

My husband, Todd, and I are regulars at Chow Daddy’s. Typically it’s our top pick when we want a healthy, yet filling meal in a casual setting. They offer indoor tables, high tops and booths as well as outdoor seating, and of course the bar. There are several large TV’s with usually ESPNSports being displayed just inside the bar area, right as you walk in the front door. Then out back there is a small stage which is used for nightly entertainment for the outdoor diners.



Oh…and make sure to save room for dessert! They offer homemade ice cream sandwiches. Need I say more?


The French Bakery is not a new restaurant to the island, but they did just recently relocate to the Shelter Cove Towne Centre from their previous location at Pineland Station Mall. You may be surprised to hear that today was my first time dining at this local favorite, and I dare to say it may now be my new favorite lunch spot!



The French Bakery is open Monday – Saturday 7am to 4pm and Sunday 8am to 3pm. Located at 28 Shelter Cove Lane #120, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Stay tuned for a future post on my breakfast experience at this fine establishment…
Being in the vacation rental business, it’s not uncommon to work 7 days a week. During the busy rental season, which typically runs from mid-March through mid-October on Hilton Head Island, the work week for me is Monday–Saturday, although I’m on call 24/7, which leaves me Sunday for family, relaxing and adventures. A normal Sunday for my husband, fur baby & I includes a day on the boat cruising the intracoastal waterways and catching up with our boating buddies. Our “Sunday Funday” this past weekend started much later in the day than normal, so we decided to turn the trip into dinner by boat. So our little family set out for Shelter Cove Marina with empty bellies and no exact plan of where we would end up for dinner.
After docking our small wakeboarding boat between two large yachts within Shelter Cove Marina, we were off to find a pet-friendly establishment to quench our thirst and satisfy our hunger. After looking at menus at 2 restaurants, we ended up at Bistro 17. We knew they welcomed pets at their outside tables and after seeing Sea Bass on their specials board we decided to look no further (Sea Bass is one of our favorite types of fish). Let me go ahead and state, I am soo glad we picked this French influenced restaurant because everything about the meal was FANTASTIC!
We were immediately greeted by the owner, Jim. If you have lived on the island for a while, then you know Jim, or at least know of him. Jim has been on the island a long time and is a well respected chef and restauranteer. Thankfully there was not a wait, so we were promptly escorted to the perfect two-top table on the front patio overlooking the marina. Without hesitation, Jim immediately proceeded to get our fur-baby, Sienna, a bowl of water. Moments later, our server welcomed us and brought over treats for her as well. Bistro 17 goes beyond what I would call “pet-friendly”…you can tell they truly enjoy having patrons bring their 4-legged family members to dine with them. It was even mentioned they have a chicken and broccolini dish for dogs.
After hearing the specials and perusing the wine list, we decided to share the Scallops appetizer and we each ordered the Sea Bass special and a glass of wine. My taste buds & belly could not have been happier with the selections we made.
First, I ordered a glass of Rioja that was being featured on their wine list for the
day and my husband ordered a glass of Shiraz. I’m pretty sure my eyes popped when the glasses of wine were placed in front of us! I would venture to say Bistro 17 pours the most generous glasses of wine on the island. To make sure it wasn’t just us receiving this special treatment, I looked around at the other glasses of wine being served and their pours were just as healthy. It was nice to know we were getting our money’s worth on a glass of wine.
Thankfully we didn’t have to wait long for our appetizer to arrive… seared scallops with a mushroom & shallot cream sauce. There were 3 very large scallops perfectly seared and then topped with the heavenly sauce. To say this dish was delicious feels like an understatement. If licking the plate were appropriate, I would have done so with this dish. The scallops were beautifully browned and crisp on one side and the inside were still moist and tender. And the sauce was rich and absolutely indulgent. So we were off to a fantastic start…perfect view, healthy pours of wine and a winning appetizer selection!
Not long after finishing the scallops, our main course arrived. This dish was equally pleasing to the eyes as it was to the taste buds. It was evident the chef took great care to impress with not only his culinary skills but also his plating presentation. The perfectly seared filet of Sea Bass was topped with slices of sundried tomatoes and served over whipped potatoes and a bed of champagne beurre blanc. I think our entire conversation at this point consisted of “this is soo good”, “mmmmmm”, “yum”, “this sauce is incredible”, and “this fish is perfectly cooked”…basically the food was soo good it was all we could talk about.
Sadly we did not save room for dessert, although the selection was enticing. Overall, our dining experience at Bistro 17 could not have been better. We set out on a late day dinner by boat adventure and ended up with VERY happy bellies and a wonderful evening.
If you enjoy French inspired food, you must visit Bistro 17 during your next visit to Hilton Head Island. I promise you will not be disappointed by the location, full glasses of wine, friendly staff and beautifully prepared dishes. And if you happen to witness someone licking their plate at a table nearby… make sure to say “hi” as I’m not sure I’ll be able to resist next time!

It has been about 35 years since my very first Gregg Russell concert. That’s right, I was born on Hilton Head Island and my parents took my sister and I to see Gregg Russell when I was a baby. Just as he does now, he invited children to sit on stage with him at the beginning of the show. I guess I was too young during my first experience, so I remained on my mother’s lap in the audience, but I’m told my older sister had a front row seat among the sea of other children on stage.
So fast forward 35 years, and on a whim I decided it was the perfect night to take my husband, Todd, and our fur-baby, Sienna, to see Gregg Russell. Surprisingly, Todd has lived here for 20 years and has never been to one of his concerts. Gasp! So we launched our boat and off we went to Harbour Town for the 8pm show.


starts. Gregg will select an equal number of girls and boys to come up one by one to sing a song of their choice along side of him. 35 years ago, my sister was one of the lucky ones who was selected, and she chose to sing “Jesus Loves Me”….oh how I wish my parents had that on video!
Gregg Russell’s concerts have become a centerpiece for Sea Pines and Harbour Town Marina. They truly are entertaining for everyone…oh, and I failed to mention, it’s free! To top it all off, you will be able to watch the sun set behind the famous Harbour Town Lighthouse making for the perfect photo opportunity.

Gregg Russell concert. I recommend arriving early so you and your kiddos can get a good seat, and remember kids sit on the stage. Also, if your kiddos are brave like my sister, have them make a sign for Gregg and select a song just in case they get their turn at the mic.
To see the Gregg Russell concert series dates & times, visit his website by CLICKING HERE
I feel very fortunate to live on Hilton Head Island where I am able to witness the beauty of the sun rise and fall over the ocean. I wanted to share with you the beauty that I witnessed on August 10, 2016…it was breathtaking!
It’s time to plan your next Hilton Head Island vacation so you can see this in person…we saved you a chair.

Watusi, located on Pope Avenue near Coligny Beach, is one of my “go-to” spots when I’m looking for a quick, casual, yet very satisfying breakfast or lunch. It’s a local’s favorite because there’s never a long line or wait for a table (or I should say there has never been one the numerous times I’ve eaten there) and the food is delicious! There’s a wide selection of comfortable seating from tables, couches & chairs both inside and outside, or you can belly-up to the small bar.

So my husband, our fur-baby Sienna and I stopped in for breakfast this past Sunday. I failed to mention, Watusi even has a small menu for their 4-legged guests, which gets a 4-paw rating from Sienna. It was a very nice morning and almost all the outdoor tables were occupied. Most of the servers here know us since we frequent the restaurant…although Sienna seems to be the show stopper every time we go.

Although the breakfast at Watusi is very good, I think where this neighborhood cafe really shines is their lunch dishes. In my opinion, it is the best place to go for a hearty sandwich or salad on the island. And you must not miss their homemade pimento cheese dip served with corn chips, which is one of the two side options for their Signature Sandwiches. Best pimento cheese dip I’ve had (sorry grammie…yours is really good as well).


Watusi is open daily from 7:30am till 3pm. I would definitely recommend this casual yet cozy cafe during your next Hilton Head Island vacation, whether your looking for a good cup of coffee, refreshing fruit smoothie, or a quick hearty breakfast or lunch. Visit them on the web at Watusi
Now that I have a full, happy belly…it’s time for a nap
I first must begin with the definition of Island Head because….well, it rocks! Island Head is “a state of mind achieved by following one’s passion in the right place with the right people; if it’s only for a day or a lifetime…” This could not sum up the owners of Island Head (Michael, Taylor & Jessica) and their passion for enjoying the beauty & adventure this island has to offer any more perfectly.

up paddle boarding (SUP) and SUP yoga. My good friend Jenn & I decided to end a long days work with parasailing, because why not fly 400 feet above Hilton Head Island to cap off a Monday?
Island Head Watersports is based out of Palmetto Bay Marina on Broad Creek, less than 2 miles from the main gate of Sea Pines just below the cross island bridge. Jenn & I arrived at the Marina about 15 minutes prior to launch time, right on schedule, and after signing the liability waiver waited for our 5pm departure. We were quickly greeted by First Mate Jessica who informed us we may be a little late departing due to some questionable weather in the area. Afternoon storms are the norm here during the summer months but usually they pass through quickly. But safety is a priority and I was grateful Island Head was taking precautions. After a brief delay, we got the green light and boarded the 31ft Ocean Pro with Captain Taylor at the wheel and First Mate Jessica.

Riding side by side, Jenn & I were first for liftoff. From a seated position on the back of the boat, we were gently lifted into the air by the large red, white & blue parasail. We then went higher, and higher, and higher….until all you could hear was the wind in the sail behind us.


our “dunk” but only got the bottom parts of our legs wet. Lets just say my previous experiences were not this pleasant. After another brief flight, we were slowly lowered back to the boat. This is when Jenn & I looked at each other and said…”what did Jessica tell us to do upon landing?” That’s right…feet up and she will guide us in. So up went our feet and we were once again greeted by Jessica, who was wearing a big smile. No turbulence or rough landing but instead we were gently lowered back into our original seated position on the back platform.
Our Monday afternoon, post-work parasail ride with Island Head Watersports was our “happy hour”…a boat ride mixed with a little extreme adventure and breathtaking views. Now that’s a concoction I’ll take any day of the week!
If flying 400 feet in the air is a little more than you can stomach, Island Head can keep you a little closer to earth on either a jet ski, paddle board or banana boat. For more information visit their website by CLICKING HERE.
I made a short video of our trip which I hope you will enjoy. And thank you to Jenn for being my co-pilot in flight and my husband, Todd, for taking video of us from a small, and not so sea-worthy skiff boat. Now that’s true love!
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There are hundreds of restaurants on our small island and not enough time during a week long vacation to enjoy them all. Beachside Bites & Brews is a culinary tour of the best places to dine on Hilton Head Island. The intent is not to spotlight the typical “tourist spots” but instead our top picks, the local’s favorites. And I will cover it all – from hearty breakfast, upscale dinning, cocktails with a sunset backdrop and everything in between.
My first restaurant spotlight on Beachside’s Bites & Brews is a must try! Santa Fe Café, which is located mid-island on William Hilton Parkway near Shelter Cove Marina, specializes in southwestern style cuisine. They have been making many local’s & visitor’s bellies very happy for over 20 years.
I’m pretty sure I have tried almost everything on Santa Fe Café’s menu and I can honestly say there is not a single thing I have not liked. From the Yucatan Ceviche, to the Outrageous Chimichanga to the Shrimp Tacos, it is all fantastic. What I appreciate most is the food is consistently delicious. When you go to Santa Fe Café, you can always expect a very satisfying meal and experience. The atmosphere is cozy & fun…and there are several seating options, from an inside table, to a stool at the bar, to an outdoor table in the upstairs “Cantina” area where typically you will enjoy live music, to the chef’s counter which is my personal favorite when it’s just my husband and I dining. At the chef’s counter you’ll be able to watch Austin, Dave & Sean firing up the mesquite grill and plating all the culinary creations.

Now before I move on, I must mention some of my other favorites from this menu…I’ll go ahead and apologize for the long list, but there’s just so many things I feel must be mentioned. So here’s my list of favorites beyond the dishes we ordered: Guacamole En Molcajete (who doesn’t love homemade guac?), Yucatan Ceviche, Sampler Platter, Painted Desert Soup (not only delicious but beautiful presentation as well), Outrageous Chimichanga, Santa Fe Plato Combination, Grouper & Grilled Pork Tenderloin. My mouth is watering just typing this out. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention, there fresh made margaritas are superb as well.

Then for our main courses. I love seafood, and I eat a lot of it. This dish makes me particularly happy because it is light and fresh. The salmon is served over a tower with walls made of sliced cucumber and then filled with a salad prepared with a balsamic dressing. It is then finished with a drizzle of avocado cream and fresh avocado. For all the steak lovers out there, the Mesquite Grilled Filet Mignon fajitas must not be overlooked. Yes, that’s right….filet mignon fajitas! They take an 8 ounce filet, cook it over the mesquite grill before finishing it off in the oven and then serve it sliced over a bed of sautéed onions and peppers, along with a side of four tortillas, diced tomatoes, sour cream and guac. This filet has incredible flavor and is sure to impress.
Anytime I am asked for dining recommendations, Santa Fe Café is always on the top of my list. They are open 7 days a week for dinner as well as Monday – Friday for lunch. For more information on Santa Fe Café or to see a full menu, visit their website.

I truly cannot think of a better way to experience a Hilton Head Island sunset than on a sailboat. I have been on several sailboats while living on this beautiful island, but the “Sumo” trimaran out of Harbour Town Marina is by far my favorite!
Before we continue, if you are looking for a beautiful Harbour Town vacation rental, a condo in Sea Pines, or stays in a different part of the island, get in touch. We would love to help you.
My husband, sister and I set sail at 6:30pm for a 2 hour sunset cruise to celebrate my sister’s birthday. Although warm and humid, it was a perfect evening for sailing with clear skies and a strong breeze. Using a solar powered electric engine, we set out from the Harbour Town Yacht Basin making our way into the Calibogue sound. By the time we made it approximately 100 yards out of the basin, the sails were up and we were powered by wind. We enjoyed 360 degree views of the Calibogue Sound, Harbour Town Lighthouse, South Beach area, Daufuskie Island, and Baratara Island.
The 38 foot long, 32 foot wide tri-hulled sailboat, named “Sumo”, was not only built by but also being navigated by Captain Pat. Having sailed since he was 8 years old, and spending a handful of years as a windsurf instructor, it was quickly obvious that Captain Pat had a wealth of knowledge about the use of wind and sails to gracefully navigate the ocean. And what was even more impressive was Captain Pat built the trimaran we were sailing by hand, with it taking him 5 years to complete. Within the main hull, there was a large cabin area with a kitchen, seating area, full bath and 2 sleeping areas. Then between the main hull and 2 outside hulls were trampoline areas, which proved to be perfect spots for relaxing and watching the water rush by. I was extremely impressed with the craftsmanship of the “Sumo” and how well maintained it was.
We set out on this sunset sailing excursion with sunglasses, a beach towel and a cooler filled with appetizers and homemade Sangria. After some very brief instructions on where to relax and put our things, we were given very comfy seats with backs to use for sitting along the back or front of the sailboat. My sister and I chose to set up along the back with our feet dangling onto the trampoline. My husband spent time moving around from the back to the front, even lying on the trampoline so he could experience the ride, and view, from all angles. He was even given the opportunity to take over the navigation of the “Sumo”, which gave him the perfect opportunity to ask questions about sailing.
Not long after setting sail, we began enjoying our cocktails and snacks while experiencing the sailboat slice through the water with ease and grace. Remember the towels I mentioned we brought…we never once needed them as Captain Pat kept us dry from start to finish, even though we had a good amount of chop, and speed during our adventure.
As we watched the sunset, with the sound of water rushing below my feet and the wind in my hair, I could feel the stress of the day just melt away. It could not have been a more perfect evening!
I would highly recommend Captain Pat and the “Sumo” to anyone looking for a more private (it can accommodate up to 6 people) water adventure during your next Hilton Head Island vacation. You will be greeted by a very knowledgeable, capable Captain with southern hospitality on a very beautiful trimaran sailboat. What more is there to ask for?
I hope you enjoy the brief video and pictures I have put together of our trip. To reserve your spot on the “Sumo”, contact H2O Sports at 843-671-4386 or www.h2osports.com And make sure to tell Captain Pat that Stephanie at Beachside HHI says “Hi” when boarding.
From pet friendly rentals on Hilton Head to three bedroom condos, we would be happy to place you in the perfect vacation home. View our listings, or get in touch for guidance.