Restaurant, bar opens in former Growler Haus space in West Greenville

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West Greenville is on the move and continues to attract people like Rui Silva and Deanna Snow who are eager to become a fixture in the fast-growing neighborhood that is known for art, business and food.

They opened Driftwood at 12 Lois Ave. in April as a place to relax, enjoy a bite and libations without distractions like televisions, for instance.

“I think there’s huge growth potential in this neighborhood and it’s a casual place for people to relax,” said Silva who adheres to a concept that people need three separate places in their life: home, work and neither. “We are striving to be that third place. There are no plugs for cells or laptops. We want customers to enjoy the company they are with and disconnect for a bit.”

A serendipitous reconnection

Silva and Snow worked in the restaurant industry in Massachusetts, spending their time in the trenches, but the restaurant group they were working for burned them out.

“So, I bought a motorcycle on Craigslist and toured the country and she hiked the Appalachian Trail,” Silva said.

But even as Silva was sating his wanderlust, he was still scoping out places where he might ply his trade.

“I ended up in Los Angeles where there’s a fantastic food scene,” said Silva, who took a job as cook, then a chef de partie and eventually a sous chef. “I got to work with some amazing chefs and ended up getting the education I needed for the future,” he said.

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Dee ended up in San Louis Obispo at the Madonna Inn, a world-famous hotel and resort.

“I was working full time in pastry,” she said.

The two, being only a couple of hours from each other, reunited, eventually relocating to a more affordable area between Los Angeles and San Diego called the Inland Empire where they opened a pizza shop.

“We did really well, but got homesick for the East Coast,” which is how the couple ended up in Greenville at the former Growler Haus.

The menu and more

The couple said that they employed muted colors like honeycomb, greys, and lavender for the dining room. “It’s all about relaxing,” said Silva.

People can belly up to a bar that seats approximately 14 or take a seat at a table that seats two for date night. Communal tables are also available to accommodate a group, or for those who prefer to dine al fresco, there’s a covered outdoor patio.

Another plus is that customers won’t have to jockey for street parking.

“We have our own parking lot,” Silva said.

Libations include craft beer, cocktails like Pimm’s cups, espresso martinis, negronis and old-fashioneds.

“They’re cocktails that we like to drink,” Silva said, adding that they also serve a selection of wine that can be purchased by the bottle to go. “If you’re enjoying a particular vintage and want to take it home, we’ll sell you a bottle to go at a discount.”

Future drinks that are currently being considered are hard kombuchas and ciders.

Food choices are simple and rustic, like the burrata dressed with olive oil and citrus zest, the sardines drizzled with a Ponzu fish sauce vinaigrette, shrimp cocktail made with Gochujang and green tomatoes served with dill and a rice wine vinaigrette.

The couple is relying on social media to spread the word.

“We really love doing this, connecting with people, and sharing our story with the public. We are looking forward to what the future brings and are happy to be part of the neighborhood,” said Snow.