Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009
Not Your Ordinary Grub at this Sports Pub
Setting the Table
"So, do you think it will be more of a restaurant or a sports pub?" I asked my husband as we pulled up to the brick building outparcel that housed an exercise equipment shop and The Landing Restaurant & Sports Pub behind the mall.
Calling a place a restaurant and sports pub was an anomaly I wasn't sure could be pulled off. I'd been to plenty of sports bars/pubs and grills, and - don't get me wrong, I love watching a game around lots of loud fans and washing my wings down with a beer - but didn't think a sports pub could really be taken seriously in the dinner domain. That is, beyond the standard sports bar casual basket combos, sandwiches and deep-fried delicacies.
But we stepped into The Landing and onto its ceramic tile floor and my first impression, ambiance-wise, was that it just may be possible. Flat panels (with sound on mute on this night) - 10 total - lined the walls around tasteful, framed sports memorabilia. Pretty, high-top tables hovered around the bar area, while a scattering of lower four-tops dressed in beige tablecloths and set with black linen napkin rolls and candles were laid out on the left, dining room portion of the restaurant. And there was no smoking allowed.
We had our own anomaly to battle on our visit. It was our anniversary, yet we had our newborn in tow. We decided to distance ourselves from the other couples peacefully dining by sitting at a corner table near the rear of the restaurant.
Down the Hatch
Happy hour was still happy at the 6:30 hour, so hubby ordered a $1.95 Yuengling draft and I chose a glass of house pinot grigio (not happy hour discounted, but still only $3.50). Incidentally, well drinks are only $3 at this time, too.
I also went with The Landing's Baked Cheesy Lump Crab Dip served with garlic toast points (regularly $8.95, but $6.95 at happy hour). I can't tell you how delicious this baked bundle of joy was as it defies words. After I ran out of the dipping toasts, I was scooping up the rest by the spoonful.
The Staubs, owners of The Landing, hail from Maryland, where crabs are king, so I knew they knew crabs - and wouldn't skimp on the sweet meat in their dishes. Same goes for the Cream of Seafood Soup ($5.95), a hearty bowl of Gulf Shrimp, backfin crabmeat and sea scallops in a creamy broth. That is a winner on a cold, rainy night.
The Landing opened in September, so I patiently kept that in mind when our server informed us the restaurant ran out of filet mignon. At 6:30? She told us they're still trying to adjust to ordering food per the slower patron traffic for the winter. Understandable.
Instead of the Stuffed Filet Mignon, I opted for choice No. 2, the Tenderloin Chesapeake (made with a N.Y. strip), grilled medium and topped with an impressive helping of Gulf Shrimp, crab lumps, artichoke hearts and fresh mushrooms in a sauce of garlic butter and chardonnay with a side of Bernaise sauce and baked potato ($25.95). The presentation was as beautiful as the flavors. One of the best, most tender steaks I've had in a while. Preceding this surf-and-turf masterpiece was my fresh salad, a toss of dark greens, garlic croutons, cucumbers, tomatoes and raspberry vinaigrette.
My husband had the Garlic Strip and Shrimp, a grilled medium-rare N.Y. strip loaded with sautéed Gulf Shrimp, fresh garlic, butter and white wine over linguine ($24.95). Often jokingly comparing his food critiques to those of Tom Colicchio ("Top Chef") at the judges table, he found the entrée to be well-executed and ravishing. Both seafood and steak got an A-plus in his book
Check, Please
Proof of my positive opinion on The Landing: I already recommended it to my parents, who went the next night and absolutely loved it. They tend to gravitate toward the more casual side of menus, so they reported that their crab cake appetizer and chicken sandwich were excellent.That's a promising, satisfying sign of consistency.
The Landing Restaurant & Sports Pub is located at 407 Seaboard St., Myrtle Beach (behind Coastal Grand Mall). Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to midnight or 1 a.m. on weekends. For additional info, call 213-1774 or visitwww.thelandingrestaurantmb.com
