Greenville | A Hidden Gem of a Date

Don’t underestimate Greenville! It’s a small city, but its downtown is packed with treasures—tons of great restaurants, safe streets, and such a cozy vibe. I’ve already raved about Jones Oyster Co. and Halls Chophouse here before, but this Valentine’s Day, we found a fantastic Italian spot that’s now at the top of our list. It’s affordable (most dishes are under $40!), delicious, and we didn’t hit a single dud even with “blind orders.” The menu looks so good, we’re already planning second and third visits to try more dishes—and I’ll be back here to update with more finds later! 📍 Ristorante Bergamo Address: 100 N Main St, Greenville, SC 29601 Average Cost: ~$80+ per person 🥗 Appetizers (Both Were Hits!) Beef Carpaccio ⭐⭐⭐⭐½Thinly sliced raw beef tossed with light seasonings—perfect if you find prosciutto too salty! The flavor is subtle but fresh, letting the quality of the beef shine. It’s a light, elegant start to the meal. Prosciutto with Stracciatella Cheese ⭐⭐⭐⭐½The stracciatella cheese is the star here! It’s creamy, rich, and pairs so well with the salty prosciutto—no greasiness at all. Every bite was balanced and delicious. 🍝 Main Courses (Standouts You Can’t Miss!) Lobster Risotto ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I’m not a big fan of rice, but this risotto won me over completely! It’s loaded with tender lobster chunks (way more than I expected), and the creamy sauce is rich without being heavy. The rice was cooked perfectly—chewy but not underdone. This is a must-order! Squid Ink Tagliolini ⭐⭐⭐⭐A classic seafood ink pasta done right! From the flavor (bright, briny, and packed with seafood goodness) to the texture (al dente tagliolini, silky ink sauce), there’s nothing to fault here. It’s simple but so satisfying. Breast of Long Island Duck with Figs ⭐⭐⭐⭐The duck breast is roasted to crispy perfection on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. The sweet, slightly tart figs complement the savory duck perfectly—my husband absolutely loved this dish (he went back for seconds!). 🍰 Desserts (One Hit, One Miss) Tiramisu ⭐I never thought I’d say this about an Italian restaurant, but the tiramisu was a letdown. It tasted and felt nothing like the classic version: the cake was dense and heavy, and there was an overpowering spice (like cinnamon) that threw off the whole flavor. Skip this one. Creme Brulee ⭐⭐⭐⭐½This made up for the tiramisu! It’s rich with a strong milk flavor, the caramelized sugar top is perfectly crackly, and the custard inside is smooth and creamy. A classic, well-executed dessert—highly recommend! #100RestaurantsChallenge #CaptureTheMoment #ThisTemplateWorks #Greenville #GreenvilleEats #RestaurantRecommendations #FoodDiary #FoodReview #FoodTours #ShoutOutLocalEats #DateNightRestaurants #ValentinesDay #ValentinesDayDateSpots #TreasureRestaurantShares #RestaurantsToReturnTo #ItalianCuisine #GlobalFoodSquad