Open Hearth The

The food and atmosphere are incredible!

by Successman

The Open Hearth is one of those special places where great food meets incredible atmosphere! My wife and I have been eating there for years and it continues to be our special place. Jimmy and Paula Starr Melehes make you feel right at home the minute you walk in the door. Very professional waitstaff that takes care of your every whim. I highly recommend The Open Hearth to everyone in the Greenville area, you won't be disappointed.

OPEN HEARTH - AN AWESOME DINING EXPERIENCE!

by MHoneycutt

The Open Hearth is an icon in the Upstate. When I read the previous post below by "Brayboy," I can only assume that this is an inexperienced diner, with an unsophisticated palette, who is holding a personal grudge. I cannot stand to read such negativity, so I hope to set the record straight.

The sign above this restaurant says it all: "Since 1959." In this economy, and the highly competitive food and beverage industry, the only way you stay open 50+ years is by being the BEST!

When you enter the Open Hearth you are cordially greeted by the owners, Jimmy & Paula Starr Melehes, and instantly feel the sincere hospitality. The glasses sparkle, the silver is polished, and the linens are white, starched & crisp. Nothing is dirty or out of place! The only thing you can find dirty at the Open Hearth is a really good "dirty martini" served up at the bar!

I have never had an issue communicating with the staff. In fact, the service consistently exceeds my expectations. This is the kind of restaurant that makes you want to return to again and again. You find yourself looking for reasons and occasions to bring not only yourself back, but also your friends & family.

The food is fabulous! It is a perfect balance of traditional steak house meets new southern cuisine. For starters there are crisp salads & scratch made soups - not to mention an array of appetizers. I never can decide whether to indulge in a chilled shrimp cocktail, or to go for the delicious house fried oysters. The steaks are aged, expertly seasoned and grilled to perfection. There are chops, crab cakes, seafood specialties, and some of the best fried chicken around!

Oh yes...Where else can you go and create the perfect baked potato? A heaping display of whipped butter, crispy bacon bits, fresh chives, and sour cream is delivered to your table. You create your own potato masterpiece!

Wines are served by the glass & by the bottle. The wine list is quite impressive. The owner, Jimmy, will gladly help you pick the perfect pairing for your food. If wine is not your thing, there is a full service bar as well as soft drinks, coffee & tea.

You had better save room for dessert because the cakes and pies are made with sugary love! No matter how full I am, I cannot resist the key lime pie! It is sweet, tart & creamy. I smile just thinking about it.

The Open Hearth is a restaurant of milestones and celebrations. Millions of birthday candles have flickered here. Thousands of wedding toasts and anniversary wishes have been dedicated here. Over the years, those who dined here as children, continually return to share the food and fun. It is that kind of place. It is a place where every meal is a celebration & every bite a memory. It is Open Hearth.

pitiful

by brayboy

We were hoping for a good steakhouse dinner which cant happen in this nasty place. The waitress who first greeted us couldn't speak english though she was full blooded southern American as I am. She couldn't tell me the cut of beef in the hamburger steak other than to say Angus. I ordered a 14 oz New York Strip medium rare. When served it was not med rare, ie. warm red center . Sent it back only to get another just the same. The problem was that the steaks are so thin they can't brown the outside while keeping the inside red as required for medium rare. I did without eating and left. This place still lives in the 50's and 60's yet charges 21st century prices for substandard food. The wait staff are obnoxious and clueless. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE.