Grill 225 — Restaurant in Charleston

I chose Grill 225 to celebrate my 29th birthday with my friends February 3, 2021. I love fine dining and go on a regular basis so I was beyond excited to experience their establishment. They were accommodating to my large party and quick. Our servers name was Jeffrey and he was marvelous. His service is definitely 5 star.

However my experience after leaving this restaurant has been the most horrific. Then to be discussed throughout the restaurant by the staff is even more disheartening.

We were told that because there are city mandates due to COVID we had to leave the restaurant by 10:45pm. In a haste to depart my party gathered to leave in which I left my food which I asked to be boxed because I had not eaten. We sat outside the restaurant for approximately 38 minutes talking without seeing a member of the staff. Im fallible and definitely left the food accidentally and I called back to retrieve the food however I was told management would need to call me back the next morning. . The next morning the manager, Rebecca calls and I missed the call working, I called back and left a voicemail. The next morning she calls back and I explain to her the issue. She advises me that the staff said they had asked if we wanted the food but someone said no. However they still had it and I could come pick it up she’d be there until 9pm that evening, which was Friday. Now if someone said no they didn’t want the food why would it still be there? So I then make arrangements for my brother to pick up the food and he was treated so badly he had to remove himself from the facility. I proceeded to call back and could not be assisted at that time, I had to again wait for a call back. When Rebecca called back it was like Dr. Jekyll and Mr, Hyde. She advised me that it was not their fault I left the food and there was nothing she was going to do. And had the decency to laugh. I asked why she had told me earlier that day something different she proceeded to carry on with a very condescending and belittling tone. Now as a hospitality professional for many years I’ve been treated better at Applebee’s or even a Pub. Hell even a food truck! I had not been asking for a refund or remake, simply the food that I left. If it had been thrown away I would have appreciated that honesty when I called not the run around. I expected to be spoken to and treated like a patron and I was not. The manager, Rebecca lacks empathy, communication skills, resolution skills etc. Considering her multiple lies or even the amount of money my party spent, she made no accommodation for the inconvenience. I even reached out to the General Manager before leaving this review and I have yet to be contacted. Instead they discussed the situation throughout the restaurant labeling me as the problematic black for expecting the manager to keep her word and for expecting top notch customer service. You never know who you’re speaking about or around. This experience has tainted fine dining for me and even the desire to go Downtown Charleston and I’ve been here all my life. Thanks for a Happy...

*PATRONS BEWARE * What started off to be a fabulous evening with friends having dinner and a Dock Street Theatre Play together ended with a bad taste in my mouth. Once we walked into Grill 225 we were greeted by a very friendly staff and offered a complimentary glass of champagne. This was a really nice touch but went down hill from there. Our waiter was friendly and very attentive and the food fabulous but when we asked where the meat came from we were informed that they would not tell us, I thought odd but maybe their policy, I was just curious since my father use to raise Charolais Cattle. Then when the check came we had asked if we could split the bottle of wine that we had ordered between two of us since our other friend didn’t have any and was informed that they could not. Now with today’s technology it should be easy to split the price of a bottle of wine but that wasn’t the real kicker. The three of us asked for separate checks and because they couldn’t split the wine my friend was just going to leave the tip for both of us. Since it was dark she asked me to let her know what 20% tip would be and once I looked at the bill closer I realized that the restaurant had already added 20% gratitude. I was really shocked, I expect that with large parties but individual checks? Really? What is gratitude? Something that the restaurant is going to decide for me how much I’m are going to give for their services? Trust me the service and food was really good and my friends were already going to tip 20% but was the restaurant hoping we would miss this and end up tipping 40%? When I spoke to the manager he informed me it was disclosed on the bottom of the menu which it was but in dim light how many people will actually see it? I just felt like this is smoke and mirrors and due to this I don’t know that I will be back and will let everyone I know that are thinking about going there know about their policy! So what do you think? Do you think it’s up to restaurants to decide how much gratitude you should leave? Please provide your thoughts I’m very curious!!

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Where to start on this one… always a favourite place to dine however; on one particular occasion after a long day visiting other landmarks and shopping we decided to drop in for an early dinner. Firstly we had to book via an app on our phone despite standing in front of the maître d’ at the front desk. When that proved difficult due to lack of phone reception we were fobbed off and told their were no available tables for us to dine at despite there being at least a dozen empty seats. To say I was frustrated was an understatement. What I didn’t realise then but what soon became apparent was the truth that my dining partner wasn’t wearing a collar, and despite being neat and tidy, dressed in designer dress shorts and coordinating t shirt this was going to be a discriminatory NO. I must say I more than made up for our overall appearance by wearing a vintage Chanel ensemble adorned with hat and heels. The way in which we were “handled” was appalling. Eventually with the assistance of a more polite and conscientious waitress and much to the disgust of the maître d’ and a gift in her hand we were eventually seated up the back. Luckily for this establishment our more senior waiter was absolutely delightful and charming. The food was and always is top notch. Since this “interesting” and appalled visit we have returned only with a larger dinning party and in our finest attire, we noted the maître d’ did not recognise us despite our previous experience or being regulars at least once a week. We have given three stars for service and that’s because of management, our waiter however deserved five, and being fluent in customer tipping he at least remembers us each time. The prices are on the high end compared to other establishments and despite the magnificent setting in the heart of Charleston and the exquisite antiques and old world architecture, the place lacks that internal character and joy that is the bones of fine...