We had a big announcement last month here in Savannah where I live. One of the most beloved restaurants in a city now overflowing with them has announced they will be leaving the space they’ve held for decades. Those of you who have visited 45 Bistro on Broughton Street in Savannah know of what I speak. Their last service at The Marshall House Hotel space will be on December 31. They hope to move to another location, but that information is TBA. We will keep you posted.
Beloved in Savannah, 45 Bistro doesn’t spend a lot of time bringing in influencers, advertising, or otherwise pushing information through social media three or four times a day. It’s very much an “if you know you know” type of place in Savannah. We have a few.
That said, it got me to thinking about similar locations on Hilton Head Island. The Italian spots get lots of well-deserved attention – as do Charlie’s, Alfred’s, and Wise Guys. What about those guys that do a great job but stay a little under the mainstream radar?
We have a few. I’m sharing four here. As always, this is not a ranking – just places that should get your consideration if they do not already.
Alexander’s
Open since 1977 on a Palmetto Dunes lagoon, Alexander’s has outlasted plenty of island trends by keeping oddball staples like Wiener Schnitzel next to shrimp and grits. It has been through a full renovation and reopening under new ownership (in 2017) without losing its old-guard following, and it still pours from a 100-plus-bottle wine list alongside prime rib and short ribs.
Links, an American Grill
I get looked at funny when I’m asked about steaks on the island and my first word is “Links.” When I’ve mentioned it in the past, some of you have taken to emailing me nastygrams. Guess what? I don’t care. Tucked inside the Harbour Town Golf Links Clubhouse, Links overlooks the ninth green of one of golf’s most photographed courses – the same fairway RBC Heritage pros walk every April. It bills itself a Tuscan Steakhouse, pairing Chateaubriand carved tableside with a Wine Spectator-honored list. A rebuilt clubhouse gave it a fresh home in recent years. Executive Chef Sean Carroll is a rock star. Dinner at Links is one of my favorite treats in the region.
Ruby Lee’s
Every time I’ve been to Ruby Lee’s, there’s a nice crowd in there. Still, when you talk about spots for fried chicken, or live music, or great oxtail, I never hear anyone mention it. Named for the grandmother of founder Tim Singleton, a former athlete and coach, and his mother, Deborah Govan, Ruby Lee’s turned a family recipe box into Hilton Head’s go-to soul food and live music spot. Blues, jazz, and Sunday-worthy fried chicken share the bill on Old Wild Horse Road.
Sunset Grille
Started in the mid-90s by husband-and-wife team Linda and Hugh Lockman, Sunset Grille sits inside a marina and RV resort – hardly prime real estate on paper, yet it has built a cult following almost entirely by word of mouth. Garden & Gun once crowned its Bloody Mary among the South’s best.
Jesse Blanco