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With an exterior that subtly resembles a castle, the dinner menu at Uptown Bistro and Bakery is fit for a king.

Ribeyes, porterhouse, filet mignon and a tomahawk steak for two highlights the steakhouse section of the menu.

鈥淭he focus is prime beef,鈥� said restaurant manager John Maloney of Sam Lauren鈥檚 latest restaurant concept.

There鈥檚 more than just steak, though. Seafood options include lobster, tuna, linguine and clams and whole fish of the day and lamb chops and chicken round out the menu.

鈥淲e use only the highest quality of any of the fish, the steak. Even the prime steak has so many levels, and we just use the top. We check with all these companies, and we buy it no matter what the price is, we buy the highest quality you can buy,鈥� said Lauren, who also owns the three Soho restaurants on the Grand Strand.

That 鈥渙nly the best鈥� mantra isn鈥檛 just for dinner, though.

Lauren said Uptown will serve the best breakfast you鈥檒l find in the area.

Walking into the restaurant, the first thing you鈥檒l see is a counter displaying fresh pastries, bagels and desserts in front of an espresso bar. The breakfast counter is available for those on the go, but those with time to spare can also sit down and select from the breakfast menu offering skillets, omelets, benedicts and southern favorites like biscuits and gravy and shrimp and grits.

Uptown stays open during lunch, selling burgers, sandwiches like the Reuben and Cheesesteak, soups and salads.

The interior of Uptown includes a spacious dining room with high ceilings and exposed rafters and walls covered in abstract art, landscapes and photography. A wraparound corner bar can be found toward the back of the restaurant with a piano facing the dining room in the adjacent corner. Live music will be scheduled most nights, Maloney said.

The drink menu features takes on classics like the Vermont Mule, Noble-Rita and Campfire Old Fashioned. Bloody Marys, mimosas and mojitos (classic, strawberry, blueberry or coconut) and a five-tap draft can be found at the bar.

And then there鈥檚 the outdoor area. A sunroom fits more than a dozen four-tops, with windows that are removable during good weather. Walk through the sunroom and you鈥檙e on the spacious deck which sits atop a marshy swash which drains to the Atlantic three blocks away.

鈥淚t鈥檚 beautiful, and I like unique things. This is a unique restaurant,鈥� Lauren said.

Lauren said a big draw of Uptown is the location: 6901 N. Kings Highway between The Dunes and Pine Lakes Country Clubs. The new upscale restaurant has been in soft opening, serving breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will be opening for dinner this week.

Call 843-839-9633 for more information and for reservations.