Jesse Blanco, host of the popular TV show “Eat It and Like It,” presents the Eat It and Like It Foodie Awards annually for the best food in the South Carolina Lowcountry and Savannah region. A panel of four judges chose the following winners from Hilton Head Island and Bluffton: Dolce Vita Ristorante, Hilton Head Social Bakery, SERG Group, R Bar, Hilton Head Ice Cream, Earle of Sandwich Pub, Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar, FARM Bluffton, Taqueria del Sabor, Old Bull Tavern, Pour Richard’s, Local Pie, Corner Perk, Skull Creek Dockside, Skull Creek Boathouse and The Bluffton Room. 

A Hilton Head Island barbecue favorite is opening Bluffton location. One Hot Mama’s is expected to open in June in Berkeley Place, part of Bluffton’s Buckwalter, according to a Southeast Entertainment Restaurant Ground news release. 

The restaurant, known for its slow-cooked barbecue, will occupy a 4,300-square-foot corner space adjacent to the Cinemark Bluffton movie theater.

A wholesale seafood market is coming to Red Cedar Street in Bluffton this summer, when the Russo family of Savannah will open of a 4,050-square-foot production facility and wholesale market called Russo’s Fresh Seafood.

The company currently provides fish for local restaurants including Barnacle Bill’s Fresh Seafood, Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte, Coast Oceanfront Dining, ELA’s On the Water, The Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar, Poseidon Coastal Cuisine, Skull Creek Boathouse, Red Fish Restaurant and WiseGuys.

Three popular restaurants on Hilton Head Island’s south end have been acquired by Southeast Entertainment Restaurant Group.

SERG bought Charbar Co., Holy Tequila! and the recently opened Whiskey Room last month. The restaurants, all located in Park Plaza, were owned by 32-year-old entrepreneur Nick Bergelt’s company, HHI Hospitality.

Pointed Feather LLC has submitted a bid to open a restaurant in the previous Marshside Mama’s on Daufuskie Island. Marshside Mama’s closed more than a year ago, leaving the county-owned building empty. The proposed restaurant would be family-friendly and potentially serve pizza. Charles Huggins, owner of Pointed Feather, indicated the restaurant would be run by his son, who has worked at several restaurants in the area. The contract still requires final approval from Beaufort County Council.

A firm is proposing a restaurant named Slapfish for the half-acre site once home to The Pantry gas station and convenience story on the corner of Arrow Road. The restaurant describes itself as a “modern seafood shack.” David Ramsey presented plans for 153 Arrow Road to the Town of Hilton Head Island’s design review board in March. 

Hilton Head Island will soon have its own restaurant dedicated to biscuits. Located on Dunnagans Alley, Bad Biscuit is owned by Dave Peck — owner of A Lowcountry Backyard, a Southern-style restaurant on the south end of Hilton Head. Bad Biscuit will be a fast-casual restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating where customers order from a counter. It will be open for breakfast and lunch, serving up Southern comfort food with a creative twist. The restaurant is opening this spring.

Bluffton-based micro-roastery May River Coffee Roasters has launched a line of CBD-infused gourmet coffees. The CBDC coffees, which each contain 350 milligrams of CBD, are available in three flavors as well as regular and decaf and can be purchased at The Juice Hive & Hemp Emporium and The Cottage Café, Bakery & Tea Room.

Staying power in the restaurant business on Hilton Head Island requires a smorgasbord of ingredients. Tenacity and consistency probably top the list, along with great customer service, high quality food, a loyal staff, a friendly vibe, a refreshing and inviting environment, and amenities for enjoying two hours or three with friends and family on game day or any day. Add a daily happy hour with a bar menu, live music, Sunday brunch and catering…and, fresh from the smoker, you have The Smokehouse at 34 Palmetto Bay Road.