If you're at Atlantic Beach, NC, you need to eat here at least once. I was there in June 2007 and I am now in the process of planning another trip to this beach just because of this restaurant. I ordered a stuffed filet that was 10 times better than any steak at Ruth's Chris (VERY nice and a bit pricey steak house chain). Their menu had a little of everything, and the service was excellent too. Here are a few tips for you if you plan to visit:

1) It's a very small restaurant and they have as many tables as they can semi comfortably fit in it. It is not over crowded, but it is a little tight. Trust me, you'll over look this fact once you taste the food. I only add this point so that you don't expect to be going to a large spacious place. It is not, and I find nothing wrong with that.

2)Make a reservation. It's a small place and seems to be booked up most of the time. We sat at the bar because we didn't know reservations were needed, but we really didn't mind that at all.

3) Inquire about their 2 for 1 specials. I believe they are on Mondays and Tuesdays, but that, of course, could change.

Enjoy!

What a restaurant! What an EXPERIENCE! The Island Grille has long been one of my favorite restaurants for many reasons. One, the food is always spectacular. Two, the service is impeccable. Three, the ambiance is inviting. And four, the wine list is out of this world. The chef, who is not scared to come out and rub shoulders with the patrons, uses only fresh local fish and many of the seasonal vegetables are bought from local farmers. He told me he calls his cooking style "ecclectic nouveau american." Fancy words yet amazing food. He is a surprisingly young chef who learned his trade along the way. I am impressed everytime I finish a meal. They have had the same core waitstaff for as long as we've been eating there...some seven or eight years now. They know us by name now and we are well taken care of every visit. Yes the restaurant is a bit small and it can be crouded in the summer, but it can make for some great conversation starters when you're sitting so close to the other diners. They are located right off the beach and, since the removal of the pier, have a beautiful view of the ocean. Oh yeah, lets not forget the wines!! The chef just finished his new wine list which features some pretty big names and maybe a few you don't know. Anyways, we just wanted to share a little about our favorite restaurant. Make reservations and my wife and I hope to see you there!

First of all, make reservations. Second, go hungry to Island Grill. The food is delicious plus you need every extra 1/4" wiggle room to get between the tables and chairs on your way to your seat. Island Grill is in a very small building, and they need every inch for diners. That's why reservations are mandatory.

Our party consisted of two adults and one child. Although they do not have a child's menu, they immediately offered to grill a chicken breast or create a child-friendly dinner. We settled on the chicken quesadilla appetizer for our daughter which ended up being too spicy for her, but she was not feeling well and had filled up on bread, so it wasn't a problem.

My partner ordered the special: grilled wahoo with sweet Thai chili sauce, goat cheese mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus. It could not have been better. The wahoo was smoked; combined with the Thai chili sauce, the flavor of the fish was unbeatable. We have been vegetarians for years; this was the closest to barbecued spare ribs that I have tasted in 18 years.

I started with their soup of the day: crab bisque. No complaints about the bisque. It was perfect. I ordered one of their dishes from the menu: grilled shrimp and scallops with artichoke hearts, spinach, roma tomatoes, and roasted garlic with dill lemon sauce served over linguini. YUM! Every bite was fantastic.

After dinner we got a piece of key lime pie to go. Dessert was simply more perfection - dense key lime custard on a chocolate crumb base. The server cleverly wrapped the Styrofoam to-go boxes in plastic wrap so that nothing leaked on the way home.

The dinners are a bit pricey - mid-20s for the entrees, but worth every cent. We aren't drinkers, so can't comment on the libations, except that the water was delicious, and the servers kept the glasses filled.

Island Grill was packed the weekday night we went. Two servers worked the entire space and did a wonderful job. My only complaints are that the bread they served with dipping sauce was very dry; neither the bread nor the dipping oil were especially tasty. The parking lot suffers from the same problem as the restaurant itself - not enough room for maneuvering.

But we will put up with those minor inconveniences in order to partake of the wonderful creations at Island Grill. A visit to this restaurant is at the top of the must-do list on our return trip.

Probably the best food in the city if you are willing to pay for it and endure a VERY crowded and insanely small space.

It's worth it, though. Go on Monday or Tuesday night to get the 2 for 1 special. You'll still end up spending $36 for 2 entrees--and it's hard to pass up the amazing crab dip and the delicious desserts.

Be SURE to make reservations if you show up on a 2 for 1 night. You'll never get in otherwise. And don't take kids--they allow smoking, and, especially if you are sitting at the bar it's impossible to avoid.