Beach Blog Restaurant Spotlight: Inlet Hideaway Steams Fresh Oysters
By Becky Billingsley
http://www.mbsun.com/assets_c/2009/12/200_0171-thumb-540x361-2620.jpgCedar Hill Landing is a place where locals go for fresh oysters harvested from beds you can see out the window. It's also a place that feels like it was plunked down in the middle of Murrells Inlet from a 1950 time capsule, away from the touristy crowds.
This is the third generation of the Nance family to harvest and cook oysters for a grateful dining public. Hobby Nance gathered oysters, and the family launched a Murrells Inlet restaurant in 1968. Hobby's son, Paul H. Nance, continued the tradition. Today Paul's wife, Cynthia Nance, and their son, Christopher Nance, oversee the harvesting of fresh local cluster oysters from 500 acres of oyster beds.
Cedar Hill Landing was built only five years ago, but it has a rustic homespun ambiance and a unique setting that makes it seem part of the landscape. While many tourists visit the middle of the Murrells Inlet waterfront, Cedar Hill is down at the extreme southern end of U.S. 17 Business, in a quiet wooded area.
The restaurant is tucked into a lush spot with an idyllic view of the inlet and no development in sight. The scenery is green from tropical plants and live oaks, and blue from the sky all the way down to the ethereal inlet waters. Often the natural palette contains splashes of white or brown or gray from herons that make frequent appearances.
An open-air deck wraps around two sides of the building and is a lovely space in which to enjoy mild Carolina weather. Inside, the décor is all about seafood and nautical accessories, from stuffed prize fish to lobster traps and boat bumpers. Much rough-hewn wood is used to a cozy advantage, and the overall feeling is one of people enjoying the wonderful bounty offered by the inlet.
A lot of locals eat at Cedar Hill Landing. They come for the oyster roasts (served in season) and steamed clams, but they also enjoy Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp or Scallops, the house specialty Hot Crab and Shrimp Dip, Grouper Bites and Crab Balls. Other finger foods include Corn Dodgers, Jalapeno Rings, Wings and Calamari.
http://www.mbsun.com/assets_c/2009/12/200_0176-thumb-300x200-2618.jpgMore favorites include Hardee Shrimp, which are cooked in a sherry and butter sauce with peppers and onions; Beer Boiled Shrimp; Oyster Stew; Clam Chowder; and She-Crab Soup with a kiss of sherry.
Sandwiches are especially popular at lunchtime, and choices include Soft Shell Crab, Grouper, Crab Cake, Grouper Dog, Tuna Steak, Captain Steve's Burger and Po' Boys with crispy golden shrimp, flounder, oysters or scallops. As for salads, you can have either Old Fashioned Shrimp Salad or a green salad topped with flounder, grouper, oysters, crab cake, soft shell crab, clam strips, shrimp, chicken or ahi tuna.
One of those salads goes well with pasta, which you can get with Alfredo sauce and a choice of seafood or chicken. Of course the traditional Shrimp & Grits is a terrific alternative to pasta.
Other delicious traditions from the kitchen, which is presided over by Cook Roger Wigfall, are hearty seafood entrees such as Crab Leg Clusters; Steamed Blue Crabs; Grilled Flounder topped with grilled onions and peppers; or a basket filled with grilled, fried or blackened fish, fries, coleslaw and corn dodgers. Many diners enjoy steak and seafood combinations, and a fine example is the Admiral's Platter with an 8-ounce ribeye, clam strips, bacon-wrapped shrimp, oysters, deviled crab and onion rings.
Any of those choices can be paired with a cold drink from the full bar, and from 4-6:30 p.m. prices of many beverages are discounted.
http://www.mbsun.com/assets_c/2009/12/200_0182-thumb-350x234-2622.jpgChildren have six special meals from Grilled Cheese to Popcorn Shrimp; and dessert specialties are Key Lime Pie and Michelle's Homemade Peanut Butter Pie.
"A lot of our business is locals," Cynthia Nance said, "and we're very proud of that. People say we're the best-kept secret in Murrells Inlet, and they love to come here because of it."
Cedar Hill Landing Restaurant & Oyster Roast is at 5225 U.S. 17 Business in Murrells Inlet, and the number is (843) 651-8706.
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