Story by BJ Cothran

Photos Courtesy of II Beauchaines, The Bistro, and Bumblebee Market

What’s better than treating yourself to a delicious lunch, a delightful dinner, or a deserving gourmet cup of coffee?  This issue features three very different places to satisfy your epicurean cravings.  Two delightful restaurants are showcased along with a new business featuring gourmet drinks and snacks.  Connoisseurs of fine food and upscale dining will want to give all three a try.  But beware, it may take more than one trip to taste all of the things you’re going to want to sample!

Delicious entrees make dining at II Beauchaines in Surf City a satisfying culinary experience.  Delicious entrees combined with a gorgeous view of the intracoastal waterway, and if you time it just right, a breathtaking view of the sunset, make dining at II Beauchaines more than just good food—it’s a memorable experience.

And that’s just the kind of magical combination that owner Patrice Parker has achieved at this popular Surf City restaurant.  “We pride ourselves on dedicated service to the customers to ensure that everyone leaves having felt the full dining experience,” says Patrice.  That full dining experience includes great service, exceptional food, an exciting and diverse wine selection, and an eclectic but comfortable atmosphere, not to mention that gorgeous view.

"Our goal is to be remembered after you leave,” says Patrice.  “We want you to wake up in the morning and say, ‘Wow, last night’s dinner was incredible!’”

And incredible is exactly how many repeat customers describe their favorite entrees.  The problem is, there are so many “favorites” to choose from.  My personal preference—and the one thing they’re possibly best known for all over the island—is their Shrimp and Grits.  Totally scrumptious and worth ordering over and over again!

But Patrice says the Pistachio Salmon is also a customer favorite while she loves the Grilled Chicken with Roasted Garlic Mascarpone Cream Sauce.  And if you ask the people who work there, the list of favorites grows and grows.  Ashlea enjoys the Black-and-Blue Tuna, while Katie likes the salmon, Mich the filet, and Dana the Ravioli specials.  Obviously, there is something for everyone!

To keep things fresh and interesting, II Beauchaines has spring, summer, and fall menus.  They also feature nightly specials.

“We feel that with these changes it allows our executive chef David Longo to showcase his creativity and culinary ability,” says Patrice.

 Located in the heart of Surf City, the casual, yet elegant restaurant is convenient to both the north and south ends of the island.  It’s perfect for that special evening out, a family gathering, a casual weekend dinner, a relaxing break from cooking while on vacation, and any time you want to indulge in a fabulous meal.  Patrice and her staff have a great eye for detail and are well known for remembering your favorites.

They’re also well known for their annual Topsail Humane Society Wine Dinner and Charity Auction, a popular event that raises between five and eight thousand dollars each year.  Patrice serves on the board for the Humane Society and manages to find time to serve on the board of directors for the Topsail Island Chamber and the special events’ committee for Surf City.

Originally from Four Oaks, North Carolina, she moved to Surf City approximately fifteen years ago after graduating from East Carolina University where she majored in education.  Starting out, she bartended and waited tables while teaching full time.  Today, the restaurant is her main focus.  “I love what I do,” she says, “and am happy that this is my career.”

It certainly shows.  II Beauchaines makes dining a pleasure. 
 
II Beauchaines
211 South Topsail Drive
Surf City
910-328-1888
www.2beauchaines.com

The Bistro Restaurant at Duplin Winery

Scrumptious lunches or an exceptional evening of fine dining in Rose Hill is just a short drive away at The Bistro Restaurant at Duplin Winery.  Diners enjoy a unique culinary experience at this lovely restaurant located in North Carolina’s oldest and largest winery, which boasts of many award-winning Muscadine wines.

Imagine Salmon with Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce—a wild caught salmon fillet grilled to perfection on a bed of angel hair pasta topped with roasted red pepper cream sauce finished with freshly grated parmesan cheese.  This delectable entrée is but one of the fabulous offerings featured by Executive Chef William B. Fussell (Bert), owner and Rose Hill native who opened The Bistro doors with wife Sarah W. Fussell in August of 2001.

It all started when Chef Fussell’s love of cooking and entertaining grew into a desire to own his own restaurant.  He received a business management degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1987 and worked for a number of years in several restaurant chains. Then the opportunity to open his own restaurant presented itself with Duplin Winery.  Since Bert and Sarah opened The Bistro, they have built a reputation for impressive food combined with great Duplin Wines, friendly service, and an atmosphere of rustic elegance.

“Our service is very personable and is noted for dripping with southern hospitality,” says Sarah.

This attention to detail is what brings customers in and back again.  “Our customers range from dedicated local residents to equally devoted travelers,” says Sarah.  The Bistro’s atmosphere is suitable for a casual lunch or a business meeting.  They also can provide space for wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions, bridal luncheons, rehearsal dinners, anniversary celebrations, retirement parties, and most any special occasion that deserves good food in a unique atmosphere.

“Our staff consists of hard-working individuals who really care about the quality of food and attentive service,” says Sarah.

And what a wide range of food they offer!  “Our dishes are not typically found in a rural area and range from gourmet soups and salads, chicken salad, Rueben sandwiches, crab cake sandwiches, steak or chicken fajita wraps, awesome burgers, homemade dessert and salad dressing, and freshly brewed iced tea that is commented to be the best anywhere around,” says Sarah.  Customer favorites for the lunchtime fare include those delicious homemade chicken salad sandwiches and Reubens, while Shrimp and Scallops Mornay is wildly popular in the evening, along with Muscadine BBQ Pork Ribs.  And you can’t forget everyone including the employee’s favorite—Seafood Bisque that combines several different seafood flavors into one unique dish!

Chef William is also the founder of Duplin Gourmet Foods which produces a line of gourmet sauces, dressings, jams and jellies, among other items which feature Muscadine wine and juice in the products.  Take some home with you the next time you’re there. 

For casual America Bistro dining with an Italian flare, don’t miss The Bistro Restaurant.

505 North Sycamore St. (Hwy 117 N.)
Rose Hill

910-289-4046 or 1-800-774-9634

www.duplinwinerycom
bistro@duplinwinery.com

Monday-Saturday 11:30 am – 2 pm
Thursday-Friday 5:30 pm – 9 pm

Bumblebee Market

Delectable gourmet snacks and a multitude of drinks will tempt you to indulge at the island’s hot new business, Bumblebee Market, located in Surf City near the swing bridge in what many people will recognize as the “old post office building.”

“I immediately loved the charm of the building,” says Julie Bell, co-owner with Phillip Voorhees.  Together they turned a location that “has a great deal of history to people on the island” into a thriving new business perfect for locals and tourists alike.

Specialty drinks—hot and cold varieties—are perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up as you head out to the beach, to work, shopping, or perhaps to enjoy as you make your selections from the enormous variety of goodies Bumblebee Market has to offer.  Everything from jelly beans to Moravian cookies cover tables and fill bins just waiting to be taken home and shared with family and friends.

And then there’s the chocolate, Julie’s personal favorite.  Bumblebee Market features heavenly, top-of-the-line chocolates of all shapes and kinds in a grand display that will certainly entice you to take a sampling home.

 But our customer’s favorite so far is the Bubble Tea.  “We have Bubble Tea regulars and we encourage everyone to try them,” says Julie.  “It can be your new guilty pleasure.”  Bubble Tea is best described as a smoothie meets cappuccino kind of drink that can be made “on the rocks” with or without the “bubbles” which are tasty balls of well, I’ll let you be surprised.  It’s a treat for your taste buds and a treat that you’ll want to give yourself often.

In addition to specialty coffees, teas, smoothies, and gourmet snacks and chocolates, customers are loving such diverse products as Crab Salsa, Fortune Cookies for Kids, Cheddar Cheese Straws, and Schmidt Truffles.  Because there’s so much to offer, the team at Bumblebee is always ready to offer suggestions to help you find what might be your new favorite thing.

Although the business is new to the area, Julie and Phillip aren’t.  They did leave shortly after Hurricane Fran.  “Before coming back, I worked for United Airlines and traveled the world—but nothing is like Topsail.  Phillip and I fell in love on Topsail.  The island and the people here are important to us for many reasons.  We’ve never been happier,” she adds, encouraging people to stop by the store and see what they’ve carefully selected just for you.

With a multitude of unique products and their ever-changing inventory, Bumblebee Market is a place you’ll want to visit frequently to check out what’s new and indulge yourself with a fabulous treat or drink.

Bumblebee Market
513 Roland Avenue
Surf City
                                              910-328-2105