Hey Chowder Head! Michael's Seafood Restaurant Competes on National Stage

Michael and Shelly McGowan of Michael's Seafood Restaurant in Carolina Beach are in Rhode Island this week for the Schweppes Great Chowder Cook-Off. The couple have been invited to compete in the Newport event before, but have always declined.

This year, though, "Captain M's Seafood Chowder" will compete at a major cook-off that expects to attract 30,000 people.

Each entrant is expected to bring at least 120 gallons of chowder, but just to be sure the McGowans decided on 200. Mike and his team prepared chowder for four consecutive days and built a custom cooler to fit in the back of his truck.

The heaviest load they'll carry, however, is the hopes and dreams of the entire state of North Carolina. Congressman Mike McIntire called to offer support, State Senator Julia Boseman drove from Raleigh to give them a state flag to fly at the contest, Governor Perdue sent a letter, and the state Senate issued a proclamation.

Talk about a pressure cooker.

New places to eat for 2009 season

Can Carolina Beach take all this excitement? First it announces that the ABC Store is doubling in size, then we hear about a Brew Thru opening at a place conveniently located right before the central business district (but on the left side heading into town).

New restaurants are popping up as well. Havana's will open in the space formerly occupied by The Cottage Restaurant. Actually a lot businesses have occupied this space, located at the corner of Lake Park and Cape Fear. The structure was built nearly a century ago for a businessman (back then he might be called a tycoon, or a robber barron) who worked for the New Hanover Transit Authority, the primary developer of Carolina Beach.

The building has also had turns as the Ogburn House, The June Inn (1948-81), The Cottage, and most recently, the short-lived and not-so-lamented Zorba’s. Havana's opens next week.

Tangerine Caribbean Grill is also getting some buzz, and you can't miss it -- the big orange building taking up a large lot near the marina, but still on the main road (North Lake Park Blvd).

Harbor Masters, at 315 Canal Drive, is also fairly new and is eager to please. It's changed its young menu a few times already but offers decent specials.