Had the most incredible time at Elsie's speakeasy for a recent date night. A friend recommended we…read moredo dinner at Kounter first and put our names on the list early for Elsie's. We were told two hour wait, but only ended up waiting about 45 min before we got the text. The experience was fun having to "sneak" through the fake door and into a fun, moody, and eclectic lounge room. The bartenders truly made the night - Harris is wonderful, fun, chatty, and made all our drinks on a whim with almost nothing straight from the menu. We would tell Harris the type of drink and strength, and he made the most incredible cocktails throughout our time there. Truly showed that he's a mixologist and not just a bartender. We so treated ourselves to the caviar and the dessert bites. Would only recommend that the chips be salt and vinegar as the dish was missing some flavor, but the dessert bites were incredible. Will absolutely return for another night soon!

This place acts like you are not supposed to drink. We were having a great time then they decide we…read moreare not to be served.

We had such a great experience here! We came in during the last hour before closing (which always…read moremakes me a little nervous), but everything was still super fresh, came out quickly, and never felt rushed. Ashley was our server and she was amazing -- very attentive, friendly, and gave great recommendations. She really made the experience even better. We started with the pork belly skewers topped with ranch, BBQ, crushed cashews, and pickled red onions -- 10/10. Huge portion and packed with flavor. The balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy was perfect. The chicken Caesar sandwich was sooo good. It's a massive sandwich with a crispy chicken cutlet topped with Caesar salad, pickled red onions, and chickpeas. Fair warning: it's a little hard to eat because of the size, but completely worth it. The dressing leans more vinegar-forward than creamy, which I personally loved. I'd honestly order it again just as a salad. The truffle parm fries were another 10/10 -- loaded with parmesan and full of flavor. The stout braised beef melt was amazing. Tons of meat and the flavors blended together perfectly. Definitely a standout. The pub chips with added Cajun seasoning were okay -- not bad, just nothing super special compared to everything else. As longtime fans of their previous food truck, we're so impressed with what they've grown into as a restaurant. It's clear they've kept the quality while elevating the whole experience. We'll absolutely be back!

came from Charlotte to try Elk Ave Tavern after seeing a TikTok food review claiming it had one of…read morethe "top five cheesesteaks," so I went in with pretty high expectations. Unfortunately, I left feeling very disappointed. I ordered the cheesesteak, which was the main reason for my visit, and it just didn't live up to the hype. The bread was soggy, the meat was very small diced instead of the ribeye-style cuts you'd expect from a good cheesesteak, and the cheese tasted more like Kraft than anything premium. Overall, it was very bland and lacked the flavor I was hoping for. For $18 and about a 20-minute drive, I honestly expected much more. On the positive side, the Brussels sprouts were amazing -- easily the standout item from my visit. They were flavorful and cooked really well. The fries were fine too, but fries are fries and it's hard to mess those up. The staff were very nice and attentive, and the food came out in about 10-15 minutes, which I appreciated. The restaurant itself is a small, quaint place located in downtown Rock Hill across from the public library. I didn't have trouble parking, but it was around 12:30 on a Wednesday and the lot and nearby street parking were both pretty full, so I could see it being tighter during busier times. I also noticed this location used to be called Sweet Tea back around 2020 when they served chicken and waffles, so it was interesting to see how the space has changed. The menu overall isn't very large, and since I mainly came for the cheesesteak and it didn't meet my expectations, I don't see myself returning. In my personal opinion, Cheat's Cheesesteak Parlor still has the best cheesesteak in Charlotte and the surrounding areas. I really wanted to love this place, but based on this visit, it just didn't deliver for me.

We arrived at an odd hour, hungry and tired from a day of driving from early morning until about 3…read morepm. We were a little confused as to how to enter the restaurant, but I chalk that up to being tired. The space is wide open and airy, with large windows and skylights. The restaurant was nice and clean, save for something that was splashed on the wall in our booth - but it's a restaurant. There's going to be little picky things here and there and I'm sure it was wiped down by the end of the day! Our hostess was also our server and she was so knowledgeable about the menu. I took her suggestions at every turn and did not regret it. We started off with the Bang Bang Brussels Sprouts app and let me tell you - I could've eaten that as my entire meal. They are SO delicious and I'll be dreaming of them until I can return to Rock Hill. Holy cow, they were good - crispy on the outside, loaded with flavor and just enough spice to give the sweetness a little bite. So good. My husband had the country fried steak and he said it was very good. Not the best he's ever had, he said, but good enough. He wished there'd been more steak and less crust, but the flavor was right on. They were out of the salt and pepper flounder, so I changed my order to the ranch chicken. Ummmm....excuse me. Who says not to order chicken breasts at restaurants? The portion size is SO generous and the chicken is SO DELICIOUS that I, the girl who rarely bothers to take leftovers, boxed up what was left and brought it back to my hotel and ate it as a midnight snack. The grilled zucchini served on the side of it was delicious. If I ever get back, I'll ask if I can skip the potatoes in favor of more of that zucchini! We didn't really have room for dessert, but when we heard about the warm banana pudding, we were curious. DO NOT SKIP THIS DESSERT. If you're a banana pudding fan, this will blow your mind. Absolutely incredible! It's both warm and cool at the same time, caramelized bananas and a torched meringue topping were bowl-licking delicious. All in all, this was a fantastic experience and I wouldn't hesitate to go back.

Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails in Rock Hill was such a great find and definitely earned a spot on our…read more"we'll be back" list! We started things off with the Louisiana Shrimp Toast and the Bang Bang Brussels Sprouts--both packed with so much flavor and the perfect way to kick off dinner. We also had to take advantage of their $2 frosé, which was absolutely perfect for these warmer days. For my entrée, I went with the Parmesan Ranch Chicken served with the most perfect mashed potatoes--comfort food at its finest. My husband ordered the Salt and Pepper Fried Tilapia with grits, topped with the most delicious tomato stew that had us both sneaking bites from each other's plates. Everything was absolutely delicious, and we already know we'll be back... because I still need a slice of that peach cheesecake! If you're in Rock Hill and looking for your next dinner spot, this one is definitely worth the visit!

Amazing time with the family! We had a blast playing games! Excellent Place and super friendly…read morestaff.

Great spot in Rock Hill! Love the self-pour concept and the variety of drinks available. The space…read moreis open and inviting, making it a go-to for a fun night out. Will definitely be back!

Brandy was our server and this was our first time visiting and she kept that in mind while serving…read more We were seated at a table about midway down the counter against the wall. It was a little dark though it was more quiet than the sunlit front. I ordered the Old Town Cobb and my husband ordered the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf and a Caesar salad. The focaccia croutons in the salad were out of this world delicious and different. Their flavor of the croutons burst in our mouth. The meatloaf's presentation was superb. Hubby said he would order meatloaf again. I had a bite and it was crispy and smoky tasting. My husband ordered 2 beers and the bill was under $50 which we thought was a good value. Pros: water served in glass tumblers. Menu is very creative. Food is really delicious. Location. Plenty of other spots to grab a coffee, tea or hot chocolate while walking around Main Street after eating. Cons: tomatoes under ripe in Cobb salad. Caesar salad dressing was more sweet than anticipated. Depending when you come, parking will be challenging if a person is unable to walk. Parking is generally plentiful around downtown Rock Hill within a short walk. Verdict: Both dishes were good. Would come back and would order them again.

Kounter is a modernize restaurant that seems to be a renovation of an older soda jerk counter…read more Friendly welcoming and attentive staff . On the menu for today I chose the Blue plate Special ($23) OG, bacon wrapped meatloaf, swirl potatoes, veggie du jour, stewed, collards, steakhouse, vinaigrette, cilantro Crema. The dish was Tender medallions of meatloaf, wrapped in savory bacon. Topped with a steakhouse vinaigrette, tangy, and savory, which had an amazing flavor by itself, I just wish it added more to the main. Which was slightly bland. Unfortunately, this cilantro Crema had no hints of cilantro. The actual star of the show is the collard greens. The Collard greens has a subtle kick, which is amazing and flavorful, and gives that little extra punch. Hand slammed fries ($5) Parmesan - rosemary dusted, roasted tomato malt vinaigrette. Tasty especially with their house made ketchup, but unfortunately, the fries were a little on the soggy side. And a Blake's cider (5). crisp and refreshing. Perfect for a southern Carolina afternoon. Overall, food was delicious, but could use just a hint of attentions to flavor. I would definitely recommend you give Kounter a try. I would love to come back here again and try some more of their menu. Follow me on Yelp and Instagram @noodlesoupr as I travel the world in search of delicious food encounters.

Renamed and rebranded with a new laid back chill vibe focused on quality drinks, great service and…read morea cool atmosphere where everyone is welcome. Will save that last star until I get the chance to check it out on a weekend, but highly recommend you give it a shot for an after work drink or two in a low key drama free environment where you will feel at home whether you come solo or with a crowd.

It's been 9 year, NINE years since my last review so time for a re-fresh…read more It was a special occasion as Michelle got a job offer! We had a reservation for 5p on a Sunday. It was a bit chilly so we sat inside even though the outside patio was heated. It was a good choice because it was a little breezy. We shared the okra as an appetizer, it was as good as I remembered! They had a special which we both decided was good, surf & turf with NY strip and lobster tail. I also brought a bottle of Freixnet Cordon Negra which was so good! We were a bit disappointed that the steak we ordered as medium rare, came out rare on both our entrees. Overall it was a memorable evening and just what I had hoped for a special occasion!

We visited the Pump House for a Valentine's Day dinner and it made for a beautiful, romantic…read moreevening. We were seated on the 3rd floor (out of 5) overlooking the Catawba River. The setting alone makes this place special -- the river view is stunning and I can imagine it's even better at sunset. Our reservation was for 7:00 pm, so we missed the sunset, but the nighttime view was still great for a date night atmosphere. I started with the she-crab soup and I'm very glad I did -- it was absolutely delicious and a perfect way to start the meal. My girlfriend ordered the meatballs as her appetizer. They were good, but not a knock-out. After tasting them myself, I'd agree they didn't quite stand out compared to the rest of the meal. For our main course, we both chose the surf and turf and this is where everything really hit. The filet mignon was cooked perfectly and very flavorful, and the shrimp served over roasted garlic mashed potatoes were delicious. The shrimp were labeled "blackened" -- they may have been lightly blackened, but either way they tasted great. We both thoroughly enjoyed the entrée. We also ordered a shareable bowl of roasted garlic mashed potatoes, which ended up being a bit disappointing only because we didn't realize our main course already came with a generous portion of the same potatoes. Had we known, we would've ordered something different. That said, our waitress Lisa handled it perfectly -- she agreed she should've mentioned it and had management remove the extra order from the bill. That level of service was very much appreciated and says a lot about the staff and management. We finished the evening with the milk chocolate mousse, served in a decorative edible chocolate/white chocolate bowl -- a really nice presentation and a sweet ending to the night. We paired our meal with a Moscato d'Asti (Codero) which complemented the dinner nicely. Overall, a romantic setting, strong entrées, great service recovery, and a memorable Valentine's dinner. A couple minor misses on appetizers and communication about sides, but nothing that would keep us from coming back. The Pump House is definitely a great choice for a special occasion or date night.

Our first time visiting and we were able to get reservations for New Years Eve Dinner! They did an…read moreamazing job. We started with some fresh and delicious cocktails and a yummy dates wrapped with bacon and burrata cheese. Next was their special three course meal. My favorite dish was the Red Fish Blue Fish - blackened redfish! The server was nice and very attentive. Definitely will be back to try some of their standard menu.

The menu mirrors many places you'll find throughout the Southeast, but it's the execution of the…read moredishes that makes this place special. In a quaint building on Main St., Fortes Eatery takes fresh ingredients and intentionally curates them into familiar American fair. Anytime you see fresh fennel in the kitchen that's usually a good sign. The mushroom agnolotti was inventive, playing with the star ingredient in unique yet familiar ways. The lunch service staff was friendly, conversational, and present and showed great care in accommodating food restrictions for our table while ensuring the essence of the entrees stayed in tact. The atmosphere shows flexibility, welcoming for any number of occasions from date night to a business lunch. I look forward to trying one of their tempting desserts and dinner service soon.

The Food: * Oxtail Taco: A disappointment--completely…read moreunder-seasoned. When you're paying for oxtail, you expect deep flavor, and this missed the mark. * Carnitas & Steak: Decent, middle-of-the-road options. Nothing to write home about, but they get the job done. * Chicken: Be warned--this has a serious kick. If you don't have a high heat tolerance, skip it. * Sides: The rice and beans were a major miss; way too much salt, to the point of being hard to finish. * Churros: Very good The Vibe & Service: The service was actually the highlight--awesome staff and a great atmosphere. They have a $5 drink special which is a steal, though it's definitely on the sugary side. The Bottom Line: It's a nice spot with fair prices, but the kitchen consistency just isn't there. If you're looking for a cheap night out and aren't a stickler for seasoning, it's fine. Personally, the quality of the food (specifically the salt and seasoning issues) means I won't be back.

Heard a lot about this place from friends. We stopped by on Sunday late afternoon (open until 7pm…read moreon Sundays's). Waitress was superb! They had $5 Margarita special for the restaurants 5 year anniversary Some like it hot Margarita ( very flavorful ) Chips & salsa (tasted roasted) very good For tacos : The OG Heat wave (super spicy , be aware , I can handle spicy but this was over the top ) The Bruce Lee Roy La Bebe Verde El poker Churros It's located in downtown Rock Hill Free parking everywhere Nice cool place

Kept it simple. Ordered the wing appetizer with Carolina Gold bbq sauce. Nicely cooked and not…read moreoverly sauced. Followed that up by sharing nachos with my dining partner. We barely made a dent in that big pile. I appreciate that the cheese sauce was spread around the nachos, not heaped in the middle. I finished with grilled shrimp tacos. Excellent. Janet our hostess was top notch and her partner at the bar was super friendly. The space was busy with a baby shower in the next room but everyone seemed well taken care of. Overall I enjoyed it better than I expected to. I look forward to my next visit.

My wife and I live locally, and decided to give The Foxhole a try. It's a nice setup adjacent to…read morethe lobby of the hotel. Our waiter/bartender/server Janet was awesome. She was personable and knowledgeable of the wines and menu. The two chardonnays were excellent, the big pretzel appetizer and salads were delicious. But our main course meats were very bland. And my steak, and my wife's salmon looked like they were cooked over a very low temperature grill. I recommend turning up the grill heat, and adding some seasoning! Oh, the mashed potatoes and green beans were good. We'll come back someday to try the lunch.