Hi. While we are in Charleston, we will be celebrating a MILESTONE birthday and would like to have dinner at the best "special occasion" restaurant in town. We're in the market for outstanding food, service and ambiance and are willing to pay for it. Any ideas?

My first choice would be the Penisula Grill, they will likely offer some 'free extras' if you let them know about the special occasion as well.

It is attached to the Planters Inn, sorry about the spelling --- Peninsula Grill. I knew that didn't look right before.

I second SanParis' suggestion of the Peninsula Grill. We ate there for our anniversary last June and it was wonderful. The food, the atmosphere, and the service are all top notch. I think that what I like best is that while they serve outstanding food, the service is not the least bit pretentious. We had an absolutely wonderful meal and plan to return again. When I made the reservation, I was asked if it was a special occasion. I mentioned that it was our anniversary. I had completely forgotten this by the time we actually went to Charleston. When the servers brought out our dessert, they greeted us with "Happy Anniversary!" My husband gave me a puzzled look but then we looked at our dessert plates....written in chocolate on each plate was "Happy Anniversary!" I am sure that if you let them know it was an important birthday, they would do something even nicer!

I hate to sound like a chorus, but add me to the list of Penisula Grill fans. Really lovely.

I liked Anson's!!!

A few places come to mind, other opinions may vary:

Circa 1886 (www.circa1886.com) on Wentworth St at the Wentworth Mansion.

Carolina's (www.carolinasrestaurant.com) on Exchange Street. Request the Perdita’s Room...it's more intimate.

Robert's (www.robertsofcharleston.com) on East Bay. They have 1 seating and the chef also sings for the guests. Food Network called it "the most romantic restaurant"...for what that's worth.

The Peninsula Grill (www.peninsulagrill.com) on Market St at corner of Meeting Street at the Planters Inn.

I was married at Planters Inn in September and we had dinner at Peninsula Grill- I join the others in recommending it!

Is Charleston Chops still open?? We had our most favorite meal ever there about five years ago.