Our family is renting a house in Hilton Head in June. I'm the chef and being from the Napa Valley, I'm really spoilt in my shopping choices. I know there is a Farmers Market on Thursday, but I'm really looking for the inside scoop on where to buy meat, fish and produce of good quality. Any assistance, even links to sites beyond the main Hilton Head sites would be appreciated.

We love going to the Fresh Market when we are in Hilton Head. I would say they have the most gourmet selection on the island. There is also a Publix, Harris Teeter and Piggly Wiggly grocery stores(and some others I don't remember the names of).

Thank you, I'll check it out.

napamatt...

As a HHI local I can say that sometimes "pickens are slim" beside the Thursday market there is a fruit/vegetable stand on Squire Pope Road (north end of the island) run by a Mr. Grant. Although I am not by any stretch of the imagination a cook/chef, my mom who is an excellent home cook says Mr. Grant's produce is very good and it's local. I'm not sure of the stand's opening hours, but mornings are probably a good bet (not too early though). I'm not sure of the address, and there is not a sign that I can recall, but there is a pull off/parking area where his stand is.

As for fresh seafood, there is Benny Hudson's Seafood, also on Squire Pope Road...again, I've not purchased anything there, but I do believe local catches are sold there (at least the shrimp there should be local since the boats can pretty much pull right up to the docks there).

Otherwise most of us locals do our shopping in the grocery stores that nlg mentions above.

Enjoy your trip!

Lived on the island for 28 years and you will probably do best at Fresh Market. For a town of 40,000 (and probably 100,000 in the summer) we have a dearth of fresh, local stuff. For wine, however, you might try Wines Times 4 at the Village at Wexford. They have 72 bottle Italian Enomatics so you can taste before buying.

I'll volunteer a dining spot if I may. Riviera Oaks is in Orleans Center (South end). Great decor, a good kitchen and I'll be the guy behind the martini about 5:30.

I agree that The Fresh Market is your best bet. The second tier grocers (Harris Teeter, Publix) are not going to impress, and don't even bother with Bi-Lo or Piggly Wiggly.

If you're staying in the Forest Beach area, you may consider Rollers Beverages on Lagoon Rd for wine. It's a small hole in the wall, and not super friendly, but they have a nice selection at very fair prices. Certainly much better than you'll do in any grocery.

Thanks Guys - I'm in the wine business, so I'll be shipping a bunch down to keep our thirsts quenched.