Murrells Inlet Murrells Inlet, which is now known as the seafood capital of South Carolina, wasn’t always as family-friendly as it is today. In the 1800s, pirates hid in the inlet creeks waiting to plunder unsuspecting English ships. You may have heard of one in particular called Blackbeard. Water adventure still awaits. You can try fishing or crabbing on one of the many charter boats available for rent, or you can always get a closer look at the legends of old by scuba diving off the coast near historic shipwrecks or by unearthing some buried…

Socastee Station K.M. They’re called Bog Balls. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. What the heck is that? Let me help you decipher this Grand Strand delicacy. Chicken Bog is a native dish to the area with roots in the Gullah Geechee culture, the culture born in the Lowcountry among former African slaves dating back to the 17 th century. Its tasty ingredients traditionally include chicken, rice, sausage, peppers, onions and other spices. Like its more popular Shrimp and Grits counterpart, everyone makes it different. In…

An ever-changing cultural landmark Just minutes from Myrtle Beach lays a tucked-away island where the past, present and future collide. Being a history buff, I’ve been intrigued by Sandy Island for a while: where access is only by boat and descendants of former African slaves who worked on local rice plantations still reside. So I reached out to Captain Rodney, a native of the island, who offers tours to the public. It all started with a pontoon boat ride, where Captain Rodney explained the history of the Africans who inhabited the island and…

The Brentwood A Prix Fixe Menu to Be Desired Combine a native French chef with Carolina Coastal Cuisine, a world-class wine list and a haunted 100-year-old house, and what do you get? That would be The Brentwood Restaurant and Wine Bistro in the northern-most Grand Strand city, Little River. This hidden gem boasts one-of-a-kind menu options, including a 3 course Prix Fixe menu that’ll leave you scratching your head in indecision. On a recent visit I had the filet; however the best was saved for last with the rich Fondant Au Chocolat for…

Gullah Luv ’n Uddah T’ings Pawley’s Island Hammock Shops In December, I visited the Ultimate Gullah shop in Conway and left with what would turn out to be the most amazing souvenir I’ve ever purchased. In addition to a fabulous Gullah cookbook, I also snagged a container of Gullah Luv seasoning. I quickly began a series of culinary experiments with sensational results. When I returned to Myrtle Beach in August, my schedule did not allow for a drive to Conway and I was disheartened that I wouldn’t be able to replenish my stash of seasoning (that…

Deviled Crab? Yes, Please! The River Room, Georgetown Being that it’s my favorite type of seafood, I thought I’d tried crab prepared in every conceivable manner. Crab legs, crab cakes, and even she-crab soup. But when I stopped in The River Room in Georgetown, one look at the menu told me I was wrong. Along with a large selection of delicious seafood, the restaurant offers “deviled crab,” as part of its traditional Fried Seafood Platter. The result? A crab cake-like mixture creatively served in an empty crab shell. Let’s put it this…