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CONTENTS FEATURES 12 STREET MEET
A Taste of Americana.
16 CAPTAIN GILLAN’S WATERFRONT SEAFOOD BUFFET & RAW BAR
The Island’s Only All You Can Eat Seafoot Buffet.
20 TASTE OF THE SEASON
Kicking-Off the Holidays in the Lowcountry.
26 JAZZ FOR ALL AGES
Preserving Jazz Through Education and Performance.
32 IN THE KITCHEN
With Executive Chef Karla Williams at Hilton Head Health.
41 DAVID CARROLL
The Song in his Life.
44 SAVANNAH WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL
A Wonderful Weeklong Celebration.
46 FAMILY WELLNESS Health and Fitness Tips from Christy Baroni. 58 ISLAND RECREATION FALL FESTIVALS
Popular Local Fall Activites.
65 VIVA L’ITALIA!
7th Annual Italian Heritage Festival!
74 FALL IN BLUFFTON:
A Food Lovers Paradise.
76 THE PEARL
Gives Some Polish to the Old Town Scene.
IN EVERY ISSUE 8
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
10 A TASTE OF DINNER 37 A TASTE OF ISLAND RECIPES 48 A TASTE OF LUNCH 60 A TASTE OF BREAKFAST/BRUNCH 64 A TASTE OF NIGHTLIFE/LOUNGES 73 A TASTE OF SERVICES & SWEETS 78 A TASTE OF BLUFFTON 82 ADVERTISING DIRECTORY/MAP 6
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Everyone has their favorite time of year, but for me the fall is far and away my favorite season to call Hilton Head home. Just to wake up in the morning and not have to plan the day around avoiding the traffic, the heat, and the throngs of shoppers and beach-goers is a relief. With kids back in school, the pace of life here slows down into an enjoyable cruise control. I like to think that the fall is when the locals come out to play. I compare it to northerners emerging from their nests after the winter thaw. It is that first day that you walk out to get your morning newspaper and the temperature outside is refreshing rather than stifling. That is the day that you greet with a wide grin and know it is time for the fun to begin! Let’s see – How will I plan my perfect day? I will start with a round of golf in the morning followed by possibly a couple of hours on the uncrowded beach early in the afternoon. Evening plans include watching football and enjoying some great food and beverages at one of our local watering holes... not a bad day. Other fall activities include a nice jog or walk, maybe some tennis, a bike ride, or a leisurely sunset cruise on the water with some friends. When I pull up my events calendar, I know to plan long term around the fantastic fall festivals. The Junior Jazz Festival, Burgers and Brews, Italian Fest, Taste of the Season and the Bluffton Arts and Seafood Fest are just a few events that grace our community during this period. All of these festivals are planned with the greatest respect for the tiniest details to assure a great time for all ages. I always look forward to catching up with familiar faces as well as enjoying some of the best cuisine and entertainment the Island has to offer. The fall is also one of the best times to take advantage of local fare at its finest. Local oysters are in full force, succulent shrimp is abundant, and fresh fish is caught daily and available at many of the local restaurants. It is a great time of year to host your own Lowountry Boil, Oyster Roast, or cookout to celebrate our beautiful paradise if nothing else. A casual evening with friends and family accompanied by great food and drink are hard to beat as is Hilton Head in the fall. David Mudwilder Publisher
TASTE OF HILTON HEAD VOLUME XI, ISSUE 3 PUBLISHER David Mudwilder ART DIRECTOR Kim Bowen CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Rob Kaufman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Christy Baroni Barry Kaufman Louise Lund Risa Williams McMillan DISTRIBUTION Bryan Kirby TASTE OF HILTON HEAD 3 Cardinal Court #572 Hilton Head Is., SC 29926 (843) 384-2014 mud@atasteofhiltonhead.com /TasteHHI
ABOUT THE COVER The Pan Seared Diver Scallops are just one of the many reasons to visit The Pearl Kitchen and Bar in Old Town Bluffton. Photography by Rob Kaufman.
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A TASTE OF DINNER
A LOWCOUNTRY BACKYARD
Located at 32 Palmetto Bay Road in the Village Exchange. Capture the true essence of the island while enjoying local and regional inspired cuisine featuring owner Dave and Raina Peck’s family recipes. Choose from Potato chip meatloaf, Charleston fried green tomato sandwich, shrimp & grits, the Bischick and a wide selection of other lowcountry favorites. Dine in or outside in the comfortable backyard. Experience the island, love the food! Serving lunch Monday - Friday 11 a.m. 3 p.m., Saturday 12 - 3 p.m. and dinner 4:30 - 9 p.m., Monday - Saturday and brunch on Saturday 9 - 12 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Call (843) 785-YARD (9273) or visit us online at www.hhbackyard.com.
ANNIE O’S SOUTHERN EATS
Located at the corner of Arrow and Target Road. “All-Natural” makes the difference! Serving All-Natural proteins including Grass Fed Beef, Pastured Pork, Free-Range Chicken, CageFree Eggs and Wild/Sustainable Seafood. The Southern inspired menu offers traditional Southern favorites featuring
All-Natural products because “It just tastes better”. Enjoy indoor seating and the newly created outdoor deck and garden seating. Open Monday thru Saturday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Call (843) 341-2664.
ASIAN BISTRO
Located at 51 New Orleans Rd., just off the Sea Pines circle. Sleek contemporary style restaurant offering Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisine as well as a nice selection of dim sum choices. A sushi bar, traditional bar and an all-you-caneat buffet (lunch only) highlight this magnificent Asian fusion location. Happy hour nightly from 5 until 8 p.m. and carry out is also available. Serving continuously from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily. Call (843) 686-9888.
AUNT CHILADAS EASY STREET CAFE
Located at 69 Pope Avenue. With a tag line of “Not your everyday Mexican” one can only imagine what a familyfriendly, fun restaurant Aunt Chilada’s is to both locals and (continued on page 14)
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oly Tequila, located in Park Plaza on Hilton Head, was voted Hilton Head’s “Best Mexican Restaurant”, “Best Taco in the Lowcountry” and featured as one of the “Top 12 Mexican Restaurants in South Carolina” in 2016. The culinary team led by Executive Chef Jorge Covarrubias, are wasting no time resting on their laurels and are continuously pushing the limits on a fusion of flavors that will leave your taste buds begging for more. To that end, the new seasonal menu is now out with something for everyone and features additions like the Poblano Queso Fundido, Ahi Tuna Tacos, Pastor Quesadilla, Blackened Mahi Burrito and the infamous Churro Waffle Ice Cream sandwich. Nick Bergelt, the restaurateur behind Holy Tequila, talks about the recent accolades and what sets the restaurant— and the cuisine apart from everyone else. on recently being Q: Congratulations voted Best Mexican Restaurant,
Best Taco Of the Lowcountry and one of the Top 12 Mexican Restaurants in SC— can you tell us more? Since opening, we have been working hard at delivering an unparalleled Mexican food experience to the island, so it’s great to see our team’s hard work paying off. We were absolutely thrilled and honored to receive the Best Mexican Restaurant distinction in 2015 followed by making the “Top 12 Best Mexican Restaurants” list earlier this year coming in at #6 behind Sean Brock’s Minero in Charleston, SC. Then most recently in May we competed in the first annual Taco Libre competition and took home the top honor of People’s Choice “Best Taco in the Lowcountry” among many other awards, so it’s been a pretty surreal few months to say the least!
A:
Q: A:
Wow, You must be really proud of your team. It’s been a series of big accomplishments for us, so yes I’m extremely proud of our team and all
the hard work they have put into Holy Tequila to get us on the map. It’s great that our concept and cuisine has been so well received and we are excited to keep innovating and delivering delicious and affordable food that people love and keep them coming back week after week. makes Holy Tequila and the Q: What food so great? take a fresh approach to our A: We food and the Mexican category in
general. We’re working hard at creating a gourmet quality niche in this segment that is a far cry from the numbered chalkboard items covered in mystery sauce people have become accustomed to at more traditional Mexican restaurants. So to that end, we set ourselves apart from other restaurants with an unparalleled dining atmosphere, leading edge hospitality and a chef inspired menu featuring gourmet quality ingredients to create an assortment of dishes with the perfect balance of Mexican authenticity fused with new American flavors— all at around a $10 price point. Furthermore, we offer a localized menu that allows us to utilize regionally sourced ingredients and highlight local flavors of the lowcountry. We also make an effort to prepare everything in house from scratch, from our tortillas and chips to our assortment of fresh salsas made daily. To top it all off we have the island’s largest premium tequila selection with over 65 different tequilas!
mentioned a differentiated Q: You atmosphere- what can guests expect? Tequila offers a unique festive A: Holy ambiance that promotes fun
within a casual and inviting atmosphere. We have an open air indoor/outdoor “al fresco” section that opens to our garden patio with live music daily by spanish flamenco guitarists starting during happy hour and carrying on through the evening. For those looking for a more intimate dining setting we also have a private tequila lounge and dining room overlooking our exhibition kitchen.
IF YOU GO Located in Park Plaza 33 Office Park Rd, Suite 228 Hilton Head, SC 29928 www.HolyTequila.com Call 843-681-8226 for Reservations! Open for Lunch & Dinner Monday-Friday 12pm-10pm Saturday & Sunday 11am-10pm Happy Hour Daily from 4-7pm TASTEOFHILTONHEAD.COM
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STREET MEET
A Taste of Americana BY RISA WILLIAMS MCMILLAN • PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN
After prohibition was repealed in the 1930’s, taverns started popping up and became the places where the locals stopped after work for conversation and beer. They were not places for fancy cocktails or the subtleties of single malt scotch. They were the places where people found solace and formed friendships and the walls absorbed the stories of the people who drank there. On the streets outside the taverns could be found a smattering of street vendors, hawking their homemade delicacies, many of whom were immigrants that brought their culture in the form of food to the United States. Combine this tavern setting and the Americanized homemade street food and welcome to Street Meet, where you can find Hilton Head’s own Taste of Americana. Walking into Street Meet is like walking into a postprohibition tavern. Take stock of your surroundings as the cash registers and bar stools are old-timers and the distressed pine flooring gives the aura of age while manhole covers add authenticity. Under the auspices of antique lighting, the walls are decorated with old Ohio Steel Mill photos and antique memorabilia. And by the way, Pretty Boy Floyd, who met his demise in Ohio, is watching your every move. Look through the window into the newly added, family-friendly addition, and you will time warp from a1930’s tavern to a 1970’s alleyway surrounded by walls of graffiti and starlit skies. Carey Basciano opened Street Meet in 2005 with his wife Shelby and his sister Nicole. He grew up in Youngstown, OH and attended Kent University as a Journalism major. He always knew he wanted to get into the restaurant business and that his degree could help him with his marketing. After a few valuable learning stints with restaurant chains up north, Carey moved to Hilton Head. He surveyed the Island restaurant market and observed that there was a catering component missing that would serve the more casual diner. “There was plenty of high-end out there, but not a lot that would do church hall type catering like up north,” said Carey. “Caterers typically have a deli and the deli varies on volume, so I thought we could open up a bar and do a street vendor menu,” he added. Perhaps it was his creativity as a writer that pulled together the story behind his restaurant because it is quite a story to be told. “I wanted to create a homemade, healthy version of 12
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Americanized food,” said Carey. “What we’ve done with bar food is turn it into how it was cooked 80 years ago by the immigrant street vendors. So much American food has now become fast food – we wanted to bring back the good old street food.” To that end, the Basciano’s have traveled to the likes of Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Cleveland to bring authentic vendor tastes to their patrons right down to the Hofmann’s hotdogs. Their menu is multi-layered and vast and it is all homemade and from scratch. You can choose from their award winning German hotdogs, Fresh Market meat burgers, or Tavern Plates, or go with a lighter salad, sandwich, or wrap. They recently introduced a new “Healthy Menu” where you lose the bun, cheese, and chips and can build your own bowl – be it protein, low carb, low fat, low calorie, paleo, glutenfree, or vegan; you name it. An example of a power bowl might be a base of quinoa, grilled veggies, and black beans with your choice of protein – varieties of fish, chicken, or beef. You can build your own salad with the same choices or convert any wrap, burger, or sandwich on the menu into a bun-less bowl. Carey is not someone who just recently jumped on the healthy eating bandwagon and decided to incorporate it into his menu. He is someone who for years has modified his own meals at the restaurant to be as healthy as possible and realized that maybe some people could use a little help in that direction. “We have such a large menu that I would just make my own healthy alternatives. Sometimes I would crave a fat or a carb and I would just put it on a salad. I took it for granted that other people did the same. The new Healthy Menu has turned into a beautiful alternative. You would be hard pressed to find anybody else on the Island that does healthy like we do it,” said Carey. “Most of the health problems that society faces today are with the food processing. At Street Meet, we use whole ingredients and skip the sugar and chemicals.” Street Meet roasts its own turkey and roast beef, smokes its own pork, and all of the soups are homemade. The Kid’s menu is a big hit and on Saturday’s they “pay what they weigh” at a penny per pound. The dessert menu, including the local favorite Fried Twinkie, will blow your socks off but might be something from which you want to avert your eyes if you are going healthy. Street Meet has many ‘Signatures’ when it comes to the bar -namely PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) is their beer of note while they have a Peach Tea (of the Long Island genre) as their Signature drink. They have a full line of craft beers on tap and the wine menu is quite replete for a post prohibition tavern. The awards that this restaurant has won are an example of its vast appeal, diversity, and excellence across the board. They are
truly a local’s favorite and have garnered “Best of” accolades for bartender, hotdog, chicken wings, fish ‘n chips, and homemade sauce. “This is just another thing that makes us unique,” commented Carey. A new expanded dining area has helped accomodate the evergrowing amount of customers. In keeping with his Ohio roots and passion for the home team, Carey has turned Street Meet into Hilton Head’s own Ohio bar. Every Sunday during football season, Street Meet is transformed into the home of the Cleveland Browns. Immediately after opening their doors 11 years ago, the Basciano’s applied for a charter with the Browns and are now the team’s official Hilton Head home base. Game day celebrations start early and go late. The entire exterior of the bar is set up like a giant tailgate replete with hot dog carts and merchandise stands. The party extends from porch to parking lot and while it is standing room only, there are plenty of screens to take in the action. Other things that set Street Meet apart from the crowd is that a sizeable portion of their business is through catering to everybody from offices to the larger resorts on the Island. They also offer delivery from 6 to 9 p.m. with minimum $20 orders providing a great service and value, especially to the tourists who want an easy and delicious fix. Centrally located in Port Royal Plaza, Street Meet is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week and serves food until midnight. “After 10 p.m., we are the only game in town for food,” noted Carey. They are a local favorite for food, drink, and fun. Find them on Facebook and for a full menu or visit their website.
STREET MEET
95 Mathews Dr., Suite D11, Port Royal Plaza (843) 842-2570 www.streetmeethhi.com
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visitors alike! Located on the south-end of Hilton Head, visit Aunt Chilada’s for fresh margaritas, fajitas, and even crab legs! The huge, covered outdoor patio is perfect for all gatherings. Open seven days a week. A member of the Coastal Restaurants and Bars family of restaurants. Call (843) 785-7700 or visit auntchiladashhi.com. #auntchiladashhi.
THE BIG BAMBOO CAFE
Located upstairs in Coligny Plaza, Oceanside. A 1940’s themed restaurant with reasonable prices and huge portions. Our extensive menu features steaks, award-winning ribs, local seafood, burgers, salads, fresh fish tacos, pizza and more. Fantastic kid’s menu available. Early Bird menu from 4 - 5:45 p.m. includes starter, entree and beer/wine for $12. Serving lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. and dinner from 4 until 10 p.m., Monday thru Saturday. Call (843) 686-3443.
BIG JIM’S BBQ, BURGERS & PIZZA
New restaurant located in Palmetto Dunes at the Robert Trent Jones Clubhouse. Big Jim’s features BBQ, gourmet burgers and grilled pizza plus fresh seafood, certified Angus steaks & slow-smoked ribs. Enjoy big screen TV’s and expanded outdoor seating overlooking the golf course. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours are 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Happy Hour every day 4 until 7 p.m. and seasonal live entertainment. Take out and catering available. Call (843) 785-1165 or www.palmettodunes.com/big-jims.
BRITISH OPEN PUB
Located in The Village at Wexford and Sheridan Park in Bluffton. Authentic English fare served in an attractive pub-style atmosphere with golf art, memorabilia, and the only bar by Titleist. Great nightly specials including BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Prime Rib, Live Lobster, Fish and Chips, 1/2 lb. Angus Burgers, Lobster Pot Pie and more. Full bar, extensive wine list and beers, ales and stouts from around the world. Kid’s menu available. Serving daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., Brunch served Saturday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call Hilton Head (843) 686-6736 or Bluffton (843) 815-6736.
CAPTAIN GILLAN’S SEAFOOD BUFFET & RAW BAR
Located on the water at 18 Harbourside Ln. at Shelter Cove Harbour. The island’s only “All you can eat” seafood buffet offers a chilled seafood bar, salad bar, roast beef carving station and a hot and cold dessert bar. Choose from the freshest seafood available, visit the raw bar in the lounge or order off the regular menu while enjoying spectacular views of Shelter Cove marina and waterway. After dinner, head upstairs to the comedy club for the best show on the island. Open nightly for dinner from 4:30 p.m. Call (843) 785-4442.
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Captain Gillan’s Waterfront Seafood Buffet & Raw Bar The Island’s Only All You Can Eat Seafoot Buffet. BY BARRY KAUFMAN • PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN
There has never been a seafood buffet on Hilton Head Island. Ned Gilleland, Jr. says so, and he should know. As the biggest restaurant broker in Beaufort County, and with a family history that goes back through 40 years of local culinary history, he’s something of an expert. “I’ve sold about 300 restaurants over the years. Some twice,” he joked, strolling among the sea of oaken tables and chairs (350 inside, and another 75 outside) at Captain Gillan’s Waterfront Seafood Buffet and Raw Bar. The seemingly endless dining rooms of his latest venture circle an equally leviathan buffet, and as we talked Gilleland paced through them all, inspecting nearly every station. As we spoke, the buffet sat empty, but within hours it would be filled to the brim 16
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with a mouthwatering array of seafood specialties and encircled by a mob of hungry diners. “No one has tried something like this on Hilton Head Island,” he said before pausing in his pacing to recall. “Actually, 30 years ago I think they had buffet at the Holiday Inn. But no one was here then.” They’re here now, and Gilleland along with his brother Joe are seeing it pay off big. It’s the latest venture in a string of successful restaurants that dates back to Gilleland opening the original South Seaport Café, which is now the Wreck of the Salty Dog. Gilleland’s father, Ned, Sr., built most of South Beach Marina back when the island was only served by a two-lane swing bridge. Ned, who handles the front of the house and Joe, who is the head chef and runs the kitchen opened
their first restaurant there before being bit by the brokering bug. “It was a general store and 40 slips when started. Everything else, we built,” he said. “Throughout that marina I owned every restaurant. I’d sell one, and then I’d do another one.” While buying and selling he’d amass decades of experience opening some legendary island eateries. He opened CQ’s before selling it to the Lowrey Group. He opened Charleston’s, which would become Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte. His most recent venture, Gillan’s Seafood, is now the Lucky Rooster. “I get bored after a while and I sell them,” he said with a chuckle. “This one here… I’d like to be here a long, long time. It’s on the water, we have a tentative dock permit in hand to put a dock out there, but we’re trying to change the
reputation here.” That change began with a remodel of the former Kingfisher. The basic structure is the same, although the improvements made since the changeover are surprisingly effective. The bank of cabinets by the bar was thoroughly gutted, while new wait stations were walled in (and others walled out). The bank of windows, taking in the magnificent water views along the restaurant’s northern wall, have been given a New England-style pop of color with brilliant blue and red valences, with the motif carried throughout several awnings along the interior walls. But the real color comes from the dazzling artwork along every wall, featuring regional artists from up and down the East Coast courtesy of the Gootch Gallery. See something you like? They’re all for sale. The former stage in the northeast corner was removed, bringing the live music out onto the expansive outdoor patio and allowing for more seating. Speaking of entertainment, the upstairs theater space is still the home of Bill Gladwell, the “Thought Reader,” whose uncanny mentalism shows have to be seen to be believed. In addition, the second floor continues to be the best spot on the island to catch national touring comedians. And of course new to the floorplan is the raw bar tucked into one corner by the bar. Here, you can watch the oyster shucker at work while ordering up a few dozen fresh out of the shell. “It’s great to just sit and watch them work. We’ll have someone back there
shucking oysters, and they’ll do 300-400 a night,” Gilleland said. And while the crowds around the raw bar have grown consistently since Captain Gillan’s opened, the big draw continues to be that massive buffet and all the tantalizing seafood it offers. “Everyone’s saying this is the coolest thing since sliced bread,” said Gilleland. “Everyone absolutely loves it. You should see the line at the crab legs.” For a large segment of people, all-youcan-eat crab legs alone might be all it takes to tempt you. But if you need more, know that the buffet at Captain Gillan’s contains an absolute treasure trove of mouthwatering morsels. Peel and eat shrimp. Oysters on the half shell. Stuffed grouper. Baked salmon. Blackened mahi. Steamed clams. Sautéed mussels. A dizzying array of fried seafood, all hand-breaded. And that’s to say nothing of the landlubber specials – sirloin, pork chops, ribs and much more. Still not full? There’s
the desert station, where you’ll find hot desserts like four cobblers nightly and cold deserts ranging from cheesecake and red velvet cake to an array of puddings. “It’s an all-day job getting ready for this buffet,” Gilleland said, his pacing now winding between the hot and cold buffet stations. “It’s been a learning experience for my brother and me.” It’s amazing to think that after decades in the business, the brothers Gilleland are still learning new tricks, but as stated, nothing like this has ever been tried on Hilton Head Island. But all of that experience has been brought to delicious culmination at Captain Gillan’s. Fans of the old Kingfisher already knew the restaurant for its jawdropping waterfront views (not to mention its uninhibited views of the Tuesday night fireworks during the summer). But now it’s been given a clean new look and a buffet concept that Hilton Head Island didn’t know it was missing. “It’s really the best value on the island,” added Gilleland. “You go to any restaurant on the island, get an appetizer and some seafood, and you’re going to be around the same price. I don’t care where you go. Here, you get a choice of 40 different items, a great salad bar and dessert. All for that one price.”
CAPTAIN GILLAN’S SEAFOOD BUFFET & RAW BAR
18 Harbourside Ln. at Shelter Cove Harbour (843) 785-4442 www.captaingillans.com
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CAPTAIN JOHN’S GALLEY AT THE SALTY DOG CAFE
Located at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines. Enjoy seafood right out of the ocean and onto your plate while overlooking beautiful Braddock’s Cove. The legendary captain serves up fresh seafood, steaks, pasta and more in this fun, nautical atmosphere. Early bird dining special, 10% off from 5 until 6:30 p.m. Full bar and kid’s menu available. Call (843) 671-CAFE (2233) for seasonal hours.
CAPTAIN WOODY’S
All New Location at 6 Target Road on Hilton Head and in Bluffton at the Calhoun Street Promenade. A local favorite for over 30 years! Great seafood and more in a casual and comfortable atmosphere. Serving a wide variety of fresh seafood, great signature sandwiches (Grouper melt & PoBoy’s), soups and salads all at affordable prices. Fantastic outdoor deck and bar. Open daily from 11 a.m. til 10 p.m., bar until late. Call (843) 785-2400 or (843) 757-6222 or online at www.captainwoodys.com.
CAROLINA CRAB COMPANY
Located in Palmetto Bay Marina, just off Helmsman Way. With a pet-friendly patio as well as indoor dining, Carolina Crab Company offers an array of fresh seafood, burgers, crab legs, Lowcountry boil and daily Chef specials. Open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. with brunch served Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy water views from the outside bar. A member of the Coastal Restaurants and Bars family of restaurants. Call (843) 842-2016 or visit carolinacrabco.com. #carolinacrabco.
CATCH 22 FRESH SEAFOOD & GRILL
Located at 37 New Orleans Road in Orleans Plaza. Serving the freshest and best seafood along with USDA prime steaks, pasta, chops and the best bone-in filet. Fantastic specials and delicious menu choices make us a favorite with locals and visitors alike. For Early Bird specials call for hours and reservations. Wednesday and Thursday 10% discount on dinner at the bar, Saturday and Sunday 1/2 price bottle of wine (under $100) with 2 entrees. Happy Hour from 5 to 6:30 p.m. daily. Open daily for dinner from 5 p.m. Call (843) 785-6261.
CHARBAR CO
Located in Park Plaza right outside Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head. A local favorite serving award winning gourmet burgers, sandwiches, salads and more! We feature specialty craft beers, wines and a music collection spanning the decades in a relaxed indoor/outdoor environment. Voted Hilton Head Island “People’s Choice Best Burger”, 1st Place Winner of Burgers & Brews 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015! Come enjoy our large outdoor patio with a fireplace and the only outdoor bar in Park Plaza! Kids menu and takeout available. (continued on page 22) 18
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Taste of the Season
TO KICK-OFF HOLIDAYS IN THE LOWCOUNTRY
With more than 200 restaurants tucked into a 12-mile long island, the chance to sample everything that Lowcountry eateries have to offer comes few and far between. But thankfully, the annual Taste of the Season showcases the variety of the area’s best cuisine and the talents of our worldclass chefs. Presented by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, the Taste of the Season celebrates the talents of our area’s top chefs and indulges the foodies of the Lowcountry. This year’s event will be held in November, and final details are being wrapped up. Check the chamber’s website at www.HiltonHeadBlufftonChamber.org for details. “For 28 years, Taste of the Season has treated visitors and residents to the Lowcountry’s culinary arts scene with awardwinning cuisine from many of the area’s top chefs who delight in giving attendees the highlights of their signature dishes,” says Bill Miles, chamber president and CEO. “There’s no better way to savor your way through the diverse offerings of our area’s finest cuisine all in one venue.” Each participating restaurant offers a unique culinary experience and signature menu items, and between seafood, southern soul food and creative concoctions, there’s something to please every palate. Each year, winners of Taste of the Season are chosen by the hundreds who attend the event and cast their ballot for 20
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their favorite dishes. Awards are presented to the restaurants serving the most popular dishes. Last year, the People’s Choice Award for Best Cuisine was Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana for Executive Chef Chris Johnson’s “Veal Agnolotti with Butter Sage Sauce.” Runner-up went to Red Fish for Executive Chef Sean Bescos’ “Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Wild Mushroom & Piedmontese Ox Tail Ragout.” Best Decor was awarded to ELA’s Blu Water Grille. While food is the focus, attendees are also able to browse great gifts offered in the silent auction, which include getaways, works of art, golf packages and more. With a chance to win prizes, the auction and raffle are always very popular. Bidding heats up as appetites wind down, allowing tasters to indulge in great gifts. Participants can get an early view of great auction items and trips online at www.HiltonHeadBlufftonChamber.org. You might be packing your bags for a holiday adventure! And, each year, when the evening is over, the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and the participating restaurants donate more than 300 pounds of food from the Taste of the Season event to Second Helpings to be distributed throughout the Lowcountry. Last year, more than 1,000 attendees enjoyed the best-ofthe-best area cuisine. All food for the evening is included in the ticket price. For more information on Taste of the Season, visit the website at www.HiltonHeadBlufftonChamber.org.
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Happy Hour specials daily from 4-7 p.m.! Serving daily 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Call (843) 785-CHAR (2427) or visit us online at www.Facebook.com/CharbarCo!
CHARLIE’S L’ETOILE VERTE
Located at 8 New Orleans Rd., just off Hwy. 278. The only restaurant on the Island that writes its entire menu daily based on the freshest local seafood available. Our epicurean dinner menu offers an array of Fresh Fish, Rack of Lamb, Filet Mignon and many other delights. Our wine list, The Best of Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence”, offering half off all bottles of wine under $100 on Monday nights. Serving dinner Monday thru Saturday from 5:30 p.m. and lunch Monday thru Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Semi-private parties are accepted. Call (843) 785-9277 for reservations or check us out online at www.charliesgreenstar.com.
THE CHART HOUSE
Located at Two Hudson Rd., just off Squire Pope Rd. Serving up sensational food accompanied by spectacular waterviews of the Intracoastal waterway and extraordinary service. The expansive menu features fresh fish, pristine seafood, succulent steaks, Lowcountry specialties and an extensive collection of fine wines and decadent desserts. Relax on the expanded contemporary patio. Open for lunch and dinner daily, as well as Sunday Brunch. Happy hour offered daily from 4 until 7
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p.m. Call (843) 342-9066 or online at www.chart-house.com. Reservations are recommended.
CHOW DADDY’S
Located at 14B Executive Park Road, just off Pope Avenue and Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton. One of the island’s newest and most creative restaurants offers a healthy alternative to casual dining. Slow roasting their pork and chicken on Big Green Eggs and using local and organic ingredients whenever possible. Menu items include, Homemade White Bean and Kale Soup, Arugula Salad with grilled fennel and citrus vinaigrette, Chicken with Ricotta and Onion Jam on Ciabatta, A Ground in house Prime Rib Burger, great Tacos and an amazing Smoked Fried Chicken. Full bar, extensive wine selection and great cocktails. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. until midnight. Outdoor seating available on our terrace. Call (843) 842-CHOW (2469) or (843) 757-CHOW (2469) or online at www.chowdaddys.com for live music schedule.
CQ’S RESTAURANT
Tucked under the oaks in Harbour Town, CQ’s signature dishes embody Executive Chef Jimmy Corbett’s passion for the best produce and cuisine from the Lowcountry bounty. Guests (continued on page 24)
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can gather at the bar and lounge to enjoy tasting dishes and shareable small plates. The exceptional wine list includes a variety of wines selected specifically with the menu in mind. Open nightly 5 to 9 p.m. Reservations accepted. Call (843) 671-2779 or visit CQsRestaurant.com for complete menus or to make reservations.
CRANE’S TAVERN STEAKHOUSE & SEAFOOD
Located at 26 New Orleans Rd. A family tradition of excellence in quality and value for over 100 years. The destination for steak and seafood lovers offering all USDA Prime Grade beef, including our Famous Prime Rib. Fresh selection of seafood, pastas, soups and salads as well as tantalizing desserts. Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” for a wine list comprised of over 500 selections. AAA Three diamond award. Early dining menu from 5 to 6 p.m. and great bar menu available. Serving dinner daily from 5 p.m. Reservations suggested. Call (843) 341-2333.
CRAZY CRAB
Two great waterfront locations- South end in Harbour Town in Sea Pines and North end Hwy. 278 overlooking Jarvis Creek. The “Islander’s place for fresh seafood for over 30 years,” The Crazy Crab restaurants are a must-visit for those enjoying all Hilton Head has to offer. Fresh local seafood is prepared any way you wish – broiled, fried, steamed, blackened, etc.
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Gluten free and vegan options also available. Open seven days a week. See the largest salt-water aquarium on Hilton Head (Hwy. 278 location). Call (843) 363-2722 (Harbour Town), (843) 681-5021 (Jarvis Creek) or visit thecrazycrab.com. #thecrazycrab.
THE DRYDOCK SEAFOOD GRILL & SPIRITS
All new location at 840 William Hilton Pkwy. Go where the locals go for fresh seafood, cold drinks and good times. We are easy to find, but hard to leave. Choose from a wide variety of fresh seafood, signature sandwiches, salads and more in a casual and comfortable atmosphere. Dine inside or enjoy the outdoor patio. Open 7 days for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. Call (843) 842-9775.
ELA’S BLU WATER GRILLE
Located at One Shelter Cove Lane. Featured in Bon Appetit and winner of numerous Open Table awards, Ela’s offers fresh catch seafood and prime cut steaks of the highest quality, all prepared by our culinary team of experts and complimented by an extensive boutique wine selection. Known for the best water views on the island, we have a casual intimate interior, wrap around dining patio exterior and nightly entertainment. Private parties, rehearsal dinners and special events welcome. (continued on page 28)
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A highlight of the Hilton Head Island music calendar is the annual Jazz Festival, Jazz for all Ages, sponsored by The Junior Jazz Foundation and hosted by the Sonesta Resort in Shipyard on September 8th and 9th of this year. Grammy nominated jazz artist Rene Marie with her fantastic band Experiment in Truth will play in the ballroom Thursday, Sept 8th. On Friday Sept 9th, actress and singer Maria Howell (soloist in the movie The Color Purple) will be accompanied in the oceanside pavilion by a world class sextet featuring pianist Noel Freidline and the sensational Joe Gransden playing trumpet. Each evening, the Junior Jazz Rising Stars student musicians will open the concerts. Jazz for all Ages is the work of The Junior Jazz Foundation which was started 8-years ago by Bob and Lois Masteller with the mission of preserving jazz through education and performance. Education of young musicians at the Hilton Head Jazz Camp and excellence in live performance at the Jazz Festival have become annual island events attracting music lovers from throughout the country. All net proceeds from the festival benefit Junior Jazz. The Foundation also receives generous donations from the public, eager to support young artists in their quest to learn and perform the great American art form of jazz. Additionally, young musicians experience the important life values of hard work and perseverance while celebrating a great musical heritage. Hilton Head island is a mecca for golf; so The Junior Jazz Foundation holds a special golf tournament every year in November organized by Kelli Lesch, General Manager at The Jazz Corner and her golfing brother, Michael Huffstetler along with The Jazz Corner staff. Places for the event are always in demand both for the friendly golfing rivalry and the chance to meet some of the local musicians socially on the golf course and later at a reception at The Jazz Corner. Please join us on September 8th and 9th for two fabulous evenings of music and on November 19th for fun, camaraderie and friendship on the golf course. To purchase tickets to Bob Masteller’s Jazz for all Ages JAZZ FEST, please visit www.jazzforallages.com. 26
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Open for lunch Monday thru Friday, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Reservations recommended. Call (843) 785-3030 or online at www.elasgrille.com.
FLATBREAD GRILL
Located at Coligny Circle oceanside in the Beach Market Center. This upscale casual dining sensation is sure to be a favorite of both visitors and locals. Choose from Neopolitan pizza, fresh pasta, fajitas, steak, salmon, gourmet salads, or hearty sandwiches all cooked in our open hearth oven. Hang out in our friendly lounge and enjoy a nice selection of appetizers and cocktails while viewing your favorite sporting event on our HDTV’s. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. for lunch and dinner. Take-out available. Call (843) 341-2225 or online at www.flatbreadgrillhhi.com.
THE FROSTY FROG CAFÉ
Located in Coligny Plaza. A comfortable, casual atmosphere offering a “web-footed lickin” menu and an enormous amount of frozen daiquiris by the glass or by the gallon. Outside seating with retractable roof, fire pit, beach area and tiki bar. Live music nightly. Black angus burger, crab cakes, pizza, prime rib sandwich, salads, subs, wraps, peel & eat shrimp, calamari and of course fried frog legs. 28 HD TV’s for great sports viewing as well as a kid’s menu. Open for lunch and dinner daily from 11 a.m. Call (843) 686-FROG (3764) or online at www.frostyfrog.com.
HINOKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT AND SUSHI BAR Located at 37 New Orleans Road in New Orleans Plaza. Enjoy traditional Japanese dishes such as grilled fish, chicken and steak, suki yaki, a variety of noodle dishes, tempura, daily specials, plus sushi and sashimi. The very extensive menu includes dozens of appetizers, several kinds of broiled fish, salads and over 20 entrees from which to choose. Three intimate dining rooms, a sushi bar and a cocktail lounge offers something for everyone. Early Bird specials and takeout available. Open for dinner 5:30 until 10:00 p.m., Monday thru Saturday and lunch, 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Call (843) 785-9800 for reservations.
HOLY TEQUILA
Located in Park Plaza, the Holy Tequila taqueria blends gourmet tacos with American flavors, Mexican street food and tequila in an eclectic atmosphere! Prepare your senses for a fusion of flavors that reaches into the heart of Mexico! Holy Tequila combines an open kitchen with indoor/outdoor dining and a dynamic bar to create a high energy fiesta! We serve gourmet tacos, quesadillas, and smalls plates all under $10, with a full bar offering over 40 kinds of premium tequilas. The cuisine is modern, fun and uninhibited, just like our guests! (continued on page 30) 28
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The restaurant is open 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily with happy hour specials from 4-7 p.m. Call us at (843) 681-TACO (8226) or visit us online at www.Facebook.com/HolyTequila!
HUDSON’S SEAFOOD HOUSE ON THE DOCKS
Located on the Intracoastal Waterway off Squire Pope Rd. With 45 years of casual dining experience and spectacular views of the Intracoastal Waterway, Hudson’s is one of the Island’s most recognized landmarks. Featuring the freshest, local seafood in the area as well as pasta, steaks, chicken and more. Kids menu available. Featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Bon Appe´tit. Open daily at 11 a.m. Call (843) 681-2772.
THE JAZZ CORNER
Located in the “corner” of The Village at Wexford. One of the top “100 Great Jazz Rooms” in the world, Downbeat Magazine 2011-16. Our intimate, elegant atmosphere is the perfect setting to enjoy an evening of world class entertainment enhanced by our innovative southern flavors menu and impeccable service. The Jazz Corner offers a signature martini menu, extensive wine list, full bar and late-night menu. Open nightly from 6 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Call (843) 842-8620 or check us out online at www.thejazzcorner.com.
KENNY B’S CAJUN SEAFOOD HUT
Located in Circle Center, just off Pope Avenue. Enjoy Creole cuisine with a Low country influence. Find an appealing choice of Cajun fare such as Shrimp Etoufee, Crawfish Etoufee, Jambalaya, N’awlins Po Boy’s, Red Beans & Rice and authentic Gumbos. Great soups and salads, as well as a kid’s menu and take-out service available. Also, cold beer and awesome desserts. Open Monday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday thru Saturday, 8:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. Call (843) 785-3315.
LAGERHEAD TAVERN
Located at The Oyster Reef Golf Club, 155 High Bluff Rd. LagerHead Tavern brings a lively, stylish dining experience to the already vibrant island destination with its inviting and alluring atmosphere. Developed by Chef Toscano, the menu features signature items including Shrimp Gazpacho, Smoked Chicken Wings and The Low Country Reuben. Open for lunch and dinner. Call (843) 681-2184.
LAND’S END TAVERN
Located at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines. Featuring great seafood, steaks, sandwiches and salads. A casual atmosphere with a pirate theme ensures fun for the whole family. Great kid’s menu and desserts. It’s a bounty of treasure waiting to be plundered. Serving all day, every day starting from 8 a.m. Call (843) 671-5456 for seasonal hours.
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IN THE KITCHEN with Executive Chef Karla Williams at Hilton Head Health BY BARRY KAUFMAN • PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN
While the supreme tranquility and tantalizing array of healthy options on the menu at Hilton Head Health have been common knowledge among thousands of visitors for decades, it’s only recently that locals have become hip to some of the magic happening at H3. But they’re starting to find out in a big way, and no small amount of credit needs to go to Karla Williams, executive chef and food & beverage director at Hilton Head Health. Not only does she bring a lifetime of passion for healthy cooking to the table, she’s also become quite the ambassador for H3’s unique philosophy. For proof, you need look no further than her recent appearance on the syndicated show of health and wellness media icon Dr. Oz. “I’m used to talking through my food versus just talking,” she said with a laugh. 32
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“So it was a whole different experience for me.” If she’s not used to talking, it certainly didn’t show during her segment, which focused on healthy recipes that can be prepared using the grill. It’s not often you see a studio audience applaud grilled vegetable flatbread, but the whole segment saw Williams adeptly guiding them through options like grilled pineapple and mango salsa to audible oohs and aahs. So what’s Dr. Oz like in person? According to Williams, “He is Super Friendly and I was overwhelmed by the hospitality I received from both him and the staff of the Dr. Oz Show.” The appearance on the show, taped in the spotlights of ABC Studios in New York City, marked the culmination of a multi- media blitz for Williams. Originally
tapped to present a few dishes to a writer from Oz’s magazine, “The Good Life,” Williams soon found herself providing nearly a dozen recipes for what turned out to be an extensive six-page spread. “Things aligned very nicely for us. They liked the recipes, they saw a few videos of me, they said ‘let’s have her come on the show,’” Williams explained. From there, it was a trip that Williams described as “kind of a whirlwind.” Viewing her segment and speaking to her, it’s easy to see why Williams makes such a great ambassador for Hilton Head Health. It’s not just her expertise and charm in front of the cameras, it’s her devotion to Hilton Head Health’s core values and how well they align with her own. “I’m a believer in Hilton Head Health and what we do here, and I feel like I live the life of balance,” Williams said. “I’m very serious about my career. But I’m also a big Crossfitter and I try to eat healthy. I try to walk the walk.” Indeed, Williams has been walking the walk since middle school. Growing up as an athlete (soccer and volleyball), she realized at a young age the vital link between nutrition and general wellbeing. When she ate well, it showed on the field. Her junior year of high school, she started taking what she knew about nutrition and applying it in the kitchen. “I became curious and played around, asking ‘What can I do with this food?’” she said. “It was a lot of messing around and playing with flavors and making a lot of mistakes.” With a laugh, she added “My dad ate a lot of things that… I don’t know how he choked them down. He was extremely supportive, though.” But by trial and error, Williams eventually learned the building blocks of what would become her eventual career. These basics were refined by a twoyear program at The Chef’s Academy in Indianapolis. “I loved every minute of it,” she said. Williams excelled at the program, and when it came time to find an internship, one of the requirements at The Chef’s
Academy, Williams was fortunate enough to find one at Hilton Head Health. What started as an internship became a position as a line cook once she completed her training. Six months later, she was a sous chef and two years after that she was promoted to executive chef at Hilton Head Health’s Healthy Kitchen. Just recently, she was named director of food & beverage. The Healthy Kitchen is H3’s state of the art kitchen and private venue that is a vital component of the mission and success for the guests at Hilton Head Health. While seminars and workshops tell guests how to continue a healthy lifestyle after their stay, it’s at Healthy Kitchen that they’re shown exactly how it’s done. Rows of chef’s stations face a demonstration kitchen where guests at Hilton Head Health are given the tools to prepare their own healthy meals. Healthy Kitchen is also open to locals for cooking classes, chef tables and private events. “It’s mind blowing to many people, but we just try to take the food they’re already making and make it a little bit healthier and more flavorful,” said Williams. So for example, let’s say you were looking to make your pasta a little healthier. Williams suggests using a trick called volumetrics, in which you “bulk” up your pasta with shredded or spiralized zucchini. So by adding ½ cup of veggies to that ¼ of pasta, you essentially trick your body into thinking you’re eating more pasta. “It’s good for your body and it’s good for your mind to just see a lot of food on your plate,” she said. But it’s not just bulking up your dishes with vegetables. Healthy Kitchen employs a wellrounded philosophy of nutrition and wellness to help guests create healthy meals on their own. But that’s not to say flavor takes a backseat. “We don’t feed them five cups of kale three times a day and tell them ‘that’s the trick,’ we’re believers in everything in moderation,” said Williams. Indeed, in addition to the regularly scheduled classes, Healthy Kitchen hosts a weekly chef’s table with five courses, wine pairings and even a dessert. All of which, somehow, only totals 650 calories. “The goal in Healthy Kitchen is to make healthy food approachable. So they can take it home and make it last.” From the lessons at Healthy Kitchen to the spotlight of national television, Karla Williams is proving that healthy choices can be delicious. It’s all about balance. HILTON HEAD HEALTH 14 Valencia Rd. (800) 928-9145 www.hhhealth.com
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LUCKY ROOSTER KITCHEN & BAR
Located at 841 William Hilton Parkway in South Island Square. An American Bistro with southern soul serves seasonal inspired food with local beers, craft cocktails and an esoteric wine list. Our menu is constantly changing and evolving with seasons, tides, weather and our inspirations. Dine inside or outside on our patio. A healthy children’s menu is also available. Call for hours (843) 681-3474 or online at www.luckyroosterhhi.com.
MANGIAMO
Located at 2000 Main Street. A comfortable and cozy atmosphere featuring outstanding pizza, subs, salads and pasta. Beer and wine, kid’s menu, and daily specials offer something for everyone. Enjoy half price cheese pizza from 3 until 4 p.m. Dine inside, on the patio or take it to go. North Island delivery available. Your home away from home for The Ohio State Buckeyes. Open Sunday thru Thursday from 11 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Call (843) 682-2444.
MEDITERRANEAN HARBOUR
Located at 13 Shelter Cove Lane in Shelter Cove Marina. A warm and comfortable dining experience featuring Lebanese cuisine. Choose from our hearty chicken, beef or lamb kabobs, delicious seafood as well as vegan and gluten free selections including falafel, grape leaves and baba ghanouj. Our dishes are created from homemade recipes and spices from Lebanon. Enjoy beautiful views of the harbour from our outdoor dining area or outside bar. Open for lunch and dinner daily from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. Call (843) 842-9991 for more information or reservations.
MELLOW MUSHROOM
Located in Park Plaza on Hilton Head and at 878 Fording Island Rd. in Bluffton. If you’re looking for a fun and lively place for the whole family, this is it. Specializing in great pizza and calzones, monumental hoagies and fresh salads all in a comfortable and casual setting. Kid friendly and affordably priced menu for both lunch and dinner. Over twenty-four beers on tap, fifty more by bottle and a full bar available. Dine inside or outside on the patio. Open daily from 11 a.m. Call (843) 686-2474 (HHI) or (843) 706-0800 (B-Town).
MICHAEL ANTHONY’S
Located at 37 New Orleans Road in Orleans Plaza. Offering classic Italian cuisine. Homemade gnocchi, succulent veal dishes and creative fish preparations are offered nightly. The versatile wine list offers a broad selection designed to satisfy the novice or seasoned enthusiast. Reservations are suggested. Weekly cooking classes offered in the Tuscan inspired demonstration kitchen. The adjacent Italian Market offers a wide array of Italian wines and gourmet foods. Open Monday (continued on page 36) 34
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thru Saturday beginning at 5:15 p.m. Call (843) 785-6272 or visit www.michael-anthonys.com.
OKKO RESTAURANT
Located at 95 Mathews Drive in Port Royal Plaza, Suite C. Contemporary Asian cuisine served in a magnificent atmosphere. Choose from Hibachi, Thai or Chinese or relax at the sushi bar or in the lounge. Open 7 days from 11:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m., Sunday thru Thursday and 11:30 a.m. until midnight on Saturday and Sunday. Call (843) 341-3377 for more information or directions.
OLD FORT PUB
Located at 63 Skull Creek Drive on the Intra-coastal Waterway, Old Fort Pub showcases unrivaled nightly sunsets & award winning cuisine! Guests enjoy Chef Keith Josefiak’s “New Southern” favorites inspired with influences from around the globe. Serving Sunday Brunch 11-2 p.m., Bar opens at 4 p.m. daily and dinner is served nightly 5-9 p.m. Early Bird dining is served from 5-5:30. Outdoor dining available. Call (843) 681-2386 or visit OldFortPub.com for a complete menu or to make reservations.
THE OLD OYSTER FACTORY
Located on 101 Marshland Rd. Waterfront dining with expansive views of Broad Creek and beyond. Serving the Island’s best steaks and freshest seafood. Extensive wine menu and great service will guarantee a wonderful dining experience. Children’s menu and large groups welcome. Serving dinner from 4:45 p.m., 7 nights a week. Call (843) 681-6040 or online at www.oldoysterfactory.com.
OMBRA
Located in the Village at Wexford. Serving authentic classical Italian cuisine. Being of Italian heritage, Chef Michael Cirafesi proudly promotes all of the foods and wines of Italy. He prepares all pastas, homemade gnocchi, desserts and breads daily as well as a large variety of fish, veal, beef and game additions. An extensive wine list is available with a brilliant array of wines from every region in Italy. Open nightly from 4:30 until 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended and walk-ins welcome. Call (843) 842-5505 or visit us online at www.ombrahhi.com.
PANERA BREAD
Located at 1012 William Hilton Parkway, just before the Sea Pines circle and Bluffton at Tanger 1 Outlet. With the skill of an Artisan, the heat of the oven and a few fine ingredients our bakers make bread that is simply delicious and baked fresh right here every day. Offering a wide selection of fantastic food including our signature sandwiches, hot paninis, delicious soups and signature salads. Catering also available. Open daily (continued on page 38) 36
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A TASTE OF ISLAND RECIPES
ROMAN BENEDICT Courtesy Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN
Ingredients 4 Thick slices Italian bread (toasted) 4 Slices fresh Mozzarella cheese (room temp.) 8 Leaves fresh Basil 4 Slices Pancetta ham (pan fried crispy) 4 Slices fresh tomatoes 4 Eggs and yolks 2 Quarts water and ¼ Cup white vinegar (for poaching) HOLLANDAISE SAUCE 4 Egg yolks ¼ Cup white wine 1 Pinch of Cayenne pepper 4 Drops of Worcestershire sauce 1 Stick melted butter (warm not hot) BASALMIC REDUCTION ¼ Cup Balsamic vinegar 1 Saucepan HOLLANDAISE SAUCE PROCEDURE Make hollandaise in a small mixing bowl. Add egg yolks and wine. Place over a saucepan with boiling water. Whisk until a mayonnaise consistency. Slowly pour butter into egg yolk mixture until all butter is used. Add Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper and stir. Keep in a warm spot on the stove. BALSAMIC REDUCTION PROCEDURE Add balsamic vinegar to pan on medium heat. Boil until syrupy, about 6-10 minutes. Let cool (can be made ahead). ROMAN BENEDICT PROCEDURE After making the Hollandaise and Balsamic Reduction, lightly boil water with white vinegar. Add eggs for poaching keeping water at a low boil. Cook until the whites are set, yolks still runny or about 3 minutes. Layer toasted Italian bread with the crisp pancetta, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil. Place eggs on top of the stack and sauce with Hollandaise. Add the Balsamic drizzle on top and serve.
PALMETTO BAY SUNRISE CAFE Palmetto Bay Marina off Helmsman Way. (843) 686-3232 palmettobaysunrisecafe.com
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for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Call (843) 686-3838 or (843) 757-5611.
REDFISH
On the corner of Palmetto Bay Rd. and Archer Rd. on Hilton Head, and 32 Bruin Rd. in Bluffton. Serving Innovative Cuisine in a unique and inviting atmosphere. Offering local seafood, steaks, salads and nightly specials. Attached retail wine shop and bar with over 1,000 selections of fine wines. Outdoor seating available. Serving lunch Monday thru Saturday from 11:30 a.m. and dinner daily from 5 p.m. For more information call (843) 686-3388 or (843) 837-8888 or online at www. redfishofhiltonhead.com.
REILLEY’S
Located in Reilley’s Plaza, just off Sea Pines Circle. Serving up delicious steaks, seafood, pasta and sandwiches on Hilton Head Island for over 30 years. With a sophisticated warm ambiance, the family-friendly atmosphere will have your family dining with the Reilley family again and again. Dine indoors or outside on the deck. Enjoy nightly dinner specials with family, or toasting to the good life with mimosas and Sunday brunch. Lunch and dinner served seven days a week. Happy Hour from 4 until 7 p.m. Take-out and kids menus available. Call (843) 842-4414 or visit reilleyshiltonhead.com.
REILLEY’S NORTH END PUB
Located in Port Royal Plaza. The sister restaurant of Reilley’s Grill & Bar (located on the south end), Reilley’s North End Pub has been serving up delicious steaks, seafood, pasta and sandwiches on Hilton Head for over 30 years. With a sophisticated warm ambiance, Reilley’s is reminiscent of a true Boston pub. Experience the family-friendly atmosphere for some local fun and Tuesday Trivia. Enjoy nightly dinner specials with family, or toasting to the good life with mimosas and Sunday Brunch (champagne included). Lunch and dinner served seven days a week. Happy hour daily from 4 until 7p.m. Take-out available. Call (843) 681-4153 or visit reilleysnorth.com.
RUAN THAI HUT
Located at 1107 Main Street. Serving Authentic Thai fare using the freshest ingredients available. Mild to very hot, you can choose the spice level of your meal. Appetizers, soups, salads, desserts and kids meals round out an extensive menu with something for all ages. Sit inside or outside on the comfortable patio. Open Monday thru Saturday for lunch and dinner. Call (843) 681-3700.
SAGE ROOM
Located at 81 Pope Avenue in Heritage Plaza. Enjoy fine dining in a casual atmosphere with unique appetizers, diverse (continued on page 39) 38
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cuisine and nightly innovative specials. Elegant palate pleasing fare is prepared in our open kitchen which highlights the restaurant. An extensive wine list, full bar and fantastic service, complete a perfect night out. Open for dinner Monday thru Saturday from 6 until 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Call (843) 785-5352 or check us out online at www.thesageroom.com.
THE SALTY DOG CAFE
Located at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines. Great food, frozen drinks and live entertainment from the island’s favorite outdoor cafe. Enjoy beautiful waterfront views overlooking Braddock’s Cove in a fun and casual atmosphere. Happy Hour daily with a full menu available, plus an outdoor cookout, Salty Dog Ice Cream and Jake’s Pizza during the season. Call (843) 671-CAFE (2233) for seasonal hours.
SAN MIGUEL’S MEXICAN CAFE
Located at Harbourside III on Shelter Cove Harbour. Serving Hilton Head’s freshest Mexican food for over 25 years. Dine inside or out while enjoying breathtaking views of the marina. Burrito’s, enchiladas, fajitas, chimichangas, seafood and salads plus a full bar complete with the Island’s best margarita. Kid’s menu available. Serving dinner daily from 5 p.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Call (843) 842-4555.
SANTA FE CAFÉ
Located at 807 William Hilton Parkway near the entrance to Palmetto Dunes. Our elegant yet casual, cozy atmosphere captures the spirit of New Mexico. Innovative southwestern cuisine features dinner favorites such as Tortilla Crusted Salmon, Wood Roasted Quail, Grouper, 30 oz. Ribeye and many more great selections including vegetarian items. Excellent wine list, imported beers and full bar. Early dining menu from 5 until 6 p.m. Live entertainment Tues. thru Sat. Take-out available. Reservations are “gladly” accepted. Open for dinner 7 nights a week from 5 until 10 p.m., and for lunch Monday thru Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call (843) 7853838 or www.santafehhi.com.
STEAMER SEAFOOD
Located on the pond in Coligny Plaza. Featuring huge portions of fresh seafood, shellfish, sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts all served in a rustic Lowcountry atmosphere. Choose from over five fresh local catches daily. The most kidfriendly restaurant on the Island with seating inside or outside on the deck or patio. Seasonal live entertainment. Full bar and take-out available. Open from 11:30 a.m. until late, 7 days a week. Call (843) 785-2070. (continued on page 40)
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STELLINI ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Located at 15 Executive Park Dr., just off Pope Avenue. Voted the Island’s best Italian restaurant, Stellini features popular menu items from the Little Italy section of New York and northern New Jersey. Choose from items such as Clams Casino, Veal Saltimbocca, Zuppa di Pesce, Osso Buco, Lasagna and more. Chefs specialties created nightly. Extensive wine list, Early Bird specials, children’s menu and take-out available. Serving dinner Monday thru Saturday from 5 p.m. til 9:30 p.m. Call (843) 785-7006 for reservations.
STREET MEET
Located in Port Royal Plaza near Sam’s Club. Our newly expanded prohibition style pub and street corner complete with graffiti on the walls offers a wide range of options at reasonable prices. Choose from homemade soups, NY Hofmann hotdogs, hand-pattied butcher ground burgers, slow roasted prime rib steak sandwiches, the island’s best fish and chips and much more. Kid’s menu, vegetarian menu, full bar and direcTV sports programming. Serving daily from 11:30 a.m. until 1 a.m. Call (843) 842-2570 or online at www.streetmeethhi.com.
SUNSET GRILLE
Located on the Intracoastal Waterway at Hilton Head Harbor, 43 Jenkins Rd. The Grille offers a casual fine dining experience with breathtaking sunset views. The creative menu features house specialties such as Hugh’s famous hot smoked salmon, shrimp & grits, grilled sea scallops & braised lamb shank all prepared to perfection. An extensive wine list, craft beer selection and full bar available. Call (843) 689-6744 for reservations or visit sunsetgrillehhi.com. Dinner is served Tuesday-Sunday 5:30 p.m. until.
TRUFFLES CAFE
Located in Sea Pines Center and Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton. Casual cafés featuring the freshest food and finest service for over 30 years. Fresh local seafood, Black Angus steaks, baby back ribs, homemade soups, fresh garden salads, Angus burgers, pasta, and excellent desserts. Outside seating available at Belfair location. Full bar and fine wines by the glass or bottle. Call for Priority Seating. Private dining available for 6 to 100 people. Serving lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Sunday - Thursday 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.. at Sea Pines Center and Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton. Call (843) 671-6136 or (843) 8155551 or go to www.trufflescafe.com.
THE WRECK OF THE SALTY DOG
Located at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines. Enjoy a casual and fun atmosphere in the same spirit as The Salty Dog Cafe. Serving a full bar with excellent food and waterfront view overlooking South Beach Marina and Braddock’s Cove, The Wreck offers excellent Happy Hour drink and appetizer specials. Available for private parties. Call (843) 671-SEAS (7327) for seasonal hours. 40
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When he was five, he ran outside one rainy day to find his own quiet space away from his bustling family of 8. He started drumming the beat of the raindrops and wrote his first song, “The Pitter Patter of the Rain.” David Carroll, award winning realtor by day and musician by night, can still sing his first composition with a wave of nostalgia. While David has been a realtor with Charter One for 30 years, he has had a song in his life since he was a child. “I have always had that music vibe,” said David. Growing up in Pittsburgh, he sang in choirs and talent shows in elementary school and picked up the drums in 5th grade. “I couldn’t play the drums in the house because of all the people so I bought a bass guitar and taught myself how to play.” He played in a band in college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated cum laude with a Music and Communications major. David moved to Hilton Head and started a career in mass media and eventually real estate but kept up with his passion for music and played with a number of local musicians like Billy Blair, Jason D. Williams and the Chilly Willy Band. Life eventually caught up with him when he started a family and he put music on the back burner. The back burner eventually came to the forefront after David blew out his shoulder playing hockey. Perhaps it was a wake-up call of sorts, but the grim reality was that without the use of his arm, he would never be able to play the drums or guitar again. “A good friend of mine who was dying told me – ‘Don’t die with music in your heart’. So that’s when I knew I had to do what it took to mend my shoulder and then pour my music into a CD.” With the assistance of professional producer Greg Critchley, David brought music back into his life and “David Neal Carroll”, a collection of his original work, was launched. David describes it as a mixed bag of Easy Listening, Nashville, Love Songs, Reggae-ish, Rock, Blues, and a little Rap...Eclectic Americana. Listening to David describe his song writing process is like listening to someone bare his soul; he pours every bit of his being and emotions into the words and music he creates. “Songs have come to me and I have no say in it whatsoever. You can call it a guardian angel or whatever, but time stops existing and I just write. It is how I know music is something I have to honor.” Each of his songs tells a story and there is a story behind the creation of each song. After cutting his CD, David really had no intention of doing gigs, but people started asking him to play and he finally relented. “My music was received to a degree that I was surprised. My music seems to touch people,” he said. David can now be found playing out and about in Bluffton and Hilton Head, usually accompanied by saxophonist, Jarrod Valenti. They call themselves 2 Sons. The duo plays a lot of the classic artists like The Beatles, Van Morrison, Tom Petty, Bob Dillon, The Who, The Stones, Doobie Brothers and the like. Their usual haunting grounds include the Old Town Dispensary, Southern Barrel & Brewing, Big Bamboo, and The Boardroom. Also look for a songwriter showcase at The Roasting Room this Fall. For a full schedule and to hear some of David’s songs, visit his Facebook page, David Neal Carroll Music. His CD is available locally at John’s Music and on-line at I-Tunes and CD Baby.
David Carroll
THE SONG IN HIS LIFE BY RISA WILLIAMS MCMILLAN PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN
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Ladies and Gentlemen, please start your engines! On Monday, November 7th you need to venture over to our neighboring city of Savannah where you will turn off your engines, surrender those car keys, and dive into a wonderful weeklong celebration of food and drink that will set your senses a-reeling. “Eat, drink, repeat,” … that is the mantra. In its 4th year, the Savannah Food & Wine Festival is southern hospitality and cuisine at its finest. It brings together award winning chefs, winemakers, beverage experts, and leading culinary professionals and divvies them up amongst an amazing line-up of dinners, samplings, classes, demonstrations, and outdoor festivals. Events run the gamut from casual to extravagant and there is something for everyone. Over its 3 year life span, this festival has ballooned at an exponential rate to keep up with the demand for and enthusiasm surrounding its events. “This festival has grown to be so much more than regional. It is now a national event with sponsors from all over the world,” explained Jan Gourley, festival co-founder and director. “It is now on everybody’s radar.” Just to give an idea of its impact on the city of Savannah, in its first year it brought in 1.8 million in economic impact and that figure grew to 6 million last year with over 15,000 people joining in the fun. Originally, the festival was created to give back to the community and bring in some income during the off-peak season in November, purposefully scheduled on the heels of the popular Rock ‘n Roll Marathon. This way, people could come for the race and stay for the festival. While many runners and their families surely do stay, the festival itself has now come into its own as a destination event. “Savannah as a destination is magical. It is one of those places that is on people’s bucket list because it has a kind of southern charm and mystique,” said Jan. The festival kicks off on Monday, November 7th with the Guest Chef Dinner with Hugh Acheson and Kyle Jacovino as host chefs at The Florence, and celebrity guest chef Scott Crawford. “We made it a point to highlight local and regional chefs this year. We have so much talent here,” commented Jan. Hunter Cattle out of Georgia is one of the sponsors of this event so you can expect the meal to include some tender grass-fed beef. Monday will also see the first in a series of a Master Class Series, which will take place at venues throughout Savannah. These are journeys into the art of cooking techniques where participants work with celebrity chefs and learn through smell, taste, and touch. Each Master Class has a theme and a host. Tuesday’s event, Whiskey at the Whitman, is new this year and will be a unique tasting opportunity to fill your senses with some of the best brands available. Of course there will be a star studded line-up of chefs to put together the perfect complimentary meal and the night will be topped off with a cigar bar. All proceeds for this event go to support the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire which supports families of law enforcement officers who lost their life on duty. The James Beard Dinner will be the signature event for Wednesday and will have a New Orleans theme. The chefs
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A Wonderful Weeklong Celebration BY RISA WILLIAMS MCMILLAN
scheduled for this event have all received a litany of the highest awards and accolades in the industry. The James Beard Foundation will match the chefs with a particular food sponsor to create an unforgettable meal. Adding to the collaborative effort, local chefs will provide the hors d’ouevres, artisan breads, and desserts. Throw in two master sommeliers and this is a phenomenal experience. “This is the best meal I’ve ever had,” said Jan. The Grand Reserve Tasting will be held on Thursday at the Westin on the water. Premium wines, all average at over $50 per bottle, will be served. All the festival’s official spirits and beer will also be featured. This year they are adding a spirits sponsor that will serve signature drinks. Small plates will round out the tasting and are sure to amaze. “This is a great ticket because you get to taste so many wines and it is a beautiful setting on the river,” explained Jan. Also on Thursday at the Georgia State Railroad Museum will be the Secret Savannah Speakeasy. This is a fun event where people dress up in 20’s attire and enjoy small plate tastings while savoring those once-upon-a-time illegal beverages served up in Savannah’s prohibition heyday. Don’t be surprised if couples break out onto the dance floor doing the Charleston or the Turkey Trot. Friday’s River Street Stroll is a “major, signature event,” said Jan “There are massive tents that span the plaza with a river view.” This evening affair features tastings of every beverage that the festival has offered including wine, beer, and spirits. It is a massive amount of things to swish and swirl, sip and savor. Tickets for this event are only $50 and they sell out every year. This is your best value event so don’t miss out. Taste of Savannah will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Georgia State Railroad Museum. This is THE big event of the festival with over 500 choices of wines, spirits, and Belgian beers. Savannah restaurants will be serving up portions of their most popular dishes and a wide variety of cooking demonstrations and learning experiences will be available. There will be a huge artisan market, a silent auction, and a Celebrity Cookbook Author’s tent. Each ticket comes with 5 food coins and the tastings run from 3 to 9 dollars. “The food is unbelievable,” noted Jan. New this year will be the barbeque alley featuring pit masters from all over the southeast as well as a Georgia Grown Village. A limited number of VIP Lounge tickets are available with early access, private tents, parking, and catered gourmet delights. The festival will appropriately wrap up with a Jazz and Bubbles Sunday Brunch where participants can toast each other and a week well spent ensconced in fine food and drink, Savannah-style. Located on the water at the Westin, this is a great way to wind down with soothing music and bubbly galore. For more information on individual events and to order tickets, visit their website at Savannahfoodandwinefest.com. Jan will also be organizing another regional event this year – the St. Simons Island Food + Spirits Festival from October 5-9 which raises money and awareness for Hospice of the Golden Isles, www.ssifoodandspirits.com. TASTEOFHILTONHEAD.COM
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Family Wellness BY CHRISTY BARONI • PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN
In the Summer article we talked about the Food Journal that can literally change your life. Well, not much is more life changing than raising a family, especially when it comes to body image, time management, and overall wellness. Raising children who value wellness starts at home. There are a few habits that you can start now, no matter if your children are 6 months, 6 years, or 16 years old that can get them thinking in these terms. These habits, while hard to start if they are out of your comfort zone, will reap benefits for years to come. First, get moving together. A tradition that is very close to my heart is family walks. After dinner, before bath time, while everyone still has that last shred 46
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of energy, we get outside. When my little ones were babies they rode along in the stroller. Now that they are older, these walks include footballs to throw and catch, soccer balls or basketballs to dribble, and sometimes scooters and bikes. Even just 10-15 minutes of time away from the distractions of your home can give you that special time together. I often learn extra details about their day during this time, which I cherish greatly. Second, prioritize meals together. As I mentioned in that previous article, I find that the more times I eat with my family, the better our little family unit functions. Prioritizing having meals around the table together can reap lifelong benefits for both you and your children. Ronald
Reagan said “All great change happens around the dinner table” and I believe no truer words have been spoken about impacting change one small moment at a time. Even if your family does not already have the habit of eating meals together, you can take each day as a clean slate and start on the right foot. Having a healthy breakfast around the table together is a way to get everyone moving and is often a brief moment when there are very few distractions like sports, work, text messages, and TV. For many busy families this is the only meal where everyone can reasonably be accountable to sit and eat together. The simpler your meal is, the easier
it is for little hands to help. Consider crockpot meals where even small children can help pour ingredients, dial up the heat setting, and then scoop on to plates to serve. One of my favorite recipes of all times captures these first two habits in one: Apple Pie Oatmeal. This recipe is delicious, easy to prepare, and will help to wake up the whole family in a good mood. I prepare this with the kids before they go to bed, then just start the crockpot right before I go to bed a few
hours later. Your family will wake up to the smell of apples and cinnamon, who can resist that? Third, and my absolute favorite, is rest and play together as well. We all know that life is demanding. It’s good to work toward excellence in school or work, in sports, and in other activities. However, just like any good fitness program contains days of rest, I believe families who unplug and have fun together will also be the strongest. We live in a world
Apple Pie Oatmeal Ingredients:
Recipe:
1 cup steel cut oats 4 cups unsweetened almond milk 2 medium apples, chopped 1 teaspoon coconut oil 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg Splash of lemon juice
Stir all ingredients together in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Give it a good stir before serving. You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 week, and just add a splash of almond milk to re-heat in the microwave.
that is constantly telling us to do more, be more, get more, have more. It takes a very intentional plan to carve out time to just ‘be still’ and enjoy each other’s company. Choosing a day of the week where there is nothing scheduled seems simple, but it takes family teamwork to protect that plan and keep that time focused on your family unit. A few of my favorite ways to spend those family days is a trip to the beach, or a quick drive out to Palmetto Bluff to play in the tree houses. Christy Baroni is a Nutrition Specialist, CrossFit L1 Trainer, and a certified Personal Trainer. She is a military spouse, a mother of two, a competitive athlete, and is dedicated to helping people cultivate daily habits to create the body and life of their dreams. For more healthy living ideas or to create your own fitness and nutrition plan contact her at 843-321-8125 or Christy@ ThriveFitnessAndNutrition.com.
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A TASTE OF LUNCH
A LOWCOUNTRY BACKYARD
Located at 32 Palmetto Bay Road in the Village Exchange. Capture the true essence of the island while enjoying local and regional inspired cuisine featuring owner Dave and Raina Peck’s family recipes. Choose from Potato chip meatloaf, Charleston fried green tomato sandwich, shrimp & grits, Southern Belle salad and a wide selection of other lowcountry favorites. Dine in or outside in the comfortable backyard. Experience the island, love the food! Serving Lunch Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday 12 - 3 p.m. and Dinner 4:30 - 9 p.m., Monday - Saturday and Brunch on Saturday 9 - 12 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Call (843) 785-YARD (9273) or visit us online at www.hhbackyard.com.
ANNIE O’S SOUTHERN EATS
Located at the corner of Arrow and Target Road. “All-Natural” makes the difference! Serving All-Natural proteins including Grass Fed Beef, Pastured Pork, Free-Range Chicken, CageFree Eggs and Wild/Sustainable Seafood. The Southern
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inspired menu offers traditional Southern favorites featuring All-Natural products because “It just tastes better”. Enjoy indoor seating and the newly created outdoor deck and garden seating. Open Monday thru Saturday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Call (843) 341-2664.
ASIAN BISTRO
Located at 51 New Orleans Rd., just off the Sea Pines circle. Sleek contemporary style restaurant offering Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisine as well as a nice selection of dim sum choices. A sushi bar, traditional bar and an all-you-caneat buffet (lunch only) highlight this magnificent Asian fusion location. Happy hour nightly from 5 until 8 p.m. and carry out is also available. Serving continuously from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily. Call (843) 686-9888.
AUNT CHILADAS EASY STREET CAFE
Located at 69 Pope Avenue. With a tag line of “Not your everyday Mexican” one can only imagine what a familyfriendly, fun restaurant Aunt Chilada’s is to both locals and visitors alike! Located on the south-end of Hilton Head, visit Aunt Chilada’s for fresh margaritas, fajitas, and even crab legs! The huge, covered outdoor patio is perfect for all gatherings. Open seven days a week. A member of the Coastal Restaurants and Bars family of restaurants. Call (843) 785-7700 or visit auntchiladashhi.com. #auntchiladashhi.
THE BIG BAMBOO CAFE
Just steps from the beach, the Big Bamboo Cafe is located in Coligny Plaza on North Forest Beach Drive. Featuring fresh seafood, fish tacos, delicious salads and the build your own burgers, the Big Bamboo Cafe provides an all American menu in a laid back beach atmosphere. Thirsty? Try a famous margarita as you sit amongst the WWII memorablia and the Bamboo inspired island vibe. Full bar and kids menu available. Serving lunch Mon-Sat. 11.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (843) 686-3443.
BIG JIM’S BBQ, BURGERS & PIZZA
New restaurant located in Palmetto Dunes at the Robert Trent Jones Clubhouse. Big Jim’s offers signature Southern dishes, including BBQ, gourmet burgers and grilled pizza plus soups, salads, seafood, steaks and ribs. Enjoy indoor or outdoor seating with big screen TVs and golf course views. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours are 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Happy Hour daily 4 until 7 p.m. and seasonal live entertainment. Take out and catering available. Call (843) 7851165 or www.palmettodunes.com/big-jims.
BRITISH OPEN PUB
Located in The Village at Wexford and Sheridan Park in Bluffton. Authentic English fare served in attractive pub-style atmosphere with golf art, memorabilia, and the only bar by Titleist. Featuring our famous Fish n’ Chips or Sandwedges like the Aberdeen Burger, Clubhouse Classic, Wexford Reuben, English Dip and Lobster Roll. Full bar and beers, ales, and stouts from around the world. Serving daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., Brunch served Saturday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call Hilton Head (843) 686-6736 or Bluffton (843) 815-6736. TASTEOFHILTONHEAD.COM
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CAPTAIN WOODY’S
All New Location at 6 Target Road on Hilton Head and in Bluffton at the Calhoun Street Promenade. A local favorite for over 30 years! Unique Island Location highlights fresh seafood, daily specials, great signature sandwiches (Grouper melt & Po Boy’s) and more in one of Hilton Head’s favorite dining destinations. Fantastic outdoor deck and bar. Open daily from 11 a.m. until late. Call (843) 785-2400 or (843) 757-6222 or online at www.captainwoodys.com.
CAROLINA CRAB COMPANY
Located in Palmetto Bay Marina, just off Helmsman Way. With a pet-friendly patio as well as indoor dining, Carolina Crab Company offers an array of fresh seafood, burgers, crab legs, Lowcountry boil and daily Chef specials. Open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. with brunch served Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy water views from the outside bar. A member of the Coastal Restaurants and Bars family of restaurants. Call (843) 842-2016 or visit carolinacrabco.com. #carolinacrabco.
CHARBAR CO
Located in Park Plaza right outside Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head. A local favorite serving a chef inspired menu featuring award winning gourmet burgers, signature sandwiches, veggie and shrimp burgers and salads that are as great as our burgers — all for around $8-10 with quick casual dining experience. We feature a fun and inviting indoor/ outdoor environment with a full bar and a music collection spanning the decades. Voted Hilton Head Island “People’s Choice Best Burger”, 1st Place Winner of Burgers & Brews 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015! Open daily from 11:30-10 p.m. Kids menu and takeout available. Call us at (843) 785-CHAR (2427) or visit us online at www.Facebook.com/CharbarCo!
CHARLIE’S L’ETOILE VERTE
Located at 8 New Orleans Rd., just off Hwy. 278. Casual dining at its best. One-of-a kind Cobb salad piled high with crispy bacon, turkey and cheese, dressed with Essie’s homemade sweet tomato vinaigrette that has kept the locals hooked for more than 30 years. Fish Cakes, Sauteed Flounder and an array of salads for anyone on the run. Dine-in or Take-out. Open for lunch Monday thru Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., and dinner Monday thru Saturday from 5:30 p.m. Call (843) 7859277 or check us out online at www.charliesgreenstar.com.
THE CHART HOUSE
Located at Two Hudson Rd., just off Squire Pope Rd. Serving up sensational food accompanied by spectacular water views of the Intracoastal waterway and extraordinary service. The expansive menu features fresh fish, pristine seafood, succulent steaks, Open for lunch and dinner daily, as well as Sunday Brunch. Happy hour offered daily from 4 until 7 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Call (843) 342-9066 or online at www.chart-house.com. 50
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CHOW DADDY’S
Located at 14B Executive Park Road, just off Pope Avenue and Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton. One of the island’s newest and most creative restaurants offers a healthy alternative to casual dining. Slow roasting their pork and chicken on Big Green Eggs and using local and organic ingredients whenever possible. Menu items include, Homemade White Bean and Kale Soup, Arugula Salad with grilled fennel and citrus vinaigrette, Chicken with Ricotta and Onion Jam on Ciabatta, A Ground in house Prime Rib Burger and Great Tacos. Full bar, extensive wine selection and great cocktails. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. until midnight. Outdoor seating available on our terrace. Call (843) 842-CHOW (2469) or (843) 757-CHOW (2469) or online at www.chowdaddys.com.
COLIGNY DELI AND GRILL
Specializing in Philadelphia cheesesteaks, awesome reubens and great sandwiches featuring Thuman’s fine deli meats. Burgers, dogs and fries as well! Or try our southern treat FritoPie! Fantastic Kids menu too! Eat in, dine outside, or call ahead to take out. Don’t forget to get your picture with Mooey Looey to remember your visit. Located in Coligny Plaza next to Coligny Hardware. Call (843) 785-4440.
CRAZY CRAB
Two great waterfront locations- South end in Harbour Town in Sea Pines and North end Hwy. 278 overlooking Jarvis Creek. The “Islander’s place for fresh seafood for over 30 years,” The Crazy Crab restaurants are a must-visit for those enjoying all Hilton Head has to offer. Fresh local seafood is prepared any way you wish – broiled, fried, steamed, blackened, etc. Gluten free and vegan options also available. Open seven days a week. See the largest salt-water aquarium on Hilton Head (Hwy. 278 location). Call (843) 363-2722 (Harbour Town), (843) 681-5021 (Jarvis Creek) or visit thecrazycrab.com. #thecrazycrab.
DELISHEEYO
Located at 32 Palmetto Bay Rd. in The Village Exchange. The Island’s health food kitchen features organic juices, smoothees, salads, wraps, bowls and healthy snacks. Offering food that makes you feel good, choose from raw, vegan or gluten free options. Open Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Call (843) 785-3633 or online at www. delisheeyo.com.
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THE DRYDOCK SEAFOOD GRILL & SPIRITS
All new location at 840 William Hilton Pkwy. Go where the locals go for fresh seafood, cold drinks and good times. We are easy to find, but hard to leave. Choose from a wide variety of fresh seafood, signature sandwiches, salads and more in a casual and comfortable atmosphere. Dine inside or enjoy the outdoor patio. Open 7 days for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. Call (843) 842-9775.
ELA’S BLU WATER GRILLE
Located at One Shelter Cove Lane. Featured in Bon Appetit and winner of numerous Open Table awards, Ela’s offers fresh catch seafood and prime cut steaks of the highest quality, all prepared by our culinary team of experts and complimented by an extensive boutique wine selection. Known for the best water views on the island, we have a casual intimate interior, wrap around dining patio exterior and nightly entertainment. Private parties, rehearsal dinners and special events welcome. Open for lunch Monday thru Friday, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Reservations recom-mended. Call (843) 785-3030 or online at ww.elasgrille.com.
FLATBREAD GRILL
Located at Coligny Circle oceanside in the Beach Market Center. This upscale casual dining sensation is sure to be a favorite of
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both visitors and locals. Choose from Neopolitan pizza, fresh pasta, gourmet salads, or hearty sandwiches all cooked in our open hearth oven. Hang out in our friendly lounge and enjoy a nice selection of appetizers and cocktails while viewing your favorite sporting event on our HDTV’s. Take-out available. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. for lunch and dinner. Call (843) 341-2225 or online at www.flatbreadgrillhhi.com.
THE FROSTY FROG CAFÉ
Located in Coligny Plaza. A comfortable, casual atmosphere offering a “web-footed lickin” menu and an enormous amount of frozen daiquiris by the glass or by the gallon. Outside seating with retractable roof, beach area and tiki bar. Black angus burger, crab cakes, pizza, prime rib sandwich, salads, subs, wraps, peel and eat shrimp, calamari and of course fried frog legs. 28 HD TV’s for great sports viewing as well as a kid’s menu. Open for lunch and dinner daily from 11 a.m. Call (843) 686-FROG (3764) or online at www.frostyfrog.com.
GRINGO’S DINER
Located at 6 Lagoon Rd., near the beach in Coligny Plaza. This cozy and comfortable diner serves breakfast and lunch all day. The food and service makes for the perfect stop for visitors and locals alike. Enjoy contemporary American and Mexican food in a warm atmosphere with friendly service. Enjoy fantastic lunch selections like our yummy homemade burgers,
sandwiches, B.L.T’s, hot dogs, fried baskets, awesome Philly cheesesteaks and famous hand cut French fries and shakes. Dine inside or outside. Take out is available. Open daily from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Call (843) 785-5400.
HINOKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT AND SUSHI BAR Located at 37 New Orleans Road in New Orleans Plaza. Enjoy traditional Japanese dishes such as grilled fish, chicken and steak, suki yaki, a variety of noodle dishes, tempura, daily specials, plus sushi and sashimi. The very extensive menu includes dozens of appetizers, several kinds of broiled fish, salads and over 20 entrees from which to choose. Three intimate dining rooms, a sushi bar and a cocktail lounge offers something for everyone. Early Bird specials and take-out available. Open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., Monday thru Friday and dinner from 5:30 until 10 p.m., Monday thru Saturday. Call (843) 785-9800.
HOLY TEQUILA
Located in Park Plaza, the Holy Tequila taqueria blends gourmet tacos with American flavors, Mexican street food and tequila in an eclectic atmosphere! Prepare your senses for a fusion of flavors that reaches into the heart of Mexico! Holy Tequila combines an open kitchen with indoor/outdoor dining and a dynamic bar to create a high energy fiesta! We serve gourmet tacos, quesadillas, and smalls plates all under $10 with a full bar offering over 40 kinds of premium tequilas. The cuisine is modern, fun and uninhibited, just like our guests! The restaurant is open 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily with happy hour specials from 4-7 p.m. Call us at (843) 681-TACO (8226) or visit us online at www.Facebook.com/HolyTequila!
HUDSON’S SEAFOOD HOUSE ON THE DOCKS
Located on the Intracoastal Waterway off Squire Pope Rd. With 45 years of casual dining experience and spectacular views of the Intracoastal Waterway, Hudson’s is one of the Island’s most recognized landmarks. Featuring the freshest, local seafood in the area as well as pasta, steaks, chicken and more. Kids menu available. Featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Bon Appetit. Open daily at 11 a.m. Call (843) 681-2772.
KENNY B’S CAJUN SEAFOOD HUT
Located in Circle Center, just off Pope Avenue. Enjoy Creole cuisine with a Lowcountry influence. Find an appealing choice of Cajun fare such as Shrimp Etoufee, Crawfish Etoufee, Jambalaya, N’awlins Po Boy’s, Red Beans & Rice and authentic Gumbos. Great soups and salads, as well as a kid’s menu and take-out service available. Also, cold beer and awesome desserts. Open Monday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday thru Saturday, 8:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. Call (843) 785-3315.
LAGERHEAD TAVERN
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lunch menu and spend quality time with family and friends after a round of golf. The Tavern celebrates the indigenous Loggerhead Sea Turtle creating an atmosphere that is coastal, casual and fun. Open for lunch and dinner. Call (843) 681-2184.
LAND’S END TAVERN
Located at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines. Featuring great seafood, steaks, sandwiches and salads. A casual atmosphere with a pirate theme ensures fun for the whole family. Great kid’s menu and desserts. It’s a bounty of treasure waiting to be plundered. Serving all day, every day starting from 8 a.m. Call (843) 671-5456 for seasonal hours.
MANGIAMO
Located at 2000 Main Street. A comfortable and cozy atmosphere featuring outstanding pizza, subs, salads and pasta. Beer and wine, kid’s menu, and daily specials offer something for everyone. Enjoy half price cheese pizza from 3 until 4 p.m. Dine inside, on the patio or take it to go. North Island delivery available. Your home away from home for The Ohio State Buckeyes. Open Sunday thru Thursday from 11 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Call (843) 682-2444.
MEDITERRANEAN HARBOUR
Located at 13 Shelter Cove Lane in Shelter Cove Marina. A warm and comfortable dining experience featuring Lebanese cuisine. Choose from our hearty chicken, beef or lamb kabobs, delicious seafood as well as vegan and gluten free selections including falafel, grape leaves and baba ghanouj. Our dishes are created from homemade recipes and spices from Lebanon. Enjoy beautiful views of the harbour from our outdoor dining area or outside bar. Open for lunch and dinner daily from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. Call (843) 842-9991 for more information or reservations.
MELLOW MUSHROOM
Located in Park Plaza on Hilton Head and at 878 Fording Island Rd. in Bluffton. If you’re looking for a fun and lively place for the whole family, this is it. Specializing in great pizza and calzones, monumental hoagies and fresh salads all in a comfortable and casual setting. Kid friendly and affordably priced menu for both lunch and dinner. Over twenty-four beers on tap, fifty more by bottle and a full bar available. Dine inside or outside on the patio. Open daily from 11 a.m. Call (843) 686-2474 (HHI) or (843) 706-0800 (B-Town).
OKKO RESTAURANT
Located at 95 Mathews Drive in Port Royal Plaza, Suite C. Contemporary Asian cuisine served in a magnificent atmosphere. Choose from Hibachi, Thai or Chinese or relax at the sushi bar or in the lounge. Open 7 days from 11:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m., Sunday thru Thursday and 11:30 a.m. until midnight on Saturday and Sunday. Call (843) 341-3377 for more information or directions. 54
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PALMETTO BAY SUNRISE CAFE
Located in Palmetto Bay Marina off Helmsman Way. Serving breakfast and lunch all day. Awesome sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups, chicken, seafood and daily blue plate specials in cozy and comfortable atmosphere. Beer, wine and liquor available as well as take-out and childrens menu. Eat inside or relax on the outside patio. “One of the Best Breakfasts on Hilton Head”, Southern Living magazine. Open Daily Monday thru Friday, 6 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Call (843) 686-3232 for more information.
PANERA BREAD
Located at 1012 William Hilton Parkway, just before the Sea Pines circle and Bluffton at Tanger 1 Outlet. With the skill of an Artisan, the heat of the oven and a few fine ingredients our bakers make bread that is simply delicious and baked fresh right here every day. Offering a wide selection of fantastic food including our signature sandwiches, hot paninis, delicious soups and signature salads. Catering also available. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Call (843) 686-3838 or (843) 757-5611.
PLANTATION CAFÉ & DELI
Located South Island at 81 Pope Avenue in Heritage Plaza and North Island at Port Royal Plaza. An Island favorite since 1974. From soups and salads to sandwiches and Blue plate specials,
we have something for everyone. Choose from a great selection of meats and sides and a wide array of salads, soups and sandwiches, all served at moderate prices. We promise you will not leave hungry. Beer and wine available. Open for lunch Monday thru Saturday at 11:30 a.m., and Sunday brunch from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call (843) 785-9020 or (843) 342-4472.
REDFISH
On the Corner of Palmetto Bay Rd. and Archer Rd. on Hilton Head, and 32 Bruin Rd. in Bluffton. Serving Innovative Cuisine in a unique and inviting atmosphere. Specializing in excellent seafood, steaks, salads and daily specials. Attached bar and retail wine shop with over 1,000 selections of fine wines. Outdoor seating available. Serving lunch Monday thru Saturday from 11:30 a.m. and dinner daily from 5 p.m. Call (843) 6863388 or (843) 837-8888 or online at edfishofhiltonhead.com.
REILLEY’S
Located in Reilley’s Plaza, just off Sea Pines Circle. Serving up delicious steaks, seafood, pasta and sandwiches on Hilton Head Island for over 30 years. With a sophisticated warm ambiance, the family-friendly atmosphere will have your family dining with the Reilley family again and again. Dine indoors or outside on the deck. Enjoy nightly dinner specials with family, or toasting to the good life with mimosas and Sunday brunch.
Premium Golfer's Pub, est. 1998
Just a Sampling SANDWEDGES Lobster Roll, Grilled Veggie Sandwedge, Angus Burgers, Wexford Rubens FROM THE GREEN Pub Lobster Salad, Chef Salad, Cobb Salad, Hogan Black & Bleu BRITISH FARE Award Winning Fish & Chips, Steak & Mushroom Pie, Chicken Pot Pie, Bangers & Mash, Liver & Onions PRESTWICK TABLE Gleneagles Surf & Turf, Filet Mignon, Lobster Pot Pie, Orange Glazed Salmon, BBQ Ribs, Seafood Platter Lunch and Dinner daily 11 a.m. Until late Sat. Brunch 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. • Sun. Brunch 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Happy Hour Daily from 4 until 7 p.m.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, VILLAGE AT WEXFORD: 843.686.6736 BLUFFTON, SHERIDAN PARK: 843.815.6736
Voted Islands Best All Around Restaurant 2012 Best Bar/Tavern 2015 and Best Fish & Chips 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 TASTEOFHILTONHEAD.COM
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Lunch and dinner served seven days a week. Happy Hour from 4 until 7 p.m. Take-out and kids menus available. Call (843) 842-4414 or visit reilleyshiltonhead.com.
REILLEY’S NORTH END PUB
Located in Port Royal Plaza. The sister restaurant of Reilley’s Grill & Bar (located on the south end), Reilley’s North End Pub has been serving up delicious steaks, seafood, pasta and sandwiches on Hilton Head for over 30 years. With a sophisticated warm ambiance, Reilley’s is reminiscent of a true Boston pub. Experience the family-friendly atmosphere for some local fun and Tuesday Trivia. Enjoy nightly dinner specials with family, or toasting to the good life with mimosas and Sunday Brunch (champagne included). Lunch and dinner served seven days a week. Happy hour daily from 4 until 7p.m. Takeout available. Call (843) 681-4153 or visit reilleysnorth.com.
RUAN THAI HUT
Located at 1107 Main Street. Serving Authentic Thai fare using the freshest ingredients available. Mild to very hot, you can choose the spice level of your meal. Appetizers, soups, salads, desserts and kids meals round out an extensive menu with something for all ages. Sit inside or outside on the comfortable patio. Open Monday thru Saturday for lunch and dinner. Call (843) 681-3700.
THE SALTY DOG CAFE
Located at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines. Great food, frozen drinks and live entertainment from the island’s favorite outdoor cafe. Enjoy beautiful waterfront views overlooking Braddock’s Cove in a fun and casual atmosphere. Happy Hour daily with a full menu available, plus an outdoor cookout, Salty Dog Ice Cream and Jake’s Pizza during the season. Call (843) 671-CAFE (2233) for seasonal hours.
SAN MIGUEL’S MEXICAN CAFE
Located at Harbourside III on Shelter Cove Harbour. A great combination of beautiful views and Mexican delicacies makes this the perfect spot for food from south of the border. Burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, chimichangas and more Mexican fare offers something for everyone. Open for lunch daily from 11:30 a.m until 5 p.m. Dine inside or out. Call (843) 842-4555.
SANTA FE CAFÉ
Located at 807 William Hilton Parkway near the entrance to Palmetto Dunes. Our elegant yet casual, cozy atmosphere captures the spirit of New Mexico. Innovative southwestern cuisine featuring our Quesadilla Soup and Salad Trio, Santa Fe Salad, Fish Tacos, Steak Fajitas and many other great lunch selections. Excellent wine list, wide selection of imported beer and full bar. Take-out available. Open for lunch Monday thru Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Dinner 7 nights a week from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Call (843) 785-3838 or www.santafehhi.com. 56
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STEAMER SEAFOOD
Located on the pond in Coligny Plaza. Fresh seafood, shellfish, sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts all served in a rustic Lowcountry atmosphere. Try one of our famous baskets with your choice of chicken, fish, shrimp or oysters. The most kidfriendly restaurant on the Island with seating inside or outside on the deck or the patio. Full bar and take-out available. Open for Lunch daily at 11:30 a.m. Call (843) 785-2070.
STREET MEET
Located in Port Royal Plaza near Sam’s Club. An American style tavern, select from our $7 lunch menu, paleo bowls, or choose from popular items like our NY Hofmann hot dogs, butcher ground burgers, homemade black bean burgers, homemade Italian wedding soup or the island’s best fish and chips. Enjoy a cold beer or cocktail after a day at the beach in an atmosphere that welcomes the entire family (Penny a pound for kids on Saturday). Serving from 11:30 a.m. until 1 a.m. daily. Call (843) 842-2570 or online at www.streetmeethhi.com.
SUNSET GRILLE
Located on the Intracoastal Waterway at Hilton Head Harbor, 43 Jenkins Rd. The Grille offers a casual fine dining experience with breathtaking sunset views. The lunch menu offers a great selection of gorgeous salads, Mussels provencal, shrimp & grits, smoked salmon and the famous stuffed burger as well as daily specials. Come enjoy a fantastic lunch with fantastic views. Lunch is Tuesday thru Friday 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Call (843) 689-6744. www.sunsetgrillehhi.com.
TRUFFLES CAFE
Located in Sea Pines Center and Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton. Delicious home-made soups, fabulous salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta and fresh local seafood. Casual Cafes featuring the freshest food and finest service for over 30 years. Full bar and fine wines available by the glass or bottle. Don’t forget to try one of our outrageous desserts. Outside seating available at the Belfair location. Call for Priority Seating. Serving lunch and dinner daily. Call (843) 671-6136 or 815-5551 or go to www.trufflescafe.com.
THE WRECK OF THE SALTY DOG
Located at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines. Enjoy a casual and fun atmosphere in the same spirit as The Salty Dog Cafe. Serving a full bar with excellent food and waterfront view overlooking South Beach Marina and Braddock’s Cove, The Wreck offers excellent Happy Hour drink and appetizer specials. Available for private parties. Call (843) 671-SEAS (7327) for seasonal hours.
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ISLAND RECREATION FALL FESTIVALS BY LOUISE LUND
One of the best times of year for being on Hilton Head is practically upon us. Brisk mornings warmed by sunshiny blue skies and low humidity make it great weather for being outdoors. Festivals are always a great place for friends and family to mix and mingle with neighbors, bringing together a crowd of fun-loving folks ready for an excuse to let loose. This year, autumn brings a wide array of exciting events and activities for everyone to enjoy. The Hilton Head Island Recreation Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people of all ages, will be sponsoring The Burgers and Brew Festival, on Saturday, October 1, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and the Oyster Festival, Fri, Nov 11, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., both to be held at Shelter Cove Community Park The Island Recreation Association and its community sponsors have served our community well, planning many fun-filled events throughout the year for families and friends. The Burgers and Brew Festival is back and local restaurants will be preparing their best slider burgers. We all know a good beer isn’t complete without a good burger. Shelter Cove Community Park will transform into a fall fest complete with a beer garden, restaurant stations, and a kids’ zone. The festival has highlighted the best American food the island has to offer since 2012, when it was first held. Local restaurants will gather at the park to prepare
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a variety of sliders and compete for the best burger. Attendees will vote to select their favorite. Festival-goers can expect to see some inventive burgers. Turkey, shrimp, lamb and even bologna were grilled or cooked last year, and more than 20 craft beers will be available to taste. A beer garden, sponsored by Ocean Woods, will feature 20 different brews. There will be live music, a kids’ zone with plenty of moon bounces and games, as well as a big screen television with a viewing area for college football fans to watch and cheer on their favorite teams. “Burgers and Brew kicks off our fundraising season, and last year’s event was excellent,” association executive director Frank Soule said. “As long as beer and burgers stay popular, which I don’t foresee changing any time soon, there is an excellent opportunity for this event to grow.” Expect bold, unconventional pairings, like filet mignon tartar topped with chopped caper, shallot, onion relish, crispy parmesan disc, arugula, herb mayo and fried egg. The 2015 Burgers and Brew Festival winners for last year were: 1st Place - Charbar Co for their bacon marmalade cheeseburger, The Champ; Pork belly pimento jalapeno hamburger, or Dirty South, and their Chili Cheese Frito Burger with sweet onion. 2nd Place - The Lodge for their Stoned Smoked Porter Slider, with cheddar and stone smoked porter onions; Hot Asian Slider, with Hot Asian sauce, wonton strips, and Siracha drizzle, and Fried Mac and Cheese Slider, with
fried mac and cheese on a classic American cheeseburger. 3rd Place - Lagerhead Tavern for their Juicy Lucy, Cheddar cheese curd stuffed Black Angus beef burger, caramelized onion, Bourbon peppercorn sauce, on a brioche bun, and also for their The Works, and Steakhouse sliders. Get shuckin’ at the Hilton Head Island Oyster Festival! Oyster season in South Carolina actually begins in September as it is an “R” month and runs through April! There is so much going on at this time of year –football, festivals, and of course the opening of the Hilton Head Island oyster season along the coast! Enjoy your oysters with friends at the 2016 Hilton Head Island Oyster Festival, Friday, Nov 11, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. This festival is quite the pearl! Island Rec has organized the perfect set-up for a true oyster-fest, with buckets of local cluster-style oysters and regionally harvested “oyster singles” ready for your shuckin’ and slurpin’ enjoyment. The fun and foodie fare includes steamed, grilled and fried oysters plus shrimp, hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, marshmallow roasting and more! Assuming that most islanders are always up for some oysters and down for some good music, Hilton Head Island’s annual Oyster Festival promises just that—a weekend full of flavor and live entertainment sure to shuck you in. Local Hilton Head Island oysters are known and appreciated the world over for their briny sweetness This year’s Oyster Festival will be quite the social celebration and certainly a great excuse for us all to have more fun this fall. They will be serving up some of Hilton Head Island’s favorite steamed oysters, along with live entertainment by special musical guests. This year’s event will also feature a big screen television with a viewing area so you don’t have to worry about missing the big game, as well as a kids’ Zone with bounce houses and games. Add two dozen arts and crafts vendors and a silent auction chocked full of fabulous finds like rounds of golf, restaurant gift certificates and local art. But it’s not just about the food. All the proceeds of the silent auction will go to the Island Recreation Association’s scholarship fund, to help provide opportunities to children and families that don’t have the funds to participate in their activities. All event proceeds go directly to the Island Recreation Association’s Children’s scholarship fund which insures that “no child is denied” recreational opportunities in our community. For more information on these events, visit online at www.islandreccenter.org, or contact the Island Recreation Center at (843) 681-7273.
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A TASTE OF BREAKFAST / BRUNCH A LOWCOUNTRY BACKYARD
Located at 32 Palmetto Bay Road in the Village Exchange. Capture the true essence of the island while enjoying local and regional inspired cuisine featuring owner Dave and Raina Peck’s family recipes. Choose from Uncle Bill’s biscuits and gravy, James Island crab cake benedict, Backyard benedict, Bananas Foster french toast and a wide selection of other lowcountry favorites. Dine in or outside in the comfortable backyard. Experience the island, love the food! Serving Lunch Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday 12 - 3 p.m. and Dinner 4:30 - 9 p.m., Monday - Saturday and Brunch on Saturday 9 - 12 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Call (843) 785-YARD (9273) or visit us online at hbackyard.com.
BIG JIM’S BBQ, BURGERS & PIZZA
New restaurant located in Palmetto Dunes at the Robert Trent Jones Clubhouse. Big Jim’s serves breakfast daily from 7 until 10 a.m. featuring classic favorites plus the $5 breakfast special. Enjoy a bloody mary or mimosa to start your day. Lunch and dinner daily featuring BBQ, gourmet burgers and grilled pizza. Hours are 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Happy Hour every day 4 until 7 p.m. and seasonal live entertainment. Take out and catering available. Call (843) 785-1165 or www.palmettodunes.com/big-jims.
BRITISH OPEN PUB
Located in The Village at Wexford and Sheridan Park in Bluffton. Fabulous Brunch served in an authentic English style pub. Choose from Watson’s Steak & Eggs, Eggs Faldo (Benedict), Old Tom Morris Omelette, Pancakes, Cinnamon French Toast and more. Serving bottomless Mimosa’s and made from scratch Bloody Mary’s. Brunch served Saturday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m and Sunday 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call Hilton Head (843) 686-6736 or Bluffton (843) 815-6736.
CAPTAIN WOODY’S
All new location at 6 Target Road on Hilton Head and in Bluffton on the Calhoun Street Promenade. Serving Sunday brunch featuring shrimp & grits, steak & eggs, crab cake benedict, prime rib benedict, French toast, omelettes and much more. Wash it all down with a Captain Woody’s Bloody Mary, May River Mimosa or Promenade Poinsetta. Open for brunch on Sunday’s only from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call (843) 785-2400 or (843) 757-6222 or online at www.captainwoodys.com.
CAROLINA CRAB COMPANY
Located in Palmetto Bay Marina, just off Helmsman Way. With a pet-friendly patio as well as indoor dining, Carolina Crab Company offers an array of fresh seafood, burgers, crab legs, Lowcountry boil and daily Chef specials. Open seven days 60
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a week from 11:30 a.m. with brunch served Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy water views from the outside bar. A member of the Coastal Restaurants and Bars family of restaurants. Call (843) 842-2016 or visit carolinacrabco.com. #carolinacrabco.
THE CHART HOUSE
Located at Two Hudson Rd., just off Squire Pope Rd. Serving up sensational food accompanied by spectacular water views of the Intracoastal waterway. Featuring fresh fish, pristine seafood, succulent steaks, Lowcountry specialties and an extensive collection of fine wines and decadent desserts. Relax on the expanded contemporary patio. Open for lunch and dinner daily, as well as Sunday Brunch. Happy hour offered daily from 4 until 7 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Call (843) 342-9066 or online at www.chart-house.com.
CRAZY CRAB
Located on Hwy. 278 Overlooking Jarvis Creek. A unique waterfront brunch experience featuring delicious items like our Crab Cake Benedict, Chicken and Waffles, and Shrimp and Grits. Take in the beautiful views of Jarvis Creek while enjoying a tasty Bloody Mary or Mimosa. An outdoor waterfront playground is sure to be a hit with the kids as well. Open Saturday and Sunday for brunch from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Call (843) 681-5021 or online at www.thecrazycrab.com.
ELA’S BLU WATER GRILLE
Located at One Shelter Cove Lane. Featured in Bon Appetit and winner of numerous Open Table awards, Ela’s offers fresh catch seafood and prime cut steaks of the highest quality, all prepared by our culinary team of experts and complimented by an extensive boutique wine selection. Known for the best water views on the island, we have a casual intimate interior, wrap around dining patio exterior and nightly entertainment. Private parties, rehearsal dinners and special events welcome. Open for lunch Monday thru Friday, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Reservations recommended. Call (843) 785-3030 or online at www.elasgrille.com.
GRINGO’S DINER
Located at 6 Lagoon Rd., near the beach in Coligny Plaza. This cozy and comfortable diner serves breakfast and lunch all day. The food and service makes for the perfect stop for visitors and locals alike. Enjoy contemporary American and Mexican food in a warm atmosphere with friendly service. We offer tremendous pancakes, breakfast burritos and tacos, omelettes, chimichangas, and more. Dine inside or outside. Take out is available. Open daily from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Call (843) 785-5400.
HOLY TEQUILA
Located at 33 Office Park Road in Park Plaza-- Holy Tequila has a new weekend brunch from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday & Sundays that will blow your taste buds away. Come sample the island’s best brunch with favorites like churro french toast, steak and egg tacos, shrimp and grits and huevos rancheros on our open air indoor/ outdoor patio! Brunch drink specials include $3 Mimosas and $5 Specialty brunch cocktails and margaritas! Call 843-681-TACO (8226) to reserve your space!
HUDSON’S SEAFOOD HOUSE ON THE DOCKS Located at 1 Hudson Rd. on the Intracoastal Waterway off Squire Pope Rd. Enjoy a wide variety of sweet and savory Lowcountry dishes complete with brunch cocktails and
sweeping views of Port Royal Sound. Lots of seafood-focused menu items featuring extremely fresh and local products like Blue Crab Benedict, Cathead Biscuits and Gravy, Shrimp and Grits and many more. Serving Brunch every Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Call (843) 681-2772 or online at www.hudsonsonthedocks.com.
KENNY B’S CAJUN SEAFOOD HUT
Located in Circle Center, just off Pope Avenue. Enjoy Creole cuisine with a Lowcountry influence. Our Sunday brunch buffet features beignets, scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, grits, fruit and a made-to-order omelette station with eggs benedict. For a sampling of our regular weekday menu, choose from french toast, crabcake benedict, Mississippi tall stack pancakes, café au lait, quiche and a creole omelette. Open Monday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday thru Saturday, 8:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m until 9 p.m. Call (843) 785-3315.
LAND’S END
Located in Sea Pines at South Beach Marina overlooking beautiful Braddock’s Cove, Land’s End Tavern is one of the few Hilton Head Island restaurants with a spectacular, waterfront view. Complete with a broad selection of breakfast favorites, plus Lowcountry staples like Crab Cake Benedict and Shrimp and Grits. Land’s End Tavern is a casual
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atmosphere with a pirate theme that the whole family will enjoy. Open daily from 8 a.m. Call (843) 671-5456 for seasonal hours.
OLD FORT PUB
Located at 63 Skull Creek Drive on the Intra-coastal Waterway, Old Fort Pub provides the perfect setting for enjoying a spectacular Sunday Brunch. Served every Sunday from 11-2 p.m. Guests enjoy Chef Keith Josefiak’s “New Southern” favorites inspired with influences from around the globe. Outdoor dining available. Call (843) 681-2386 or visit OldFortPub.com for a complete menu or to make reservations.
PALMETTO BAY SUNRISE CAFE
Located in Palmetto Bay Marina off Helmsman Way. An Islander favorite for breakfast and brunch featuring eggs benedict, omelettes, french toast, pancakes, quiches, daily specials an more. Enjoy a bloody mary, mimosa, coffee or your favorite beverage while dining inside or on the patio. “One of the Best Breakfasts on Hilton Head”, Southern Living magazine. Open Daily Monday thru Friday, 6 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Call (843) 686-3232 for more information.
PANERA BREAD
Located at 1012 William Hilton Parkway, just before the Sea Pines circle and Bluffton at Tanger 1 Outlet. With the skill of an Artisan, the heat of the oven and a few fine ingredients our bakers make bread that is simply delicious and baked fresh right here every day. Offering a wide selection of hot breakfast sandwiches and freshly baked bagels. Choose from a variety of coffee drinks, smoothies, espresso drinks and more. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Call (843) 686-3838 or (843) 757-5611.
PLANTATION CAFÉ & DELI
Located South Island at 81 Pope Avenue in Heritage Plaza and North Island at Port Royal Plaza. An Island favorite since 1974. Offering fresh breakfast items such as omelettes, crab cake benedicts, skillet dishes, pancakes, waffles, French toast, biscuits & gravy and much more, all at moderate prices. Also a wide variety of sides and beverages to complete any meal. Open for breakfast, Monday thru Saturday from 6:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and Sunday 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. for breakfast and brunch. Call (843) 785-9020 or (843) 342-4472.
REILLEY’S
Located in Reilley’s Plaza, just off Sea Pines Circle. Serving up delicious steaks, seafood, pasta and sandwiches on Hilton Head Island for over 30 years. With a sophisticated warm ambiance, the family-friendly atmosphere will have your family dining with the Reilley family again and again. Dine indoors or outside on the deck. Enjoy nightly dinner specials with family, or toasting to the good life with mimosas and Sunday brunch. 62
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Lunch and dinner served seven days a week. Happy Hour from 4 until 7 p.m. Take-out and kids menus available. Call (843) 842-4414 or visit reilleyshiltonhead.com.
REILLEY’S NORTH END PUB
Located in Port Royal Plaza. The sister restaurant of Reilley’s Grill & Bar (located on the south end), Reilley’s North End Pub has been serving up delicious steaks, seafood, pasta and sandwiches on Hilton Head for over 30 years. With a sophisticated warm ambiance, Reilley’s is reminiscent of a true Boston pub. Experience the family-friendly atmosphere for some local fun and Tuesday Trivia. Enjoy nightly dinner specials with family, or toasting to the good life with mimosas and Sunday Brunch (champagne included). Lunch and dinner served seven days a week. Happy hour daily from 4 until 7p.m. Take-out available. Call (843) 681-4153 or visit reilleysnorth.com.
SKILLETS CAFE
Located just off the beach in Coligny Plaza. A breakfast favorite of both visitors and islanders alike since 1994. Try one of our famous layered dishes prepared in a porcelain skillet. Also offering steak and eggs, pancakes, french toast, omelettes, eggs benedict, Belgian waffles and too many others to mention. A wide beverage variety including fresh coffees, juices, bloody marys, and more. Dine inside or on the patio
(Dog Friendly). Open daily from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Call (843) 7853131 or check us out online at www.skilletscafe.com.
SUNSET GRILLE
Located on the Intracoastal Waterway at Hilton Head Harbor, 43 Jenkins Rd. The Grille offers a casual fine dining experience with breathtaking sunset views. One of the best brunches on Hilton Head. Offering Linda’s deep dish-quiche, fried chicken & biscuits with bacon gravy, filet mignon over bleu cheese grits, crab cake benedict and many more island favorites. Voted one of the best bloody mary’s in the Southeast by Garden & Gun Magazine. An amazing brunch with an amazing view. Call (843) 689-6744 for reservations. Sunday Brunch is 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Online at www.sunsetgrillehhi. com.
TRUFFLES CAFE
Located in Sea Pines Center and Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton. Fabulous weekend brunch in a casual cafe featuring the freshest food and finest service. Featuring Eggs Benedict and a full lunch menu. Outside seating available at Belfair location. Open for brunch Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Call (843) 671-6136 or 815-5551 or go to www.trufflescafe.com.
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A TASTE OF NIGHTLIFE / LOUNGES
A LOWCOUNTRY BACKYARD
Located at 32 Palmetto Bay Road in The Village Exchange. A true Lowcountry experience offering a full bar complete with beer, wine and cocktails served in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Try our South Carolina moonshine, moonshine punch or lemonshine for a unique twist from the norm. Enjoy live entertainment on the outside stage (please call for schedule). Open Monday thru Saturday for lunch and dinner, and Saturday and Sunday for Brunch. Call (843) 785-YARD (9273) or online at www.hhbackyard.com.
ASIAN BISTRO
Located at 51 New Orleans Rd., just off the Sea Pines circle. Sleek contemporary style restaurant offering Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine as well as a nice selection of dim sum choices. Enjoy happy hour daily from 5 until 8 p.m. featuring $2.99 house wines, wells and beers. Relax at the traditional bar or enjoy some amazing sushi at one of the island’s best sushi bars. Serving continuously from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily. Call (843) 686-9888.
AUNT CHILADAS EASY STREET CAFE
Located at 69 Pope Avenue. With a tag line of “Not your everyday Mexican” one can only imagine what a familyfriendly, fun restaurant Aunt Chilada’s is to both locals and visitors alike! Located on the south-end of Hilton Head, visit Aunt Chilada’s for fresh margaritas, fajitas, and even crab legs! The huge, covered outdoor patio is perfect for all gatherings. Open seven days a week. A member of the Coastal Restaurants and Bars family of restaurants. Call (843) 785-7700 or visit auntchiladashhi.com. #auntchiladashhi.
BACKYARD BEACH BAR & GRILL
Located Oceanfront on the beach at The Sea Crest, 10 North Forest Beach Dr. Enjoy fresh seafood, cold beverages and some of the best views on the island without breaking the bank. Already a local’s favorite, our happy hour from 4:30 until 6 p.m. offers 50% off select appetizers along with drink specials. Open daily from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Call (843) 7855700 or online at www.hhbackyard.com.
THE BIG BAMBOO CAFE
Located upstairs at Coligny Plaza, Oceanside. The Island’s finest selection of imported and microbrewed draft beer in a unique 1940’s themed bar. Awesome happy hour with Margarita Madness, $3 appetizer menu and many other specials. Live music daily March thru October. Call for late night entertainment schedule. Full menu available. Open from 11:30 a.m. until late, Monday thru Saturday. Call (843) 686-3443. 64
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BIG JIM’S BBQ, BURGERS & PIZZA
New restaurant located in Palmetto Dunes at the Robert Trent Jones Clubhouse. Big Jim’s features a wine and beer menu, delicious appetizers and Happy Hour daily from 4 until 7 p.m. in a casual atmosphere. Enjoy seasonal live entertainment, big screen TVs and outdoor seating overlooking the golf course. Big Jim’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily featuring BBQ, gourmet burgers and grilled pizza. Hours are 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Take out and catering available. Call (843) 785-1165 or www.palmettodunes.com/big-jims.
THE BOARDROOM
Located in Reilley’s Plaza just off Sea Pines Circle. Visit the Boardroom to find the Island’s best cocktails and live music venue - all in one place! Enjoy one of the latest happy hours on the Island with happy hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Be sure to follow The Boardroom on Facebook to always stay up-to-date on the latest bands, events and specials at this local spot. Call (843) 363-6636 or visit theboardroomlive.com. #theboardroomhhi.
BRITISH OPEN PUB
Located in The Village at Wexford and Sheridan Park in Bluffton. Hilton Head’s first true golfer’s pub featuring the only bar by Titleist. A wide selection of beers, ales, stouts and wines from around the world. Awesome appetizer selections, brilliant martini list and full menu available. Blarney is invited, singing encouraged and good humor admired. Happy hour daily from 4 until 7 p.m. Open daily from 11 a.m until late. Brunch served Saturday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call (843) 686-6736 or Bluffton (843) 815-6736.
CAPTAIN GILLAN’S SEAFOOD BUFFET & RAW BAR
Located on the water at 18 Harbourside Ln. at Shelter Cove Harbour. The island’s only “All you can eat” seafood buffet offers a chilled seafood bar, salad bar, roast beef carving station and a hot and cold dessert bar. Choose from the freshest seafood available, visit the raw bar in the lounge or order off the regular menu while enjoying spectacular views of Shelter Cove marina and waterway. After dinner, head upstairs to the comedy club for the best show on the island. Open nightly for dinner from 4:30 p.m. Call (843) 785-4442. (continued on page 66)
Viva l’It alia! H O O R AY F O R I TA LY ! BY RISA WILLIAMS MCMILLAN
So you may not see the canals of Venice in the background or the iconic Colosseum, but on Saturday, September 17th you can come pretty darn close to being there when Honey Horn will be literally transformed into our very own Little Italy. Organized by the Italian American Club of Hilton Head, the Italian Heritage Festival is an immersion into Italian culture from food and drink to music and games. Viva l’Italia! Hooray for Italy! In its 7th year, this has turned into the largest one day festival on Hilton Head Island and for good reason. Organizers for this event, including event chairman Paul Caimano, spend many months and countless hours in preparation for this festival so that they can share their love of country and culture with the rest of us. Every little detail is Italian from the grape stomping to the bocce ball court. This is a hands-on, feel-good festival where you spend the afternoon being part of la fagmilia. “Being Italian is about family,” explained Paul. They have built quite an extended family and following over the years with people flocking here from the likes of Savannah and Charleston. “We even have an Italian Club that comes every year from Augusta, GA and spends the night,” he added. For the ever important food portion of the event, restaurants from Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Savannah outline the beautiful grounds offering up ‘nice portions’ of Italian treats. It is up to the restaurants as to what they will prepare, but you can expect to see dishes like
Lobster Carbonara, homemade sausage and meatballs, and various pastas and pizzas. There will be breads and cheeses and biscotti. “The food is always amazing and every vendor sells out by the end of the day,” said Paul. The Italian American Club will set up the beverage booth and offer domestic and Italian wines and beer as well as soft drinks and water. The club will also be selling their own zeppole (deep fried dough) and new this year will be fried Oreos (oh my). There will be a Cannoli booth (a pastry dessert), Italian Ice and Gelato, and various cooking demonstrations going on. On the entertainment side of things, live Italian music will serenade you as you find your way between the grape stomping contest and the pizza eating competition. You can learn to play Bocce or stickball or try your arm at the dunk tank or High Striker (hammer and bell). There is a cork pool where you can pull a cork and win that bottle of wine as well as a pizza wheel with gift certificates to local pizzerias. Just in case you feel the need to go visit this amazing country right away, a travel agent will be on
hand to help you map out your adventure. The Italian Club will also have a booth selling tee shirts and information on how you can join their club. As this is a family friendly affair, there will be plenty to do for the kids including their own play area with slides and bouncy houses. One of the amazing things about this festival, which is inherent with all the Italian American Club’s events, is that all of the money made after their expenses is given back to the community to local organizations like Hospice and Heroes on Horseback. “We try and give back as much as we can,” said Paul. This close knit group of 110 members holds events throughout the year like spaghetti dinners, wine tastings, and golf outings to raise money for local charities and for their college scholarship fund, graciously awarded each year to 6 local students. Every January, they give out the John Calamari Humanitarian Award, last year going to “the cookie lady” who bakes for the troops. To these wonderful Italians, it is family first and that means giving back to the local community which is their extended family. The Italian Heritage Festival will be held from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on September 17th at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, rain or shine. The entry fee is $6 per person while kids 10 and under are free. Bring an appetite for food and fun and you will be leaving with a dance in your step and “Viva l’Italia” in your heart.
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CAPTAIN JOHN’S GALLEY AT THE SALTY DOG CAFE
Located at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines. Step up to Jake’s raw bar for some of the Island’s finest seafood and good times. Enjoy spectacular views of Braddock’s Cove while selecting from steamed oysters, shrimp, crab legs and more. Full bar available and the frozen drinks are made with fresh fruit. Happy hour from 4 until 6 p.m. Call (843) 671-CAFE (2233) for seasonal hours.
CAPTAIN WOODY’S
All new location at 6 Target Road on Hilton Head and in Bluffton at the Calhoun Street Promenade. A local favorite for over 30 years for fresh seafood and fine beverages. Great signature sandwiches (Grouper Melt & Po Boy’s), oysters, crab legs, shrimp and scallops served with your favorite beer, wine or cocktail. Happy Hour from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. daily with great prices. Fantastic outdoor deck and bar. Open daily from 11 a.m. until late, food available until 10 p.m. Call (843) 7852400 or (843) 757-6222 or online at www.captainwoodys.com.
CAROLINA CRAB COMPANY
Located in Palmetto Bay Marina, just off Helmsman Way. With a pet-friendly patio as well as indoor dining, Carolina Crab Company offers an array of fresh seafood, burgers, crab legs, Lowcountry boil and daily Chef specials. Open seven days
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a week from 11:30 a.m. with brunch served Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy water views from the outside bar. A member of the Coastal Restaurants and Bars family of restaurants. Call (843) 842-2016 or visit carolinacrabco.com. #carolinacrabco.
CATCH 22 FRESH SEAFOOD & GRILL
Located at 37 New Orleans Road in Orleans Plaza. A great choice for some of the Island’s best Happy Hour deals. Relax in a comfortable and cozy atmosphere and choose from great seafood appetizers and beer, wine and liquor specials. Wednesday and Thursday 10% discount on dinner at the bar, Saturday and Sunday 1/2 price bottle of wine (under $100) with 2 entrees. Happy Hour from 5 to 6:30 p.m. daily and dinner served from 5 p.m. Call (843) 785-6261.
CHARBAR CO
Located in Park Plaza right outside Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head. A local favorite serving award winning gourmet burgers, sandwiches, salads and more! We feature specialty craft beers on tap, niche wines, two full service bars, and a lounge equipped with a music collection spanning the decades in a fun indoor/outdoor environment. Voted Hilton Head Island “People’s Choice Best Burger”, 1st Place Winner of Burgers & Brews 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015! Enjoy our large outdoor patio with flatscreens, fireplace and the only outdoor bar in Park Plaza! Happy Hour specials daily from 4-7 p.m.!
Live music nightly! Call (843) 785-CHAR (2427) or visit us online at www.Facebook.com/CharbarCo!
CHOW DADDY’S
Located at Two Hudson Rd., just off Squire Pope Rd. Serving up sensational food accompanied by spectacular water views of the Intracoastal waterway and extraordinary service. The expansive menu features fresh fish, pristine seafood, succulent steaks, Lowcountry specialties and an extensive collection of fine wines and decadent desserts. Relax on the expanded contemporary patio. Open for lunch and dinner daily, as well as Sunday Brunch. Happy hour offered daily from 4 until 7 p.m. Call (843) 342-9066 or online at www. chart-house.com. Reservations are recommended.
Located at 14B Executive Park Road, just off Pope Avenue and Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton. One of the island’s newest and most creative restaurants is the perfect place for delicious and healthy food, fine cocktails and good times. Choose from an extensive selection of beer and ales, creative cocktails, delicious martinis and fine wines. Happy hour is available daily from 4 to 6 p.m. and also for the late crowd from 9 p.m. until midnight. Offering live entertainment on selected evenings, please call for schedule. Outdoor seating available on our terrace. Open 7 days Sunday - Thursday 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Call (843) 842-CHOW (2469) or (843) 757-CHOW (2469) or online at www.chowdaddys.com.
CHARLIE’S L’ETOILE VERTE
CQ’S RESTAURANT
THE CHART HOUSE
Located at 8 New Orleans Rd., just off Hwy. 278. Casual yet sophisticated atmosphere. Relax on the leather couch or sit at the bar with Jeff and try one of his famous real chocolate martinis or one of his other unique concoctions. Full bar, extensive wine and beer offerings, and happy hour specials including half price wines by the glass, from 5 until 7 p.m. Select bar menu and full dinner menu available at the bar. Open Monday thru Saturday. Call (843) 785-9277 or check us out online at www.charliesgreenstar.com.
Tucked under the oaks in Harbour Town, CQ’s signature dishes embody Executive Chef, Jimmy Corbett’s passion for the best produce and cuisine from the Lowcountry bounty. Guests can gather at the bar and lounge to enjoy tasting dishes and shareable small plates. The exceptional wine list includes a variety of wines selected specifically with the menu in mind. Open nightly 5 to 9 p.m. Reservations accepted. Call (843) 671-2779 or visit CQsRestaurant.com for complete menus or to make reservations.
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CRANE’S TAVERN STEAKHOUSE & SEAFOOD
Located at 26 New Orleans Rd. Relax around our antique Old English bar and enjoy a cocktail, appetizer, sandwich or full meal. Select from our extensive wine and liquor list, true classic cocktails, infused martinis, aged scotches and small batch bourbons. Great bar menu and happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. daily. A family tradition of excellence in quality and value for over 100 years. Serving dinner daily from 5 p.m. Call (843) 341-2333.
CRAZY CRAB
Two great waterfront locations- South end in Harbour Town in Sea Pines and North end Hwy. 278 overlooking Jarvis Creek. The “Islander’s place for fresh seafood for over 30 years,” The Crazy Crab restaurants are a must-visit for those enjoying all Hilton Head has to offer. Fresh local seafood is prepared any way you wish – broiled, fried, steamed, blackened, etc. Gluten free and vegan options also available. Open seven days a week. See the largest salt-water aquarium on Hilton Head (Hwy. 278 location). Call (843) 363-2722 (Harbour Town), (843) 681-5021 (Jarvis Creek) or visit thecrazycrab.com. #thecrazycrab.
THE DRYDOCK SEAFOOD GRILL & SPIRITS
All new location at 840 William Hilton Pkwy. Go where the locals go for fresh seafood, cold drinks and good times. We are easy to find but hard to leave. Great happy hour specials, full bar and plenty of flat screen TV’s for all the best in sports viewing. Open 7 days for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. Call (843) 842-9775.
ELA’S BLU WATER GRILLE
Located at One Shelter Cove Lane. Featured in Bon Appetit and winner of numerous Open Table awards, Ela’s offers fresh catch seafood and prime cut steaks of the highest quality, all prepared by our culinary team of experts and complimented by an extensive boutique wine selection. Known for the best water views on the island, we have a casual intimate interior, wrap around dining patio exterior and nightly entertainment. Private parties, rehearsal dinners and special events welcome. Open for lunch Monday thru Friday, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Reservations recommended. Call (843) 785-3030 or online at www.elasgrille.com.
FLATBREAD GRILL
Located at Coligny Circle oceanside in the Beach Market Center. This upscale casual dining sensation is sure to be a favorite of both visitors and locals. Choose from Neopolitan pizza, fresh pasta, gourmet salads, or hearty sandwiches all cooked in our open hearth oven. Catch your favorite sporting event on one of our HD TV’s. Enjoy Happy Hour from 4 - 6 :30 p.m. featuring $4 cocktails, beer and wine and $3 appetizers. Take-out available. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. 68
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for lunch and dinner. Call (843) 341-2225 or online at www.flatbreadgrillhhi.com.
THE FROSTY FROG CAFÉ
daily with happy hour specials from 4-7 p.m.! Call us at (843) 681-TACO (8226) or visit us online at www.Facebook.com/ HolyTequila!
Located in Coligny Plaza. A comfortable, casual atmosphere offering a “web-footed lickin” menu and an enormous amount of frozen daiquiris by the glass or by the gallon. Outside seating with retractable roof, fire pit, beach area and tiki bar. Live music nightly. Black angus burger, crab cakes, pizza, prime rib sandwich, salads, subs, wraps, appetizers and of course fried frog legs. 28 HD TV’s for great sports viewing as well as a kid’s menu. Open for lunch and dinner daily from 11 a.m. Call (843) 686-FROG (3764) or online at www. frostyfrog.com.
HUDSON’S SEAFOOD HOUSE ON THE DOCKS
HOLY TEQUILA
Located in the “corner” of The Village at Wexford. One of the top “100 Great Jazz Rooms” in the world, Downbeat Magazine 2011-2016. Our intimate, elegant atmosphere is the perfect setting to enjoy an evening of world-class entertainment enhanced by our innovative southern flavors menu and impeccable service. The Jazz Corner offers a signature martini menu, extensive wine list, full bar and late-night menu. Open nightly from 6 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Call (843) 842-8620 or check us out online at www.thejazzcorner.com.
Located in Park Plaza, the Holy Tequila taqueria blends gourmet tacos with American flavors, Mexican street food and tequila in an eclectic atmosphere! Prepare your senses for a fusion of flavors that reaches into the heart of Mexico! Holy Tequila combines an open kitchen with indoor/outdoor dining and a dynamic bar to create a high energy fiesta! We serve gourmet tacos, quesadillas, and smalls plates with a full bar offering over 40 kinds of premium tequilas and live music at night. The cuisine is modern, fun and uninhibited, just like our guests! The restaurant is open 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Located on the Intracoastal Waterway off Squire Pope Rd. With 45 years of casual dining experience and spectacular views of the Intracoastal Waterway, Hudson’s is an island icon. Featuring the freshest, local seafood in the area as well as pasta, steaks, chicken and more. Enjoy beer, wine or specialty cocktails in the Oyster Bar or while watching the sunset on the deck bar. Featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Bon Appétit. Open daily at 11 a.m. Call (843) 681-2772.
THE JAZZ CORNER
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LAGERHEAD TAVERN
Located at The Oyster Reef Golf Club, 155 High Bluff Rd. The atmosphere at LagerHead Tavern makes it the ideal place for friends to socialize, enjoy the island’s camaraderie with progressive cuisine, hand crafted cocktails and southern hospitality or just sit back and watch the game with an ice cold glass of beer. Open for lunch and dinner. Call (843) 681-2184.
LUCKY ROOSTER KITCHEN & BAR
Located at 841 William Hilton Parkway in South Island Square. An American Bistro with southern soul serves seasonal inspired food with local beers, craft cocktails and an esoteric wine list. Our menu is constantly changing and evolving with seasons, tides, weather and our inspirations. Dine inside or outside on our patio. A healthy children’s menu is also available. Call for hours (843) 681-3474 or online at www. luckyroosterhhi.com.
MEDITERRANEAN HARBOUR
Located at 13 Shelter Cove Lane in Shelter Cove Marina. A warm and comfortable dining experience featuring Lebanese cuisine. Choose from our hearty chicken, beef or lamb kabobs, delicious seafood as well as vegan and gluten free selections including falafel, grape leaves and baba ghanouj. Our dishes are created from homemade recipes and
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spices from Lebanon. Enjoy beautiful views of the harbour from our outdoor dining area or outside bar. Open for lunch and dinner daily from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. Call (843) 8429991 for more information or reservations.
MELLOW MUSHROOM
Located in Park Plaza on Hilton Head and at 878 Fording Island Rd. in Bluffton. A fun and lively place with great food, beer and service. Over twenty-four beers on tap, fifty more by bottle and a full bar all in a comfortable and casual setting. Specializing in great pizza and calzones, monumental hoagies and fresh salads. Plenty of TVs to view your favorite teams. Win prizes at live team trivia Wednesday nights (HHI) at 9 p.m. (Tuesday’s at 9 p.m. in Bluffton). Happy Hour from 3 until 6 p.m. everyday. Open daily from 11 a.m. Call (843) 6862474 (HHI) or (843) 706-0800 (B-Town).
OKKO RESTAURANT
Located at 95 Mathews Drive in Port Royal Plaza, Suite C. Contemporary Asian cuisine served in a magnificent atmosphere. Choose from Hibachi, Thai or Chinese or relax at the sushi bar or in the lounge. Open 7 days from 11:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m., Sunday thru Thursday and 11:30 a.m. until midnight on Saturday and Sunday. Call (843) 341-3377 for more information or directions.
OLD FORT PUB
Located at 63 Skull Creek Drive on the Intra-coastal Waterway, Old Fort Pub showcases unrivaled nightly sunsets & award winning cuisine! Guests enjoy Chef Keith Josefiak’s “New Southern” favorites inspired with influences from around the globe. Serving Sunday Brunch 11-2 p.m., Bar opens at 4 p.m. daily and dinner is served nightly 5-9 p.m. Early Bird dining is served from 5-5:30. Outdoor dining available. Call (843) 681-2386 or visit OldFortPub.com for a complete menu or to make reservations.
OMBRA
Located in the Village at Wexford. Enjoy authentic classical Italian cuisine prepared daily by Chef Michael Cirafesi. Relax at the elegant, yet casual bar and enjoy a brilliant array of wines from every region in Italy. A large selection of Italian specialty cocktails, aperitifs, digestivos, homemade limoncello and grappa are also available. Open nightly from 4:30 until close. Call (843) 842-5505 or visit us online at www.ombrahhi.com.
REDFISH
On the corner of Palmetto Bay Rd. and Archer Rd. on Hilton Head, and 32 Bruin Rd. in Bluffton. Our unique bar and retail wine shop offers a contemporary, yet casual atmosphere for the wine connoisseur. Over 1,000 handselected wines from all over the world are available as well as a full bar selection. The wine shop is open Monday thru Saturday at 10 a.m. Dinner is available daily from 5 to 10 p.m. Call (843) 686-3388 or (843) 837-8888 or online at www.redfishofhiltonhead.com.
REILLEY’S
Located in Reilley’s Plaza, just off Sea Pines Circle. Serving up delicious steaks, seafood, pasta and sandwiches on Hilton Head Island for over 30 years. With a sophisticated warm ambiance, the family-friendly atmosphere will have your family dining with the Reilley family again and again. Dine indoors or outside on the deck. Enjoy nightly dinner specials with family, or toasting to the good life with mimosas and Sunday brunch. Lunch and dinner served seven days a week. Happy Hour from 4 until 7 p.m. Take-out and kids menus available. Call (843) 842-4414 or visit reilleyshiltonhead.com.
REILLEY’S NORTH END PUB
Located in Port Royal Plaza. The sister restaurant of Reilley’s Grill & Bar (located on the south end), Reilley’s North End Pub has been serving up delicious steaks, seafood, pasta and sandwiches on Hilton Head for over 30 years. With a sophisticated warm ambiance, Reilley’s is reminiscent of a true Boston pub. Experience the family-friendly atmosphere for some local fun and Tuesday Trivia. Enjoy nightly dinner specials with family, or toasting to the good life with mimosas and Sunday Brunch (champagne included). Lunch and TASTEOFHILTONHEAD.COM
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dinner served seven days a week. Happy hour daily from 4 until 7p.m. Take-out available. Call (843) 681-4153 or visit reilleysnorth.com.
THE SALTY DOG CAFE
Located at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines. Great food, frozen drinks and live entertainment from the island’s favorite outdoor cafe. Enjoy beautiful waterfront views overlooking Braddock’s Cove in a fun and casual atmosphere. Happy Hour daily with a full menu available, plus an outdoor cookout, Salty Dog Ice Cream and Jake’s Pizza during the season. Call (843) 671-CAFE (2233) for seasonal hours.
SAN MIGUEL’S MEXICAN CAFE
Located at Harbourside III on Shelter Cove Harbour. Do Mexican on the marina while enjoying the Island’s best margaritas. The outdoor bar overlooking the marina is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Great happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m., seasonal live entertainment and panoramic views make this a must stop. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. Call (843) 842-4555.
SANTA FE CAFÉ
Located at 807 William Hilton Parkway near the entrance to Palmetto Dunes. Capturing the spirit of New Mexico in an elegant yet casual, cozy atmosphere. Our outdoor rooftop cantina is the perfect setting for one of our famous margaritas, sangrias or an imported beer. Enjoy Happy Hour daily from 5 until 7 p.m. and live entertainment Tuesday thru Saturday and first Sunday of every month. Open Daily for dinner from 5 p.m., and lunch Monday thru Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call (843) 785-3838 or www.santafehhi.com.
STREET MEET
Located in Port Royal Plaza near Sam’s Club. Relax in our newly expanded American style tavern and enjoy our wide selection of beer, wine, and full bar libations. Join us for happy hour from 4 until 7 p.m. featuring daily drink specials. Serving our full menu til 1 a.m. nightly. DirecTV programming for your team and home of the Hilton Head Brown’s Backers club. Open daily from 11:30 until 1 a.m. Call (843) 842-2570 or online at www.streetmeethhi.com.
THE WRECK OF THE SALTY DOG
Located at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines. Enjoy a casual and fun atmosphere in the same spirit as The Salty Dog Cafe. Serving a full bar with excellent food and waterfront view overlooking South Beach Marina and Braddock’s Cove, The Wreck offers excellent Happy Hour drink and appetizer specials. Available for private parties. Call (843) 671-SEAS (7327) for seasonal hours.
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A TASTE OF SERVICES & SWEETS DELISHEEYO
Located at 32 Palmetto Bay Rd. in The Village Exchange. The Island’s health food kitchen features organic juices, smoothees, salads, wraps, bowls and healthy snacks. Offering food that makes you feel good, choose from raw, vegan or gluten free options. Open Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 - p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Call (843) 785-3633 or online at www. delisheeyo.com.
ISLAND FUDGE SHOPPE
Located in Coligny Plaza. The best homemade confections anywhere. Offering16 flavors of fudge made fresh daily, 8 flavors of saltwater taffy and a large variety of hand dipped chocolates sure to please even the sweetest tooth. Gift baskets and shipping available. Locally owned and operated. Senior citizens receive a 10% off discount. Call (843) 842-4280 for more information or check us out online at www.islandfudge.com.
ISLAND WINERY
Located at 12A Cardinal Rd. Island Winery presents a unique concept in fine wines, traveling the world’s vineyards to select the perfect grapes and handcrafting their wines in small batches right on Hilton Head. Also featuring Lowcountry specialty wines with unique recipes made from local fruit. Enjoy free tastings Monday thru Saturday from 12:30 to 5:30 pm. and Sunday 12 to 4 p.m. Purchase wine by the glass or bottle to enjoy with a cheese platter in our barrel room. For more information call (843) 842-3141 or check us out online at www.islandwinery.com.
TOBACCO ROAD
Located at 119 Arrow Road, Suite B. An impressive array of cigars, perfect humidification and a well trained staff will meet all your needs. Hilton Head’s oldest smoke shop has catered to locals and tourists alike for over ten years. Offering a complete selection of fine cigars, domestic and imported cigarettes, and a comfortable smoking lounge in which to enjoy them. Open Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Call (843) 341-6265 or online at www.hiltonheadcigars.com.
YELLOW CAB
The largest cab fleet on Hilton Head. All vehicles are radio dispatched, late model sedans or mini-vans. Serving all area airports. Service 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Providing great service and comfortable air-conditioned transportation. Call (843) 686-6666.
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FALL IN BLUF F TON: A Four-Course Meal BY BARRY KAUFMAN • PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN
Foodies, mark your calendars. The off-island corridor is a cornucopia of tasty events with all the trimmings, all autumn long. With all due respect to our friends on the island, foodies are finding out that Bluffton is the true mecca for gastronomic extravaganzas hereabouts. And as the scorching winds of summer pass into cool breezes off the bluff, the residents of the off-island corridor are free to return to the outdoors and dig into the hearty delights of fall.
Greens
Bluffton Farmer’s Market Fall Market: Thursdays, 2-6 p.m. As the steadily falling mercury urges forth the stick-to-yourribs fall harvest – think squash and sweet potatoes – you’ll find the tastiest local produce at the Bluffton Farmer’s Market during the fall market hours. You should by now need no further explanation, but for the uninitiated, this is the Farmer’s Market to beat. Mouth-watering local veggies, live entertainment, activities for the kids and the social hub around which Bluffton rotates. Get down to Calhoun Street and you’ll become a believer.
Summer’s pig-pickings, you will be missed. But the R months bring with them the promise of oyster roasts, and of evenings spent around a firepit shelling shrimp. The autumn months also bring in the cool-weather harvest, seasoning every dish with squash, apples and pumpkin. It’s a great time to have tastebuds. And through the whole season, Bluffton is laying out a four-course meal of great events.
Appetizer
Blufftemberfest: September 17, 2016 Blufftemberfest, the event so nice it borrows its name from not one but three different words, marks the unofficial end of summer around Bluffton. Although a fair case could be made for it actually being the official end of summer around Bluffton, bookending the Sunset Party Series that has come to define the warmer months. The Blufftemberfest takes everything you love about Oktoberfest and presents it in true Bluffton style. You’ll find a food court with Bavarian-inspired food and a harvest beer garden, but you’ll also find the funky sounds of local bands Two Guys from OCD and La Bodega. Oh, and of course that lush May River sunset from Oyster Factory Park.
Main Course
Twelfth Annual Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival: October 15 – 23 This, food lovers, is the biggest Bluffton event of the fall. For eight glorious days, Bluffton celebrates the quirky artistic culture that has defined it for decades. A juried fine art show rounds out a calendar of events that sees the town welcoming more than 100 artists from 10 states in every medium known to man (and a few you’ll swear they made up just for the festival). But what about the food? After all, there’s taste and then there’s taste. Not to worry, the Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival, as its name implies, is a celebration of the culinary arts as well as the 74
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Local restaurants of every stripe will be on hand with their most tantalizing creations, while the competition quite literally heats up at the Iron Chef competition. Last year, FARM’s Brandon Carter stepped out of the ring victorious; who will take home the hardware this year? There’s only one way to find out. Come hungry.
After-Dinner Drinks
visual and performing. And while the name might lead you to expect there to simply be seafood in the offing, for the two days of streetfest, Oct. 22 and 23, Calhoun St. is transformed into the beating heart of the culinary capital of the world.
Bluffton International & Craft Beer Festival: November 5 We end our fall feast where we started – back at Bluffton Oyster Factory Park, where the Bluffton International & Craft Beer Festival rolls out the barrel. The “best little beer fest in the USA” has a history of highlighting some of the finest craft beers from around the world, with this year’s event promising more than 180 different beers representing a global coalition of more than 70 different breweries around the USA, Germany, Belgium and Holland. IPA fans are invited to think outside the pint glass with a massive selection of cool-weather styles from stouts to lagers, from ales to pilsners. You won’t find a bad pint in sight, and you definitely won’t walk away hungry thanks to a huge array of food vendors. And with that, we bid a fond farewell to fall’s foodie festivals. It’s never a bad time to be a food fan in Bluffton, but autumn’s cool breezes just seem to make each dish that much tastier.
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Bluffton’s Newest Treasure
THE PEARL gives some polish to the Old Town scene. BY BARRY KAUFMAN • PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN
Perhaps the finest example of what makes The Pearl such a unique addition to Bluffton’s restaurant scene came during a recent visit for dinner. There, among crisp white linens, pristine white walls and a generally cosmopolitan vibe, guests were enjoying gorgeously plated dishes of immaculately prepared seafood and expertly paired wines, when a woman in blue jeans and a flannel shirt rode by the wide front porch on horseback, casually clopping down Calhoun Street. It’s this unique juxtaposition of The Pearl’s trendy and sophisticated atmosphere against the anything-goes nature of Old Town Bluffton that is creating something truly surprising at this new eatery. “We called it The Pearl because it’s a pearl of a location right there in Bluffton,” said Earl Nightingale, who owns the restaurant along with his son Alex. It’s an apt description. The Pearl occupies a prime corner of Old Town real estate, across from The Store in the heart of Old Town Bluffton’s festival corridor. Even when the street isn’t a mob scene thanks to some festival or another, the front porch at the corner of Calhoun and Lawrence is prime territory for people watching or relaxed outdoor dining. Here the breezes off the May River gently roll off the bluff, funneling down Calhoun Street and creating an al fresco paradise. It’s the perfect place for a sophisticated cocktail or, apparently, a horseback ride. And The Pearl has not only been able to capitalize on its location, it’s raised the bar for what a Bluffton restaurant can be. For starters, there’s the menu, a delectable array of seafood favorites that shares a few elements with the menu at ELA’S Blu Water Grille, the Nightingales’ other restaurant. And while a handful of dishes pop up on both menus, the majority of what you’ll find at The Pearl was carefully selected to suit both the restaurant’s smaller footprint and less tourist-driven clientele. The menu, carefully crafted by Executive Chef Matt Valentino, tips its hat to this Carolina boy’s southern roots and 76
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the inspiration provided from years of training at the Culinary Institute of Savannah as well as the guidance of some of the island’s top chefs. The Pearl is Chef Matt’s first executive chef position, and he’s taken his passion, creativity, and ambition to another level. “Our chef really took it as a challenge to adapt what we were doing there to The Pearl,” said Alex. “We carried over some of the most popular items, but a lot of this is something special you’ll just find here.” So while you will notice the same truffle fries and expertly crafted calamari with wasabi aioli and red pepper remoulade on both menus, (“That was big for us,” said Alex. “No one out here was doing calamari and absolutely no one does it like we do.”) the menu at The Pearl puts an emphasis on simple dishes prepared with creative ingredients. The baked brie appetizer is a whirlwind of sweet and savory thanks to pear & grapple relish and salted cameral applied liberally to a dome of succulent brie. The pan seared red snapper contrasts the softness of soba noodles against a perfectly textured cucumber noodle salad in accompaniments that dance around a exquisitely prepared filet.
“We like what we’ve done at ELA’S, but this is going to be a little trendier; a little edgier,” said Earl. That precision in selection and proportion of ever ingredient carries into every dish, from the seafood to more down-home favorites like chicken and waffles (with jalapeno salsa) and filet mignon with blistered cherry tomatoes and spinach. It’s an endlessly creative arrangement of ingredients that shows the same upscale culinary inspiration as ELA’S, but with a vibe that tips the hat to Bluffton’s quirky pedigree. And perhaps most surprising, despite bold flavors and decadently rich sauces, not a single dish feels overwrought. What Earl refers to as a “clean, healthy culinary approach” has yielded a menu that leaves you feeling immensely satisfied but never overly so. It’s a light and delicate touch, an ethos that carries over into the restaurant’s décor. Patrons of the old Vineyard 55, which formerly occupied The Pearl’s location,
will remember interiors that resembled something akin to an old wine cellar. Filled with rough-hewn wood, dark leather seating and tables made from reclaimed barrels, the old open floor bears almost no resemblance to the immaculate and expertly partitioned flow that now graces The Pearl. “We realized we could actually open a lot of space by doing something as simple as rotating the old bar,” said Alex.
It was one of several small but brilliant changes made to The Pearl’s floorplan. Just past the hostess stand, a newly crafted wall of brilliant white has created an intimate row of smaller tables beside a wall of windows that had previously been hidden behind wine racks. “We didn’t even know there were windows there until we started remodeling,” Alex said with a laugh. The larger dining room at the center still maintains a sense of intimacy, and the bar that has been so cleverly rotated has made for a unique and charming spot to grab a pre-dinner drink. A pearl begins as a coarse grain of sand, and it is only with time and care that is forged into something dazzling. So it is with The Pearl, which has truly transformed an iconic space into Bluffton’s newest treasure.
THE PEARL KITCHEN & BAR 55 Calhoun Street (843) 757-5511 www.thepearlbluffton.com
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A TASTE OF BLUFFTON BRITISH OPEN PUB
Located in Sheridan Park in Bluffton and The Village at Wexford. Authentic English fare served in attractive pub-style atmosphere with golf art, memorabilia, and the only bar by Titleist. Featuring our famous Fish n’ Chips or Sandwedges like the Aberdeen Burger, Clubhouse Classic, Wexford Reuben, English Dip and Lobster Roll. Full bar and beers, ales, and stouts from around the world. Serving daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday Brunch 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call Hilton Head (843) 6866736 or Bluffton (843) 815-6736.
CAPTAIN WOODY’S
Located at the Calhoun Street Promenade. Visit Old Town Bluffton and enjoy great seafood in a casual and fun atmosphere. Serving a wide variety of fresh seafood, great signature sandwiches (Grouper melt and Po Boy’s), soups and salads all at affordable prices. Dine inside or out or enjoy the rooftop bar. Serving lunch and dinner Sunday thru Thursday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call (843) 757-6222 or visit us online at www.captainwoodys.com.
CHOW DADDY’S
Located in Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton and 14B Executive
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Park Road, just off Pope Avenue. One of the area’s newest and most creative restaurants offers a healthy alternative to casual dining. Slow roasting their pork and chicken on Big Green Eggs and using local and organic ingredients whenever possible. Menu items include, Homemade White Bean and Kale Soup, Arugula Salad with grilled fennel and citrus vinaigrette, Chicken with Ricotta and Onion Jam on Ciabatta, A Ground in house Prime Rib Burger, great Tacos and an amazing Smoked Fried Chicken. Full bar, extensive wine selection and great cocktails. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. until midnight. Outdoor seating available on our terrace. Call (843) 757-CHOW (2469) or (843) 842-CHOW (2469) or online at www.chowdaddys.com for live music schedule.
THE CORNER PERK
Located at 1297 May River Rd, in the Promenade of downtown Bluffton. Already known as Bluffton’s best coffee, the Corner Perk offers so much more! Incredible drinks, decadent desserts, craft beers on tap, and a hand-picked wine list. Serving fresh breakfast items such as omelets, egg sandwiches, and French toast to name a few. As well as a full lunch menu featuring wraps, skillets, and salads. Enjoy your beverage of choice outside on their seated patio, or get cozy inside on the couches. They also feature a delicious dessert drink menu that you won’t
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find anywhere else in town! They are open Tues-Thurs: 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri & Sat 7a.m.-11 p.m., and Sunday Brunch: 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Call (843) 816-5674 or visit online www.cornerperk.com.
FAT PATTIES
Located on 46 in Old Town Bluffton and just outside the Parris Island gate in Beaufort. Fat Patties is a Hand Crafted American Burger Joint. We offer our innovative burger creations with the option of 6 different patties: Grass Feed Beef, 1/2 and 1/2 (Ground Beef and Ground Bacon),Wild American Shrimp, Turkey, Chicken Breast, or a Vegetarian Black Bean Pattie served on our homemade buttery buns. Our Brats are simmered in American Ale and topped with the same extravagant toppings as our Burgers. You can’t go wrong with one of our 38 American Craft beers on draft (some of which are brewed right upstairs at Salt Marsh Brewing). We also produce our own Ice Cream with flavors like Burnt Marshmallow and Bacon Maple Syrup we will take you back to your childhood. We can’t wait for you to try it! Open Daily at 11 a.m. Call (843) 815-6300 or (843) 379-1500 or Online at www.fat-patties.com
MAY RIVER GRILL
Located at 1263 May River Rd. in old town Bluffton. Voted best of Bluffton for eight straight years, this intimate restaurant features excellent food, great décor and quality service. Our extensive menu offers 20 different entrees, daily specials,
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locally caught seafood, walleye, lake Erie perch, and hand picked vegetables. Fantastic wine selections as well as an early bird menu available Monday thru Friday. Open Monday thru Saturday, from 5 until 9 p.m. Call (843) 757-5755 for reservations or online at www.mayrivergrill.com.
MELLOW MUSHROOM
Located in Park Plaza on Hilton Head and at 878 Fording Island Rd. in Bluffton. If you’re looking for a fun and lively place for the whole family, this is it. Specializing in great pizza and calzones, monumental hoagies and fresh salads all in a comfortable and casual setting. Kid friendly and affordably priced menu for both lunch and dinner. Over twenty-four beers on tap, fifty more by bottle and a full bar available. Dine inside or outside on the patio. Open daily from 11 a.m. Call (843) 686-2474 (HHI) or (843) 706-0800 (B-Town).
OLD TOWN DISPENSARY
Located right off of Calhoun Street, in the heart of historic, downtown Bluffton. Delicious food, cold drinks, and a great atmosphere make this place a locals favorite! Dine inside or sit outside and enjoy live music under the stage. Open daily from 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Happy Hour is offered seven days a week from 4-7 p.m., and Sunday Brunch is served from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Visit otdbluffton.com for more information, or call (843) 837-1893.
PANERA BREAD
Located at 1012 William Hilton Parkway, just before the Sea Pines circle and Bluffton at Tanger 1 Outlet. With the skill of an Artisan, the heat of the oven and a few fine ingredients our bakers make bread that is simply delicious and baked fresh right here every day. Offering a wide selection of fantastic food including our signature sandwiches, hot paninis, delicious soups and signature salads. Catering also available. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Call (843) 686-3838 or (843) 757-5611.
THE PEARL KITCHEN & BAR
Located at 55 Calhoun Street in the historic art district of Bluffton. The newest restaurant to top the Bluffton restaurant scene, The Pearl brings a fresh approach to dining focusing on a complete sensory experience offering fresh “clean eating”. Contemporary food preparations utilizing the best fresh catch seafood, certified steaks and local produce available. Live music Thursday thru Sunday. Open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Reservations recommended, call (843) 757-5511.
POUR RICHARD’S
Located at 4376 Bluffton Parkway. Creative food and wine are just a few things that keep people coming back for more! Known for their daily seasonal specials, the menu also features a variety of small plates, seafood and wood fired pizzettas. Reserve a table or dine at the bar where the friendly staff knows how to make you feel right at home. Open for dinner Monday thru Saturday from 5:30 until 10 p.m. Call (843) 7571999 or online at www.pourrichardsbluffton.com.
REDFISH BLUFFTON
Located at 32 Bruin Road. Our eclectic menu specializes in locally caught fish, natural and free range meats and vegetables from our garden to provide the freshest ingredients possible. Dine inside or out on the beautiful patio. Extensive wine list and full bar available. Serving lunch Monday thru Saturday, 11:30 a.m until 2 p.m., dinner nightly from 4:30 until 10 p.m. and Sunday Brunch from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call (843) 837-8888 or online at redfishofbluffton.com.
TRUFFLES CAFE
Located in Sea Pines Center and Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton. Casual cafés featuring the freshest food and finest service for over 30 years. Fresh local seafood, Black Angus steaks, baby back ribs, homemade soups, fresh garden salads, Angus burgers, pasta, and excellent desserts. Outside seating available at Belfair location. Full bar and fine wines by the glass or bottle. Reservations accepted. Private dining available for 6 to 100 people. Open 7 days Sunday - Thursday 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. at Sea Pines Center and Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton. Call (843) 6716136 or (843) 815-5551 or go to www.trufflescafe.com.
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A TASTE OF ADVERTISERS / MAP LOCATION
1. A LOWCOUNTRY BACKYARD
23. DELISHEEYO
46. OLD FORT PUB
2. ANNIE O’S SOUTHERN EATS
24. THE DRYDOCK SEAFOOD GRILL & SPIRITS
47. THE OLD OYSTER FACTORY
(843) 785-YARD (9273) (843) 341-2664
(843) 785-3633
3. ASIAN BISTRO
4. AUNT CHILADAS EASY STREET CAFE
5. BACKYARD BEACH BAR & GRILL
27. FLATBREAD GRILL
6. THE BIG BAMBOO CAFE
28. THE FROSTY FROG CAFÉ
7. BIG JIM’S BBQ, BURGERS & PIZZA
29. GRINGO’S DINER
8. THE BOARDROOM
30. HINOKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR
(843) 686-9888
(843) 785-7700 (843) 785-5700 (843) 686-3443 (843) 785-1165 (843) 363-6636
9. BRITISH OPEN PUB
(843) 842-9775
25. ELA’S BLU WATER GRILLE (843) 785-3030
26. FAT PATTIES
(843) 815-6300 or (843) 379-1500
(843) 341-2225
(843) 686-FROG (3764) (843) 785-5400
(843) 785-9800
(843) 681-2386 (843) 681-6040
48. OLD TOWN DISPENSARY
(843) 837-1893
49. OMBRA
(843) 842-5505
50. PALMETTO BAY SUNRISE CAFE
(843) 686-3232
51. PANERA BREAD
(843) 686-3838 or 757-5611
52. THE PEARL KITCHEN & BAR
(843) 757-5511
53. PLANTATION CAFE & DELI
(843) 785-9020 or 342-4472
54. POUR RICHARD’S
31. HOLY TEQUILA
32. HUDSON’S SEAFOOD HOUSE ON THE DOCKS
33. ISLAND FUDGE SHOPPE
57. RUAN THAI HUT
12. CAPTAIN WOODY’S
34. ISLAND WINERY
58. SAGE ROOM
13. CAROLINA CRAB COMPANY
35. THE JAZZ CORNER
59. THE SALTY DOG CAFE
(843) 842-2016
14. CATCH 22 FRESH SEAFOOD & GRILL
36. KENNY B’S CAJUN SEAFOOD HUT
60. SAN MIGUEL’S MEXICAN CAFE
61. SANTA FE CAFE
15. CHARBAR CO
37. LAGERHEAD TAVERN
38. LAND’S END TAVERN
62. STELLINI ITALIAN RESTAURANT
39. LUCKY ROOSTER KITCHEN & BAR
63. STREET MEET
40. MANGIAMO
64. SUNSET GRILLE
41. MAY RIVER GRILL
65. TOBACCO ROAD
42. MEDITERRANEAN HARBOUR
66. TRUFFLES CAFE
43. MELLOW MUSHROOM
67. THE WRECK OF THE SALTY DOG
(843) 686-6736 or 815-6736
10. CAPTAIN GILLAN’S SEAFOOD BUFFET & RAW BAR (843) 785-4442 11. CAPTAIN JOHN’S GALLEY AT THE SALTY DOG CAFE
(843) 671-CAFE (2233)
(843) 785-2400 or 757-6222
(843) 785-6261
(843) 785-CHAR (2427)
16. CHARLIE’S L’ETOILE VERTE
(843) 785-9277
17. CHART HOUSE
(843) 342-9066
18. CHOW DADDY’S
(843) 842-CHOW (2469)
19. THE CORNER PERK
(843) 816-5674
20. CQ’S RESTAURANT
(843) 671-2779
21. CRANE’S TAVERN STEAKHOUSE & SEAFOOD
(843) 341-2333
22. CRAZY CRAB
(843) 363-2722 or 681-5021
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(843) 681-TACO (8226)
(843) 681-2772 (843) 842-4280 (843) 842-3141 (843) 842-8620 (843) 785-3315 (843) 681-2184 (843) 671-5456 (843) 681-3474 (843) 682-2444 (843) 757-5755 (843) 842-9991
(843) 686-2474 or 706-0800
44. MICHAEL ANTHONY’S
(843) 785-6272
45. OKKO
(843) 341-3377
(843) 757-1999
55. REDFISH
(843) 686-3388 or 837-8888
56. REILLEY’S
(843) 842-4414 or 681-4153 (843) 681-3700 (843) 785-5352 (843) 671-CAFE (2233) (843) 842-4555 (843) 785-3838 (843) 785-7006 (843) 842-2570 (843) 689-6744 (843) 341-6265
(843) 671-6136 or 815-5551 (843) 671-7327