A Taste of Tradition
If the end of the holidays has left you yearning for something sweet, head downtown to the Camperdown development to sample some of the goodies at the new Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar. The Charleston-based eatery has expanded to Greenville, bringing with it the favorite foods of owner Brian Solari, who named the cafe after his Italian grandmother.
Drop in for a latte and try to narrow down your sweet choices between the signature cannoli cake, amaretto cheesecake, and a host of other desserts, including gelato and sorbetto. Shake off the winter chill with a hot cocktail from the full bar, perhaps a Rhody (coffee with Jameson, Frangelico, and Amaretto), or a bourbon-spiked Ginger Toddy. Carmella’s isn’t all sugar, though; the cafe also serves savory selections like Sicilian pizza and The Italian, a sandwich piled high with Genoa salami, capicola, soppressata, and provolone on house-made ciabatta bread.
Circle the Wagons
What has 6 food trucks, a 21-tap self-serve beer- and wine-pouring system, and a covered heated pavilion with seats for 50 people? That would be Scuffletown Food Truck Park, the first food truck park in South Carolina. Owners Justin and Allie Holck designed the park, which opened in late December, as a family-friendly place for the community to gather to socialize, enjoy good food—from barbecue to birria—and local beer, and watch their favorite sporting events on the 120-inch LCD screen. Tucked back behind a shopping center off Fairview Road, the park features live music, fire pits, and plenty of space for the kids to run around.
206 Ladean Ct., Greenville
Sweets for the Sweet
The ultimate aphrodisiac, some would argue, chocolate is the time-honored way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. If your honey is cacao crazy, you’ll want to visit these delectable emporiums.
The Chocolate Shoppe
Located in the Lake Forest Shopping strip, this shop is Greenville’s original stop for all things chocolate, from truffles and barks to turtles and clusters—and did we mention chocolate-dipped Oreos?
1392 N. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville, makingtheworldsweeter.com
CocoBon Chocolatier
With a list of truffles and flavored bonbons as long as your arm, CocoBon can satisfy even the most discriminating chocoholics.
101 S.E. Main St., Simpsonville, cocobonchocolatier.com
Kilwins
Treat your Valentine to a box of decadent Mackinac Island fudge, made from the original recipe developed by owners Don and Katy Kilwin.
220 N. Main St., #202, Greenville, kilwins.com
LaRue Fine Chocolates
Who wouldn’t appreciate a heart-shaped box of artisanal chocolates, made with love by Maître Chocolatier Elizabeth McDaniel?
556 Perry St., Greenville, laruefinechocolate.com
Lumineux
Ben and Becca Snyder source cacao beans from around the globe, then grind them and form them into a delightful collection of chocolate bars at their facility in Travelers Rest.
Find the bars in local retail shops or order online at lumineuxchocolate.com
River Street Sweets
This Charleston-based sweet shop now has a satellite on Greenville’s Main Street, where you’ll find its famous pecan pralines, as well as chocolate bear claws and other confections.
12 S. Main St., Greenville, riverstreetsweets.com
