NMB Date Night Spotlight: Our Evening at Clark’s in Little River
One of our goals as a family, and as your hosts at Oceans Edge, is to find the absolute best dining experiences North Myrtle Beach has to offer. While we love a noisy and fun family seafood shack, we also believe that every vacation needs at least one night where the parents can dress up. We want you to slow down and enjoy a meal that doesn’t involve crayons.
Welcome to our NMB Date Night Spotlight. This is where my husband and I test-drive the local food scene so you know exactly where to book your reservation.
This week we headed just a few minutes north to the historic fishing village of Little River to try a local favorite. We landed at Clark’s Seafood & Chop House.
Here is our honest review of the experience.
First Impressions: Southern Charm
We arrived just before 7:00 PM on a weekend. The energy was immediate. The place was bustling which is always a good sign that the locals love it. However, it did not feel chaotic.
The Southern hospitality started at the curb. The staff held the door for us with genuine smiles. Despite the full house, we were seated immediately. Our server was fantastic right from the start. She guided us through the menu with the kind of attention to detail that makes you feel taken care of.
The Order: A DIY Surf & Turf
To kick off the night, I ordered a Petite Sirah as it is my go-to for a heavy meal. My husband went with a classic Vodka Martini.
When it came to the main event, we decided to employ our favorite date night strategy. We split everything.
His Order: The Filet Mignon ($44).
My Order: The Sea Bass Feature ($48). This was served over risotto with heirloom carrots and a lemon caper sauce.
The Game Changer: Our server recommended the blackening seasoning on both the steak and the fish. Now, my husband is a purist. He usually insists on just salt and pepper for a good steak. But we trusted her advice, and it paid off. It was not "hot" spicy. It just added a savory and complex crust that locked in all the flavor.
Since we were sharing, we essentially created our own Surf and Turf. The blackened flavor on the buttery sea bass combined with the richness of the filet was incredible.
The Surprise Course: I have to mention the bread service. We ordered Caesar salads to start. They arrived with what looked like a fresh-baked croissant. It was warm, flaky, and buttery. It was a huge step up from your standard dinner roll. It is those little details that make a dinner feel like an event.
The Verdict on Value
Let’s talk budget. We all know that steakhouse prices have gone through the roof lately. It can be scary to open a menu and see market prices that look like mortgage payments!
We were genuinely refreshed by Clark’s. The prices were $44 for a high-quality filet and $48 for a fresh catch sea bass. This felt fair given the portion sizes and the white-tablecloth service. We left feeling completely satisfied without feeling like we had overspent. We were actually too full for dessert.
The "Next Time" Note
We do have one tip for you based on our mistake. Go before the sun goes down.
Clark’s is located right on the water at Coquina Harbor. Because we ate later in the evening, it was already dark. We missed out on the view of the marina and the boats. Next time we are definitely booking an earlier table to catch the sunset over the harbor.
The After-Dinner Unwind
The best part of a date night in NMB is that the drive home is always short. We were back at Oceans Edge in no time. There is nothing quite like ending a fancy night out by stepping onto the condo balcony. We listened to the ocean and enjoyed the quiet breeze before heading to bed.
Planning your own Date Night? If you are visiting us soon, I highly recommend adding Clark’s to your list. It is a definite "Yes" from us.
Stay tuned for the next edition of the NMB Date Night Spotlight! We are dedicated to eating our way through town... strictly for research purposes of course.
Ready to book your stay? Click here to view the calendar at Oceans Edge!