Posted on Dec 16, 2011 - 09:36 PM

Festive Myrtle Beach Holiday Dining

By Becky Billingsley

Whether you live in the Grand Strand area or are planning to visit Myrtle Beach for the Christmas and New Year's holiday season, there are many celebratory options at local restaurants.

From buffets and brunches to cozy firelit dinners and lavish gourmet spreads, this list will provide you with a range of festive dining choices.

Angelo's Steak and Pasta, 2011 S. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, 626-2800

Angelo's is a family-friendly restaurant with an Italian buffet, a menu where Italian dishes and sizzling steaks are specialties and a magician who performs tableside. Angelo's will be closed Dec. 18-25, open for dinner Dec. 26-31, and will be closed Jan. 1-5.

The Brentwood Restaurant, 4269 Luck Ave., Little River, 249-2601

The old mansion is decorated with thousands of lights, has three Christmas trees and five cozy fireplaces in its many unique rooms. Open Christmas Eve from 4-9 p.m. on Christmas Day from 1-7 p.m. and on New Year's Eve from 4-10 p.m. Visit http://www.thebrentwoodrestaurant.com/calendar.html to see the special holiday menus.

Cafe Amalfi in The Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, 1000 Beach Club Dr., Myrtle Beach, 449-5000

This restaurant has an excellent second-story oceanfront view. Cafe Amalfi will be open for breakfast (6:30-11 a.m.), lunch (11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) and dinner (5:30-10 p.m.) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with a special dinner menu both days. Call (800) 876-0010 or (843) 497-1700 for reservations. The special holiday dinner is $32 per person and includes:

First Course

Spinach, Toasted Walnuts, Dried Cranberries

Red Onions, Balsamic Drizzle

Entrée - Choice of One

Maple Glazed Baked Ham with au gratin Potatoes, Wilted Southern Greens

Roasted Turkey Breast with Rough Mashed Yam, Sage Stuffing, Brussels Sprouts, Giblet Gravy

Pan Seared Duck Breast with Risotto Style Rice, Roasted Root Vegetable, Cherry Demi-glace

Dessert

Warm Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel Sauce

Anise Tuiles & Honey Vanilla Ice Cream with Warm Berry Sauce

Also, The Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort & The Comedy Zone present a “Laugh In the New Year” Package on New Year's Eve where for $199 per couple, plus tax, the package includes dinner with a cash bar and a complimentary Champagne toast, a live comedy show featuring Rollin Jay Moore and after-party featuring DJ Mark McKinney, a deluxe room at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort and a breakfast buffet on New Year's Day. Call (800) 876-0010 or (843) 497-1700 for reservations.

The New Year's Eve dinner menu includes:

Salad Station

Baby Greens, Choice of Dressing, Marinated Artichoke Hearts with Thai Basil, Cucumber, Bermuda Onion, Feta Cheese, Lemon Vinaigrette, Granny Smith Apples, Blood Oranges, Celery, Candied Walnuts, Heirloom Tomatoes, Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella Salad

Carving Station

Carved Tenderloin of Beef

Carved Salmon Coulibiac

Fork Mashed Yukon Potatoes, Seasonal Baby Vegetables

Seafood Station

Individual Shrimp Cocktail, Seafood Ceviche Shooters, Seared Diver Scallops, Maine Lobster Crab Cakes, Truffle Parmesan Risotto

Dessert Station

Made To Order Anise Tuiles & Honey Vanilla Ice Cream with Warm Berry Sauce

Assorted Mini Tarts & Truffles, Chocolate Hearts Cakes

Zabaione Martini, Fresh Berries

Photo Gallery

This time of year the halls at The Brentwood are decked out in thousands of lights and three Christmas trees.Photo Credit: Becky Billingsley

Cafe Old Vienna will be closed starting Christmas Eve, but before then you can purchase Austrian Christmas cookies by the pound.Photo Credit: Becky Billingsley

Frank's Restaurant: Where elegance meets comfort.Photo Credit: Becky Billingsley

You never know what sweet treats Pastry Chef Tina Spaltro will whip up at Waterscapes, such as these hand-dipped chocolates.Photo Credit: Becky Billingsley

Cafe Old Vienna, 3901 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, 946-6252

An Austrian couple provides authentic Viennese dishes, along with a great Old World ambiance. Three Christmas Lunch Celebrations are scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on upcoming Tuesdays - Dec. 6, 13 and 20. The events will feature live accordion music. Also, Austrian Christmas cookies are sold by the pound, and you can purchase an assortment. Cafe Old Vienna will be closed from Dec. 23-Jan. 3.

Chestnut Hill, 9922 U.S. 17 N., Myrtle Beach, 449-3984

One of the original Restaurant Row establishments, this expansive restaurant faces a pretty tree-lined pond. It's open from 4-8 p.m. Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day, serving its regular menu on New Year's Eve and will be open starting with brunch on New Year's Day.

Dead Dog Saloon, 4079 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, 651-0664

You can have a waterfront seat overlooking Murrrells Inlet and the Marsh Walk at Dead Dog Saloon. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day and open starting at 11 a.m. on New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, reservations are accepted for Dead Dog Saloon's two New Year's Eve seatings, and The Mullets perform starting at 9 p.m. An early seating ($25) is from 4 to 5:30 p.m., and diners must be up from their tables by 7:30 p.m., when the second seating ($35) begins. At both seatings, a special New Year's Eve meal includes:

Soda, Coffee and Tea

A choice of soup or salad

A choice of 1 entree

Center Cut Filet topped with gorgonzola and mushrooms

Baked Chicken with caper cream sauce

Grilled Salmon with almond mustard sauce

Grilled Shrimp over Orzo tossed with basil butter

Choice of 1 dessert

Key Lime Pie

Cheesecake

The second seating will also receive unlimited Champagne at midnight.

Drunken Jack's, 4031 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, 651-2044

A classic for visitors to the Grand Strand area, this family-friendly restaurant overlooks Murrells Inlet and has a tasteful pirate theme. It will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and will reopen for Dec. 26-31. There will be New Year's Eve specials, but reservations are not accepted. Drunken Jack's will then be closed the entire month of January.

Finocchio's Italian Ristorante, 3100 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, 651-2110

From-scratch unique Italian specialties are served in this family-owned restaurant. It will be open from 5-10 p.m. Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day, and on New Year's Eve will be open with three seatings at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Call for reservations.

Frank's and Frank's Outback, 10434 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, 237-3030

This upscale restaurant has undertones of casualness, but there's nothing casual about the impeccable menus, amenities and service. Frank's is closed on Christmas Day. On New Year's Eve it's open but by reservation only. Reservations are already almost full; a few early seatings are available. Frank's Outback is closed Jan. 1-12 for its annual cleaning, while Frank's Restaurant will be closed for its annual cleaning and renovation from Jan. 16-30.

Greg Norman's Australian Grille, 4930 U.S. 17, in Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach, 361-0000

Enjoy Aboriginal art, wood-grilled steaks and chops and a lovely view of the Intracoastal Waterway. Greg Norman's is open for lunch (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and dinner (starting at 4:30 p.m.) on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. On Christmas Day, Greg Norman's is open from 2-10 p.m. with a special Christmas Day menu plus the regular menu. The Christmas menu includes:

Soup

Lobster Bisque

$8.95

Waldorf Salad

Baby greens tossed with apples, walnuts, grapes, white cheddar and an

herbed buttermilk emulsion

$8.95

Pan Seared Salmon

Pan seared Salmon with Saint Nick's fritter , barbeque shrimp skewer

and cranberry buerre blanc

$26.95

Roasted Goose

Roasted Goose with chestnut stuffing, green beans, celery root, cranberry

relish and Madeira au jus

$29.95

Dessert Special

Chocolate mint mousse

$7.95

On New Year's Eve Greg Norman's will offer its regular menu, plus the following special menu items:

Low Country She Crab Bisque with Sherry and Chive Cream

Composed Salad with Smoked Salmon with Baby Arugula, Capers, Red Onion, Deviled Egg, and finished with a Dijon Vinaigrette

Oysters Rockefeller with a Bacon, Cheese and Spinach topping, then baked with Hollandaise Sauce

Seared Red Snapper served over a Black-Eyed Pea Cake, and dressed with a wilted Spinach, Corn, Crab, and Spicy Ham Relish

Wood Fire Grilled Filet Mignon topped with Lobster Claws and Béarnaise Sauce, Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Mixed Baby Green Beans finished with a Red Wine Demi-glace

Chocolate pecan bread pudding and a Bourbon sauce

Gulfstream Café, 1536 S. Waccamaw Dr., Garden City, 651-8808

Situated with a unique sunset-friendly view overlooking Murrells Inlet, Gulfstream Cafe will be open 4-9 p.m. Christmas Eve and featuring its $12 early evening menu. The full menu will also be available, and reservations are accepted. It will be closed on Christmas Day. On New Year's Eve Gulfstream Café will open at 4 p.m., and live music starts at 6 p.m., and there will be complimentary party favors. On New Year's Day, Gulfstream Cafe will be open from 4-9 p.m. with its regular menus.

New York Prime, 405 28th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach, 448-8081

When steak-loving celebrities visit Myrtle Beach, they go to New York Prime. It will be open from 5-10 p.m. Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. On New Yearl's Eve New York Prime will be open with its regular menu from 4 p.m. to midnight with party favors and a Champagne toast. Two special holiday dishes are offered: Stone Crab Claws and Pumpkin Cheesecake.

Travinia Italian Kitchen, 4011 Deville St., Myrtle Beach, 233-8500

Located by the movie theater at The Market Common, this Italian restaurant has a nice/casual decor and extensive wine list. It will be open until 8 p.m. Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day. On New Year's Eve Travinia will be open until 11 p.m., and its bar will be open until 1 a.m. Live music is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Champagne toast at midnight; reservations strongly suggested.

Joe's Bar & Grill, 810 Conway St., North Myrtle Beach, 272-4666

Joe's is tucked away in an easy-to-access spot across U.S. 17 from Barefoot Landing, but with its gorgeous view of a salt marsh it feels like it's light years away from the city bustle. It will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but will be open for dinner on New Year's Eve serving its regular menu.

Martin's Restaurant, 7200 N. Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, 449-1368

Martin's will be closed Dec. 12-25, and will reopen Dec. 26 for breakfast and dinner. Martin's Restaurant is having a New Year's Eve Dinner and Party, where $75 per person includes the meal, an open bar (Smirnoff, Gordon's Gin, Jim Beam, Black Velvet, Bacardi, Tequila, Champagne, House Wine, Domestic Beer) and live entertainment from the Classic Country Band, which plays beach music and rock 'n' roll in addition to country. The menu includes:

Appetizers

Prosciutto with fennel slaw & balsamic glaze

Cajun Crepe with red curry Hollandaise

Maryland style crab cake

Soup

Salad

Fresh mixed greens or Caesar salad

Main Course

Prime Rib Au Jus

8 oz. Filet Mignon With Béarnaise

1/2 Roast Duck Ala Orange

Grouper Key West

Seafood Newburg

Dessert and Coffee

Chocolate Truffle Mousse Cake

Apple Pie ala Mode

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Ruth's Chris Steak House, 8761 Marina Parkway, Myrtle Beach, 839-9500

Ruth's Chris Steak House has an upscale ambiance. It will be open from 4-9 p.m. Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day. On New Year's Eve, it will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight.

Thorny's Steakhouse & Saloon, 600 S. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, 448-2333

Games and activities await children of all ages in this large family-friendly mid-price restaurant. It will be closed Dec. 19-24 and open on Christmas Day starting at 11 a.m., serving its regular menu. From Dec. 26-Jan. 1, it will be open starting at 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and starting at 11 a.m. Fridays through Sundays. Thorny's will be closed Jan. 2-5 for remodeling.

Waterscapes at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, 8121 Amalfi Place, Myrtle Beach, 913-2845

Exquisite dining is the norm from an extremely talented staff, including a pastry chef who makes fresh breads (that come with fresh organic butters) and memorable desserts. It will be open Christmas Eve from 5:30-9 p.m. Waterscapes will be open Christmas Day from 3-8 p.m. with a special menu that is $38 ages 13 and older; $16 ages 5-12.

The Christmas menu includes:

First Taste

Butternut Squash Soup

5 Spice Oil & Goat Milk Froth

Oysters & Biscuits

Oyster Stew & Chive Buttermilk Biscuits

Mixed Baby Greens

Shallots, Cured Tomatoes, Roasted Chestnuts & Brie Peppercorn Dressing

Quail “In A Jar”

Cane Syrup, Braised Cabbage & Foie Gras Mousse

Entrées

Slow Cooked Prime Rib