Good Reliable Food
California Dreaming started out with a bang, turned into a so-so tourist attraction, and has now evolved back into a good restaurant where locals stop for lunch or happy hour drinks. Weekends are still too busy for most locals with at least a 15 minute wait during peak hours.

While the music tends to be a little loud, the service is good, the views of the harbor are lovely, and the food is always good.    [19 Nov 2002 09:51:40]

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Recommended Dishes: Broiled Chicken Salad and Baby Back Ribs

     ­'Belle   

California Dreamin' is my favorite restaurant! The appetizers are out of this world! I love the salads and warm crossaints. Keep up the good work!!    [24 Apr 2003 11:01:26]

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     ­Rhonda Grimes   

Many Restaurants fluctuate in terms of quality and service, but California Dreaming has been a consistently nice experience (except for a sometimes long wait, but STILL worth the effort) over the last several years. We stay in Charleston for 7-10 days each month (we operate a concrete pressure cleaning and top coating business) and there are many nice restaurants, but so many times we go elsewhere to eat dinner and as we leave, we are wishing we had gone to California Dreaming instead. The quality of the food served, the service, the VIEW, the prices are all excellent. The wait, and the noise (partly due to the bare metal in the ceilings), are something you have to deal with to get the rest. We usually dine there several times each time we stay in Charleston.    [22 May 2003 23:23:06]

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Recommended Dishes: salads, croissants, shrimp, prime rib, ribs, The VIEW

     ­Becky / Patrick Gaines   patrick at hmsga dot com

A Must Visit
Always a must visit when I travel to Charleston. Extraordinary view, attentive staff, and quality food make CD a must visit while in town.    [18 Jun 2003 08:04:22]

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Recommended Dishes: California Dreaming Salad, Key Lime Pie

     ­-George   

First Time Visitor
I was amazed, great food, great service and the view was outstanding. The ribs practically fell off the bone. I will definitely include this restaurant on my next trip to Charleston, SC.    [25 Jun 2003 15:12:17]

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Recommended Dishes: Baby back Ribs

     ­Garrett   ledzepfan33 at yahoo dot com

The Perfect Restaurant
When we visited my brother, who is serving in the U.S. Air Force, we dined at several different chain restaurants and left disappointed (particularly in the service) every time. Finally, on our last evening in Charleston, we decided to go to CD. We called on our way there to put our name on the waiting list and got seated immediately upon arrival. We felt we were treated like royalty compared to our previous experiences on that trip!

We absolutely LOVED the food, the superb service, and everything about the restaurant. The portions were enormous! We are planning to visit again soon and will make CD our first stop this time (and maybe second, third, fourth,...)! My mom and I find ourselves STILL (over a year later) comparing every dining experience with CD!    [21 Jul 2003 10:44:24]

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Recommended Dishes: club sandwich, prime rib sandwich, croissants, salad, and CHEESECAKE!

     ­Chrissy, Indiana   

Our favorite in Charleston, S. C.
Our wait was short because we called ahead for reservations which were only accepted when we were expected to be there. The place was crowded with people as we left at 8:30 PM on Saturday, August, 24, 2004.
As usual, the meal began with a beautiful salad with hot bacon dressing and pecans. It was a large georgeous salad. I had the Top Sirloin which was marinated overnight and was it's usual great taste. I ordered the spinach soufle' but was not impressed with that. Potato or rice next time. We had no dessert but ordered an additional 6 of the croussent's to take home. (They're awesome.)    [26 Aug 2003 17:04:56]

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Recommended Dishes: any Salmon entree, Top marinated Sirloin,

     ­Paul w. Hassler   bigdeckguy at aol dot com

What a Place!
We visited Charleston the first time in November 2004. We fell in love with the people, the city and everything it has to offer. Since then, I have longed to visit again. We dined at CD on a Saturday afternoon and the food was unforgettable. There was nothing bad to say! We're going to be visiting again later this month with our children and will make CD our first stop! To the staff of CD, Don't change a thing! You're awesome!    [13 Jul 2007 11:42:44]

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Recommended Dishes: Anything or Just the View!

     ­Donna, Red Level, Alabama