Greenville has its first Michelin star.
Scoundrel, a French-inspired restaurant opened by Greenville native Joe Cash in 2022, received a coveted star in the inaugural edition of Michelin Guide American South. The honor was announced during a ceremony held at Peace Concert Hall in downtown Greenville on Nov. 3.
Four other Greenville restaurants earned “recommended” mentions in the American South guide: Soby’s and Jianna in downtown Greenville, The Anchorage in West Greenville, and Topsoil in Travelers Rest.
Michelin Guide American South includes restaurants in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. It incorporates the pre-existing Atlanta guide, which debuted in 2023. Michelin guides highlight the best dining and culinary experiences in the world using the famous star system.
In total, the guide recognized 228 restaurants in the seven-state region. The honors available included:
Michelin stars, meant to indicate the very best dining experiences. Up to three stars are available.
Bib Gourmand, which recognizes a high-quality experience at good value.
Green Star, awarded to restaurants with sustainable practices and initiatives.
Recommended, indicating restaurants worthy of special mention.
Nineteen restaurants earned stars. Four are in South Carolina – Scoundrel and a Charleston trio of Malagón Mercado y Taperia, Vern’s and Wild Common. Lewis Barbecue, which has a location in Greenville, received a Bib Gourmand mention for its Charleston location.
Emeril’s in New Orleans was the only restaurant to receive two stars. Famed chef Emeril Lagasse and his son E.J. Lagasse were in Greenville to accept the honor.
But the highlight for the hometown crowd was Scoundrel, located at 18 N. Main St. just a few blocks from where the ceremony was held. Cash spent years in New York and Europe earning his stripes at restaurants such as Thomas Keller’s Per Se and Noma in Denmark before returning home.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” Cash said after the ceremony. “We came back here to make a point and to really do something big, and the fact that was seen is outstanding.”
The guide made particular mention of the experience and quality of ingredients at Scoundrel.
“Chef/owner Joe Cash’s upscale French bistro charms with an elegant dining room with hardwood floors and brick walls, a full-service bar and an engaging staff who make everyone feel well cared for and welcomed,” according to a release from Michelin Guide. “It’s the hottest table in town, and reservations are a must, though seats at the bar feel far from a consolation prize. High-quality ingredients are prepared with care and finesse here, where familiar favorites like Caesar salad are leveled up. Roasted half chicken is tender and juicy with a perfectly crispy skin, then topped with gnocchi Parisienne and a moutarde sauce for an extra flourish. For dessert, the upscale comfort food trend continues with cronuts served with a pistachio anglaise sauce and crème fraîche.”
Restaurant professionals from across the region flocked to Greenville for the ceremony. The theater’s lobby was bustling ahead of the event, which started at 7:30 p.m. and concluded just after 9.
The emcee was television personality and New Orleans native Java Ingram. She was joined by various guests during the event including Duane Parrish, Director for the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides.
“Beyond the accolades, Michelin brings opportunities for tourism success, small business growth and well-earned recognition for local talent you will see tonight,” Parrish said. “To all of our chefs and restaurateurs, this is your moment.”
Michelin honors in Greenville County
Scoundrel, Greenville, Michelin star
Jianna, Greenville, Recommended
Soby’s New South Cuisine, Greenville, Recommended
The Anchorage, Greenville, Recommended
Topsoil Restaurant, Travelers Rest, Recommended
***
Michelin honors from elsewhere in South Carolina
Michelin stars
Malagon Mercado y Taperia, Charleston
Vern’s, Charleston
Wild Common, Charleston
Bib Gourmand
Leon’s Oyster Shop, Charleston
Lewis Barbecue, Charleston
Rodney Scott’s BBQ, Charleston
Recommended
Chubby Fish, Charleston
FIG, Charleston
Husk, Charleston
Lowland, Charleston
Sorelle, Charleston
The Establishment, Charleston
The Obstinate Daughter, Sullivan’s Island
The Restaurant at Zero George, Charleston
Xiao Bao Biscuit, Charleston
***
Michelin honors in Asheville, North Carolina
Bib Gourmand
Little Chango, Asheville
Mother, Asheville
Green Star
Recommended
Addissae Ethiopian Restaurant, Asheville
All Day Darling, Asheville
Golden Hour, Asheville
Good Hot Fish, Asheville
Leo’s House of Thirst, Asheville
Soprana, Asheville
Sunny Point Cafe, Asheville
Table, Asheville
Tall John’s Asheville
The Admiral, Asheville
Ukiah, Asheville
***
The Michelin Guide judges restaurants on five criteria:
Quality of ingredients
Harmony of flavors
Mastery of cooking techniques
Personality of the chef expressed in the cuisine
Consistency over time
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Dining and Cooking