Golf
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club: Wildly Beautiful, Traditionally Delicious
By Becky Billingsley
The view and historic ambiance are enough to inspire return visits to the Caledonia Grillroom in Pawleys Island, but happily the food can stand alone as a reason to visit.
But first the setting: No matter if you are staying at a Myrtle Beach hotel and playing golf at Myrtle Beach courses, a visit simply to dine at the Grillroom is a sensory treat that begins the moment you turn onto Caledonia Drive. Live oaks gracefully draped with Spanish moss line a long, narrow road that ends at an antebellum rice field. The gorgeous historic view is awe-inspiring.
Follow a 90-degree turn at the end of the lane and you’ll see the Caledonia club house and a parking lot. The Grillroom is at the rear and side of the clubhouse, facing the rice fields and the 18th green. Some diners like sitting on the side porch where they can observe coastal birds such as egrets, cowbirds and blue herons as they search for small fish to eat in the marshy waters of the rice field. Others like dining inside where they command a panoramic view of tamed and untamed grounds.
Inside is an aura of luxurious-yet-rustic hunting lodge featuring walls made of mid-1800s knotty pine. Vintage photos of the property, which really was a working rice plantation, adorn the walls, and a curio cabinet contains relics of antebellum farm tools. Tables and captain’s chairs are also pine, and the chairs have upholstered black leather seats. The short end of the L-shaped dining room has a small lounge area with comfortable black leather and brass tack furniture.
While the setting is extremely pleasant, food prepared under the direction of cook Tanya Monroe has earned the restaurant a devoted local following. Many of the dishes are named in honor of family and friends. For example, An’s Curry Shrimp Sandwich is named in honor of An Mathis Springs, otherwise known as The Crab Cake Lady of Murrells Inlet. Ann Reed’s Turkey Pita Sandwich is named for the wife of the club’s general manager. Oreo’s Cup and a Half, which is a soup/sandwich combo, is in honor of a family dog.
No matter what you call them, they’re all delicious. Diners can start with a Fried Corn on the Cob, Sweet Potato Chips, or the club’s Signature Shrimp Bisque. Southern Cobb Salad is big enough for four people to share – if you like blue cheese you’ll love this generously portioned dish. Martha’s Fresh Fruit Platter is served with cottage cheese or sherbet, and Emma Ann’s Taco Salad is layered with plenty of tempting morsels.
The Caledonia Grillroom has Clubhouse Wraps such as the Caledonia Wrap with fried chicken tenders, diced egg, tomatoes, lettuce, bacon and a “special sauce,” while sandwich choices include Carmen’s Albacore Tuna Melt, Grilled Roast Beef and Brie, and Bubba’s Po’ Boy Sandwich with a choice of fried shrimp or oysters, served with Southwestern Ranch dressing.
People who want to eat light would enjoy Shrimp and Crab Quiche; or Doc’s Diet Delight with grilled fish or chicken served with cottage cheese, onion, tomato slices and seasonal fruit.
The House Specialties are the stars of this culinary show, including Ronnie’s Caledonia Barbecue Sandwich or Plate; LuLu’s Fish Sandwich or Plate; Big D’s Fish Sandwich or Plate (which is always a type of grouper); Shirley’s Crab Cake Sandwich or Plate; and the Fried Shrimp or Oyster Plate. These dishes each come with two sides, and those choices are coleslaw, baked beans, fries, house-made chips, fruit and house salad.
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is at 369 Caledonia Dr. in Pawleys Island, and the number is 843-237-3675. Lunch is served in the Caledonia Grillroom from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, and the tavern is open until dusk.
