Bernie's Cafe touts local goods, friendly staff

Some people you like instantly.

Nate Palmer, 34, and Shawna Palmer, 33, of Berni's Cafe in Conway, are such folks.

Folks immediately dig them, and they like them even more once they have tried their tasty food.

The eatery, at the corner of Third Avenue and Laurel Street, already has regulars who come for the signature spinach cakes.

About the size of a hamburger patty, the baked spinach cake is made with baby spinach, fresh Italian mozzarella, bread crumbs and a secret family recipe of seasonings.

The spinach cakes are not the only items on the menu people are praising. The Meatball Sub (made with half a pound of homemade meatballs), the American Club and homemade peach cobbler (prepared from scratch by Keenan Walsh, executive chef) also have tongues wagging.

Nate, a former bartender at The House of Blues, and Shawna, a past manager at Red Lobster near S.C. 22, are thrilled Conway folks are loving them.

This week marks their fifth week of business.

The grand opening will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, with free samples of food and beverages.

Nate and Shawna are thrilled to be a local place touting local food and goods. The wine, for example, is produced by Hyman Vineyards, owned by Greg Hyman, a former Horry County tobacco farmer.

What I found most impressive about the place, though, is that the staff was super cool and efficient.

"People can spend their money anywhere. So when they come and spend their money with you, you should be appreciative," Shawna said when I asked her about the hospitable environment.

No food item on the menu is more than $7.99. The wine sells for $14.99 per bottle.

The hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Call 488-1558.

Fontinellos does it fresh

Readers have been calling and writing, wanting to know more about Fontinellos (in South Inlet Plaza) at 5341 U.S. 17 Bypass in Murrells Inlet.

Once a corporate director of design for Sands Resorts, Kim Amadeo and her partner, Joe Mancuso, who has been in the business for years, have a diverse menu that caters to many tastes.

"We do not pre-make a single item," Amadeo said. "Every herb is cut when you order. It is a very neopolitan way of cooking - nothing is pre-made, nothing is frozen. Everything is fresh."

Steve Martin, once of Ciao! Italian Restaurant in Myrtle Beach, is a chef at Fontinellos.

Amadeo mentioned that it isn't the kind of place you zip in and out of. The food, because it's all fresh, takes a bit more time to prepare than typical eateries.

Lunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, while the eatery is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. or until (with lunch being served until 5 p.m.) Thursday through Saturday.

Lunch prices are from $7.95 to $12, while dinner costs $12.95 to $25.95.

Call 492-0632.

Got restaurant news? Contact JOHANNA D. WILSON at 626-0324.