The new business at 1230 May River Road is a beer-tasting room, informal restaurant, retail shop and art gallery. Wine, gourmet chocolates, and other specialty foods are for sale. Owner Mark Weisner, who also owns Bear Foot Sports event management company, envisions Bluffton Trading Post as a community gathering place.
Taste the Lowcountry
The Salty Dog Cafe
GOOD TIMES FOR ALL SEASONS
When summer ends, the good times keep going at The Salty Dog Cafe on South Sea Pines Drive on Hilton Head Island.
For example, the restaurant is kicking off the fall season with a crab boil and live music on the deck — a lively celebration of cooler weather and a perfect fit for The Salty Dog’s laid-back, casual atmosphere. Lowcountry boils, chili and wing cook offs and live music evenings also are planned, as is a craft beer and burger festival, where guests can enjoy favorite brews from River Dog Brewing Co. and a seasonal draft.
Daufuskie Island Vibes & Tides Presented by Haig Point
DAUFUSKIE FESTIVAL PUTS GULLAH CULTURE FRONT AND CENTER
The flavors of Daufuskie Island will be on full display in October during a celebration of Gullah cuisine and culture.
Vibes & Tides, to be held Oct. 18-20 and sponsored by Haig Point, will benefit the Haig Point Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on preserving the island’s green spaces, encouraging community enhancements, and promoting Daufuskie’s historical significance.
Wasabi opens in Bluffton
New Japanese restaurant and sushi bar Wasabi has opened in Bluffton’s Buckwalter Place near Subway. Owner and chef LingXian Chen operated a restaurant in Bridge Center near the bridges to Hilton Head Island for three years, starting in 2013. The restaurant focuses on sushi, sashimi, bento boxes, hibachi options, and Japanese curry. Wasabi is open every day for lunch and dinner.
Rec Center hosts Food Truck Fridays
The Island Rec Center will offer Food Truck Friday Oct. 11 and Nov. 1 from 3–7 p.m. The event will feature six local food trucks set up in the parking lot of the newly remodeled Rec Center. For details, go to www.islandreccenter.org.
Free Cupcakes at The Cottage
The Cottage Café, Bakery and Tea Room is turning 10 years old and is celebrating with a birthday party on Oct. 15 to bring together community leaders and foodies throughout the Lowcountry. The birthday bash includes complimentary champagne, celebratory fun and free gourmet cupcakes for all. For more information, go to www.thecottagebluffton.com.
Healthy habit opens new location
Fast-casual restaurant Healthy Habit has opened a new location on the south end of Hilton Head Island. The redesigned and rebranded restaurant is located at Park Plaza and offers a variety of healthy options made from fresh ingredients, like salads, wraps and superfood bowls. Healthy Habit plans to franchise and offer more locations in the future.
New Italian Restaurant Bricco opens in Bluffton
A new Italian eatery named Bricco has opened in the former location of Downtown Deli, 27 Mellinchamp Drive in Bluffton. Owners Nino and Pam Catuogno had an Italian restaurant in New York and recently relocated to the Lowcountry.
Sproutz of the Lowcountry now at Farmers Markets
Sproutz of the LowCountry is a new Hilton Head Island-based business that cultivates and sells microgreens, popular for their delicate textures, distinctive flavors and health benefits. In general, microgreens also offer more nutrients than their mature counterparts. Sproutz co-owners Neal Bitner and Eddie Borzacchini sell at the Bluffton and Port Royal farmers markets, and are working on providing microgreens to local restaurants.
Crab Group Purchases Old Oyster Factory
Old Oyster Factory has joined the Coastal Restaurant and Bars (CRAB) family of restaurants. The Old Oyster Factory is celebrating its 30th anniversary. It was built on the site of an original oyster cannery by Ric Peterson, who has owned and operated it since its inception. Coastal Restaurants and Bars is locally owned and operated for over 40 years. Old Oyster Factory will be their tenth establishment.
