Grace & Grit — Restaurant in Mount Pleasant

So this place came up on a google search with some recomendations and I figured alright let's give it a whirl. As I was leaving my hotel the receptions told me it was a really busy place and everyone loves it so I got a little excite to see what the hubub was about.

As I am walking in I held the door for a lady and her group and then walked up to the hostess. As I was saying hello to the hostess the same lady I held the door for quite rudely spoke over me and demanded to be seated because she call in for reservations. The hostes asked if we were in the same group and I simple said no and stood there with my hands folded. Poor hostess had a dear in the headlights look and then the rude lady told her she wanted to be seated and that I could wait. I was simultaniously furious and speechless and the hostess could see this and looked concerned so I just let it go and asked the hostess to please just get rid of the lady. I have to admit I could have chosen some better words but her level of rudeness managed find all my buttons a mash them. When the hostess came back she was very apologetic and very attentive, I let her know that it was not her fault there was a rude person acting capricious. She kind of gasped a little and walked me to a table and introduced me to a server, she was also very nice and had me smiling instantly. Before I knew it I had a new drink in my hand I had never tried. I say kudos for those two girls because I had half a mind to walk out of that place and they turned me around.

As I am enjoying my sazurac and glancing at the menu two other waitresses introduced themselves and asked if I was ready to place my order. I was a little confused but I just went with it. The first girl was rather brief and cordial. The second one was also nice and very excited to tell me about the specials. Fresh local oysters, fresh caught swordfish and fresh local grouper.

I tried for the oysters and turns out they were all out of oysters and the only ones they had were the small ones for baked or fried recipes so I was offered shrimp in return. I said no thank you and passed on the offer.

I love grouper but I could not help wunder how they catch fresh grouper locally in South Carolina? I dont claim to know everything but I do know what grouper is and where to catch it because back home in South Florida it's just what we do. So i decided on the swordfish. They had one on the menu that was like a polenta style bed and the fish on top. I said sure let's do it. With a Rockefeller side. She came back and apologized again because of the lack of oysters. Apperently they just had no oysters whatsoever and offered me ths same fried shrimpi said no to earlier but next to the fish not as an appetizer. I could not help it smile and think what the hell is in the shrimp cause this girl is really pushing them. So I just said "sure why not" let's do the shrimp with the swordfish.

O.M.Flippen G!!! Let me tell you that shrimp is gona put Long John Silver out of business... I felt like I was 7 standing in line with my dad looking at him as if he had three heads because it did not matter if we wanted to go because we were just there and even if he asked us what we wanted he always ordered the same dam thing!

The swordfish was a little dry and was a little bland. The polenta base was a good touch to rescue the fish and the shrimp was kinda purched on the edge of the dish lingering like seagulls waiting to swoop down and take my fish. I would give the dish a 5 minus the shrimp.

The drink was a 9 in my book.

And the service was not bad I feel they were really trying but some of them were a little green.

All in all the place looks nice inside and the bar seems quit respectable. I have to say I was not impressed with the food.

The issue with the other guest is not really the restaurants fault but your patrons are a reflection of your service and menu. I would say the place has potential but I would not recomend it for fine dining.

I will leave 2 stars one for each of the nice servers that...

Grace & Grits is a culinary experience to be savored in our memories! Every dish was creatively thought out to rock your tastebuds. The hostess & manager were extremely accomodating and the restaurant was vibrant, warm and welcoming. Conversation was easy to understand and relaxed. The deconstructed Oyster Rockefeller appetizer consisted of sweet crispy fried oysters with the most delicious lardon (to die for), and freshly sliced spinach. The grit flight was astounding, a must to share. The chef is a wiz with this ingredient. An inspiration to us home cooks. Our group had the Tomahawk pork chop. Eye-popping delicious. Marinated in sweet tea. From the crisp meat on the bone and sweet/salty/Smoky bacon jam, pork rinds, butter pecan grits (what?? Amazing. Same flavor surprise and superb counter to the rest of the dish). If that wasn't creative enough, a wedge of local cabbage charred on the outside and succulant on the inside.Yes, this is a seafood restaurant but this preparation is 10 stars!! Two or our party had the outstanding tile fish. One with pan roasted preparation and the other Butterbean Succotash. These two were wonderful. The tile fish was perfectly cooked with the pan roasted one a little crispy on the top and moist on the inside served with creamy grits, sweet peas and outstanding fire roasted carrots. (The carrots almost stole the show.) We have been fortunate enough to experience 3 star restaurants in France and other Michelin restaurants in Germany & Italy. Grace & Grits would easily match some of those world class restaurants. The only downside is the server enthusiastically reccomended the bourbon flight to our friend. The friend said they liked bourbon but would have an Old Fashion. She pushed (in a nice way) for him to try the bourbon flight. He succombed. When the bill came we were shocked the flight cost $125. Our bourbon loving friend expected to pay about $75. We felt deflated, taken advantaged of after a wonderful meal and experience. We would come back but be careful to know what we are ordering. It is embarrassing to ask the price of something is but the server shouldn't have pushed such a high priced item...

Grace & Grit restaurant Another hidden Gem off the beaten path. A seemingly small location until once inside. They have two entry ways, not knowing the main entrance. I’d arrive here about some 12ish on a Sunday, expecting some busyness. A seat was immediately available, though at the bar. The bar is partitioned off for parties of two still from the pandemic situation. What a beautiful view, plenty choices of drinks if you are one who partakes in great drinks. So the bartender promptly comes over and asks if we had a drink choice, and as well if needing a menu if dining with them. I ask, anything spicy on the drink menu❔He replies with two options; I choose the first option, [🍑] oh my. This drink was so good, it was almost gone before the food arrived. So yes a second one was ordered when the food hit the bar top, I even asked if he could kick up the heat a little so he’d said he added a ghost pepper mixer instead of the usual jalapeño. Oh damn was this what I wanted. 🫡 So I slept in this morning, surely meaning to return for another “Pleasant Peach” drink on this Monday morning. So I guess tomorrow. And the food, yes it was great. I placed an order of jalapeño grits, a waffle with scrambled egg. The portion of grits was quite small, but the regular plates seemed proportioned just right if your not [really] hungry. The plates may seem a little pricey but remember you are in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. I’d say I have found a new location for breakfast as I have many in the Charleston area. Each time I visit I am wanting to return to the last location but I’m telling myself I have to explore others. So I have a vast amount of {saved} locations in my Google maps for recommendations to the...