12/01/08

thoughtful staff, like dining with family

by kardavis

easy to make reservations, be sure to specify where you want to be seated (near street, near fireplace, in the garden in back). greeted and seated promptly, offered to handle our coats. quaint decor, professional wait staff. my husband was wearing his Army dress blues (per my request) and the owner brought a champagne toast complementary as a token of thanks for his service to our country. (very thoughtful). the food was tasty, good portion size, and freshly prepared. this is genuine italian food! the menu shows the chef has diversity and intimate cuisine knowledge.

• Pros: prompt wait staff, cozy family atmosphere, diverse and descriptive menu
• Cons: parking is,...well, welcome to charleston.

10/31/08

Very disappointing food

by djhfromFolly

We were there just last night prior to going to the theater.

It must have been a very off night for the chef.

The spinach salad was just a blob of baby spinach saturated with dressing and

a little grated carrot mixed in.

The ravioli special must have sat under the heat light too long as it was rubbery

and hard on one side.

My order of roast pork with au gratin potato came out as roast pork with some

roasted quartered potatoes ....the waiter said it would take an additional 45 mins

for the augratin...

The dessert menu of 5 items ( 4 were ice cream of some sort) the tired tira misu

was the best thing we had......

$100.00 later with the cost of 3 glasses of wine......probably the worst experience

we have had in dining in the last year.

Oh! when we said we were disappointed in the food, the wait staff avoided us as

if we were lepers!

There are so many wonderful restaurants in Charleston, I am amazed that this

place has had any decent reviews.

03/13/08

Lovely night in Charleston!

by StudyBreak

For our last night in Charleston, my husband and I wanted something other than lowcountry cusine. Il Cortile was recommended by at least three locals, so we gave it a try. We had low expectations, but ended up with not just a great meal, but a fabulous last night in Charleston.

Unlike many of the other tourist driven establishments, we found Il Cortile Del Re to be a bit more authentic. We walked there from our hotel in the rain and were quickly seated in the back room (by the kitchen) at a cozy corner table for two by the fire place. it was romantic and mostly quiet (except from the loud diners at the table next to us). Many things on the menu looked good, but after days of overeating we stuck to just ordering pasta dishes- and they were amazing! I had the mushroom ravioli and my husband had the first pasta dish on the menu (shrimp, scallops, and mussles on spaghetti with a spicy tomato sauce). Both were great. Our waiter was helpful and attentive. We would definitely go back!

• Pros: ambience, convenience to hotels