Greenville is really taking off. Pun intended. Did you know that The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck at Greenville-Spartanburg Airport was named one of the best airport restaurants in the country by USA Today readers? Having just opened in 2017, The Kitchen offers a more sophisticated dining experience for travelers. The other airports around the world with The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck include Calgary, Cancun, Dubai, Singapore and Washington, D.C. Pretty impressive that Greenville is now among this list!
Located in GSP’s Grand Hall immediately after the security checkpoint, The Kitchen offers a beautiful view of the airport’s airside garden. Travelers can select from the restaurant’s grab-and-go options like sandwiches, salads or parfaits, or can leisurely enjoy a sit-down meal of red snapper, hand-cut steaks or brick oven pizza.
My meal started with the hummus platter, consisting of big hunks of feta cheese, Spanish olives, warm pita bread, and hummus topped with a tomato salad. Simply put, I’ve never seen as pretty a presentation as this one while dining at an airport. Not only is it appealing to the eye, but it’s tasty as well. The pairing of all the components in this dish makes for one flavorful bite.
I’m a sucker for calamari and the calamari from The Kitchen comes with crispy preserved lemons for an added punch of flavor and a welcomed twist to a classic dish. Cooked to perfection, the calamari is tender with a crispy coating on the outside. Served with a creamy, herb dipping sauce, this appetizer is a crowd-pleaser.
For our entrees, we went with something healthy and something not-so healthy. It’s all about balance right? If you’re looking for a lighter dish, the Red Snapper is ideal. Pan seared and served atop a tomato, corn salad, this dish is a wonderful summertime meal. The savory flavors from the snapper complement the tangy tomato and corn relish. I certainly didn’t feel like I was eating at an airport with this dish.
You can’t go wrong with a classic Pepperoni Pizza, especially when it comes straight from a brick oven. The Kitchen has a variety of pizzas to choose from, each with a thin, chewy crust and a balanced ratio of cheese to toppings to sauce. It’s not one of those pizzas that you eat and immediately need a nap after. Rather, I felt I couldn’t get enough of this simple, yet delicious pie.
GSP International Airport continues to grow and change for the better. Offering world-class restaurants like The Kitchen, as well as an Escape Lounge where people can enjoy a more refined traveling experience along with small bites by Jason McCarthy of Rick Erwin’s. I look forward to seeing the ongoing progression of GSP and may just have to start flying more often!
You can check out even more The Upstate Foodie adventures here.