FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

It’s the Food and Beverage Scene in Greenville, South Carolina, That’s Star-Worthy

by Kelly Magyarics

Sep 15, 2023

© Courtesy of VisitGreenvilleSC

Daily

Though the city is not not included in the Michelin Restaurant Guide, the food and beverage scene makes it more than worth a visit to this charming, totally walkable, often underrated Southern city. (Its tourism slogan, “Yes, THAT Greenville,” speaks to how it flies under the radar.) Coupled with the opening last year of the Grand Bohemian, a gorgeous resort designed in a luxe-lodge style situated right next to waterfalls, and a unique pedestrian bridge, Greenville is a great option for an epicurean weekend getaway. Here are five must-try spots in this southern city:

Spirit & Bower

Sink into a distressed leather wingback chair in this sexy, sumptuous subterranean cocktail lounge located on the lower level of the Grand Bohemian, the place for rare Bourbons, seasonal cocktails, and Southern-inspired small plates with a view of the Reedy River Falls. The first page of their leather-bound drink menu cautions about cenosillicaphobia, or the fear of an empty glass, but there’s no chance of that happening here. Bar manager Chip Shaner’s Boulevardier gets a flavor boost from black walnut bitters, while a flight of Basil Hayden pours showcases the brand’s straight, toasted and dark rye whiskeys. Nosh on crispy pork rinds dipped in pimento cheese  topped with roasted red peppers and pickled cauliflower, or tuck into gold leaf- and caviar-topped deviled eggs. It’s about as perfect a hotel bar as you can get.

Jones

The Jones Oyster Co. © Courtesy of VisitGreenvilleSC

The Jones Oyster Co.

Wildly popular since opening this past January, this 40-seat casual seafood joint only accepts walk-ins; diners start queuing up outside the brick building (a former furniture store) before 11:00 a.m. for a chance to sample executive chef Brant Tesky’s all-day, bivalve- and shellfish-focused menu of perennial favorites. Every table gets a sample of the addictive smoked Carolina fish dip with red onions and club crackers, but don’t worry if your table quickly devours it, as it’s also an option on the starters and shareable section of the menu. Beyond that, it’s really hard to choose—and even harder to go wrong. A board lists available varieties if you want your oysters raw and chilled, but don’t pass over plump grilled Gulf oysters with garlic butter, herbs, parmigiano-reggiano and pecorino-romano cheese. The lobster roll tucks chunks either chilled with mayo or warmed and topped with melted butter into a top-split bun, while Low Country fried rice topped with claw crab meat, fried rice and crispy garlic is a can’t-miss signature dish. Wines and beers are selected to match the menu, cocktails skew fruity and tropical and oyster shooter options include one with cucumber vodka, lime and mint.

CAMP

© Kelly Magyarics

CAMP

A seat at the chef’s counter is the best spot at this restaurant named for the city’s Camperdown neighborhood, the perfect front-row location to watch the culinary team inject global flavors into the Modern American menu. While figuring out your small plates ordering strategy, sip A Porch Swing in Spring, a beer-tail with blood orange vodka, clove and peppercorn syrup and citrus juices, topped with a splash of Allagash White. Skewered, tender pieces of marinated skirt steak pintxos arrive atop garlic aioli and crispy potatoes, gambas bathe in a fragrant fennel broth with espelette butter, and peanuts add a surprising crunch to cilantro-topped pork and shrimp dumplings. Pastry chef Chef Lindsay Beck’s from-scratch desserts include campfire crème brûlée made with smoked chocolate and served with a mezcal marshmallow.

cocktail

Swordfish Cocktail Club © Courtesy of VisitGreenvilleSC

Swordfish Cocktail Club

Look for the swordfish outside on the door of this cocktail lounge named for the password to the speakeasy in the 1932 Marx brothers film Horsefeathers; inside the dimly lit space, you’ll undoubtedly find the best libations in town thanks to co-owners Bradly Hagan and Evan Leihy. A fun “Preface” menu offers amuse-bouche-sized portions of beer, bubbly or vermouth. Classic cocktails like the Bee’s Knees, Scofflaw and Jack Rose are joined by house sips like the Trade Minister, a delicate Martini riff with Beefeater Gin, Lillet Blanc, pamplemousse liqueur, orange flower water and orange bitters; or the New Japanese, an Old-Fashioned riff with Suntory Toki, horse orgeat, bitters and lemon. If you’re feeling generous, $7 will buy a round of post-shift drinks for the staff; hang around long enough, and you may end up rubbing elbows with chefs, somms and bartenders, as the bar is a big industry hangout.

The Last Samurai

CAMP © Courtesy of VisitGreenvilleSC

Camilla Kitchen

Located within M. Judson, Greenville’s independent bookstore in the historic downtown courthouse building, is this café and restaurant that’s also the site for literary-themed events including wine and book pairings, suppers with author talks and teacher happy hours. The restaurant’s Gallery also hosts Big Wine Nights, where biodynamic wine distributor Mission Grape highlights new winemakers, with guests seated at a communal table enjoying a multi-course menu of seasonal dishes and ingredients from chef Teryi Youngblood Musolf. (A recent dinner paired the Loire-inspired offerings from Napa’s T. Berkeley Wines with saffron mussels, arugula and goat cheese salad; prosciutto and peas; and seared duck breast.) It’s a convivial way to spend an evening getting to know the locals (and other visitors).

 

 

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
April 2025
Apr 30, 2025

Breathe in the View and Sip in the Moment in Puerto Vallarta

Mindful drinking with an eye on wellness can mean ordering a zero-proof or low ABV cocktail instead of one that’s boozy and stirred, or slowly savoring one glass of wine instead of tossing back two or three. But sometimes, where you’re sipping a beverage can have just as much of a positive effect on your mind, body and spirit as what’s in your glass.

Royal Air Maroc Marks Five Years with oneworld: Strengthening Connectivity Between USA and Africa and Expanding Global Reach

Royal Air Maroc proudly enters its fifth year as a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance. Since joining in April 2020, RAM has demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a dynamic airline that enhanced its digital services and expanded its network. The airline plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing its global presence.

eFlyer Reviews
Apr 30, 2025

Relais Villa Porta Review

Tucked into a Lake Maggiore enclave overlooking the Gulf of Colmegna, Relais Villa Porta is an idyllic place to take in a side of the Italian Lakes region that’s different from buzzy Lake Como during high season. In 1820, it was built as a hunting lodge, and by the end of the century, was transformed into an inn by Leopoldo Casnedi. Over time, the surrounding parkland was further enhanced with rare plants collected by Pietro Porta, its second owner and botanist, as well as regular guests wanting to support his efforts. This ensured the inn would ultimately sit pretty within a 10,000-square-meter park surrounding the main villa, a 19th-century Liberty-style greenhouse and original Villa Porta mosaic.

eFlyer News
Apr 30, 2025

Fairmont Hotels Debuts in Mumbai, Tokyo This Summer

This year, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts welcomes two new hotels to its expanding portfolio: Fairmont Mumbai and Fairmont Tokyo. Fairmont Mumbai opened this spring, blending New York’s Art Décor heritage with modern luxury across 446 guestrooms and suites.

A Summer Sojourn Along Europe’s Rivers with AmaWaterways

This summer, elevate your vacation experience with award-winning AmaWaterways. Offering a seamless blend of unparalleled luxury, authentic cultural experiences and unrivaled service, AmaWaterways cruises are the perfect way to uncover the heart of Europe during the sunniest season with itineraries that glide along the continent’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Douro.

eFlyer News
Apr 30, 2025

SAS Reintroduces European Business Class This Fall

Scandinavian Airlines reintroduces its European business class Oct. 1, delivering elevated comfort, greater connectivity and personalized service for regional and international travelers across Europe. With tickets for the enhanced business class going live May 6, passengers can expect:

Slideshow
Apr 28, 2025

7 Reasons to Put Sapporo, Japan, on Your Travel List

It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Sapporo, Japan, with us.

Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive

Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.

April 2025
Apr 27, 2025

Crystal Offers Second Annual Wellness Retreat Cruises

Following a successful debut, Crystal Cruises invites guests to its second annual Wellness Retreat Cruises: a transformational, 15 night journey from Lisbon to Tema, Ghana (Nov. 26–Dec. 11), or a 12-night trip from Tema to Cape Town (Dec. 11–23).