Upscale steakhouse to open on Travelers Rest's Main Street

Looking for hand-rubbed garlic on your Ribeye? Maybe a flamed glaze of apricot brandy and rosemary? How about fresh pasta with a signature Pesto sauce? Look no more, because the soon-to-open Chef Giovanni's 24 Main on Main Street in Travelers Rest promises to please the most discriminating of palates.

Bringing the 31-years of culinary experience of Chef Giovanni to downtown T.R., the restaurant features the Chef's selection of hand-cut, Angus beef – Ribeye, N.Y. Strip, Fillet Mignon, Sirloin, and Porterhouse. In addition, 24 Main will offer an array of fresh fish and fresh pastas dishes, complete with signature Alfredo, Pesto, Marsala, and Romera sauces.

Set in a décor with a Mediterranean and Tuscany flair, 24 Main blends brick (recycled from a cotton mill in Woodruff), slate, stucco, and wrought iron in a perfect Old World combination. All food is prepared and cooked by the Chef in an open-fire grill that is visible to patrons.

Giovanni, who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and has cooked table-side for celebrities like George Burns, Joan Rivers, and Frank Sinatra, maintains a straightforward mantra.

“The formula is simple,” said Giovanni. “24 Main will give customers a great choice of food at a reasonable price, without the drive, heavy traffic, and long waits. It's the ultimate casual, fine dining experience.”

The “reasonable price” is similar to that of Applebee's, according to Giovanni.

With a full-service lounge, guests can order their favorite glass of wine or pint of import draft beer while they enjoy a specialty appetizer.

Open for lunch, the afternoon menu features specialty salads with homemade dressings, Panini grilled wraps, a selection of sandwiches, burgers, and Philly Cheese steak subs (which the Chef is quick to point out are prepared just as they are in Philly - with shaved Ribeye meat).

The menu will also include grilled and stir-fried Vegan dishes as well as Greek and Italian desserts.

Chef Giovanni plans nightly drink specials, wine and cheese tastings, Monday night football wing specials, and award-winning Prime Rib on Saturday evenings. Catering and a Chef's private V.I.P. table will also be available.

Future plans include an outdoor seating area, a wine storage facility, a Spanish Cedar-lined humidor room, and hands-on cooking classes.

Currently in the remodeling and inspection process, Chef Giovanni's 24 Main plans to be open in mid- August.