Criminal Defense Attorney inTravelers Rest, SC

The emerging food scene in Greenville, South Carolina, makes it a must-stop-and-eat destination.

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As someone who has lived in Atlanta on and off since 1978, I'm still amazed at the gems that abound in every nook of the Southeast. There's great delight in discovering a new (to me) treasure like the concentration of Korean restaurants near the automotive manufacturers in Alabama or the abundance of incredible immigrant-led restaurants in Clarkston, Georgia.

I've often traveled through Greenville, South Carolina on the drive from Atlanta to Asheville to visit my parents. I can't count the number of times that I've purchased superior South Carolina peaches from the roadside stand next to the Spinx gas station in nearby Travelers Rest because I was wondering what to eat but drawing a blank. I won't have that problem after this eating expedition, because I have found that Greenville's culinary offerings make it a place worth savoring.

As a restaurant critic and a mom, I have two essential criteria for a Southern road trip: There must be good dining options and lots of activities. Greenville has both, including plenty of museums with exciting exhibits and established restaurants in every category, whether it's Bucky's Bar-B-Q or fresh regional cuisine at Soby's. There are imports from other Southern cities and towns, including the Mast General Store (with barrels of candy) and Halls Chophouse out of Charleston, but Greenville has a distinct personality all its own.

Expand Your Palate

In recent years, the city's food scene has expanded its borders, both geographically and culturally. There's everything from Aryana Afghan Cuisine to tacos at Califas, a strip mall spot that started in 2020 as a pop-up serving trendy birria (a slow-cooked meat filling). Califas' owner, Erika Dila, hails from Culver City, California, hence menu items with names like Sunset Boulevard and Palm Springs. The classic Heavenly Delicious Birria Taco is a perfect benchmark for how this dish should taste, and the crispy tortilla shell and gooey strings of melted white cheese make it way too fun to eat. Dip it into the accompanying consommé (cooking liquid) for a saucy treat.

Enjoy Award-Winning Cuisine

Meat and cheese plate from The Anchorage. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards Swordfish from The Anchorage. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards

Neighborhood favorite The Anchorage was a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2018. Chefs Gregory McPhee (who was on the opening team at Husk in Charleston) and Alex Morgan make this a can't-miss spot. Enter through Taxi House Wines, which sells a fun assortment of the bottles served at this bi-level eatery. Although the cocktails with whimsical names like Kermit the Fizz are delightful, wines match the incredible menu best. Delicious options might include a handcrafted cheese plate with silky smooth bourbon-liver mousse or a thick slab of North Carolina swordfish with fresh greens and fried garlic.

Get Serious About Cooking

Ruth Doyle of The Cook’s Station. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards Pulled Brisket Sandwich at The Cook’s Station. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards

The Cook's Station presents a hyper-Southern array of products showcased next to top-of-the-line BlueStar ovens for those who have food and cooking on the brain. Its newest location on Buncombe Street in downtown Greenville opened during the pandemic and sells gadgets and goodies that you never even knew you needed. Want to shop for a while? Grab a glass of Champagne from the wine bar or a sandwich at the cafe.

Meander Through The West End

Jianna’s Respect Your Elders cocktail. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards Jianna chef Michael Kramer. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards

In the West End of downtown, close to Fluor Field and the new South Carolina Children's Theatre, you'll find Gather GVL, an outdoor food court of multicolored shipping containers. It's home to 13 businesses serving everything from giant artisan doughnuts at HenDough to Maine-style lobster rolls at The Lob Father. As you walk down Augusta Street, you'll see cute boutiques like Augusta Twenty selling brands like Vince, Longchamp, and Alice + Olivia plus locally made jewelry. After a day of shopping, lunch at Jianna is a wonderful way to recharge. Fresh pasta is the first thing you notice as you climb the pastel green stairs to the Italian eatery, which looks out onto Falls Park on the Reedy. If the weather permits, take a seat on the patio. Order the tender and light chicken piccata or any of the homemade pasta dishes. Each is sauced with a deft hand and is even better complemented by wine—you are on vacation, after all.

Explore Nearby Travelers Rest

Topsoil Restaurant in Travelers Rest. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards Trio of Spreads and Chicken Liver Pâté at Topsoil Restaurant. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards

It would be hard to discuss the culinary scene in Greenville without mentioning the town of Travelers Rest, which is about 9 miles away and growing into a powerhouse with strong ties to the land. There you'll find Topsoil Restaurant. As soon as you see the door handles, which are cast from metal to look like curled carrots (with tops intact), you'll know this is a place that takes the earth seriously. Committed to farm-to-table cuisine, chef Adam Cooke was a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast in 2020.

Topsoil Restaurant’s fresh bread. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards Brunch at Topsoil Restaurant. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards

Baguettes are for sale near the hosting stand, but save yourself for the jaw-dropping ways this kitchen spins ingredients, such as a plate of za'atar-roasted carrots and beets served with chard hummus and cilantro pesto. If you're lucky, you might catch the homemade raspberry doughnuts; they're slightly sweet, a little tart, and pure love in each warm bite.

Stop And Stay Awhile

Wondering where to stay? The Westin is a stalwart on Main Street, but if you like something more contemporary, the AC Hotel Greenville feels brand-new and has a rooftop area ideal for special events. During my stay, the license plates in and out of the valet hailed from as far away as New York.

Given the abundance of tourists visiting Southern towns, it seems like the rest of the nation is finally waking up to find that our culinary industry has something to say—and we don't whisper. After seeing other cities get their due, it's great fun to watch the accolades for the Greenville area roll in and to see its tide rise.

Travelers Rest will be undergoing a city beautification project beginning this month.

Adam Schrimmer, Lead Artist and Owner at Blank Canvas Mural Company, was selected by Travelers Rest businesses to create three murals as part of the city's on-going Façade Improvement Program (FIP).

The artist will hand-paint custom illustrations on three horizontal, unwindowed walls on three buildings that will bookend the town of Travelers Rest, a press release stated.

Work on the first mural, located at Urban Hare, has just begun.

“Murals are a way that communities express themselves through accessible art, which tells stories of their city. We are super excited to see these murals come to life in such a visible way that is very uniquely TR,” Travelers Rest Mayor Brandy Amidon said.

The murals will be funded by public and private sources, with the city of Travelers Rest contributing fifty percent of the total project cost from FIP funds, the press release said. Other funding sources include businesses, property owners and funds raised from a GoFundMe campaign.

Schrimmer met with local businesses and residents to discuss mural concepts that best represented the Travelers Rest community.

“I was interested in the individual stories and the history of the town because I wanted to create lasting artwork that generations can enjoy. This collaborative effort between the community and Blank Canvas, and the relationships that were forged, were invaluable in creating these illustrative murals,” Schrimmer said.

Here are the concepts for Travelers Rest's murals, and locations:

?First mural: 106 South Main Street ? Urban Hare

The first mural will be located on the building that houses the retail store, Urban Hare. Artwork will feature a vintage European poster-like scene of a female cyclist with flowers in her bike basket, a hare and Paris Mountain background.

?Second mural: 331 South Main Street – TR’s Oriental Restaurant

The second mural will be located on the side of the building that houses TR Oriental Restaurant. Artwork will feature the slogan, “Where Travelers Come to Rest,” scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, a lake and puffy white clouds in the signature colors of Travelers Rest, blue, orange and yellow.

?Third mural: 301 South Main Street ? Loftis Printing Company

The third mural will be located on the side of the building that houses Loftis Printing Company. Artwork will look like a vintage postcard with giant letters spelling out Travelers Rest, and inside the letters will be illustrations such as Chico Bolin (a former TR resident and Marine), the Skyland Drive-In and the Spring Park Inn.

Nina Tran covers trending topics. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com

There’s a place tucked away in the foothills of Travelers Rest that will transport you far from the daily grind of everyday life in the Upstate. Hotel Domestique’s Restaurant 17 is the place where you can pour yourself into a seat on the patio, and just breathe in the surrounding beauty. The menu is carefully curated, utilizing ingredients supplied by local farmers, cheese artisans, beekeepers, and more.

A meal at Restaurant 17 is more than just nourishment, it’s an experience. Paired with a weekend getaway stay at Hotel Domestique, you’ll forget you’re less than an hour from home.

Restaurant 17 in Travelers Rest, SC

Owner’s Name: Rich Hincapie

Do you have a kids menu? Yes What are your contactless delivery options? Curbside pickup

Do you offer outdoor dining? Outdoor dining – covered, open & heated What makes your spot unique?Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Restaurant 17’s beautiful setting is the clear root for the restaurant’s modern, place-driven perspective. It all adds up to an experience that brings people together over tables of authentic, thoughtful food and drink. Where old-world hospitality meets familiar European views, the cuisine reveals an elevated twist on classic Italian and Mediterranean favorites. Chef Haydn Shaak marries classical training with his dedication to local farms and ingredients to craft a truly unique menu inspired by the seasonality of the Upstate.

What dish is the most popular? Southern Fried Chicken Padano

What dish are you the proudest of? Chef Haydn’s Southern Vegetable plate features local and seasonal vegetables from our local farmers, and we are proud to showcase the produce of our region in a unique, fresh way.

It’s my first time at your restaurant, what do you suggest we order? The Cheese & Charcuterie Board and House Made Ricotta Dip are must-haves for snacks to start. For Small Plates, the Domestique Puttanesca and Sausage + Peppers Radiatore are house favorites. Finally, for entrees, the Southern Fried Chicken Padano and Mountain Trout Piccata are fan favorites!

Where do you love to eat when not at work?Jianna

Gifting Options: Gift cards

Learn More About Restaurant 17

Restaurant 1710 Road of Vines, Travelers Rest | 864.516.1254

The Charleston-based pizza concept Coastal Crust is set to open a new location in Travelers Rest, taking over the former Resident Diner space on Main Street.

The restaurant made the announcement on social media and said the new eatery is set to open something in September, barring any delays.

Coastal Crust currently operates a location in the Village of West Greenville at 1254 Pendleton St.

Offering wood-fired pizza, salads, sandwiches, house-made pasta, gelato and more, the concept born out of Charleston also operates in Mount Pleasant, James Island and at Wild Dunes on Isle of Palms.

Co-owner Brian Piesner said the new location, as with all Coastal Crust locations, will be customized based upon the unique offerings of the area.

“It’s very much not a franchise type model,” Piesner told the Greenville Journal. “We customize the menu based on location. Me and the chefs and managers brainstorm about what we think people in the area are going to want.”

Although Coastal Crust originated in Charleston, Piesner said he was compelled from the start to expand into the Upstate, first with a catering truck and then with a brick-and-mortar location.

“I was just drawn by the vibrant community, the proximity to the mountains, the people and the place,” he said. “In fact, I kind of wish we’d discovered Greenville before I moved back to Charleston from New York. It only took a couple of visits to the town, but I fell in love with it, and I wanted to be involved, so we started our catering business, and it grew from there.”

For more information, visit coastalcrust.com.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Travelers Rest Historical Society was recently recognized with an award for their work on the restoration of the former Spring Park Inn, located behind the gazebo along the Swamp Rabbit Trail in downtown Travelers Rest.

The inn was one of the oldest in Greenville County and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Greenville County Historic Register.

The Preservation Honor Award was presented at a ceremony in Columbia on June 27 by Preservation South Carolina, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting historic and irreplaceable architectural heritage across the state, and the S.C. Dept. of Archives and History.

The award ceremony "recognized exceptional accomplishments in the preservation, rehabilitation, and interpretation of [South Carolina's] architectural and cultural heritage" with a series of statewide awards, including the honor awards which celebrated "successful and exemplary historic preservation projects" in the state.

At the event, president Rosemary Bomar received the award on behalf of the Travelers Rest Historical Society. Also recognized were recipients Kyle Campbell of Preservation South, who directed the restoration; John Carroll of Green Build LLC, who completed much of the custom woodwork; and Jason Russo, of Jason Russo Painting and Wallpaper.

The home and the approximately 20-acre property surrounding it were gifted to the Travelers Rest Historical Society, made possible by former owner Nell Anderson Gibson, who passed away in November of 2020.

According to Ed Neves, Gibson's cousin and the spokesperson for the Anderson/Gibson family, the gift was conveyed after much consideration by Gibson, noting that it was not a "spur-of-the-moment decision."

“It took several years of due diligence on [Gibson’s] part to find the right conservation stewards of her family property,” Neves said, adding that Gibson's dream was to preserve the history of her family home and to show the role the Spring Park Inn and the railroad played in the development of Travelers Rest.

"Over the years, she was approached by many developers and realtors, but remained determined to preserve this precious piece of history," Neves said.

"The Travelers Rest Historical Society recognizes this as a great treasure and a wonderful legacy,” Bomar said at the time. “We are honored to have been entrusted as stewards of this gift and are so thankful to Nell and her family for their generosity and foresight in planning for this preservation."

Believed to have originally been built in the 1820s, the home was expanded into a large, 14-room residence by Chevis Montgomery in 1851. The home operated as an inn during the Civil War, continuing for years after it was purchased by Col. Robert Wright Anderson in 1873. When the Swamp Rabbit Railroad was in its prime, the railroad company built a picnic and dancing pavilion on the property, which was connected to the railway by a loading platform in front of the house.

The property is being protected from development and transformed into a museum and park, according to Historical Society officials, who said the house is being restored to highlight it as it would have been in the 1890s and early 1900s, which was they "heyday" of the inn.

As an example, the exterior paint was filed down to discover the original layers of paint. Those chips were used to determine and match the 1800s-era colors of the house, according to Preservation South's Kyle Campbell.

It was not possible to create bright white paint then, so the early paint resembled the cream color that is being used along with the green and burgundy trim that was popular during the Victorian Era, Campbell said.

"The Historical Society thanks these craftsmen and the many others who have contributed to the restoration," said Bomar, adding that they will be recognized at ceremonies when the Spring Park Inn officially opens for public tours.

To learn more about the Spring Park Inn and/or to make a donation toward its preservation and maintenance, visit the Travelers Rest Historical Society website here.

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