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'Cesca Charleston Reviews List

'Cesca Charleston

Experience 'Cesca…continental, comfortable, and world-class. At the heart of Downtown Charleston's transformation into a premiere dining destination, 'Cesca serves equal portions of elegance and relaxed ambiance. It is "very fine, though unrelentingly rustic"… an authentic dining experience borne of its founders' Italian heritage and the pedigreed experience of its executive chef.



Chef Kevin Soucy presents simple yet extraordinary fare, offering a highly personal menu he describes as "interpretive Southern regional Italian cuisine".
See more 'Cesca Charleston details
55 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall 
3.8 / 5
(Very Good) 3.8 / 5
(55 Reviews)
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating Breakdown 55 reviews
5 stars
(16)
4 stars
(23)
3 stars
(7)
2 stars
(6)
1 star
(3)
Food 
3.8 / 5
(Very Good) 3.8 / 5
Service 
3.9 / 5
(Very Good) 3.9 / 5
Ambiance 
4.2 / 5
(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5
Noise Level
1.8 / 3
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
  • notable wine list(30)
  • special occasion(27)
  • romantic(26)
  • fit for foodies(25)
  • good for groups(16)
  • neighborhood gem(6)
'Cesca Charleston Reviews List
Review 1 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

slow service but good food

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"It was Valentine's Day and they were very friendly and set the mood for the night with a single rose for all the ladies in the house. Our service was slow and it didn't seem like they had a full house. Even the couple next to us commented on how long it took for they're drink orders to be brought out. Not a bad place by any stretch just make sure you go on a night when you have time and patience."
Dined on 02/14/2013
 2012
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 2 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Give your review a title (optional)

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"we had a really great experience, waiter, food, ambiance easy to get to. asked the waiter how long the restaurant had been there and he said 7 months and the staff had found out before opening that evening they would be closing, last night to serve. Sad....
seems weekend business was good but week days very slow.
"
Dined on 02/16/2013
 2010
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Review 3 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5

Overall a disappointing experience.

Food 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Service 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"Overall a disappointing experience. The restaurant is beautiful, but we knew something was fishy when this "high end" Italian restaurant had paper napkins on the table. The wine list was nice, but the waitress brought a '07 instead of '06, and tried to just pretend that is what I ordered, turns out they were out of '06. My appetizer carpaccio was ok, but was drenched in wilted greens, my wife ordered the soup of the day which was Tomato, it was fine. My wife ordered the lobster Mac n cheese, which was not as advertised but tasted good, seemed more like a cream sauce, than what you would expect for the dish. I ordered the trio of fish. He tuna was overlooked, but the salmon and swordfish were ok. Cesca is not worth the price tag"
Dined on 02/15/2013
 2007
Special Features: notable wine list
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Review 4 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5

Our server spilled the wine

Food 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Service 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Ambiance 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Our server spilled the wine and never offered to help or clean up. Forgot drink orders. Served with paper napkins. Would not return."
Dined on 02/16/2013
 2009
Special Features: notable wine list
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Review 5 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

My wife and I had a very pleasurabl

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"My wife and I had a very pleasurable experience at 'Cesca. The food was delicious. The wine list was inviting, and the service was outstanding! We will definitely be back for another special occasion.
Thank you for a wonderful experience!
-John Moseley"
Dined on 02/14/2013
 2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 6 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

goodbye cesca,, you'll be missed!

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"There were a few signs something funny was going on.... No mint for my 2nd mojiti, no lime for my husbands drink, paper napkins, 1 page menu. But we didn't figure it out until leaving. Glad we could experience this gem on their last night of business! Wish we would have tried it earlier! Restaurant is gorgeous!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
 2010
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 7 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5

Poor management, even worse service

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Seated on time but told they were short of wine lists, our waiter showed up 20 minutes later to offer water and take a drink order. When told we didn't have a wine list, she blamed the hostess and took off. 10 minutes later the water and wine list showed up.....finally in another 15 minutes later our bottle of wine showed up. This pattern continued the rest of the evening. The manager spent most of the time clearing and setting tables and never once came by our table.....until we were putting our coats on to leave after dinner! Even when we received the check, the wine that we had selected from the special 1/2 price wine list was billed full price! Great food spoiled by very poor service."
Dined on 02/14/2013
 2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 8 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5

VERY DISAPPOINTED

Food 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Service 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"FOUR OF US WENT OUT FOR VALENTINE'S NIGHT AND WERE EXCITED TO HAVE SOME GOOD ITALIAN FOOD. WHEN WE ASKED IF WE COULD SUBSTITUTE ONE OF THE 3 FISH IN THE SEAFOOD SELECTION, SINCE MY WIFE DOESN'T LIKE SALMON, WE WERE TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHECK WITH THE KITCHEN. THEY CAME BACK AND SAID THEY COULD, THEN AFTER HAVING OUR SALADS WE WERE TOLD THEY ONLY HAD THE TUNA REMAINING. THAT WAS AT 6:30 ON VALENTINE'S NIGHT THEY HAD ALREADY RUN OUT OF ONE OF THE SPECIALS SEAFOOD SELECTIONS. . . AND THE PLACE WAS NOT VERY CROWDED. THE TUNA WAS BLAND AND OVERCOOKED. AT LEAST THE WINE WAS GOOD, AND WE GOT TO POUR IT OURSELVES:(THE SERVICE WAS SLOW, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING IT WAS EARLY IN THE EVENING AS WE HAD AN EVENT FOLLOWING DINNER.NOT GOING"
Dined on 02/14/2013
 2010
-1point
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Review 9 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

A friend of mine and I had

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"A friend of mine and I had the pleasure of dining here. The menu was extensive and we both easily found meals to our liking. The service was impeccable - Matt and Denis worked as a good team."
Dined on 02/05/2013
 2012
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Review 10 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

The food was amazing. It was

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"The food was amazing. It was apparently their last night before they close the restuarant. The service was fair since we had to wait for nearly thirty minutes for the waiter to come to our table and another 30-45 minutes to get our food. Although, the waiter did offer to get us a free dessert since we had to wait so long. I would defintely go again if I could. It is such a shame that such an amazing restuarant is closing."
Dined on 02/16/2013
 2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 11 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

This place is okay. The room

Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"This place is okay. The room is lovely and the service was very good. The food however was hit and miss. My wife really enjoyed her rissoto but my pasta dish was not very good. The kitchen pulled the pasta out of the cooking water but did not let it drain. The result was a pasta dish that was so watered down that it had absolutely no taste. There was a big puddle of water in the bottom of the dish.
I showed it to our server and to their credit the cost of the dish was deducted from our bill and I got a personal apology from the Manager. That truly goes a long way in smoothing over a problem. The Canoli dessert was amazingly good and the wine list was quite extensive. We live here and will give it another shot for sure.
"
Dined on 02/13/2013
 2004
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic
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Review 12 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

the atmosphere and the noise

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"the atmosphere and the noise level were the best in Charleston. Even though the dining room was nearly full and a piano player was playing in the bar it was still easy to talk.
adding a few lighter dishes to the menu would make it even better.
"
Dined on 02/09/2013
 2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 13 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

My family and I keep coming

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"My family and I keep coming back to Cesca because of the wonderful food, ambiance, and service. We would highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys authentic Italian in a quiet environment."
Dined on 02/06/2013
 2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 14 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

The food and service were

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"The food and service were very good. We couldn't decide on a wine, so our server, Stephanie, brought several for us to taste. I was impressed."
Dined on 02/02/2013
 2009
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 15 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Awesome food, and menu. GReat

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Awesome food, and menu. GReat execution of Authentic Italian Food."
Dined on 01/26/2013
 2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
-1point
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Review 16 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

First experience was ok. Love

Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"First experience was ok. Love the decor! Very warm and inviting. Service was a little slow. Would give it another try"
Dined on 01/26/2013
 2009
Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
+1point
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Review 17 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5

Ehhh

Food 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"I have been here a couple of times and it has always been excellent. This time was very disappointing. I kept reviewing and reviewing the menu and could not find anything I wanted to eat. My mom felt the same way. Love the ambiance and restaurant and service was good. But menu options were very disappointing. Boo."
Dined on 01/25/2013
 2013
Special Features: special occasion
-1point
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Review 18 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

We were one of just two tables

Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"We were one of just two tables on Saturday night. We had a nice time but were wondering the whole time what we didn't know about he place because it was so attractive. Two things we did not like, It was Italian and the bottle of expensive Barollo we ordered was corky tasting. One person did not like the veal dish which had a pile of arugula on top of it. He said it was very average and would not go back. Everyone else liked their food. The wait staff were very good.j"
Dined on 01/25/2013
 2009
+1point
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Review 19 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Stylish and comfortable trattoria

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Enjoyed a nice meal for restaurant week. Good entree selections. Nothing jaw-dropping but all very good. Very nicely appointed and comfortable space. Attentive, personable service. Excellent prices on close-out wine bin selections."
Dined on 01/19/2013
 2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 20 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Wonderful find!!!

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"My husband and I were pleased and surprised to find such great food, great service, and lovely atmosphere for their "specially priced" menu. My husband was particularly pleased with the serving sizes (sufficient but not skimpy). We were very fortunate to be in Charleston for restaurant week and find this great place. It felt intimate but friendly. I hope we get Matt next time, he was our super-efficient waiter. I wish we lived closer so we could go more often."
Dined on 01/15/2013
 2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
+1point
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Review 21 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

We regularly go to 'Cesca

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"We regularly go to 'Cesca and always have a great meal. Choices during Restaurant Week were very nice and we love the ambiance and super service given by Steve and all the staff."
Dined on 01/19/2013
 2012
Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 22 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5

Uninviting and NOT going back again

Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Our service was so bad that we will never go back. There were 4 in our party. One ordered a beer,me a bottle of wine and the waiter left without asking if the others wanted anything else to drink. 20 minutes later the wine came and my husband asked for a cocktail. It took 15 minutes to arrive. He was never asked if he wanted another nor was the empty glass removed. 15-20 minutes later the waiter returned to take our order. Desert was plopped down in front of us without a word. Since we each had the assortment of Italian deserts, 4 bite size goodies, it would have been nice to have had an explanation of what they were. In addition everyone from hostess on looked unfriendly-not one person smiled nor seemed interested in the customers."
Dined on 01/18/2013
 2013
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Review 23 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Delicious dinner. Exceeded

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Delicious dinner. Exceeded expectations. Excellent service. A real authentic Italian restaurant. Will definitely return and recommend to friends."
Dined on 01/19/2013
 2013
Special Features: notable wine list
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Review 24 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

A charming restaurant with

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"A charming restaurant with excellent food! It's not directly on East Bay, so it's a little harder to find, but it's well worth it. There are a few steps into the restaurant and the cobblestones on the approach make it a challenge for the physically challenged. The wait staff are friendly and attentive. My only disappointment was although we called to say we were celebrating a special birthday and mentioned it again upon arrival, it was not acknowledged at all.
A pianist played all evening and he was excellent. We did not feel rushed at all. Everything from wine to dessert was exceptional.
"
Dined on 01/19/2013
 2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 25 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service was very nice. I

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Service was very nice. I felt we'll taken care of. I didn't like how some ingredients in dishes were left out of the description. (Take care those of you who don't care for olives- they are in everything!!)"
Dined on 01/18/2013
 2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 26 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5

I was hoping for a romantic

Food 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Service 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"I was hoping for a romantic meal in downtown charleston. But instead, we got a pricey version of the Olive Garden. The beef carpaccio was great, but our next two courses were mediocre. The spacing between our pasta course and entrees was at least half an hour. We were going to have the tiramisu, but it took our server 10mins to notify us that they were out. We were overall pretty disappointed. Our super Tuscan was pretty good...."
Dined on 01/18/2013
 2011
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Review 27 for 'Cesca Charleston
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Fabulous Italian Food

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"This was our third time dining there and the food was wonderful. We ate off the Restaurant Week menu and everything was delish! I mainly chose this place because they give you quite a selection for Restaurant Week. Some places only give you a few choices for dinner and Cesca gives you four. As much as our party of six loved the 3 course meal, we all still admitted that the meatballs could use a little less oregano. (These were ordered on the side.) That said, they were much better than the first time we went."
Dined on 01/18/2013
 2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for 'Cesca Charleston
Based on the average of (28) ratings-only reviews
Overall 
3.9 / 5
(Very Good) 3.9 / 5
Food 
3.8 / 5
(Very Good) 3.8 / 5
Service 
3.9 / 5
(Very Good) 3.9 / 5
Ambiance 
4.1 / 5
(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5
Noise Level
1.8 / 3
Moderate