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181 PalmerReservations
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181 Palmer Reviews List
181 Palmer
181 Palmer is the Culinary Institute of Charleston’s dining room on its downtown campus. The facility’s design, highlighted by bold lines and bright colors, garnered LS3P Associates an Honor Award, the American Institute of Architect’s highest. Inside 181 Palmer’s sparkling glass walls, tables are… dressed in crisp linens and Stolzle stemware, state-of-the-art technology streams in action from the kitchen, and skilled CIC students produce and serve a seasonal prix fixe menu for a value that Southern Living magazine labeled “How to Save Money on Fine Cuisine.” (Please note: Because both the dining rooms and the student-run kitchens of 181 Palmer and our sister restaurant The Relish Restaurant Group® Dining Room are classrooms, the days and hours of operation are determined by the college’s calendar.)
See more 181 Palmer details
33 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.7
/
5
Rating Breakdown 33 reviews
5 stars
(24)
4 stars
(7)
3 stars
(2)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- great for lunch(26)
- fit for foodies(23)
- neighborhood gem(18)
- special occasion(5)
- good for groups(1)
- great for brunch(1)
181 Palmer Reviews List
Review 1 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ashley River Plantation Group
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We recently brought our residents from an assisted living community to eat at your lovely restaurant. This was our second time there and both times went perfectly. Lunch outings can sometimes be challenging but the staff/students were very accomadating and welcomed our large group with smiles and friendly service. The food was amazing and our residents ate very well which isn't always the case. Your budget friendly restaurant also offers our residents the opportunity to participate in a fine dining experience that may not otherwise be affordable. Thank you for making this occasion wonderful for our residents and stress free for myself and my Activities Director."
Dined on 04/10/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
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Review 2 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Awesome experience. The students
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Awesome experience. The students do an amazing job."
Dined on 04/02/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 3 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Above Average!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"181 Palmer is the restaurant at Trident Tech's Culinary Institute downtown. The food and service are provided by the students pursuing a career in the culinary arts. We were pleased with the menu choices and the food was nicely prepared. Opted not to have any wine for lunch although it was available. The cappucino was ok, it needed to be a bit stronger. But the fish of the day was this delicious grouper, and a surprisingly nice portion for lunch. The student who waited on our table was very accomodating and did her best to answer our questions. Overall, it's a great place to have an above average lunch at a reasonable price ($15 per person) with good service to boot."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 4 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fabulous food; beautiful presentati
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Fabulous food; beautiful presentation. Always a pleasure to dine at 181 Palmer."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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Review 5 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 6 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent as usual. From apps
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Excellent as usual. From apps to entrees to dessert. Always unique ingredients, beautifully plated. The charcuterie plate is one of the best."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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Review 7 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Try It!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was a really fun experience. There is a large screen showing the students working in the kitchen and the people in the dining room are friendly and accommodating. A great opportunity to see the formation of future chefs and hospitality workers. The food was very well prepared and interesting. Best quality/value in Charleston!!"
Dined on 02/21/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 8 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Delightful experience. Jackie,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Delightful experience. Jackie, our server, was a delight! Will definitely be back!"
Dined on 02/21/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 9 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
A pleasure to dine once again!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"A pleasure to dine once again! Flavours, variety, presentation, atmosphere all above expectations!"
Dined on 02/21/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 10 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
181 Palmer is the restaurant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"181 Palmer is the restaurant at the Charleston CIA. The food and service are provided by the students pursuing a career in the culinary arts. We were very impressed with the quality of the food and the service was enthusiastic."
Dined on 02/18/2013
2010
Special Features: great for lunch
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Review 11 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Love being there. The food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Love being there. The food is excellent and the service is excellent. Keep up the good work!!!!!"
Dined on 02/19/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 12 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Will Not Disappoint!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This is the Culinary Institute of Charleston's cooking school. I would rate the whole experience a 10+. You definitely have to try it. The food was fabulous and the waitstaff was wonderful!"
Dined on 02/21/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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Review 13 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
most dishes were excellent.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"most dishes were excellent. the egg in the pea soup was not cooked enough. all other dishes were great"
Dined on 02/18/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 14 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Dining at 181 Palmer is always
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Dining at 181 Palmer is always a much-anticipated event. Great food & service, always top-notch."
Dined on 02/18/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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Review 15 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Good variety of menu options.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Good variety of menu options. Servers were friendly and helpful. Food well prepared and presented."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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Review 16 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Hard to believe this is a
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Hard to believe this is a teaching/learning culinary school it is so well done and nearly as good as some of the big name dining spots in Charleston. No wonder Charleston is a food paradise with all these talented chefs and hospitality people in training. This is no school cafeteria! We will definitely be back!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 17 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
181 Palmer is the best lunch
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"181 Palmer is the best lunch in Charleston. Reserve early to get a table each semester to try the rotating Prix Fix menu. Great place to take an interviewee or have out of town business associates to lunch. Expect to be there for 90 minutes. Extra points for the student servers if you ask them to make a cappuccino!"
Dined on 02/12/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 18 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Upscale food & presentation
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This is a restaurant run by culinary students. Food is very upscale
with great presentation and service.
A less formal version of the Culinary Institute of America in Poughkipsee, N.Y."
with great presentation and service.
A less formal version of the Culinary Institute of America in Poughkipsee, N.Y."
Dined on 02/07/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 19 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Give your review a title (optional)
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"A tremendous find on our visit to Charleston. The student chefs turn out fantastic dishes during the lunch hour. The fixed price three course meal was one of our best in Charleston, and that's saying a lot. I hope to get their white cheesecake recipe."
Dined on 02/07/2013
2007
Special Features: great for lunch
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Review 20 for 181 Palmer
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Everything was PERFECT...
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Everything was PERFECT... as usual!"
Dined on 02/06/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Ratings-Only Reviews for 181 Palmer
Based on the average of (13) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate