Tempest - Charleston

What an absolutely amazing experience. Between the cocktails, food and service, we were totally blown away. Joe, our bartender, was amazing. The cocktails, the service, it was all impeccable. The manager, Adam, checked in on us and made our experience extra special. I can’t recommend this place enough- we had the best time!

Joe, the BEST BARTENDER, made us the absolute best drinks. The food was out of this world. The manager, Adam, was so kind and checked on us. We truly had the best downtown experience I've had in 10 years. We will be back! Such a great experience.

Our waitress was not very friendly at all. And she didn't seem terribly enthusiastic about any of the dishes. They also have an odd policy of suggesting that people tip the kitchen staff. That seems to us like they are asking us to cover their payroll. We didn't know what to do so we split the tip between the waitress and the kitchen staff, but I doubt if the waitress was terribly happy about that. The portions were small, and when I asked if I could have a crabcake Benedict, the waitress simply said no. That certainly would have been a good way for her to upsell the crabcake and an egg Benedict combo but she didn't think about that.

We went to Tempest for their prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner. It was one of the only restaurants with reservations still available for Thanksgiving dinner. The hostess seemed annoyed that we arrived prior to our reservation time and asked to have a drink at the bar. The food portions were small, but that would have been ok if the quality was better. My mum had the beet salad, risotto, and Black Forest mousse. I had the squash bisque, swordfish, and fall harvest dessert. It was all mediocre at best.

Joseph our server was excellent. We had a discussion about No Stuffing with the Thanksgiving dinner. Chance that I had the same conversation with thew fellow who was sitting next to our table with his family. Just happened to be the owner who got some Thanksgiving stuffing from his other restaurant and gave me a take-out box to bring home. Is that hospitality or what? Made our Thanksgiving.