Last Updated on 12/1/2008

Published on 5/6/2008

By Nora J. Raum

njraum@msn.com

Sunday, May 11, is Mother's Day. It's a wonderful day to take your mother out to eat so that she will not have to fuss in the kitchen.

I think that dining in Murrells Inlet and looking at the wonderful waterway with the large and small boats is so relaxing.

I recommend Capt. Dave's Dockside because the view is awesome and the food is good. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. I ate there this past weekend.

Justin Cartino was my server, and his dad teaches culinary at Horry Tech.

I enjoyed a perfectly cooked Egg Benedict, Roast Beef, Shrimp & Grits, Manhattan Clam Chowder, an Egg White Vegetable Omelette, Bacon-Wrapped Turkey, Ciabatta Bread with Crab Salad and Fresh Fruit. Of course, the Chocolate Cake was out of this world, and the Coconut Cake looked very tempting.

I also had the pleasure of talking with David Owens' father, who started this restaurant with his brother before he bought him out. He was so charming and gave me some history and philosophy of running a restaurant. He told me that he had planted every palm tree facing the Inlet. They were beautiful and reminded me of the paintings of palm trees by Winslow Homer.

There is a small island behind this restaurant where goats and peacocks live.

At times you can see them and hear them. I enjoy listening to the jazz while at this restaurant.

Later that evening, I stopped at Dead Dog Saloon to hear some music and relax. I actually caught the sun going down, and the smell of the salt water was as enticing as the view.

I tasted the Onion Soup and the She Crab Bisque, which were both excellent. I had a few hush puppies, I must admit, and then two skewers of Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Scallops -- those were absolutely delicious. My waiter, Mark Traynor, recommended them and I was happy I took his advice.

I met with 28-year-old John Campbell, whose parents Charlie and Beverly Campbell purchased this restaurant in 2002. John had been to culinary school. He told me that he was going to be on Cecil's World on May 6.

I did not eat too much, but next time I will try the Seared Tuna or the 28-ounce Rib Eye Steak for dinner. I think for lunch an Angus beef hamburger might be good to try, or a Spinach Salad or a 10-inch jumbo hotdog.

It is difficult to decide because everything looks good.

The shrimp and grits and the raw oysters looked so good at a nearby table that I was tempted to take pictures of them. The ribs are supposed to be terrific, so tender that they fall off the bone.

For Mother's Day, Bill Krauss will be at Dead Dog Saloon at 1 p.m., and the Paul Grimshaw Band will be playing at 7 p.m. This past Sunday, May 4, I was privileged to hear the Tim Clark Band.

People were dancing and really enjoying themselves.

A friend of mine who lives nearby is always going there just to hear the musicians.

While I was sitting outside at Dead Dog Saloon, I looked behind me and took a shot of Creek Ratz, another restaurant owned by David Owens. I remembered when I ate there last time how I thought that their Manhattan Clam Chowder was one of the best I had tasted and that the Mahi Mahi was the favorite fish.

Kids and adults both love to go to that restaurant and relax. I had felt like a kid when I finished my meal with an old-fashioned banana split.

I found out that morning that Richard Meyers, the chef from Capt. Dave's Dockside, was busy opening up another Creek Ratz in Myrtle Beach.

I guess people in South Carolina cannot get enough Creek Ratz restaurants.

The one in Murrells Inlet has always been a big hit. It is next door to Capt. Dave's Dockside and Dead Dog Saloon.

Capt. Dave's Dockside is located at 4037 Hwy. 17 Business # A, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. Telephone number is 843-657-5850.

The Dead Dog Saloon is located at 4079 Hwy. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. Telephone number is 843-651-0664.

Creek Ratz is located at 4065 Hwy. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. Telephone number is 843-357-2891.

Nora J. Raum may be contacted at njraum@msn.com.