Jane Bistro and Bar — Restaurant in Hilton Head Island

On at total fluke, I decided to head to Jane's Bistro and Bar, on July 30th, 2018. It is located at Shelter Cove Towne Centre, in Hilton Head Island, SC. I thought to myself, here we are two-thirds of the way through summer, and I haven't tested out any new restaurants lately. Since I'm a Vacation Planner at Beach Properties of Hilton Head, I like to provide restaurant suggestions to our clients. Believe it or not, I haven't turned on an oven in about 7 years. I love food, but do not have time to cook. Dressed in lime green shorts and a sleeveless top, I drove to Jane's Bistro. I've walked by the restaurant many times, and knew they had outdoor seating. I always carry a book with me, and a cell phone to snap photos. I was seated quickly by Hanna, and had a nice view of the front lawn and trees. The atmosphere is a casual vibe, but don't let that fool you! I noticed immediately from the menu verbiage, that this meal would be an experience. I ordered a strawberry basil lemonade that was out of this world. I don't drink alcohol (health nut), but it there were some cool drinks listed. I ordered a zucchini stack, which had crispy layers, loaded with ricotta and Parmesan cheeses. Roasted roma tomatoes and a marinara sauce make this appetizer a winner. My fabulous waitress, Valerie, was extremely knowledgeable about the food and the history of the restaurant. Be sure to request her when you visit the restaurant! Set your GPS for 28 Shelter Cove Lane, Suite 109. Valerie explained how the chef will marry a combination of foods that you may not have thought about pairing yourself. My main meal was a crispy flounder, with lowcountry smoked sausage, dirty rice, and corn/black bean relish with a chili lime creame freche. (better get out the French dictionary!) I have to say it was quite the culinary experience. These folks have tapped into some very clever recipes that get your taste buds dancing! By the way, tomorrow, October 6th, I am heading back for lunch with friends, and my pet bird, Freedom the Parrot! Put Jane's Bistro & Bar at the top...

I had noticed this restaurant while heading to the Krogers, located on Shelter Cove Lane near the Belk. The restaurant has a large outside covered patio that made it look incredibly inviting. We stopped in on an early Saturday with our dog and were promptly seated in the outside patio. The fans make it very nice even though outside was very warm. The service was prompt and friendly and they have a nice beer and wine selection, although a few more craft beers would be nice. The menu a mix of small plates and main dishes is really interesting and different for the area. I selected two small plates instead of a larger meal, and boy was I happy with my choice. I got the Coco Shrimp and the Sunday Slider. The Coco Shrimp were maybe the best shrimp I have eaten. They were nicely breaded with a light coconut breading and topped with a slightly and nicely vinegary slaw, and topped with a Citrus and Chilli Aioli. The shrimp were plump and tender and the mix of slaw and sauce made them simply delightful. I got 6 good sized shrimps, enough for a meal. The Sunday sliders had two slider sized meatball sandwiches, each topped with provolone or Mozzarella cheese and a light marinara sauce. The meatball was nicely cooked and the meat was really tasty as were the sauce and topping. I was thoroughly impressed. My wife got the Pecan Chicken which was two chicken breasts coated in a pecan crust and served with whipped potatoes and well cooked Asparagus. My daughter got Perry's Linguini and thought it was very good, even with a special variation on the sauce to eliminate the roasted red peppers. The patio area was spacious and our dog was able to sit right by the table and enjoy the cool covered patio floor. Dog dishes for water do exist, just ask. All in all a positive surprise and one we all agreed would be on our list to return to. A very nice addition to the HHI...

SHOCKED. This is the first restaurant that refused to accommodate my son’s food allergies. The manager told me that the owner does not recommend that people with food allergies come to Jane. I hope this isn’t the owners attitude, but if it is it is disgraceful. At any restaurant the risk of cross-contamination is always possible. Allergy parents understand this and restaurants typically make reasonable efforts to accommodate people with food allergies and take precautions to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. Jane unapologetically said they were unwilling to accommodate us and do not want people with food allergies at their restaurant. There was no compassion. The excuse being used was that nuts are everywhere. This is a cop out. If this is legitimately an issue it raises questions of the cleanliness and sloppy kitchen management practices. If cross-contamination is so probably what is actually in the food anyone is eating at Jane?

I care more about the human considerations than the legal considerations - though Jane’s attitude may break the law under Act 3 of the ADA. Jane is in the hospitality business and what part of this experience was hospitable. While a restaurant understandably not make every accommodation, but every restaurant can make some form of reasonable accommodations to allow all patrons the opportunity to enjoy the food and service the restaurant provides.

Please join me in raising this concern with Jane’s ownership and reconsider patronizing this restaurant until they can provide a better solution and reasonable accommodations for people with...