Opening a restaurant in the midst of a pandemic isn’t ideal, but LOCAL, one of Pawleys Island’s newest eateries, stared that challenge in the face.
Located in the Hammock Shops, LOCAL opened in August 2020, requiring it to confront the impact of Covid-19 and a Pawleys Island dining scene that includes nearly as many top 100 restaurants as the area has top 100 golf courses.
Despite the obstacles, LOCAL has survived and as the buzz began to grow, your faithful correspondent decided it was time to pay an establishment that touts your ability to “Eat, Drink, Celebrate” a visit.
So what did we find?
Upon entering the building, the first thing that catches your eye is the bar – and a sign touting the area’s largest “Daddy Daycare facility.” The bar is long and there are a couple televisions to enjoy the game. Only the prospect of a tongue lashing from my wife prevented me from pulling up a seat.
The drink menu features 19 craft beers and a cocktail selection that includes the Paperwork Margarita with smoked pineapple and jalapeno syrup. It’s worth the $10 price tag.
While the drinks were good, you come for the food.
As an entree, the 8-ounce flatiron steak, marinated, cast iron-seared and sliced, is outstanding. Throw in the boardwalk fries, grilled asparagus and chimichurri and you have a meal worth the $26 it costs. The steak was flavored wonderfully and the thin-cut fries were an ideal complement.
The harvest bowl salad, featuring pickled red onions, smoked mushrooms and butternut squash with a pecan vinaigrette topped with grilled mahi, was an absolute winner.
The one entree that went unsampled but piqued my interest was the cute loaf, which is made from smoked lamb, veal and pork loaf and topped with peach steak sauce. I can’t personally vouch for it, but based on the ingredients, it almost has to be good.
As for the dessert menu, look no further than the skillet cobbler featuring seasonal fruit and vanilla gelato. It’s cooked to order but the cobbler is worth the wait.
The Verdict: Set in the Hammock Shops, LOCAL has a great vibe, whether you are looking for a happy hour stop or your group is in search of dinner after playing a round at Pawleys Plantation. The menu is varied – a large selection of sandwiches and appetizers accompanies the eclectic entree selections – and there is a commitment to quality that is obvious. The competition in Pawleys Island is strong, but LOCAL is worth a visit on your next Myrtle Beach Golf Trip.
Photos from LOCAL’s Facebook Page (top photo is Blackened Local snapper over mixed greens, cucumbers, pickled onions, grilled corn and heirloom cherry tomatoes with a roasted garlic & lemon vinaigrette)