Restaurant 17

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Where Upstate South Carolina Meets Old-World Hospitality

At Restaurant 17, situated along the Road of Vines in Travelers Rest, South Carolina, old-world hospitality and a distinctly modern perspective come together in a setting that feels both grounded and quietly elevated. The cuisine is Italian and Mediterranean at its core, but filtered through the seasons and farmlands of the Upstate — a combination that earned the restaurant Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence in 2025.

Chef Haydn Shaak and a Farm-First Philosophy

The driving force behind the kitchen is Chef Haydn Shaak, named South Carolina Chef Ambassador in 2022. His classical training shapes every plate, but it's his commitment to local farms and seasonal ingredients that gives the menu its character. The result is Italian and Mediterranean cooking that feels genuinely rooted in its place rather than imported wholesale from elsewhere.

What's on the Table

The menu moves with intention from shared starters to composed large plates. For the table, a Buttermilk Ricotta Dip arrives with wildflower honey, truffle oil, and grilled bread — a small but telling example of how familiar ingredients are handled with care. Pasta dishes include house-made options like Shrimp + Guanciale over smoked paprika straw pasta with arrabiata sauce, and a plant-based Corn + Wild Mushrooms rigatoni finished with white wine and butter.

Larger plates lean into seasonal produce: Duck Breast with smoked farro, beets, and blueberry agrodolce; Market Fish over black rice with heirloom squash and citrus emulsion; a Prime Steak accompanied by black garlic potatoes, wild mushrooms, and gremolata. The menu also offers a Merendé selection — lighter fare served through the bar during afternoon hours.

Bar@17 and the Wine Program

The bar is a destination of its own. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 PM, and every Wednesday half-priced bottles from a select wine list make it an easy mid-week choice. The wine program's depth and curation are precisely what drew Wine Spectator's recognition — a list that complements the Mediterranean flavors on the plate without overshadowing them.

The Experience

Beyond à la carte dining, Restaurant 17 offers a Chef's Table, private event spaces, outdoor seating, and customized group menus served buffet or family-style. Weekend brunch rounds out the week. The setting along the vineyard road gives the space a natural backdrop that reinforces the restaurant's place-driven, thoughtful approach to food and drink.