Lauren Elizabeth Wilson
+3.5
RECENTLY TOOK OFF A STAR....I've been here so many times it would be hard to count and up until this past Charleston Resturant Week did I decide to take off a star. A friend of mine went in to pick up takeout for us after a tough week, which happened to be Charleston Resturant Week, we didn't call ahead as we planned to have a drink while we waiting on the food to be prepared. They told us that the weren't doing takeout due to Resturant Week. WHHHHAAAAAA? Even if there wasn't space at the bar we would happily wait in the car. SUPREME DISAPPOINTMENT and I haven't been back since. Not sure when I will go back. I understand the capacity concern but turning away local frequent patrons, just seems like bad business. SMH. It was the first time I feel that I received poor customer service.
Now, despite having to take a star off for my recent experience, I ADORE this place...THE FOOD, SERVICE, AMBIANCE, DECOR, DRINKS, ETC. I love it and I'm never disappoint except for that one time during Resturant Week.
My FAVORITES, in Order of Preference, are as follows:
- Pappardelle with guanciale, Whitemarsh Farm mushrooms, arugula, parmesan
- Smashed fried potatoes with truffled aioli, scallion, parmesan
- Crispy calamari with marinara, garlic aioli, lemon, parsley
- Bruschetta with eggplant, field peas, parmesan, arugula, pickled squash, lemon vinaigrette
- Ricotta gnocchi with marinara, mozzarella, basil
- Brussels sprouts with lemon and fresh chiles
- Tomato braised meatball
- Blood Orange Creme Brulee, candied blood orange slice
- Tiramisu, cocoa powder, chocolate shavings
- Daily Gelati (ask your server for selections) SO DELISH!
Honestly, I've never had a bad meal. Their specials will blow you out of the water. Who am I kidding? I will be back, I love the place too much but wish the staff could have handled a local regular a bit better that night.
You will enjoy it! O and it is on John's Island but totally worth the drive, it is right over the bridge really! JUST GO! You'll love it! PROMISE.
Signed with Love of Gnocchi,
The Original Charlestonian
#LEWReviews #TheOriginalCharlestonian #CiaoBella
We eat there frequently and they are always great. Absolutely the best restaurant in Charleston and not overpriced. Don't fall for the traps like Halls, their prices are a joke and the food is just okay.
The fried Calamari is a must! Veal is outstanding as well. I also enjoy their chicken parm, octopus starter and if you are lucky enough to go when they have their mushroom soup, it is amazing.
I would post a photo, but he food didn't last that long. One of the best meals I have had. Octopus appetizer was awesome. Had the short ribs and the angoli , were both fantastic. Our waitress was lovely and the food quick. My 10 year old summed it best. "Dad I don't like this place, I love it, we are coming back"
AMAZING! We have tried many restaurants in Charleston & this is hands down our favorite! We have had some our best meals here. It is primarily Italian food but you can also get other unique styles of cooking. Service is excellent. The setting is unique & has different rooms. Food is reasonably priced & Chef Larson is a rockstar!
Porcher Kirkland Scott
+5
Outstanding. Every time, everything, spot on delicious. We are always looking forward to next time. The chargrilled octopus has to be one of my favorites. My husband and I always ask what's for dessert first because we have been known to eat that first!
Gem. Been here many times, it never disappoints. Delicious, great service, beautiful place... and the food!!! Superb.
Best Italian food that i have had in a long time. It's good to go to a restaurant that cares more food than anything else. Got to make excuses to come back to this area so I can plan my next meal.
Awesome every time.... Never fails. Went back to Wild Olive tonight for the first time in about a year. The menu has changed but as usual, everything was amazing! This is the best Italian food in town and just a good restaurant in general.... Great atmosphere,
We had a large party and the server - Jonathan - handled it like a pro. He was easily the best server we've had in several years!
Keep it up guys and I will be back.... And back.... And back again !!
Been here a few times now and it's always been a good experience. Wait staff was knowledgeable and could describe the dishes quite well. I've had the tagliatelle and the penne & preferred the tagliatelle with the light but meaty sauce. I get a meatball on the side and it was amazing. My wife swears by the smashed potatoes and brussel sprouts. One underrated thing about WO is the handcrafted cocktail menu. If you like whiskey, the New South is for you.
Excellent!. We are visiting the Charleston area. Urbanspoon led us to this restaurant and are are so glad. I had the warm olives, Caesar salad and a pasta dish made with ingredients that I had never heard of!! It was so wonderful. The bartender (we sat at the bar) was an excellent server and we throughly enjoyed our evening. Great wines too!
All I can say is... Go!
Meet Charlestons' best Italian restaurant!!! From the enchanting entrance and well-appointed parking lot. Check the chandelier in the tree to the glass bottles in the plaster wall and the great landscaping upon entry. Once inside, the hostess will whisk you to your reserved seat. The lighting is great, and the sound level is just fine... jazz in the background. The bread is magnificent, and the grilled octopus is top tier. I don't think there could be any poor choices, so get what you may. Our selections were all extremely well prepared and out in a jiffy. Desert was an olive oil cheesecake...try it...real nice. All in all, this is a remarkable and rememberable restaurant. A+
![5]( "Recensione")
My wife and I had a wonderful meal at the Wild Olive. The food was excellent, the service was very good, and the price was reasonable. We started with the warm bread of house made focaccia and Tiller Bakery sourdough, which came with a cannellini puree. We also had the marinated warm olives. All of which was delicious! For the main course, I had the special, which was a house made rigatoni pasta in a delicious marinara. I also had a terrific glass of montepulciano (Bordinese), which I'm going to try to find at Total Wine. My wife had the chicken parm with pasta. She substituted the marinara sauce for the alfredo on the pasta, which was no problem. Her parm was delicious and something I'm going to get when we go back, although there's a lot on the menu I want to try. Both portions were generous and we had lunch for the next day! (In my younger days there would have been NO leftovers.) My only negative was getting into the parking lot. You really have to be on the lookout for the entrance or you'll go right by it as the restaurant itself, although beautifully landscaped, is somewhat hidden. Hopefully, when we go back, I won't have to do any u-turns. 😉
Great Food. Great Ambiance. Excellent Team members who are passionate about food!
This is one well run restaurant.
We first discovered Wild Olive about 10 years ago and we look forward to dining here whenever we are in Charleston/ Kiawah Island area.
How they find such passionate foodies who care about customers like this escapes most in the food business.
The kitchen is full of artisans who know how to hand make Gnocchi. The Veal is good. Shrimp dishes. Even the warm olives are distinctive.
Highly recommend Wild Olive
Truly enjoy the atmosphere, we chose to sit in the bar. Service attentive and apps are fabulous! The calamari is crispy on the outside and over the top super tender and delicious! We chose to have the scallops with lobster risotto. My eyes are rolling to the back of my head it was so so delicious! Drinks are superb with fresh basil being the main ingredient in a few! For dessert we chose to have the thin mint chocolate martini! Sooo good, The only thing that would have made it even better would have been a dollop of whipped cream ♥️!
This is my one of my favorite restaurants in Charleston. I am obsessed with the Chicken Parm. It was probably the best one I have ever had outside of NYC, if not even better. The bread board was fantastic! The decor was a unique mix of old school Italian with modern day rustic. Our server was really pleasant, overall it was a great dining experience!
The food was truly great. The octopus appetizer was a huge standout, and the veal blew me away! Had a watermelon mojito alongside them, and had a really great night. Highly recommend
I’m too full to type but the meal was amazing from start to finish. Nickie our waitress was amazing. Ask for her she gives great recommendations. The scallops were amazing, the grouper special was out of this world. The chocolate cake with buttercream and peanut butter whisky was the best dessert I have ever had. I will be back and Nikki will be our waitress.
After a lovely tour of the Magnolia Plantation & the Angel Oak, you must go to the infamous Wild Olive restaurant! Our service, table & food were all incredible. We started with the Risotto Fritters, & tried the baked penne, special Elk & Venison lasagna, Chicken Parmesan & Veal Scallopine. WOW! Cannot wait to dine here again!
I wish I could leave this place more than 5 stars. Just wow. Whole experience was awesome. Top notch from the hostess Olivia as soon as we walked in to the bartenders to our server who’s name I regretfully cannot remember. We ordered several appetizers and a pasta course each and the chicken parm. Do yourself a favor and bring your appetite because everything is delicious and makes phenomal leftovers. A solid wine and cocktail menu rounds out the whole experience. One of the best meals I’ve had in a long time.
This is a place where you can order anything on the menu and it'll be the best you've ever had.
This place can sneak up on you as you are trying to find where to turn into the parking lot. Take a deep breath as the rest of the restaurant experience is amazing.
When you go in, the atmosphere is relaxed. Place can hold a lot of people, but not feel over crowded or too noisy.
The menu has a lot to pick from. Lot of options. We took some regular's advice - order from thier specials and you can't go wrong. This was sound advice.
The food, service and deserts were top notch. Definately a place you can't miss out on. Plan ahead for reservations and you'll enjoy the experience.
Make a reservation
Order online
Find the best restaurant in Johns Island
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes