There are many places in the world where the culinary scene flourishes in the eyes of many.
Take South Carolina for example. South Carolina enjoys a national reputation for the quality of its food.
In fact, some of the Palmetto State’s finest restaurants and chefs call the Hammock Coast home.
The epicenter of the area’s thriving culinary scene is Pawleys Island, where an eclectic mix of restaurants provides a mouth-watering array of choices for foodies. For vacationers looking for a fine dining experience, Pawleys Island is a great place to start.
Residents and travelers look to have a chill and relaxed environment when enjoying a meal. With that in mind you’ll need some suggestions right?
So, here are four of Pawleys Island’s best restaurants.
Austin’s Ocean One
The experience at a fine dining restaurant extends beyond the food and that’s certainly case at Austin’s Ocean One, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.
Inside a dining room that features nearly floor to ceiling windows to highlight those stunning views, executive chef Bill Austin offers a seasonal menu that is long on fresh seafood and hand-cut steaks.
The pistachio and ginger-crusted grouper, which is complemented by a Thai basil and blue crab sauce, risotto, and baby beans, comes highly recommended.
Bistro 217
Bistro 217, whose owner and executive chef, Adam Kirby was named one of South Carolina’s “Chef Ambassadors” in 2017, draws its inspiration from Southern and Pacific Rim foods, a combination that has delighted diners for years.
On a menu full of memorable entrees, the 217 Eggplant Treasure Chest is a favorite. Local shrimp, scallops, and grouper are served in a basil parmesan cream sauce over fried eggplant.
Frank’s
For more than 30 years, Frank’s has been at the center of the Hammock Coast dining scene, and it’s as good now as it has ever been.
The homemade jalapeno pimento cheese, served with wonton chips, will start your meal with a little spice, and the 8-ounce USDA prime filet mignon is the perfect entree for a memorable night out.
Perrone’s
Perrone’s touts itself as providing “world cuisine with a Mediterranean focus.”
While the menu may draw inspiration from around the globe, Perrone’s specializes in local, organically sourced food and proteins that are hormone and antibiotic-free.
The seafood risotto, which features butter-poached new Bedford scallops and local shrimp, is a favorite, as are the steaks, but if you want something a little different, don’t pass up the elk rib chops.
The elk chops are certified cervena, double-cut, bone-in, and pasture-raised.
They are cooked sous-vide and topped with a lingonberry-port sauce. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds.
The quality of the fine dining in Pawleys Island matches the beauty of its stunning beach, which is saying something.
For a comprehensive look at the Hammock Coast dining scene, which also includes Murrells Inlet, the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” and the waterfront beauty of historic Georgetown, go to https://hammockcoastsc.com/dine/.