Monday, Sep. 21, 2009

The Great Outdoors

It's a great time to head outdoors and enjoy your favorite foods alfresco

The patio at Tommy Bahama's Restaurant & Bar offers a taste of the islands at The Market Common.

There’s just something about dining outdoors that stimulates the senses. It’s why we all gather for summertime barbecues and festivals. These selected restaurants and cafes across the Grand Strand offer a winning combination of cuisine, alfresco atmosphere and entertainment.

Bummz Beach Cafe
2002 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach
916-9111
This comfy, oceanfront beach cottage tucked between two hotel towers offers a refreshing respite from the every day, with partially covered patio seating, as well as Adirondack chairs on the lawn available for sunning and sipping on a frozen drink. The casual menu features hearty sandwiches (seafood, grilled chicken or burgers) and a side of signature onion straws, appetizers, salads and wings. Happy hour runs from 4-6 p.m., featuring live entertainment.

Greg Norman’s Australian Grille
4930 U.S. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach (Barefoot Landing)
361-0000
Dockside dining on Greg Norman’s sizeable deck is a spectacular setting under the stars, complete with a view of the Intracoastal Waterway and the twinkling lights of the Barefoot Resort marina. But what further completes this scene for the senses is its Australian fare and nightly live entertainment outdoors.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
8761 Marina Parkway, Myrtle Beach
839-9500
The only thing that could top the finest USDA prime steaks in this fine dining restaurant would be dining on its waterfront patio that overlooks the Grande Dunes Marina. It is almost like you’ve been invited to the most elite, pampered backyard cookout on the Grand Strand.

Damon’s Grill
2985 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach
626-8000
Located near the southern tip of the boulevard in Myrtle Beach, this raised oceanfront restaurant boasts an open-air back deck with a bird’s eye view of the busy beach traffic below – especially during the summer, when next-door Downwind Sails is renting out jetskis, banana boats, parasail rides and Hobie Cat sailboats. It’s the perfect backdrop while nibbling its award-winning barbecued ribs. Live entertainment is also scheduled occasionally.

Restaurants on the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk
(Visit www.murrellsinletmarshwalk.com for detailed info and directions)
Whether you’re waiting to be seated during this busy tourist season or have already eaten and need to “walk off” your filling seafood meal, the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk will lead you on a pleasant, tiki torch-lined path along the saltwater marsh. The restaurants along the way that offer relaxing outdoor waterfront dining – a few even feature live bands (and space for shagging) – are: Drunken Jack’s, Wahoo’s at Divine Fish House, Bovine’s, Capt. Dave’s Dockside Restaurant, Creek Ratz, Dead Dog Saloon and Spud’s Waterfront Dining. Be sure to find a spot at your favorite restaurant during the 26th annual Fourth of July Boat Parade at high tide.

Salt Creek Cafe
4660 U.S. 17, Murrells Inlet
357-2433
In front of this beach-chic mod cafe is its intimate, courtyard patio bejeweled with tables beautifully set with striking dishware (no plastic cups or paper plates and baskets) under the shade of a live oak tree. The innovative, casual cuisine, such as Baja-style Fish Tacos, Turkey and Stuffing sandwiches and Blackened Shrimp Alfredo entrée, is a balanced complement.

Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar
3044 Howard Ave., Myrtle Beach
(The Market Common)
839-1868
It’s easy to imagine you’re dining alfresco in South Beach, with a hint of ocean breeze, on this pretty patio fronting the Caribbean architecture of this restaurant located in The Market Common. It’s also quite easy to enjoy just about anything on the menu – from the Tommy’s World Famous Coconut Shrimp to Pina Colada Cake, finished with a Mojo My Mojito.
Live music entertains over the summer on the patio Wednesday through Sunday.

Wild Wing Cafe
4706 U.S. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach
(Barefoot Landing)
361-WING
Wings on the waterfront are what they offer. To be exact, 33 variations of wings, a happening happy hour Monday through Thursday from 4-7 p.m. and live music on the deck Thursday through Saturday.

House of Blues
4640 U.S. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach
(Barefoot Landing)
Before the big concert next door at the music hall, pull up a bar stool or take a seat at one of the scattered tables on the restaurant’s back deck, which keeps to the funky, folk art tradition of House of Blues, with the largest display of hubcap wall art (Hurricane and Hubcap Alley). Dine on Southern-style creations like Pan-seared Voodoo Shrimp, Rosemary Cornbread and White Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding.

Liberty Steakhouse
1321 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach (Broadway at the Beach)
626-4677
You’re sure to be seen at this popular restaurant-front beer garden in the pulse of Broadway at the Beach. An all-American menu of burgers, steaks and brick-oven pizzas, hand-crafted brews (like the summer seasonal Rocket Red Ale), big-screen TV and a new Rhythm and Brews live concert on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. make this a must-stop for summertime.

High Hammock, Maverick Seaside Kitchen
10880 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island (Hammock Shops Village)
979-0300
The comfy, elegant porch at High Hammock is like an upscale tree house situated under a canopy of old, twisting live oak trees. Wood patio furniture smells of sweet cedar, the hospitality is first class and the menu created by this Charleston-based restaurant is phenomenal. Try the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes (simply no filler!) over a sauté of corn, okra and squash.

Rivertown Bistro
1111 Third Ave., Conway
248-3733
This sexy city hotspot offers a rooftop covered deck with a unique view of historic Conway. Undeniably distinct menu creations by chef/owner Darren Smith, like the Lowcountry Spring Rolls and new sushi options, make it a “roof”top-notch alfresco affair.

Conch Café
1870 N. Waccamaw Blvd., Garden City
651-6556
Take in the shaded view of the Atlantic for lunch, dinner or happy hour (4-6 p.m.) on Conch Cafe’s expansive deck. The Seafood Salad (shrimp, scallops and crabmeat served over a bed of greens) is to die for. n