Every year there are numerous new places to dine in the Bluffton, Lowcountry and Hilton Head Island area. We have described many of them 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.








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 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 Island's 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.

Kettering¹s 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 strives 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.

For more information, please call 341-3117.

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 PLUS COFFEE, BEER & LITE TAPAS - 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! 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. All wines also are available by the bottle at normal retail prices. Many of the wines served are rated at 90 or above by Wine Spectator magazine.

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.

There also 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.

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), 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 turn to page 33, 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.

It’s Greek to Me II offers more indoor and outdoor seating than its namesake. There is a second floor bar, plus a ground fl oor veranda and upstairs terrace that is 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. Everything “is made on the premises, from scratch.” 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.