We dropped into Mike Rednak’s Lucy Anne’s friends and family opening June 27 in downtown Spartanburg. Lucy Anne’s is located at 148 W. Main St., upstairs in the Citizens & Southern building.
The “modern take on Grandma’s kitchen” restaurant officially opened June 30. The restaurant features an antique bar and stalwart, delicately-painted plate ware.
Related: Upstate NY, Upstate SC blend in new pop-up from ‘Husk’ veteran: Weekly Dish
But let’s talk food.
We ordered rolls, summer melon and hoppin’ John arancini for starters, then moved on to Carolina catfish and pappardelle for dinner. We finished with peach cobbler with gelato.
Surprisingly, my favorite was the Carolina catfish over summer succotash. The breading seemed more like sesame seeds and other crispy coatings rather than a traditional dredge. The contrast of the crispy catfish to the perfectly al dente succotash all tied together by their brightness was perfect for a hot day.
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This one really broke our hearts.
Swordfish Cocktail Club posted its “last call” June 27. Its final day will be July 11.
The speakeasy-style cocktail bar in downtown Greenville has been known for its incredible commitment to hospitality, classically rooted but creative libations, and the prioritization of the city’s hospitality community. Owners Evan Leihy and Brad Hagen created a coin-based secret menu for service-industry workers to provide an exclusive experience to their comrades at a curtailed price.
The bar made the announcement on social media.
“Thank you to everyone for believing in the vision and what could be. Together, we have done the impossible: We have shifted the standard for what hospitality should look like in our city. We have changed the culture around what a really good drink is,” the post said, also noting that its owners are excited to share what’s next.
When a city loses one of its finest hideaways, the sun shines less bright and the stars twinkle a little less. Long live Swordfish, a beacon of exemplary service and camaraderie.
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Bite-sized bits
The Upstate saw a small wave of food- and beverage-based business news announced over the weekend of June 26.
- Roost Coffee House announced June 24 that the business may be sold. It most recently changed hands in January 2024, when it was purchased by Karla Paiz.
- The Common House in Anderson announced its closure June 27. The coffee shop and tasting dinner restaurant first opened in 2023.
- Canvas Coffee + Art House announced on Instagram June 28 it was “in a very difficult stretch” and hoping to raise about $5,000 to stay open. The post suggested several ways to help. For more information, go to instagram.com/p/DaJGZzSifiU.
