CLOSINGS: Ciao, Gratzi.
Photo by Kenny Kemp
By Brooke A. Brown
I know that my one dish review of Gratzi wasn’t a glowing one, but I didn’t think it would close the place down! That’s right, folks… the Charleston Gratzi is no more. The ability to get a free birthday meal in this town just became a touch more difficult.
I was never terribly impressed with the food at Gratzi, but the restaurant was very cozy and the service was first-class. Food quality can always rebound with the right type of management, though. I guess we just couldn’t get Gordon Ramsay here in time to save the place. C’est la vie.
Here’s hoping we get something new and exciting in the space, like a mini-Cheesecake Factory, for instance. Or a P.F. Chang’s (let’s be realistic, it’ll be a chain of some sort that replaces Gratzi, so it might as well be a good one!). What type of restaurant would you like to see ‘give it a go’ in Charleston? Leave your comments below.
January 8th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I second the motion for a Cheesecake Factory, or a P.F. Chang’s. I’d also like to see a Season’s 52, or a Bahama Breeze–their coconut prawns are amazing!
January 8th, 2008 at 11:46 am
In no particular order: Boston Market, California Pizza Company, or Ruby Tuesday’s. I also like your suggestion of a “mini-Cheescake Factory” too.
January 8th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Again, in no particlar order, I’d like to see the space occupied by Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Macaroni Grill, or a Max and Erma’s. I can taste the Cactus Butter on M&E’s Laredo Steak just by thinking about it.
January 8th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Miss S: Ooh… Bahama Breeze. Those coconut prawns are mighty tasty!
Mel: California Pizza is a great idea! I’m kind of a fan.
Mike: I adore the Macaroni Grill. Each time I visit my family in Knoxville, I try to pay the one on Kingston Pike a visit.
Great recommendations, everyone! Keep ‘em coming.
January 8th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I’m down with P.F. Chang’s.
January 8th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
I’ve never eaten at a California Pizza Kitchen, but after checking out their website, I want to. Put them on my list of nominations, too!
January 8th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
P.F. Chang’s? It’s over priced, sensationalized chinese food. NOT worth the price. Cheesecake Factory..again, over priced for the food. Neither of those would ever go into the Charleston Mall. It isnt ‘upscale’.
Now, California Pizza Kitchen would be AWESOME and would do great.
January 8th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I don’t know if the space is big enough, but Dave & Busters would clean up in this town.
I can’t vouch for the food, but I hear it’s like Chuck E Cheese for grown-up video game nerds.
I’ll second Ruby Tuesdays, too. Loved their salad bar when I tried it in Barboursville.
Of course, the cool thing would be if we could lure Frisch’s into opening a Big Boy restaurant in that space. Their parent company is already in the area with Golden Corral, so it wouldn’t be a stretch.
It’d be better than that Big Boy Church that they’re apparently building on Kanawha Boulevard, near Patrick Street, anyway.
January 8th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I like to think of what’s missing in Charleston. We have GREAT pizza: Lolas (my personal fave), the Anchor’s Tomato Pie, & Grazianos. While an upper-scale Asian-Fusion thing (PF Changs) would be cool…I’ll still get my Moo Shu Chicken or Shrimp w/ Garlic Sauce from Main Kwong and my sushi from Kaifu. Plus, those that frequent Ichiban would argue that it is similar in menu options to PF Changs. We have good Indian (Sitar), good Thai (Thai House), and good Italian (gotta love Fazios and Leonoros - SoHo’s for the more urban feel). There’s Bluegrass Kitchen, Rio Grande, Blossom Deli and other locally owned spots to frequent. If it has to be a chain…which I am sad that it will be, I personally would like to see a brew pub style place. A Fado Irish Pub (with all the Smithwicks and Guinness I can handle) or a Copper Kettle (this place I went in Knoxville) are examples. A cozy, dark place (I see brown boothes with low lights, European sports on the tele, Gaelic folks songs in the backgropund) with great beers on tap and good food. Do we need another chain restaurant in this town - probably not. But, I’d like to see something different. If not - lets get a Moroccan or Brazilian joint that has some entertainment as well as food. Flaming Meat Skewers anyone?
January 8th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
dave - The Cheesecake Factory is no more expensive than Tidewater, which isn’t hurting for business. And please clarify: are you saying the mall isn’t ‘upscale’ enough, or the Factory? You may be right on both accounts.
Rudy - It would almost be worth having a Big Boy just to see that silly statue along Court Street… maybe even in the median? That would be awesome.
Jennifer - GREAT commentary. Thanks so much. I was born and raised in Knoxville, and would love it if we had a Copper Cellar (I’m assuming you meant ‘Cellar’ instead of ‘Kettle’). Though it’s part of a chain of TN-only restaurants, so it’s not likely we’ll see one here. But your recommendation for a Brazilian place, like Fogo de Chao, for instance, is brilliant. Viva variety!
January 8th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
C’mon guys, we need something HEALTHY in this town. A place with salads that actually contain more than iceberg lettuce, and mealy tomatoes. How about a Houston’s? They have great atmosphere, an excellent bar, and some really healthy selections.
January 8th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Whatever it is, I hope it’s locally owned and not a chain…. How about a Brewpub???
January 8th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
A Brewpub works for me, especially if you’re somehow involved, Rich.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Buca Di Beppo!
January 9th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Buca di Beppo would ge a great choice. I had dinner with a group at a BdP several years ago, and the food and atmosphere were great.
Buca’s restaurants are a family-style setting, and each “dining room” (ours was more like a large booth or banquette, really) is decorated differently. It’s interesting just to see all the art and prints hung on the walls. And the food…
I’m sure the menu has changed since then, but I recall a huge platter of linguini and mussells that were out of this world, and some of the best stuffed shells I’ve tasted anywhere. The service was top-notch, as well.
While we’re on the subject of “I’d like to see”…I’d like to see a Sonny’s Barbeque in this area. It wouldn’t necessarily be a good fit for Charleston Town Center, but I think it would be a hit at Southridge or near I-77/I-64 in Kanawha City. With apollogies to Famous Daves, BBQ just hasn’t been the same around here since we lost Smokey Bones. Kanawha City would be good a good fit because folks traveling north from the Sonny south are very familiar with Sonny’s fare and logo. I’ve eaten at quite a few Sonnny’s locations in several states, and they are extremely consistent in food quality and service. A nice added touch is the always-offered refill of sweet tea in a “to go” cup for the road. And those BBQ beans, and that garlic bread, nearly dripping with buttery goodness, and…
January 9th, 2008 at 10:41 am
P.F. Changs I was initiated to this chain while in Cincinatti a while back and could really go fo a local one. Yeah Yeah I know we have a gazillion asian resteraunts, so what our appitite for asian food in Charleston seems to be never sated.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Some nice German food would not be amiss either, or possibly a Max & Erma’s
January 9th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Something that people will actually go outside the mall and around the corner to eat at.
January 10th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Brooke - Yes, Copper Cellar, not Kettle. Sorry.
Too many Sunday Mimosa’s and samplers @ the Cellar. Knoxville had some yummy restaurants. Tomato Head Pizza reformed me. And Barleys Taproom, in the Old City, had killer beers on tap and awesome food.
Rich…You and Jeff R. get working on that brew pub.
January 10th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
BScot & Mike: Buca di Beppo is a very good call! Nice.
Chris: I see you’re in agreement with the mayor, who was quoted in the paper saying roughly the same thing. I’m thinking people would make that short walk to just about any of the places mentioned here.
Jennifer: No apologies necessary! At one point in time, Knoxville had the most restaurants - per capita - of any city in the country. Sounds crazy, but it’s true. Barley’s is also a great place for live music.
Keep the ideas coming, gang!
January 10th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Renovate the entire end, open up the mall and add a Cheesecake Factory!! Wow… talk about an update!
January 17th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
CHEESECAKE FACTORY!!! YEA!!!
January 17th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
CJ: I like - and completely understand - your enthusiasm!
January 17th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Carrabbas would make a fine choice. Everything I have ever eaten there is wonderful. Especially the spiedino de mare.
Claddaughs’ is an irish pub that has a wonderful atmosphere, and great fish and chips.
Please, lets not have another steak house
January 18th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
How about Bonefish Grill.. bam-bam shrimp… yum
January 20th, 2008 at 10:50 am
A place that has a lot to offer VEGETARIANS! This town has only a few restaurants to offer for vegans, vegetarians, or people that are interested in eating a healthy meal. How about a local place, why not? BLACK BEAR in Morgantown would the be the absolute best. We need a place where the younger crowd can hang out, a venue for music and art, where vegetarians can eat more than salad and you can have a ROGUE beer. BLACK BEAR BLACK BEAR BLACK BEAR!!!
January 21st, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I second a local brewpub…I can’t think of anything better.
February 5th, 2008 at 4:07 am
Good Renovation Ideas for your Home…
Renovations are always a good idea if you are trying to add some value onto your home to increase its selling price….