Last June I came to Greenville to see my sweet husband  and explore our new city. On my first full day here, we went for a lovely stroll downtown. It’s really a gorgeous place with the falls and lots of shops and restaurants to boot.

When lunchtime rolled around, Mr. McB suggested Nose Dive, (116 South Main Street, Greenville, SC). I was a little surprised that Mr. Pickypants would willingly eat at a “gastropub.” He’s a wonderful guy but not an adventurous eater. I was definitely game so before he could change his mind, we were making our way to a table.

Nose Dive has a very clean look. There is a lot of glass and metal decor. It is modern and maybe a bit industrial without being overly cold. Incidentally, I love the plates and serving pieces. It’s all very white or taupe but the shapes and sizes are just a bit funky.

Enough of the fluff, let’s get to the substance and there’s plenty of it at Nose Dive.

On our first visit, Mr. McB ordered the Carolina Dip, a french dip made with pork instead of beef. It came with fries and a lovely au jus. He was very happy with his meal.

I opted for the oxtail tacos. The plate (see the cool basket-style serving dish) came with a delicious guac, fresh jalapeno slices, fresh pico (simple, tasty), and cabbage. The oxtail was so flavorful and tender. My mouth is watering at the memory of this meal. Ordinarily I would put cheese on a taco but it wasn’t offered and I didn’t miss it one bit.

We topped the meal off with the Krispy Kreme creme brulee. If I remember correctly, there was a spoon fight over the final bite. Our bellies were already full so that says a lot.

We knew then that we would want to take guests to Nose Dive and finally had the opportunity to do that earlier this month when my parents came for a little visit. It wasn’t until we got to the restaurant that we realized that the menu had changed significantly since the summer. I assume that they use seasonal menus since the dishes offered seemed a bit more “wintry.”

While I had been dreaming of oxtail tacos, I was easily distracted by the Vietnamese Bahn Mi. This delicious cold sandwich was served on french bread and featured tasty, tender pork topped with pickled veggies and fresh jalapenos. The tastes came together to make a delicious and filling meal. The jalapenos added just the right amount of heat to compliment the tangy vegetables and slight sweetness of the pork.

My mom ordered the cassoulet. It was a hearty blend of beans, vegetables and smoky meat. It was a great dish for a cool, wet day.

Dad ordered the fish and chips. The portions were generous and the fish was not greasy. He compared the quality to Eamonn’s Dublin Chipper in Old Town Alexandria. If you’ve had the opportunity to eat at Eamonn’s you know what a compliment that is.

Mr. McB ordered a burger. It was a nice juicy patty with cheese and lots of delicious fries.

I’m sorry that I forgot to bring the camera but trust me when I say, it was delicious and all very appealing to the eye as well.

I think that Nose Dive may be my very favorite restaurant in Greenville. The food is tasty, inventive and plentiful. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to take new guests there.