MAIN COURSE

Story and Photo

By Becky Billingsley

Who's cooking

The chef/proprietor is Sone Rasavong, a Laotian native who for 16 years owned a Chinese restaurant called Wok & Roll at Myrtle Beach Mall. Rasavong has also worked at Miyabi and Ichiro's in Myrtle Beach, which are both Japanese restaurants.

Fifteen years ago Sone married his wife, Khio, and they have an 8-year-old daughter. The couple lives off Holmestown Road in the Surfside Beach area. The daily grind of running a mall food court restaurant spurred the couple to seek other career options.

"We noticed there was no Japanese restaurant in this area," Khio said, "and that's why we switched from Chinese to Japanese.

The couple work together at Sone Hibachi. Khio pitches in on the cooking when needed, but mostly she handles front of the house chores.

Place Setting

The restaurant was most recently home to Eggs Up Grill, which moved a short distance away to the Litchfield Market Village. The Rasavongs did much remodeling to make the space their own.

A striking feature is a gold and jewel-tone laminated archway between the two dining areas that resembles cloisonné.

The first area you enter has tables along the room's edges in an L shape. The open part of the L has a counter and the cash register where you order.

The hibachi is behind the counter, and from one side you can see Sone and Khio in there hustling to get the orders out. The counter seating on that side is a good place to sit and be entertained if you're dining alone or waiting for carry-out.

Tables are black with turquoise laminate tops, and chairs are black metal with vinyl cushions and handsome curving backs.

What's to eat

I tried to order a couple of sushi rolls for our appetizer, but was told that Sone was too busy with the lunch rush to make any. He did, however, have time to make us Fried Dumplings (a.k.a. gyoza), Vegetable and Shrimp Tempura and Spring Rolls.

The tempura was a little too thick, but it was light and not greasy-tasting. The shrimp tempura was cooked perfectly - plump and juicy.

Spring Rolls contained only cabbage and were a little disappointing, especially since they cost $1 each. The dumplings' fillings were flavorful with ginger, but I wish steamed dumplings was an option instead of just fried.

The best part of these appetizers is the house-made dipping sauces. Ginger and Mustard were our favorites, but the Spicy and mayonnaise-base Shrimp Sauce are also tasty.

A few other appetizers are Chicken Wings, Onion Soup and Miso Soup. There is also a salad that can be topped with chicken, steak or shrimp, or you can have a side salad for $1.70.

For our lunch entrees we choice a Low Carb Shrimp Veggie Bowl ($6.50), a Mahi Mahi Hibachi Entree ($9, comes with rice and vegetables), and a Shrimp Noodle Bowl ($6.50).

The vegetables were a little overcooked - some to the brink of mushiness - but the flavors in all the entrees were delicious. We were especially impressed with the portion size of the mahi mahi entree, and happy that the fish was not too dry.

Other entree choices include wraps, and if the restaurant isn't too busy for them to be ordered the sushi rolls are California, Tuna, Spicy Tuna, Crab, Vegetable and Shrimp Tempura.

Hibachi entrees include Teriyaki Chicken, Ribeye Steak, Filet Mignon, Scallop, Shrimp, Chicken, Mahi Mahi, Salmon and Lobster.

Sone Hibachi does not have a liquor license. Drink choices are coffee, tea, soda and bottled water.

Sone Hibachi

Where: 13088 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island

Phone: 979-0402

Noise Level: No music; conversing is easy.

Vegetarian Options: The Spring Rolls contain only cabbage. Other choices include Fried Zucchini Sticks, Vegetable Tempura, Fried Rice, Side Salad, Vegetable Sushi, and the Veggie Hibachi Entree.

Smoking: Not allowed.

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Prices: The most expensive items are Filet Mignon and Lobster Hibachi Entrees, which are market price. Most dinner entrees average $10; sushi rolls are $3-$5; a hibachi bowl with a spring roll and drink is $8.

Check for Two: For lunch you'll probably get out of there for less than $20. For two appetizers, two dinner entrees and two beverages the tab will be about $35.

SIDE DISHES

Pawleys Island Tavern

Pawleys Island Tavern now has more parking. "Thanks to an agreement with our neighboring property owners," said PIT proprietor Becky Caines in an e-mail, "we are pleased to offer expanded parking free from towing to our customers." The PIT has live music outside under gigantic live oak trees. It's at 10635 Ocean Highway in Pawleys Island; turn at the Mole Hole. The number is 237-8465.

Beef O’Brady’s

The prototype mini Beef O'Brady's that opened in the spring of 2009 at 10337 Ocean Highway in Pawleys Island has closed. Randy and Cindi Welsh were the owners, but they still own and operate the Beef O’Brady’s in Georgetown at 1133 N. Fraser St. where the number is 527-8625.

Saporito’s

Family-owned Saporito's Pizza replaced the Vocelli's Pizza at 1177 N. Fraser St. in Georgetown. It is serving a wide variety of specialty New York-style pizzas, toasted sub sandwiches, calzones, wings and salads such as Grilled Fajita Chicken. Take-out and delivery are available, and orders can be placed by calling 527-1707.