We came in on a Saturday evening around 8 p.m. for cocktails and dinner. The host stand experience was excellent, with a warm welcome and a genuinely friendly smile.
Our server was attentive and efficient, though the service style felt a bit stiff and overly formal rather than warm or engaging. We ordered oysters, flaming cheese, wedge salads, surf and turf, and ravioli. The food was excellent, which is exactly what we expected from Rick Erwin’s.
This was our first visit to the newer Greer location, though we have dined at the Eastside location many times. Overall, the food and service were very good, but the atmosphere was the disappointing part of the experience.
The building itself has so much history and character from its former Strip Club 104 days, but much of that charm seems to have been covered up. The brickwork, wood floors, and original personality of the space have been replaced with a very muted, beige, corporate-feeling interior. Instead of feeling warm, upscale, and lively, the dining room came across as overly stuffy and oddly quiet.
At 8 p.m. on a Saturday night, there were only a couple of other tables seated, which made the room feel even more subdued. For a restaurant at this price point, around $150 per person, the food absolutely delivered, but the overall vibe did not. It felt less like a vibrant fine dining experience and more like an upscale dining room that is trying a little too hard to feel formal. Cheesy fancy cruise ship steak house comes to mind.
I would still recommend the food, and the staff were professional, but I hope the Greer location finds a way to bring more warmth, energy, and character back into the space. The former restaurant had a distinct appeal, and this location would benefit from recapturing some of that personality.