Best Restaurants with a Tasting Menu in James Island

I pretty much never write reviews, but I feel compelled to write this one to say that our experience with the tasting menu at Ma'am Saab was incredible! The flavors were out of this world, the portions were generous, the spice level was perfect, and what capped off the experience was the incredibly hospitable and jovial waitstaff. We felt like we were dining in a close friend's home. We were so well taken care of, especially for my picky 5 year old who LOVED the chicken pakora the brought for him outside of the tasting menu. It was also Valentine's dinner night, which I know can be a hectic time in restaurants, but truly our experience could not have been better! I can't wait to return!

We live in Nashville and come to Charleston twice a year. This is our favorite restaurant hands down. Honestly, they deserve a James Beard Award. The food is incredibly imaginative with unusual flavors. From the short rib, roasted cauliflower and beet dessert there’s nothing quite like this.

Let me start by saying Mike is an incredible host, server, chef, and historian. This was a one of a kind experience and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a unique culinary experience in Charleston. While it is not a conventional restaurant, Mike takes you on a culinary journey of 18th and 19th century low country cuisine, keeping things as authentic as possible while still appealing to our modern palates. Each dish was carefully crafted and thoughtfully prepared. The table was full of strangers, but we all got to chat and listen to Mike’s wonderful presentation of Charleston history to go along with each dish. Our specific meal was centered around Legacy families of Charleston, so we enjoyed dishes each family would have also enjoyed. Mike deserves all of the attention and reservations he can handle. As he says, he’s one of Charleston’s best kept secrets, and I believe that to be true because I had a fantastic experience.