What’s next after lavish beach picnics? Local business adds a Hilton Head restaurant
.JPG "Customers at Board and Basket’s shop on Hilton Head can order a grazing board for one or up to about 10 people.")
A pair of Hilton Head friends built their business on the beach over the last three years, setting up elaborate and luxurious picnics for couples or groups. Now, they are brushing off the sand, at least for part of the day, in their own restaurant and storefront.
Roshael Arns, a former interior designer and caterer, and Culinary Institute of America trained chef Taylor Swank opened Board and Basket HHI’s shop earlier this month at 1201 Main St. on the island’s north end.
The dining area is intimate, seating just over a couple dozen people.
“Compared to the restaurants both Taylor and I worked in in the past, this is very tiny,” Arns said, “but it’s perfect.”
Arns and Swank, transplants from central Iowa and Philadelphia respectively, met while working as servers at Fishcamp on Broad Creek and bonded over their love for food before deciding to go into business together.
Their specialty is turning on-the-beach picnics into charming, no-work experiences for their customers, setting up umbrellas, rugs, pillows, and a low table filled with beautifully presented place settings and delicious finger foods.
Explained Arns: “You ... get to walk up and sit down, enjoy this beautiful experience and then you get to get up and leave, and we take care of all of it.”
That’s the same type of ease the friends wanted to bring to their shop as well.
“We really put a lot of work into the space and made it into a really beautiful, comfortable space for people to enjoy,” Arns said.
She envisions having two small book clubs gathered around the tables.
“It’s a space where people can come and sit down together and talk among each other in the group without all the background noise,” Arns said. “And you don’t have to worry about how long you sit here.”
Book club gatherings, afternoon tea and themed events — Board and Basket hosted a “Beatles Brunch” on June 4 — are only some of the business’ planned offerings.
“We really want to bring a lot of different, fun and exciting events, and we want people to ... always be wondering what we’re going to do next,” Arns said.
During the shop’s open hours, currently 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday, customers can walk in and order a grazing board stacked with cheese, crackers, cured meats, fruit, vegetables and sweets for one or up to 10. One choice is to dine in, or Arns and Swank can pack up a basket to go. A full grazing board runs about $30 per person, and a grab-and-go box with meat, cheese and nibbles for one is $18.
Arns said the grab-and-go cooler was an important addition to the shop for her.
“I live on the north end. I bike to the beach a lot,” she said. “I’m often trying to find places where I can stop and get everything at once that I want to take to the beach for the day.”
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Board and Basket currently has three baguette sandwiches on its menu: turkey with smoked Gouda; ham with Vermont white cheddar and Dijon mustard; or roast beef with sharp cheddar and horseradish mayo. The full-sized sandwiches are $15, or customers can upgrade to a meal that adds on a drink, pickle, chips, a piece of seasonal fruit, and a sweet treat for $30.
Customers can bring their own wine, beer or spirits and use Board and Basket’s glassware for an $8 corkage fee.
Fans of Board and Basket’s beach picnic setups or Lowcountry boils don’t need to worry about those going away.
Said Arns: “We’re full steam ahead.”
At a glance
What: Board and Basket HHI
Where: 1201 Main St. on Hilton Head
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Email: boardandbaskethhi@gmail.com
Website: boardandbaskethhi.com
This story was originally published June 14, 2023 at 12:31 PM.
