Élevé Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge — Restaurant in Charleston

We’re here now and I saw the reviews prior. I don’t like to totally prejudge and give people/establishments the benefit of a doubt. The Grand Bohemian is a luxury hotel and the service should reflect that. People spend money for many reasons and one is the service. This place does have the potential to be a 5 star restaurant, but everything starts with the people, no matter how beautiful the ambiance and cuisine. Unfortunately, the critical reviews seem constant pervasive year after year and it’s a simple fix. I’m only giving this place a somewhat critical review out of decency because I would like to see it thrive. I reiterate this place has potential to be 5 stars. The service staff seem to be stopping it.

Upon arrival, the host we discussed sitting inside or outside. She said we can take a look. She could have walked us there and showed us better seating. No major gripe with her, but the hostess is your initial contact with a restaurant establishment and she didn’t seem quite confident to be front and center.

Next, I guess there’s two Nina’s here, one our initial server and the manager. The blonde Nina, mind you very empty restaurant, my son counted 9 people in this large establishment. Nina walked passed our table about 4 times, never once looking at us. I kept looking out to the floor and no one looked at us. Actually, let me recant that, a black male busboy did. Why isn’t he a server here? He smiled at us. The only one to acknowledge our existence. What he doesn’t have the right look? Why is a person with this candor in a subservient position? As a person of color, in America I have to always question these things since I know race always places a prevalent role.

Finally, Nina, the blonde came over and I said, it would have been decent if you could have greeted us upon arriving. I don’t mind waiting, but for a luxury establishment there’s a higher expectation. I don’t even think my expectations were high, but this is just basic common sense, decency and respect. She didn’t address my constructive criticism, absolutely no interpersonal skill. She just talked about the specials and made the start of my birthday week, to say the least annoying to say the least. Her attitude was as if I don’t want to work and be here. I went to tell the manager, I did not want her to be our server. Any negativity I don’t want that person near me.

The manager Nina is great at her job. She looks possibly Pacific Islander or something, the one critical critique is, when I told her about the server she said, “She’s not generally like that.” I don’t like being gaslit, the reviews for years discuss the same issues with the servers. With Nina’s denial, I hardly doubt Nina is talking to her staff. The very constant critical reviews seem to deal with a lack of leadership with professional conduct. The thing is, I can tell Nina knows better. What is going on with the morale of this place? Notable to say, another waitress had on a very short skirt. If she would have bent over, her buttocks would have been exposed Am I luxury dining or at Hooters?

Her service was great, please talk to your staff. It’s eroding customer relations, and everyone there seems to be in a weird energy. Our sous chef was sweet, he came out to greet us. He did as for improvements, which I respect. I didn’t think about this one until after. Our food was very much so room temperature. The presentation was great, and I really think everything, even the food would taste better if whatever toxicity is there amongst the staff would be rectified. I just don’t get why so many people are miserable. Our society is totally lacking humility. In my younger years being a waitress, I always had pride and professionalism even when I didn’t have much. That never changed no matter what I was feeling, or what was going on with me personally. We know this is a new generation they’re different to say the least and the work ethic...

I made reservations two weeks in advance for a sunset dinner for my husband's birthday, even stating it was a special occasion on the reservation. When we arrived the inside was empty which is a shame since it is beautiful. We were taken outside and seated at the worst table on the patio (which someone was sitting at and was asked to move), then waited for the table to be cleaned. There were two high top tables with lovely views that we asked if we could sit there. We were told no by the hostess, those are reserved. We asked the waitress if there was anywhere else and were treated like derelicts when she said those are for people with reservations, said with attitude. When we explained that we had reservations, for a birthday, they made us stand around while they talked about whether we should have one of the empty nice tables. It was eventually offered to us but by then we did not want to stay. I believe it must of started with the hostess not listening when we arrived. My open table reminder came up on my phone so she had never checked the reservation. The only shining moment was the bartender Morgan. She saved this from being one star. She was kind and very friendly and professional, going out of her way to try and fix the problem. I am certain one of the "nice" reserved tables was meant for us but the hostess and then the waitress dropped the ball and had far too much debate about whether we deserved to sit there! With only 6 tables occupied in the entire restaurant, they should have been better. We understand staffing issues right now in Charleston, but this was bad attitudes, not staffing. We left without having dinner. I hope they get it together because it is a beautiful location and decor, but bad staff will kill their chances...

02/27/2025 - Élevé - At the Grand Bohemian Hotel Rooftop dining experience. Ron had the Caesar Salad and then the Short Rib Tagliatelle (House Made Pasta, Slow Braised Short Ribs) Ron loved the Salad. Said it was one of the best. However, the Tagliatelle was very bland and tasteless. It was a true disappointment. I could not find something I liked so I made a meal with 2 of the starters - Shrimp + Crab Cake (Arugula, Remoulade) and Steak Tartare (Dijon, Egg Yolk, Grilled Bread). The Shrimp/Crab Cake was tasty and a nice size. The Tartare was satisfying though I would have liked it to have more of the Dijon flavor to give it a kick. We shared a side of Smashed Potatoes. They were basically small potatoes baked with skins and "smashed" flat. They were covered in sea salt and were so salty, it was not enjoyable at all. I had a Crème Brûlée to end it. It came covered in a smashed cherry spread. The spread was too thick and overwhelmed the Crème Brûlée. It was like someone had poured cherry marmalade all over the top of it. The ambience was great. The room we dined in was decorated in a style of old meets modern. The lighting was all pinks, blues, and reds that worked very well. The service was great. We arrived at 5:30pm and for awhile we were the only ones there so the attentiveness was expected, but I think they give excellent service anyway. We had time to go to the art gallery in the lobby and spend some time and bucks on a new oil painting original by Abra Johnson for the bar at home. My overall impression? I would go back for a cocktail with friends and watch the sunset. But I would NOT dine there again. Limited menu. Bland food. For the price - over $200 for the 2 of us - I...