Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc. — Restaurant in Charleston

Any restaurant can have a really bad day. For the sake of this restaurant, I hope the evening I was there was its worst. The restaurant features communal dining and that’s not my preference. However, that’s my problem, not the restaurant’s. Factoring that out, my overall experience was very negative, with one exception – fantastic split pea soup.

As soon as we ordered wine, things started to go downhill. The server brought the bottle of wine, uncorked it, put it in an ice bucket, left two wine glasses on the bar and departed. The bottle wasn’t shown to either of us and no opportunity to taste the wine was offered. I admit that those items may constitute a silly ritual, but their absence was a surprise to me, and I expect it would also be to others. On top of that, the server did not pour even an initial glass of wine or any subsequent glass for me or my companion. We were left on our own.

We started with the charcuterie board. I thought one of the pâtés was tasteless, but the rest of items on the board were fine. I ordered the split pea soup, which was delicious. My companion had the salad, which was unmemorable.

Both of us chose the Bastille dinner; mine with shrimp and my companion’s with scallops. The scallops were fine, but the shrimp were dry. Both meals came with couscous and steamed vegetables. The couscous joined the salad in the unmemorable category. The steamed vegetables may have been brought close to something hot but were probably never in actual contact with it. In short, the main courses were a complete disappointment. We stopped there, paid, and left.

As a final observation, our meal involved bread plates, the charcuterie board, a soup bowl, a salad bowl, two dinner plates, water and wine glasses, and the associated dining utensils. Nothing – not a single dirty dish – was removed for the duration of the meal. When we left the restaurant, every dish, glass, and dining utensil we had used was still on the bar.

Yes, this is a very negative review. I’ve seen some of the owner’s responses to other negative reviews. Recently, his or her response to a negative review from someone named Linda was, “Does anyone know how to leave a review of Linda? Asking for a friend” -- a great answer from a concerned restaurateur. Can’t wait to read the owner’s response to...

Here you can- Grab a French bistro breakfast, lunch or dinner, take out or dine in their communal bar seating, with friends, family or co-workers. I literally came here 3 days in a row for lunch during my last trip to Charleston. Food was excellent! Customer service is a little lacking. However their lunch special includes soup or salad AND a glass of wine or beer all for UNDER $14 bucks! #winning

(My ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 5 star, with 1 star being tragic and 5 star being Oouuww terrific)

Overall ratings- 4 stars

Food taste- 5 stars! Oouuwww! Simple done well! From the soups to the toasted baguettes! Oww and the croissants! EXCELLENT!

Customer service- 2 stars. Was expecting Southern hospitality, but instead it was DRY and Flat, and uninviting. My servers deposition was like "I was bothering him" , yet he seemed to be welcoming and warm to "certain" others. And after seeing me 3 days in a row, you would think this would warm him, but darling, it did not. When food was served, no follow up/ check up was provided after. However, on the 3rd day, I had a different server, and she was better. Quiet, but professional. I worked in the service industry for over 20 years, from a waitress, bartender to a manager, so I'm never one to be that annoying nic pick needy customer. And make sure to tip in cash 20% to 30%, even in non tip restaurants like this one. But I came back on the strength of the food alone and lunch special alone.

Food portions- 5 star. Not big but just enough. Balanced portions and "just right" for lunch.

Bang for your buck- 5 stars! Ouuwww! Most items were $14 or less, with soup or salad AND wine or beer INCLUDED! My mouth DROPPED when I saw that! Hell with the service @ that point! Cleanliness- 4 stars Decor- 4 stars. Simple and appropriate for a small French bistro. All seatings are communal along a zigzag bar. Ambiance- Can get busy at lunch really fast. Seems like there were always some regulars and locals that work at all the nearby courthouses, and many out of towners as well. Small...

So I was really excited about this place as I read the reviews, but I was very very disappointed to say the least. We had reservations and arrived about 20 min early. I checked in and she said it would be about 15 min, No problem on waiting as we did get there early. I wasn't aware you share a table with others, which was fine too as I love meeting new people! But there were 2 open spots just as you come in the door. Well another couple came in and said they did not have reservations but were hoping they could squeeze in. The lady sat them right at the 2 empty spots by the door, exactly where we were standing!! Now remember I did have reservations- but I was made to wait longer🤷‍♀️ when git seated about 10 min later that's when I realized everyone sits together. But yet a walk in sat before a reservations, doesn't make sense. So we looked over the menu and they are out of lots of things. Ok with things going on I get it. I picked the croissant turkey and my son picked the baguette ham sandwich. The croissant was okay, no much flavor unless you add the Dijon mustard, which I liked. There was nothing pretty or fantastic on the plate display like the other reviews! My son's baguette was absolutely terrible! Hard as a rock, and I mean I tried cutting with a sharp knife she gave me - NOPE couldn't even cut it let alone bite into it. The ham had a funky taste, and the lettuce was black on the ends! He took two bites of it and felt like throwing up. I took 1 bite and my face made all sorts of weird looks! It was terrible. I also had the escargot, because yes I usually enjoy 4 or 5 star restaurants but they were all booked up. The escargot made my stomach very upset about 3 hours later! And the taste was not the best at all. I definitely don't trust reviews now after this experience! The lady did comp my son's sandwich and I appreciate that, but he left hungry and that's no way to leave your customers. I do not...