Overall * * * * -
Flavor * * * * *
Uniqueness * * * * *
Price $$ ($20 per person or more with two drinks)
Comfort/Convenience * * * * -
This little gem managed to sneak under my radar for longer than I would have thought possible. Located in the old Vandalia Grille between Hale and Dickinson, it's a place that you hardly ever walk by and don't much look at when you're driving by.
But once you know it's there...
There are (literally) two sides to the building. The Dickinson Street side is more of a bar set up: tables, the bar itself, and a louder atmosphere. The Hale Street side (which you aren't likely to see unless you came in on that side) has loveseats, sofas, cushions, and coffee tables. Both have their benefits, but it kind of depends on what you came for and it's good to know they're both there. I like the couches better, myself, but I'm a lounger.
The food menu is small and full of small things. While they don't call themselves a tapas bar, it really is a tapas menu, perfect to order a few things for a full table and split amongst yourselves. Nothing on the menu could remotely be described as an entree. My personal favorite is the truffle fries with garlic aoili (you can't taste the truffle too much, but the fries are top notch and the garlic "aoili"-that's mayonnaise, in case you didn't know- is a great offset) and the gyro flatbread.
Most exciting is the drinks menu. Charleston is getting more diverse, but we still aren't the biggest place for fancy/diverse drinks and talented bartending. The only other place in Charleston that holds a candle to Celsius in this regard is Su-Tei and I go to them for different things.
Here we have a huge selection of Mules (Moscow, Kyoto, and Celsius among others), wines, beers, and a variety of blended drinks that can make your head spin while you try to decide why to get. After a few visits, I have to say the best two I've had yet are the Kyoto Mule and Apple Pie (bourbon, apple cider vinegar of all things, and spices)
Parking is a little easier here than a lot of places downtown because it isn't competing with anything else, but it's still hard to find parking in the late evening. Just keep circling until you find a good spot (sorry, but that's all there is to it!)
Word to the wise: For faster service and hotter food, try going right after work. I've had great luck around 530 on Fridays, but I've heard bad things from people trying to get in around 7 or 8. Stands to reason they'll get busier as the night goes on.
Celsius
212 Hale Street, Charleston, WV
Monday-Thursday 4p-12a, Friday 4p-2a, Saturday 5p-2a
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Black Sheep/Charleston Brewery (Charleston, WV)
Overall * * * * -
Flavor * * * - -
Uniqueness * * * * -
Price $ ($10 per person, without alcohol)
Comfort/Convenience * * * * -
Located right in the heart of downtown, the only thing inconvenient about Black Sheep are the hours. A place that sells their own beer, but closes by 11? Rough.
The food here isn't really the biggest draw. It isn't bad at all, but it's just slightly morphed Mexican (they have a few odd flavors of tacos. Flights are available, which are cheaper than buying a few individually provided that you don't get fish or duck or half a dozen other options that make the flight cost more) that also serves sandwiches. Be careful of the gluten free tacos (the corn option) as they tend to be more crumbly and fall apart.
Here, my friend, you have come for the drinks.
Black Sheep bought this property from a pub that left behind their brewery and it is a pretty fine brewery. There are usually 6-8 beers on tap and they rotate periodically. The upside being that if you didn't like last week's menu you might like this week's. The downside being that if you liked this week you may not like next week. In general, I've always been able to find at least one beer that I liked well enough to drink and at $6 a pint, it isn't hard to deal with. Recently they held a mid-week special to "bust a cask" of Milk Stout that was absolutely amazing right up until they put it on the carbonator, so keep an eye on their Facebook page if you're in the area.
If you're not up for the house brews (shame on you), they also carry some run of the mill canned and bottled beers and some Kentucky brews. We're starting to see a lot of Country Boy locally.
If beer isn't your speed, don't despair. Black Sheep also has a very sizable liquor menu, some of which is rather creative. The margaritas are my favorite and run $5 for a small and $7 for a large: prices you won't see just about anywhere else in Charleston. There's also a moderate wine selection.
Come after 6 to park wherever you can find a spot downtown, but make sure not to park in the adjoining parking building if you think you'll be late. THEY WILL LOCK YOUR CAR IN. I'm not kidding. Street parking, as difficult as it can be to find, is your best bet.
Volume levels can get loud inside due to the open floor plan. If you want quiet, ask for the area away from the bar or the outside seating if it's warm enough. If there's live music, (usually Saturdays), you might as well go somewhere else because the sound will shake the whole building.
Best server I've had here is Mike. Any time I go in the evenings I keep an eye out for him and I'll recommend you do the same.
Be forewarned: if you order the chips and queso and you run out of queso (which you will, because there is a tiny little bowl of queso for a HUGE plate of chips) they will charge you for a whole new order of chips and queso if you ask for more.
Word to the wise: they offer three free samples of the beer per table before they charge you for a flight. Just make sure you're VERY explicit in saying that you want a sample of the beer, not a whole glass.
Black Sheep and Charleston Brewery
702 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV
Sunday-Wednesday 11-10, Thursday-Saturday 11-11
Flavor * * * - -
Uniqueness * * * * -
Price $ ($10 per person, without alcohol)
Comfort/Convenience * * * * -
Located right in the heart of downtown, the only thing inconvenient about Black Sheep are the hours. A place that sells their own beer, but closes by 11? Rough.
The food here isn't really the biggest draw. It isn't bad at all, but it's just slightly morphed Mexican (they have a few odd flavors of tacos. Flights are available, which are cheaper than buying a few individually provided that you don't get fish or duck or half a dozen other options that make the flight cost more) that also serves sandwiches. Be careful of the gluten free tacos (the corn option) as they tend to be more crumbly and fall apart.
Here, my friend, you have come for the drinks.
Black Sheep bought this property from a pub that left behind their brewery and it is a pretty fine brewery. There are usually 6-8 beers on tap and they rotate periodically. The upside being that if you didn't like last week's menu you might like this week's. The downside being that if you liked this week you may not like next week. In general, I've always been able to find at least one beer that I liked well enough to drink and at $6 a pint, it isn't hard to deal with. Recently they held a mid-week special to "bust a cask" of Milk Stout that was absolutely amazing right up until they put it on the carbonator, so keep an eye on their Facebook page if you're in the area.
If you're not up for the house brews (shame on you), they also carry some run of the mill canned and bottled beers and some Kentucky brews. We're starting to see a lot of Country Boy locally.
If beer isn't your speed, don't despair. Black Sheep also has a very sizable liquor menu, some of which is rather creative. The margaritas are my favorite and run $5 for a small and $7 for a large: prices you won't see just about anywhere else in Charleston. There's also a moderate wine selection.
Come after 6 to park wherever you can find a spot downtown, but make sure not to park in the adjoining parking building if you think you'll be late. THEY WILL LOCK YOUR CAR IN. I'm not kidding. Street parking, as difficult as it can be to find, is your best bet.
Volume levels can get loud inside due to the open floor plan. If you want quiet, ask for the area away from the bar or the outside seating if it's warm enough. If there's live music, (usually Saturdays), you might as well go somewhere else because the sound will shake the whole building.
Best server I've had here is Mike. Any time I go in the evenings I keep an eye out for him and I'll recommend you do the same.
Be forewarned: if you order the chips and queso and you run out of queso (which you will, because there is a tiny little bowl of queso for a HUGE plate of chips) they will charge you for a whole new order of chips and queso if you ask for more.
Word to the wise: they offer three free samples of the beer per table before they charge you for a flight. Just make sure you're VERY explicit in saying that you want a sample of the beer, not a whole glass.
Black Sheep and Charleston Brewery
702 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV
Sunday-Wednesday 11-10, Thursday-Saturday 11-11
Lola's (Charleston, WV)
Overall * * * * -
Flavor * * * * *
Uniqueness * * * * *
Price $$ ($20 per person)
Comfort/Convenience * * * - -
Lola's is a cute little house up in the Bridge Road area of Charleston, a little past the rest of the shops (so don't think you've missed it when your GPS takes you on around) Set a little back from the road with a gravel and paving stone patio and a small front porch, it almost looks like you're walking into someone's house.
Four out of the five times I've been here I haven't even gotten to open the front door. Someone is usually waiting on the other side with half an eye on the porch and opens it for you with a smile and a "Welcome to Lola's." The main area is a very small bar (about 5 seats) and there are three other seating areas and the patio for maybe a total of 12 tables. This place is not large!
Local artwork adorns the wall, mostly for sale, and each of the rooms is slightly different. Make sure to mention to your server if you're a little too hot or cold: each room is differently temperature controlled and sometimes it can be hard for them to tell what's best for you.
So now that you have a seat, what's up? Well, you'll find a menu already on the table with their beer and wine selection. Lola's is known for their sangria (which I personally find on the dry side, but I'm not a red wine drinker) and they have about 8 other wines to choose from. Their beer selection is much heftier, somewhere around 30 varieties. There is no liquor here.
After you've chosen your drinks, take a minute to look over the salads and appetizers. Salads are a little pricey for the size, but the appetizers are worth a look. Their lemon hummus is delicious and served with bread made at the Charleston Bakery (review forthcoming). The hummus is enough for two for a appetizer or a decent meal for the vegan in your group.
The pizza selection is really what you came for, though, right? There's a good variety and all of it tasty. The goat cheese and artichoke has remained my favorite through all my visits (crisp crust, crumbled goat cheese, kalamata olives, artichokes, and garlic) but there are also some selections for your meat lovers (My husband's favorite: Ham and Pineapple) and the less adventurous folk can always ask for just cheese and sauce (but why would you!?) The crusts here run on the slightly thin side, but a good balance to the amount of topping they put on and a nice bubble at the edges. No need to toss your crusts here! A small is enough for one person and probably leftovers (unless you're really hungry) and if you go with friends everyone can choose one and share to get a taste of everything.
Finally, save room for dessert. The creme brulee is amazing, very creamy and perfectly browned on top. There's a slight hint of coconut flavor to it, but as the menu mentions nothing about coconut I'm not entirely sure why (just sure that I love it!)
Parking is available, but inconvenient for most cars. The spaces are awkwardly placed and shaped so you have to do a little maneuvering to get into and out of them and you always run the risk of getting squished into your space by someone who parked too close to you (I have yet to be dinged, but I can see how it would happen)
A word to the wise: Lola's is a very popular restaurant and very difficult to get into most evenings. If you're not willing to wait, then you'd best go early. They're open Tuesday-Sunday 4-10 and they tend to start getting busy no later than 6.
Lola's
1038 Bridge Rd, Charleston, West Virginia
Open Tuesday-Sunday 4-10
Flavor * * * * *
Uniqueness * * * * *
Price $$ ($20 per person)
Comfort/Convenience * * * - -
Lola's is a cute little house up in the Bridge Road area of Charleston, a little past the rest of the shops (so don't think you've missed it when your GPS takes you on around) Set a little back from the road with a gravel and paving stone patio and a small front porch, it almost looks like you're walking into someone's house.
Four out of the five times I've been here I haven't even gotten to open the front door. Someone is usually waiting on the other side with half an eye on the porch and opens it for you with a smile and a "Welcome to Lola's." The main area is a very small bar (about 5 seats) and there are three other seating areas and the patio for maybe a total of 12 tables. This place is not large!
Local artwork adorns the wall, mostly for sale, and each of the rooms is slightly different. Make sure to mention to your server if you're a little too hot or cold: each room is differently temperature controlled and sometimes it can be hard for them to tell what's best for you.
So now that you have a seat, what's up? Well, you'll find a menu already on the table with their beer and wine selection. Lola's is known for their sangria (which I personally find on the dry side, but I'm not a red wine drinker) and they have about 8 other wines to choose from. Their beer selection is much heftier, somewhere around 30 varieties. There is no liquor here.
After you've chosen your drinks, take a minute to look over the salads and appetizers. Salads are a little pricey for the size, but the appetizers are worth a look. Their lemon hummus is delicious and served with bread made at the Charleston Bakery (review forthcoming). The hummus is enough for two for a appetizer or a decent meal for the vegan in your group.
The pizza selection is really what you came for, though, right? There's a good variety and all of it tasty. The goat cheese and artichoke has remained my favorite through all my visits (crisp crust, crumbled goat cheese, kalamata olives, artichokes, and garlic) but there are also some selections for your meat lovers (My husband's favorite: Ham and Pineapple) and the less adventurous folk can always ask for just cheese and sauce (but why would you!?) The crusts here run on the slightly thin side, but a good balance to the amount of topping they put on and a nice bubble at the edges. No need to toss your crusts here! A small is enough for one person and probably leftovers (unless you're really hungry) and if you go with friends everyone can choose one and share to get a taste of everything.
Finally, save room for dessert. The creme brulee is amazing, very creamy and perfectly browned on top. There's a slight hint of coconut flavor to it, but as the menu mentions nothing about coconut I'm not entirely sure why (just sure that I love it!)
Parking is available, but inconvenient for most cars. The spaces are awkwardly placed and shaped so you have to do a little maneuvering to get into and out of them and you always run the risk of getting squished into your space by someone who parked too close to you (I have yet to be dinged, but I can see how it would happen)
A word to the wise: Lola's is a very popular restaurant and very difficult to get into most evenings. If you're not willing to wait, then you'd best go early. They're open Tuesday-Sunday 4-10 and they tend to start getting busy no later than 6.
Lola's
1038 Bridge Rd, Charleston, West Virginia
Open Tuesday-Sunday 4-10
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