Crave Italian?

February 2016
Written By: 
Paul Grimshaw
Photographs by: 
Emily Moore

Myrtle Beach eatery delivers old world favorites

Opening just last summer, Crave Italian Oven and Bar serves old world Italian specialties and brick oven pizza. A strong happy hour brings in locals from the north end neighborhoods who stay for dinner and to hear live jazz and pop from soloists and duos, featured most Wednesday and Friday evenings. The stylish but casual urban décor reflects the tastes of the owners, who are longtime restaurateurs from New York City. They say they wanted to bring a little traditional Italian/urban flare to the Grand Strand and opened to great success in July.

“We loved the neighborhood, the proximity of golf courses, the oceanfront hotels and the Kings Highway location,” said Crave partner Steve Spadaccini, who now lives in Myrtle Beach and is at the restaurant every day. His two partners are Jill Vaugh and Jessie Vaugh, who, along with Spadaccini, brought old family recipes and customer favorites from their many New York restaurants.

“We’re a different kind of restaurant for Myrtle Beach,” said Spadaccini. “Our brick oven was built and shipped in from Italy. We’ve had years to get the best recipes together and think we’ve done a good job.”

An extensive happy hour menu (served only at the bar) includes small pizzas, burgers, Caprese salads, meatball sliders and crispy lobster-filled ravioli. Patrons enjoy reduced prices on liquor, wine, beer and specialty drinks.

A broad selection of dinner options include a towering lasagna, steaks, pork, veal, chicken and seafood dishes, and, of course, brick oven pizzas.

Valet parking helps patrons maneuver in the small parking lot, and Crave’s pickup and carryout service appeals to anyone on the go. The menu may be studied online first (www.cravethepie.com), giving you a head’s up for lunch, happy hour or an Italian dinner Mamma’s way.
 

Crave Italian Oven and Bar
5900 N. Kings Highway
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 213-0500
www.cravethepie.com
Hours: Open daily at 11:30 a.m.