Extreme Brunchability at Gulfstream Cafe
By Becky Billingsley
Considering the triple delights of a buffet, stellar menu and almost indescribably beautiful waterfront setting, it is hard to imagine a more pleasant and appetizing brunch scenario than what is offered every Sunday at Gulfstream Cafe in Garden City.
Gulfstream Cafe is located at the south end of Garden City, and getting there is an extremely pleasant visual experience over inlet waters. The barrier island where the restaurant perches is offshore from the mainland side of Garden City and Murrells Inlet.
The view faces west. By day diners gaze upon the changing waters of Murrells Inlet, which are sometimes periwinkle, often indigo and always photogenic. Although brunch is not available at night, Gulfstream Cafe also serves dinner, and sunsets over the water are spectacular.
The building has a comfortable and casually elegant atmosphere reminiscent of a well-heeled fishing lodge. Inside the dominant impression is wood upon wood, from handsome beams and paneling to a stunning and sweeping staircase leading to an upper level dining area. Outside, on an elevated deck overlooking a marina and the inlet, is an al fresco dining porch.
The first part of the brunch buffet diners see is an extravagant Bloody Mary Bar. Components include fat green olives and hand-chopped garlic; crumbled blue cheese; pickled vegetables including peppers, cauliflower and okra; a variety of hot sauces; celery; and lemon and lime wedges.
After drinks are mixed and a few sips are savored, it's on to the food buffet where a chef is standing ready to make customized omelets. Other choices include Blueberry, Banana Nut and Poppy Seed mini muffins; a variety of Bagels; Scrambled Eggs, French Toast, Fresh Fruit Salad, Cheese Grits, Hashbrowns, Sausage and Bacon.
Photo Gallery
Other diners choose to order from the seafood-focused Low Country Sunday Brunch menu.
Gulfstream Cafe is known for its oysters, and the restaurant is environmentally responsible: staff members put the shells back in the inlet to foster new oyster bed growth. During brunch, Oyster Shooters are available with Absolut Peppar vodka and cocktail sauce. Other brunch starters are New England Clam Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, Fresh Fruit with Vanilla-Honey Yogurt and She-Crab Soup, which is a creamy regional specialty.
A sweet entree is Stuffed French Toast, which is filled with strawberry/banana/raspberry cream cheese and topped with fresh raspberries and powdered sugar.
Savory entree options include Low Country Benedict with either fried oysters or a lump crab cake on sweet potato pancakes, and both versions are topped with a poached egg and Hollandaise. The King Crab Omelet is stuffed with Alaskan King crab meat and topped with blue crab sauce, while Seafood Crepes contain shrimp and scallops, chipotle cream sauce and Hollandaise.
Crab Cake Sliders are served on toasted buns with Creole remoulade, while the Fried Seafood Loaf is like a Po' Boy sandwich such as those served at Casamento's of New Orleans; it can be filled with fried shrimp or oysters (or both).
Of course Shrimp and Grits is served, and this Grand Strand treat is prepared with blackened shrimp and Andouille sausage in a Creole cream sauce over cheese grits.
Light diners can enjoy a Black & Blue Tuna salad where a fresh tuna filet is crusted with peppercorns and seared rare, and served over mesclun greens with vinaigrette. If someone isn't in the mood for seafood, there's a Classic Omelet with cheese, bacon, mushrooms, onions and green peppers; and Steak and Eggs where a tender Flat Iron steak is served with two eggs and hash browns.
Gulfstream Cafe (centraarchy.com/gulfstream.php) is at 1536 S. Waccamaw Dr. in Garden City, and the number for reservations is (843) 651-8808. Sunday Brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served from 4 p.m. to close Mondays through Saturdays and from 2:30 p.m. to close Sundays.
There are no comments posted. Add yours below.