TUG members share their restaurant recommendations
 
Last update 17 June, 2002
 
Addresses and phone numbers were gathered from off the net where ever we could find them. In many cases, conflicting data was found. Please verify locally before relying on this information.

"The activities were by an intern from Venezuela painting a cap, tie-dye shirts for kids, a trip to Savannah by boat was fun as was Casino night but was done by interns who had never played blackjack or roulette. We taught them. The food at Fitzgeralds was great, longtime island favorite. Also recommend Wild Wings and San Miguels . If you go to Savannah a must is Mrs. Wilkes or Lady and Sons, both have good home cooking that is to die for especially after eating so fancy. I'll rate the accommodations/furnishings a 3, location a 10, staff an 8, and grounds an 8. Would be nice if pool was heated."

"The beaches are touted as having more seashells than any place else on the entire eastern seaboard and this is likely true. There are expansive areas on the South end of the island where you cannot see the sand for the seashells. This is a resort for relaxing. You can feel somewhat isolated if you like me still enjoy the conveniences of large metropolitan areas even while getting away from it all for a while."

"The Post Office Restaurant is wonderful and there is a great gourmet shop on the island."

"Edisto is very historic and some of the old plantations can be seen from the river on the boat ride. In the town of Edisto, before you get to the Edisto Beach area, are lovely churches and interesting cemeteries. History buffs would love it here. One day we drove down to Savannah via Hilton Head. We milled around the lighthouse area of Hilton Head. We took a Trolley Tour in Savannah to get some of the history, then ended up at a restaurant on the river front that specialized in pecan pie. We retraced our route on foot back to our car. Another day we drove to Charleston (Fairfield had a bus trip to Charleston that sounded nice). We did two walking tours plus dinner at Poogan's Porch (wonderful)."

"Myrtle Beach has lots for a family to do, with an Aquarium, small amusement park, lots of restaurants (Planet Hollywood to name one)."

"On this trip we ate at the following restaurants:

• Alligator Grille:   A small, nice, casual restaurant in the rear of Coligny Plaza.  Quite good food.
• Old Oyster Factory:   A large family restaurant on the other side ofBroad Creek from Shelter Cove.  Great views of the creek and marshes. Very popular, so get there early or prepare to wait.  Some of the food was very nicely presented.  A step up from what I remember from previous visits.  They handle large parties very well.
• Hilton Head Diner:   A re-created diner on the main drag (William Hilton Pkwy) near the entrance to Palmetto Dunes.  Popular any time of day.  We went for lunch and the service was quick and friendly and the food was great.
• Huge Seafood Company:   The is a fairly new, large restaurant in the Central Park section, just off William Hilton Pkwy.  (In what was formerly Big Rocco's)   A good place to take large groups.  The food was good for a family restaurant.
• Charleston's:   A charming restaurant on New Orleans Rd.., emphasizing southern hospitality.  It was the only place where we saw some men wearing jackets and ties, but nice casual is fine here.  The food is very nicely prepared and served.  I suggest reservations during busier times.
• Alexander's:   I can't believe that we have never eaten here before.  It is an excellent restaurant along the lagoon on the access road to Palmetto Dunes.  The seats are tiered so that everyone gets a lagoon view out the large windows.  Excellent food in a "nice casual" setting."

"Again, we went to Charlies (our favorite).  Also to Fitzgeralds (very good).  We went over to Shelter Cove and ate at the Italian restaurant there.  Shelter Cove is so nice!  It was a warm pleasant evening and so much fun to just walk around and there were street performers etc.  I will not go into much detail on the unit itself as I already did on my previous review.  But needless to say, anyone would be happy getting into the Heritage!"

"For a wonderful meal try Charlies L'Etoile Verte, it was delicious. DeVino Italian restaurant is quite good also. Truffles I would also recommend. But Charlies was definitely our favorite."

"We went to Wild Wing Cafe again (had about 100 chicken wings), and the adults went out to CQ's for a fancy meal one evening. They have a very good Prime Rib at CQ's. We went to Salty Dog Cafe one evening, but it wasn't worth the two hour wait, IMHO. Most of the meals were over-spiced."

"As for dining out in the area, we didn't do much as we had several kids in the party. However, we did order pizza from Giuseppi's in the Sea Pines Plaza, which was burnt and expensive. Hudson's was nice, with a view of the shrimp boats coming, but a drive off plantation and not worth the trip considering the other restaurants closer to Twin Oaks. The Crazy Crab was the best restaurant we tried, and is located in Harbortown."

"Entertainment we saw while in the area was excellent. 'Carolina Opry' had a comedian that kept us in stitches. We also saw a show called 'Legends'. This is a show that had impersonators of famous people. When we were there they had Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Rod Stewart, Charlie Daniels, and Garth Brooks. All of them were excellent. We went to a show called 'From Nashville to Broadway'. We didn't enjoy it as much as the others. Some customers did. I would like to go back down there again."

"Most of the restaurants are on Hilton Head, but Huey's & the Boar's Head are on River Street & an Italian place near the City Market in Savannah, which was very crowded the day we were in Savannah. Since we had coupons for Huey's, we went & had lunch there. The food was Cajun & excellent." "We spent one day in Savannah. We started out at the Visitor's Center. Instead of taking the "Book"(Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil) tour or other tours, we decided to take the trolley around Savannah all day for $2. each. You could get off & on as many times as you wanted. Savannah is a lovely old town."

"In addition to playing golf, we like to eat. Skillets was a great breakfast location. It is located fairly close to the Shipyard Plantation. The Main Street Bistro is located down by Hilton Head Plantation. They have great pizzas and a very friendly atmosphere. We sampled some test sandwiches for the cook and we enjoyed talking with him. The Upper Crust, just off island, served such huge and great tasting sandwiches that we skipped dinner that night. San Miquels at Shelter Cove also had some pretty good Mexican food. We really enjoyed Southwind Villas and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone. "

Myrtle Beach

"We were able to spend our money at several places. We went to a place called Broadway at the Beach. While there we went to Ripley's Aquarium. We got to see sharks up close; they swam overhead sometimes. We also got to see and touch some stingrays and horse shoe crabs. After that we went to the Imax and saw a film about the cosmos. We went to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe which is shaped like a pyramid and had Egyptian decorations on the inside."

"We went to a place called Barefoot Landing. While at the landing we went on a riverboat ride. We also went on a simulator ride that was a lot of fun. We were the only ones there so we didn't have to wait at all. After that we went to Johnny Rockets, a 50's style diner."

"One day we went shopping. There are several outlet malls in the area and we shopped at most of them. There were actually good prices on name brand items."

"We dined out all meals except breakfast. We had three couples in our unit. A fourth couple stayed in a separate unit. Different strokes sent us all in different directions most days; some to golf, some to tennis, some to beach to walk, bathe or relax, etc., so the only group activity was dining out.

"My favorite restaurants were Crazy Crab (on 278) and Just Pasta at Coligny Plaza"

"Brookgreen Gardens is a 10 minute ride south on US 17 and your entry fee will allow 7 days access - so go as soon as you can.  They have lovely gardens with exceptional bronze statues (some by Huntington).  They also have a 50 minute boat excursion at add'l cost. Across from the gardens is Huntington Beach state park (fee) which also has Attalaya house(50 cents), the mansion of the Huntingtons.  Murrels Inlet and Pawleys Island(free beach) are very nice nearby areas. Charleston is a bit more than 2 hours south. Broadway at the Beach complex is a 15 minute ride north into M.B. on US 17 - lots of nice, expensive stores, 4 IMAX movies and an aquarium ($15).  There is a nice $2. movie theater next to the Chilis restaurant on US17."

"There are MANY activities in the Myrtle Beach area. We recommend: Dixie Stampede (great dinner & show), Alligator Adventure; Barefoot Landing (shops, restaurants, etc.) and be sure to try one of the many extravagant putt-putt golf parks in the area. DO NOT take your family to Dick's restaurant unless you enjoy very sarcastic humor."

There is a new restaurant called Red Fish which is highly recommended. It's casual but also in the category of fine dining. Beautiful contemporary decor. Very popular, very crowded, but accepts reservations. Delightfully different menu and good wines and bread. Not for kids, but they'll try. (Our kids love it.) Located a couple of blocks from the FIRST circle ( circle where MVCI Welcome Center is) on Palmetto Bay Road (the same as the tail end of Cross-Island Parkway...same road) and next door to the Food Lion store. You'll see it on the right as you travel OUT from the first circle on Palmetto Bay Rd, heading in the direction of "off the island". A great evening!

Also, a SECOND RESTAURANT: an established restaurant, not advertised and new to us, called Sunset Grill, located within a mile of coming onto the island on Hwy 278. Turn at the sign for the RV park (don't let that discourage you!)....sign for Sunset Grill also there..... and travel back into that area, and you'll come upon a two-story bldg on the left, on the water, which is Sunset Grill. Go upstairs as it's located on the second story overlooking the water. It doesn't look like much, BUT you'll love the menu, the food, the service, and most of all, the gorgeous sunset over the water. Try to plan your meal to include the sunset, and a window table if possible. Great place for an anniversary or a "down-on-your-knees proposal". Definitely fine dining, still casual, mostly frequented by locals...small and cozy but very nice. You will need reservations for sure.

Also, bad news---Charleston's took the lump crabmeat appetizer OFF the menu (if anybody sees that it's back on, LET ME KNOW!!!!!).

Quick review-- top spots: FINE DINING: Charlie's L'Etoile Verte, Santa Fe, Red Fish, Cafe Europa, Charleston's, Sunset Grill---also great: Old Oyster Factory, Fitzgerald's, Westin Seafood Buffet, Giuseppe's (only behind Fuddrucker's), Kingfisher's, Truffles..... LUNCH: Cafe Europa, Truffles, Main Street Cafe, HH Diner....BREAKFAST: Cafe Europa (!!!!!), Skillets (!!!!!) , HH Diner.....OFF THE CHARTS: "wild and fun supper", a must, is Wild Wing Cafe..your kids will thank you. (I love the "wild west" wings). Enjoy!!!!!! Marty (jme) .....TOUGH JOB, but somebody has to do it. 

The information contained in this TUG Dining Guide is provided by TUG members and is solely the opinion of those members. The Timeshare Users Group is not responsible for its content. This information is for the personal use of TUG members only. Any commercial use of this material without the written permission of the Timeshare Users Group is strictly forbidden

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