McCradys by Sean Brock Review

Lots if history about the long room. Great food and service.

I love McCray's! I often get their "Pie Called Maccroni". My favorite thing is the pretzel bread they have.

Every bite was delicious! Good ambience, a bit noisy for a romantic dinner though. Excellent service. Would definitely recommend and will return any time I visit Charleston.

Fun place to eat. Food was good, especially the roasted beet we had as an appetizer. A hopefully temporary problem was for some reason the ladies restroom had a lingering foul odor (used twice during our visit) that wasn't a normal "bathroom" odor. Would have been a 4 star otherwise (difficult to get 5 from me).

The first time I visited was for the Amber Waves release party. I had heard great things about the establishment and they were all right!

The atmosphere was great and it is architecturally a beautiful and interesting space. However, the waitstaff and chef might be taking themselves a little too seriously.

The service was awkward but nice. I tuned out our waitress as she recited the menu to my mother, sister and me. I wasn't sure why she was reading the menu to us, because we can all read; not to mention it took awhile.

After that awkward moment, we tried to rally and decided to go big and start with the caviar and tater-tot appetizer. Unfortunately, McCrady's couldn't pull it off. It was a huge disappoint- it was monotone and needed a lot of work before it is fair to charge $45. A different waiter told us how hot the tater-tots were and how the chef reccomend we eat the appetizer. The tots were luke warm, oily and needed salt. The appetizer was visually beautiful but needed salt, and more acid. It was too thick and we spent the entire time talking about how it could be better. It was very expensive for those kinds of mistakes and for no-one to care if we enjoyed it.
There was also a pretentiousness that permeated the experience, it felt like they were allowing us to eat there instead of being excited to share what they felt was special.
All in all, whomever is steering the ship needs to get back to basics.

Such a beautiful place to eat! Great and knowledgeable staff. Absolutely amazing food and drinks! Must go while either visiting or living in Charleston!

Went here for an anniversary dinner and was very impressed. The place is gorgeous! The food was delicious and the perfect portions did not leave me unpleasantly full nor hungry. It's not too loud in there but the tables are a bit close together. There are not many options for picky eaters though so be open to new options!

Marvelous use of local ingredients to create amazing dishes with subtlety and flavor.

One of the most incredible dining experiences of my life! My wife and I absolutely loved it.

I can't really speak to the quality of the restaurant, but the banquet room was amazing. I recently attended a wedding reception and they have a beautiful banquet area on the second level complete with a bar, a great colonial dining hall, and separate bathrooms.

As for food, I had the flank steak cooked medium rare and I was extremely impressed. I'm normally disappointed by steaks when I eat out most of the time, but this one was really good. It was more rare than I thought it would be, but I can't shoot it down for that because it was great-quality meat.

The staff was very friendly and professional, and was very polite when I had questions about food allergens. I would recommend for anyone planning a wedding or special dinner.

Might just be one of the best dinner experiences we've ever had. Get the wine pairing. Service was beyond incredible.

Furious!!! We came to Charleston to treat our daughter to a special birthday meal. I telephoned the restaurant the morning of our reservation to request a special birthday dessert. The 4 of us ordered the chef s tasting menu. At the end of the $800 meal, they failed to acknowledge her birthday in anyway and I expressed frustration with our server. She returned to the kitchen to prepare a 3rd dessert course. I went to the hostess stand to tell the manager (who stood glaring at our table) that we certainly could not eat another course, but expected my specific request to be honored, especially as I had called to remind them this morning. I can only describe his response as belligerently rude. He never once apologized or made any attempt to smooth over a very disappointing experience. The meal itself was good, but I cannot describe it as special, and not worth $800 in my opinion. There are far too many incredible restaurants in Charleston to support a restaurant that carelessly disregards an important request and more importantly behaves rudely when you bring it to their attention.

This was the nicest restaurant I have ever eaten at and they live up to the expectations.

This restaurant has some of the best food not only in Charleston, but but in the country... There are two restaurants side by side and both are a treat. If you travel to Charleston, make sure you get a reservation and done at this amazing place before you leave... It's worth it

A truly unique and spectacular culinary experience. Service was exemplary, the chef's creations were as artistic as they were delectable, and the reserve wine pairings were sensational. All this made for a gourmet experience unlike any other.

Make a reservation! This place is a gem in an ally, the exposed bricks on the inside is abousulty beautiful. The atmosphere is elegant. However I waited about 30 mins for my meal because there was some mix up in the kitchen. However when it finally arrived it was well worth the wait! Had the special of the day and just wow. Great cocktails and a decent wine list. The only thing I would change, is the age limit for dining here, there is nothing about this place that says children, and at one point all I heard was a little one crying. Other than that, over all. Exceptional food and great service.

The best of Charleston! Our first time doing a chefs counter type of experience and it did not disappoint. Service + food both on point. The menu will change seasonally, as they try to source locally what's freshest.

Nothing compares, period. The service is amazing. The food is out of this world. So glad I made reservations two months prior. Even in the slow season they were busy. Every course was an awesome culinary experience. The wine parings were we'll chosen. Glad I didn't have to drive afterwards. A most memorable evening for my wife's birthday. You must try this.

Awesome in every way -- food, wine pairings, service, & serving settings. A monthly bucket list experience.

Terrible Experience. We made the mistake of coming in for the brunch on Saturday. As soon as I looked at the menu, I wanted to leave as the selection was extremely limited and the place was almost empty. We ordered a bear claw for an appetizer. It took over 15 minutes to get to the table. What a waste of time and $6.00. Our children ordered the mac & cheese which was brown in color and tasted bad. My wife and I tried it as well agreeing with our children that it tasted bad. We asked for 2 hamburgers instead which came out 15 minutes later with very soggy buns. My wife ordered the shrimp salad which was really tasty. Two of us ordered the burger and fries. Outside of the extremely soggy bun it tasted average at best. When our children's burgers came out, I immediately asked for the check and two to-go boxes.... It took us over 10 minutes to get the check and to-go boxes. The server was extremely friendly but very slow. I would not recommend this place to anyone nor will I return. It was a waste of $90.00

My wife and I called for reservations at 7:00pm on a Saturday night. We arrived at 6:45pm and the hostess said our table was not ready and we should have a drink at the bar. We sat down at the bar and the first thing we noticed was that the bartender was not very friendly. My wife and I talked until 7:20pm and then wondered why no one had gotten us to sit at our table. I walked up to the hostess and asked why they had not gotten us and she said, oh Im sorry. Right this way . She sat us down at a table for two by the fireplace. The first thing I noticed was a bright light from the ceiling shining down on us. I asked if they could dim the light and they said no. This light was bright enough to be annoying. Our waiter was average. Also the air conditioner was not working properly and as a result, we were sweating and felt very uncomfortable, but nobody apologized to us for the inconvenience Overall I felt the staff did not go above and beyond to make our experience a pleasant one. I believe customer service is the key to a successful business. I will say the caviar appetizer was to die for. The meal itself was average but not worth the cost. A little pricey. It s a shame they are loosing their chef. Having grown up in downtown Charleston most of my life, I enjoy going to the many wonderful restaurants we have. Years ago McCrady s was our favorite restaurant in Charleston, but now there are so many excellent choices that I will save my money and go to Hall s Chophouse where they know how to treat a customer.

Enjoyed opening night here a while back. Need to go again and try something else. Nice appearance.

One of the best meals that I have had in Charleston. Great service, great alcohol selection, rich and fresh food with amazing flavor

First - George Washington ate here in 1791! Mind blown.
Second - the service was excellent, at fine dining level.
Third - the food was well prepared and quite good.
Butttt, the bread and butter! I ordered seconds for dessert, yes the salted house made butter and hot rolls were better than any dessert they could have served me. (See Photo - You are welcome!)

I was pregnant when I visited the restaurant with my husband. Bummer (Not really because I love my daughter, but the drunk menu looked amazing). Our waitress had the bartender hook me up with a virgin-beverage. It was as incredible as I imagine the non-virgin drinks were. The food was equally as incredible - I had the snapper - It was perfectly cooked with delicious flavors. Our neighbors at the restaurant raves about their dishes as well. If you re in Charleston, you should eat here.

As good as they say! Delicious food and great service.

Great atmosphere( old and exposed, yet updated and clean). Love the side alley entrance really sets the tone for the night that lay ahead. Amazing service followed by excellent knowledge of the menu. My stand out was the beef tartar and canned liver(canned in-house) buttery, velvety, and delicious.

Atmosphere was perfect and service was impeccable. Every dish had flavors that perfectly complimented each other. Worth it, so very worth it.

The first night of our honeymoon we stumbled upon this place and we're blown away! My wife and I were actually looking for your typical "pub grub" but upon looking at the menu, we knew we had to try it out. Our meal was EXQUISITE!!!! The textures and flavors we're unlike any we've had before. Our server, Tess, was very familiar with the menu and helpful in every way! She even took time to tell us some fun things to do in Charleston. Try this place out! It's amazing food and they don't treat you poorly if you split plates (an issue we've run into in other establishments). Thanks McCradys for an excellent first dinner!

The food was very good, and presented very well, but it lacked that pop of true excellence. The beef tartare was nothing special. The fish was great. The pork definitely needed the knife it came with. The dessert was very good.

The ambiance was very nice.

The service is what really shined. My wife and I went there for our anniversary, and the wait staff went out of their way to take care of us. We were never neglected, but also given plenty of space to enjoy our evening. They were *very* professional and courteous, always referring to us as "Mr. Peterson" or "Mrs. Peterson", and following the little "rules" for good wait staff. They brought us special drinks on the house for our anniversary, too.

I had brought some secret items that I wanted the server to bring to the table with dessert - a card and a York peppermint patty (it's a thing between my wife and me). I discreetly gave them to the maitre d', but alas - my peppermint patty had melted in my bag! He saw my dismay and instantly said "Nevermind sir - we'll get you another." I said dubiously "... a York peppermint patty??" He replied "We'll find one." And they did. I know they must have sent someone to the store to buy me a replacement York peppermint patty, and that's all there was to it. A simple thing - but these are the kinds of things that set great service apart.

Many people here are posting pics and reviewing for the Tavern. McCrady's is the restaurant where you get the prefix menu and there is very limited seating - not the Tavern. I ate at McCrady's and that is where my palate was blown! They did things like put pickled rhubarb with red snapper, finger limes and marigold with Carolina shrimp, cucumber sorbet greek yogurt, it just was incredible. Michelin's refusal to go to Charleston is not 'quirky', it is downright disgraceful. This restaurant would have 2 Michelin stars, minimum IMO. Doesn't matter. I have never seen a meal as complex, unique and delicious for $125 anywhere.

The place is nice but the whole experience is just people pretending to be fancy. The food is small and just not very good. I say just stop pretending and and go to some normal place and enjoy your meal what you enjoy.

Disappointed that I can't give it a 6 star rating. Didn't eat, but enjoyed the beer, but if you prefer something other than beer, these bartenders make some really great infused drinks. Awesome experience.

Working here was ok. Personally, I feel I was used for one purpose then cut lose when they no longer needed me (after 3 weeks). The management staff are not very professional at all

Great food, great music, great staff, and in beautiful downtown Charleston. If you are in Charleston it is worth a visit.

Our group of 20 had a private room and banquet seating with two entree choices. Waiters were attentive and well trained. The room was tastefully decorated and appropriately grand for a restaurant of this reputation.

Food was plebeian, at best. Appetizers (cubes of minced green tomatoes, deep fried, and some sort of cheese tart) were without remarkable flavor and both had an unpleasing-to-the-mouth texture (especially the "fried green tomato" cubes, which had the consistency of toothpaste under the exterior fried shell). The fish entree was "local grouper" that smelled fishy and was inedible - sent it back in exchange for a petite filet that had no special texture or flavor. Both were presented in a pedestrian way, with no color, style, or accents. The fish plate was totally white except for some paprika-like artificial color on the fish which added insufficient flavor to disguise the amines from the ancient fish. To add insult to injury, the bill was an eye-watering $107/person (alcohol not included).

Worst value in a meal I've ever had.

we had 12 to 16 tastes. i feel satisied and not stuffed.

Enjoyed a delicious dinner with our Quoizel family!! Fin times

The service was amazing. The ambiance was perfect, but the food overall was unimpressive. Don't get me wrong, it was GOOD food. But it didn't live up to my personal expectations. There was nothing about any of the dishes that would make it a place I had to come back too. All in all my table had the chicken, pork chop, spaghetti, and I had the special which was northern puffer fish. We also did the macaroni side and broccoli, cheddar, and oxtail side.

This place was fantastic. Our server Jordan was really good and had great recommendations. The squid ink pasta with shellfish sausage was soooooooo good.

Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Enjoyed brunch on Saturday. Delicious with great wine selections. We stayed a long time.

Superb dinner with app of beef tartare and entree of fillet mignon, located a wine in their own stock we'd been looking for all year. A magnificent 2013 Marsannay from Meo-Camuzet. They had two bottles. Kudos to waitress for her assistance. Thank You Tess! Finished dinner and went to Gilliard center to see Joe Bonamassa's show. Fabulous evening with my wonderful wife.

Wonderful place for happy hour with clients or friends.

Came here for a family member's birthday. The food was excellent, and our waitress (Rachel) was absolutely delightful and very knowledgeable of the food and wine selection. Looking forward to coming back soon.

Spent my birthday evening there. The wait staff was phenomenal, the food was absolutely to-die-for and the atmosphere was top notch! Best meal I have had in ages with great music (chef's personal playlist). Recommended for everyone. Also try a B52, for a shot of yummy goodness. Save room for dessert. Put me into a happy-food coma!!! Will be going back again and again and again!!!

McCrady's...Always perfect. Impeccable service; amazing and innovative food. Tucked away in Unity Alley, off the traditional path, the atmosphere at McCrady's always reminds me of dining at the CIA in the Napa Valley. Further evidence of the old adage that one gets what one pays for, McCrady's is still as good or better than any restaurant in Charleston; and no matter where you're from, that's saying something.

The duck here is excellent. Also if you re dining alone sitting at the bar is amazing and the bartenders are friendly and give great recommendations.

AMAZING. Once my family and I had vacation plans in place I made a reservation as soon as it was available on Open Table to make sure we didn't miss this. My husband were celebrating our anniversary and thought this place would be wonderful (and not so straight forward!) and boy did they not disappoint. From service to information to open kitchen, there was a lot to look at and take in. Not to mention the food! If you're not sure if it's worth it, just GO.

I had some of my favorite meals ever here. Absolutely worth it.

We ate there last Sunday for brunch. There were 11 of us. The restaurant was NOT busy. The food took forever. We didn't blame the waiter, but he did not explain why it took so long. The food was good. Not sure if good enough to take 40 minutes. People had salads, burger, quiche. How long does it take to make small salads? Quiche was small. It came with a small side salad. I was still hungry. We found this on line as one of the best restaurants in Charleston. Please change your web site to read that you're open for lunch. We went there on Saturday first...to have lunch. You didn't open until 5:00. We were disappointed to say the least.

My wife and I came here for our 1st year anniversary and it was a wonderful decision. The server took real interest in why we where their and making the night one to remember. The steaks we had were better than the steak houses around town and the wine was delicious and affordable. If we weren't moving out of state we would make McCrady's a regular stop.

Had to sacrifice a kidney for the taster menu, but well worth it for an occasional splurge.

By occasional I mean once every 5 years or so.

Outstanding food and service in a historic Charleston location.

The new Gastropub style is a little inconsistent with the classic, high quality I have come to expect with McCrady's. They need to decide if they are a high end, high quality establishment or a beer bar. Frankly, in my opinion, when I go to a beer bar that serves Miller High Life, I'm not paying 5-star prices regardless of how good the food is. Overall, great food, but not the experience I expected, or wanted.

Excellent waitstaff! Beautiful ambiance. If you're looking for a unique culinary experience and don't mind the price, this is a lovely spot. The asparagus with egg yolk and wild violet was delicious and something I'd never make at home. The best part about this place was the unique pairings of ingredients. Southern foods prepared in a non traditional way.

Amazing experience all around. Creative dishes that were just simply delicious. My husband and I each ordered different courses so that we could try each other's and my Beef Culotte with charred eggplant, banana, and basil blossoms won out as the best of the night if not the best steak I've ever had. Don't do Charleston without McCrady's. It was the highlight of our trip!

Tasting menu here is wonderful. Service here is always top notch. This is a restaurant to treat yourself too. I ve been here solo twice and each time I feel like I m in heaven. The menu changes a lot, so you ll rarely have the same dish. Last time I was here I had the Wagyu supplement they were doing a special of. Best. Steak. Ever. The beverage pairings are top notch, and they know their wine very well.

Best place to meet friend. Great food at reasonable prices. Amazing services. Everything was well organised.

Great dining experience. Unbelievable service and such a fun concept. We were celebrating an anniversary and they made sure to make us feel special. It s a meal we won t forget.

Very cool and very old pub with good wines and cocktails.

Delicious food, great atmosphere. I had the pork porterhouse and it was perfectly seared. The chopped salad was great and the beet au poivre was a-mazing.

One of the most fun tasting menus I've ever enjoyed! We did the non alcoholic drink pairing and it was out of this world. Beautiful, high end cuisine coupled with a warm, welcoming staff.

Love the atmosphere here! They had the Yuza Eclair as the pastry of the day and it was delicious. I tried the Benny and it was full of flavor but unique. I wouldn't classify it as a Benny though. Hollandaise was great. Thick slice of tomato in the middle was actually a good idea. My only complaint was that my Latte wasn't hot