9. Il Cortile Del Re

Staff was freidnly and attentive. Food was very authentic. Honestly, the best Italian restuarant in Charleston. Will be back, very impressed

Gasp! You mean the experience at Cortile del Re can be a bit...uneven? You mean, it's not a cookie-cutter chain restaurant? You mean you can practically get kicked out of the place one night when your appearance strikes the hostess (co-owner) wrong, and then have a transcendent experience another night dining on the patio to acoustic jazz? Yep, that about sums it up. This place has personality, even "attitude," but if you hit it on a good night, it can be the best evening you'll spend in a restaurant in a decade. Memorable every time! I love that!

This was our first visit and first knowledge of this place. Meeting there with a group of friends for 7:30 reservations seemed promising. Quaint, hidden gem, sure but the service was horrible. Our server was only half there. We waited so long just to get any kind of order. Our wine glasses were all filled at different levels, as was other tables around us, we noticed their expressions too. My food order was not even taken, I had to stop the server from leaving to get an order. Even then he was short and cut me off at the salad, the Goat Cheese was good by the way. He then did'nt get my temp. for the salmon. The rest of the table had the same experience. This definately overshadowed the food and was definately not worth the price or twenty percent gratuity for the server. You would have to convince me of better service to go back. I love Italian food. I know this is a special place, but you can't mix good food with bad service.