Restaurant News – Hilton Head & Bluffton
Get the latest on all things food and drink. From new restaurants and coming soon to hot products and updates. For our top restaurant suggestions, click here.
Now open – Buffalos
Palmetto Bluff has announced the reopening of Buffalos, the longtime culinary staple of the community’s Wilson Village. The restaurant’s extensive renovation is part of a slate of amenity upgrades initiated by South Street Partners to enhance the experience for members and guests of Palmetto Bluff. Buffalos expanded the rear patio with a covered outdoor dining terrace as well as an open area showcasing some of the best views in the Lowcountry. The outdoor porch roof was designed not to interfere with existing windows and allow as much natural light into the screened porch as possible, maintaining the view overlooking the May River on Boat House Street. Under the guidance of Palmetto Bluff Club’s Director of Culinary and Events, Chef Rhy Waddington, Buffalos’ mission is to create a pleasant, authentic dining experience devoted to menus featuring the freshest ingredients from local purveyors. Check out its new hours and menus at palmettobluff.com.
Renowned chef changes course
The Leffew Restaurant Group announced chef Charles Pejeau will join the team as culinary director, overseeing the food programs at both Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar and the new Lucky Beach Bar + Kitchen, as well as the group’s special event offerings. A Hilton Head native, he brings nearly 18 years of culinary experience to Leffew Restaurant Group and has worked in restaurants across the Lowcountry. Pejeau most recently served as executive chef at Palmetto Dunes Resort. He also was executive chef at Charbar Co. and Holy Tequila, helping develop the menus and open both Hilton Head Island-based restaurants. Diners might know him from his time at Red Fish, celebrity chef Robert Irvine’s Eat!, Sonesta Resort or The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, which was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. during his tenure there. luckyroosterhhi.com
Coming Soon – Cafe Al Dente
Cafe Al Dente, an authentic Italian restaurant with New York influence, is coming to Coligny. The old Vine restaurant is currently being renovated to house the eatery. You can follow its Facebook page for updates or visit colignyplaza.com.
New beer: Peach Payday
Side Hustle Brewing Co. introduced a new beer, Peach Payday. This refreshing beer is perfect for hot weather. It’s an American wheat ale packed with peaches. thebankhhi.com
Large hot cup at Corner Perk
Due to numerous customer requests, Corner Perk Brunch Café now offers a large hot cup. The experts recommend adding an extra shot of espresso or two to your 20-ounce large cup for the best flavor and experience.cornerperk.com
Captain Woody’s relocates
Captain Woody’s Bar and Grill closed its Target Road location and opened at its new spot on Executive Park Drive off Pope Avenue on Aug. 11.
captainwoodys.com
Featured farmer – Hardee Greens
Hilton Head Community Market welcomed a new vendor, Hardee Greens. This family-owned and operated Hardeeville vertical farm sells year-round pesticide and herbicide-free herbs and greens for Lowcountry chefs. hhicommunitymarket.com
Now open – VN Pho
There’s a new Vietnamese spot in town: VN Pho. This Vietnamese restaurant is located at 80 Baylor Drive in Bluffton, next to Publix in the Bluffton Commons. It has had excellent reviews since its grand opening Aug. 9. The only negative review online was about being unable to find the restaurant. For more clarity, it’s located where Angelo’s Greek Table used to be. VN Pho is open Monday, Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and is closed Tuesday.
Now open – Cupcakes 2 Cakes
The mother-daughter-owned cafe and dessert bar, Cupcakes 2 Cakes, has remodeled and rebranded its store at 108 Bluffton Parkway, Suite 2-C. It reopened Aug. 1 with new hours and some changes. Cupcakes, decorated cookies, pastries, and Jack Frost ice cream are still available, but it’s added more coffee and grab-and-go drink options with earlier hours and savory food options for lunch. The team still offers classes and takes custom orders, though to a lesser extent. Between 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, a special mocktail menu created in collaboration with Shaken & Stirred Mixology is available. It’s open Tuesday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and closed Sunday-Monday. cupcakes2cakes.com
ArtWare adds candy section
ArtWare Designs now has a candy section named after the lovable mascot, Penny. Enjoy fun, retro candy from chocolate Moon Pies to Zotz in three favors, cinnamon toothpicks, Reeds Rootbeer and Butterscotch and even chocolate-covered bacon. artwaredesigns.com
Coming Soon – Pomodori Too!
The original plan for the location at 1253 May River Road in Old Town Bluffton was only to offer take-out meals. Now there will be outdoor seating at the new restaurant, officially named Pomodori Too! It will also offer beer, wine, and everything on its Hilton Head menu. gopomodori.com
Wine Spectator awards local restaurants
Charlie’s Coastal Bistro and Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana received Wine Spectator’s two-glass Award of Excellence in its annual Restaurant Awards. The awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. winespectator.com
SERG selling shirts to support Hilton Head Humane
SERG Group partners Mike Marignoni and Chris Spargur and SERG retail director Katherine Lopez donated a portion of the Skull Creek Boathouse HHHA T-Shirt sales to Hilton Head Humane. You can help support Hilton Head Humane’s efforts by purchasing this limited-edition T-shirt. Visit the online shop or the Skull Creek General Store to get your T-shirt. skull-creek-boathouse.myshopify.com
Now open – Sundown Saloon
A new saloon opened in Port Royal Plaza. Sundown Saloon is a new place to unwind with tasty bar food, live music, great drinks, and a fun country vibe. The bar spot opened last month and is open 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday and 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday. thesundownsaloon.com
New products at Michael Anthony’s
Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana has two new products: Pizzanadas and heat-and-eat pizzas. Pizzanadas are a cross between empanadas and calzones. These savory turnovers are stuffed, lightly fried to a golden brown and served with a delicious dipping sauce. The vegetarian pizzanadas are stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, garlic, mozzarella and Parmigiano cheese and served with a pesto cream sauce. The meat pizzanadas are stuffed with sausage, peppers, onions, garlic, mozzarella and Parmigiano cheese and served with a Tuscan Pomodoro sauce. Heat-and-eat pizzas are available in The Market’s refrigerated case. They are perfect as a meal for one, an appetizer or an anytime snack. They contain no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or fillers. These pizzas go from refrigerator to table in 10 minutes or less. They have three varieties: classic pepperoni, Cacio e Pepe and veggie. michael-anthonys.com
Runner’s High Coffee at Palmetto Running Company
Palmetto Running Company now sells Runner’s High Coffee, the first coffee explicitly created for runners by runners. Founded in 2019, this family owned business shares its ownership with Palmetto Running Company. The coffee incorporates natural and organic anti-inflammatory components such as turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon. Palmetto Running Company stores and runnershighcoffeeco.com include shipping and a subscription service. The selection has several options, including cold brew, medium and dark roasts, a decaf option or the “Fast Twitch.” palmettorunningcompany.com
Coming Soon – Sunny Summers Cafe
Sunny Summers Cafe is coming to Beaufort. Located at 7 Robert Smalls Parkway, this cafe specializes in pancakes, donuts, milkshakes, and a coffee bar and lounge. It will carry a vast and unique selection of blends, flavors and aromatics. For updates and a peek at the menu, visit sunny-summers-cafe.myshopify.com or find them on Facebook.
Coming Soon – Cactus Street Cantina
A new Tex-Mex restaurant is coming to Main Street Village, where Gr8 Bites was located. Cactus Street Cantina hopes to open in early fall. Owners Lauren Jordan and Tracy Wilson, and chef Adolfo Aguilar, are all familiar faces on the local restaurant scene with many years of experience at popular establishments.
New beer: Twice as Nice
Lincoln & South Brewing Company celebrated its second anniversary with Twice as Nice, their double NE IPA with a unique blend of hops they’ve never used before. Check out some of their other beers released this month for their second anniversary. lincolnandsouth.com
Quick Bites
- The Market Cafe at Michael Anthony’s has been awarded OpenTable’s “Best Overall” and “Best Italian” Restaurant in the Hilton Head area. The Market Cafe now offers its full dinner menu at lunch.
- The Crazy Crab Harbour Town celebrated its 37th anniversary on July 31.
- Forrest Fire BBQ added a mural done by artist Janet Scarborough.
- Burnt Church Distillery donated 5 percent of its revenue in August to Memory Matters.
- Wine Time Bluffton’s August nonprofit partner was Second Helpings. It donated $1 of every bottle sold.
- From now until November 12, every online order at New York City Pizza can round up the total to the nearest dollar, and the proceeds will be donated to The Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
- Ruby Lee’s won The Bluffton MLK Observance Committee’s 2023 Black Excellence for best restaurant; Holmes Catering won best caterer, Grub at Jay’s LLC won best diner/secret eatery; and Cinnabon Food Truck Bluffton won small business of the year.
- Southern Living chose the 13 best restaurants in Hilton Head for 2023. They are Hilton Head Social Bakery, Lulu Kitchen, The Sea Shack, Chez Georges, Nectar Farm Kitchen, Coast, Skull Creek Boathouse, The Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar, Black Marlin Bayside Grill, Burnt Church Distillery, Nunzio Restaurant + Bar, Hudson’s Seafood House On The Docks and Johnson Creek Tavern.
- Visit the Skull Creek General Store to try its new (and bizarre) product, “Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream.”
- Try Charbar Co.’s new Fusion Bento Box lunch meal. It comes with your choice of burger, a four-piece sushi roll, a side of your choice and a drink.
- You can now order The G-Free Spot for delivery on Doordash and Uber Eats.
- SERG Restaurant Group is the concessions provider for the 56th annual RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing.
- The Farmer’s Market of Bluffton has a new vendor: Sweet Mae’s Pimento Cheese.
- CRUDO Modern Raw Bar has a new bar menu. Stop by and try some of its new cocktails.
- Jane Bistro & Bar now has a pup menu.
- Tickets for the 2024 Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival are now available at hiltonheadseafoodfestival.com.
- After closing on Dec 24 for renovations, the Mexican restaurant in Bluffton, La Hacienda, is finally open with some changes worth checking out.
