Jianna — Restaurant in Greenville

Editing review after further visits: this place is amazing. I am not sure what happened on our first visit, but we can’t stop coming back now. We are now patrons at least once a month. The oysters are fresh and delicious, the pasta is well seasoned and Al dente. The beef tartar is crisp and flavorful. Disregard the below review and go visit this place. We literally cannot stop eating here.

My wife and I dinned for dinner on a busy Wednesday evening around 19:30. We had a reservation so it did not take us long to get seated, maybe 5 minutes. Perfectly acceptable for the crowd they had in that evening. Once we were seated, it took us quite a while to see our server. We actually had another server walk by after 5-10 minutes asking if we had been helped yet. When we told her no, she was very helpful and got us drinks and helped us with some menu items until our server came to help us, another 5-10 minutes later. By now we had been seated around 19:35 and it was almost 20:00 and we had not even gotten our drinks yet. My wife ordered a Rose cocktail and I had a canned craft beer. When the cocktail finally arrived it was really good, but we were starting to get hungry. We had ordered oysters on the half shell and they took a while to come out. They were good, and probably the highlight of our meal that night, when they finally came out. Now to the disappointment of the meal: The pasta dishes. My wife ordered the special of the day, which was basically a glorified mac and cheese. It was very bland, the cheese had no flavor, which you would have been expecting salty and nutty from Parmesan, and the noodles were unseasoned. All of this for $22... We both agreed that the noodles needed some kind of fat flavoring to round out the dish, something like sauteing the veggies in bacon fat, it was just missing something. My dish was the lobster pasta dish. It was relatively the same experience. The noodles looked like squid ink noodles, but lacked any of the briny flavor that you would expect, and they were unseasoned again. The veggies (peas and red peppers) tasted like they had been frozen and thawed before cooking, not fresh. They had no crisp and lacked full flavor. The lobster was good, and I think shelled in house, though it was lacking seasoning as well. This dish was really missing a lobster cream sauce to round it out, it was very dry. To round it all off, the food did not arrive until around 20:40, over a hour after we sat down. We finished the meal at 21:10, which was much longer than we expected to be there.

Overall, for our $108 dinner (tip included) we would not come back. There are plenty of other places in Greenville with better food at lower or similar prices (Trappe door...

The entire experience was great and here’s why:

1. Ambiance: the moment I stepped into the restaurant, I was enveloped by an inviting and warm atmosphere. The tasteful decor combined modern elements with cozy touches, making it feel both chic and comfortable. Soft lighting created intimate spaces perfect for both small gatherings and romantic dinners. If you can sit outdoors on a not-so-hot summer day, it would add extra points to the experience.

2. Food: The food was nothing short of exceptional. Each dish showcased creativity, blending flavors and textures in delicious harmony.

Starters: we had the Ricotta Crostini. It was our classic way to start off warming our palates. We also ordered the Char-Grilled Octopus and it was delicious! Tender and it tasted nothing like seafood. I know, odd. Also tried the Potato Gnocchi, which was my last favorite, not because it was bad but the bar was already high with the flavors of the other dishes.

Entrees: My spouse had Gemelli al Nero di Seppia. Delicious! Well-balanced, rich in texture because of the fresh haricot verts, and packed with flavor due to the aleppo peppers. Highly recommended.

I had the Cocoa Pappardelle. It was an experience eating this as I was expecting a dish with flavors fighting with each other in order to stand out, but it was the opposite. Light flavors of the fresh pasta, mixed well with the bold flavors of the lamb sausages, and toned down with the asparagus. I really enjoyed eating this one.

Dessert: Basil Panna Cotta - felt like eating a mock tail on a plate. Can’t describe the flavor. Do me a favor and try it. You will either hate it or love it. I fall into the latest.

Not only was everything visually appealing, but the taste was equally impressive, leaving a lasting impression on my palate.

3. Service: Brandon, our server, did an impeccable job. From the moment we arrived, we were treated with genuine hospitality. He did shared recommendations, explained each dish with enough details to ease the ordering decisions. He was attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about the menu, and quick to accommodate any requests. I would like to have him serve us again.

In summary, I’d Jianna to anyone looking to enjoy a delightful dining experience with its inviting ambiance, creative and well-composed food, and warm, welcoming service.

Highly...

If you appreciate fine dining and truly professional service, Jianna is a must-visit. My wife and I were absolutely blown away by our experience here last night, one of our final dinners in South Carolina.

Staff: Our server, Matt, was phenomenal. He knew the menu inside and out, describing dishes with the knowledge and passion of a chef. He was attentive, kind, and just the right amount of funny; clearly someone who loves what he does. One of his recommendations ended up being my order, and it was spot on. The hostesses we met were equally kind and welcoming, making us feel valued at every interaction.

Food: This was, hands down, the best meal we’ve had in a long time, and we eat out often. We’ve dined in some of the finest places, and Jianna measured up to some of our favorite places. My wife has celiac disease and must avoid gluten, yet the menu here was perfect for her. Almost everything could be customized, allowing her to enjoy the same experience as everyone else. The gluten-free pasta was incredible.

I ordered the Halibut, and it was the best fish I’ve ever eaten, and I grew up on an island where seafood was a daily menu item. The Fingerling Potatoes were bursting with flavor, the Tomato Bisque was smooth and satisfying, and the Summer Salad was a fresh, light start. Every dish had brilliant flavor combinations. It’s no wonder Jianna sells a cookbook! The only regret I have is not buying one to take home so I could try my best to replicate our experience at home in my own kitchen.

Atmosphere: We dined on the outdoor patio, which was perfect. The soft sounds of the street below added to the warm feeling of the restaurant, and to top it off, a musician in the park provided live music as we ate.

We couldn’t have asked for a better evening. If we could go back tonight, we would in a heartbeat.

If you’re looking for a spot to eat… stop looking and just give them a call and...