My niece and her boyfriend (both in their late 20s) are coming to town this weekend from Lafayette, LA. I'm looking for a local place for lunch or brunch in town. My mom has lived here for years but doesn't go out much and when she does it's to the same places she always goes, nothing new. We've got Za's on the possible list but really nothing else. I've wanted to try out Polliwogs (sp) in the northeast, but would like to see if anyone can recommend it and/or other local places for a nice casual lunch or brunch. Thanks.

If you don't mind spending some $$$ Nolen's, on Hwy 59 offers excellent food, both seafood and non-seafood, with unparalleled service. If you visited in early to mid August, I'd just chalk the service down to youngsters who are tired or tourists, NOT that that is OK. If you haven't already, check out one of the many Shrimp Baskets in the area. I've always found they have excellent food and a very good waitstaff.

Yeah, I know, y'all Carolinians are mostly a steamed or roasted eating group. However, I'm an Alabama transplant and I love em raw. Recently sat down to Happy Hour at Pearlz, 1 doz $7.50! OMG, they were good. They were the Gulf oysters, not the varitels. I know Uncle Louie's and Columbia Oyster bar are right behind Pearlz. Are they as good as Pearlz? Anyone know where one could go for lunch in this town, or nearby, and get a good dozen raws:?

One thing to remember about Mr. Friendly's is they aren't opened for lunch on Saturday, but are open for dinner. Wonderful place with upscale food at a fairly casual price and vibe.

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I've been reading some of Dorothea Benton Frank's books and she has some of these places in her stories. LOL I'm pretty sure I won't starve. I'm an almost life long resident of Alabama (Roll Tide!) and I do so much miss the Redneck Riviera. Folly looked like a wonderful substitute :)

I'm heading to Tides at Folly Beach in September for a few days. I've been to the Mt. Pleasant, Isle of Palms, Wild Dunes areas before but it's been years and years ago. Never been to Folly and the Tides seems to be a nice hotel. I'm looking for recommendations more in the Folly Beach, Shem Creek sides of the water as opposed to dining in Charleston. I will be by myself and am comfortable with that. I like fine dining but I LOVE laid back, not necessarily all fried, type of dining. Any recommendations will be appreciated and probably drooled over :)

Missi