Random Ruminations February 2: Lowcountry Edition
Running off at the keyboard ever grateful for the end of January….one step closer to Spring.
*Raise your hand if you can remember when January was quiet around here. I know I can. Instead, this year, there has been a flurry of activity on the food scene. From the Southern end of Sea Pines Resort all the way up to Boundary Street in Beaufort. We are here for it.
*Of course the big story last month dropped on January 20th with the announcement that Pour Richard’s would be closing after 14 plus years on Bluffton Parkway. You can read more about that here if you’d like, but every indication is that we will absolutely be seeing Richard and Ally again down the road after a well deserved break.
*Meanwhile, we were first to report on Friday that the new tenant in the ‘former’ Pour Richard’s space would be an expansion of Hilton Head Island favorite Chez Georges. Radici Italian Chophouse might be the biggest restaurant story of 2025 for Bluffton. Time will tell. You can read the full story here. They hope to be open by April.
*We can confidently say that it could be the biggest story of the year based simply on the interest in our story….nationwide. In the 48 or so hours since we made the announcement, traffic to that particular story on this website is through the roof. It won’t be setting any records, but lets just say that in the nearly 5 years that Chez Georges has been open on the island, they’ve done a fabulous job creating brand recognition and fabulous dining experiences. If you enjoy fine dining and you have not visited Chez Georges, you owe it to yourself to do so.
*If you’d like to hear some more, catch our weekly podcast Mondays with Maggie here. We’ll have a few more exclusive details regarding the plans for Bluffton’s newest chophouse.
*If you missed our story a couple of weeks ago, Lowcountry favorite burger Tin and Tallow is now operating out of a permanent brick and mortar space. Tin and Tallow’s smash burgers have been a smash hit since they rolled out in a food truck in 2023. Now they have a permanent space on the island. Read more about that here.
*Two moves from our friends at the SERG Group the last 4-6 weeks. One Hot Mama’s Hilton Head Island location has moved. They are now open at 35 Office Park Road in the space formerly occupied by Nectar on the Southside. Nectar has relocated to 841 William Hilton Parkway in the space formerly occupied by Lucky Rooster Kitchen and Bar, which closed back in the Fall.

*We are having a beach party we’d like to invite you to. The Eat It and Like It Fried Chicken and Champage Dinner will be held at the newly renovated Tiki Hut at The Beach House Hotel at Coligny Circle. Early weather reports are looking like we are done for now with any brutal cold weather. Weather man might just deliver us upper 60s that day. Unlimited Fried Chicken and bottomless bubbles for one price, on the beach. Can’t beat that. Find a link to tickets here.
*In Beaufort, we attended the opening of Surcheros, a new Mexican restaurant on Robert Smalls Parkway. We don’t typically talk chains around here, but this is a nice addition to the neighborhood and Beaufort Station. I had a Carnitas bowl with great fresh veggies. Delicious. Find them at 351 Robert Smalls Parkway in Beaufort.
*Have you checked out the eats coming out of a tiny bait shop in Port Royal? Sea Sea’s Honey Hole deserves your attention. The menu changes largely weekly, so you’ll have to follow them on social media, but everything we’ve had from the breakfast burritos to the Cuban sandwiches are fantastic. And I don’t play around with my Cuban sandwiches. Her next time making them will be February 14th. Find one, and Eat It and Like It.

*Of course it helps that the owner, Isis Nuñez, is part Cuban (on her dad’s side like me) from Miami. #dale
*A few events and a save the date to share with you before we go.
*Friday night, Links American Grill is hosting a Caviar/Oyster Champage Dinner as part of the programming for their Savor Sea Pines month-long celebration. Here’s a peek at the menu, it looks great. If you are interested in joining us… find more information here.

*The Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival is coming up February 17th-23rd. A fantastic week of events island-wide in a variety of price ranges. New this year is a beachfront Asado event at The Beach House. I’m very much looking forward to all of it. Find more about all events and tickets here.
*Not to be overlooked is the Month-long Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration. It runs now through March 1st and features a wide variety of events including the Gullah Celebration Rhythm and Flavors event on March 1st as well as special brunch on Sunday the 2nd. See a full list of events here.
*Finally, save the date. Hilton Head Island Wingfest….Saturday, March 22nd. We’ll see you there.