Restaurants in South Carolina

Saluda's Restaurant celebrates many histories. Its solid mahogany bar was part of Philadelphia's Blakely Hotel in the late 1800s, its walls sport vintage European posters advertising festive drinks, and its menu pays homage to timeless Southern staples, from shrimp and grits to artfully grilled rib eyes. Perhaps the greatest nod to the past is the building itself, which was constructed after World War I as a VFW officers club. There, veterans would gather to carouse and reminisce, fostering a convivial tradition that Saluda's has since restored and nurtured. Executive chef Blake Fairies fuels the animated atmosphere with dishes whose down-home roots benefit from French and Italian influences. His prime concern is freshness?in an interview with Undefined magazine, he revealed how his fish du jour is often prepped the day after his friend Mark, a member of Abundant Seafood in Charleston, lures it onto his boat with promises of a free tropical time share. Like much of the kitchen's produce, chef Blake?s flash-fried green tomatoes come from local farms, and his entrees incorporate seasonal ingredients to complement ones imported from across the world. The results are plates that blend classic taste with inventive zest: steaks in black-truffle butter, helpings of handmade pasta, and pork chops brined in sweet tea. At the bar, guests can peruse more than 300 wines as well as cocktails and small-batch bourbon.

Next to the day's special dishes, the chalkboard at Alluette's Café proudly proclaims a few phrases that may shock loyalists to the fried-chicken school of soul food: "Vegans Welcome," "This is a no Pork Cafe," "Organic & Natural Products," and "Fresh Local Seafood." Alluette Jones-Smalls has been cooking up what she calls "holistic soul food" in various ventures since 1993, but after she overcame the cancer that nearly claimed her life, she embraced the concept of fresh ingredients, free of toxic chemicals, with more vigor than ever. Now, she's come back to her Charleston roots at Aluette's Café. She cooks everything up to order, which takes a little longer—but Travel + Leisure magazine makes it clear that it's worth the wait, calling the food "vegetable-centric, truly luscious, Southern food." O, The Oprah Magazine's Celia Barbour praised the shrimp as "quite possibly the tastiest … I've ever eaten, dusted with spicy flour and fried so lightly that each sweet crustacean bore a crisp, fragile shell." Alluette doesn't add sugar to any of her dishes or drinks—including her signature Aunt Mary's iced tea, which is sweetened with fruit juice. Guests can admire the local artwork on Alluette's brightly painted walls as they wait for local shrimp over organic, seasonal greens or hormone-free grilled chicken with brown rice and lima beans. Alluette frequently invites live musicians, poets, and other artists to perform in the shop, and out on the patio, herbs and flowers uproot themselves to waltz for diners.

Everyone knows there's no place like home. Which is why the owners of Steel City Pizza Company decided to bring their hometown down South with a menu of Pittsburgh-inspired eats. They fly in hoagie rolls from Cellone's Bakery—an official partner of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pirates—to ensconce their submarine sandwiches. They have staffers roll out house-crafted pizza dough to the particular thickness they recall from their childhood memories. And they make sure their extensive selection of craft beers includes bottles and drafts from Pittsburgh's own Iron City brewery. But the eatery's Pittsburgh theme isn't its only draw; creative recipes and quality ingredients back each item on the menu. Cooks craft both pizza sauce and sweet, bubbly sodas in-house, and carefully sprinkle crusts with quality Grande cheese from Wisconsin. They also concoct original dishes such as Weggies, oven-baked sandwiches in which slices of bread, like the wheels on most pizza delivery trucks, are replaced with disks of crusty baked dough.

Although few would think to pile peanut butter and bacon onto a burger, the PB3?which has both?is a favorite of Luke 'n Ollie's Pizzeria owner Jonathan Swartz and a legion of loyal customers. According to The Island Eye News, after tasting a similar creation in New Orleans, Swartz worked on his own to add to the Luke ?n Ollie?s menu. Swartz is an expert at adding creative twists to entrees: his chicken sandwich delights tongues with teriyaki sauce and pineapple. But his pizzeria doesn?t shy away from sticking to the classics. Its pizza crusts?made New York-style by a local baker who follows Swartz?s own secret recipe?pile with mozzarella, pecorino, and fresh ingredients, and diners can bite into traditional meatball or eggplant-parmesan subs while lounging amid the dining room?s exposed brick and black-and-white tiled floor. Guests can also dine alfresco near palm trees on the patio, where the breeze mercifully dries foreheads as their owners take on the Steak Bomb Challenge. A fan of the Food Network and its creative competitions, Swartz decided to create his own challenge: 10 ounces of philly cheesesteak, 8 ounces of hamburger, 4 ounces of italian sausage, and a quarter pound of melted mozzarella sandwiched onto an 18-inch italian sub bun, all flanked by mountains of french fries. If diners can chow it all down in under an hour, they get it for free. Although many have tried, few brave American heroes have gotten their photos tacked up on the Wall of Winners. Before leaving, diners should remember to get their photo taken or their portrait painted with Ollie, the 5-foot dog statue on the front patio who dons anything from bathing suits to Hazmat suits to Santa hats according to the seasons.

Lee Cummings, the founder of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, learned the ropes from one of the country’s foremost poultry experts: his uncle, Colonel Harland Sanders. Together, he and the colonel opened more than 800 KFC stores selling fried chicken prepared in pressure cookers and battered with the duo’s famous blend of spices. It wasn’t until after his uncle sold KFC in 1962 that Lee began developing his own secret recipe, a development that would lead to the creation of the Lee’s Famous franchise in 1966. Today, the franchise sells the fruits of his labor, Lee’s “Famous Recipe” chicken, plus buttermilk biscuits and housemade sides from locations in 14 states and four countries. Each piece of never-frozen chicken is hand-breaded and dipped into honey before being transferred to pressure cookers that crisp the exterior while maintaining a juicy interior. Though the original recipe remains untouched, Lee’s Famous has expanded its offerings over the years to include healthier oven-roasted and lava-charred options.

Property Location With a stay at Embassy Suites Greenville Golf Resort & Conference Center in Greenville, you'll be convenient to Greenville Mall and Roper Mountain Science Center. This golf hotel is within close proximity of Haywood Mall and Patewood Memorial Hospital. Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 268 air-conditioned rooms featuring kitchenettes with refrigerators and microwaves. Flat-panel televisions with pay movies are provided for your entertainment, with wired and wireless Internet access available for a surcharge. Conveniences include desks and complimentary weekday newspapers, as well as multi-line phones with voice mail. Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities While the golfer in the family is out on the course, try one of the other recreational amenities offered, such as a golf course or an outdoor pool. This hotel also features wireless Internet access (surcharge), a concierge desk, and gift shops/newsstands. Dining Take advantage of the hotel's room service (during limited hours). Mingle with other guests at a complimentary manager's reception, held daily at evening. At the end of the day, relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge. Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, audiovisual equipment, and express check-in. Planning an event in Greenville? This hotel has 11552 square feet (1040 square meters) of space consisting of conference/meeting rooms, small meeting rooms, and a ballroom. A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary during limited hours.