<b>By Pamela Brownstein</b>

The Lunch Bunch was ready to feel the heat at one of Beaufort’s newest restaurants, So Hot Mongolian Grill. Located in Beaufort Town Center in the former home of The Pizza Inn, the Mongolian Grill held its grand opening in mid-March and we were all curious to see what it has to offer.

[caption id="attachment_10597" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DSC_0070.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-10597" alt="At So Hot Mongolian Grill, diners choose the kind of meat and vegetables and sauce they want in their stir fry, along with their choice of rice or noodles." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DSC_0070-300x199.jpg" width="300" height="199" /></a> At So Hot Mongolian Grill, diners choose the kind of meat and vegetables and sauce they want in their stir fry, along with their choice of rice or noodles.[/caption]

The high ceilings and clean lines create an inviting atmosphere, and last Friday there were many other lunch patrons nestled in the leather-backed booths or sitting in groups at big tables.

The Lunch Bunch had a big group since we were accompanied by April and her teenage daughter and her friends, so we were fortunate to have a table in the semi-private room in the back.

We ordered the appetizer sampler with familiar sides such as spring rolls, crab rangoon and fried pot stickers.

I had never been to a Mongolian eatery before, so the process was new to me. Here’s how it works: You are given two bowls at your table. You take your bowls up to the food bar and fill one with salad and salad fixins. You fill the other bowl with your choice of raw meats — beef, chicken, shrimp, crab, sausage an scallops — and pick from a large array of raw vegetables and sauces. Then you take your bowl to the chefs working at the big hibachi/stir fry grill and select your choice of either Thai or Lo Mein noodles or white, brown or fried rice. You return to your seat and when your plate is cooked, the waiter brings it to your table.

I filled my bowl with chicken and beef for my meats then broccoli, mushrooms, carrots and water crescents <a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DSC_0068.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-10598" alt="DSC_0068" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DSC_0068-300x199.jpg" width="300" height="199" /></a>for my vegetables. It was hard to choose between the sauces, they all sounded so good. With options that range from coconut curry to teriyaki, and from mild to very spicy, I opted for the ginger soy.

I liked having control over my ingredients and immensely enjoyed my freshly cooked meal.

So Hot Mongolian Grill is in Beaufort Town Center, 2121 Boundary Street, Suite 103. Call 843-525-8523. The restaurant is open for lunch at 11 a.m.