Fresh fish and drinks are staples at a new Garden City waterfront restaurant. Take a look
The calm waters of Murrells Inlet are a sight to behold.
Watching the boats go by and the occasional sighting of an egret playing in the salt marshes makes it a priceless view. And now, Garden City residents can do it from a bird’s eye perspective with a cool drink in their hand and a tasty dish of their choosing.
The Marlin Quay Marina opened The Quay Seafood Grill to the public Wednesday, July 12. For starters, customers can get appetizers like the Garden City Ceviche, a shrimp and scallops dish marinated in citrus and lime juice topped with mangos, peppers, jalapenos, red onions and mandarin oranges.
After that, patrons can get entrees like the Southern Special chicken sandwich or the Fried Flounder Stack with three fried pieces of fish doused in tartar sauce and complimented with a pickled lemon on a brioche bun.
All the while, customers can help themselves to an original Quay mixed drink creation. One such beverage is the Quay Juice, a rum-based cocktail accompanied by pineapple juice, sprite, blue curacao and triple sec.
People who order the Quay Juice can get it in a tumbler that they bring back for refills.
Another popular option is the Chunky Martini filled with Kahlua, banana puree and chocolaty delight.
“It’s probably one of the best things I’ve ever eaten,” Owner and Manager Chris Lawhon said. “Whatever you want, we got you.”
Other popular items so far have been homemade crab cakes, Quay burgers, seared tuna and tacos. One thing that makes The Quay unique is where it gets its fish.
The restaurant has its own commercial boat that catches its food in the Atlantic Ocean, and The Quay will begin specials based on its haul probably next month.
“We’re big on plating,” Lawhon added. “Everything comes out looking great. I’m a firm believer that you can have something that tastes amazing, but if it’s not plated right, it’s just like meh.”
The Quay is run by father-son duo Mark and Chris Lawhon. The new restaurant gets its name from the marina The Lawhons bought in 2014, which previously housed the Marlin Quay Bar & Grill.
“Growing up, everyone always called this place ‘The Quay’ so I was like we’ll call this (restaurant) ‘The Quay’.”
The restaurant did two soft openings the prior week, and Chris said patrons liked the food, and the restaurant’s Facebook page received a lot of attention.
“We’ve sold a bunch of everything,” Chris said. “(Customers have said the) food’s great, drinks are great and the view is awesome.”
Food with a view
The Quay is on the second and third floors of the marina. Customers can either eat indoors on the second floor, a giant blue marlin will greet them as they enter the dining room, or on the patio overlooking Murrells Inlet.
If customers want to look out at Garden City from above though, they can walk upstairs and take a seat at the rooftop bar or one of the many tables.
Combined, the two floors can seat 110 people, and the restaurant has a local, family-friendly atmosphere.
“You can come off the beach, come off the boat, bring your wife or husband to a good dinner in the sunset,” Lawhon said. “We’ve always wanted to keep that family feel that local feel and to share the lifestyle of Murrells Inlet with our customers, wherever they may be from.”
More food and fun is planned
Currently, the menu is scaled back during opening week and in the immediate future. More items and drinks will be added to the menu Lawhon said, including salad. The Quay is also planning to host entertainment nights like live music, karaoke.
The Quay is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The restaurant is located at 1508 S Waccamaw Dr Suite B. Lawhon said the eatery is looking to hire more staff.
“We still need more positions,” Lawhon said.
