Après-Ski
Can’t make it to Aspen this winter? You can still get cozy in front of the fireplace with a cool cocktail at Press Room, the speakeasy hidden away on the second floor of the AC Hotel. Through February, the bar will transform into an alpine cabin worthy of any high-end ski resort, complete with alpine landscapes on the walls and other ski-themed decor. No need to knock yourself out on the slopes—skip the cold and hunker down with a cocktail like Yeti or Not, Here We Come (Belvedere lemon basil, Limoncello, Chandon Brut, and club soda), and Ski Patrol (Woodinville bourbon and spiced cranberry syrup with a malbec topper), served by a waitstaff dressed in puffer vests and knit caps. Don’t even think about leaving without snapping a selfie with the live-size yeti who guards the entrance to the lounge.
Apres-Ski Lodge Pop Up, Press Room at the AC Hotel, 315 S. Main St., Greenville. First-come, first-served only. 864.720.2950, pressroomgvl.com
Blade Runner
Now that Indaco and O-Ku have opened downtown adjacent to Ice on Main, there’s even more fun to be had this month after you’ve skated off some of those holiday calories. Outdoor tables at Indaco make great places to catch your breath, and those preferring spectator sports can stake out a rink-side seat. The restaurant will be serving a full menu, including pasta—necessary carb-loading to facilitate those double axels—and whipping up some toasty libations for the season. Chase away that winter chill with hot cocoa and hot apple cider, or go for an adult beverage like Ya Filthy Animal (Rumchata Peppermint, hot chocolate, and toasted marshmallow syrup) and Apple Doesn’t Fall Far (Evan Williams Apple Bourbon, apple cider, and cinnamon). Neighboring O-Ku will be serving a Toasted Rice Toddy, made with toasted rice milk steeped with cinnamon sticks.
Indaco 40 W. Broad St., Greenville. Mon.–Weds., 5pm–10pm; Thurs.–Sun, open at 11am. 864.326.4817, indacorestaurant.com; O-Ku, 30 W. Broad St. Open daily for dinner. 864.326.4812, o-kusushi.com
Generations of Flavor
You love Papi’s Tacos on the river, and now you can find a full-service satellite of the family-run Mexican restaurant in Greenville’s West End. Opened last fall and run by Jorge Bárrales Jr. (Papi’s son), the buzzing second location on Augusta Street offers several things the original doesn’t, namely full service and a full bar. It also boasts a larger kitchen and a stand-up rotisserie used to roast marinated pork for tacos al pastor, one of Papi’s signature dishes, based on a family recipe. Cooking meat this way “is as authentic as you can get,” says Jorge Jr., who hails from Morelos, Mexico. This spring, the new Papi’s will be expanding into the empty space next door to create a cozy cantina. That should open just in time for warm weather and access to the adjacent green space, which will hold more tables plus a music stage.
21 Augusta St., Greenville. 864.373.7274, eatpapistacos.com
