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Anson Restaurant
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
56 reviews for Anson Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"She crab soup, scored flounder with apricot sauce, filet..." In 6 reviews -
"The best part was dessert - I had the key lime pie." In 3 reviews -
"best crispy flounder I've ever had." In 3 reviews
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56 reviews in English
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Review from Sandy K.
4/23/2012 6 photos
I arrived at Anson Restaurant around 9:30 pm and was still on west coast time. I wasn't aware that this place was the sister of the Old Pink House in Savannah so I suspected I was in for a good meal.
Started off with she crab soup and it was incredible. The bread they served was perfect when dipped into the soup. For my main entree I ordered the deep fried Flounder
topped with a apricot sauce. OMG the entree reminded me of a Thai entree and just cooked perfectly. It was good sized with plenty of moist tasting fish. I also tried the scallop with okra and fava beans and it was another solid tasting masterpiece. We finished with dessert - a banana cream pie that was one of the best I've ever tasted.
The decor of Anson Restaurant is romantic place for dinner and has two floors. Service here was impeccable and spot on.
I'd definitely recommend Anson Restaurant for a unique but memorable dinning experience. -
Review from Samantha S.
Saratoga Springs, NY
3/28/2012
Based on the food and the atmosphere, I was pretty gung-ho about giving this place a 5-star review. The she-crab soup was amazing, and the shrimp and grits (while definitely a very small helping, as one of their "first course" offerings) was so packed with flavor that it blew the offerings of many other local establishments out of the water. The bread basket was deelish; I think we went through about three of them, and my crème brûlée and butterscotch hot chocolate (for adults only, wink wink) were the perfect end to our meal.
The reason why I took a star off was because of the service. It wasn't terrible ... our waiter wasn't really inattentive per se; he just took no initiative. When you go out to eat, it's almost as though there's a standard script that is followed. Server offers to take your drink order, brings your drinks by and offers to take your meal order, brings your appetizers and checks on your drinks, brings your food and checks if you need anything, offers dessert, and drops the check. Our server never offered us anything. I think he was trying to make sure we didn't feel rushed, but it bothered me that we had to direct everything. Hey, we'd like to place our drink order. Hey, we're ready to order our dinners. Hey, we haven't touched our food in a half hour, can we get this boxed up?
The food was fantastic, and I'm sure with a server who would show a little more motivation, this could be a five-star dining experience.Listed in: Charleston's Greatest Hits
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Review from Herb U.
Charleston, SC
5/21/2012
Had anniversary dinner there. Food was excellent, as was the service. I had the pan-seared scallops over grits and they were outstanding, as was the crab cake for appetizer. The only thing that prevents a 5-star for me is that it was a bit noisy.
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Review from Brandon H.
Charlotte, NC
5/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
This restaurant is a must if you are visiting Charleston. Amazing service on top of Wonderful food makes it a rare find. The fried shrimp with french fries was DELICIOUS!!
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Review from Anita L.
Ormond Beach, FL
4/5/2012
I loved the crispy flounder and I don't like fish. Admittedly, the carriage horses going to the barns nearby entranced me. I had excellent mussels although it was a small portion and perfect french fries. The she-crab soup was also excellent. as was the service. It is old school in the good sense of the word. .
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Review from Terese S.
11/4/2011
Of the 3 nights I was in Charelston, this place was the best. It beat Magnolia and Poogan's Porch.
Service was great, attentive, good recommendations, friendly and responsive. Decor was cute, somewhat dark and romantic, but modern.
Food - AMAZING, hands down the best out of the above restaurants. I ordered the beet salad, filet (with the yummiest mashed pots ever) and apple crisp for dessert. All of it was very, very good. We were a party of 9 and all diners thought this was our best meal as well.
Bottom line - I'd check this place out before the others. We could not get into Husk though, so this was a great back-up. -
Review from Shannon P.
Raleigh, NC
Southern charm at its best!
There are so many charming, historical buildings that restaurants occupy in Charleston, and this is no exception. Anson is a very nice, upscale seafood dining spot located in a historical building that makes you feel like Southern Belle when you walk in. You are greeted warmly and seated promptly. The waiters are so pleasant and dressed to the nines with their silk ties tucked in to the button opening of their dress shirts. The ma'am's and sirs flow freely here as a kind reminder that you are definitely in the south.
We had the pimento cheese with toast points and the crab cake to start. You simply cannot go to Charleston and NOT get the pimento cheese! It was delicious and there was plenty to share. The crab cake was great, but small, so make sure you get one per diner because you're not going to want to share this, lol.
For an entree I had the barbeque fish of the day, which was atlantic salmon. I've never considered barbeque sauce/seasoning on fish before, but it worked very well with the salmon. Along with it were perfectly cooked greens and grits. The grits were A-mazing!
My colleagues got one of their small plates - homemade pasta with homemade mozarella cheese with veggies. Perfect small portion and so incredible.
The best part was dessert - I had the key lime pie. It was the best I've ever had. It was authentic - not that bright green stuff. It wasn't too sweet and not too tarte, just right. It was on a homemade pecan crust. My colleagues got the pecan pie and the creme brulee. I did not try the creme brulee, but heard it was delicious. The pecan pie was great - it's house made, but incredibly sweet - too sweet for my taste.
Their wine list by the glass is the only 'slightly' negative I have. They do have 5-6 whites and reds by the glass, but was not impressed by the choices - they seemed rather 'run of the mill' to me but I'm always that person looking for something unique, rare, and new. -
Review from Carrie A.
9/20/2011
After a carriage ride on a recent trip to Charleston, we really wanted to go somewhere nearby that was known for fabulous food. We were not incorrectly steered when we were told to check out Anson.
At first, I found the ambiance, servers and general clientele to be a bit uptight and stuffy. Our server gradually loosened up a bit, but it was definitely one of those places where you don't want to use the wrong fork for fear the woman in pearls at the table next to you will smack your hand.
It took about 10 minutes for someone to take our drink order, and when he did he was very condescending about what we chose! It was kind of unbelievable, actually. My boyfriend ordered a beer that they did not carry and decided to just go with the ol' stand-by, Budweiser. Immediately upon hearing this, the server made a face and recommended some other beers. The BF stuck with the Bud Diesel much to the server's chagrin.
Fortunately, once the food arrived, it was definitely worth the wait. I had the gnocchi with pork ragu that was to die for and snuck a few pieces of the BF's surf and turf. The steak was very tender and flavorful. The lobster was a fried tail and was quite salty, but was otherwise good in its cornmeal breading.
I would love to give Anson a 4 star rating, but the service for our first 30 minutes there just left too much to be desired for such a pricey meal. -
Review from Adam A.
Boston, MA
11/17/2011
Excellent restaurant...but for the price tag you can afford to go to Circa 1886 for a better experience.
Two menu items that stood out:
The pork belly appetizer - Excellent but i prefer my pork belly a bit crispier. The flavor was spot on though
The whole flounder entree - A perfectly cooked whole fish. The apricot chutney they cook it with goes perfectly with the mild fish. And the way that they cube the flesh makes it very easy to eat.
This is a lovely spot in Charleston...but for the hefty $, go to Circa 1886 -
Review from Stuart S.
St Johns, FL
10/17/2011
Was fortunate to get a table at this popular Charleston restaurant and had an added benefit of it being Restaurant Week in town!
I enjoyed a delicious pan fried Catfish over rice and Red Eye gravy. it was a great combo that I would like to try at home. Came with a mixed green salad and dessert was Pecan Pie!
Great dinner and very reasonable ($30). Service was excellent as well.
Can't wait to try again! -
Review from Don F.
Cape Canaveral, FL
12/28/2011
Great food, great place. We had a wonderful night with our family. We will certainly eat here again.
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Review from Mike W.
Sacramento, CA
4/29/2012
We ate at Anson Restaurant on the fifth night of a recent visit to Charleston. Dinning rooms are open and table spacing is extremely tight. So, there is a feeling of being crowded and little privacy. Service was slow, with considerable time lapse between courses, which we suspected was due to inadequate kitchen size and staff compared to the excessive number of tables. Although having a reputation for innovative southern style seafood, we did not see a great amount of creativity or innovation. The Deep Fried Flounder was pretty good but a couple of the other food items were not so good. The collard greens were so salty that they were inedible. The grits were plain and blah. Lastly, soft lights to make an intimate dinning experience is one thing. However, Anson's was so dark we couldn't see our food. . An overall disappointment. I would not recommend to others. Other restaurants we did eat at in Charleston and which we would recommend include Poogan's Porch and McCready's.
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Review from Susie G.
Mt Pleasant, SC
4/4/2011 6 photos
It might sound corny, but "Awesome on Anson" is the only way that I can describe this restaurant.
Many people have told me that this was a great place to eat, but I have to admit I was more than surprised at how good it was. Tucked away just shy of the Historical Market district Anson is one of Charleston's true hidden gems.
We landed there without reservations on a rainy night and were quickly seated. The restaurant is casually elegant, welcoming and has a menu with a variety of both low country favorites and traditional fare. Our server was outstanding throughout our dining experience and quickly attended to our every need. A native Charlestonian she was very knowledgeable about the menu and the items that we asked about. She immediately brought us hot, sliced bread with soft, whipped butter. I was to find out that my husband's pet peeve is cold, hard butter served with fresh, warm bread. After all these years... who knew? Both were excellent.
I did ask her, "Before we fall in love with an item on the menu, are there any specials?" She did mention one, but it didn't interest us. We then ordered our first course.
The Crispy Risotto Cake with Serrano ham, a few grilled shrimp and a delicate cream sauce was something that I had never seen before, yet alone thought of cooking. We were to find that the Chef is not only talented, but very creative.
The Crispy Risotto Cake had a tasty crisp shell but was light and airy inside, something that you wouldn't expect for a risotto, yet alone a fried one... to die for.
My salad - The Fried Oysters & Bibb Lettuce was tossed with a subtle dressing and the oysters were lightly battered and served piping hot. This alone could have been dinner.
As we ordered our dinner I decided for something on the lighter side. When I ordered the Pan Steamed Mussels our server said, "I think we're out of them, but I'll check." Back to the menu I went. Upon her return we found out that they did in fact have them that night. Yeah!
My husband then ordered the Braised Beef Short Ribs, something that he'd decided upon after briefly scanning the menu. "We're out of those tonight," our server lamented. She mentioned that "because of Lent we sell out of those quickly on Thursday and Friday nights." This made me smile. As a kid, "Lent" to me was filled with Friday fish fry's, tuna, salmon and whatever fish dish my mom could create for what seemed to be an unending period of time. Maybe this season was treated differently in the south???
So after feeling like we were in a Seinfeld episode we asked her if there was anything else that they didn't have so we had a fighting chance to order dinner. She said that everything else was available.
After a wait that seemed a tad lengthy, but in every way worth it, our entrees were delivered. I did land on the Pan Steamed Mussels that were served with crisp French fries. The mussels were tossed in a light broth of garlic, jalapenos, white wine and parsley. The French fries that accompanied them were crisp, hot and well seasoned. Although actually somewhat full from our appetizers it was a type of meal that you couldn't stop eating.
The Double Cut Fried Pork Chop was all that and a bag of chips! It was nicely breaded and had a great flavor, but the stars of the plate were without question, the side dishes.
There are many restaurants that are leaping on the Mac 'n Cheese train. Flavors are added, toppings too. But to me, Mac 'n Cheese takes me back to when my mom made it years ago. She was a tiny Polish woman who kept things simple and added four basic ingredients - shredded cheddar cheese, milk, butter and elbow macaroni. When I'm sick this is the dish that I ask for. It's sheer comfort food at its best and "smoked gouda", "lobster" and/or bacon is not needed. The Mac 'n Cheese served here mirrors my mom's and could be the best I've tasted since she made it so many years ago.
Not to be out done, Mac 'n Cheese's companion was Collard Greens, but not just any collard greens. These had a nice bit of spice to them (red pepper flakes we were told) and were incredibly flavorful. I found myself trying to distract my husband so that I could steal some from him.
As I wrote this I tried to think what restaurant in Charleston we liked more. It's right up there to us as one of the best of the best. I actually had to use my Roget's Thesaurus to find enough adjectives to describe our visit. In looking up the word "perfect", I saw many suggestions, but "flawless" fit the bill perfectly. -
Review from Mimi D.
Tucson, AZ
6/9/2011
Absolutely fantastic and delicious!
I officially name Anson as the first restaurant to serve me an oyster--and boy am I hooked. I love oysters now because of Anson! The service was fantastic and the food extremely well done.
For an appetizer (minus the oyster), the boyfriend order crab cakes. To me they were just like any other crab cakes, but to him, they were delicious. I turned him onto them since our first crab cake experience at the Lido Deck in Newport Beach (: Both the boyfriend and I got filet mignons. Yum! Why order something else when you know a good piece of filet mignon would hit the spot?
Overall, the dinner was fantastic (: I got to put on my cutest pair of shoes I brought with me and spend time with the boyfriend in a very romantic setting, eating delicious food! So perfect (: -
Review from Amy D.
11/5/2011 1 photo
Before venturing to the south, i had a plan to consume a different version of shrimp and grits daily. However after having them on my second night in Charleston at Anson, i made a vow to not have any more in the near future. Why u ask? Because they were so delicious and i did not want another restaurants version to taint my experience.
Upon walking in to the restaurant, it appeared a bit dated with the servers wearing matching suits and the clientele being in the older demographic, but surprisingly the menu was quite modern. I started with a classic Cesar salad, the ratio of garlic to citrus was perfectly balanced. My sis had the compressed watermelon salad with heirloom tomatoes. The salad was bright and refreshing, and the addition of the compressed watermelon was inventive and unexpected.
For our mains i had the shrimp and grits and only one word comes to mind: perfection. One note i will make is that i liked the addition of tomatoes in the dish, it added a layer of depth. My sis had the grilled catfish with shrimp on a grit cake. The catfish was slightly spicy and the grit cake was crispy on the outside while remaining tender in the middle.
Overall if you want to go out for a meal in Charleston and want to experience a true southern experience, you must go to Anson Restaurant. -
Review from Brian K.
11/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I dined at Anson during a visit to Charleston over Veteran's Day weekend and unfortunately it was the most underwhelming meal of the entire trip. The evening started off with a misplaced dinner reservation and culminated with lackluster service and merely average food offerings. In the end, I think the entire experience could most amply be described as overpriced and undergood.
Food: Anson specializes in traditional southern offerings with a contemporary twist. For appetizers, my dining partner and I opted for the fried mac n' cheese and the calamari, both of which were mediocre at best. Both the batter and cheese components of the fried mac n' cheese were overtly bland and the only memorable component of the calamari was the apricot-shallot sauce that accompanied the dish. For an entree, I opted for the fried double-cut pork chop, while my dining partner opted for the pork bolognese. The latter dish was well executed, but the pork chop left much to be desired. The meat was tough and the batter was equally as flavorless as the appetizers. Both the collards and mac n' cheese that accompanied the pork chop were excellent, but unfortunately the portions were so meager that they failed to compensate for the lackluster quality of the meat. Moreover, both entrees appeared as if they had been plated by toddlers. We ultimately opted to forego dessert, as we had already endured enough culinary disappointment for one evening.
Service: I'm inclined to think that our waiter would have been better cast as an undertaker; he had absolutely no personality and made no effort to engage us during the entire meal.
Atmosphere: The restaurant is housed on both floors of a historic building in downtown Charleston. The decor is somewhat outdated, but I understand that they primarily cater to an audience that would find such adornments charming and appropriate. Clientele is mostly older individuals and dress is largely business casual. There were a few patrons wearing jeans, but for the most part, you would likely feel out of place donning such attire.
Price: Expensive by most standards. Appetizers cost $7 to $14, small plates cost $16, while entrees cost $24 to $39.
Other: Similar to most restaurants in downtown Charleston, parking is a proverbial nightmare while dining at Anson. There is no valet available, so for the most part, you have to resort to findings self-parking in a nearby paid lot. Street parking is not a viable option since it is reserved for residents only. -
Review from Jp M.
Charleston, SC
12/30/2011
Stay. Far. Away. Single worst dining experience in Charleston. My wife and I were married here and come back every year for our anniversary - this restaurant was serving tequila shots to the 9 - NINE! - college (or younger - did they card?) age kids at the next table, who then proceeded to throw out f*** and s***bombs very loudly. Food mediocre - bbcue on catfish too overbearing. Staff pretty good but unpolished. This place needs to decide if it is going to be upscale restaurant or a bar. In the end, it won't matter as it will be closed within 2 years. Decor was awful - cheap plastic chairs do not 4 stars make.
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Review from Howard M.
Sedalia, NC
12/14/2011
I have been to Charleston many times over the years. Have talked about going to this restaurants and finally did it, my wife and I had already decided on this trip we would try some new restaurants,it was hard considering the many great restaurants we have been to in Charleston.
I have to say Anson is now one of my favorite, I had the crispy flounder, just wonderful, this is there signature entree, and I see why. The service was excellent and our waiter was very knowledgeable.
The location is very easy to walk to from the hotels downtown. -
Review from Dr Monique B.
Cleveland, MS
10/31/2011
Loved Anson's! Great butterleaf, buttermilk dressing, fried oyster salad! Good service and fun, warm ambience!
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Review from M H.
Gibsonia, PA
11/17/2011
We had a reservation here and they stuck us in the bar area even though there was plenty of room in the dining area. We had to ask to be moved. My main dish was flounder which was totally average, although the She Crab Soup was awesome and my green beans were incredible.
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Review from Amie F.
Charleston, SC
9/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Consistently great food and service through the years! Wonderful atmosphere and staff. She crab soup, scored flounder with apricot sauce, filet, and creme brulee are their staples.
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Review from Lauren C.
Chicago, IL
1/14/2011
I come here every year with my family. The menu is stable, something for everyone to like. This place does a nice job of capturing the Low Country.
It is located in the heart of Charleston, very accessible location. They have a fantastic private room on the second floor which can seat almost 50 people.
I deducted a star because they never mix it up. I feel the specials are always the same, they need to add variety. -
Review from Dennis C.
Alexandria, VA
11/6/2011
I was visiting Charleston for the weekend with my girlfriend and we wanted to try some of the Low-Country cuisine the city is known for. I used to live in coastal North Carolina and thought the food would be similar to what I had before, bland with no distinct taste, but I was in for an excellent surprise.
We were able to make reservations on the same day we got into Charleston, which was Friday, at 7:45pm. We started our meal with a cup of she-crab soup, which was very creamy and had the right amount of sherry. The lumps of crab were the perfect size and there was hardly any cartilage in the meat that you find in most she-crab soups. After the soup we decided to try the fried mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was equally as delicious and the inside wasn't scalding hot so you would end up burning the roof of your mouth. I'm a huge fan of oysters and I wanted to try the local oyster flavors. South Carolina oysters are very salty and not large as ones you may find in the pacific Northwest. Overall, the oysters had a very distinct flavor and I would order them again. Next, we had our entree. My girlfriend had the whole flounder which they serve with an apricot chutney sauce. The whole flounder is cubed so that it comes right off the bone. I tasted some of the flounder and found it incredibly good. I had the pan seared catfish which was perfectly cooked and extremely tender.
Overall, this dining experience was beyond anything that I could've asked for. The wait staff was attentive to our table and the cleanliness was impressive. I would purposefully go back to Charleston for the sole reason of dining at this fine restaurant again. -
Review from Linnea B.
San Diego, CA
7/25/2010 1 photo
Compliments to the Chef - The food is fabulous and I would have given this a solid 5 had not our waiter turned churlish towards the end of a wonderful meal!
We had the Black Bass Entree, which was their market special and unusual for us West Coasters - and delicious! We also had the Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer and the Shrimp & Grits appetizer, which comes with bacon and tomatoes and was probably the best Shrimp and Grits we had in Charleston and that is saying something, since we had that dish numerous times and it was always good!
I came here with a group of clients and we had a reservation for 15 and asked for multiple checks up front, but for whatever reason, our waiter held us up for nearly an hour after we finished eating to receive our checks and then tacked an mandatory 20% on to each. I had expected a mandatory 18% and would have tipped over 20 with such a wonderful meal. Too bad our waiter got a case of the grumps - it took the edge of delight off the experience.
Don't miss this place for the food if you are a small party, but if you have a group - think again. -
Review from Chris B.
9/10/2010
One of Charleston's best restaurants...the price is up there, but you get what you pay for at Anson...amazing food!
Try the crispy flounder...trust me... -
Review from Matthew L.
Charleston, SC
11/3/2008
I'm not the first to review Ansons, but I may be the first on this list to experience swimming to Ansons. Okay, I'm a big fat liar but the situation was close...
Market street flooded over the curb! East Bay was lost in watery darkness minus a few police cars warding people away. Most streets up to meeting were impassably flooded and I owe S Broad residents an apology for silently (and sometimes, not so silently...) judging them about why everyone needs an SUV to drive in the urban jungle of Charleston.
Anyway, the 8 inches of rain combined with high tide made for a fun evening and led/forced us straight to Ansons.
Ansons turned out to be an excellent respite from the storm, and we were amazed to see it was practically packed on a night where local cab companies shut down and cops were evacuating people off some streets.
Food was very good. I can't say it matched the other reviews in terms of being "legendary", but we did only do a smattering of apps. IMO, apps are usually a great litmus test from the menu for most restaurants but Anson's may do things differently. They had a great looking range of fresh fish entrees with can't be replicated well on apps. Haven't had good triggerfish since the keys outside being in ceviche, so I'll be back for that one for sure.
Oyster-based apps were delicious - the roasted had a great flavor & mix of "lowcountry-cooking-meets-fancy-a__-oysters". She-crab was pretty good, but I've reviewed better in the Charleston on my yelp she-crab list.
Wine list had some great choices amongst a throng. We weren't partaking that night due to a small baby lodged in my wife so we were obviously okay with abstaining. Would be interested to see how most of those dishes would pair up come late May, though!
Service was superb. Forgot our server's name but he was on the ball 100% - without being patronizing. Hard to walk that line, speaking from exp. so a hearty "well done".
Anson's atmosphere is very upscale yet extremely friendly even though we didn't have a reservation.
In all, Anson's meets the expectations set forth in the other reviews to the extent of what we tried. Having the most-excellent Hanks just across the street would bury most restaurants but Ansons carves out a slighly different niche of the upscale seafood crowd in Charleston and will likely hold their own for some time to come.
Put it on your list of "must tries" in Charleston.Listed in: Best She Crab in Charleston
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Review from megan w.
San Francisco, CA
11/9/2005
Charleston is quite food-forward. They seem blissfully unaware of any Alice Waters-type organic crunchiness, while turning out beautifully crafted, fresh, gourmet, creative dishes at restaurants all over town. They seem to possess a kind of unselfconscious standard of quality, and little interest in what is happening in New York or San Francisco kitchens. Anson restaurant takes its name from the downtown street on which you'll find it; "Anson" is a name you'll find sprinkled all over the Historic District, including a whole neighborhood - Ansonborough - and pays tribute to another of Charleston's treasured old families.
The food is spectacular. With a signature local sensibility, they feature favorites like she-crab soup and grits and the local fish Grouper, dolled up with dried fruit, chutneys, and cashews. It's eclectic and creative without trying too hard. And it's absolutely scrumptious. It's a bit on the pricey side, as it's gotten a reputation for excellence. -
Review from Aaron R.
Charleston, SC
9/21/2010
My wife and I went to Anson's for New Years Eve dinner at a fairly early seating (6pm). We walked in the door and were immediately seated and greated by our server which is saying something for New Years Eve. We were excited to order from the special NYE menu and had the unfortuate delight of wanting to try many more things than we could actually afford. Settled on two appetizers which the server let us split with no problem and he even doubled the portion on one of them so we could both have enough to enjoy. We brought a bottle from a prior anniversary trip to wine country and the server kept us topped off and didn't even charge us the corkage fee! I was also very impressed with his thorough understanding of the menu. He was able to answer every question we had about the food.
The food came out very quickly and was perfectly cooked and seasoned. I went with the prosciutto wrapped groper and my wife with the herb crusted lamb - both killer! Split a key lime pie dessert with the nuttiest crust and fluffiest whipped cream ever. The last time we came to Anson's was 8 years ago and they are still doing it right. The experience here is top notch from the extremely attentive and knowledgeable servers to the polish of the building and the plates. Perfect for a nice dinner out with friends all the way to an anniversary. -
Review from Carrie Neal W.
Atlanta, GA
11/1/2008
I am waxing a bit nostalgic. You see, my family vacations outside of Charleston; and by vacation, I mean pretty much spends every spare possible moment at Wild Dunes. And this year, we won't be going for any part of Thanksgiving. Which means, among other things, we won't be dining at Anson. I am trying not to cry as I write this review.
Starting with Phil, the most gracious of GM's out of all the restaurants I've ever visited in my 32-year-long dining out career, this is a top-notch place. First of all - it's lovely. Classy, elegant, beautifully appointed. As another reviewer noted- it just IS Charleston. And thanks to the city's personality, the historical presence of Johnston & Wales and the tourist economy, fine dining is an art that hums in this aristocratic coastal town. Anson is a jewel in its crown.
The food is superb. There are so many delectable things that you will have a hard time going wrong, but let me guide you based on my years of dining there.
Start with the calamari - the apricot sauce is lovely. If you like oysters, you will enjoy their "three way platter" - beautifully presented, it's an assortment of raw, fried, and roasted. For appetizers, get the she-crab soup, the crabcake or the Wedge salad if they're using beefsteak tomatoes (a personal preference of mine, vs the cherry or other smaller versions).
The entree choices are just numerous enough and most anyone can find something for their tastes, whether fish, fowl or beef is on your list. If you're up for a "whole fish," go with the Crispy Flounder. It is delicious and quite the presentation. The cashew crusted grouper has been on the menu for years and is outstanding. Personally, I really enjoy their filet and my family and friends who love salmon are never disappointed with Anson's version.
As for sides, they will change out any to get your order right. I simply adore their dinner grits- if you are at all a fan, you just have to try them! They typically have seasonal veggies, I love their green beans and their roasted or mashed potatoes are delicious as well.
The desserts are all divine. The creme brulee is excellent if that's up your alley, though I prefer anything with chocolate or one of their ice creams in a benne basket.
And . . . if you're going to be in Charleston for Thanksgiving, they have a very special Thanksgiving menu so make your reservations now! -
Review from Bucky T.
Durham, NC
9/14/2008 1 Check-in Here
This is the best restaurant i have dined in in a very very long time! It is perfect! You cannot have a good dining experience here, only an exceptional one. The specialty of the house is the encrusted barbequed grouper. Out of this world!
I dined here on my parents 50th anniversary and again on my wedding night. The formality of this place along with the 5-star service makes you feel very special. The dining room is beautiful with guilded frames on the original artwork, the antique fixtures, the white tableclothes and warm carpeted floors.
Historic Charleston is a special place. Everyone should go. When you're there, you would be a fool not to dine at Anson. Trust me!!! Anson IS Charleston.
PS- for desert, get the creme broule. It's the best in the world!
Gourmet Magazine, Wine Spectator,Southern Living, The New York Times, The USA Today and Conde' Nast all give Anson the highest marks and name it THE best restaurant in Charleston -
Review from Vicente G.
San Francisco, CA
3/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
One of the better places I've eaten at in Charleston!
The restaurant's vibe is a bit more old school than I prefer, but my experience was very enjoyable. I dined at the bar and Jeremy the bartender was a joy to converse with - very charming and friendly and gave me some great suggestions for siteseeing in the area.
The seared scallops appetizer with avocados, grapefruit and onions was especially bright and refreshing. I also enjoyed the she crab soup, and was surprised at how creamy and it was. My one disappointed was that the tilefish was a tad too salty and visually too gray looking under the lights.
Definitely go and check this restaurant out - the food is delicious and the service is great! -
Review from Tommy V.
Mount Pleasant, SC
4/24/2007
Anson's food is really good. I got a lamb special, it had a pure grilled flavor that was just great and paired very nicely with a light springy sauce. I also liked the fact that their wine list had about eight half-bottles.
Don't even think about sharing the she crab soup. It's tiny... and delicious. -
Review from Kellie M.
Jonesborough, TN
6/24/2011
Unbelievable. Great service. Fantastic food. Beautiful restaurant. First time ever we've tipped over 20%. This restaurant will be one of our must do's every year on our vacation.
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Review from ken s.
Alexandria, VA
12/25/2011
Christmas dinner was spectacular, especially the appetizers (serrano ham, oyster's with tuna tartar, pumpkin ravoli). Entre's were not far behind....flounder, filet mignon, and grouper. Desserts were way above average but maybe not as spectacular as the foodie part. Decent and inexpensive wine list, attentive but not over bearing service and a great atmosphere. You can't go wrong here....I think the food and holiday menu's have improved from an already high standard from year's past. Good job by a Charleston iconic restaurant to stay on top.
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Review from Chad C.
Ann Arbor, MI
3/21/2011
I think I just caught this restaurant on an off night because I could easily picture this as a 4 or 5 star place. They were very busy, and they had run out of two entrees that I considered. Then after ordering, they came back 10 minutes later to say they had run out of that as well. The flounder I eventually ordered was very good. The place has a snappy casual though refined feel. The waiter was very knowledgeable, but slow to get to us. There was a mix-up on our appetizer. We thought we ordered raw oysters, but fried oysters were served. They gladly remedied the situation, but took a while to do so given they were raw oysters. Again, all this probably because they were really busy. Fix the operational/logistical side of things, and you have a keeper!
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Review from David O.
6/17/2011
We had the filet and the scallops. Awesome! Very pleased with this suggestion from our concierge. Our attire is resort casual. We almost did not come because yelp listed this restaurant as dressy attire. We're all in shorts and we see others in shorts too. Our girls 8 and 5 had the pasta with red sauce. They were happy. Dessert for the girls was vanilla ice cream.
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Review from Jeffrey L.
Round Rock, TX
8/23/2011
outstanding!! best crispy flounder I've ever had.
great ambiance, perfect location in heart of Charleston, adjacent to Market, walking distance to many downtown attractions. -
Review from Ben M.
Greenville, SC
5/21/2011
Everything was great...from the fried mac 'n cheese to the trout and bbq fish to the creme brûlée. Delicious!
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Review from Brian F.
Washington, DC
2/28/2011
This wouldn't be a 2-star review if the prices weren't so steep, but they are and it is. We went here for a knockout Saturday night dinner thinking it was one of the best places in Charleston and were instantly disappointed. The ambiance/vibe was 1980s country club. The table and silverware were generic. The wine glasses were skimpy, the fried okra appetizer was totally bland and boring, and the two scallops (for $14) were ok-ish. We asked for the check after picking at our appetizers. $50 later, we headed out to get some dinner.
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Review from Geoffrey L.
Alexandria, VA
10/9/2011
Absolutely amazing food and the wait staff (jp) was fantastic and very patient with our larger than expected group. Hostesses, however, were very rude when we had to expand our table in an almost empty restaurant. Big turn off but worth it for the food.
