Every year there are numerous new places to dine in the Bluffton, Lowcountry and Hilton Head Island area. We have described the Bluffton restaurants here. For more information, please refer to their listings on this website. Please note that, although we believe this material and that elsewhere on this website to be accurate, we rely on the owners of restaurants for much of the information herein.

SEA TRAWLER RESTAURANTS - Bluffton

One of the things that we like most about the Lowcountry is its natural beauty. We love the ocean, the beaches, our golf courses, our woodlands, and much more.

But the Lowcountry vistas that we like to look at more than any others are its inland waterways and salt marshes. Therefore, it is a special pleasure to welcome The Sea Trawler to the relatively small number of area restaurants that offer excellent views of the water and salt marsh we enjoy so much!

The Sea Trawler, however, offers more than wonderful views. It already has established a reputation for great food! The Sea Trawler’s menu includes an excellent selection of fresh seafood, plus some good choices for landlubbers.

Seafood enthusiasts might especially enjoy their signature Crispy Grouper (grouper rolled in a potato crust and pan seared with a smokey raspberry sauce), their Sea Trawler Bucket (piled high with oysters, shrimp, clams, snow crab legs, smoked sausage and corn on the cob, and served in a Southern wash-tub bucket), or their Wild Salmon (grilled wild salmon topped with a ginger beurre blanc sauce).

There are lots of other tempting entrees, such as traditional Southern Low Country Boil, “Maryland Style” Crab Cakes, several kinds of fried seafood, and much more. There are lots of excellent appetizers on the menu, too. We can report from personal experience that Sea Trawler’s Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops and their Crab Balls (lump crab meat rolled into lightly breaded balls with a Creole remoulade sauce) are excellent!

The Sea Trawler is very much of a casual, friendly, family oriented restaurant. It is a great place to bring both large and small family groups of all ages, and features tables both large and small with generous amount of space between them.

It also is a family restaurant in the sense that it is owned by the Roller family. Three generations of Rollers are involved in operating the restaurant. The Sea Trawler has been remarkably a long-term family project, starting with registration of the name 22 years ago. Final planning, construction and staffing lasted several years until completion this summer.

The Sea Trawler is open from 4:30 pm seven days a week. It offers a full bar and wine list, and a children’s menu. Take out is available. Reservations are available for special events, and for groups of 6 or more.

The Sea Trawler is located just west of the Bridge to Hilton Head (35 Fording Island Road Extension). It can easily be seen from the bridge if you look south. If you are coming from the Island, take the first left after you leave the second span. If you are coming from the mainland, take the last right turn before the bridge.

For more information about The Sea Trawler, please call (843) 837-5673.

HOT DOG HARBOUR - Hilton Head

Good hot dogs and their accompaniments are a real pleasure, so we are delighted to report that an outstanding source of hot dogs and slider burgers has moved into Coligny Plaza.

Hot Dog Harbour doesn’t serve just any hot dogs. No, indeed! Theirs are a jumbo, full quarter pound, 100% beef. If you prefer a burger, a good choice after you have tried a hot dog, Hot Dog Harbour’s slider burgers are made with 100% Black Angus beef.

Of course, some of the best things about hot dogs and slider burgers are the things that you put on top of them. Hot Dog Harbour has a super selection for you to choose from, including “homemade” Harbour chili, grated cheddar cheese, melted aged cheddar cheese, grated Swiss cheese, onions, sautéed onions, slaw, hot and sweet relish, pickle spears, baked potato salad, jalapeños, banana peppers, green pepper, cucumbers, tomatoes, sauerkraut, bacon, mustard (spicy and yellow), ketchup, mayo, Harbour sauce, and celery salt. Wow!

The atmosphere is laid back and casual, great for hot dogs or burgers and beer (or soda), and for both families and adults. Patrons can upgrade their hot dog or burgers with french fries or chips for just $1.55. The chips are of the special, made on the premises variety. No out of the bag kind are served! Hot Dog

Harbour is located in Coligny Plaza, on Lagoon Road (on the opposite side from the ocean). It is open from lunch through dinner. For more information, please call 785-5400.

ANGLERS BEACH MARKET GRILL - Hilton Head

Welcome back, Joel and Barbara!

Four years ago, Joel and Barbara Beaudry sold popular Lands End Tavern at South Beach to spend more time with Barbara’s elderly parents. But they did not plan to retire permanently, and they feel that the time now is right for them to return to the restaurant scene.

After investigating opportunities both here and in other communities, we are delighted to report that they chose to open their new Angler’s Beach Market Grill in The Beach Market, just off Coligny Circle.

Anglers Grill’s fresh seafood is prepared broiled, blackened, fried or seared. Lands End Tavern enthusiasts, of whom there are many, will be happy to learn that the Beaudry’s chef from Lands End Tavern is orchestrating matters in the kitchen at their new restaurant. So, both old customers and new may be assured of the same excellent, consistent seafood and other fare as in the past.

Anglers Grill is good-looking, and family friendly. It boasts both a bright, cheerfully decorated indoor dining room with newly painted murals on the walls, and numerous tables under umbrellas on the deck.

When we discussed their new restaurant, we asked Joel which of his appetizers and entrees he was especially proud of. After first declining to respond, he observed that he truly believed that Anglers serves “the best fried shrimp on the Island,” and that their “Tidal Wave of Onion Rings” is especially good (they are!)

It is worth noting that Anglers Grill is one of those wonderful restaurants that offer both a wide variety of choices among good things to eat, and a wide variety of prices... although none are very high. For example, fried or broiled dinners, including shrimp, scallops, oysters and/or fi sh du Jour, range in price from $16.95 for one choice to $21.95 for a platter of all four. Suitable accompaniments are included. Or, enjoy a Certified Angus Beef Burger, served with lettuce and beefsteak tomatoes, for $8.95, and crispy fries. Or choose from a other sandwiches or several salads for equally reasonable prices.

Patrons at Anglers Grill also can choose from Alaskan Snow Crab Legs, Seared Sea Scallops, Low Country Boil, Pine Nut Encrusted Grouper, and much more. Kids’ “Guppy Meals” and take-out are available. Anglers Grill is located in the Beach Market, just off Coligny Circle, at 2 North Forest Beach Drive. For easy access, head north from Coligny Circle, and make the fi rst right into Beach Market parking under the building (across the street from Coligny Plaza). Lunch and dinner, both using the same menu, are served from 11:30 am “until” seven days a week in season.

For more information, please call (843) 785-3474 (FISH).

DI VINO - Hilton Head

Welcome back, Peter!

Last year, following problems associated with renewing the lease on his long-time location at Northridge Plaza, Peter Miletic decided to take a sabbatical until he found just the right place to relocate his restaurant. We are very happy to report that he has found it in Moss Creek Village (near Sears), on the mainland, on the right (north) side of Highway 278, just over the bridge from Hilton Head.

The new Di Vino is noticably larger, and even more attractive than when it was located at Northridge Plaza. In addition to a spacious, nicely decorated dining room, Di Vino now has a good-looking separate bar area.

Returning patrons will fi nd that much of the menu is similar to that of the past, except that there there is a wider selection. In addition, Peter is celebrating his new location with noticably lower prices than in the past (three cheers for Peter!).

Di Vino offers a sophisticated menu of primarily light cooked-to-order specialties of Toscany and Northern Italy. The three secrets to Di Vino’s success, according to Peter Miletic, are using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients, cooking them skillfully and quickly (so fl avor is retained), and love...loving to cook, loving the business, and loving to see happy patrons. There is an excellent selection of reasonably priced Italian wines.

As Di Vino enthusiasts will recall, The Savannah Morning News awarded DiVino four stars (outstanding) for food several years ago.

Lunch is served Monday-Friday, and dinner Monday- Saturday. Ask about Di Vino’s Early Dining selections, available from 4:30-5:30 pm, and Night Owl specials, available from 8:30-9:30 pm. Reservations are suggested for dinner.

For more information, please call (843) 815-9000.

RENDEZ-VOUS - Hilton Head

Welcome back, Serge!

After a well-deserved two year sabbatical following the sale of his restaurant, award-winning French chef Serge Prat has reopened his popular Rendez-Vous Cafe. The Rendez-Vous is a quaint, attractive French bistro-style restaurant with a menu featuring items from the provinces of France. Prior to opening The Rendez-Vous, Chef Prat owned and operated Hilton Head’s long-time favorite Gaslight Restaurant.

The Rendez-Vous serves wonderful food, and offers an excellent wine list. Before it was sold in 2007, many considered it to be one of Hilton Head Island’s best restaurants.

The Rendez-Vous serves lunch and dinner Monday- Friday. Patrons are asked to call and ask about the schedule on Saturdays. Please call, also, to inquire about their popular three course early dining menu, their nightly specials, and their attractive private room available for special events.

The Rendez-Vous is located in the Gallery of Shops (look for the Juleps restaurant canopy), just off Sea Pines Circle, near Publix grocery store and Staples offi ce supplies, in the same location as in the past. For more information, please call 785-5814.

WINE TIMES 4 - Hilton Head

The Hilton Head Island restaurant scene recently was augmented by two relatively unique establishments that should be very appealing both to residents and visitors.

The first, Wine Times 4, is clever, futuristic, fun and worth a visit just to experiment with its equipment! We hasten to add, however, that the selection of wine is outstanding and the food is great, too.

The uniqueness of Wine Times 4 is based upon their 72- unit Italian “Enomatic” Wine Serving System that stores and very precisely dispenses wine in either a “taste,” a half glass, or a full glass. The wine is stored under an inert gas that, we are told, keeps it fresh for up to a month!

Patrons buy a prepaid card, identify a wine they would like to sample, insert their card into the Enomatic machine, hold a glass under the bottle’s dispenser, press the button for their choice of measured serving, and the wine is served in the glass. They then sample it on the spot, or go to a table either indoors or in the attractive courtyard.

Being able to keep so many wines fresh for so long allows Wine Times 4 to offer wines from around the world, from reasonably priced to very expensive. For example, there recently were wines available from $1.00 to $20.00 (for Opus One) per taste. All wines are available by the bottle, as well as through the Enomatic system, at normal retail prices. Wines that are not part of the tasting system also are available by the bottle.

There are descriptions of each of the wines below the bottles with many rated by prominent wine publications. Many of the wines served are rated at 90 or above by Wine Spectator magazine.

Last time we visited, there were 24 whites and 48 reds available for tasting.

Wine Times 4 also serves food that has been carefully selected to pair well with wines. The light tapas-style menu includes lots of imported cheeses, pastries, salads, sandwiches, and more. It can be the basis for a snack to accompany wine selections, or a delightful lunch or dinner.

And there is more! If someone who is accompanying you prefers beer to wine, there are 18 craft beers for them to choose from, French press coffee, plus organic and fusion teas. For regulars, there is a wine club that is very appealing.

Finally, it is worth noting that the staff is knowledgeable, friendly and happy to be helpful.

Wine Times 4 genuinely offers a potentially great experience for anyone interested in wine, from the novice to the connoisseur. As a member of the staff observed, “it really is a candy store for adults.”

Cozy, warm, Tuscan-style Wine Times 4 is open from 8:30 am Monday-Friday, and from 11:00 am Saturdays. Service is continuous until at least 10:00 pm. It is closed Sundays.

It is located at the north rear of the Village at Wexford (on in the rightmost corner as you enter), near Hugo’s and Subway restaurants. The Village at Wexford is at 1000 Wm. Hilton Parkway (Hwy. 278) on the west side, about a half-mile north of Sea Pines Circle.

For more information, please visit winetimes4. com, or call (843) 341- WINE (9463).

IT'S GREEK TO ME II - Hilton Head

It’s Greek to Me, located at the intersection of New Orleans Road and William Hilton Parkway, has been pleasing islanders and visitors with authentic Greek cuisine for well over a decade. Now they have expanded to a second, new, more upscale location across the street from Coligny Plaza. Since their name pretty much tells what they are all about, they have named their new restaurant “It’s Greek to Me II.”

It’s Greek to Me II offers more indoor and outdoor seating than its namesake. There is a second fl oor bar, plus a ground fl oor veranda and upstairs terrace that should be very appealing when weather is right. There is more than ample on-site parking reserved for patrons only.

Patrons at the new Greek to Me enjoy the same genuine Greek cuisine as at the original, from gyros to fried calamari to Souvlaki to baklava for dessert. Greek I’s traditional menu is augmented by additional steak, lamb and seafood items at Greek II.

Food is prepared using “only the best ingredients and equipment” including, we are told, the only gyro machines on Hilton Head Island.

Everything “is made on the premises, from scratch.” They proudly feature “the best tomatoes on Hilton Head!” It’s Greek to Me II serves a wide variety of wines, beers and liquors, including Greek wine, beer and Ouzo (Greek liquor).

Lunch and dinner are served seven days a week at Greek to Me II (Greek I is closed Sundays). Patrons may order from the lunch menu until 5:00. Ask about Happy Hour at both restaurants.

It's Greek to Me II, is located at 11 Lagoon Road (across from Coligny Plaza), near Coligny Circle. For more information, please call 842-4033.

SANDSTONE FOOD MARKET & RESTUARANT - Hilton Head

Sandstone Food Market & Restaurants also offer a relatively unusual Island dining opportunity.

Sandstone Catering opened its first retail location, Mainly Sandstone, on North Main Street near Hilton Head Plantation, in 2008. Now a second Sandstone, dubbed Sandstone South Market, has opened across from Park Plaza.

Both Sandstone locations are “Prepared Meal Markets” and Restaurants serving chef-prepared gourmet breakfasts, lunches and dinners that may be enjoyed either on the premises or “to go.” In many respects, the Sandstones represent an “old-world culinary quality” and the style of a New York gourmet market.

Kitchen activities are orchestrated by highly accomplished chef Aram Haroutunian, whose extensive experience includes cooking for numerous celebrities such as Pierce Brosnan (actor/director), Celine Dion (singer), Lee Scott (CEO of Walmart), Arthur Blank (founder of Home Depot), Peter Lynch (author/fi nancial advisor), Frank and Kathy Lee Gifford, and many others. He also has won numerous awards for his cuisine.

The focus at Sandstone is on already-prepared food that is rich in fl avor, and made using the freshest, most healthful ingredients available locally and from around the world. They use organic products whenever possible, including fi eld greens, spinach, vegetables, milk, eggs, poultry (all free-range), and more.

For breakfast, both Sandstone locations serve fresh-baked muffins, scones, croissants, breads, pastries, bagels and hot breakfast sandwiches along with delicious organic coffee and juice. The South Market Sandstone includes a separate Coffee Bar, plus a full service bakery offering numerous kinds of baked goods from breads to pastries to desserts to custom cakes.

At Lunch, Sandstone serves an assortment of unique hot and cold sandwiches for under $6.00. They also offer fresh, fl avorful salads, “homemade” individual fl at bread pizzas, and a huge selection of savory items by the pound or by the piece. Some of their specials include a Daily Market Trio for $7.99, consisting of a choice of 3 salads on a bed of mixed field greens. Or, try a Lunch Box Special for $8.99. It includes any sandwich, chips, a cookie and salad teaser.

For dinner, both Sandstone locations offer a “Build a Market Meal” program. Choose a delicious main course, then pick any 2 sides to complete an excellent dinner!

In addition, whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner, their market cases are filled with tantalizing prepared foods and healthy, creative salads for a la carte options. Visit their website (www.mainlysandstone.com) for this month’s offerings, recipes and news.

Sandstone started out as a catering company in 2005. It offers full service catering options, whether for a casual oyster roast or an elaborate, elegant wedding. It is capable of catering for groups of any size.

The new Sandstone South Market is located in the attractively rebuilt premises formerly occupied by Stripes Restaurant at 32 Office Park Road, near Sea Pines Circle, across the street from Harris Teeter and Park Plaza. It is open from 7:30-7:00 Monday-Friday, and from 7:30-5:00 Saturdays.

The “original” Mainly Sandstone is located at 35 North Main Street, adjacent to J. Banks Design Group. It is open from 8:00-6:00 Monday-Friday, and from 8:00- 3:00 Saturdays. Patrons may dine inside or outdoors at both locations.

For more information, please call 686-3721 (South) or 681-5721 (North).

WISEGUYS - Hilton Head

It always is a pleasure to describe a new restaurant that we think is outstanding! WiseGuys, located on the northern part of Hilton Head, offers “Big Wines, Small Plates, and Serious Cocktails,” and an overall experience that genuinely is not like any other on the Island.

The wine list features a large selection (125) of some of the most popular wines in the world, including 50 by the glass, plus an excellent choice of champagnes. Many of the wines served have received a score of 90 or better (really good!) from Wine Spectator magazine. The wine list is very approachable, and includes numerous bottles of wine for less than $30. Patrons also may order numerous wines by the glass at prices that are quite reasonable.

There also is a broad array of specialty cocktails, many made with exotic ingredients, plus cordials and brandies. All wines and other beverages are served with style in appropriate stemware.

The centerpiece of the bar area is their eighteen bottle “Winekeeper” System that allows WiseGuys to serve customers a perfectly chilled, accurately poured glass of wine every time. The wine always is fresh because Winekeeper replaces wine that has been served with nitrogen, so there is no deterioration from prolonged exposure to air. The Winekeeper System allows the customer to try several premium wines by the glass that frequently are available only by the bottle.

WiseGuys is more than just wonderful wines and other beverages! Their “Small Plate Menu” features numerous fresh, delicious, sometimes unusual selections, from salads to appetizers, to mini-entrees, to mini-pizzas to desserts. Since the number of servings on most plates is divisable by two, people may share, try several different items, and eat as much or as little as they want. The menu is affordable, too!

Signature items include Spicy Shrimp & Calamari, Greek Lamb Lollipops (4), and Lobster Risotto. We can personally recommend WiseGuys’ Steak & Cheese Crostini (4 big ones), their Cured Meat & Cheese Platter (the small one is large!), and their pizzettas (delicious, very thin crust pizzas, served long and narrow). The small plates we tried really were not small at all, were uniformly excellent, and represented an outstanding value.

The attractive interior at WiseGuys boasts lots of brushed steel and zebrawood, and offers an atmosphere that is cozy and comfortable with a metropolitan sophistication. We agree with Steve Carb, president of SERG (Southeast Entertainment Restaurant Group), who observed that “WiseGuys offers a ‘cocktail party atmosphere’ every day. It is sleek and sophisticated with a refi ned atmosphere. This, combined with the small plates concept, makes it the perfect place to meet, enjoy great food and beverages, and socialize on the north end of the Island.”

WiseGuys serves food from 5-11:00 pm, and libations from 5:00 pm “until.” Catering and cocktail party trays are available. It is located at 1513 Main Street, next to Frankie Bones restaurant. For more information about WiseGuys, please turn to page 27, or call (843) 842-8866.

ALFRED'S RESTAURANT - Hilton Head

Welcome back, Chef Alfred! Long-time Islanders and visitors will remember Chef Alfred Kettering's formidable culinary talents from well over a decade ago, when he was chef/owner of Maxwell's, on Lagoon Road, from many years ago at La Maisonette and, more recently, as chef/owner of Cafe MAXX and, subsequently, of Cafe JAXX. Chef Alfred sold Cafe JAXX, at the time one of the Islandıs genuinely excellent restaurants, almost three years ago.

We are very pleased to advise you that Chef Alfred has returned to the Hilton Head Island restaurant scene, and opened "Alfred's Restaurant."

Chef/owner Alfred, a Certified Executive Chef, learned to prepare classical European cuisine as a young man at the Rhein School of Culinary Arts in Mannheim, Germany, and subsequently at some of the best hotels in Switzerland and Holland. The famous Grand Hotel Victoria Jungfrau in Switzerland was among his European affiliations.

Kettering's cuisine now combines some of the best elements of classic American and Continental cuisine. At Alfred's, the menu includes an excellent selection of tempting seafood and meat entrees, plus hot and cold appetizers, soups and salads. Diners may choose from an appealing selection of wines from California, France, Italy and Australia.

Alfred's is located in the intimate, nicely redecorated premises formerly occupied by Taste of Thailand in Plantation Center. It offers casually elegant table seating for about forty. The chef's counter, overlooking the open kitchen, is a great place to watch a genuinely talented chef prepare your meal.

When asked what makes a restaurant great, Kettering responded... "a skilled and committed chef; a design that's warm and elegant, yet casual, fun and romantic; a highlytrained staff; the on-site presence of the owner; and relentless perfectionism." Under the Chef Alfred's direction, his namesake restaurant will strive hard to do all these things!

Alfred's Restaurant is located in Plantation Center, on William Hilton Parkway (Highway 278), just south of Palmetto Dunes. It is tucked away behind Sante Fe Cafe and Sea Grass Grille. Dinner is served Monday-Saturday, from 5 "until." Reservations are recommended.

Alfred's Restaurant is scheduled to open on Thursday, June 5. For more information, please call 341-3117.

THE HIDDEN CYPRESS GRILLE - Sun City

The Hidden Cypress Grille recently opened in the Hidden Cypress Club House in Sun City Hilton Head! It boasts a fresh new menu, but also many of the choices that were especially popular at its predecessor, Citta del Sole.

Hidden Cypress serves lots of appetizers, soups and salads; an excellent selection of Grille Favorites from both the land and sea; plus a wide choice of burgers and sandwiches. Patrons still may enjoy the thin crust pizza and extensive salad bar that were so popular at Citta del Sole. The menu, in summary, might best be characterized as all-American!

Entrees are reasonably priced.

The Grille is warm and woody, with views of the nearby links both from inside and from its extensive screened porch.

There is continuous service from lunch (starting at 11:00 am) through dinner seven days a week. A special lunch menu is available from 11-4:00. A Children's menu, takeout and outdoor dining are available. Dinner reservations are suggested.

The Grille (open to the public) and Hidden Cypress Clubhouse are about 2.5 miles from Sun Cityıs main gate. Just ask for free pass at the security gate.

HH PRIME - Hilton Head

Ever since the Hilton Oceanfront Resort's spacious Regatta lounge closed for renovation into a striking new restaurant, we have been looking forward to its opening. We are happy to report that the Hiltonıs new "HH Prime" is now open!

The new HH Prime offers the "highest quality USDA Aged Prime Grade beef selections, the freshest seafood and pasta dishes, and decadent dessert creations" to bring your meal to a perfect conclusion.

Patrons wishing to enjoy beef will be able to choose from a very tempting selection, including classic New York and Kansas City Strips, Prime Aged Chicago Style Bonein- Ribeye, tender Filet Mignon, and Prime Rib. Seafood lovers will enjoy, among other very fresh choices, Block Cut Tuna Steak, Alaska King Crab Legs, Whole Maine Lobster, North Atlantic Salmon and Jumbo Sea Scallops.

HH Prime features an impressive open show kitchen, an attractive two story decor, interior and exterior fireplaces, service both inside and outdoors, dinner hour music, and a wine room. You may wish to dine upstairs to enjoy an intimate setting and an ocean view! Their "ultimate wine room" will offer one of the islandıs largest selections, with over 1,000 wines to choose from.

After dinner, patrons may enjoy a drink and live entertainment at the nearby XO Lounge (open 5:00 pm to 1:00 am), or stroll through the gardens to the Hilton's boardwalks offering an outstanding view of the ocean and the beach.

HH Prime's breakfast menu includes Traditional Eggs Benedict, Eggs Benedict with jumbo lump crab meat, Petite Filet and Eggs, a Cured Fish Platter, Belgian Waffles, French Toast, and many other traditional breakfast favorites.

For lunch, patrons may choose from a tempting selection of appetizers, soups, sandwiches, burgers, and salads.

HH Prime serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. It is located mid-island at the attractive Hilton Oceanfront Resort, on the south side of Palmetto Dunes Resort. Just follow the main entrance road toward the ocean, turn south (right) at the traffic circle, tell the folks at the security gate that you are going to HH Prime, and the Hilton will be about a half mile on your left.

For more information and reservations, please call 341- 8058 or visit hhprime.com. For information about XO Lounge, please call 341-8080.



TRUFFLES GRILL - Hilton Head

There is a new Truffles in town! Well, at least on the other side of the bridge to Hilton Head.

Price Beall, owner of the popular Truffles Cafes in Sea Pines Center and the Belfair Town Village in Bluffton, has opened Truffles Grill just off Pope Avenue on Hilton Head Island. It opened in September.

The Sea Pines Truffles opened in 1983, and has been expanded several times over the years. Belfair Village's Truffles opened in 1999, and already has been expanded since its opening. Clearly, the folks at Truffles are doing something (probably lots of somethings) very right!

Truffles Grill is located in the thoroughly rebuilt premises formerly occupied by The Hofbrauhaus. More than a year was devoted to redesigning and rebuilding the old Hofbrauhaus building. Hofbrauhaus enthusiasts, and they were numerous, will hardly recognize it!

The Grill is a bit more upscale than its cafe cousins. Its objective is to offer "fine food, great service and a unique comfortable atmosphere." There are lots of booths for intimate dining.

In summary, Truffles Grill is intended to take the Truffles concept to a new level. Although many of the items on its menu may be similar to those of the cafes, its china, extensive wine list (many available by the glass), white tablecloths, service and adult orientation distinguish it from the other Truffles and, for that matter, from the majority of other restaurants on Hilton Head Island.

Please note, though, that Truffles Grill is not a fine dining restaurant in the "stuffy" sense of the term. It is intended to be "fun, casual and upscale!"

We have had numerous excellent meals at the Truffles cafes over the years, and look forward to more of the same at Truffles Grill!

Truffles serves dinner Monday through Saturday. Reservations, outdoor dining and take-out are available.

For more information, please visit trufflesgrill.com, or call 785-3663.



ISLAND BISTRO - Hilton Head

We love both really good food and the American entrepreneurial spirit. So, it's great to see another long time Island chef embark on an exciting new venture.

Chef Eric Roberts opened what he refers to as his "unique little restaurant called Island Bistro" in mid-February. It is in Heritage Plaza (Pope Ave.), behind New York City Pizza, near Sage Room and Flavors. The atmosphere is intimate, laid back, casual, and very pleasant!

Island Bistro, Roberts says, focuses on unique boutique wines and beers, and flavors from around the world. Whenever possible, fresh local ingredients will be used. He and his staff, he promises, will make a major effort to keep prices on their eclectic menu reasonable.

The kitchen at Island Bistro offers both upscale, "gourmet" fare and relatively simple food, both in our admittedly limited experience at Island Bistro (it just opened) just about perfectly prepared. The spinach salad was "one of the best ever," according to our salad-lover. The beau tiful, large Kobe Beef burger was prepared to perfection, thick and juicy with accompaniments, but not so juicy that the bun fell apart as happens so often with really upscale burgers. One the more complex side, the Trio of Cakes appetizer (Black Bean & White Cheddar, Truffled Lobster and Corn & Crab) was outstanding, as was the Duck Timbale (wonderfully tender and juicy).

The wine list is large, and boasts lots of boutique wines as promised. We ordered the first French white bordeaux that we have tried for some time, and it was superb. At $32, the price also made us smile!

It is worth noting that prices in general, especially in view of what one receives for one's money, are remarkably reasonable.

Roberts, a 1991 graduate of Johnson and Wales culinary school, has worked in some of the best kitchens in the lowcountry. He has been associated with The Westin, Sea Pines Resort, South Carolina Yacht Club and McCrady's in Charleston, to name a few.

The menu at Island Bistro offers a remarkable combination of simple and complex fare. Lunch includes salads, sandwiches and wraps, and a nice selection of lunch entrees. For dinner, Chef Eric keeps some of the relatively simple items from the lunch menu, but augments them with a good selection of choices that showcase his excellent culinary skills.

Island Bistro is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Call and ask about their multi-course early bird and their happy hour. Reservations, carry-out (a specialty at lunch) and a children's menu are available.

For more information, please visit islandbistrohhi.com, or call 785-4777.



XO LOUNGE - Hilton Head

The Hilton Oceanfront Resort on Palmetto Dunes Resort has revamped, remodeled, and substantially upgraded its entertainment venue...and opened the new XO Lounge! The Hilton's new lounge was under construction for several months before opening recently.

XO Lounge features a premium wine selection, a trendy champagne collection, and nightly entertainment throughout the year. The new lounge also offers a creative appetizer menu and an extensive drink menu. The latter will include imported liquors from around the world, plus wine & champagne flights, creating a great interactive experience for Island connoisseurs.

The 2008 entertainment schedule for XO Lounge features Scott Morlock and will, we are told, include numerous Island favorites, such as Deas Guyz, The Headliners, Target Band, The Simpson Brothers and Bobby Ryder. Additional performers still are "in the works."

As this is written, plans are for Scott Morlock to play nightly Wednesdays through Saturdays from 8:30 pm until 1:00 am. Established as a regional favorite pianist, Morlock's following stretches well beyond the region. He brings a unique Vegas style of entertainment to the Island.

It is clear that the XO Lounge plans on offering an outstanding entertainment package, maintaining the Hilton Oceanfront Resort's tradition of great entertainment!

For more information about the XO Lounge or its entertainment schedule, please call 341-8080 or visit www.xohhi.com, or refer to Hilton Head Island Restaurants Magazine or hhidining.com. The Lounge is open nightly from 5:00 pm until late.



PLANTATION CAFE - Hilton Head

What could be better than visiting a restaurant that has been serving and pleasing Islanders and visitors alike since 1974? Being able to choose among two great restaurants offering the same menu and friendly service!

Plantation Cafe & Deli's Heritage Plaza location, on Pope Avenue, has been a genuine favorite of locals since 1974. Now Plantation Cafe has opened a second location at Port Royal Plaza, at the north end of the island.

The folks at Plantation Cafe like to say that their establishment is "More than a New York Deli." It is, and we love their food!

The Cafe traditionally was well-known for outstanding breakfasts. More recently their lunch specialties also have earned lots of praise. Signature lunch items include chicken wraps, cobb salads, and tempting soups. "Country Blue Plates," which are available for lunch Monday through Friday, allow diners to choose among numerous meats and vegetables for a very reasonable price. Delicious, and an excellent value!!

Family friendly Plantation Cafe and Deli is open for breakfast and lunch Monday-Saturday, and breakfast and brunch Sundays. Beer, wine, and carry-out are available. There is an extensive kid's menu.

For more information, please refer to Hilton Head Island Restaurants Magazine or hhidining.com, or call 342- 4472 for their Port Royal Plaza location or 785-9020 for their Pope Avenue location.



GRUMPY GROUPER - Hilton Head

What are the chances that two talented local chefs would open their new restaurants the same week? Not very great, but that's what happened in mid-February!

Culinary Institute of America grad Mark Christian, who has been an integral part of some of Hilton Head's most popular restaurants since 1980, recently opened the Grumpy Grouper on Pope Avenue, just a short distance from Coligny Circle. The resident grouper will be the only one who is grumpy, though. Customers, we think, will be very happy with their meals.

Grumpy Grouper specializes in "fresh seafood and pasta at affordable prices." Fresh seafood is available fried, broiled, grilled or blackened.

Located on the same thoroughly redecorated premises formerly occupied by Evelyn's, Grumpy Grouper's menu at lunch continues the Evelyn's tradition of great specialty sandwiches, soups and salads. It also offers some simple, inexpensive seafood items. There is a new lunch counter, and much more.

Chef Mark serves up a whole new very reasonably priced menu for dinner. Diners may choose from lots of fresh seafood, either fried or broiled, or numerous Italian specialties. We can attest to the excellence of the broiled scallops. There were lots of them, they were perfectly broiled, and accompanied by a baked potato (fries are available). The fried seafood platter, which included shrimp, oysters, scallops and grouper fingers, plus a baked potato, was huge and everything was perfectly prepared. Following a shared fried calamari appetizer, there was so much food that it actually was hard to finish. The dinner menu also includes some lunch-style choices and lighter entrees for folks who prefer smaller amounts of food.

Specialties at Grumpy Grouper include Evelyn's "famous Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich" for lunch and Grumpy's Friday Fish Fry, jumbo Fried Seafood Platter, Lowcountry Boil, and 1 1/4 pounds of steamed crab legs at dinner. Average prices are $7-$10 for lunch, and $11- $15 for dinner.

Grumpy Grouper is located at 71 Pope Avenue, across from Wild Wing Cafe and just east of Aunt Chiladas (on the same side of the street). Lunch is served from 11- 3:00, and dinner from 3:00-9:00 Monday through Saturday. Patrons may eat indoors, or under umbrellas in the pleasant courtyard. Take-out and a children's menu are available.

In summary, Grumpy Grouper is casual, bright and light, perfect for the entire family! For more information, please call 842-2455.



REMY'S - Hilton Head

Remember the popular Remy's that was located near Sea Pines Circle for well over a decade? When the doors closed several years ago, numerous people were genuinely sad.

We are happy to tell you that, after their sabbatical, many of the same folks who brought you the original Remy's have opened a larger, spiffy new version.

The folks at Remy's invite everyone to "come and see your old friends from the Remy's of the past. Your new Remy's," they promise, "will be just as comfortable as the old one, and you are guaranteed to feel at home!"

The new Remy's is located in the thoroughly remodeled premises formerly occupied by The Sandbar, between New York City Pizza and Murphy's Irish Pub, right next to the large courtyard in the middle of Heritage Plaza (on the north side of Pope Avenue, near Coligny Circle). A large covered patio will allow service to be available both indoors and outside. There even are plans for cookouts and oyster roasts!

As in the past, Remy's will be operated very much in the tradition of Hilton Head Island and the lowcountry, serving the "very best of true Southern low country cuisine." The menu includes fresh seafood, beef, a salad bar, salads, sandwiches, omelettes, steamed clams, oysters and shrimp, burgers, wraps and wings. Remy's even will bring back their popular "meat and three" lunches.

Remy's also features live entertainment, video games, dart boards, a pool table, happy hour food and drink specials, bar munchies, and lots of tv's both inside and on the patio.

Kitchen hours are from 11:00 am until late seven days a week. A children's menu and take-out are available. There is lots of parking behind Murphy's Irish Pub. For more information, please call 842- 3800.