Beaufort’s Waterfront Hideaway
Beaufort has a secret…The best place to watch a sunset may just be Dataw Marina!
Come by car or by boat for an experience you won’t forget!
| Now open for Lunch & Dinner Tuesday – Saturday |
LUNCH: 11 am – 5 pm DINNER: 5pm – 9 pm (Reservations for dinner recommended. Reservation requests made via voicemail will receive a callback to confirm or reschedule if your requested seating is already full.) (843)838-3474 843-838-FISH |
Eat More, Be Merrier!
Welcoming the Morgan River Grill to Dataw Island
| Dataw Island is pleased to welcome the owners and staff of the Morgan River Grill to the Dataw Island Marina complex. Evan Hallinan and his family two years ago opened the very successful Madison’s restaurant in Port Royal. As of Friday, their culinary expertise and service excellence will be available to Dataw Island members, with a reservation-only dinner service. “We had gotten to know so many Dataw residents who are loyal customers at Madison’s,” Hallinan said, “that we have felt like we were right at home on Dataw instantly.” In fact, prior to opening the location in Port Royal, the family of restauranteurs had considered this spot on Dataw, formerly the home of Sweetgrass. However, they felt that the timing and the then-state of the marina just weren’t right. “The Dataw waterfront is definitely ready to come alive again!” said Hallinan. “Even though the first time we viewed the space we saw great potential, there is an energy now since the Dataw Island Owners Association took over that we are really excited about. It definitely feels right!” Hallinan’s partner, Amy Schmitt (in life and business – Hallinan is the Owner/Executive Chef and Schmitt is the General Manager), was quick to add, “To say we’re excited is really an understatement, we’re ecstatic!” The restaurant concept reflects the environment, which is to say it is seafood-heavy and “upscale casual” with a decidedly southern influence. The owners explained they want boaters to feel comfortable coming straight in from boating, so flipflops and pups are welcome! The porch has been outfitted with all new heaters and custom-fit weather panels to assure year-round comfort, and indoor and bar seating will also be available. Morgan River Grill’s partnerships with local purveyors such as Sea Eagle Seafood and Lowcountry Shellfish support other small businesses and assure use of fresh, quality ingredients, locally sourced when possible. In addition to seafood, they are offering a number of small plates, signature burgers (check out the Bartlett!) created from a hand-picked blend of brisket, chuck, and short rib (designed by Hallinan and crafted by a local butcher), and also a number of hand-cut steaks and pork chops. In their first year of operation, Madison’s earned a “Best of Beaufort Reader’s Choice Award” for the Best Restaurant. Not to be outdone, in their second year of operation they again earned Best Restaurant and added to their honors Best Server and Best Chef. With the full renovation complete and licenses in-hand, the team is putting finishing touches on the space and is eager to welcome the island. Hallinan and Schmitt said they want to thank the “Incredible staff of Ted, Matt, Jack, and the so very many others” who have contributed. The renovation of the restaurant was extensive and ranged from the installation of three new kitchen stations (a pizza/dessert/salad station, the main kitchen, and a prep kitchen), to building foundation work, and from the installation of a new custom walk-in freezer to electric work. “It’s already been so great meeting members and working with the team here on Dataw Island; it truly feels like the community is a team on Dataw,” Schmitt said. “Definitely,” agrees Hallinan. “It feels like everyone on Dataw is on Team Morgan River Grill and we are on Team Dataw!” |
| Morgan River Grill is open for dinner and lunch , Tuesday-Saturday from 11 am until 9 pm. Reservations for dinner strongly recommended; reservation requests made via voicemail will receive a callback to confirm or reschedule if your requested seating is already full. (843) 838-3474. Visit their website to review menus in advance or to call ahead for pick up orders: www.morganrivergrill.com |
