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California Dreaming Restaurant

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Mary Porcher
Mary Porcher
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
11
Reviews
6
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1-5 of 11

Remember Where You Are

  • April 6, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Fonda Peters from Fairfax, Virginia
I am from out of town and have been eating at this resturant for many many years. It is always very crowded and although I believe they could do better with their "call ahead wait list" they give it a college try. The salads are huge and I am usually too full to eat the rest of my meal, but make an attempt. One thing you have to remember, this is not Ruth Chris. So you will have in-experienced wait staff that do their best when there are lines wrapped around the joint and by the time you get to your seat, you are hungry and tired. So these in-experienced young staff members have to now wait on people that are hungry, tired and usually very rude. The situation is not always ideal, but the food and the price that goes with it is worth the wait. And I say this not being a very patient person. So give them a break and remember where you are eating. If you want top notch service with reservations, and if you can afford the price which by the negative reviews is doubtful, go to Ruth Chris or Mortons to get what you want.

Worst Restaurant Ever

  • February 3, 2009
  • Rated 1 of 5 by ocdgirl from Summerivlle, South Carolina
I have been dining at California Dreaming for many years now. For the longest time, it was my favorite restaurant anywhere. Now, I would not recommend it to anyone. The last three times I went, the service was awful. On my first trip, a girl dropped an entire mixed drink on my new blouse. Of course I knew it was an accident, but she did not even say she was sorry, but instead walked away and seemed to avoid me the rest of the time I was there. I expected that at some point a manager would come and check to make sure I was alright, but that never happened. The second trip I speak of, my food came out wrong not once, but twice. By the time my food was brought to me correctly, everyone else was already finished eating! I also noticed on my way out the door that the restaurant had earned a B rating. Had I known that before, I never would have stepped foot inside. My third trip was just yesterday, Monday, Feb. 2, 2009. I thought I would give it one more chance before I gave up. There were many things that happened that hammered that last nail in the coffin for me. First, I had to wait over 30 minutes for my food to come out. Of course, when it finally did come out, it was incorrect. I waited another fifteen minutes for the new food, a seemingly simple Shrimp Wrap, it tasted horrible! My server was also very short with me. As well, they have an open kitchen, where you can see everything that goes on. I was sitting right next to the window, and I saw a young man yelling very rudely at someone working on the food. Not only did he use profanity that anyone listening could hear, but it was evident he was not in control of the situation. I later asked my server who he was, and she told me the soon-to-be manager of the whole store! Perhaps this explains why my visit was such a miserable one. Clearly, this man has no idea what he is doing, and has let all aspects of his restaurant go downhill, fast.

California Dreaming

  • August 22, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by nora_yusuf from Tulsa, Oklahoma
Our culinary adventure began with lunch at California Dreaming (Ashley River Drive). We enjoyed great food and a great view of the Ashley River at the same time. The shrimp quesadilla was oh so yummy, and the fried flounder was flaky and tender, literally melting on your tongue. We also tried the croissants (as appetizers), and while they were good, they were also sweet and did not seem appropriate for an appetizer.

From journal 3-Day Gastronomic Adventure in Charleston, SC

California Dreaming

  • July 7, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by ronanusa from Goose Creek, South Carolina
I went here for prom, and also sometimes with my family on special occasions. The food is a bit pricey but good. The fettuccine alfredo is the best. It is so creamy and tasty. The croissants are so soft and buttery. A plate goes by very quickly. The cheesecake is so creamy and delicious. The food is good, but obviously not for the person on a diet.

From journal Good Ol' South

California Dreaming

  • May 4, 2005
  • Rated 4 of 5 by The Breeze from Mayfield, Ohio
California Dreaming

We went to California Dreaming on a weekday early in the evening. We got seated right in front of one of the huge picture windows overlooking the Ashley River (though, actually, every table has a good view). Soon afterwards, a busload of people arrived, but even then it didn't feel crowded in this airy, spacious restaurant, and the service didn't seem to suffer from their added presence.

I would recommend the California Dreaming salad ($8), consisting of greens, cheeses, almonds, tomatoes, bacon, ham, and chopped eggs (which I would have omitted). They also offer steaks, seafood (the Cajun-crusted tilapia was good), chicken, sandwiches, and burgers. Top it all off with a nice slice of key lime pie.

Also, by bringing in their flier, which we discovered at the Charleston Visitor Center, the waitress brought us a nice free basket of their lovely honey croissants (a $4 value).

One word to the wise: If you would like to check out this restaurant, before you leave your home or hotel, plug the address into Mapquest for directions, as it is rather tricky to find.

From journal Under the Spell of Charleston

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