Mentioned in passing to server Paul that it was my 50th. As a great server does, he made note and returned with a superb chocolate dessert gratis. Thanks Paul! Can't say enough. Will most certainly return!
(5)Victor V.
We have just enjoyed Sermets Corner for the second time ( in three days) Marne was our server for both occasions and couldn't have been more " in tune" with his service level and knowledge of menu... This place has it all going for it, excellent service, wonderful well thought out delicious entrees and attention to all the details that made the atmosphere just perfect. Thank You!
(5)Michelle A.
Great little place, enjoyed the short ribs and the wine. Service was great- fastest service the entire weekend. Upscale look and feel, really good for date night. Clientele seemed older, even at 8:30pm on a Thursday night. Really well-located close to lots of shops...
(4)Andie C.
We decided to try Sermets during Restaurant Week. The atmosphere: Inside was nice and quaint, with a good noise level. We walked in to greet some friends who were already waiting. There was no hostess in site, but a woman on a phone at the bar (perhaps the manager or owner) told us we would be taken care of in a minute. It was slightly awkward...kinda felt like how your mom tries to talk to you while she's on the phone to tell you to be quiet or something, like you're interrupting her. Our friends had been waiting for a few minutes before we got there, and when we were seated, they told us that woman on the phone was slightly rude to them. The food: Our dinners were okay. Nothing to write home about. My husband had the calamari appetizer and I had the salad/fresh mozzarella as part of the Restaurant Week menu. Both were pretty good. For dinner, my husband had the salmon and I had the chicken/butternut squash ravioli. His was pretty typical, and mine was so salty. Like, the kind of salty that you wake up the next morning dying of thirst. I know mine had bacon, but the salt was pretty extreme. I also did not taste the apples in the dish, as outlined in the menu. They only had one option for dessert on their Restaurant Week menu; tiramisu. It was okay, but if you're only going to allow one option, it better be amazing. They drizzled chocolate syrup (like, Hershey's tasting) on top of the small portion they offered....a big turnoff for me. The service: We appeared to have a server that was in training, although that was never told/introduced to us. She was sweet and was trying to do her best on the job. The male server following her around, however, was a bit much. It was awkward how he was whispering to her what to say. The female server pretty much took care of us the whole time, with the male server coming at us at very interruptive times (e.g., reaching across my husband to fill his water while my husband was in the middle of a bite of his meal, and a second time while my husband was mid-conversation). The male server also handled the bill at the end, which was slightly odd, since the female server was our primary person. I hope she received the tip, because she was much better than him. We found him to be loud, abrasive, and interruptive. Overall, we may return to Sermets in the future, but will not be running back anytime soon.
(3)Cindy V.
I had the chicken entree and it came out luke-warm with very small pieces of chicken. The dish lacked flavor, and I had to add a decent amount of salt and pepper to make it more favorable. The entree was lacking and could have used more fresh ingredients. Also, they ran out of bread when we were here and they only served bread in the downstairs portion of the restaurant even though my large party made a reservation and they were well aware we were coming. In terms of service it was ok. The live entertainment is great though and definitely the highlight of the meal. Overall my party and I were not impressed.
(2)Hugh L.
Had a great meal at JD'S Sermets! Ask for Rick the bartender and Jennifer the manager. Ask for the Russian young lady to be your server! Bottoms up!
(5)Matt V.
Amazing ingredients, amazing flavors, amazing food!
(5)Maria K.
This was an interesting place to eat, very artsy so I like the atmosphere although it was a little loud. (Crying toddler didn't help). I ordered a chicken dish with sauted zuccini squash and pasta with pesto. The chicken was a little overdone but had a nice flavor. The pasta was very good, I would have liked a little more bite to it but it was good. The sauted veggies were fresh and not overcooked. I loved our waitress she was very attentive and we left her a good tip.
(3)Brittany H.
I hate to give a restaurant with such a great atmosphere three stars, but I wasn't that impressed with the food that I had here. I stopped here for lunch with my mom after shopping on King Street, & I was in the mood for something light & tasty. I ordered the fresh mozzarella, sun-dried tomato pesto & spinach sandwich with a mixed green salad, and it wasn't very satisfying. The sandwich itself was a little too dry, and, while the salad was light and the dressing tasty, it felt like it was missing something. My one regret was not ordering some wine- the menu looked good, and it's the perfect spot to grab a glass and just catch up with a girlfriend. While this wouldn't be my first choice for a meal, I love them for the quirky and cozy interior that's perfect for my next girls night.
(3)Peter C.
Wow!!! No disappointments. Enjoy!
(5)Dan P.
We were at Sermets for lunch on a Saturday in February. The food and ambiance were excellent and the service was efficient. However the portions were small and the waitress was inattentive.
(3)Sophie C.
UPDATED 4/17/11: Sermet's , what happened? We chose to come here because our previous experiences were nice, but when my boyfriend asked our waitress what the specials of the day were, she sort of rolled her eyes and sped-read them. Strike 1! Then, she never mentioned prices, WHICH YOU ALWAYS DO WHEN TELLING THE SPECIALS. Strike 2! So, I asked. The rude waitress just pointed at the menu somewhere and said, "It should be listed there." THEN SHE WALKED OFF!!! Strike 3! I guess we were dumb or just starving, but we stayed. Only to experience... The food was ooookay....but the bread was COLD and the olive oil dip was just olive oil and black pepper (not even cracked...it was...shudder...the cheap, sifty kind). Strike 4! Unfortunately, I didn't catch our waitress' name, but she's blond and little big boned. The previous times I've gone I've sat at the bar and eaten there. The bartenders were always nice. But this time was a definite miss with your waitress! And the cold bread and forgettable dip. I'm bringing down 4 stars to 2 stars. :-( 3/15/11: A simple salad, glass of vino and all you can eat fresh baked bread with a dipping sauce of olive oil, sundried tomatoes and basil is the best lunch ever!! I also recommend sitting at the bar for your lunch--so much fun!
(2)Trish K.
Had a late dinner here on Saturday, Dec. 1st, as this restaurant had been recommended by a co-worker for a really great dinner. Well, he was right and we had a fabulous meal. I enjoyed the braised short ribs with butternut squash risotto and asparagus, and my mother enjoyed a pecan crusted salmon with yukon gold potatoes and asparagus. Everything was absolutely delicious, and our server was very friendly. I only took off a star because they had run out of bread and the tiramisu. Yes, it was about 9:30 when we arrived, but you still don't expect a place to be out of bread, which would have been great to enjoy the remainder of the sauce from my meal. Don't let the negative reviews dissuade you, I promise you will enjoy the atmosphere, the culinary experience and the service. Dinner for two with one glass of wine each and a huge dessert that we split came to around $100 with tip.
(4)Louise M.
Turned up on a Friday night without a reservation, hostess was so friendly and we were lucky enough to gt a table within 15 mins. Attentive service, wonderful food, can't wait to go back next time we're in town. As noted on another review, the Key lime pie was small, but we were sharing! Cozy setting, professional staff, loved it!
(5)Marc K.
I completely agree with Raphael and feel sad doing so. The old Sermets Corner had a great funky and welcoming feel. The new Sermets Downtown has a snobby vibe and the feel of an uptight country club. The food I had was still consistently good but I felt uncomfortable and looked down upon. The interrogation style "greeting" at the door felt condescending. I guess if we had looked wealthy it may have gone better. Anyhow, I hear that Sermet brought people into a partnership for this latest iteration on that corner and I guess they wanted to go in the white tablecloth snob direction. A big clue was their CL ad that asked for photos when applying to work there. Not cool in my book. I hear the Daniel Island location is similar to the old Sermets Corner so that is where I will be heading from now on.
(1)Michael T.
Good lunch spot.
(3)Ryan D.
Sermet is a Saint!!! We need more people like him in this world! I was visiting my friend who goes to college or charleston during thanksgiving break. It was thanksgiving day and every where was closed. Walking down king street we were on a mission for some turkey. All i could smell was rosemary in the air...my nose finally took me to sermets! We walked in expecting to get a table for 2. But what we got from sermet was PRICELESS. It turns out he was having a private party for his family and friends. He invited us in like if we were family!!! He treated us to a amazing dinner buffet style with all the fixings. (keep in mind ive never met him before) The stories i heard about this man blew me away. he provides hot meals for the homeless and does a lot of community work! His Hospitality has touched me...till this day i still cant forget that amazing meal! Thank you Sermet if im ever back in charleston you will be seeing me!!!
(5)