Basil

AB you might be surprised to learn that racial discrimination is rampant among Asians who look down, and discriminate, against various groups. You seem to imply that only white folks are capable of discrimination. You should get out in the world more, caucasians are usually less discriminatory than Asians, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Chinese, etc.

I reference to the discrimination accusation... first, Basil is owned and run by non-Caucasians, and secondly, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no reservations taken over the phone. You put your name in at the door and go to Chai next door for a drink to wait on the table. The hostess will call your cellphone when the table is ready. Everyone gets the same service no matter race, gender, sexual orientation, etc, etc.

Basil doesn't accept reservations....

The person who wrote about being "pissed" that Caucasians were seated before them is an idiot. It's called RESERVATIONS..try making them next time. Basil has good food and I highly recommend dining there.

I recently visited Charleston and was urged to go to Basil. Was told their food was really good. The food was not bad. Not remarkable, but not bad. It was very noisy. My water glass was empty much of the time. The workers did a lot of socializing. All in all, I would probably go again, but perhaps at a slower time of evening.

I had heard the food was great - I guess I just don't like Thai food because I couldn't eat what I was served. I have a very eclectic palate and it is rare that I can't find anything to my liking. The server (Nicky) seemed more interested in gossiping with other employees than seeing to the needs of the customer (me and my family). The busboys were more attentive than she was. The restaurant is noisy and the seating is very cramped. The man sitting next to us spilled a drink and due to the close proximity of the tables we were drenched and smelled of liquor for the rest of the meal. I would not recommend this restaurant. Charleston boasts far better places to eat.

I LOVE this restaurant. Some people just can't be pleased. I'm sure their list of nasty comments doesn't stop with this restaurant. I've never had a bad experience, actually everyone has always been very sweet and polite and I can't be described as the typical 'white patron'. Nice try blaming you're impatience on race relations . . .

Basil has fantastic Thai food and is hands-down the most consistently good restaurant in Charleston. As a former food and travel writer for Frommers' guide I have dined at just about every restaurant in Chas. and Mt. Pleasant. This one is a winner.

Uh, about the "discrimination" thing... Just because there are empty tables in a restaurant doesn't mean they aren't all spoken for. People usually go over to Chai's for a drink while waiting for their table at basil. If the hostess gave their table away to someone fresh off the street, they would be pretty pissed. Whoever wrote that comment obviously doesn't go out to eat much. Basil is one of my favorite places to eat in Charleston, and probably the best for the price. There are plenty of places my friends and I can't go because each dinner is 70 bucks, but at Basil you can have a gourmet meal for less than 20.

I would not recommend Basil to my worst enemy. Having heard such great compliments about this restaurant, my friend and I decided to go there. We were visiting from out of town to see the Ziggy Marley concert and we stopped by to grab a bite to eat.My friend (Caucasian)asked the waitress(Leslie) was there a wait. The waitress (Leslie) told her yes the wait was 15 to 20 minutes. My friend asked to see a menu and then we moved to the left of the door by the window. Right where we stood was an empty table with 4 chairs with place settings for 2. Also there were empty seats on the other side of the restaurant. About 3 minutes later a Caucasian couple comes in to be seated, the waitress gets ready to sit the couple by the table we were standing beside,then redirects the couple to another table across the restaurant. My fiend and I put the menu back and walked out. I was so upset and wanted to speak with the manager, but my freind had never experienced such awful behavior and wanted to go. Me being African American have experienced some form of discrimination but not to this extinct. I have not decided how far I will take this but I just wanted the public to know how we was treated. Everyone may not care but there are a few people out there that do.

I would most certainly rate this as the best restaurant in downtown Charleston!

Great food!!! Best Thai restaurant around. cashew chicken and pad Thai are excellent, so is everything else. Only problem is don't go here if you want a quiet meal. For some reason, the restaurant is always loud, which I think has to do with the acoustics of the building. But for the best Thai, defintely check it out!

Food is overrated and not very good. I have had much better. Have found hair and bristles from a brush in my food 3 times over the past year. I don't think I will be returning. Beware!!

This restaurant is excellent and I eat there everytime I go to Charleston. It is one of the best Thai restaurant and the pad Thai is excellent.Please visit and see for yourself!!!

Best Thai food in Charleston, quite possibly the entire East Coast. Ask for Finney when you walk in, she'll set you up with a good table.

OH MY GOODNESS is this a wonderful place!! - service is top notch, food is top notch. The noise level in the restaurant is a little loud. I visit Charleston several times a year and will absolutely be returning to Basil.

Simply the Best Thai food out there. I have eaten in many Thai restaurants in various states and basil is top notch. Not a bad thing on the menu - 5 stars