The Bee’s Knees

Walk into the old-world-meets-art-deco atmosphere of tapas bar The Bee’s Knees.

“It’s adventurous, and you should come here wanting to try something unique, new and different,” said co-owner Eric Kinlaw.

Kinlaw and his wife, Kristi, wanted to open a restaurant that was unique to the Augusta area.

“We wanted to have a place where you could get a good drink and good food,” Kinlaw said.

The tapas restaurant serves dishes that encompass Spanish, Cajun, French and Asian cuisines. Kristi is the original chef. The Bee’s Knees also offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Items that are a must try are the Pad Thai, which is a spicy Thai rice noodle stir fry; the Avocado Chop Chop, which is a baked half avocado with shrimp and Japanese aioli; and the Buffalo Tempeh, which is tempura-fried organic soy cake in a spicy Buffalo sauce with parmesan dip and cucumbers.

The bar offers a variety of drinks and has specials throughout the week. Tuesday is wine night. Wednesday features craft beers, when about 45 beers are rotated so there is always something new. Thursday is craft seasonal cocktails. Friday is the sangria drink special. Saturday’s special is martinis. And on Happy Sunday, everything is on special.

Like any restaurant, The Bee’s Knees disposes of a lot of trash, but it does something differently. Twice a week, the tapas bar takes all its recycling, including glass, to North Augusta for disposal.

“Since day one, we have recycled everything possible,” Kinlaw said.

The Bee’s Knees will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

The kitchen is open from Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. and on Sunday for brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. It’s at 211 10th St. in Augusta.