My family went here to have dinner this weekend. A party of 2 and of 5 were together so a total of 7 people in our party for my family and they wouldn’t seat us! They said they can sit a max of 6 and so we said we would split up, but they wouldn’t allow it even though they had tables open and servers available.I have been here multiple times in the past several years and never had a problem getting seated with even larger parties, but the manager was so firm that they could not seat us so we will not be coming back.The food quality has definitely gone down hill the last few years, but we liked the view and atmosphere of a harbor restaurant. But we won’t be back and we advise you to avoid at all cost!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jessica Gross
Very disappointed in the whole visit. Friends came from Canada and we went to dinner here. Favorite long time items no longer available. Not only that the evening special was way over cooked for Mahi Mahi the bottom was hard and inedible. The shrimp that came with it was so salty it was like some had taken it out of the fryer and just rolled it in a bowl of salt and put it on our plate. Our steak was ordered rare, it came out with not a bit of pink in it. And again the seasoning on it, mainly salt. Not sure what happened, but this is not what California dreaming used to be.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Ron B
They would not serve us as we had 4 adults and 3 children (6-10). They said they only serve parties of 6 or less. We offered to be seated at 2 tables, they said they couldn’t do that “because we can’t guarantee you’ll be seated by each other.” We didn’t ask for that. But there were MULTIPLE open tables. (It was only 4:45) While looking for seating on the patio (where they said we could dine if available, but it was full) there was a table inside of 3 younger children sitting at a table across from a table of 5 or six adults. They let them but wouldn’t let the 7 of us do that. Unbelievable. We come from Michigan and for many years have always enjoyed their food and atmosphere, but never again. California Dreaming used to be 5 stars to us, but now not even 1 star. You truly disappoint.
Brian Brookens
Our family has been going to California Dreaming for almost 25 years on our annual trip to Charleston. Tonight was a terrible experience. We walked in at 4:45pm to a half full restaurant with my wife and 3 kids and my parents (group of 7). They told us they have a new corporate policy to only seat tables of 6 or less. No exceptions. I joked that my kids are little and we can squeeze in. I got a rude reaction and the hostess said she would talk to management. A manager came out and said no exceptions. We asked if we could do a group of 3 and 4 with tables close by and they said there is no way to get tables close by. They suggested we go to the outside seating where it’s first come. So I walked out and it was full. As I walked back in past the bar I noticed the number of empty tables that we could gladly make work for our family of 3 and 4. I asked a server that walked by if there was a way to sit with two table close by and he said that the management is being difficult and that we should talk to a manager. I told him we already did. I then asked again and they refused to sit us at that point. So we left. We have literally been coming here for 25 years every April and this is really sad to see. My family not coming once a year won’t effect them at all but we won’t be back again. Sad to see such a tradition end like this.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Leroy Button
Beautiful location food was just average service was okay would I go back no I go for the flavor of the food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
S Felton
Great views, staff wonderful. Danish ribs just like St. Marteen.
Beautiful views, excellent seaside ambience. Wonderful honey butter croissants, house made dressings. Excellent venue for families, business lunches, and girl trips.Kid-friendliness: Excellent kids menu choices, placemat activities, very kid culture staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: California Dreaming Salad
Kyriea
Love getting to sit out on the back deck and watch the boats come by. Our bartender, Beth, was incredibly kind and attentive! The shrimp tacos were delicious too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rose Nylund
MAKE A RESERVATION!! Overall experience was great!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Blackened Chicken Pasta
Stacy McGuire
Everything was perfect ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: She Crab Soup, Steak, California Dreaming Salad, California Dreaming, Crab Soup, Seafood
michael rice
Absolutely terrible service. The food was warm and managers could care less about our issues.
My family went here to have dinner this weekend. A party of 2 and of 5 were together so a total of 7 people in our party for my family and they wouldn’t seat us! They said they can sit a max of 6 and so we said we would split up, but they wouldn’t allow it even though they had tables open and servers available.I have been here multiple times in the past several years and never had a problem getting seated with even larger parties, but the manager was so firm that they could not seat us so we will not be coming back.The food quality has definitely gone down hill the last few years, but we liked the view and atmosphere of a harbor restaurant. But we won’t be back and we advise you to avoid at all cost!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Very disappointed in the whole visit. Friends came from Canada and we went to dinner here. Favorite long time items no longer available. Not only that the evening special was way over cooked for Mahi Mahi the bottom was hard and inedible. The shrimp that came with it was so salty it was like some had taken it out of the fryer and just rolled it in a bowl of salt and put it on our plate. Our steak was ordered rare, it came out with not a bit of pink in it. And again the seasoning on it, mainly salt. Not sure what happened, but this is not what California dreaming used to be.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
They would not serve us as we had 4 adults and 3 children (6-10). They said they only serve parties of 6 or less. We offered to be seated at 2 tables, they said they couldn’t do that “because we can’t guarantee you’ll be seated by each other.” We didn’t ask for that. But there were MULTIPLE open tables. (It was only 4:45) While looking for seating on the patio (where they said we could dine if available, but it was full) there was a table inside of 3 younger children sitting at a table across from a table of 5 or six adults. They let them but wouldn’t let the 7 of us do that. Unbelievable. We come from Michigan and for many years have always enjoyed their food and atmosphere, but never again. California Dreaming used to be 5 stars to us, but now not even 1 star. You truly disappoint.
Our family has been going to California Dreaming for almost 25 years on our annual trip to Charleston. Tonight was a terrible experience. We walked in at 4:45pm to a half full restaurant with my wife and 3 kids and my parents (group of 7). They told us they have a new corporate policy to only seat tables of 6 or less. No exceptions. I joked that my kids are little and we can squeeze in. I got a rude reaction and the hostess said she would talk to management. A manager came out and said no exceptions. We asked if we could do a group of 3 and 4 with tables close by and they said there is no way to get tables close by. They suggested we go to the outside seating where it’s first come. So I walked out and it was full. As I walked back in past the bar I noticed the number of empty tables that we could gladly make work for our family of 3 and 4. I asked a server that walked by if there was a way to sit with two table close by and he said that the management is being difficult and that we should talk to a manager. I told him we already did. I then asked again and they refused to sit us at that point. So we left. We have literally been coming here for 25 years every April and this is really sad to see. My family not coming once a year won’t effect them at all but we won’t be back again. Sad to see such a tradition end like this.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Beautiful location food was just average service was okay would I go back no I go for the flavor of the food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
Great views, staff wonderful. Danish ribs just like St. Marteen.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good food. Good service. Nice atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really like this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: She Crab Soup, Steak
Great facility, food and staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food and service is always top notch
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Beautiful views, excellent seaside ambience. Wonderful honey butter croissants, house made dressings. Excellent venue for families, business lunches, and girl trips.Kid-friendliness: Excellent kids menu choices, placemat activities, very kid culture staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: California Dreaming Salad
Love getting to sit out on the back deck and watch the boats come by. Our bartender, Beth, was incredibly kind and attentive! The shrimp tacos were delicious too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
MAKE A RESERVATION!! Overall experience was great!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Blackened Chicken Pasta
Everything was perfect ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: She Crab Soup, Steak, California Dreaming Salad, California Dreaming, Crab Soup, Seafood
Absolutely terrible service. The food was warm and managers could care less about our issues.