Posted on Mar 04, 2011 - 08:34 AM

Restaurant Spotlight: Captain John’s Seafood Grill

By Becky Billingsley

It makes sense that John Venuti, chef proprietor at Capt. John’s Seafood Grill, ended up living where he lives and doing what he does. His life before moving to the Grand Strand was almost a mirror of the one he has now – at least geography- and career-wise. It was just colder before.

John is the youngest of 10 children born to a family in Geneva, N.Y. Geneva is a city of 13,000 residents located at the north end of Seneca Lake, which is one of the New York upstate’s finger lakes. So he grew up comfortable around boats and in a small-town atmosphere, much like folks born in the Grand Strand area.

He also grew up in the restaurant industry, as many locals around here did., and at age 25 he opened his own restaurant in Geneva. But by 1998, John was ready for something different. He had been coming to the Grand Strand area for years on golf vacations, and he liked the possibilities he saw here for a seafood restaurant that offered Northern specialties like haddock. He also liked the warmer weather. John sold the Geneva restaurant to his best friend, moved to Litchfield and opened Capt. John’s Seafood Grill.

The first location was on the east side of U.S. 17 in Litchfield Plaza, but a few years ago he moved across the highway to a brand-new space in the Indigo Exchange Plaza. About the same time the restaurant move took place, John married Mary Lee, a woman he has known since they were in the same Kindergarten class.

These days the Venutis have a thriving business serving a variety of economically priced dishes to a loyal customer base. The roomy and attractively decorated restaurant has a long bar to the left where locals often gather for conversation and laughs. There are plenty of tables and booths, and large groups can usually be accommodated with a little advance notice.

One of their most popular appetizers is Ipswich Whole-Belly Clams, which are melt-in-your-mouth tender and served with chilled house-made tartar and cocktail sauces. The restaurant gets the clams in fresh on Thursdays, and they're usually sold out by Friday.

Photo Gallery

Yellow cake layered with chocolate ganache is a luscious dessert choice.Photo Credit: Becky Billingsley

Ipswich whole belly clams are exceedingly tender and flavorful. Photo Credit: Becky Billingsley

Salads can come topped with a variety of seafood, such as crab cakes.Photo Credit: Becky Billingsley

Haddock is a specialty of the house at Capt. John's Seafood Grill in Pawleys Island.Photo Credit: Becky Billingsley

Other meal starters include New England Clam Chowder, award-winning Spicy Seafood Gumbo, Spicy Fried Oysters, Lobster Ravioli with tomato basil cream sauce and French fries topped with chili, cheese and Ranch dressing.

A variety of sandwiches are served, from the Big Fat Hot Dog and Italian Sausage with peppers and onions, to Blackened Chicken sandwich, Ahi Tuna Philly Cheese, Shrimp Roll, Lobster Roll and Crab Cake Sandwich. If you want to skip the bread, you can also have Lemon Pepper Chicken served over rice.

Haddock is a specialty of the house, so whether you get it on a sandwich, on a salad or as part of a seafood platter, you'll be getting a succulent piece of fish. The hearty entree salads are popular here - you can have them topped with chicken, shrimp, scallops, crab cake, sirloin steak and more. Almost all the salad dressings are house-made, like the delightful honey mustard made with grain mustard.

Entrees are all about seafood, and you can get your selection grilled or fried, and for an extra $1 it can be blackened, Cajun or lemon pepper. If you're not in the mood for a crab cake or oysters or haddock or scallops or shrimp, other entrees are Marinated Chicken Breast and Center Cut Black Angus Sirloin Steak. Entrees come with two sides, and those choices are fries, slaw, rice or potato salad.

If you come in with a large group, you might want to consider asking for the family-style portions that can save a little money. If you love the haddock or any of the other fresh seafood and want to have some to take home and cook, Venuti will hook you up with wholesale prices.

There is a dessert that Capt. John's is known for, but it is not made in-house. For 10 years a baker named Lynn Amrozowicz has been supplying Venuti with her 10-layer yellow cakes with fudge icing. If you like cake, you'll be glad you tried this one.

Captain John's Seafood Grill (CaptainJohnsSeafoodGrill.com) is located at 13057 Ocean Highway in Pawleys Island, and the number is (843) 235-9300. It's open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Comments

Eileen says on 03/08/2011 at 7:34:

Nothing can be finer that a luscious haddock sandwich dripping with home made tartar or a juicy moist cheeseburger that cannot be beat while swilling down a refreshing cocktail at Cap’t John’s seafood. A-1 service, friendly lively atmosphere and the best waiters this side of S. Carolina. MM,mmmm, good!!! 5 stars.
Drew says on 03/08/2011 at 8:28:

The husband and wife team are a true catch! Hometown hospitality, great food, great atmosphere and great prices!
Mark says on 03/08/2011 at 9:31:

Captain John’s is simply the best.
San Fran Fan says on 03/09/2011 at 3:41:

I visit the Captain’s each time I visit the area and it’s always a great treat. John and Mary Lee are the best…and the food rocks!
Rita Venuti says on 03/09/2011 at 12:09:

The potato salad at Capt. John’s is THE BEST I have ever eaten!
Would LOVE to know your secret ingredient!
Margaret says on 03/09/2011 at 2:16:

The Haddock is wonderful. Crispy crust and moist fish…Best in the area..
Butch says on 03/09/2011 at 3:35:

I love John’s clams, but I prefer the Prince Creek Diner’s Haddock and Clam Chowder. Haddock is always wonderful, but the beer batter at the Prince Creek Diner is simply the best around.
leenie says on 03/09/2011 at 8:12:

Beer batter at Cap’n Johns is the top dog, hands down.
David says on 03/09/2011 at 9:42:

This is the absolute best lightly fried seafood in the area. Generous portions as well.
LN says on 03/11/2011 at 2:20:

Great fried scallops and shrimp and of course the Ipswich clams. Very, very lightly coated.
Doc says on 03/11/2011 at 3:37:

Blackened or with the lemon pepper, John’s haddock is the best fish you can get. They always serve a large portion. All the sides are great. The wasabi dressing for the salad is superb. Whenever I am in Pawleys, Captain John’s is my first stop for great food! My wife, Carleen, agrees!
Trace says on 03/13/2011 at 9:12:

I have eaten at Capt.Johns many more times than I could ever count. Never had a bad meal. Until lately. Twice in a week’s time (just last week actually). The wasabi ranch dressing now is too spicy and chalky to eat. For the 1st time, I ordered a sirloin steak. For $15 I was not expecting fireworks, just decent meat. Just gross.The meat was about 1/4” thick and chewy, obviously frozen and then thrown on the grille. The worst steak I have ever tried. I did not eat it.
Andrea See says on 03/23/2011 at 1:25:

Capt.John’s is our favorite seafood place! The whole-belly clams are wonderful. The service is fantastic. The prices are fair and portions generous. We love to bring our friends here. The quality is always consistent!
Valerie Venuti says on 03/23/2011 at 7:22:

The menu is not only delicious, but creative and innovative. Perfect for a casual lunch or special occasion. Great and friendly staff and with John and Mary Lee in house, makes for fun night on the town.