Like your favorite Auslese Riesling, the Hilton Head Island Wine and Food Festival continues to get better with age. Longtime fans of the event say that just as the best grapes mature, the festival’s biggest selling point is that it continues to evolve with the tastes of the times.
COVID concerns caused a shortened event in 2020 and a move from the traditional March window to its Sept. 14-18 schedule this year.
BLUFFTON BREWERY WINS BEER-TASTING TITLE
Bluffton’s lot 9 brewing co., won Best of the Southeast for its “Mai Lord Mai Bock” beer in the United States Beer Tasting Championship. The brewery also received two honorable mentions for “Dana’s Big DIPA Imperial Hazy IPA,” as well as its “Lil’ Slice of Hefen Wheat Beer.” The competition analyzed 775 beers from 177 breweries across 18 different beer categories, a news release said.
JUICE HIVE NAMED BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
Bluffton-based The Juice Hive, the healthy eatery and juice bar known for its cold-pressed juices, smoothies and a variety of all-natural, predominantly raw foods, has been awarded a 2021 Recommendation Badge from Restaurant Guru. The award, based on visitors’ reviews, recognized The Juice Hive as Best Vegetarian Restaurant in Bluffton. Restaurant Guru provides users with complete information on restaurants, including visitor reviews, menus and photos.
Summer is here and it includes PB&J Acai bowls and Vegan Gluten Free Cinnabuns! Healthy Habit, although best known for serving up the island’s best salads, smoothies and nutrition packed bowls has been stretching beyond their tried and true staples, delivering all new plant based dishes that break the mold of what “healthy” looks like.
Asian and Latin fare make for the perfect marriage at TÔRŌ. The new restaurant on North Forest Beach Drive is the brainchild of George Casalicchio and his partner and executive chef Eric Golden.
Casalicchio is a Long Islander, and Golden is a San Diego native with a Korean heritage who grew up in a region with a heavy Latino influence.
After 17 years of requests, Stack’s has announced they will be open for dinner Thursday - Sunday starting Mid June 2021 serving up soulful, Southern cooking and delicious Low Country cuisine.
Stack’s will be serving up some of the local favorites from Shrimp & Grits to Seafood Mac & Cheese, Fried Green Tomatoes, Country Fried Steak, our Catfish Grits and Greens. Delicious entree’s served with all the home-made fixings like collard greens, okra, mac & cheese, rice and gravy, biscuits and cornbread.
Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar re-opened in April with a focus on fresh local ingredients and regional favorites. The upscale eatery welcomed the addition of executive chef David Landrigan.
Formerly of Circa 1875 and La Scala Ristorante in Savannah, Landrigan is a classically trained chef who has been carrying on the restaurant’s signature style, adding his own subtle (and enormously delicious) spin on each dish. The menu changes throughout the seasons based on ingredients, tides, and the inspiration Chef Landrigan.
TÔRŌ RESTAURANT OPENS
TôRō has opened at Beach Market, 2 North Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head Island. Serving Latin and Asian inspired fare delivering a blend of culinary creativity and culture to a vibrant, yet casual and innovative atmosphere. Mon-Sun 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
RAMEN BAR COMING TO HILTON HEAD ISLAND
JINYA Ramen Bar plans to open this fall on Hilton Head Island, according to a news release. Located on Mathew Drive in Port Royal Plaza, JINYA will serve the traditional flavors of Japanese food via small plates and its acclaimed ramen. When the 3,000-square-foot restaurant opens, it will be JINYA’s first location in South Carolina.
NEW RESTAURANT OPENS AT PLANT RIVERSIDE DISTRICT
Savannah Tequila Co. has opened at Plant Riverside District in Savannah. The restaurant and pub offers traditional Mexican favorites (including handmade tacos, flautas, and burritos), signature margaritas and agave spirits. Food to-go available.
Hilton Head Yacht Charter is bringing Caribbean-style cruising to Hilton Head. Starting in May, the 80-foot Hatteras motor yacht, Top Shelf, will offer exclusive day cruises and gourmet evening-dinner cruises for up to 12 guests.
Charter guests will work with Chef Jenn and a charter concierge to perfect every detail of their theme-based evening aboard. Popular themes include French, Italian, Latin, or a “Taste of the Americas.”
