The Purple Onion - SALUDA

You already know the deal. This place is off the charts. It's always a great spot to enjoy a meal and drink. The staff is constantly working hard and the historic building creates a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

The service at this restaurant was just as bad as the food! It took more than an hour for our meals to arrive, and we even had to get our own water. The turkey clubs were dry, my Rueben had no dressing and the bread was burnt. The special, trout, was served cold. I definitely do not plan on returning after this awful experience.

To start with the positives, our server Ashley provided exceptional service. However, we experienced some issues during our visit. Our order was lost by the kitchen, resulting in a wait of over an hour for our entrees. The manager personally delivered our meals to our table, offered apologies, and provided complimentary drinks to make up for the inconvenience. As for the food, I opted for the Caesar salad with anchovies and a soft-boiled egg, which added some flavor to an otherwise average dish. I also tried the trout with artichoke risotto, though the risotto was more akin to a simple rice dish. My wife ordered the ribeye with gorgonzola and grilled onions, which we felt was overwhelmed by the strong cheese and questionable choice of toppings. We believe mushrooms would have been a better complement. Given the mediocre meal and the mishap with our order, we would rate our experience a 3 out of 5. Parking proved to be a bit of a hassle, as the area is crowded with restaurants and bars. In summary, the service scored a 3, the food a 3, and the atmosphere a 4. Meal type: Dinner; Price per person: $30–50.

Awesome hidden gem in Saluda, delightful menu, vegetarian options, expansive wine list, bar, outdoor patio and indoor seating, excellent soups, cheese plate, salads, sandwiches, daily specials; need a reservation for dinner on weekend evenings. Easy downtown location to walk to shops and galleries, parking across the railroad and on street spots. Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $10–20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

The restaurant was very crowded, but we did enjoy our meal! Dietary restrictions: Restaurant staff was very careful with to review my Gluten-free options with me. The food was delicious! Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $20–30 Food: 4 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 3