BROTHER SHUCKER’S BAR & GRILL

BY BARRY KAUFMAN • PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

Hilton Head Island was not the first stop for Tommy and John Mollica. Starting out in their dad’s Philadelphia restaurant, the brothers developed a flair for hospitality that took them around the country. On their own, they honed their skills in the front and back of the house. As a duo, they did everything from opening up Toledo’s Hollywood Casino together to running a blues bar in Fort Lauderdale.

The island wasn’t their first stop, but they’re here for the duration. “When my brother said, ‘Let’s open a bar,’ I just responded, ‘Well I’m retired,’” said John. “but I’m not dead yet.”

The brothers were getting the band back together, but the question still remained where they would choose for the magnum opus of their hospitality careers.

“We looked everywhere,” said Tommy. “I knew I didn’t want to go back to the Florida Keys. We were looking everywhere from Clearwater up to Charleston. It was my brother who found this place.”

“I spent months looking with realtors,” said John. “Charleston was on the list for a while, but everywhere you looked it was bar, restaurant, bar, restaurant… If we did this there it would be a six-month flash in the pan. That’s not what we were looking to do.”

“We really built this to be a part of the community,” said Tommy.

Becoming part of the community meant looking around the island and seeing what needs were going unfulfilled. While Hilton Head Island’s culinary scene may lack the notoriety of Charleston’s, we definitely punch above our weight when it comes to variety. Nonetheless, the brothers quickly found a huge gap in our collective menu.

“We had a couple of ideas, but when we went around the island, we didn’t see anybody doing a traditional raw bar where the shucker comes right out and shucks them in front of you,” said Tommy. “We do a fair amount of oysters and people love to see that presentation in front of them… We thought we found a little niche that wasn’t being filled and the response from locals has been overwhelming and humbling.”

The raw bar anchors the menu at Brother Shucker’s, but what truly sets it apart is everything else they offer. You expect to see other seafood items at a raw bar. You definitely don’t expect to see Jasmine rice bowls, bone marrow & smoked pork belly and bison burgers.

“I wouldn’t call it eclectic, but it pushes the envelope a little bit. We wanted a onepage menu, but we wanted a thorough one-page menu,” said Tommy. “If you don’t find something on that menu you like, I don’t think you’re hungry.”

It’s an inspired mix of different culinary styles, one that manages to both offer something for everyone while sneaking in a few surprises that you might not find yourself ordering otherwise. And underneath the blend of pub fare, seafood dishes and fusion entrees is a subtext that speaks to Brother Shuckers’ core philosophy: do everything for the locals.

You’ll find oysters from around the world sharing space with oysters that were anchored in Broad Creek just a few hours prior, delivered by local oystermen. You’ll find breads, pitas and buns from local bakeries on the Island.

“We do everything as local as we can,” said Tommy.

That goes beyond the menu. From the beginning, the Mollica brothers knew that the key to the appeal of Brother Shucker’s was going to be catering to locals. To give the F&B crowd a place to call their own, they kept the kitchen going until midnight. They opened up the outdoor space to serve as a live music venue, drawing in the likes of Groove Town Assault, Chris Stevers and Bobby Lee and the Magpies.

“We’re more than a raw bar. We’re a fun place to come and have a good time,” said Tommy. “We take what we do seriously, but not ourselves.”

The locals responded in kind, quickly growing into a loyal following. The appeal is multi-faceted. The contemporary décor, defined by wave walls, quartzite counters and an electric blue color scheme, might mark Brother Shucker’s as a sophisticated enclave for the “little black dress” crowd. The anything-goes vibe, defined by the raucous live music and party atmosphere, might lead you to think it was the kind of hotspot where fuzzy late-night memories are made.

Both impressions are correct.

“This is a place you can come to in a cocktail dress or in flip-flops and you’re going to have fun,” said Tommy. “We’re a good-time bar. And we do oysters, but we do way more than oysters.”

BROTHER SHUCKER’S BAR & GRILL 7D Greenwood Drive, off Sea Pines Circle (843) 785-7000 www.brothershuckershhi.com

as Handmade Ravioli with Scallops, the Three Onion Encrusted Pork Chop, The Char braised Short Rib and the Seafood Sampler make us a favorite with the locals and visitors alike. Dinner from 5 pm, Monday –Saturday. Early Dining 5 - 6 p.m. Visit Catch22hhi.com for Seasonal Promotions, Bar Seating Happy Hour Specials, Wine & Dine Specials, & Reservations or call (843) 785-6261. Dine In or Take Out. Items & Pricing are subject to change.

CHARLIE’S L’ETOILE VERTE Located at 8 New Orleans Rd., just off Hwy. 278. The only restaurant on the Island that writes its entire menu daily based on the freshest local seafood available. Our epicurean dinner menu offers an array of Fresh Fish, Rack of Lamb, Filet Mignon and many other delights. Our wine list, The Best of Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence”, offering half off all bottles of wine under $100 on Monday nights. Serving dinner Monday thru Saturday from 5 p.m. and lunch Monday thru Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. For reservations call (843) 785-9277 visit us online at www.charliesgreenstar.com.

CHOW DADDY’S Two locations - 14B Executive Park Road, just off Pope Avenue and Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton. One of the areas newest and most creative restaurants offers a healthy alternative using local and organic ingredients whenever possible. Menu items include amazing Pork Nachos on house-made potato chips, Kale and Quinoa Salad, Tuna Poke Bowl, Fried Chicken Tacos, Spicy Shrimp Tacos, Chicken Verde, and incredible Burgers ground in house daily. Full bar, extensive wine selection and great cocktails. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. Outdoor seating and ping pong available on our terraces. For reservations call (843) 842CHOW (2469) or (843) 757-CHOW (2469) or online at www.chowdaddys.com.

CQ’S RESTAURANT Tucked under the oaks in Harbour Town, CQ’s signature dishes embody Executive Chef Broderick Weaver’s passion for the best produce and cuisine from the Lowcountry bounty. Guests can gather at the bar to enjoy great cocktails. The exceptional wine list includes a variety of wines selected specifically with the menu in mind. Offering Take-out and Curbside Service, outdoor seating available. Open nightly 5 to 9 p.m. Reservations accepted. Call (843) 671-2779 or visit CQsRestaurant.com for complete menus or to make reservations.

CRANE’S TAVERN STEAKHOUSE & SEAFOOD Located at 26 New Orleans Rd. A family tradition of excellence in quality and value for over 100 years. The destination for steak and seafood lovers offering all USDA Prime Grade beef, including our Famous Prime Rib. Fresh selection of seafood, pastas, soups and salads as well as tantalizing desserts. Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” for a wine list comprised of over 500 selections. AAA Three diamond award. Bar

THE CRAZY CRAB Two beautiful waterfront locations - South end in the heart of Harbour Town in Sea Pines & North end of Hwy. 278 overlooking a panoramic view of Jarvis Creek. The “islander’s place for fresh seafood for over 30 years,” The Crazy Crab restaurants are a fun, casual, family-friendly atmosphere with adjacent playgrounds for kids. Fresh local seafood & voted Best Crab legs on the island. Visit Jarvis Creek’s location for the largest saltwater aquarium and Brunch on Sundays. Enjoy their large expanded deck perfect for those warm weathered nights, listening to live, local music. Open Seven days a week reservations are highly recommended. A member of the Coastal Restaurants and Bars family of restaurants. Call (843) 363-2722 (Harbour Town), (843) 681-5021(Jarvis Creek) or visit thecrazycrab.com. @crazycrabhhi @thecrazycrabjarviscreek.

THE DRYDOCK SEAFOOD GRILL & SPIRITS All new location at 840 William Hilton Pkwy. Go where the locals go for fresh seafood, cold drinks and good times. We are easy to find, but hard to leave. Choose from a wide variety of fresh seafood, signature sandwiches, salads and more in a casual and comfortable atmosphere. Dine inside or enjoy the outdoor patio. Open 7 days for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. Call (843) 842-9775. ELA’S ON THE WATER Located at One Shelter Cove Lane. Featured in Bon Appetit and winner of numerous Open Table awards, Ela’s offers fresh catch seafood and prime cut steaks of the highest quality, all prepared by our culinary team of experts and complimented by an extensive boutique wine selection. Known for the best water views on the island, we have a casual intimate interior, wrap around dining patio exterior and nightly entertainment. Private parties, rehearsal dinners and special events welcome. Open for lunch Monday thru Friday, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Reservations recommended. Call (843) 785-3030 or online at www.elasgrille.com.

FISHCAMP ON BROAD CREEK Located at 11 Simmons Road, mid-island on Broad Creek. Fishcamp is Hilton Head’s favorite casual waterfront dining destination. Enjoy delicious dishes such as Parmesan-Crusted Grouper, Seared Maine Scallops and fresh local oysters from their full raw bar. Set in a backyard, fish camp style ambiance complete with fire pit and stunning sunset views. Dine indoors, or enjoy the spacious, pet-friendly patio and bar (heated, covered areas available),while soaking in the low country lifestyle. Lunch from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. with daily happy hour from 4-6 p.m. in the bar area only. Dinner service starting at

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