Theme Restaurants in Greenville? (Charleston: fit in, theatre, shop)

[Greenville]

Originally Posted by davidmg1

duh, forgot about the OG in the Cherrydale area.

Guess I need to eat Italian more often....LOL

I thought Carrabba's was a bigger omission than the Olive Garden at Cherrydale.

[gvsteve]

Olive Garden is to Italian what Jack in the Box is to a fine steak dinner.

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by Greenville

As others have said, Spaghetti Warehouse was located where Northampton Wines is now. I remember it being a neat atmosphere. I don't know if it closed due to lack of customers or poor management (or both, since the two can go hand-in-hand).

In addition to two Olive Gardens and Macaroni Grill, don't forget about Carrabba's, Travinia, Portofino's, Giovanni's, Trattoria Giorgio, Restaurante Bergamo, Trio, etc. There is a lot of good Italian food in Greenville. That's not to say that a Spaghetti Warehouse would be a poor addition, though.

Don't forget Italian Market & Grill -- or has it closed? I enjoy the cozy atmosphere at Travinia. Trattoria Giorgio is very romantic and in a great location, as is Ristorante Bergamo and Trio.

[Greenville]

Originally Posted by Skyliner

Don't forget Italian Market & Grill -- or has it closed? I enjoy the cozy atmosphere at Travinia. Trattoria Giorgio is very romantic and in a great location, as is Ristorante Bergamo and Trio.

I totally forgot about Italian Market & Grill! I believe they are still open. I ate there last fall for the first time in years, and really enjoyed it. They seem to do good business based on the cars I have seen in the parking lot.

[g-man430]

Italian Market and Grill has been closed for a while now. I loved that place.

[USNRET04]

Originally Posted by g-man430

Italian Market and Grill has been closed for a while now. I loved that place.

Darn, never got to visit that place. Wanted to though.

[CyVaquero]

Originally Posted by gvsteve

I'll take a unique local restaurant over a generic Hard Rock Cafe any day.

Second that - I hardly ever go to chain restaurants (Ruby Tues., TGIF's, Chili's, etc.) for mediocre boil bag/deep fried food. I never go to overpriced mediocre restaurants.

Give me an independently owned (non-Sysco supplied) ethnic or fusion restaurant anytime!!

With the possible exception of Medieval Times none of those restaurants has anything that makes it any different from your local sports bar - so support your local sports bar instead.

[NoodlesKnowles]

Originally Posted by CyVaquero

Second that - I hardly ever go to chain restaurants (Ruby Tues., TGIF's, Chili's, etc.) for mediocre boil bag/deep fried food. I never go to overpriced mediocre restaurants.

Give me an independently owned (non-Sysco supplied) ethnic or fusion restaurant anytime!!

With the possible exception of Medieval Times none of those restaurants has anything that makes it any different from your local sports bar - so support your local sports bar instead.

amen! reps for u!

[innovator82]

If I'm not mistaken, there isn't even a Hard Rock or Planet Hollywood in Charlotte, or Charleston for that matter. I assume they only like to open them up in larger cities or places that are serious tourist destinations like Myrtle Beach. I would think Charlotte or Charleston would be on the radars of restaurants like Hard Rock if they were considering opening any more in the area. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't welcome one in Greenville with open arms!

Another category of restaurants other than the theme places are the sort-of more higher-end national chain restaurants that are found usually in more affluent areas--Greenville just got one (Ruths Chris) but I am also thinking of places like Cheesecake Factory and McCormick & Schmicks. The closest are in Charlotte--but if Greenville can do Ruths Chris than I think it can do a Chessecake Factory too which is an amazing restaurant IMO.

[Greenville]

Originally Posted by innovator82

If I'm not mistaken, there isn't even a Hard Rock or Planet Hollywood in Charlotte, or Charleston for that matter. I assume they only like to open them up in larger cities or places that are serious tourist destinations like Myrtle Beach. I would think Charlotte or Charleston would be on the radars of restaurants like Hard Rock if they were considering opening any more in the area. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't welcome one in Greenville with open arms!

Why do you say that Charleston would be on Hard Rock's radar before Greenville? Because Charleston has more tourists at this point?

Originally Posted by innovator82

Another category of restaurants other than the theme places are the sort-of more higher-end national chain restaurants that are found usually in more affluent areas--Greenville just got one (Ruths Chris) but I am also thinking of places like Cheesecake Factory and McCormick & Schmicks. The closest are in Charlotte--but if Greenville can do Ruths Chris than I think it can do a Chessecake Factory too which is an amazing restaurant IMO.

Cheesecake Factory has been looking at Greenville for a couple of years, and is supposedly going to be part of the Magnolia Park Town Center development on Woodruff Road. With that project being delayed, I have to wonder of Cheesecake Factory is considering other locations in Greenville.

I would definitely like to see a McCormick & Schmick's! I love their $2.99 happy hour menu! You can't beat their cheeseburger and fries for 3 bucks!