When Parsley & Mint, the new Mediterranean eatery with two locations in Greenville, SC, invited us to come for lunch, we jumped at the chance to try it out. And we’ve got all the details on which dishes you should try and why brunch should be on your agenda.
I had passed Parsley & Mint in downtown Greenville a few times as it is directly across from Falls Park but had never tried it. I actually had no idea it was Mediterranean-themed until I saw the menu, which was a delightful surprise as I love that cuisine for its bright flavors and use of herbs and spices that I don’t normally cook with. Even if you’re not an adventurous eater or want to bring your kids with you here, you’ll find something that is absolutely delicious.
About Parsley & Mint
Parsley & Mint is fairly new, only having opened earlier in 2022. The downtown restaurant took over the former Happy & Hale location.
Parsley & Mint is owned by local entrepreneur Chef Paul Ryll, a former U.S. Marine who has been in the restaurant industry for more than 10 years. He is currently working towards a Master of Professional Studies in Food Business from The Culinary Institute of America. The menu is inspired by Ryll’s studies of the Mediterranean diet and its bold flavors and recipes.
Bring on the pita chips
I have a serious weakness for pita bread and French fries. Add in tasty hummus and I probably won’t get up from the table. Parsley & Mint actually has all of that. Let me just start with the pita chips because while everything we had was amazing, the pita chips are what I’m still dreaming about.
They are fried and served with several different hummus choices or whipped feta and dusted with a special spice mixture concocted by the chef himself. Now, I cannot tell you what it is in it except for some spices that you may recognize like oregano, thyme, and marjoram but it is amazing. Unfortunately my kids loved them as well and I was not fast enough to pry them from their greedy (but cute) little hands. The whipped feta and spicy garlic hummus we ate them with were also delicious.
I really hope Parsley & Mint starts selling their pita chips by the bag because I’d totally go back in there and get them as a snack while walking down Main Street or through Falls Park.
The rest of the menu
The menu is built around healthy, fresh, and good food as is the Mediterranean custom. I had the Naxos, which is Mediterranean Citrus Chicken, White Rice and Parsley, Feta Cheese, Roasted Red Peppers, Harissa, Mediterranean Slaw, Spicy Garlic Hummus, and Spicy Harissa Dressing. My one daughter had a rice bowl with hummus and grilled chicken and my other daughter had grilled cheese with French fries.
None of our dishes were that spicy so if you are fearful of overpowering spice, don’t be. Or if you really love spicy food, you can ask them to kick it up a notch. Our chicken was cooked to perfection and the rice was light and fluffy with cilantro and lime, one of my favorite flavor combinations. My youngest daughter, a fairly light eater, devoured the grilled cheese while trying to keep the melted cheese off her face. It looked pretty good.
They also have grilled chicken sandwiches, falafal, chicken salad, lamb kofta, garlic shrimp, red lentil and curry soup, pork chops, and even scallops served over Swamp Rabbit Cafe’s famous stecca bread. They have a wide variety of dishes that anyone is bound to find something delicious.
While they do not have a children’s menu at this point, they do have several dishes that can be made to a child’s liking who has not tasted these flavors before. Or just let your kid try something new! But watch those pita chips or your kid will definitely eat all of them before you get any.
Parsley & Mint also offers vegan dishes.
The location in Travelers Rest is more of a build-your-own bowl whereas the location in downtown Greenville is a sit-down restaurant.
Bottomless brunch and mimosas
Parsley & Mint offers perhaps one of the best brunch deals in Greenville with their bottomless brunch and mimosa menu. Guests have a two-hour limit for brunch where they can eat however much food they want for $22. And they can add on bottomless mimosas for $25. Remember, a two-hour limit!
The brunch menu is similar to their daily lunch and dinner menus but they do have some additional items like Cilbir (Turkish eggs benedict-ish), Israeli salad, Sumac Spiced Chicken Salad, and Pan Con Tomate (Spanish tomato bread). Basically, all healthy, fresh, and good food for two full hours. It has become a pretty popular place for brunch so you may want to call ahead for reservations.
Happy Hour
Happy Hour at Parsley & Mint runs Monday – Friday from 2:30 – 7 pm. They have lots of discounts on beer, wine, and mixed drinks plus discounts on food.
Locations
Parley & Mint has two locations: one in downtown Greenville across from Falls Park and the other in Travelers Rest. The downtown Greenville location is sit-down while the one in Travelers Rest is counter service.
Our servers and the staff at Parsley & Mint were the nicest and kindest people. They answered all my random questions about spices and cooking and food and were so helpful. If you are in downtown Greenville just walking around, attending a festival or event, or even a show at the Peace Center, Parsley & Mint is an easy place to stop for lunch or dinner.
600 S. Main Street, Unit 101, Greenville | 864.412.819
Hours are Monday -Tuesday 11 am – 3 pm (Starting June 9, 2022, they will be open until 10 pm these days), Wednesday-Thursday 11 am – 10 pm, Friday 11 am – 11 pm, Saturday 10 am – 11 pm, and Sunday 10 am – 5 pm
5052 Old Buncombe Road, Suite F, Greenville | 864.203.2016
Hours are Monday – Sunday 11 am – 9 pm