Dinner Out in Greenville and a Reunion With my Nephew and Niece
After our fun, whirlwind day of visiting three Home Depot stores in Tennessee and South Carolina, my travelling companions and I were hungry for a good dinner out. Our destination was Larkin’s on the River, located in downtown Greenville, along the banks of the Reedy River. I was very happy that my nephew, Shom Kostyra and his sister, Shannon who live in Greenville, were able to meet us for dinner. Shom and his brothers, Jonathan and Arrick, work together in the “hot” real estate market of Greenville.
Larkin’s on the River occupies, what was once the Gower Coach Factory, built in 1847. The factory prospered during the Civil War era, manufacturing equipment and rolling stock for the Confederate Army and civilians, becoming the largest carriage factory in the South. Today, the restaurant building is the last one remaining of the original six that made up the factory. This area of Greenville, known as the West End, has had a strong resurgence that began in the 1990’s. Today, it is a popular area for shopping, dining, the arts, and for living. Since it was dark, Shom really wanted me to see some of what the West End looks like and he was kind to email some photos. His are the daylight ones at the end. Thanks, Shom, and it was great to see you and Shannon!
-
- Another look at the Wyche Pavilion
-
- The entrance to Larkin’s with on outdoor eating terrace above the beautiful water scape.
-
- And a very impressive selection of wines
-
- The bar at Larkin’s
-
- Larkin’s on the River is a very popular restaurant located in downtown Greenville.
-
- Oysters Rockefeller – baked with spinach, bacon, and cream cheese. The oysters were from Charleston and were fabulous!
-
- This salad is tempura fried goat cheese drizzled with a raspberry vinaigrette over baby arugula – very tasty.
-
- This is the Wyche Pavilion, one of Greenville’s oldest commercial buildings. This unique open-air brick structure is a favorite locale for events catered by Larkin’s.
-
- The bridge’s handrails were designed with subtle lighting, giving a glowing effect.
-
- The entrance to Falls Park on the Reedy, a little oasis in the heart of downtown Greenville in the historic West End.
-
- The park features a one-of-a-kind curved suspension footbridge over the Reedy River Falls. It’s 355-feet long, 12-feet wide, and has a horizontal curve radius of 214-feet.
-
- A beautiful original wooden door
-
- This building was the former Gower Coach Factory and was built in 1847.
-
- It happened to be Veterans’ Day and this veteran was enjoying a dinner out with his wife for both an anniversary and Veterans’ Day.
-
- This is Larkin’s shrimp and grits – stone ground grits served with a rich cheese sauce and topped with sautéed jumbo shrimp and peppers – also delicious.
-
- Larkin’s is famous for their Caesar salad, expertly made right at your table. The staff was very cordial.
-
- We had a side of sauteed broccolini.
-
- Here I am with my niece Shannon and nephew Shom
-
- This unique pedestrian suspension bridge has two 90-foot-tall masts that lean away from the bridge at a 15-degree angle.
-
- The West End of Greenville has undergone a great revival and is now one of the area’s most popular dining, shopping, and entertainment destinations.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
