The mastermind restaurateurs at Drift have handcrafted a second dining destination that bookends their Drift café on the north side of Grande Dunes Marketplace. Bienvenido a Cantina Imperfecto!

The newer restaurant screams sexy, modern hacienda in design, layered with woven basket bucket overhead lamps, rattan chairs, sleek black elements, ceiling beams, tile walls, oversized clay potted plants, and more that meets the eye at every turn, curve, and square inch. An inner moody dining room surrounds a giant, wooden tree-like architectural dream. Two bars live at the front entrance and in the lounge at the back of this beautiful building. 

Hubby and I were seated in Cantina Imperfecto’s spacious front dining room encircled by a curved wall of windows with panoramic views of the charming Grande Dunes neighborhood. Either dining area or lounge would be the perfect setting for a holiday gathering or special event.

A round of house margaritas on the rocks garnished with a thinly sliced dehydrated lemon was quickly followed by a complimentary basket of chips and salsa. We skirted in between Cantina’s lunch and dinner service on one mid-afternoon, but the brunch/lunch menu wasn’t lacking in luster.

A medley of starters included Street Corn, Queso Dip melted with either chorizo or poblano peppers, Black Bean Hummus Dip, and Chicken or Beef Empanadas smeared with chipotle mayo.

We dug into other sections of the menu for our main course. Hubby chose the Tampiquena brunch entrée, which is grilled skirt steak served over poblano peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, a side of Mexican rice, guacamole, and a cheese enchilada with ranchero sauce. He loved how seasoned and tender the steak was, and how the layered ingredients added more flavor to each bite. 

Other brunch specials include the classic Huevos Rancheros and Egg Burrito, along with Chilaquiles with Chicken, Chicken Flautas, Tostadas, and seared Trigger Fish on a bed of Mexican rice with a corn and black bean blend and mango puree.

I chose the Quesabirria, two corn tortillas packed with shredded beef, melted cheese, and cilantro, and paired with a small pyramid of Mexican rice, beef broth for dipping, and a ramakin of refried beans sprinkled with cojita. The blend of beef, melted cheese, and broth was a kiss of deliciousness. 

More tacos to choose from include Fried Avocado, Carne Asada, Grilled Chicken, Al Pastor, Grilled Grouper, and Shrimp. 

Additional menu standouts to sample another time include any of their fajitas, tortas (chicken, steak, pastor, or birria); the Cantina Burger stacked with cheese, bacon, lettuce, onion, tomato, guacamole, and jalapenos served with sidewinder fries; and any of their salads, like the Mango Salad tossed with Romaine, queso fresco, red bell peppers, pecans, and red onions drizzled with cilantro ranch dressing. 

The dinner menu adds an encore of lunch, with additional options, such as Ceviche, nachos, and carne asada fries for the starters; a chipotle mushroom taco; guacamole made fresh tableside; burritos and chimichangas; and a wealth of entrée specials, like the braised short rib, chicken mole (half bone-in chicken topped with their traditional mole poblano sauce); grilled cedar wood-grilled salmon; grilled spice-rubbed lamb; linguini doused in Diablo sauce; octopus; and the ultimate Molcajete Traditional, steak, chicken, chorizo, ranchero sauce, roasted poblano peppers, onions, and cotija cheese paired with tortillas in a sizzling lava rock molcajete.

Between the two bars, the mixologists at Cantina Imperfecto will shake things up with one of their hefty list of tequilas in a long list of margarita concoctions, cocktails, and dessert drinks after dinner. Happy Hour gets happy 4-6 p.m. each day. And save room for one of their sweet endings, like Tres Leches, Butter Cake, Churros, Flan, and more.

Cantina Imperfecto is perfection. It showcases elevated, modern Mexican cuisine, but, at the same, leans into its traditional roots. It opens up doors to new views on preparation and presentation, while embracing the culture, and challenges palates to welcome bold flavors that are unconstrained and unconventional. 

Cantina Imperfecto 
950 Cipriana Drive, #B8, Myrtle Beach
Web: Cantinaimperfecto.com
Phone: 843-839-9055
Hours: Sunday, 4-9 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30- a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 11:30 am. to 11 p.m.