Hilton Head Island Rec's

We are heading to Hilton Head for a return visit on Friday. This will be my 4th visit down there, and I am looking for any recommendations for anything new that may have opened in the last 2 years. Already on our list to return to is The Old Fort Pub for an anniversary dinner, and to hit as many happy hours as possible to consume peel and eat shrimp, crab legs, and alot of tequila, and beer.

Thanks for any new tips.

Heading there for our wedding anniversary next month. Anyone been there recently? I am wondering if anyone can give me Farmer's market advice, there seem to be a bunch and it is hard to tell online if one is larger than any others. Jimswide, did you find any places to eat that you recommend?

I cant provide you with any farmer's market advice (other than not to shop at the Publix right off the toll road as way too expensive) but me and the ol girl were just down there in July and visited three spots for dining out as we took advantage of the fresh seafood and the grill at the house we rented within Sea Pines while there. Here is where we went:

Frankie Bones, 1301 Main Street is a steakhouse type of chain restaurant that we first visited with friends and the food was okay, just not terrific or groundbreaking in any regard. They do take reservations and it had a corny vibe with mobster/Sinatra memorabilia but was a large place. Not in Sea Pines but ten minutes away.

A Low Country Backyard, 32 Palmetto Bay Road was really excellent and as promised had some great shrimp and grits, fresh fish specials and an overall laid back atmosphere. It does not take reservations so either get there early or be prepared to wait a while as its very small inside but they did have a nice outdoor patio. Not in Sea Pines but 5 minutes away.

One Hot Mamas, 7 Greenwood Drive which is a BBQ joint just outside of the Sea Pines entry gate. Had some very good smoked wings and ribs and brisket were quite tasty. Has a happy hour special with $3 appetizers and half off cocktails and on second thought would likely just eat in the bar area. Does not take reservations either but right by Hilton Head Brewery and they have the button pagers that alert you when your table is ready.

I realize this is a limited review and there are numerous choices for your dining options, so I might suggest picking up a "dining guide" that seemed to be available at grocery stores and the beach clubs in the newspaper vending machine devices that showcase a lot of the local cuisine and print menus for your perusal.

Have fun and wear some sunscreen!

Thanks Smokinjoe, One Hot Mama's sounds great. We went there for our first wedding anniversary 27 years ago, and I am most curious to see how the island has changed over that long period of time.

I will be happy to give you a full report. After our time in Hilton Head, we are really excited to be heading to a nearby resort called the Inn at Palmetto Bluff. Has anyone ever been here? http://www.palmettobluff.com/the-inn.aspx

I went to "A Low Country Backyard" about six weeks ago. Really tiny spot -- about eight tables inside and eight tables outside. They are extremely slow and judicious in seating. We were quoted a 1.5 hour wait for a party of four -- but we grabbed drinks at the bar and sat down for dinner on the really charming patio about 25 minutes later. They did not seat the entire restaurant the whole time despite a ton of people waiting outside -- the server said it was due to them having a tiny kitchen, everything is cooked to order, yada yada.

I personally thought the shrimp & grits was a pretty bad dish with the flavors of the actual shrimp, sausage, and bacon cream sauce were very muted and lacked punch. Nothing really came together. The actual grits were cooked correctly, tho. Still ... it tied for the weakest dish of the night along with an overly sweet and sort of sad banana pudding for dessert.

The best dish of the night there was the by far the potato chip meatloaf (potato chips are used instead of breadcrumbs). Pork and beef blend brushed with a sweet 'shine BBQ sauce that played nicely off the savory flavor packed meatloaf. We almost ordered a second one.

Southern Belle salad was very nice -- sunflower seeds, mandarin oranges, tomatoes, sweet onions, glazed pecans, and feta with a raspberry vin.

Island Crab Cakes were good -- solid amount of crab, limited filler, seasoned and cooked properly. Bright lemon-dill sauce.

Collards -- decent. Lacked in flavor what makes collards outstanding -- delicious porky juice/bits and a vinegar kick.

Still, it's a very pretty spot -- especially if you sit outside -- and I think you can have a nice meal there.

This place did get really good reviews on Yelp, although everyone did seem to mention the wait. I think I will take the advice of the person who said since they are open for lunch from 11-3, go at 2 and you will hit the sweet spot. Thanks for the tip, Dave.

Cinnamon Girl wrote:This place did get really good reviews on Yelp, although everyone did seem to mention the wait. I think I will take the advice of the person who said since they are open for lunch from 11-3, go at 2 and you will hit the sweet spot. Thanks for the tip, Dave.

I did have some family go for lunch earlier in the week and were sat after about a 10 minute wait.

They do allow you to put in your name and phone # and they will call you when your table is ready. From speaking to our server and some other patrons, a lot of people drive to the restaurant and put in their reservation when they're coming home from the beach or wherever and then come back after changing clothes or whatever. There's are also a few other places in the strip mall where A Low Country Backyard is -- so you can grab a drink somewhere else there as well before you're seated. Also, the bar inside A Low Country Backyard is separate from the dining room and patio and you can camp out there and drink while you wait too -- there are about six seats at the actual bar and about four high tops as well.

Enjoy!