We finally got the opportunity to visit and dine at South End Bistro in Pawleys Island. It's located at 8151 Ocean Highway. 

We were greeted by Taylor Fontaine, the owner of the new eatery. She and her staff have done a wonderful job with the décor, inside and outside. 

The building used to be the home of Carefree Catering. 

We asked to be seated outside in the back. It was so spacious. And truly comforting. You really get the bistro feel outside. Nice waterfall, perfectly lit sitting areas. Yes, it was a divine atmosphere.

​They are able to accommodate customers are are uncomfortable sitting inside due to the pandemic.  

Let's share with you what we started with. 

The "Pei Mussells" were a true hit as soon as they were tasted. Prince Edward Island mussels in a white wine garlic sauce, served with a crostini. The sauce was superb. We loved letting the bread soak it up and devouring when we're finished with the mussels.  

The Shrimp & Grits was a special, served with fresh shrimp and candied bacon bits. It was more on the sweet side compared to other shrimp and grits we've had. The grits was cooked perfectly and the dish really paired with the beautiful evening. The crème sauce was outstanding. 

Burgers are one of my go-to choices when ordering at a restaurant. If you can create an awesome burger and add uniqueness to it, I know you've got a creative menu behind you. 

This Double Down Burger didn't let me down. Two 1/4 lb. patties are smothered in caramelized onions, candied bacon and white cheddar cheese. You can order regular fries or sweet potato fries, too. 

The burger was cooked as ordered (mid well) and the flavors were phenomenal. It was a great bistro-themed burger. 

We'd already heard a lot of great raves about the calzones and pizza. We tried the Shrimp Scampi pizza.

It has a garlic and olive base with grilled shrimp in a white wine garlic sauce, and with tomato, ricotta and mozzarella. 

It was a great pizza. The cheese was perfectly melted and the shrimp were fresh and paired great with all the ingredients. 

For our dessert, we indulged in the South End Beignets. Yes, you had us at beignets!

These are fried dough with a snowfall dusting of powdered sugar, topped with a raspberry compote. 

Truly delicious. We finished the plate. They were so good. 

Go by and tell Taylor we sent you. They are open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Closed on Sundays. Like and follow them on Facebook for updates to hours of operations, regular menu, and specials. 

Saturday, September 19, 2020, was the first day with a blustery taste of Fall in the air. Although it was overcast, the view at Austin's Cabana Cafe was spectacular. 

Located at The Litchfield Inn, it's the sister restaurant to Ocean One. Both meet you as you walk inside the lobby, with Cabana Cafe in front of you and Ocean One to the left.

The Cabana Cafe has outside dining and the staff were practicing social distancing with table separation and wearing masks. ​Lunch is served 11:30 daily.

We started with cups of the Cabana Clam Chowder and Vegetable Soup. Both were flavored well and a great start to lunch. 

Next, we chose two appetizers. The first was the Baja Crispy Fish Tacos (2 served) and the Popcorn Shrimp. We had house-made Mango Cocktail and Cajun Remoulade sauces served with them and they were out of this world. Great flavors. 

The tacos were small, but packed a crispy, flavorful punch. The popcorn shrimp were a mouth pleaser. We were eating them one after the other. 

And now, it's time to get to the main event. The lunch we looked forward to on the beachfront of Litchfield. 

We ordered the Cabana Burger and the Southern Psycho Burger. The latter had pimento cheese, crispy onions, bacon, sriracha aioli, fried egg and pickles. That was a superb burger.

The Cabana Burger is an Angus beef burger on a Brioche roll. A go-to burger. It truly satisfied.  

From beginning to end, it was a very pleasurable experience. You can taste the care and thought put in by Executive Chef Bill Austin with each dish.

​Take the trip to 1 Norris Drive in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and treat your taste buds to a great meal. 

There's a place in Litchfield serving some great seafood and other tasty choices, but you'd have to look for it if you weren't in the know.

It's our job to put you in the know. LOL

So, at 13057 Ocean Highway sits a eatery celebrating 20 years, known for fabulous fried fish, seared scallops and grilled shrimp. They also have garbage fries and a pizza burger. Opposite ends of the culinary spectrum, but hey, it works. Again, 20 years.

But, what people are focused on is safety. The pandemic has frightened many people away from dining in. Rightfully so. 

Captain John's Seafood Grill is practicing safety guidelines that assures people and comforts them while they eat. We tested it. I asked a waitress about a particular table and she informed me we could not sit there due to social distancing. Passed with flying colors. The staff were all wearing masks, too. 

John wasn't in the night we dined in, but he told us new owners Karla and Brian would take great care of us. They sure did. The Scallops Florentine was a great way to start the night. 

​The spinach blended so good with the perfectly cooked scallops. They were fresh, too. 

The Garbage Fries were a definite eye catcher. Title alone sealed the deal. But, when it came to the table and begged to be stirred up, I had to comply. 

The steam arose with the aromas. Oh, yes, that chili underneath screamed for attention, it arose from the steam like an actor or actress appeared from behind the curtain. Glitz and glamour - with flavor - in a small app.

The last time I had a pizza burger was when Roz Wyndham was open at Atlantic House Restaurant on Screven Street in the City of Georgetown. That burger was excellent. 

This one was right up there. You'll love the fresh, homemade marinara. The gooey mozzarella cheese sends this burger into flavor overdrive. 

You can't eat at a seafood grill without having a seafood platter. 

We chose the grilled option. Would you just look at it, friends! Yes, it tasted as good as it looked - and it looked awesome. 

It's a favorite for us, for sure. 

Give Captain John's Seafood Grill a try and call ahead with any concerns, questions or for take-out orders. 843-235-9300

When Kim Miller Carhart, sister of Jimmy Miller, opened Jimmyz Hibachi of Pawleys, she didn't expect a pandemic to follow afterward. 

We're past the November 2019 grand opening date and restaurants in the Pawleys Island have seen devastating results related to the Covid-19 outbreak. 

However, this eatery is still serving up great hibachi, poke bowls and sushi in a safe manner. 
And they have to. Survival of the business depends on it. 

The restaurant offers take out, delivery and drive-thru for customers not wanting to dine inside. You still get the same great food you'd get sitting inside, just you can enjoy it at home or have it delivered to your office in the area. 

They are open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call ahead with any concerns, questions or place an order. Click button below for their Facebook page. 843-314-3682

The past two days have been an emotional whirlwind for John Dabrowski. He, along with co-owner and chef Keith Estabrook, held a soft opening for their new restaurant. During a pandemic.

​Talk about stressful. We saw it in John's eyes. Not much the face as he was wearing a mask. 

​It's called Local Eat Drink Celebrate, and it's in familiar territory for those in the culinary know.

The eatery is located in the Hammock Shops Village and in the  building recently occupied by Southern Comforts, Seafood Shack and Southern Dining, but most notably Louis's at Pawleys, led by late great chef Louis Osteen. While the former did a great job and offered awesome food, the ghosts of the latter could be heard Friday night in the kitchen and on the dining room floor. 

John has also enlisted his wife, Peta, and friend Peter Giordano to be part of the team, really defining the "family" and "local" atmosphere. John says he has staff that want to be there, a key to being successful.

So, let's get to the food. I only need a few words to describe. The pictures will do the rest. 
The flavors were exceptional, seasoning was spot on and evident and the uniqueness was jab to the tongue. 

OK, simply put. We loved the food. 

Those short ribs. Oh, so tender. Ask about the grits. You'll be surprised with what's not in it. 

Lightly breaded. Like, little to no breading and lots of crab meat. It's prepared for the crab to be the star, and yes, it was the star. Lots of folks in the dining room loved this offering. 

The Boiled Peanuts - with Parmigiano Reggiano and roasted garlic broth - and Citrus Marinated Olives are part of the "Snack" options on the menu. Both are unique and flavorful. Loved the broth with boiled peanuts. Really different, but hits with a culinary pow!

The Tacos are on the "Share" side, and though they look small, they pack an awesome punch, too. Pictured is the smoked pork, served in a spinach tortilla, topped with shaved cabbage, pickled onions and jalapenos, chipotle-lime aioli and vegan avocado mousse. 

Just wow. We wish John, Keith and all the staff the very best.

Make plans to visit when they officially open and #EatItUpGeorgetown!

Chef and owner Steven Perrone hasn't missed a beat.

He, along with his with wife Eileen and staff, have continued to provide the same elegant and exciting food curbside and take-out during the limited operations restaurants were under.

It was a challenge at first, given the high-end meals he creates. These dishes weren't really meant for being given out curbside. In a take-out box, mind you.

But, with the effort from everyone, they succeeded in staying alive and relevant. Their committed base of customers didn't forget them or the flavorful, unique food.

It's why they received one of our Outstanding Service awards. It was well earned. 

When South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster allowed outside dining to resume, Perrone was already on it. He turned the open-side of his restaurant into a culinary dream getaway. 

The fencing was fresh and the tree limbs set the perfect ambiance. The dining chairs and tables matched an outside experience, but kept the restaurant's glorious and pristine nature.

It truly is a dining experience not to be missed.

We made reservations for 6 p.m. Saturday night. Again, knowing the history of the eatery, you plan ahead as tables fill fast and most definitely don't want your wait to be too long.

We were seated in the back of the outside dining area. It was the perfect spot to see the area with full view and enjoy a great meal with adequate spacing amongst other guests. 

The appetizers we had were a Pork and Kimchi Eggroll and a Tuna Crudo. Both fresh, flavorful and fulfilling. 

Both reminded me of tastes I experienced at this year's Charleston Wine and Food festival. They were that good. 

As good as those were, we were there for the main event. 

The awesome and famous steaks.

We both had the 45-day dry-aged Rib eyes, bone in. The only way to go. 

Both steaks were cooked medium rare and seared. Perfectly done. 

We were both served an exquisite Amarone red wine, bold in flavor and perfectly paired with the steaks.  

Our meal at Perrone's Restaurant and Bar, as always, was superb. But, the outside dining experience sent it to another level. Out of this world.

The culinary adventure of Georgetown County is going to look different after the Covid-19 pandemic. That's for sure. In some areas good, others bad.

However, if Perrone is able to keep this outside dining area, it's going to be a game changer. 

And will enhance their motto of "changing lives one dish at a time."

It's was time to visit Island Treats.

 Joy and Chris Rendulic own the business since 2016 and serve plenty of awesome treats. 

Island Treats is located at 10659 Ocean Highway and can be reached at 843-314-9145. Call ahead to see whether they're open.

Their Facebook page is hyperlinked in the top of the story. Click it and go to their page (or the button below). Send a message and let them know you'll be seeing them soon. 

Joy and Chris would love to see you and treat you to some super good Hershey's Ice Cream. 

Are you ready? It'll be here before you know it. Teams battle it out for the win on the 25th of January.

Not the Super Bowl, friends. The 22nd annual Souper Bowl, presented by Habitat for Humanity of Georgetown County. 

Advance tickets are on sale now at four locations throughout the county. 

And if its given history of success is considered, this year's looks to be the best one yet. 

Lots of the county's restaurants participate for this great cause and the people show up in droves to enjoy some great soup, chowder and bisques.

We were honored to cover last year's event and enjoyed many of the offerings. But, it was the happiness and smiles we saw that warmed our chests more.

​We hope to see you out this year. 

Arriving at about 7 in the morning, the folks at ElJay Pretzels in Litchfield, South Carolina, were hard at work making the dough, shaping the dough for their artisan pretzel buns.

And, wow, were these buns good.

Never heard of ElJay Pretzels before? You've probably eaten them at a restaurant in the area and not realized it. A few places they're served are R'Way Pizza and Family Tavern, Island Bar & Grill, Moe's Original Bar B Que and Dead Dog Saloon.

These pretzels are not just local. They're all over the state. And one place in Greenville, South Carolina, the Habitap, offers them as a dessert. 

Owners Bob and Caryl Browner have been perfecting their pretzel (and other pretzel variations) since 2011. In 2015, they moved their operation to the Pawleys Island area. They also make pretzel bites, buns and sticks.

But it's the family atmosphere I was a witness to that made it really wholesome. Their staff was as friendly as could be. Made you feel right at home in their kitchen. Bob butter glazed and salted a bun for me to try and, yes, I ate the whole thing with a smile on my face.

Currently, they only sell wholesale. They have distribution through Sysco Corporation and US Foods. 

Take a look through photos of the folks at ElJay Pretzels making the pretzel buns and visit their website by clicking the button at the bottom of the story.

It's an awesome time to be exploring the culinary adventure of Pawleys Island in Georgetown County. Today, Jimmyz Original Hibachi House and Poké Bar opened at 11 a.m. to great fanfare. And owner Jimmy Miller has quite the reputation to support it.

Miller has been a staple in the restaurant business for years, mainly located in Myrtle Beach and Surfside. He recently closed the latter location. 

So, it was only fitting he'd reach farther south. Why?

There's a culinary destination being built and he's going to be part of it. 

A down-to-earth, humble man who cares about the ingredients in his product. That's Jimmy Miller. The result is Jimmyz Original Hibachi and Poké Bar.

Speaking of the poké, folks are going to love being able to build their own with amazing, fresh ingredients. (Click here for menu)

Located at 10378 Ocean Highway in Pawleys Island, it's where the KFC used to be. They are open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and feature dine-in, take-out, delivery and drive-thru options. 

​Come by and try them out today. 

Some local Pawleys Island businesses were treated to delicious cupcakes and pastries on Wednesday, November 13, 2019.

Why?

Incredible Edibles Bakery Owner Nancy Knarr says why not?

"Giving to the businesses helps build local support. Without locals, where would we be? We have to be here for each other."

Knarr and her staff are well-known for their award-winning wedding cakes, however, many people do not realize she has a retail bakery shop at Pawleys Station, 10126 Ocean Highway. 

The location has been open for more than a year now.

Delivering unexpected treats to local businesses not only gives Knarr the opportunity to let others know about the shop, but puts a face with the baked goods.

And people remember.

"I have lots of folks see me and my face and they know Incredible Edibles. It's when I bring some cupcakes to them they ask about the cakes, you know, baby cakes. That's when I can tell them about our retail location being open."

Incredible Edibles is offering free delivery to Pawleys Island locations, including businesses.

If you are having a customer appreciation event, staff meetings or client consultations, give them a call. They can bring some amazingly good treats to help keep everyone in a great mood.

​And remember, it's all about locals supporting locals. 

We had an opportunity to be the first of a few to try the new menu items at Southern Comforts, Southern Dining & Seafood Shack, located in The Hammock Shops of Pawleys Island. 

Unfortunately, we cannot bring the fantastic and exceptional tastes through the screen to you, but can share the photos and describe them. We also have photos of the menu for you to browse.

Make sure you stop in for these dishes and the Carolina Beef Brisket, October's Simply Amazing Dish of the Month.

It's small, but packs a powerful punch. An award-winning punch, I must add.

Chester's Pit Stop is located at 12161 Ocean Highway in the Litchfield/Pawleys Island area and has been serving consistently good food for two years. His hot dog won this year's South Strand News Readers' Choice Award, beating out Sam's Corner. 

I had the famous hot dog - with his homemade chili and warm garlic relish - and was super pleased with the taste. Check out the video below.

I also had the 10-piece fried shrimp with crinkle fries. They were so good. Cooked perfectly with a golden shine!

The Facebook page says their open Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Go by and try some good food and tell'em we sent you. 

"It's been a whirlwind of a year, let me tell you!" 

And if Nancy Knarr, owner of Incredible Edibles Bakery in Pawleys Island, had the time, she would. But her and and her staff have had such a great first year on the retail side, time evaporates. 

That's because Knarr is well known for her wedding cakes. For more than 2 decades, her cakes have been the focal point of folks tying the knot. Those cakes have earned several awards, including The Knot's Best of Weddings 2019. They've also been included in The Knot's Hall of Fame, and Wedding Wire's Bride's Choice Awards.

A year ago, though, folks kept asking for a retail spot to enjoy small-to-medium sized pastry offerings. So, it happened.

"We have lots of people come in for the baby cakes and cup cakes. They love the uniqueness of ingredients and how fresh they are," Knarr says while placing out sample cupcakes for those who come in.

While those wedding cakes are well-known and award-winning, people are still not familiar with the retail shop.

It's located in Pawleys Island, the same complex where Get Carried Away Southern Takeout and Gilbert's Ice Cream are located. The address is 10126 Ocean Highway. 

There's more to see and taste going past the light at Willbrook, heading towards Murrells Inlet. But, don't drive too fast. You'll miss a culinary staple with decades of history behind it.

The Hanser House is located at 14360 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, SC 29585, and the Hansers have been pleasing folks with their take on Lowcountry cooking.

The consistency is paramount in customer satisfaction and dining choices. 

Great flavors are packed into each dish chef Heath "Hawk" Hanser creates. They are open for dinner seven days a week, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Below is the newest menu. Feel free to download the menu and plan your culinary adventure of Georgetown County with this stop on top of the list.