By Becky Billingsley

Friday, August 10, 2012, Myrtle Beach – The Myrtle Beach area restaurant industry is slowly shifting from the summer season to school time, and with that comes the start of local food festivals and competitions.

 

High Honors

 

Two local general managers of Darden Restaurants – Ron Smith at LongHorn Steakhouse in Myrtle Beach; and Jim Lawson of Red Lobster in Myrtle Beach – were presented with the Joe R. Lee Diamond Club Award. The award is given annually to North American general managers who, “…demonstrate outstanding results by delighting guests and achieving top financial performance in the company’s fiscal year.”

 

Sharpen Up

 

Russell Unger of R&R Edge knife sharpening service will be at the Conway Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11.  The market is at 217 Laurel St.

 

Lip Shredder

 

Have a sizzling chili recipe? You may want to enter it in the Lip-Rippin’ Chilympics Chili Cook Off, which will be held Sunday, Oct. 14, at Crazy Sister Marina in Murrells Inlet. Chilimasters who wish to participate can download the entry form HERE. Proceeds from the event fund projects of the Grand Strand Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, which works to protect our oceans, waves and beaches.

 

Blue Plate Specials

 

On Monday, Aug. 13, Brat Haus in Longs will begin to offer lunchtime blue plate specials for $6.  The first week’s specials are:

 

Monday – Theuringer Brats Plate with red cabbage and warm potato salad; or Paprika Schnitzel with mashed potatoes and red cabbage.

 

Tuesday – Smoked Brats Plate with sauerkraut and potato salad; or Pork Roast with steamed potatoes and green beans.

 

Wednesday – Knackwurst Plate with home fries and green bean salad; or Swedish Meatballs with steamed potatoes and sweet corn.

 

Thursday – Half a Cornish Hen with mashed potatoes and glazed carrots; or bowl of Lentil Soup with roll.

 

Friday – Chicken Cordon Bleu with mashed potatoes and cauliflower; or Spaghetti Bolognese with cucumber salad and garlic roll.

 

Until Aug. 31, evening diners can buy one entrée and get one entrée of equal or lesser value free.

 

Brat Haus is at 7050 S.C. 90 E. in Longs, and the number is (843) 492-0091.

 

More German Treats

 

Another area restaurant long known for delicious Austrian and German fare is Café Old Vienna at 3901 N. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. Owners Werner and Martina Horvath have added three new dishes to their menu: Weisswurst, Osso Buco and the Oktoberfest Plate for Two ($35), which includes Wiener Schnitzel, Knackwurst, Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, Red Cabbage, Spaetzle with Gravy, Home Fries and appetizer salads.

 

Haunting Book Signing

 

Stephen Lancaster, author of “True Casefiles of a Paranormal Investigator,” is having a book signing at The Brentwood Wine Bistro at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24. For $39 per person, the event includes a copy of the book, dinner and an author presentation. To make reservations, call (843) 249-2601. The Brentwood is at 4269 Luck Ave. in Little River.

 

Other upcoming Brentwood events include Mysteries of the Mind on Sept. 14 (advance tickets $45, includes dinner); and cooking classes return on Sept. 11 with Tarts, Quiches and Pies.

 

Sell to Restaurants

 

If you produce a food product and want to learn how to sell it directly to restaurants and retail stores, Clemson Cooperative Extension Service and the S.C. Dept. of Agriculture are offering a training workshop. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers said the workshop is in response to a demand from chefs and stores that sell food products for locally grown and produced foods.

 

The cost to participate, $60, includes lunch. The workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Clemson Extension Johnny M. Shelley Agriculture Facility at 1949 Industrial Park Rd. in Conway. To pre-register, contact Blake Lanford at (843) 365-6715, Ext. 115.

 

Rockin’ Ravioli

 

J&J Butcher Shop, which offers many Italian foods in addition to fresh meats, has two new ravioli choices: Prosciutto Gorgonzola and Prosciutto Asparagus. The shop is at 830 Inlet Square Dr. in Murrells Inlet, and the number is (843) 357-7407.

 

Taste Signup

 

Restaurants wishing to provide bite-size samples of their food to an event that draws more than 10,000 people can now sign up to participate in the 29th Annual Taste of the Town, which is Tuesday, Oct. 9. Go HERE to download the restaurant application. 

 

So far the 2012 restaurant participants include:

 

21 Main at North Beach

Ben & Jerry’s

Bimini’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Cafe

Bliss Restaurant And Lounge & Seafood Cafe

Blue Crab Oysters Steamers & Raw Bar

Blue Elephant Thai Cuisine

Bovine's Wood Fired Grill

Bubba's Fish Shack

Burro Loco

Cakes By The Sea

California Dreaming

Capriz Italian Feast & Candies

Carlos' N Charlie's

Carolina Roadhouse

Chili's

Costco Wholesale

Divine Fish House

Divine Prime Steakhouse

Docksider's Waterfront Grille Steakhouse

Donatos Pizza

Fiesta Mexicana

Flying Fish Public Market & Grill

Gauchao Brazilian Steakhouse

Greg Norman's Australian Grille

Gulfstream Cafe

Hard Rock Café

House Of Blues

Jimmyz Original Hibachi On 62nd

Kansas City Steakhouse

King Kong Sushi Bar & Grill

Kono Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi

Liberty Steakhouse & Brewery

Liberty Tap Room & Grill

Longbeards Bar & Grill

Lulu's Cafe

Mellow Mushroom

Murray's Savory And Sweets

Mykonos

Nacho Hippo

New York Prime

405 28th Avenue North

Pizza Romana

Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse

River City Cafe

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Senor Frogs

Soho Cafe & Bar

Sticky Fingers

Sugami

T-Bonz Gill And Grill

Texas Roadhouse

The Melting Pot

The Sea Captain's House

Tommy Bahama

Ultimate California Pizza

Ucp Game Zone

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