
5

"Greenville, South Carolina, isn’t necessarily known for being cool, but this dim sum spot definitely is. Chef-owner Khailing Neoh opened in 2023 after sold-out pop-ups, serving family recipes like shumai, dumplings, char sui pork, and unique specials. The crispy green beans are crunchy and slightly blistered with a punch of garlic and soy—a recipe she learned from her grandmother, who owned a Chinese restaurant in Ohio. During happy hour, daily from 5 to 7 p.m., tiny $5 cocktails (a martini, a Negroni, a daiquiri, a splash of Fernet, or a five-spice Old Fashioned) come in three-to-four-sip pours to kick off the evening, and a recent fried miso cocktail crab claw special was a savory starter with rich, sweet meat and a dose of heat from spicy mayo. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto Washington Street, with twinkling lights and red lanterns inside, contemporary R&B on the speakers, and occasional ripples of live music from the adjoining brewery, making it a casual place to gather for dim sum and expert cocktails. Skipping happy hour would be ludicrous; to participate you need a seat at the 10-seat bar, a fun perch to chat with the delightful staff while snagging deals on drinks, crab rangoon, char siu bao, and soup dumplings filled with chocolate ganache for dessert." - Erin Perkins