Behind the Bar with ED SEALY

The “New Guy” at The Sage Room talks summer drinks, life behind the bar and juggling a new baby and a successful business.

BY BARRY KAUFMAN • PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN

Bartender Ed Sealy is a perfect example of this. The “new guy” at The Sage Room, he’s been slinging drinks at the fine dining destination for a little over a year, but his time behind the bar goes back more than 20 years.

“I learned to bartend on the back deck of The Old Oyster Factory under Jim Uremovich, who’s the director of golf at Old South now,” he said. “After that I was at the Smokehouse back when it was at Coligny, at Harbourside at Harbour Town and then about two years at Nick’s Steak and Seafood.”

But like most people in food and beverage who call Hilton Head Island home, hospitality has long been a side hustle for Ed. He spent 15 years as a golf pro, where “unless you’re head pro, you’re not getting rich,” he said. After a brief move to Dallas, he came back to the island where the F&B world welcomed him back. These days, he splits his time between the bar at Sage Room and Conviction Training Facility, the gym he’s owned since 2018.

The gym pays the bills, but when Ed welcomed his son E.J., he quickly realized that it was time to get back behind the taps. “As we looked into daycare prices, it became more of a need than a want,” he said with a laugh. “Having a son is awesome, but I want this kid to live the good life.”

As luck would have it, Ed was looking to get back into bartending just as The Sage Room was looking to add staff after expanding their bar. “They went from six seats and a wine room to 12 seats at the bar right during Heritage week last year,” he said. “Marquis (Terry, General Manager) was running it on his own all week and realized he could use some help… I just called randomly to ask if they were hiring and they asked, ‘What are you doing tonight?’”

He fell right back into bartending with ease. “I’m working four nights a week now, and honestly it’s the best F&B job I’ve ever had on this island. Between Matt and Carol (Jording, the owners) setting the tone, our chefs and the folks I work with, I’ve never worked with a staff who works as well as a team as they do,” he said. “It’s about as perfect a scenario as I can imagine.”

And it didn’t take him long to shake the rust off and get back up to speed behind the bar.

“Being more fine dining, martinis and wine are the top sellers, but we do a ton of old fashions even through we’re out of winter because we have such a good bourbon selection,” he said. Heading into summer, Ed is enjoying the new drinks that have expanded the menu along with the expanded bar. “We have a pear tree martini that’s really popular, and the Bulrush Gin blood orange bellini is a really good drink – super refreshing, it’s perfect for summer and we get to showcase local gin.”

And since the Sage Room doesn’t entertain the late-night crowd that Ed cut his teeth on, he’s able to get home every night and spend a little time with his son and fiancé before hitting the hay to be ready to open the gym at 5 a.m

“Fortunately, I’ve always had a pretty solid drive to work… being told what to do always came naturally,” he said. “The only real adjustment has been getting out at 9 or 10 p.m. with that buzz of excitement still going and trying to wind down knowing that alarm is going off at 4:10 a.m.”

It takes a little extra work to call the island home, but ask Ed Sealy and he’ll tell you, it’s worth every second.

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Fishcamp On Broad Creek

Located on Broad Creek at 11 Simmons Road is Hilton Head’s favorite elegant but relaxed waterfront dining destination. The elevated Lowcountry cuisine includes fried green tomatoes, an array of fresh shellfish, and an exceptional variety of seafood plus prime steaks and luscious desserts. Dine indoors, or soak in the Lowcountry lifestyle on the spacious, pet-friendly patio and bar with a backyard, fish camp style ambiance complete with a fire pit and stunning sunset views. Serving daily from 11 a.m., bar open late. Member of the Coastal Restaurants and Bars family since 2016. Call (843) 842-2267 or visit fishcamphhi.com.

Flatbread Grill

Located just a few steps away from Coligny Beach in the Beach Market Plaza. This upscale casual dining restaurant is a favorite of both visitors and locals. Enjoy one of our handcrafted pizzas cooked in our woodfire ovens or choose from a variety of gourmet salads, fresh pasta, speciality sandwiches, seafood baskets, and more. Family and pet friendly with an exceptional selection of appetizers, craft cocktails, and local beers to indulge in while viewing your favorite sports team on one of our fourteen HD TV’s. Dine inside or relax with the ocean breeze on one of our three outdoor patios. Take out and kid’s menu available. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. for lunch and dinner. Call (843) 341-2225 or online at www.flatbreadgrillhhi.com.

The Frosty Frog Caf

ELEVATED CUISINE FRESH LOCAL SEAFOOD HANDCRAFTED COCKTAILS DECADENT DESSERTS

Located in Coligny Plaza. A comfortable, casual atmosphere offering a “web-footed lickin” menu and an enormous amount of frozen daiquiris by the glass (16 oz., 24 oz. and 32 oz.). Outside seating with retractable roof, fire pit, beach area and tiki bar. Live music nightly. Black angus burger, pizza, prime rib sandwich, salads, subs, wraps, appetizers and of course fried frog legs. 28 HD TV’s for great sports viewing as well as a kid’s menu. Open for lunch and dinner daily from 11 a.m.until 9:30 p.m. Call (843) 686-FROG (3764) or online at www.frostyfrog.com.

Gusto Ristorante

Located North end of the island at the Sea Turtle Marketplace, Gusto Ristorante is an upscale Northern Italian Restaurant bringing the authentic flavors of Rome to Hilton Head. Enjoy dining in a beautiful Tuscan setting or al fresco on the garden patio. Full bar and extensive wine list available. Dinner is served Monday thru Thursday from 4 until 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Closed Sunday. Call (843) 802-2424 or visit gustohiltonhead.com for more information.

Harbour Town | Sea Pines Resort

140-A Lighthouse Road

Next to the Harbour Town Bakery & Cafe

Serving Dinner Nightly at 5 PM

843.671.2779 | CQsRestaurant.com

Book Your Reservations Online: CQsRestaurant.com

HINOKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT AND SUSHI BAR

Located at 37 New Orleans Road in Orleans Plaza. Enjoy traditional Japanese dishes such as teriyaki, tempura, a variety of noodle dishes and soups, tofu, grilled vegetables, daily specials, plus fabulous, sushi and sashimi. The very extensive menu includes dozens of appetizers to share, combination dinners

(continued on page 30) with fresh fish, chicken, steak and over 20 entrees from which to choose. Three intimate dining rooms, a sushi bar and a cocktail lounge offers something for everyone. Early Bird specials until 6:30 p.m. and carry-out available, as well as online ordering on their website. Open for Dinner 5:30 until 10 p.m., Monday thru Saturday, and Lunch, 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., Tuesday thru Friday. Call (843) 785-9800 for reservations (taken during regular business hours). Visit hinokihhi.com and facebook.com/hinokihhi.

HUDSON’S SEAFOOD HOUSE ON THE DOCKS

Sitting right at the edge of Port Royal Sound, all of the tables in our waterfront restaurant feature extraordinary views for a truly special low-country dining experience. Hudson’s uses one of only two remaining local fishing fleets on Hilton Head Island to bring in fresh-caught seafood straight to our docks and to your table. Our guests often get to share the excitement as fishing crews unload thousands of fresh oysters, shrimp and soft shell crabs from each day’s catch. Bring your family and friends for a special low-country seafood feast that has been a Hilton Head Island tradition for over 50 years! Open daily at 11 a.m. serving lunch and dinner. Brunch on Sundays at 10 a.m. Call (843) 681-2772 or online at www.hudsonsonthedocks.com.

The Jazz Corner

Located in the “corner” of The Village at Wexford. One of the top “100 Great Jazz Rooms” in the world, Downbeat Magazine. Our intimate, elegant atmosphere is the perfect setting to enjoy an evening of world class entertainment enhanced by our innovative southern flavors menu and impeccable service. The Jazz Corner offers a signature martini menu, extensive wine list, full bar and late-night menu. Open nightly from 6 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Call (843) 842-8620 or check us out online at www.thejazzcorner.com.

KENNY B’S FRENCH QUARTER CAFÉ

Located in Circle Center, just off Pope Avenue. Enjoy Creole cuisine with a Low country influence. Find an appealing choice of Cajun fare such as Shrimp Etoufee, Crawfish Etoufee, Jambalaya, N’awlins Po Boy’s, Red Beans & Rice and authentic Gumbos. Great soups and salads, as well as a kid’s menu and take-out service available. Also, cold beer and awesome desserts. Open Tuesday thru Sunday for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. For Tuesday seasonal hours call (843) 785-3315.

LAND’S END TAVERN

Located at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines. Originally a boat storage building, Land’s End Tavern was converted to

(continued on page 32) a restaurant in 1974 and boasts a fun-for-the-whole-family pirate theme. Serving up lunch and dinner daily overlooking Braddock’s Cove featuring loaded burgers and smoked barbeque to fresh salads and seafood. Open seasonally – visit saltydog.com for menu and details.

LUCKY BEACH BAR + KITCHEN

Located at 14 Folly Field Road, is making waves in Hilton Head with a modern approach to family-friendly experiences. The relaxed and welcoming atmosphere includes seating for nearly 250, including outdoor dining and firepits and space for live music. The menu features updated takes on American classics with Southern and Caribbean inspiration — big, fun appetizers and desserts that bookend delicious entrees. The beverage menu highlights tropical, bright, refreshing cocktails along with ice-cold beers, a curated wine menu and fun signature drinks. Featuring a dedicated take-out window open from breakfast to late night offering great coffee and espresso drinks along with creative grab-and-go food options. Visit luckybeachhhi.com. @luckybeachhhi.

LUCKY ROOSTER KITCHEN + BAR

Located at 841 William Hilton Parkway in South Island Square. An American bistro with Southern soul serving refined comfort food to please all palates. Our menu changes and evolves with seasons, tides and our inspirations. Dine inside or enjoy the island breeze on our spacious outdoor patio. Open Tuesday thru Saturday from 4 until 10 p.m., and Sunday brunch from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Enjoy Happy Hour 4 - 6 p.m. Reservations and more information at luckyroosterhhi.com or call (843) 715-3215.

Mangiamo

Located at 2000 Main Street. A comfortable and cozy atmosphere featuring outstanding pizza, subs, salads and pasta. Beer and wine, kid’s menu, and daily specials offer something for everyone. Enjoy half price cheese pizza from 3 until 4 p.m. Dine inside, on the patio or take it to go. North Island delivery available. Your home away from home for The Ohio State Buckeyes. Open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday thru Sunday. Call (843) 682-2444.

THE MARKET CAFE AT MICHAEL ANTHONY’S

Located at 37 New Orleans Road in Orleans Plaza. Adjacent to Michael Anthony’s, The Market Cafe showcases casual, trattoria-style dining for lunch and dinner and an Italian specialty market. The lunch menu, available 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., offers sandwiches, salads, pasta and pizza. From 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., dinner fare includes fresh pasta, artisanal pizzas and smaller portions of delectable meat and seafood dishes. “The Market,” open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., sells gourmet items, fresh pasta, meats, cheeses, sauces and heat-and-serve entrées. Call (843) 785-6272 or visit www.michael-anthonys.com.

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