Laura Summerville — Restaurant in Summerville

This was by far the worst restaurant I’ve tried in Charleston in a very long time. We went on a Saturday afternoon (made a reservation), and it was barely anyone there. I’ll preface the review below with…if you want a time limit on how long you can stay in a place, this is the place to go for sure (reference the staff section of my review ). I’ll list each category response below:

Ambience: BEAUTIFUL!!! The atmosphere is very quaint, dimly lit, clean and open. The bathroom is very clean and I loved how the outdoor space was nicely covered..which was a huge plus for me because it was slightly chilly outside. The decor was amazing! They captured the family aesthetic beautifully!

Food: The food was very subpar. Temperature wise, they nailed it, but there was no favor captured. I was so disappointed because our server (who was amazing by the way), took the time to tell us how everything was made in house. The flavor profiles missed the mark and unless you want to chop your own salad, don’t order one. We started with the Caesar salad to share, and we were served 4 large romaine leaves with grated Parmesan and the THICKEST Caesar dressing I’ve ever had! For the entrees, we got the Lobster Gnocchi and a pizza (cause you can’t go wrong with a pizza)! Huge flop! The lobster was cooked beautifully, the gnocchi on point, but NO FLAVOR! Our server ended up being some chili oil over which Andes enough flavor for us to eat some of it. The pizza was cooked well, but even with fresh ingredients, nothing stood out enough to even review it. Needless to say, we took it to go with the hopes of “doctoring” it up when we got home. We were so underwhelmed, we passed on dessert.

Staff: Katie was by far the best part of this visit! She was so knowledgeable and patient. We met a group there for lunch and our fellowship was so good, we didn’t even realize how quickly the time was flying. In the middle of our conversation, a man comes over (presumably a manager), with a group of people trailing telling us we had to leave! Ok let me say, I definitely understand business, but the approach was beyond unprofessional! Not only did we make a reservation , but we paid our tab and left a generous tip to be told…we need this table with a group trailing. Also note, that there were several open tables in and outside at the time.

So, I will wrap this up by saying…I WILL NEVER EAT OR SUPPORT...

Tonight, Frankie and I went out to dinner to celebrate our 6th anniversary! We drove to Downtown Summerville and enjoyed a lovely dinner at Laura.

Our server was Ray and after giving us a minute to browse the menu, he gave us a little history on “Laura” and how her namesake restaurant came to be. I loved hearing a bit of history, especially since Laura’s picture was up on the wall!

For starters, we had the focaccia; house made and served with a whipped citrus ricotta. We asked for a side of “Mother Sauce” and boy, am I glad we did! Their sauce is amazing! It’s by far, the best Italian tomato/meat sauce from a restaurant that I’ve ever had. I was eating it all by itself! The focaccia was light and fluffy, rosemary and garlic seasoned and the hint of lemon in the whipped ricotta was a delightful touch!

For our meals, Frankie had the Chicken Parmigiana. Mozzarella stuffed between sous vide chicken breast and herb & garlic encrusted focaccia served with gnocchetti pasta and that amazing mother sauce!

I had the Bolognese… mmmm. Casarecce pasta, braised beef, pork, Italian sausage, peas, carrots, celery and parmesan crumbs. This was more like a stew than the traditional ground meat bolognese that I’m used to. Chunks of braised beef and pork that melted in your mouth and delicious slices of Italian sausage along with fresh peas, large diced carrots and sliced celery in what I’m assuming was the mother of all sauces! Good grief, it was delicious!!

To help celebrate our anniversary, they brought us a dish of gelato on the house. We were stuffed but we chose the black cocoa crisp made with hot fudge and Oreo crumbs and then we also brought home a slice of their pumpkin & maple cheesecake with a dark chocolate shell, ginger snap crust and an almond cookie. I can’t WAIT to try it but will have to wait because after sharing that delicious gelato, we couldn’t eat another bite!

Huge portions, excellent service, all around friendly staff and heavenly food. You can’t ask for much more, can you? Thank you for a...

If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Summerville, SC, look no further than Laura, an Italian gem that truly knows how to make you feel special. We chose this charming restaurant to celebrate our anniversary, and it exceeded all our expectations.

From the moment we walked in, the warm and inviting atmosphere set the tone for a wonderful evening. The staff was incredibly attentive and friendly, making us feel right at home. Their service was top-notch, showcasing a genuine passion for hospitality that made our celebration even more memorable.

We started our meal with the Laura Antipasta salad and beef carpaccio, both of which were exceptional. The portions were generous and perfect for sharing, allowing us to savor each bite together. The flavors were vibrant and fresh, setting the stage for the delightful courses to come.

For our mains, we indulged in the spaghetti with meatballs, a dish that would make any grandmother proud. The meatballs were perfectly seasoned and the sauce was rich and comforting, making it a true Italian classic. We also enjoyed the Veal Marsala, which was tender and cooked to perfection, complemented by a luscious mushroom sauce that just elevated the entire dish.

To top off our meal, the staff surprised us with a delightful white chocolate raspberry gelato for dessert, which was the perfect sweet ending to our evening. We couldn't resist taking a slice of their cheesecake to go, and let me tell you, it was just as divine at home.

Overall, our experience at Laura was nothing short of spectacular. It felt like dining with family, filled with love and warmth. I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough for anyone looking to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a fantastic meal. We'll...