Sultry Vibe at Zulu Lounge
By Becky Billingsley
Zulu Lounge is seductive and sophisticated with a menu of small plates that makes it easy to sample several.
A hookah bar with South African ambiance, Zulu has plush seat groupings, a large central bar, dramatic soft lighting and an atmosphere that encourages comfortable socializing. Two dining areas offer soft upholstered booths, and a space sectioned off with African wood curtains contains banquettes, couches, coffee tables and pillows.
That's a fine place to smoke a hookah, and many tobacco flavors are offered, from apple, orange, peach and cranberry to mint. It's also a cozy spot in which to sip a specialty cocktail like the Bloody Peppadew with peppadew-infused vodka mixed with Zulu's special Bloody Mary mix; or African Fire with Absolut vodka, tequila, Hiram Walker amaretto, triple sec, orange juice and cranberry juice.
To accompany those drinks are several tapas priced at $4-$12.
Chilled tapas include Bruschetta; Curry Chicken Lettuce Wraps with spicy peanut sauce; a Cheese Plate with four cheeses, Genoa salami, smoked turkey, grapes and crostini; and the Zulu House Salad with pine nuts, carrots, onions, tomatoes, cucumber, Mandarin oranges and passion fruit vinaigrette.
Fourteen hot tapas are served, including Albondigues, which is veal meatballs in marinara; Short Ribs in barbecue sauce; Curry Chicken over mashed sweet potatoes; Lollipop Lamb Chops with red wine sauce; and Shwack-Shwack Shrimp that are marinated, grilled and served with cocktail sauce.
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I tried the Angus Beef Sliders with caramelized onions and blue cheese and liked the flavor and the soft-yet-chewy mini buns. Another personal favorite is Filet and Mushroom Skewers that are cooked to juicy tenderness.
A dish I plan to try on the next visit is the Mozambique Tuna Tartare, which is described as fresh and finely diced ahi tuna tossed with cilantro, sesame oil and sciracha, then layered with house-made guacamole. It's finished with wasabi aioli and plated with won ton chips.
Three entrees are offered for heartier appetites: the Big Bowl Salad with Romaine, spinach, sherry vinaigrette, red bell pepper, tomato, artichoke, pine nuts and blue cheese; Big Bowl Pasta with angel hair noodles, sauteed vegetables, tomato sauce and Parmesan, and chicken, meatballs or shrimp can be added; and the Johannesburg Filet, which is an 8-ounce steak served with red wine sauce, mushrooms and blue cheese.
A la carte side dishes include Sauteed Chili Garlic Mushrooms, Sweet Potato Mash, Julienne-style French Fries; South African Style Zulu Chips and Asiago Cheese Bread served with honey butter.
For those who enjoy being pampered with VIP bottle service, the staff at Zulu Lounge will make that happen. Happy Hour is from 4-7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays when there are several half-off specials.
Zulu Lounge is at 9668 N. Kings Highway in the Galleria Shopping Center in Myrtle Beach, and the number is 213-1730. It's open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
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