South End Bistro in Pawleys offers eclectic menu, outside seating, live music

South End Bistro in Pawleys offers eclectic menu, outside seating, live music

If you are looking for a unique and entertaining dining experience, look no farther than the southern end of the Pawleys Island community on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast.

Taylor Fontaine and Chris Paric have opened South End Bistro at 8151 Ocean Highway (U.S. Highway 17) and they welcome the public to come enjoy the safe, friendly atmosphere. The couple are the former owners of Vienna’s Pizzeria in Murrells Inlet.

“South End Bistro is a fun place to come dine with family or friends,” said Fontaine, who grew up in Murrells Inlet. “When we found this location, we fell in love with the expansive outdoor space where we can offer live music every night of the week (except Sundays).”

Paric, who is originally from the Philadelphia area but has lived in the Hammock Coast region for 14 years, agreed. He said that he is excited about offering people 20 tables for covered outside dining in an area that can be heated on colder evenings, as well as an indoor dining area.

He is also glad that they can offer live music from a variety of solo acts and bands, usually from 6-9:30 p.m., during dinner time. A music calendar can be found on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

“This is something we have wanted to do for a while and down in this area, people love taking advantage of being outdoors,” Paric said. “We try to cater to everyone, including families with children.”

Fontaine and Paric said opening a restaurant during the Covid-19 pandemic has been challenging, but they are following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines: offering outside seating, placing tables six feet apart, and requiring all employees to wear masks.

Fontaine said South End Bistro has an eclectic menu, including Italian favorites like pizza, calzones and pasta dishes. They also offer barbecue ribs, beef tips, chicken wings; specialty items like Prince Edward Island mussels, served in a white wine garlic sauce; and appetizers like crispy Brussels sprouts, pan fried and baked in a pizza oven, topped with balsalmic reduction and parmesan cheese. She said they have specials nightly and a fresh catch, chosen personally by Chef Peter Irving at local seafood markets, including Harrelson’s in Murrells Inlet.

“We would love for people to come try out our menu and daily specials, catch some music, and have a good time,” Fontaine said. “We also have a wide variety of craft beers from local breweries, and a big wine and cocktail list.”

She said they offer happy hour specials on appetizers and drinks from 4-6 p.m. on weekdays, and brunch on Saturdays, with chicken and waffles, breakfast pizza, shrimp and grits and loaded bloody marys and mimosas. And there is live music during brunch.

“Our goal is to have a little something for everybody,” Fontaine said about the music. “We have different acts each week with everything from ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s to pop, country and jazz.”

Roger Giardino of Pawleys Island says South End Bistro is his new favorite hangout and destination for family dinners. He has known Fontaine and Paric for about 10 years.

“We’ve been there a number of times,” he said. “The quality of the food is very good, and the service has been impeccable.”

His favorite items on the menu so far have been the Brussels sprouts and the chicken Philly pizza, either regular or Sicilian, Giardino said. He is very excited about the expanded deck for customers to safely eat while enjoying musical entertainment.

“They also added an outside bar and did a lot of work on the whole property,” Giardino said. “It is a unique space. Everybody should come out and enjoy it!”

For more information about South End Bistro, visit their Facebook page, or call (843) 885-1519. The restaurant is open from 4-11 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturdays.

By Clayton Stairs/tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce