Italian restaurants (Greenville, Easley, Simpsonville: how much, house, live)

[Greenville]

I have actually heard from several people that the Capri's in Easley has the best food out of all of their locations. They always do great business there...

[ILMK]

I like Capri's, it was the first "Italian" restaurant here and iirc they brought Pizza to the area as well.
I know it's not "good Italian" food, but I love their Parmeseans and bread.
Although I must say it's not half as good as it was years ago, the portion size and food quality seemed to go downhill in recent years.

I think the Capri's downtown and on Woodruff road are the best.

[p2y2r7o]

I'll third Giovanni's on Woodruff Road . Very, very good food. Unfortunately he hasn't been getting a ton of business the last couple of years so hopefully they can keep it going...so you should definitely go and support it!

[aemilehi]

Giovanni's! After reading about it here, I had to go and try it out...excellent! The Chicken Piccata was to die for, and the veal marsala was tender and light. Service was great, and you could basically have anything you wanted -- mix and match pastas, sauces, etc. I like Portofinos for a typical red sauce type place, but if you want real Italian...Giovannis!

[Gaelcat]

I have to disagree about Giovanni's. I just ate there with a friend. We'd heard good things and were really disappointed. The owner (I think) was kind of surly, the salad was lame (mostly iceburg lettuce and sad, pale tomatoes, and the selection of wine by the glass was terrible. In fact, the only Pinot Noir they could offer by the glass came in a single serve bottle. Food was tolerable but nothing special and the menu is quite limited. For the same price, I'd definitely choose Travinia or Portofino's. The menus are quite different but both have good atmosphere, good food and fair prices.

[p2y2r7o]

Originally Posted by Gaelcat

I have to disagree about Giovanni's. I just ate there with a friend. We'd heard good things and were really disappointed. The owner (I think) was kind of surly, the salad was lame (mostly iceburg lettuce and sad, pale tomatoes, and the selection of wine by the glass was terrible. In fact, the only Pinot Noir they could offer by the glass came in a single serve bottle. Food was tolerable but nothing special and the menu is quite limited. For the same price, I'd definitely choose Travinia or Portofino's. The menus are quite different but both have good atmosphere, good food and fair prices.

I think the owner has been kinda down for a while now...they don't get nearly as much business as they once did because of all the ridiculous things happening to Woodruff Rd. The last couple times I've been there were hardly any other people eating. We talked to him and he didn't seem to think it would last too much longer...hopefully that's not true.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Gaelcat

I have to disagree about Giovanni's. I just ate there with a friend. We'd heard good things and were really disappointed. The owner (I think) was kind of surly, the salad was lame (mostly iceburg lettuce and sad, pale tomatoes, and the selection of wine by the glass was terrible. In fact, the only Pinot Noir they could offer by the glass came in a single serve bottle. Food was tolerable but nothing special and the menu is quite limited. For the same price, I'd definitely choose Travinia or Portofino's. The menus are quite different but both have good atmosphere, good food and fair prices.

Ah yes...I recall my Italian Food experience in the South while living in Charlotte. I don't think I have recoved fully to this day.

I AM Italian and not a descendant of a grandwhatever half married to who watched the Soprano's every night.

Thanks for shedding a real picture of what I remember and almost forgot!

[southerngentleman]

If you don't mind an Adventure, There are a couple of Italian places in Atlanta, one is Pricci named in the top 20 Pricci, Maggiano's Maggiano's Little Italy | Italian-American Dining is a chain but good,and there is Vendi Vedi Vici all are great. We like to have mini road trip adventures, a day of shopping,food and fun.

[gsupstate]

Not sure anyone has listed two of the best.

Trattoria Giorgio
Trattoria Giorgio Online

Ristorante Bergamo
Ristorante Bergamo -- Downtown Greenville, South Carolina -- Modern Northern Italian Cuisine

Both are downtown on lovely tree lined Main Street. Both excellent choices.

[mcetta]

It's not easy finding good Italian food here....boy, do I miss my Italian bakeries also....haven't found 1 of those yet!!

Come to Simpsonville and try Anthony's on Fairview Rd (Publix Shopping Center). He's from NY and cooks Italian. The other place is Graziano's on Main St (corner of Fairview Rd at Pumpers Gas Station).

Oh, and right on Main Streeet is also Milanos (Greek/Italian) very good.
Carrabba's on Woodruff has good cuisine though pricey