Restaurant Review: Poe’s Tavern in Wrightsville Beach, NC

February 15, 2020November 4, 2021 Suzanne Strength1 Comment

I love a themed restaurant. And I love horror. So, Poe’s Tavern has been on my bucket list for a good long while. I was so fan-girling on our visit!

In our class several other REALTORS told us which restaurants around town to try, and Poe’s came up for their hamburgers. Little did I realize, that was nearly all they had, but it was ok because they were really delicious and huge!

The interior is pretty darn cool. There is a long communal table in the middle of the restaurant with high stools and a scattering of booths and tables around the other dining areas. What struck me were the paintings of Poe on the wall and the gothic looking light fixtures hanging over those communal tables. Even the bathroom was wallpapered with pages out of Poe’s books while an eerie voice read excerpts from his book while you did your business.

We ordered cocktails, I had the Poe’s Punch which was fruity and refreshing! Not too strong.

For dinner I had the Black Cat burger with Cheddar cheese instead of the pimento cheese. The burger was served well done, per my instructions, and still remained juicy. The meat was perfectly seasoned all the way through, not just on the top of the burger. It was loaded with toppings: bacon, drunken chili, cheese, lettuce, tomato..I could barely fit it in my mouth! It was so good!

If you like a themed restaurant that does a great burger, this place is for you.

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Best of Restaurants: Appetizers

September 18, 2017August 26, 2022 Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

Appetizers are my very favorite part of the meal. Not a big commitment, you can be adventurous and not break the bank. Here is a list of my favorites:

Spinach and Artichoke Crostini from Crafted Southern Speakeasy in Lincolnton, NC

Caramelized Gnocchi from Aria Tuscan Grill

Fried Green Tomatoes at Huey’s Southern Eats in Isle of Palms

Mert’s Soul Rolls at Mert’s Heart and Soul in Charlotte

Homemade Lime Tortilla Chips served with Pineapple Mango Salsa from Caterer extraordinaire Food Junkie

Spinach and Artichoke Dip from Food Junkie

Filipino-style Pork Eggrolls with Spicy Apricot Dipping Sauce from Food Junkie

Funghi Repieni at Caruso’s in Mooresville

Pierogies from Twisted Oak Bar and Grill in Statesville, NC

Manchego Skillet at Tybee Island Social Club in Tybee Island, GA

Warm Pimento Cheese & Jumbo Lump Crab Cake from Tupelo Honey in Charlotte, NC

Oysters Rockefeller at the Oak Steakhouse in Charleston, SC

Shrimp Flatbread from 5 Church in Charlotte, NC

Stuffed Portabello Mushroom at Chillfire Grill in Denver, NC

Beggar’s Purse with Cream Cheese and Salmon, Rock Shrimp & Fried Calamari with Vegetables from Wasabi in Asheville

Smoked Tuna Dip from Louisiana Lagniappe

Prime Rib Stuffed Mushrooms from Alton’s Kitchen and Cocktails in Cornelius, NC

Escargot with Lemon and Sweet Pea Risotto from Flatiron Kitchen and Taphouse in Davidson

Crispy Pork Rinds with Pimiento Cheese and Valentina Hot Sauce from Root +Vine in Morganton

Shrimp Cocktail at the Pump House in Rock Hill, SC

Escargot at Gamekeeper in Boone, NC

Deviled Eggs and Millionaire’s Bacon from Bricktop’s in Charlotte

Crab Dip from Circa 1922 in Wilmington, NC

Butter Bean Spread, Devilish Toast and Marinated Shrimp from Goodyear House in Charlotte

egg salad

marinate

Compressed Spiced Melon with Bluebird Farms Cured meats and shaved cheese from 158 on Main in Mooresville

Baked Brie Bites and Sausage Gravy Croquettes from Supperland in Charlotte

Deviled Eggs with Pickles, Aleppo, herb bacon salad from Stoke in Charlotte

SESAME-CHILI CAULIFLOWER FLORETS from Copper Modern Indian Cuisine in Charlotte

Chicken Empanadas from Havana 33 in Mooresville, NC

Fried Deviled Eggs from Zhay’s in Lincolnton

Mariposa Mezze Board from Mariposa in Charlotte

Spinach and Artichoke Dip from Mi Amiche in Mooresville

Firecracker Shrimp and Sriracha Fries from 73 & Main in Mt. Pleasant

Yuca Frita from Miami Fusion in Denver, NC

Charcuterie from Dot Dot Dot in Charlotte

Destin

The Back Porch in Destin, FL

June 23, 2014 Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

The Back Porch has been become somewhat of an icon for most people visiting the beach. Each night throngs of people stroll up from the beach to get a picture in the oversized beach chair and let their children play on the sand while they wait for a table. And it won’t take long, not really. It just seems long because you are hot. And sandy.

Forget your troubles. If you are a tourist, there’s no getting around it. You have to go to the Back Porch. The restaurant itself is basically outdoor seating inside. All of the windows open up to allow the beach air to flow through. Hope to sit by a window with a cross breeze. On my last 2 visits, I have not and have nearly died from heat exhaustion. A bit of an exaggeration, but my teenage son really did get sick to his stomach because he was so hot in an interior room.

We started our dinner with an order of raw oysters and an order of fried calamari. The Oysters were fresh and plump and absolutely perfect. My only complaint is that I wish they were served on a bed of ice, because they’d begun to warm up before we finished them. The calamari was crispy and tender, served with a tart marinara sauce. My kids loved them.

The crab stuffed shrimp (pictured above, blurry) were really delicious. Stuffed with crabmeat and topped with a lemony butter sauce, then broiled to a crispy perfection. The stuffed potato was creamy and cheesy and needed just a touch of salt. The Southern corn medley is studded with peppers and beans and was a flavorful accompaniment to the seafood.

My husband ordered the blackened ahi, rare. He reported that though the seasoning was delicious, his tuna was overcooked.

It’s never perfect, but it’s always good. My favorite times at the Back Porch are coming in from the beach in the afternoon for a late lunch in flip flops and a cover up. Smoked tuna dip never tasted so good.