Core 450 — Restaurant in South Carolina

We had a party of six that arrived for an early reservation on a Saturday evening. The restaurant was clearly overwhelmed and extremely busy and I am absolutely taking that into account in my review.

The menu was very confusing. Half the items had no prices listed at all. (Note: the menu we received bore NO resemblance to the menu currently listed on the website.) Our server was also very clearly new and had no idea how the menu worked. But rather than get information or have someone else answer questions, she just looked at us with "deer in headlights" eyes and said "Um. I don't know. I'm new." Hunh.

Of everything that we ordered, only 2 items that were received were acceptable. The lake perch appetizer was clearly pickled or smoked in some way that was NOT indicated on the menu. (Two gentlemen in our party ordered it and BOTH were extremely disappointed.) The duck appetizer was so fatty and tough it was basically inedible. My sweet onion, fennel and microgreens salad was almost entirely onions and vinegar with about a tablespoon of greens on it.

But the piece de resistance were the salmon steaks. The restaurant did not debone these AT ALL, and so two of us received salmon steaks with the spine entirely intact. I have been ordering salmon steaks at restaurants (and cooking them at home) for over three decades now, and you ALWAYS remove the spine and as many pin bones as you can with needle nose pliers prior to cooking. ALWAYS. In a dimly lit restaurant, after several glasses of wine, the last thing I wanted to do was dig my glasses out of my purse so I could hopefully NOT choke to death on a salmon bone. When I brought this to the server's attention, she responded with a predictable, "Well, I'm new. I think that's just the way they are." Additionally, the salmon steaks were served naked. No seasoning, no butter, no oil, no salt or pepper. Really??? In fairness, I had requested mine rare, and it WAS cooked to perfection. Alas, it was inedible. The beef steaks that were ordered by our table were excellent and also cooked well.

Despite multiple plates being collected still full of food, our server NEVER asked a single question to see if there was an issue. The owner (manager?) came over to enquire post-meal and when we began expressing our displeasure, she did apologize.

The server then told us she was bringing us a complimentary dessert board, which we wholeheartedly declined. We just had lousy food. We didn't want more lousy food. We wanted to leave.

The check was $500. Too add insult to injury, instead of removing any of the offending items from our check. (except for my salmon, which I refused to pay for -- they DID still charge me for my a la carte sides) they gave us gift certificates for a future visit.

I, for one, will...

I am writing to express my utmost satisfaction and gratitude for the exceptional services provided by Core 450, the renowned restaurant and catering service, during a recent event we hosted at our home for 200 guests. The entire experience was nothing short of extraordinary, and I am pleased to provide this recommendation for Core 450.

Amazing Food for 200 Guests:

Core 450 exceeded our expectations in delivering an authentic Southern BBQ culinary experience for our event. The quality, presentation, and variety of dishes served left our guests raving about the delectable offerings. Core 450’s ability to cater to a large group without compromising on taste and freshness truly sets them apart.

Core 450 Food Truck:

The self-contained Core 450 food truck showcased an impressive capacity to handle high volumes of meal preparations seamlessly. The addition of a smoker further elevated the dining experience, providing a delightful and aromatic touch to the event.

Guidance in Menu Selection:

Chef and Matt Jennings from Core 450 were instrumental in guiding us through the menu selection process. Their expertise and insights helped us create a customized menu that perfectly suited our event and delighted the diverse palates of our guests.

Exceptional Accommodations for Customizations:

Chef and Matt demonstrated exceptional flexibility and accommodated every special request, including the preparation of a unique dish like "Hop n John." Their willingness to go above and beyond in meeting our specific needs added a personal and memorable touch to the catering experience.

Specialty Drinks:

Core 450's attention to detail extended to their specialty drinks, which were expertly crafted and complemented the overall dining experience. The variety and quality of beverages offered showcased their commitment to providing a well-rounded culinary service.

Extra Support and Attention to Detail:

Matt's commitment to ensuring the success of our event went beyond culinary excellence. He provided additional support, such as extra generators for string lighting, audio equipment and a microphone for speeches, as well as setting up a cornhole for the kids. Furthermore, the proactive approach to garbage removal at the end of the event demonstrated a level of attention to detail that is truly commendable.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Core 450 to anyone seeking an unparalleled catering experience. Their professionalism, culinary expertise, and commitment to going the extra mile make them an invaluable partner for any event. We are grateful for the outstanding service provided by Chef, Matt, and the entire Core 450 team, and we look forward to the opportunity to work with them again...

I had a very unpleasantly unique experience at this restaurant. I am a celiac so I have to be very vigilant about what I eat. They restaurant purports to be knowledgeable about gluten. I ordered the duck and specifically told the server the farro had to be omitted because it is wheat and contains gluten. When she served my dish she apologized for the farro being on the plate and stated the chef said it was gluten free. Farro is wheat, there’s a 0% chance it’s gluten free. I apologized to the server but told her I needed it to be remade because the cross contamination would be a problem. She, very kindly, tried to explain that the chef was confident that farro is gluten free. It’s not uncommon for me to know more about gluten than most restaurants because I have to be vigilant as a celiac. I pushed back and asked the server to please have it remade without the farro, as I had ordered it. A few moments later the chef came brooding up to the table, puts my original dish back in front of me and says something to the effect of “I’ve been told you think this has gluten, well it doesn’t farro is gluten free.” It took me a minute to recover from the shock of what was happening. So I explained that farro is wheat and therefore absolutely does have gluten. I got out my phone and showed him an article verifying what I was saying. I then had to explain that as a celiac I cannot just take the meat off the farro because of the cross contamination it had to be remade. Without apology or remorse the chef grabbed the plate and walked away. I was dumbfounded. I’ve never had a chef act so rude and be so confidently wrong. Even if I was incorrect, I still ordered it without the farro. It was the chef’s decision to include it on my dish. There shouldn’t have been any argument about bringing me the dish the way I ordered it. I don’t blame the chef for not knowing farro is wheat. What was unacceptable was how rude he was and insisten that he was right. Needless to say that was my last time...