Al Fresco Paradise

by Kurt Epps, a.k.a. The PubScoutJun 9, 2026Online Exclusives, Restaurants, South Brunswick

The PubScout enjoys a relaxed family meal at Paradise Bar & Grill, located at The Links at Brick Landing—great food, easy vibes, and a welcoming spot.

The PubScout likes dining out, just not dining outside. I’m not a fan of swatting away insects while I eat or, especially in SENC at this time of year, being coated with pollen.

But, as it was a beautiful afternoon when my five-year old granddaughter visiting from landlocked Charlotte wanted to sit “by the water,” well, you concede the role of patriarch and find a spot on the deck.

Not that this deck at the Paradise Bar & Grill was not an especially beautiful spot — it was gorgeous, in fact. With a spectacular view of the 18th fairway and green nestled alongside the ICW in Shallotte’s The Links at Brick Landing, it prompted one of my favorite lines from Macbeth.

King Duncan, upon arriving at Macbeth’s home, announces, “This castle hath a pleasant seat.”

Of course, if Duncan had only known that that would be the last seat he ever saw due to Macbeth’s idea of hospitality, he might not have been so eager to spend the night.

We had no such drama during our family visit.

The Paradise Bar and Grill, open just two days after being taken over by Sergio Mendiola and Chef Hugo Castillo Sanchez, proved that it has all the earmarks of being a true dining destination.

Delicious, innovative food, fresh salads, fabulous desserts and attentive service made our visit quite memorable.

The kids had penne pasta and meatballs in bowls so large I would have had to take half of it home. The Caesar salad and the Mexican salad were delicious and nicely presented. The shrimp scampi and the pork dumpling appetizers were creatively presented and done with what appeared to be a Chef Hugo signature twist.

Two of the adults ordered crab cakes, which got high marks, and one (a graduate of the culinary program at Johnson and Wales) ordered a salmon fettucine dish that she said was absolutely delicious. She did comment, however, that the portion of fettuccine could have been larger. But I took that as saying she wished she had more of it.

But to two of us, granddads celebrating their birthdays, the Seafood Corn Risotto was exceptional.

Cheesy, fresh corn and tomatoes, large shrimp and delectable bay scallops scattered throughout the mixture made for quite a memorable dish.

Nonno gave it a 9.5, and yours truly gave it a 9. Ditto for the desserts that surprised us as we began the journey to leave our seventies. An exceptional martini glass tiramisu and an ice cream and apple cobbler concoction topped by a burnt sugar pretzel topped off an excellent experience at this new establishment.

And, for the record, Nonno did not get to sample much of the tiramisu, because his daughter kept it after I gave it to her for tasting.