North Beach Bar & Grill
It’s the most delicious article you’ll read this month! Sorry Foodie Finds!
This time Wen McNally, Alaina Loughridge and I set our course north, to
North Beach Bar and Grill! Always such a treat to eat there, and of course
this visit was no exception. For those of you who have been living under a
rock, North Beach Grill (NBG) is just about everyone’s go-to restaurant, just
steps off the beach, with a chill and relaxed atmosphere. Even the locals
feel like we’re on vacation when we dine here. I cannot wait to share what
an awesome meal we had, let’s dig in!
Kathryn (co-owner, along with the famous George) was anxiously awaiting
our arrival, as she had one heck of a meal prepared for us. She set us up
in a corner with a most delightful breeze, and in the south that was much
appreciated! Our bartender Todd brought us out a whole slew of cocktails
to try, and we did not waste any time getting to them!
The first one up was the Cruzan Confusion, and the review on this is
anything but confusing! This drink was spectacular! 8, EIGHT types of rum,
topped off with some fruit juices, it was heaven. Todd brought out a Myer’s
Rum Floater which made this drink ever better! From the sweet Cruzan
Confusion, we switched up to the savory Jalapeno Bloody Mary. With a
house made infused Jalapeno Tito’s Vodka and Savannah Bloody Mary
Mix, this drink was kickin’! Garnished with peppers, olives, lemon and
lime, with an old bay rim, the heat was just right!
I’ll touch on more drinks as we go, but I’d be amiss if I didn’t mention the
Fried Plantains and homemade salsa. Fresh plantains, fried, smashed into
a patty, and then fried again. These were delicious, and practically healthy,
topped with a honey drizzle, and that homemade salsa, using only fresh
ingredients, was a great way to introduce us to the menu.
Next we had Sweet Potato Fries, shoe string, and lightly fried, tossed
in sugar, with a balsamic and honey drizzle. I couldn’t put these down,
Alaina kept swatting at me, saying I needed to save room, we have so
much more, but I just couldn’t stop! Our fearless bartender tantalized us
with the house made Peach Mix Berry Sangria, this drink was clean and
refreshing, and it presented beautifully and made me feel classy to hold it.
Beer Battered Fish Bites! My favorite. I was secretly hoping these were
going to make our tasting, as I can’t recall a time I went to NBG and didn’t
order these. Lightly battered, and fried magnificently, these can stand
alone, but they don’t have to as they are paired so well with a house made
remoulade sauce. I can’t give it all away, but there’s smoked jalapenos and
chipotle peppers in there, the heat rises slowly, so use cautiously!
Out from the kitchen with our next course was Chef Kyle. Kyle’s hobbies
include eating and cooking, but his passion is cooking; it’s what makes
his heart happy and it shows! We chilled it down a little with an incredible
Gazpacho. Wen and I were fighting over this one, and once you try it you’ll
see why! Fresh, local, seedless Georgia watermelon, heirloom tomatoes,
14 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | OCT 2018
topped with micro greens and feta, we couldn’t put it down! A lot of times
when we do these articles we don’t finish everything because there’s so
much, and I’m going to let you in on a secret, we not only ate the garnish,
we licked the bowl too.
Before the next plate arrived, Mr. Bartender brought us out an odd looking
Corona. The neck of the bottle was bright red. I was told ‘just put your
thumb over it and flip it over.’ I was hesitant. The beer and the mystery
were mixed up; first sip: OMG. Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka and Corona.
“Who invented this?” I yelled. Kathryn was off to find the answer so I could
prepare my wedding proposal. This drink was out of this world! I couldn’t
put it down. Its hands down my new go-to drink. A full shot of vodka in a
beer. Yes, I’ll be calling a Turtle Taxi, just keep them coming!
When I thought it couldn’t get any better, my main man Kyle was back from
the kitchen, this time with Seafood Nachos, fresh shrimp, crawfish and
ground up pork chorizo sausage, with gooey cheese, onions, peppers and
jalapenos on top of house made wonton chips. Yes, wonton chips. I can say
with certainty that nachos on wonton chips have ruined tortilla chips for
me. I’ll never be able to go back to my old ways. Alaina was all over this
dish, trying to barter another taste. We nearly had to order a second round!
Out next was Sautéed Shrimp, wild caught Georgia shrimp in a Cajun
butter sauce, served with toasted baguette. Normally I wouldn’t stop to
mention baguette, but this held its own. It was out of this world and perfect
to sop up all the deliciousness that the shrimp were floating in. This dish
had a nice bit of heat to it, and garnished beautifully with a sprig of fresh
rosemary.
Sidetrack with me for just a minute. NBG has their regular lunch menu,
their dinner menu, and they also put out weekly lunch and dinner specials.
You can always check them out on Facebook, Instagram, website, or their
app, NBBnG. The app works on both Android and iOS (I’ve been using the
app for a while and I recommend downloading it now).
Since we were just talking specials, let me walk you through one of the
creations for this week: a Cold Noodle Rice Bowl, with seared Tuna,
edamame, Nori, spinach, cucumbers, with a soy based dressing. It had a
faint spice to it and all the veggies were fresh. I was only able to take two
bites before Wen declared this to be her favorite dish and prohibited Alaina
and me from looking at it. I paired this with the Second Self Thai Wheat, a
ginger lemongrass beer out of Atlanta. This is one of those beers that goes
well with the hot Georgia sun and tastes like it was brewed especially for
Wen’s Noodle bowl.
For dessert we were served a massive slice of Italian Love Cake, made by
none other than Kathryn’s own mother. A cream cheese frosting, with fresh
strawberries, blueberries and blackberries just rounded out this whole
meal so perfectly. I was so impressed with each dish and could spend
days talking about them, but I much rather you head on up there, and try
each of them for yourself. The view is great, and parking is ample. If you’re
lucky, Hunter will be walking around shirtless while the ladies swoon, or
maybe a great local musician will be singing the perfect song.
Located at 33 Meddin Drive (across from the Lighthouse), NBG is open
daily from 11:30am to 10pm. From sandwiches to first class entrees, North
Beach Grill is the place to be!
By Jimmy Prosser - Photos by Wen McNally