Greenville's romantic restaurants feature various cuisines, memorable scenes

My recent visit to Limoncello saw my wife and I almost not make it to the entrée as the list of antipasti options had us dining on Fried Calamari, Ricotta Toast, House Meatballs, and Fried Mozzarella. We persevered, however, and found room for the scallops served with herb mascarpone risotto, crispy broccolini, and lemon butter. Everything was delicious and we look forward to going back for the cannelloni, pappardelle, and capellini on the pasta menu and again for the house-made pizzas. Limoncello is Larkins's organization's contribution to the Italian dining market and they are doing an outstanding job of things there.

Farm to table dining in Downtown Greenville is brought to you by Husk, the restaurant made famous by Sean Brock and its original location in Charleston. This is hardly a facsimile as Greenville's Husk puts the spotlight on the farmers doing their good work right here in our own backyard. Local farmers are credited specifically with items like Reedy River Farms Carrots and Hurricane Creek Grits being the stars of a recent menu. For a great taste of the local food scene in a warm inviting environment with stellar cocktails, Husk Greenville is perfect for your next date night outing.

Focusing on the best local ingredients while supporting local farmers, Stella's Southern Bistro features fine regional cuisine, inspired by the coastal Carolinas and the American South. Stella's offers an intimate, but cozy atmosphere that makes it the ideal choice for a date or a night out with friends. Start with a plate of their specialty cheese or Stella's Sampler, before enjoying one of their delicious entrees that include steak, shrimp and grits and fried chicken. You can finish your evening with an exceptional dessert or a drink from the bar.

Let's be honest â€" a romantic evening for two is likely going to include wine. For that, you cannot forget about the restaurant side of Northampton Wine. It is a quiet, low key space that is perfect for a date night with upscale offerings like grilled quail and lamb shank on the menu. You also have the luxury of choosing between a recommended wine pairing with each dish or ordering a bottle from the retail side itself. That feels like a near-limitless assortment of options so leave room in the budget for an extra bottle or two (and an Uber ride home, of course).

There is something undeniably sensual about tapas-style dining. When done well, each plate comes out on its own and a couple will take their bites simultaneously, thus perfectly enjoying the experience together. The subtle grunts of satisfaction are not inappropriate as good food is supposed to elicit such primal reactions, especially on date night. Just to take things to the next level, the amount of sexual innuendo on the menu itself ranges from nuanced to blatantly obvious and will entertain those inclined to such humor. Just make sure you order the Lobster Cigars and spring for a couple extra as the menu invites you to do (I have yet to meet the person that can just eat one).

The best restaurants are often the most unassuming and that was never more true in the case of Giovanni's. Nestled in a cozy corner of a strip mall on Woodruff Rd., nothing about Giovanni's outward appearance begs for your attention. Inside, however, you will find a new meaning for the word "cozy" paired with some of Greenville's best Italian cuisine. Enjoy Italian classics like Linguine with Clam Sauce (your choice red or white), Chicken Parmigiana, and Veal Marsala for the ultimate dining experience. The restaurant is small and they do not take reservations so get there early to avoid too much wait â€" or enjoy the wait with a nice glass of Italian wine at the bar.

Halls Chophouse may have originated in Charleston but it is right at home in Downtown Greenville. Space is nothing short of elegant as the restaurant's two-story glass façade gazes out over the Reedy River just north of Falls Park and the Liberty Bridge. Dry-aged NY Strips and ribeyes and grass-fed filets are the stars of the menu but your options extend to seafood, pork, chicken, and even vegetarian offerings as well. Pair your meal with a selection from Halls' extensive wine and cocktail list for the ultimate dining experience on a night out on the town in Downtown Greenville.

Known for aged steaks, fresh fish and romantic ambiance, Larkin's on the River is a perfect choice for a splurge in Greenville. Few views are better than Larkin's, nestled just off of Main St. looking out across the Peace Center Amphitheatre and the Reedy River. All of their steaks are sourced from DeBragga New York butchery and are 100% certified Angus. These are paired with seasonal selections such as rack of lamb, sesame encrusted Ahi tuna, and their famous Larkin's Shrimp & Grits, for a menu that is hard not to fall in love with. The wine list is beyond comparison and the staff is well prepared to help select the perfect bottle for your next meal.

The James Beard-nominated Anchorage is one of Greenville's best eateries, featuring an ever-changing menu of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Sunday brunch is no different as they frequently wow us with specials like their recent Albacore tuna sandwich, house-baked brioche, and lamb schnitzel sandwich, all of which can only be found an establishment such as the Anchorage. Also, cocktails deviate from the standard Bloody Mary as the bar livens things up with House Palomas and other creative libations. This is a culinary experience of the highest order and the perfect reason to visit the Village of West Greenville on a Sunday morning.

One of the Upstate's best features is its natural beauty and Restaurant 17 puts as big a spotlight on that as the food coming out of the kitchen. Located just off Highway 11, Restaurant 17 is a part of Hotel Domestique, the luxury hotel owned by world-class cyclist George Hincapie that looks more like an Old World French mansion than a hotel and restaurant in South Carolina. On the menu, look for dishes featuring local and regional sourced ingredients like the grass-fed ribeye or Heritage breed pork chop. Time your meal around sunset for a stunning view of the mountains and, if you want to make a week of it, the rooms at Hotel Domestique are perfect for a romantic weekend away from home.