Kicks! Quicks | Marvelous meals abound in rustic Joe’s Bar & Grill

When the weather is picture-perfect, or at least a reasonable facsimile, there’s nothing as appetizing as a meal near the great outdoors. Enjoying the wonders of nature along with some great food is a win-win and can easily be found at Joe’s Bar & Grill in North Myrtle Beach.

Located on the tidal marsh and across from Barefoot Landing, Joe’s gives off a comfy, cabin-in-the-woods-type welcome as soon as you hit the wide front porch. Plenty of porch seating provides a relaxing spot to wait for your table, for late arrivals or to just plain sit. Inside, the theme continues with a bar-side fireplace leading into two separate dining rooms. They’re equally appealing, but if possible, bear right, and you will have a bird’s eye view of, well, birds, as well as the sweeping marsh and even a raccoon-feeding station.

The menu at Joe’s Bar & Grill is a happy surprise and belies its rustic surroundings, featuring choices that would equally be at home in the fussiest establishments. Choose your wine from the extensive wine list while you choose your appetizer from a selection including the savory Scallops en Bacon Brochette or Smoked Salmon with sour cream and caviar. Escargot with Mushrooms will make some diners braver than me happy, but South Carolina Clams or Joe’s Sampler, with blackened fish chunks, beef tips, shrimp and more, are excellent choices, too.

The elegant entrees will gladden the heart of a seafood lover, running the gamut from everyone’s favorite comfort food, Shrimp and Grits, to sophisticated Scallops Meuniere sauteed in lemon butter. Prince Edward Island Blue Mussels are served with a spicy marinara, or have a party with the Seafood Medley, shrimp, scallops, crab and mussels in garlic butter, white wine and Parmesan. For the few of us who dislike all things fishy, the Prime Rib of Beef was declared a bit overdone but was served with a tasty Bearnaise sauce. My favorite Steak au Poivre was done to perfection, and the brandy-based peppercorn sauce was just right. The menu goes on and on, with Veal Neptune, covered with crabmeat, shrimp and scallops, Pork Chops with an apple chutney, Steak Diane with sauteed mushrooms and South African Lobster Tail in lemon butter being just a few tempting options.

The desserts I saw going by looked astonishingly good and change daily — one day I am really going to start a meal with dessert. One highly recommended event while at Joe’s Bar & Grill is a visit to the outdoor back patio. Presided over by Daisy the Dog and bartender Rob, it is truly a magical place to enjoy the marsh while you enjoy a pre- or post-dinner drink.

The prices at Joe’s Bar & Grill are moderate to high but include the great view and warm atmosphere. There is an early bird menu, and happy hour is from 5-7 p.m. Reservations are accepted.

This story was originally published April 22, 2015 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Kicks! Quicks | Marvelous meals abound in rustic Joe’s Bar & Grill."