Perch - Greenville, SC

Weeks ago I was on Instagram (if you haven't followed Gamecock Eats on Instagram (Facebook and Twitter also) please do) and came across a post from Perch. I can't remember which it was, but it definitely caught my eye so I followed it back to their page.

After that single click, I noticed in their bio that they were a new "gastropub" (that's what you call a place when you don't want to say "we really like to drink and here's enough food so you don't starve and the hangovers aren't as bad) opening up in Greenville soon.

I tried not to fangirl on their page too much, but dang if the food and drinks didn't look great.

If you want to give them a try pro-tip, put reservations in now because they're already booked two weeks in advance.

The time had finally arrived, we fought our way through the never ending terrible new Greenville traffic, and pulled into the lot to park. One lap around. Two laps around. Three laps around the parking lot and I'm turning left so many times I feel like a NASCAR driver trying to find a spot.

So my first meh, which can't really be controlled, the parking lot is tiny to have multiple restaurants sharing it. I'm not sure if there's any other parking nearby. It was 6:45 so basically pitch black outside this time of year, and we haven't been over in that area lately to know if there's anything else.

Anyway, enough about my lack of patience.

When you walk in the décor is awesome! It really looks like the 20s and steam punk had a baby. I'm sorry if that's not the look you were going for, but that's just the way my simple brain put it all together.

You didn't click on this review to hear about the paint on the wall. I know, I know, "shut up and tell us about the food!"

Well first, I'm not sure why I felt the need to take a picture of the whole tables drinks but, here is a German style beer with 3 Old Fashioneds if you've always wondered what that'd look like.

And then an Old Fashioned up close.

Ok, so it wasn't just "an Old Fashioned". This is actually one of the best Old Fashioneds in Greenville. Really, it's one of the best I've ever had, and this is my go-to.

I joked with one of the owners as we were leaving (after I nearly broke my neck falling out of the door (my fault not theirs) yes, that was me) that I wish I could get a jug to go.

Ok ... FOOD!

We decided since it was our first time, and that I was writing up a review, we'd order a couple of appetizers to take in as much as we could.

We started with the Bratwurst Corndogs.

This picture will not do it justice, but on my gah.

We all four grabbed one, cheers in the middle of the table (yes, we actually did cheers corndogs. Why? Who knows.), and then I have never been at a table where every single person, at the same exact time, went "OH MY GAAAAAH!"

The crunch is one of the most glorious crunches on this planet, the brat is out of this freaking world, and the salt they put on the outside just brings it all home. I haven't had a corndog in probably 20 years. I will NOT be going another 20 years before my next one. I will be getting these again ... and again.

Next on the appetizer trial was the Pierogi.

Again, my attempt at being fancy.

Admittedly, I don't believe I've ever had a pierogi, so it is factual when I say, these are the best pierogis I've ever had in my life. Like the corndogs, the exterior just had the perfect texture (from my vast knowledge of pierogis (or is it still just pierogi? I'm not sure.) and the filling was a great balance between potato and cheese. The potato was cooked just enough so it still had some consistency, but no bite/chew.

It'll really be hard deciding which appetizer to get next time.

We all wanted to get something different for our entrees as well.

D went with the Haluski. I have no clue what that is, but it sounds and looks really fancy.

(D's edit: it was egg noodles with fried cabbage, bacon, onions, goat cheese and a balsamic glaze. It was salty and creamy with a little acid from the balsamic. It was delicious!)

When I asked how was it, with a mouthful she goes, "really good."

I'm not sure that I can trust that, but her plate was the first to be empty, so ok, I guess she really did like it.

Dana got the VLT (Vegan "BLT") with Spatzle.

She said to be vegan, it was still surprisingly delicious, and the spatzle was so good. Ok, maybe that last part was my review because I stole a bite.

Her husband Terry went with the Bratwurst.

Apparently this was my picture of the brat ... not my best work.

He said it, like the corndogs, was delicious, and I could actually see the juice piling up in his plate when he'd put it down.

I went with the Doner and fries.

The beef and lamb mix was absolutely phenomenal, and the fries, like everything else, had a great crunch. I could have gone for more fries. It felt like the portion was a little small, but really I could have eaten my weight in them.

Overall, the restaurant is amazing, the drinks were amazing, and the food was amazing!

The only area that they could improve is with service. Everyone was super nice, that's not what I'm saying, but there were some extended waits at times. Nothing crazy, just took a while to get our drink order and then our food order. They've only been open for just a few weeks (only 3 if I'm not mistaken), so they'll get it all ironed out, I have no doubt. It wasn't anything extreme, but I couldn't claim to be an honest critic if I didn't mention it.

There wasn't a single bite that anyone at the table had that didn't come with praise, so the only possible grade I can give them is ...