Downtown dining: 10 new spring menu items at 5 Greenville restaurants

On a quest to find the most delicious dishes this spring, foodies were put to the test to catch some of the best entrées to premiere over the past few weeks in downtown Greenville.

Spring is the time for out with the old and in with the new, so why shouldn't the same rules apply to some of our most well-liked menus?

Ji-Roz, located at 644 N. Main St., brought back its Woodfired Branzino for spring — a highly requested dish according to John Makkas, the owner.

From handheld sandwiches and Asian-inspired short ribs to an apricot barbecue quail dish, the options are plentiful.

Here are our top choices for new-to-arrive dishes that premiered in Greenville, just in time for spring:

Maestro's Bistro in Greenville serves up blackened tuna, more fresh seafood

Tuna Toast (Lunch) — $14

Imagine avocado toast on rye, buttered on both sides accompanied by blackened tuna — so good. If you're not a fan of "raw" fish, no worries, it's prepared thoroughly enough to dismiss any fishy taste, while still promoting fresh seafood. The lime, heirloom grape tomatoes and soy glaze adds a cohesive zest and sweetness that binds it all together.

Shrimp etouffee pasta — $42

A dish not overly smothered and buttery as the word etouffee translates from in Creole, but tasty and fresh. The dinner entrée is topped with a fried softshell crab and a handful-and-a-half portion of shrimp.

Mushroom & blue cheese stuffed pork tenderloin — $17

Woven together in perfection is a well-seasoned pork loin, with a pleasantly funky taste of blue cheese. Brussels sprouts, rosemary cauliflower and an apricot glaze make this an appetizer that teeters on the side of a light dinner.

■ location: 104 South Main Street

The Lazy Goat combining variety of flavors to create spring dishes

Ravioli do Pepe Piquillo — $24

A handmade pasta that features the semi-salty but rich flavors of ricotta, fetta, and bacon to start. Adding the spring flavors of Spanish and North African peppers in the piquillo and creamy green harissa makes this a dish to dine on.

■ location: 170 Riverplace Drive

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Northampton Wine + Dine making dishes that are tasty, colorful

Manchester Farm Grilled Quail — $15

A combination of drizzled apricot barbecue sauce over grilled quail, accompanied by a carrot purée and a cabbage apple red radish slaw — a perfect description of spring on a plate.

"It's meant to be bright and colorful, and taste just as good," said Seth Sparks, executive chef at Northampton Wine + Dine. "Just in time for spring, as people are bringing the grills back out."

Shrimp & Grits — $24

We'd be remiss to not mention Northampton's shrimp and grits, which the shrimp are farmed straight from Charleston and rendered down in bacon fat, onion, celery, white wine and creme. Add that over a bed of stone ground cheddar grits, and it's got the makings of a good Southern classic.

■ location: 211A East Broad Street

Passerelle Bistro in Greenville offers chicken salad sandwiches with plenty of flavors

Spring Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwich — $14

Nothing screams spring like a good chicken salad. The sandwich at Passerelle Bistro features the springtime compliments of fresh green apples, red onion, dill, celery, chives, mayo and Dijon mustard. A well-proportioned sandwich with tons of flavor and a healthy yet hefty way to deliver a croissant sandwich.

Bistro Burger with bone marrow aioli — $17

Black Angus beef, caramelized onion, gruyére cheese, and a rosemary bone marrow aioli make this burger a must-bite.

For the marrow, Chef Sydney Sobolewski first roasts the bones, and then pours the hot marrow over rosemary, which it is then blended and drizzled over the burger, served on a brioche bun.

"The view is beautiful, so why not enjoy beautiful food with a beautiful view," said Sobolewski of Passerelle Bistro.

■ location: 601 South Main Street

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Larkin's enticing customers with spicy ribs, apple caramel cake

Chinese 5 Spice Short Rib — $37

Four hours braised in Saki is more than likely what makes this short rib dish special, said Executive Chef Wilbert Sauceda of Larkin's. The term 'meat falling off the bone' is at play here, and nowhere close to being overcooked or mushy. This dinner course comes with a mashed purple potato, pickled carrot, cauliflower mousse and gremolata.

Another winner at Larkin's is the Peruvian ceviche, both fresh tasting and zesty.

Apple Caramel Cake — $12

For dessert, there are not many dishes that can top the warm apple cake that comes alongside a cinnamon ice cream that is made in-house. This dish has been on the menu for a while, but leaving it out would have been a huge disservice.

■ location: 32 East Broad Street

Did we miss any of your new favorite dishes this spring, let us know by dropping us a line on our Facebook Greenville Food & Dining page, or on all other social media platforms at @ajhappened or email at ajackson@gannett.com.

– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and more for The Greenville News and Anderson Independent Mail. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on Twitter @ajhappened.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Downtown dining: 10 new spring menu items at 5 Greenville restaurants