TRUFFLES AT 40

The ruby anniversary looks good for the area’s most iconic eateries.

BY BARRY KAUFMAN • PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN AND SILVER CUP MEDIA

“When we opened, we were a true market café,” said Price. “It was like a mini Zabar’s in New York.”

Where the bar now sits at the Sea Pines Center location, refrigerated glass cases displayed prepared salads, meats and cheeses. This concept proved popular, but growing competition from grocery stores made the market’s future risky.

“I think maybe we were a little ahead of our time,” said Price. Thankfully, when the decision was made to switch concepts, customers welcomed the change. “ business’ life span, they don’t talk in terms of wins and losses. You’ll hear about the stories they’ve been able to be a part of over 40 years.

As much fun as it is to work at Truffles, a visit can be even more enjoyable, as generations of locals and visitors have proven.

That change would be the first of many over 40 years, as Truffles found its casual dining footing through tenures as a bakery café, short term grill and a market café (again). “We’ve always been quick to realize what we need to change,” said Price.

Sitting in the grand window-lined dining room of the Sea Pines location, a spot that has been indoor and outdoor dining in its lifetime, not to mention a rainbow of different colors over countless renovations, the Bealls just see great moments that happened here.

“I get to watch people make memories,” said Karen. “It’s a really wonderful thing to be a part of. We’ve been a part of so many celebrations, and we have so many great people on our team who have been here for so many of those celebrations.”

Truffles by the Numbers

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 40 years since Truffles first opened its doors. And no one feels that more than Price Beall, owner of the famed restaurant with his wife Karen.

“It feels like yesterday,” he said. “We all love what we do, so I look forward to going to work every day. I don’t even think of it as work.”

It may not feel like work, but what they’ve created over four decades at Truffles could be considered the Bealls’ life work.

Launched 40 years ago when Price’s brother Sandy, founder of Ruby Tuesdays, struck up a chance conversation with Sea Pines icon Charles Fraser. Truffles quickly established itself as a south-end standby. Although that first iteration of the concept may not seem familiar to today’s diners.

That has allowed the Bealls to take the long view on what Truffles was at the time and what it could be, a perspective that has sustained the restaurant while so many others have shuttered. Weathering everything from island-wide downturns to recent skyrocketing food costs. “You keep going, and you can either cut the quality of the product you bring in which we’ve never done, or can adjust and still offer great quality with good value,” said Price.

It’s a sound business strategy that has bred a healthy longevity at Truffles, both in Sea Pines and in the Bluffton location which opened in 2000. And while staying in business for that long has certainly proven rewarding, when Price and Karen Beall talk about their

She points to long-time employees and now operating business partners, like Fernando and Heather Lossada who met as employees. Jeannine Gleason who is the General Manager of the Bluffton location, and so many more team members who have called Truffles home for years. You could say that the Bealls have spent 40 years building a business, but that would only tell half the story. What they’ve really built is memories; thousands of them. You probably have a few of your own. Most people around here do.

“I’m very thankful to be in this community,” said Price. “I met my wife here, my kids grew up here… over 40 years I’ve been able to meet so many people in our community, and they have truly supported us.”

With the 40th anniversary in July we decided it was time for a fresh look, we’ve been remodelling both locations. Just expect the same thing you’ve been expecting for 40 years – great food in an atmosphere that has come to define Hilton Head Island.

How do you make it 40 years as one of the Lowcountry’s favorite restaurants, pleasing both islanders and Blufftonians alike? You do it by playing to your strengths. In Truffles case, those strengths are the menu items that have earned rave reviews for four decades, maintaining a spot on a menu that has evolved constantly. Here is a sampling of some of the more popular items over the years.

300,000 French onion soups

288,000 grilled meat loaf entrees

301,000 curry chicken salads

525,000 classic burgers

522,000 southwestern salads

735,000 pot pies

1,400,000 loaves of French bread

450,000 pounds of Boursin

TRUFFLES CAFE

Sea Pines Center (843) 671-6136

Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton (843) 815-5551 www.trufflescafe.com

Coastal Bistro

atmosphere with golf art, memorabilia, and the only bar by Titleist. Great nightly specials including BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Prime Rib, Angus Ribeye, 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 lunch and dinner Tuesday thru Sunday from 11 a.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.

Carolina Crab Company

Home of “The” Carolina Crab Cake, “C3” at Palmetto Bay Marina is the spot to anchor! C3 is revered for its steaming shellfish boils, amazing seafood, steaks, and fresh daily oyster selections. But it is “The” Carolina Crab Cake that will have you planning another visit after your first bite. Don’t miss the Boom Boom Shrimp, Crab-stuffed Flounder, and Lowcountry Seafood Pasta. Come for happy hour and enjoy a Funcoction! Serving lunch and dinner inside and out, they offer dine-in, take-out, and online ordering. Come by boat - it’s Free to dock while you dine! Member of the Coastal Restaurants and Bars family since 2014. Call (843) 842-2016 or visit carolinacrabco.com.

CATCH 22 FRESH SEAFOOD & GRILL

Located at 37 New Orleans Road in Orleans Plaza. We cut our USDA Prime Beef and fillet our fresh Catch of the Day in house. Friendly atmosphere and delicious menu choices such as Handmade Ravioli with Scallops, the Three Onion Encrusted Pork Chop, The Char braised Short Rib and the Seafood Sampler make us a favorite with the locals and visitors alike. Dinner from 5 p.m, Monday –Saturday. Early Dining 5 - 5:45 p.m. Visit Catch22hhi.com for Seasonal Promotions, Bar Seating Happy Hour Specials, Wine & Dine Specials, & Reservations or call (843) 785-6261. Dine In or Take Out. Items & Pricing are subject to change.

Celeste Coastal Cuisine

Reserve a table online or call:

843.785.9277

CharliesGreenStar.com

Lunch

Monday – Friday 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Dinner

Monday – Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Bar

Monday – Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

8 NEW ORLEANS ROAD HILTON HEAD, SC

#EATLOCAL @CHARLIESOFHILTONHEAD

Located at 20 Hatton Place. This new south style restaurant is Hilton Head Island’s newest dining experience offering Fresh Catch Local Fish, Certified Steaks and menu items with a touch of Cajun and Creole style preparations. Full bar, extensive wine selections, weekend music and patio dining. Open from 5 p.m. daily. Call (843) 802-4744 or visit www.celestehhi.com for more information.

CHARLIE’S COASTAL BISTRO

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 p.m. and lunch Monday thru Friday from

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