Hilton Head restaurants will be busy for Heritage + Easter. Here’s what you can expect
Hilton Head restaurant managers expect Heritage week to be busy. When that week coincides with Easter, though, the work is next level.
Around 120,000 golf fans will be attending the 54th annual PGA Tour tournament, the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing at Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines.
“It’s kind of like the Super Bowl week of the island,” said Sally Zuniga, who owns Tio’s Latin American Kitchen in Shelter Cove Towne Centre on Hilton Head and a second location in Bluffton with her husband, chef Lynden Zuniga.
“We know that when Heritage falls on Easter week it’s going to be double the excitement and double the fun but also double the work,” she said.
Even with the added stress, the energy and excitement in the restaurant makes the job fun.
“Dining is an adventure,” Sally Zuniga said. “Support your restaurants and be patient.”
Tracy Wilson, manager of Captain Woody’s on Hilton Head, said her restaurant will have TVs on outside for those who want to watch the tournament.
“With it falling the same week as Easter, we’re going to just do the best that we can,” she said.
To help seat more customers, Ombra Cucina Italiana, located in the Village at Wexford on Hilton Head, is adding an Italian Easter brunch on Sunday.
Ombra’s co-owner Lauren Loadholt-Cirafesi said the restaurant typically seats 200 to 250 diners an evening, but adding the brunch will raise that number to between 350 and 400 for that day.
While reservations may not be available for peak times at Ombra, Loadholt-Cirafesi had a tip for those who don’t mind eating later.
“We are open till 10,” she said. “Pretty much any night of the week I can get people in after 8.”
The island’s largest restaurant group, SERG — which includes Charbar and One Hot Mama’s on Hilton Head’s south end plus Skull Creek Boathouse and Skull Creek Dockside on the north end, in addition to more than a dozen others — is expecting a big turnout across the board. Nectar on Office Park Road likely will see people who want to have breakfast or brunch before heading to Heritage, said Ryan Larson, director of marketing.
The eye of the storm for Heritage week dining will no doubt be Harbour Town’s new Quarterdeck, which reopened April 6 after being torn down and rebuilt over the last year.
The restaurant near the base of the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse doesn’t have any reservations available during Heritage week, according to reservation booking site resy.com. Still, as many walk-ins as possible will be seated, said Chip Duncan, general manager for food and beverage at Sea Pines Resort.
The Quarterdeck’s market will serve ice cream and have prepared sandwiches and grab-and-go-style items such as chicken tender baskets and Nashville hot sausage po-boys.
“The outdoor bar, which we call the umbrella bar, is probably the best place to grab a quick drink and relax,” Duncan said.
Many local restaurants are featuring Heritage week drink specials.
Ombra is serving a special “Plaid-tini” featuring Tito’s vodka, fresh lemon juice, mint and prosecco.
At Tio’s, patrons can to order a special Black Diamond Margarita made with Maestro Dobel Diamonte tequila and a black sea salt rim.
Chow Daddy’s on Executive Park Road is offering a homemade spring punch made with flavored vodka, peach liquor and fresh fruit juices.
Said managing partner Fernando Lossada, “It is very light and refreshing and a great way to end an afternoon or begin an evening.”
This story was originally published April 12, 2022 at 11:35 AM.
