Small Plates with Ariel Turner

Two-ferPretty sure everyone got back from their holiday break and decided to work again, because two more spots open on the same day, Feb. 8. In downtown Greenville, River Street Sweets – Savannah’s Candy Kitchen is opening at 12 S. Main St. in the former YAP restaurant space. Get ready for the pralines and fudge. Also opening is a new coffee shop out in Taylors Mill. Junto Coffee is located at 232 Mill St. in a free-standing building in the front part of the property (not in the space Due South Coffee Roasters formerly occupied). Owner Alex Medina, who is very well connected in the local coffee community, has been popping up at various retail and restaurant locations during the build out.
Could it get any cuter?Probably, if we were posting baby animal videos. But a Daddy-Daughter dinner at Fork & Plough is pretty adorable. On Feb. 11, the good folks at the Overbrook neighborhood restaurant have planned a special menu for the little ladies and their dates – soups, salads, and finger food entrees, along with chocolate-y desserts. The restaurant is exceptionally family friendly and also serves up great, locally sourced food. It’s an ideal combo. Fork & Plough is located at 1629 E. North St. Reservations aren’t required.
Fiesta, foreverThe third annual Tacos & Tequila Fiesta, aka the best way to Sunday Funday, is coming back to downtown Greenville. Produced by High Spirits Events, the all-you-can-eat fiesta will be held April 7 from 3-7 p.m. at The Old Cigar Warehouse, 912 S. Main Street. A thousand-plus people attended last year’s fiesta with more than 25 chefs and bartenders battling it out to craft the best taco and Lunazul 100% Agave Tequila cocktail.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at tacotequilafiesta.com. VIP tickets, available for advance purchase only, are $60 and include 10 tequila tasting tokens, as well as early admission starting at 3 p.m. General admission tickets start at $45 in advance, or $55 day of, and include eight tequila tasting tokens and 4 p.m. admission. All tickets include unlimited tacos, live entertainment, and games. For every ticket sold, $1 will benefit Greenville Technical College’s Culinary Program.
Attendees must be 21 years of age or older and have a valid ID on them to enter the fiesta. Any restaurants or bartenders who want to participate can visit tacotequilafiesta.com.
Awards (bragging rights and the coveted Golden Sombrero Award) will be given for best taco, best sidekick (side dish or dessert), and best cocktail using Lunazul 100% Agave Tequila. In addition to the judged taste-off, there will also be a People’s Choice Award and Social Media Star Award for the bartenders and chefs that will be calculated using social media channels.