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Husk
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Restaurants Seafood Restaurants Southern Canadian (Traditional), Seafood, Southern
74-76 Queen StCharleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-2500
- Hours:
Mon 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Mon-Thu, Sun 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Tue-Sat 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 11 pm
Sun 10:30 am - 2 pm
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Patricia S. said: "Great outside waterfront tables or inside tables because of WWII hanger space. Great crab appetizers and Shrimp & Grits. Friendly, attentive staff." read more »
164 reviews for Husk
Review Highlights
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"Great bar next door to restaurant with amazing ctails." In 7 reviews -
"You can't go to Charleston and not try the shrimp and grits." In 8 reviews -
"For desert, we shared a chocolate pecan pie serving." In 6 reviews
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164 reviews in English
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Review from selina l.
4/26/2012
I was able to squeeze in a last minute lunch reservation the night before on a Monday, and am I glad! We went sightseeing in the morning and got there a little early, and ended up sitting on that rocker on the porch for a bit. It has such a southern feel to it. We were seated within 5 minutes of our reservation time.
I love the decor. The wine bottle turned water glass, chalkboard of where the food is from, etc etc. The bread had a sprinkle of sea salt and fresh and warm, and the butter did not disappoint. The printed daily menu seems to have some staples that has been discussed here. We got the wagyu sirloin with marrow sauce and catfish. Both were delish. The cocktail with coconut water was ok, not wowed by it. The prices were very reasonable and they kept my water glass full.
By the way, the next table had shrimp and grits in a iron pot that made me regret not getting it. Don't make that mistake. -
Review from Charles M.
Washington, DC
5/24/2012
Damned that peach pit!
I was lucky enough to find an impromptu table at Husk for lunch today and experienced a truly delightful meal. The service was impeccable, the food insanely good and the experience simply wonderful.
Except for that damned peach pit.
Lunch started with orders of their two punch drinks and we knew we were in good hands. Bread and butter soon followed and I immediately let the belt out a notch knowing that I would love the meal, but regret the exercise necessary to combat this experience.
The main courses followed with the best shrimp and grits Charleston has ever offered - and that is really saying something - and a Fried Chicken BLT that was unfairly good.
I was in heaven. And after seeing in-season peach cobbler with brown butter ice cream on the dessert menu, I knew I might die.
Seriously?!? Brown butter ice cream?!? Reading those words makes my mouth water. And then I tasted it!
Conjure up the best thing you can imagine, then add perfectly baked preaches and the best cobbler you can fathom.
It was so, so, so very good.
Until, I choked on the peach pit that was somehow overlooked and found its way halfway down my throat.
The staff was very kind, the Manager-on-duty when informed said all the right words, but choking simply sucks even when lasting mere seconds.
I look forward to going back and updating this review with the five stars Husk's food should deserve. In the meantime, that damned peach pit still sticks in my mind and thankfully, not my throat. -
Review from Duane D.
Virginia Beach, VA
5/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
When a restaurant receives high praise and acclaim from one of the most popular food publications in print today, Bon Appetit Magazine it kinda heightens your sense to make a reservation and find out why this particular restaurant would be billed "Best New Restaurant in the US for 2011." All the ingredients are there (pun intended). An established chef in Sean Brock (who has been on tv networks like Food Network competing on Iron Chef, to PBS, to most recently Travel Channel on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations just this past Monday), a true commitment to using local ingredients (as evident from the board of purveyors they have when you first enter the restaurant), and a casual atmosphere to enjoy elevated cuisine.
I was in high anticipation of this dinner as I had not been to a celebrity chef's restaurant in over 7 years and that restaurant "Bam!" I was less than impressed. Would've wrote a review about it back then but alas Yelp had not been created. When you first enter the restaurant it is nothing like the traditional brick and mortar environment you would expect. Rather its pretty much a traditional, southern Charleston, 2 story home converted into a restaurant. Nowhere was this more apparent when my girlfriend and I had to walk up a flight of steps to the 2nd floor dining area which interestingly enough had outdoor seating on the terrace. Amusing enough we were sat by the wall by a window with a view... of a neighboring wall from a home next door :) The decor in the restaurant is laid back with pods submerged in grains in a mason jar replacing the stereotypical flowers in a vase. Smart in the sense you don't have to water them constantly and it makes for a unique talking point.
The meal started with this... TN (Tennessee) Foie Gras (duck liver) and Chocolate Parfait with Blackberry Preserves, Normandy Farms Brioche. This was a great opener to the meal. Some of you may be alarmed by the fact that it's duck liver with chocolate shavings. I for one was intrigued. It was delicious! Think of it as an elevated "butter and jam on toast" dish. Well executed and the service on a tree stump plate was great.
For dinner (or Supper as listed on their menu) I had the TX (Texas) Wagyu Sirloin, with Confit Potatoes (potatoes cooked in fat) crusted with Beef Jerky, Ambrose Farms Spinach with Marinated Mushrooms, and Marrow Jus. It was really good. The steak I thought could have used a little more seasoning as eaten on it's own but when combined with the other elements on the dish it was great. The plate definitely had some "why didn't i think of that?" moments like Beef Jerky dust on Potatoes. The marrow jus was a good sauce, a touch runny but then again it is a jus. My girlfriend had the Duo of Heritage Pork from Adam Musick, Smoky Field Peas and Butterbeans, Charleston Gold Rice, and Pot Likker. I actually liked her dish more than mine because of the the roasted pork and pork belly on her plate that were so smoky and unctious. A true representation of a southern classic.
We finished with a Grapefruit Rice Pudding which was not overly sweet and quite refreshing. Just the right size, not too much, not too little.
Husk is one of those restaurants that does good food with what's around the area and creates dishes that people are familiar with with a little twist. They do take reservations and also have a bar area next door to the restaurant if you're looking for light food options and great drinks.
On my way out I was able to get a picture with Chef Sean Brock and it was one of those moments where I admit I was giddy, but at the same time appreciate how real he is (as evident in the shock of me wanting a picture with him) and how he gave credit to his Chef de Cuisine Travis and the staff for the meal.
Anyone looking for a great outing at a fine restaurant in the downtown Charleston area without getting too fancied up should definitely check this place out. Approachable food done really well that will leave you with the itis no doubt! -
Review from Julie R.
5/4/2012
This was the most anticipated dinner of our trip. Hearing this place was the best new restaurant in US, I wanted to check it out big time. Even booking a reservation a month out, we could only get a 6pm reservation on a Wednesday.
When we arrived at the restaurant, it wasn't as busy as the open-table system made it out to be. We opted to sit on the upstairs porch overlooking Queen Street.
When I sat down my water glass had a big lipstick mark across the rim, I pointed it out to the busboy about to fill it and he quickly joked on someones Maybelline outstanding the dishwasher and brought a new one over. Our server, Julie, then came over and apologized for the glass and went on to get drink orders.
I got a signature drink called "Everything but the goat". This was a refreshing combo with strawberry, gin and basil. My hubby got a Van Winkle bourbon he deemed overpriced for the pour.
The little bread in the napkin basket was delicious, it was covered in sea salt and was accompanied by honey bacon lard butter.
For appetizers we got:
"Kentuckyaki" Pig Ear Lettuce Wraps with Sweet Vinegar Marinated Cucumbers and Red Onion, this probably sounds gross to some but please try it, it was delicious! I loved them and wanted more! The ears with thinly crisped and tossed in a glaze. Honestly, it tasted like sweet bacon.
For my entree:
NC Sunburst Farms Trout with Wadmalaw Asparagus, Charred Turnips and Fennel, Wild Ramp Broth: this was amazing!! The whole menu looked great, I was feeling seafood since I had been heavy on the meats. 100% recommend this plate. the fish was served already boned with a crispy skin, on top of an array of the veggies above in a creamy flavorful sauce. Loved it!
My husband:
TX Wagyu Sirloin, Geechie Boy Confit Potatoes, Caramelized Spring Onion and Spinach, Marinated Mushrooms, Marrow Jus: This came out and the cut of steak was really tough and not looking good, it had no flavor either. He just wasn't happy with what arrived and he talked to Julie, who was completely apologetic and offered up something new as soon as possible.
He then got a pork terrine that was a complete 360. He loved the second entree. They brought it out very promptly too, since I had been eating mine.
Husk satisfied both of us in the end and the service was perfect. Even the manager on that night came over to address my husband on the steak and make sure the new entree was satisfying.
We will recommend Husk. Check out the cool bar next door too. .Listed in: Southern Belle
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Review from Nancy L.
Pig Ears and Shrimp & Grits. Just do it!
Besides the shrimp and grits, I also tasted the catfish and steak; the chick peas in the catfish was too hard, and the steak was alright. Nothing too impressive. The shrimp and grits was my favorite, but should I be impressed since it is their local dish here at Charleston?
A bit side notes: the pig ears were a bit too crisp for me. I still like the traditional Asian style better: the perfect combination of meat, skin and cartilage and you can distinctly taste each. I don't like how Husk deep fries their pig ears since the crispness really takes away the essence of munching on the cartilage. Sounds like true barbarian, now watch out America!
PS: don't like the service here. We were here for Sunday brunch and the waiter looked like he hasn't completely woken up. No smiles and didn't seem to feel like talking when asked about their specialties; seriously, you have my permission to take the day off. -
Review from Ben E.
Charlotte, NC
4/17/2012
In short...Husk lives up to the expectations. We are down in Charleston for our anniversary, and it was highly recommended that we eat here. Let me back up I had to make dinner reservations 3 weeks out, and still had to pull some strings to get a decent time. Up until last night my favorite dinner spot in Charleston was SNOB.
We got to the restaurant a little early and decided to have a drink at the bar. It is really cool in that it is in a detached 2 story carriage house. The mixed drinks were great and there presentation was even better. Once we got in the restaurant we were seated immediately. The restaurant has a great ambience about it, painted mostly in neutrals and has a coastal earthy feel to it. All the food is locally sourced or from small farms, the restaurant is very proud that. The wait staff is very knowledgable, hospitable and attentive.
We had pimento cheese with house cured ham as an app. Due to some mix up or something in the kitchen we actually ended up with an additional 2 appetizers, claims and pig ear lettuce wraps. The pig ear was probably my favorite of the meal. Think great bacon, that is what it reminded me of. The entree were perfect too, a sirloin and trout., but the standout was the side of grits. Another must if you go.
If your in town you got to go. -
Review from Jess H.
Tampa, FL
4/25/2012
Yum. Yum. Yum. Everything about this place is so good it makes me want to smack my momma! The blade oysters with cucumber buttermilk broth were the perfect start to a fabulous meal. The briney oyster mixed with the coolness of the cucumber and acidity of the buttermilk was heaven for my tastebuds. We opted to try a bunch of small plates because they all sounded amazing. And they were! Lastly, the buttermilk pie. Do yourself a favor. Get it! So simple, yet so tasty! The pie crust was perfect and made the dessert!
Had the sweet tea brined jalapeño cilantro glazed wings at the bar and enjoyed them beyond belief. The "everything but the goat" cocktail was the perfect pairing with the spiciness of the wings. We even tried to come back the next night for happy hour just for this drink, only to find out they were out of arugula. Thus, no cocktail. Boo.
My only complaint would be that we had reservations and arrived about an hour and a half early to enjoy the wonderful cocktails next door and they ended up not being able to sit us until 40 minutes after our reservation time.... With no apology. Dissapointing. Thank goodness it was followed by an epic meal. -
Review from Olivia W.
New York, NY
Updated - 4/2/2012
Update: Back at Husk one year later, it is clear that all of the initial missteps have been corrected. My meal was wonderful. I started with the famous (infamous?) pig ear lettuce wraps. They were as good as expected. My Wagyu beef entree was solid. I'm not a regular meat eater, but was sold on the cut of meat after our attentive waitress did an A+ job selling the menu. A friends oyster appetizer was hands down the best oyster dish I've ever had. Everyone at the table agreed. When Sean Brock sources from his local vendors, he doesn't mess around. Most of his ingredients really are the best of the best. The oysters were a testament to his southern style and his commitment to local ingredients.
As a New Yorker, I must admit that the bar at Husk beats most of the 4 star bars here in Manhattan. It's world class with just the right amount of Southern cool.
Overall, a great bar and restaurant.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/25/2011
I was excited to try Husk after a marvelous review from the NY Times back in Feb. … Read more »
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Review from candy c.
Elmhurst, IL
Let me start by saying, I know you will still order the cornbread. But I'm tell you, it isn't all that. It's kind of dry and not flavorful. But the honey butter with bacon lard is fab. I also loved their rolls.
The fried green tomatoes are perfect with the tomato jam; it adds just the right acidity. My husband had the duck with Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes and it was tasty. The oysters were good but poorly shucked-- I had several shell chips in mine. The grits with mushrooms were great and probably my favorite dish. All in all, it was a good meal but I can't say it met my expectations for Bon Appetit's best new award.
While the service was adequate, Husk should take note of Fig's superb service. There was just a sense that we were lucky to be dining at Husk. -
Review from Diana S.
Chicago, IL
3/19/2012
I was prepared to write a five star for HUSK - We made reservations a month in advance.
I'll start with the food which was very good. We recommend the ribs and soft-shell crab for appetizers. Every entree we ordered was nicely prepared. We sat upstairs and enjoyed the space very much. The wine was good - cocktails average.
Unfortunately, the service was a complete disappointment. Our waiter seemed like he didn't actually work there - it was like he was a stand-in for the regular wait staff. In order to tell us about each dish, he read from them menu and his attitude bordered on indifferent to arrogant. Not what you'd expect from all that I've read about the owner.
I would try it again, I think..... -
Review from Allen H.
La Quinta, CA
Updated - 5/11/2012
Another Husk visit and another great evening. Toughest part is to get reservations at what is really dinner time. A month in advance and we still could only get 5:45 on a Sunday evening.
Again, there were no complaints from anyone on their meals but the real winners were: (1) the Grits side with mushrooms and cheese (again - this one is a regular order now), (2) the pre-meal bread with the sea salt crust, the flounder, not so much for the fish but the succotash with corn tomatoes and asparagus served with it was awesome, (3) the small plate chicken livers - OK with bacon, but jeez were they good and (4) the soft shell crabs which you should grab if they are on the menu. Wasn't crazy about the strawberry soup with crab - liked both parts, but not together.
The wine list is good - but the terroir style takes a little to get used to - still we find a rhone grape blend from Washington that was both tasty and affordable.
Until the next time!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/31/2011
Through a few scheduling mix-ups, we ended up with 3 hard-to-get reservations here within a ten day… Read more »
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Review from Daragh C.
Oakland, CA
3/4/2012
I was really looking forward to eating at Husk. My husband and I made two reservations; one for brunch at 2pm and one for dinner later that same evening.
To sum it up: Food fine, service "meh". For those that want the details, read on...
We showed up at 11am to see if we could wait for a table to eat a little earlier and they were completely booked for the rest of brunch service. We decided to keep our 2pm reservation and to come back good and hungry.
I was really looking forward to the burger since our server at Poogan's Porch had raved about how it was the best burger on the planet.
So, we showed up and sat down. Service was a bit slow to start out but that was okay since we were not in a hurry. My husband made a comment to the server that we heard the burger was the best in town to which she responded, "It is! We ground three different meats (lamb, beef, and pork) to make the patty". Now to most people this would sound like heaven, but to me it was a little personal hell. I am allergic to pork...I know, who the hell is allergic to pork...little old lucky me unfortunately.
I said to our server, "Oh no, I am allergic to pork!" I swear to you, she literally backed away from the table with a really strange look on her face. She said nothing, just kind of walked away. It was the first time someone actually made me feel bad for having a pork allergy. It was weird.
In any case, when she came back I asked her a few more questions about the menu and it seemed like almost everything had pork in it...even the butter is made with pork! She kept saying, "Well, you know dear, we're known for being a pork place"...sorta like she was implying "why the hell did you come here" but stopped short of actually saying it. Just to vent a little, I really honestly didn't know they were known for pork. Like most people in the area, I am a tourist visiting from out of town and clearly missed the memo. I mean, the name of the restaurant is Husk, not effin Pork, so give me a break lady!
I ended up having the wagyu beef steak and egg, with a side of grits. It normally comes with some porky hash potatoes but special me had to have something else in it's place.
Husband had the burger and said it was really delicious. Not the best burger ever but good.
We also started our meal with an order of the crusted fried chicken skins. Very tasty!
All in all, an okay experience. The food was good, but the service we had was strange. I don't really like being called "dear" from servers, or really anyone that is not my husband for that matter, it felt a bit condescending.
We ended up canceling our dinner reservation for that evening. I wanted to make sure I could go somewhere that didn't make me feel like a pork leper. -
Review from Eli G.
There are a certain class of restaurants that I love so dearly, that make me feel at home and truly honor the food they prepare for you. In LA, Chez Melange/Bouzy (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) is one of the few spots we return to again and again, because we know the menu is constantly evolving with the seasons, and the service is always spot on.
Husk is the south-eastern equivalent, but with the add-on bonus of having a James Beard award winning chef at the helm. Transforming local ingredients with ease and adding a twist to every dish, so everything is reinvented and reimagined. As soon as you walk into Husk, which lays beneath the shell of a southern manor, you'll see their 15' tall chalkboard that lists out all if not most of their ingredients and the local farm or supplier from which they came. Instantly you'll know you're in for a treat.
I'm still kicking myself for not bringing my camera, but what can you do when you're with clients. As luck would have it, the group I was with were all into food almost as much as me. This meant lots of sharing and lots of variety. I can honestly say that everything we had was amazing. From the apps to the desserts, nothing was faulty.
Hopefully I'll be going back to Charleston this year, which means another trip to Husk, and I won't neglect to bring my camera! -
Review from Robert H.
Sunnyvale, CA
3/2/2012
I really have to do some thorough soul searching whenever I am tempted to award 5 stars. I think many Yelpers may be too generous in that regard. Just saying this to fully qualify my rating. This is without a doubt a five star experience.
We started in the Husk Bar which is in a separate historic business next door to the restaurant itself. Four of us each had a classic cocktail before dinner. My Rum Swizzle inspired me to the point that I once we got home, I acquired all the ingredients and have been experimenting to reproduce the tasty version I had at Husk Bar.
The Husk restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and well designed. Busy restaurants are noisy, but the high ceilings helps keep the restaurant noise somewhat quieter. The menu itself is truly innovative with several dimensions (Dim Sum, small plates, and entrees). I wished we lived in Charleston. There is no way to fully explore the variety in a single visit.
We started with nicely done salads of local produce and an order of deep fired chicken skins stuffed with pimento cheese. And no, there was no free Lipitor served with this tasty indulgence, but damn, was it good. Go figure. We stuck with entrees for each diner, with two fish entrees, a lamb dish, and, of course, a steak for me. My steak was perfect, a Wagyu rib eye from Texas.
Husk makes a serious effort to use local ingredients. they even have a large "credits" board as you enter the place. They list all the major ingredients that comprise the day's menu, identifying the farm, fishery, or purveyor that supplied the ingredient. Maybe some people won't care, but I liked the effort.
Can't wait to be back in Charleston to try Husk again. -
Review from Zach R.
Charlotte, NC
3/25/2012
Brunch.
Get the burger. Thank me later. (it sounds boring when compared to these whimsical descriptions of other menu options, but the cheesebuger is unbelieveably good). Pork plus beef plus bacon patties (yes 2) with cheese, mustard, mayo and pickles on a soft bun. -
Review from Ishie S.
Charleston, SC
5/16/2012
I took my mom here for her birthday. I thought the food was excellent, the ambiance good, and the fact that they can call over to their neighboring bar for you is an added plus. It is expensive, and they have adopted the ever popular charge ala carte for sides, which knocks a star off. The service was friendly and prompt. I had the flounder on the waitress' recommendation (the menu changes daily) and was extremely impressed. Leave room for desert. I had the lemon pie with coffee crust and wow.
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Review from Sheila C.
Bethesda, MD
5/16/2012
We had dinner at Husk, I am not a novice when it come to fine food, dinning and drink. I don't know what the big deal is with this place. The setting is charming, the location is good if your staying in downtown Charleston SC. The atmosphere is delightful, relaxing, hip but not pretentious or elitist. The service was good. Wine list was good. My fish was good/ok but they gave me the tail of the fish :(. Wth? The fish was in a sauce that over powered the dish. Others at our table felt their meals were good but the dishes had sauces that seem to over power the flavor of the food. Husk is good, I would go back, it's charming and delightful inviting atmosphere, good service and I really liked the place. The food is good, seems very fresh, it's worth going to and It's not to loud. Enjoy! Charleston has lots of good restaurants, this is one of them. I am hoping next visit my food will be outstanding.
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Review from S H.
Franklin, TN
5/6/2012
We just visited Charleston for my birthday last weekend and went to HUSK after reading about it in Bon Appetit. Simply put, the entire experience at HUSK (food, service, cocktails, wine selection) was AMAZING. We sat comfortably for 3 hours under Julie's care and were not rushed through.
To start, we had some delicious cocktails: Tequila sunsets and Dragoon punches. Both were refreshing. The tequila sunset a delicious spin on a margarita, but not quite as sweet, however, the Dragoon punch was the favorite! So much so that we actually came back Saturday afternoon and sat the afternoon away on HUSK's beautiful front porch drinking Dragoon punches. Anyway, I digress. On to the food!!! For starters we ordered the mussels, clams, pig ear lrttuce wraps, ribs and fried green tomatoes. We couldn't decide which we loved most, although the leftover broth from the clams was pretty spectacular with HUSK's melt-in-your-mouth bread. "Bread?" you ask? YES! Please do yourself a favor and do not deprive yourself. I will not elaborate on it....you just ave to try it. In fact, do yourself a favor and leave your diet at home. Come to HUSK to indulge your inner foodie.
For our main courses, our friends both had the pork dish (I believe it was a pork chop), my husband had the cornmeal dusted catfish, and I had a trout. We also got their sides of cabbage and their the cheesy grits with oyster mushrooms. everyone raved about their meals, especially my husband over the catfish. The only thing he wished for were more of the smokey tomatoes. We topped dinner off with the lemon pie in a jar with chocolate ganache.
We loved this place so much that we came back for Sunday brunch before our flight home. That meal was just as scrumptious. I highly recommend the cheeseburger and Monte Cristo.
Thank you to Sean for the spectacular food, and to Jessica and Julie for their wonderful service. We plan on making annual trips back, not only to visit beautiful Charleston, but to dine at HUSK. -
Review from Leslie G.
2/24/2012
Of the many great restaurants I went to while on vacation in Charleston recently, Husk was by far my favorite. Everything I had here was superb.
My boyfriend and I had dinner here on a Tuesday night--something we planned about a month in advance because we were so excited to try this place (don't even think about trying to get in here without a reservation). The atmosphere is chic but not overly fancy. In fact, it felt fairly cozy, which was nice.
To start, we were served hot bread with a delicious honey butter (I could probably eat that every day). Next, we split a beet and arugula salad as an appetizer, which was very light and delicious. For my main course, I had the cornbread-stuffed quail with apples, sweet potatoes, and brussels sprouts--absolutely phenomenal! My boyfriend had the sirloin, which he said was good but not the best steak ever (I think that had more to do with the fact that it was sirloin than how it was cooked). We shared a side of cheesy grits with mushrooms, and we both agreed that these were the best grits we've ever had. Finally, we split the apple bread pudding for dessert, which was also amazing.
My only complaint about the entire experience had to do with the extremely obnoxious group of people sitting near us. I think they were attempting to celebrate Mardi Gras or something even though we weren't in New Orleans. They were pretty distracting, but that really wasn't the restaurant's fault. I'll definitely be returning to Husk the next time I'm in Charleston.Listed in: Restaurants, Out of Town
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Review from Cheryl M.
Irvine, CA
4/15/2012
My husband and I spent 3 says eating our way through Charleston. We are fortunate to have enjoyed many fine dining experiences in major cities around the country and Husk was comparable - fresh ingredients (the owner posts the local suppliers for main ingredients in the entrance way), combined in an imaginative way, resulting in wonderful flavors. I especially enjoyed the comfortable, relaxing ambiance. No pretense, just good food.
This was our first time to Charleston and my husband had fortunately made reservations several weeks in advance. According to several Charlestonians it is hard to get in so reservations a must. We went on a Saturday night so fully packed. Nevertheless the service was reasonably good, although not as attentive as some similar restaurants. Dessert took a while so my cappuccino was cold by time dessert arrived. Server forgot to ask if my husband needed cream for his coffee and then disappeared. My husband ended up drinking it black. These were relatively minor incidents, though, compared to our overall experience.
The food:
The cocktails are fun and flavorful. The fresh roasted beats and salad were perfectly cooked and not overly dressed so that we could enjoy the earthy, sweet flavor of the beats. My husband had the pork belly and it was done very well with a crispy,smoky skin. Perfectly prepared! I highly recommend ordering a side of grits. Best grits I've ever had! Prepared with oyster mushrooms and cheese. Amazingly they retained their creamy texture throughout the meal! The waiter recommended the strawberry shortcake for dessert. It was a big disappointment! Dry shortcake with almost no cream and even fewer strawberries. Even worse, the strawberries were not very sweet. I also think Husk makes the same mistake that many restaurants do by not focusing on the quality of there coffee nor properly preparing it. Tee could have eaten it with a spoon, the coffee was so thick'.
In summary, great ambiance, good cocktails, starters and suppers. Unfortunately our meal ended on a bit of a sour note, which is a real shame for a restaurant of this quality to drop the ball in the final yard. -
Review from Chuck V.
Queensbury, NY
5/2/2012
We came to Charleston for our 3rd anniversary and went here for our anniversary day dinner. The food was great, the service fantastic and the atmosphere Southern for sure. We had a great time and a wonderful meal. We were seated upstairs which was a little out of the busy, busy downstairs dining room which was nice. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and she directed toward so great deserts at the end! Excellent!
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Review from Michele T.
Hartford, CT
3/1/2012
I highly recommend the brunch if you can't get in for dinner. We were certainly not disappointed in the selection of ingredients and preparations of our meals.
We made our brunch reservations on a Friday for late Sunday afternoon without any hassle.
The night before we cocktailed next door in the barn and ordered the cheese plate with a variety of drinks. The drinks alone are worth a visit and truly innovative. I doubt I could ever recreate anything from Husk nor could anyone else. -
Review from Andrew H.
Charleston, SC
2/22/2012
When I heard Husk was named America's best new restaurant, I obviously had to try it. Being well versed with the menu of America's best old restaurant, Peter Luger's, my curiosity was peaked. How on earth will this place compare? Does it have a plate dedicated solely to tomatoes and onions?
No. But that's OK. Husk offers a wide variety of southern favorites, from your traditional fried pickles to pulled barbecue. The catfish rivaled Hominy Grits, but did not overtake it.
Now, how does this stack up against Peter Lugers? Well, it doesn't. Nowhere did I see steal for 2, nor did they give out overwhelmingly large baskets of hard bread. But it was good. On the Luger scale, I'll give it 4/5 stars. I'll review this place against after eating there with a glass of knob creek. -
Review from Jessica H.
Jacksonville, FL
2/19/2012
I got engaged here!!!
The meal was phenomenal. I really enjoyed the side bar at Husk where my fiance and I started the night off. I was super was envious of the fried pickles and hamburgers the couple next to us ordered. It looked divine. The side bar has a really awesome feel to it and the bartenders are super sharp. I do wish they were playing some bluegrass or other southern tunes to match the decor (they were playing some weird, moaning Nickleback style music) but regardless, my experience was excellent and I urge everyone to check it out.
My only complaint of my meal at restaurant Husk was the cornbread in a skillet everyone claims is to die for. It was very greasy (and not good greasy) and over the top savory. However, I am a fan of sweeter cornbread so that may be why I didn't fall in love with it.
All in all, Husk is a fabulously fantastic addition to a fabulously fantastic city! -
Review from Rebecca B.
Asheville, NC
4/11/2012
Seriously this was the only decent meal we had in Charleston. Beautiful setting, great drinks, the food full of flavor, and good service. If I ever go to Charleston again, this will be my first stop. My only one complaint is how many times we had to ask for bread refills before they delivered.
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Review from Stephen N.
Charlotte, NC
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
I really don't think I can state anything within this review that hasn't already been said (I mean, c'mon, #1 Best New Restaurant in America...).
I simply wanted to put in my 5 stars, say this place is amazing, and while the bar is already set pretty high in Charleston, Husk leaps over it.
A microcosm of the experience is realizing that something as simple as the butter that's served with your bread is some sort of magical pork fat rendered creation that excites your tastes buds & makes you question the norm of what we've been accustomed to eating all our lives.
Everything's fresh, everything's local, everything's handmade, and every restaurant in America should take a page from the book that Chef Sean Brock is writing down in Charleston. -
Review from Matt R.
2/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Oh how I longed to eat at Husk after reading about it in Bon Appetit. Had to wait over 2 months until I was back in Charleston on business, and to get a reservation.
I asked for one of the tables outside since it was an unseasonably warm evening in late January, definitely enhanced the experience, being in the shadow of a huge magnolia tree in the front of the restaurant.
I had the oysters as a appetizer, done Rockefeller style. They were good, but nothing special in mind mind. Wished I had ordered the crostini with pimento cheese.
My entree was the Apple Cornbread stuffed Quail with "Farroto" (farro cooked in the style of risotto), with greens and sweet potatoes. Quail was so juicy and and only a few leg bones made them easy to eat.
Dessert was the Brown Butter Pecan Tart with Buttermilk ice cream. I really enjoyed the ice cream, which had a very unique flavor and mild sweetness. It was definitely not vanilla ice cream.
Despite the above average prices, the meal was excellent, servers were knowledgeable, and I'm glad to say I've eaten at such an acclaimed restaurant! -
Review from Charles G.
Charlottesville, VA
4/25/2012
Had brunch this Sunday at Husk. It was remarkable food. My wife had the watermelon soup, which was not sickly sweet, but tart and savory and absolutely delicious. I had the catfish in a tomato/pea succotash and she had the baloney/croque monsieur- both terrific. The desserts were off the charts: my blueberry crumble with enormous blueberries done perfectly- again sweet/tart, not cloying-with some malted vanilla icecream, and she had the meyer lemon pie in a small mason jar, with a surprise layer of mocha espresso in the middle. To die for.
Cattie was our server and she was spunky and fun. This is a really great restaurant, fully worthy of all the gushing reviews. We can hardly wait to go back. (Need to do something about the sourpuss/ slightly overwhelmed young women at the front desk- only discordant note in an otherwise wonderful experience). -
Review from Sarah B.
Athens-Clarke County, GA
1/16/2012
I was told Husk was the #1 restaurant presently in the United States according to Bon Appetit magazine. Needless to say, my expectations were high. It was good but wouldn't say #1 restaurant in the US or even Charleston. However, part of my disappointment was that it was restaurant week and Husk had narrowed it's menu to take part. I had the fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese which was "eh" (I mean, we're in the south and those two things are a dime a dozen so if you serving up either, the restaurant best "bring it"). Pork and greens was my entree and that was really good, greens more than the pork. Chicken was the only let down at our table.
Now, if you do go here, you have to go early (or stay late) and hang out at the bar. The drinks and atmosphere are fabulous. I recommend the Fire in the Orchard.
Overall, my favorite thing was the atmosphere (both restaurant and bar) and the drinks. The restaurant was cozy and for the first time in a long time eating out, I felt like I was enjoying dinner with my friends and not the tons of others the restaurant was trying to cram in within a foot of each other to maximize space. -
Review from Maggie A.
Washington, DC
1/17/2012
Enjoyed Sunday Brunch at Husk last week. I would have loved to dine there for dinner, but I was visiting from out of town and there was no way I could squeeze in an evening reservation at Bon Appetit's Best Restaurant of 2011. No complaints--I'm just happy we were able to get a reservation for brunch.
I ordered the pork belly Monte Cristo---thick, soft eggy bread with a salty, melty pork belly and fried egg on top. Dee-lish. And even though it was technically still breakfast, I ordered the oatmeal pie with salted caramel ice cream---with no regrets.
My partner was quite disappointed in his jalapeno and mushroom omelet---I suppose they were trying to make it look unique, but it was dry and overcooked (but he did gobble up the creamy cheddar grits on the side).
I'll make a better effort to get a dinner reservation when I'm in Charleston next time. -
Review from Kristen B.
Charleston, SC
5/13/2012
I've been meaning to eat a Husk for a while now but wanted to wait until the hype died down. We ended up going for lunch. The service was decent -the server did forget the appetizer we ordered but besides that was very attentive and kind. I enjoyed the ambience - if you can get a spot on the upstairs patio on a nice day, it's very lovely. Food was good. I wouldn't say over the top good but definitely above average. Did it live up to the hype? Not necessarily but I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
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Review from Ross S.
Green Cove Springs, FL
4/18/2012
I echo the majority of other reviews. It was very good in all respects except the terrible water. Which of course isn't unique to this venue. We enjoyed all aspects of our lunch. Apparently it is almost impossible to get into for a evening meal. We waited about 20 minutes for lunch.
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Review from Robert M.
Bellevue, WA
4/10/2012
I wasn't impressed with the bar but the restaurant was spectacular. Service was attentive and thoughtful and the entrees, sides and salads were fresh, unusual and outstanding.
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Review from Robyn M.
Fairfax, VA
4/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
My sister and I ate here last night. We split two starters, a salad and a shaved ham tray from area states. We both got the pork. I enjoyed what was with my pork more than the pork, but that is just me. Yummy broth with two beans a little rice, and something green. My sister loved the pork chop. We both thought the entire meal was great, and service was good as well. No complaints other than we ate too much! If you are in Charleston, try to eat at Husk. I gave 4 stars because we got the side of greens, and they weren't bad, but not good either. It takes a southern gal's hand to get those right I guess.
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Review from Scott M.
Washington, DC
12/30/2011
I had heard of Husk before, but I did not know it was regarded as one of the best restaurants in America... so luckily, my expectations were not through the roof. I really enjoyed my experience. The food and drink were excellent.
My family came for a no-reservations lunch. The wait was about 40 minutes (not bad since the restaurant is close to the many shops on King Street). We ordered the pimento cheese and ham crostinis for the table. Very good and creamy with the right amount of kick tempered by the ham. I ordered a cocktail, Fire in the Orchard, which is basically an Old Fashioned plus smoked apples (waiter said they were put in a smoker out back ... who knows?) and jalapenos. It was quite smokey and spicy indeed. But I wanted to take a chance with a drink I would probably not find anywhere else and was not disappointed. My mother ordered a house martini. They use Svedka as their rail vodka. That's not bad I guess.
I had to have the shrimp and grits. They were so good. The shrimp were large and very tender. The grits were amazingly creamy with the right amount of pepper. I expected chunks of sausage (as many southern places do) but to me it seemed like the sausage was minced and mixed into the gravy, which was fine. Most places mess up the proportion of shrimp to grits (usually too much grits) but Husk got it right. It's a very hearty dish.
The ambiance and decor was very lovely for lunch. The dining room is spacious and feels homey, with lots of great ambient light that makes the food present very well. The decor is reminiscent of wine country with elements of cape cod.
I was really impressed with the prices at Husk. I don't eat out in Charleston but once every few years, yet the prices were very very affordable considering the high quality and locally sourced ingredients. It was very cool to see the board in the foyer listing what farms each ingredient is sourced from.
It's not really a question of if I'll try to get back to Husk but rather when. -
Review from Jim L.
2/7/2012
It's hard to be hyped as the best new restaurant in the USA and live up to that reputation every day - especially with a new menu every day. There is also the luck of the draw in which dish you select. Our experience was very good, but not outstanding.
First some positives. It's great that they source locally and innovate in the combination of ingredients.
The wine list is excellent.
The shrimp and grits is divine! Topped with a poached egg for extra richness when you stir in the egg yolk. Two other qualities were their own red pepper sauce which had all of the flavour but toned down the heat. And they seem to do all sorts of things with pig ears on the menu. Added as crispy slivers to this dish put it all over the top.
Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable. Service was not rushed (we were there for two hours), nor was it too slow.
Now the negatives.
The Bibb salad had a strange combination of ingredients and a surfeit of pimento cheese.
The snapper with its chowder sauce was underwhelming.
The cornbread stuffed quail was only OK, although the risotto and Brussels sprout accompaniment were tasty.
What could have been an outstanding espresso was served lukewarm.
It's a popular spot, so it is a bit noisy.
In conclusion, perhaps our expectations were too high. Perhaps we didn't make the best menu choices. But it wasn't a five star experience for us. -
Review from J B.
Atlanta, GA
3/30/2012
beautiful place .. very well done, clean, and upscale. I'm vegetarian and they made me a great veggie plate and modified other menu items to suit me ! the bar next door is very intimate and low key ... a must visit !!!!
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Review from Minh T.
1/10/2012
This has to be one of the best restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of dining at in my life. There aren't many restaurants where I've been where I could say that everything I ate was to-die-for.
Being recently acclaimed as the best new restaurant in America has set the bar high, but what a way to set the bar. This restaurant takes "organic" and "locally sourced" to a new level. As a critic I read up on before dining put it, "Sean Brock is the best farmer to have become a chef."
The fried chicken skins are every KFC-going kid's dream and the pig ears were absolutely delicious. The butter lettuce salad was so incredibly fresh and perfectly dressed. Our lamb chops and Waygu steak were cooked to perfection - juicy and tender, and full of flavor. I remember there being a dessert, but I was in so much discomfort trying to stuff it in, it has evaporated from my memory, but I'm sure it was delicious.
One thing i will say that both the Cabernet and Chardonnay we ordered weren't quite what the notes described them to be so I would try to be more discerning with wine choice if I went again in the future.
As expected, the service was impeccable and prompt. Just make sure you make reservations and arrive a little early. We didn't get a chance to visit the bar, but it instantly looked impressive. You'll also walk right by Husk if you're not careful.
And who says the only top southern chefs are on the Food Network? -
Review from Lindsay B.
Omaha, NE
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Husk is a wonderful little place, with high quality, simple, thoughtful food, service and ambiance. Exactly what I look for in a restaurant. Our server was friendly, honest and extremely knowledgeable.
I was here the last week of May 2011. We shared the fried chicken skins with hot sauce honey - incredibly addictive! My drink was the southern screwdriver: fresh squeezed orange juice with jalapeño macerated vodka and a touch of basil. It was quite spicy, yet fresh and well balanced. My entree was the braised pork shoulder with corn grits and greens (collards, kale and turnip). The depth of flavor and texture were dreamy and so delicious! Perhaps a touch over salted, but I only felt that way after eating every last bite on my plate. Our table also shared the baked cheddar grits (to-die-for crusty corners) and the butter braised zucchini and squash which were perfectly crisp-tender.
This was the perfect way to end our visit to Charleston, and I feel fortunate that we were able to get in. They are completely booked on weekends for the next 6 weeks. Highly recommended! -
Review from Lee Lee M.
Bronx, NY
5/11/2012
I made a reservation for Husk 60 days in advance so my expectations were really high considering how much hype Sean Brock is getting these days. Did Husk live up to the hype, I'm not so sure...but was the food DAMN good...HECK YEAH!!!!!!!! This restaurant really rates 4.5 stars but I'm rounding to 5 because we also had great service! I'm a person who is seriously into farm to table (we raise even raise our own pigs) and I can pretty much trace almost everything in my fridge to a farmer about 90% of the time so I'm always incredibly impressed when a chef really gets it. Many restaurants try to tout themselves as being locally sourced but Husk takes it to a different level, all of the farmers and farms are listed on a chalk board and you can definitely taste it in the food. This is impressive because I know from experience it's extremely difficult to do. The fried pig ear lettuce wraps are no short of genius! A perfect package of cold and hot and crunchy and sweet and sour and salty. Fried green tomatoes were very good as well but not out of the ordinary. The BF loved the pimento cheese, I've been avoiding pimento cheese like the plague since I was 2 so sorry Mr. Brock but yours isn't any better than my Great Grandmothers and I couldn't stand hers (matter of taste here). The pork with butter beans and pot likker was truly amazing, perfectly elevated simple southern cuisine. Catfish looked delicious too but my father sucked it down before I could get a bite. The only dish that didn't do it for me was the wagyu sirloin was prepared perfectly but just not that southern and not that interesting just upscale beef dish perfectly prepared and very tasty (in defense of the kitchen not sure how steak can be made interesting). The desserts were very tasty but definitely not the high light. I found that my berries and cream biscuit needed some berry sauce (a little dry for my taste). All in all a great meal and we will definitely be back.
On a side note get there a little early for your reservation and have some of the locavore cocktails next door YUMMY!
