Charles Street Brasserie — Restaurant in Maryland

I have had good experiences here before. However, four serious issues this evening demanded a scathing review.

First, I arrived with my party followed soon after by a second party. The hostess told me it would be a brief wait as they needed to clear a table. She then approached the second party behind me that had arrived second with menus in hand and immediately led them to an already prepared table prior to my party. They did not have a reservation and the only difference is that they appeared older--me being in my mid 30s.

Second, I ordered the St. Algave cocktail. It was oppressingly sweet and obnoxiously syrupy. The ingredients read raw sugar as an ingredient, but either the mixture was poor or the sugar was cheap/premixed syrup. In addition, after suffering through the cocktail, the waiter never once asked if I wanted another drink.

Third, I ordered the burger wanting a simpler brasserie fare after a heavier lunch elsewhere. When it was served, the immediate thing that struck me was the patty being covered in cheap shredded cheese that was not even fully melted. Additionally, such a cheap ingredient was not even applied evenly. Such presentation was embarrassing. Further, the choice of ingredient was pathetic and fitting for a cheap county fair charity food truck. The meat was also subpar, overcooked, and paired with bread far too sweet. Furthermore, it was oppressingly dry with no sauce at all--even provided as a side or offered by the waiter. An aloof waiter prevented me from even being able to request any type of sauce, which should have been expected and already incorporated into the burger.

Lastly, while we were still eating, the waiter came asked if we wanted dessert. Perhaps if we had time to finish our meal first. Very soon after, the waiter dropped the check off at the table with the contradictory and droll "take your time." Insulting and rushing with the implication that my assumed lower income was not worth their time.

With no remorse whatsoever, I will never be returning to this try-hard, overpriced subpar place. The gimmick is quaint, if not a bit 'posing.' They are certainly not worth patronage of an extremely well earning young professional. I suppose I will have to keep taking my business elsewhere to places that value more than older demographics who apparently get served first and not rushed out the door.

It was extremely tempting to make a scene with the manager. But such histrionics would be counter intuitive. Rather, heed this review and avoid...

The Charles Street Brasserie is a restaurant that is supposed to be an insight into fine dining: controlled portions of rich food, live musicians, sophisticated décor, and a dim and inviting ambience.

However, the reality is that the restaurant serves as a caricature of fine dining and regularly misses the mark on quality. The live music is frequently imposing, and no table feels far enough away to stop it from interrupting conversation, and increasing the level of stress from an experience supposed to be soothing. The sophisticated décor would be tolerable, if it wasn't the case that diners were always sat on top of it. The tables are always far too close together, creating the sense that once you're seated, you won't be able to use the restroom without disrupting your dining guests, as well as rubbing hips against diners around you. The food, while being served in a portion that suits rich food, is not as filling as other establishments, leaving you with the sensation of having eaten a small portion rather than a controlled portion - especially when the flavors are distinctly average.

One of the only redeeming features of the restaurant is the friendliness of the serving staff, without whom the experience would be rather like being pushed through a meat grinder of 'fine dining'. Primarily, my complaint with the Charles Street Brasserie is less concerned with the quality of the food and more with the sense that I am being hoodwinked into believing that the experience is more than it is: a finer dining experience rather than another average restaurant on the Solomons pier.

I am sure that I will attend again as the dinner guest of friends and family that seem to savor the restaurant far more than me and, I can only hope that future visits soften the sourness of my previous...

Will never go back and here's why: We were barely greeted upon entrance and told 3 different times that someone would be right with us. When we ordered we asked what was inside the mini omelets for the Eggs Caprese and we were told it was only eggs and cheese. When we tried to order an omelet with veggies and meat, we were told by our waitress Ariana, that the "chef" doesn't allow substitutes. We said it is not a substitute but an addition and again we were told that it could not be made. Our waitress took her time coming back to see if we were ready to order, as we were not sure what to order since the "chef" will not allow substitutes. Our dishes were chipped including coffee cup and plates. Once our food came out, the Eggs were only folded over eggs and the food was overdone. We were not asked about how our food tasted. There was no flavor to the Eggs Mediterranean and the waffles were difficult to cut. The Eggs Mediterranean consisted of canned hollandaise sauce, scrambled eggs that were not mixed as you could see the white and then the yellow, and bacon slapped on top. It took us 20 minutes to get our check and pay as the waitress, Ariana, took her time. There were also conflicting prices, as we were told the Bloody Mary's were $5 when we were seated and the waitress said they were $6. When we received our bill, the biscuits were a different price than what was stated on the menu.

Our takeaway - It seems as though nothing was made with care or passion. Also, there seems to be a lack of communication and desire to create an unique experience for...