Monday, May 24, 2010

Eating Our Way Through Pawley's Island, SC

I returned home from the SC coast last week, and this is a review of the amazing local fare we dined upon while there.

The first night of our trip to Litchfield beach, just north of Pawley's Island, SC, James and I sat down with my parents to plan our eating for the rest of the week. This is how our family operates--entertainment and planning often revolves around eating. So, thus began our gluttonous and glorious trip to the beach.

First up- Bistro 217.

This restaurant has become a staple beach restaurant for the Smith family; we often eat there twice in one trip, (which we did last week). The staff is consistent, the food is consistent and very high-quality, and the atmosphere is beach-chic, and casual enough for my 2 1/2 year old nephew to dine with us for dinner.

Here's what we ate on our first trip to 217:

Everyone starts with this fun basket of carrots, celery and various breads.

I get this salad every time I eat here-- the Warm Pistachio Encrusted Goat Cheese Salad with spinach and balsamic.

Red Snapper special, served atop a seafood risotto with local sliced carrots, micro-greens and Parmesan cheese. My brother-in-law and I both got this and it was yummy.

Dad's filet served over creamed spinach--(sorry, can't remember anything else about this special dish, but he loved it).

The hubs' Eggplant Treasure Chest, a fried eggplant stuffed with shrimp, scallops, and grouper in a basil Parmesan sauce.

OK, on to beach restaurant number 2- Quigley's Pint & Plate:


Quigley's is located literally right across Highway 17 from Litchfield by the Sea, so it is a perfect spot for a quick bite and a pint of house-made beer, like their Swamp Fox IPA or Nut Brown Ale. Plus, out back there is a pond filled with turtles, fish and an alligator that are just waiting for tourists to feed them from the turtle food machines--great entertainment for kids!

The fare is pretty typical pub fare, but with a low country twist.

Mahi Mahi Tacos

All-you can eat Fried Shrimp & Fries.

Dad and Ben spying turtles.

Saturday night-Chive Blossom Cafe.

This was the first time we dined at Chive Blossom, but we will be back--the food was awesome. The atmosphere is pretty loud, as the "line," where the food is pushed out and prepped for table-delivery is actually in the dining room, but it's a cool experience. I really liked it.

Chive Blossom Chopped Salad with candied pecans, dried cranberries, boiled egg, red onion, bacon and a citrus vinaigrette.

The "line"--right in the dining room. Loud, and probably off-putting to some, but really kinda cool in my opinion.

Grilled Vegetable Goat Cheese Ravioli special with a pesto broth--very tasty.

James' HUGE bone-in ribeye with a shallot butter and shoestring potatoes.


And finally- Sunday night- High Hammock Maverick Seaside Kitchen.

This place is a little pricier than the others, but they were also really accommodating with Benjamin, and the service was excellent. The desserts, (of which I have no pictures), were insane.

Wedge Salad (sans bacon, for me) with watermelon radish--beautiful, no?

Delicious local vegetable plate.

OK, enough, enough...I'm tired and feel full after this post, so I'm calling it done.
Bottom line- Pawley's has some awesome local fare and I'm very grateful to be able to go down there with my parents so that I can taste everything it has to offer.

Anyone have other Pawley's favorites?

7 comments:

  1. Haven't been to Quigleys, but I love the other spots! I'm hungry after reading all of this!

    Franks - always a fave, the atmosphere outback is unbeatable.
    Litchfield Plantation - talk about fine dining in the south. Special-occasion worth, impeccable service and food. This is where we had our wedding reception too, and the food was phenomenal!
    Landolfis - great pizza
    Rice Paddy - up in Georgetown, but another longtime favorite.
    Kudzu - a bakery in Georgetown & Litchfield. Delicious cookies and melt-in-your-mouth cheese biscuits.

    Yum!

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  2. Keens- I knew you would know some awesome other places to eat down there! I've been to Frank's, but it's been awhile...Dad doesn't like it for some reason. Can't wait to try out the others next time we go!

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  3. I love reading your blog! :)

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  4. Kudzu (either one) is so awesome. MUST GET THE SHRIMP DIP. The half-cooked cheese biscuits are another family staple.

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  5. Can't wait to try Kudzu! Ashby- I knew you'd know some great spots down there too! Hope your fam is well.

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  6. Oh my gosh, this food looks amazing! I have only been to South Carolina once, and now I must go back to try this restaurant!

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