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.
DRYDOCK - Hilton Head
It always is a pleasure to report that a long-time Island favorite has moved to a much more attractive location, and celebrated its move by making its menu more appealing, too!
Locally owned DryDock Seafood Grill & Spirits, formerly called The DryDock, was at its previous location on Executive Park Road near the Sea Shack for almost 16 years. It recently moved to 21 Office Park Road, Suite 105, Sapelo Building which is located near the main gate of Sea Pines.
The new DryDock offers an attractive dining room, and a separate bar and lounge area that is tastefully decorated in offshore fishing motif. There also is a pool table, and a shuffleboard table. Patrons may enjoy a spacious outside dining and bar area that is a great place to be when the weather is good.
The DryDock’s kitchen serves a wide variety of food, ranging from really good “tavern food” and fresh made salads to excellent steak and seafood dinner entrees. The lunches are a great value, and the staff promises that you will not leave hungry!
Lots of Island sports fans enjoy watching their games at the DryDock. It offers seven fl at screen TV’s, including four high defi nition plasmas. They offer the NFL DirectTV package, ESPN’s College Game Plan Package, as well as MLB Baseball package and March Madness College Basketball.
The DryDock also provides catering and the use of their facility for special events, meetings, and charity fund raisers, as well as wedding receptions.
The Drydock is tucked away at 21 Offi ce Park Road, which extends from its intersection with Pope Avenue, at the fi rst traffi c light east of Sea Pines Circle, at one end and its intersection with Greenwood Drive at the other. Its Pope Avenue intersection is directly opposite the south end of New Orleans Road. There is a CVS Pharmacy on the corner.
Just turn onto Office Park Road, and turn into the fi rst parking lot entrance on the left after the road curves to the right. The DryDock is around the far corner of the fi rst building on your right!
The other end of Office Park Road begins in front of Park Plaza and Harris Teeter Groceries.
The DryDock offers a Happy Hour from 4-7:00 Monday- Friday, a children’s menu and take-out.
For more information about DryDock Seafood Grill & Spirits, please contact them at drydock@hargray.com, or call 843-842-9775.
ISLAND BAGELS - Hilton Head
We love bagels, and all the good stuff that you can put on them. Of course, cream cheese and smoked salmon probably are the traditional favorites. But bagels can be the start of sandwiches, breakfast-style sandwiches, and much more. And that traditional cream cheese can be fl avored all sorts of ways!
The Island Bagel Co., which recently succeeded Woody’s Darn Good Bagels at South Island Square, serves really great bagels, as might be expected of a restaurant that makes its bagels from scratch (the only place on the island that does). However, they serve much more than bagels, have added numerous new items to their menu, and plan more for the future.
For example, patrons may enjoy breakfast sandwiches, a wide variety of baked goods, “Seattle’s Best” excellent coffee and lattes, soups, salads, and more. They also cook their own turkeys and prime rib in house.
New items will include a larger selection of salads, new “homemade” soups, and a choice of panninis. Please note, though, that almost everything from the Woody’s Darn Good Bagels menu will continue to be available.
Island Bagel Co. is open for breakfast and lunch from 7:00 am-3:00 pm Monday-Saturday, and until 2:00 Sundays. The entire menu is available from opening until closing. Catering and offi ce deliveries are available. Take-out is a specialty. Callins are welcome.
Island Bagel Co. is located at South Island Square, about a mile south of the entrance to Palmetto Dunes, near Longhorn Steakhouse, next to Cafe St. Tropez. There is a “sister” Island Bagel Co. at Sheridan Park, in Bluffton.
For more information, please visit hiltonheadbagels.com, or call 686-3353.
CAPTAIN WOODY'S - Bluffton
Captain Woody’s, at Palmetto Bay Marina, has long had a reputation for being a great place to eat. Great food, great prices, a great location, and friendly owners and staff add up to a great result!
Medium-size, casual seafood-oriented Captain Woody’s restaurant has been tucked away at Palmetto Bay Marina for over 25 (!) years, making it one of Hilton Head’s oldest restaurants. It is a favorite of boaters and locals, as well as visitors to the Island. The patio, overlooking Broad Creek in the distance, is an especially pleasant place to eat.
Now Captain Woody’s has a sister restaurant of the same name in nearby Bluffton.
Many things are the same as at the Island location. Everything still is fresh! Signature items still include their Grouper Melt, Oyster Po-Boy and Shrimp Po-Boy Sandwiches, and their big Seafood Platters. Just tell them what you want on your platter, and it’s yours!
The menu is basic: Seafood, Land-food and Platters. Captain Woody’s specializes in shrimp, clams and oysters, which you can get freshly shucked, raw or steamed. There also are lots of appetizers, soups and, especially, sandwiches to choose from.
The premises, however, are very different from Hilton Head. The building is new, but has been designed to look old. The combination of its design and substantial use of recycled building materials has added up to an unusually pleasant result.
There is a large dining area and bar downstairs, where the walls can be raised garage door-style when the weather is right. Like on Hilton Head, there is a large outdoor patio area. Upstairs, there is another bar and dining area that is both indoors and outside, overlooking St Joseph’s Park.
Captain Woody’s in Bluffton serves their complete menu from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm seven days a week. The rooftop bar, where you can order from an appetizer menu, is open from 4:00 pm until Midnight. Brunch is served on Sundays.
The new Captain Woody’s is located at 17 State of Mind Street in The Calhoun Street Promenade, in “downtown” Bluffton.
Happy Hour is from 4-7:00. A kid’s menu and carry-out are available. It is worth noting that Captain Woody’s is very family oriented in some areas, but also is a good place for adults.
It just depends on where you sit!
For more information, please visit captainwoodys. com, or call 843-757-6222.
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 - Bluffton
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.
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).
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.
