It’s
restaurant week here in South Carolina, meaning dozens of restaurants are offering special “tasting menus.” A great opportunity to sample what
the restaurants here in Greenville have to offer, many participating businesses
are offering a three-course meal for significantly less than what the same meal
would usually cost. Restaurant week runs through Sunday, so you still have
almost a full week to try out a new restaurant or revisit an old favorite. For
a full list of participating restaurants, visit the Restaurant Week SC webpage
here.
Although
we’ve tried just one of the restaurant week menus, it feels like we’ve eaten
out a ton more, likely because of all the visitors we had during the holidays. After
three days of Christmas cooking it was a relief to sit down at a nice
restaurant downtown, and another evening we took the grandparents out to a local favorite. When my parents came in we returned to Kannika’s Thai Restaurant,
which has settled into its new location and is dishing up the same delicious
menu, but a highlight was the night they watched the boys and gave my husband
and me the chance to try out a new local spot (neither of which are part of restaurant week, but maybe should be!).
I
wouldn’t have noticed that the Poinsett Bar & Grill had changed ownership
if not for an article in the January issue of Town. My mother pointed out the
interview with Chef Daniel Dobbs, which was most memorable for the picture of
the chef (formerly of The Cliffs Keowee Vineyards) with beard, apron, chef’s
knife and “DoBBieQ Pig is our Gig” T-shirt. “DoBBieQ is a food concept that
involves good local goods and good locals. It’s a line of smoked brisket,
chicken, catfish and appetizers that incorporates a chef’s touch and some
classical French methods.” Independent Public Alehouse (IPA) is the newest
addition to the Greenville BBQ scene, and has the added bonus of live music.
The
smell emanating from the smokehouse was mouthwatering, and no sooner had we
settled into a comfy booth than our server was there with menus and beer
recommendations. Having settled that (there is a great local beer selection),
we delved into the menu. The “smoking section” provides a choice of pulled
pork, beef brisket, chicken, catfish or gulf shrimp served in a variety of
ways: over grits, in a melt, on a salad, in a “Which”, or on a plate. Roberts
went with the chef’s recommendation: the brisket over grits, garnished with bacon,
pepper-jack cheese and green onion. I opted for a plate of the shrimp, because
I was in the mood to try out several of the sides, including the featured mac
& cheese. This dish changes every few days, and includes combos such as “PBR
Mac,” “Quest Pumpkin Mac and Chevre” and garlic parm mac, the dish being served
up on our visit.
Delicious food, great value!
I have
this to say about dinner - this is good food, and these are great prices. On
your first visit take the chef’s advice and try the grits… although the shrimp
and sides were delectable, the brisket and grits was incredible. We stuck
around for dessert even though we were both pretty much stuffed (because we
could! Someone was watching the kids!!) and have nothing but good things to say
about the fried pie. (Note to our server however, if someone asks you what
fried pie is, don’t start off your description with the words “McDonalds apple
pie”!)
It’s
my understanding that IPA took over the lease of the former restaurant, and
because of this must wait until the lease ends to put their name up on the
building. Until then, you will recognize the spot for the appetizing smell of
smoked beef and the live music, which continues even past 3am Monday through
Friday. I wish the owners Michele and Alan success at this location; with local
food, beer and music they have a winning combination.
Ah, I loved all of the restaurants in Greenville! Yum. What a great experience.
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