Michael Anthony's Cucina Italiana — Restaurant in Hilton Head Island

An Unforgettable Anniversary at Michael Anthony's

A True Food Lover’s Paradise

For our wedding anniversary, we wanted something special, and Michael Anthony’s delivered on EVERY level. As Hilton Head’s premier Italian fine dining destination, they excel not only in impeccable service and warm hospitality but also in creating a culinary experience that any true Epicure would appreciate. From the moment we sat down, our server, Eleanor, made the evening even more remarkable. Her knowledge of each dish was extraordinary, and her attentiveness to every detail ensured that we were taken care of without ever feeling rushed. It’s rare to encounter such dedication to making sure every aspect of the meal is perfect, and Eleanor truly enhanced our experience. The evening began with a bottle of 2021 Tenuta Di Arceno Chianti Classico—a stunning wine with aromas of cherries, and strawberries. Its elegant balance made it the perfect companion to the meal, enhancing each bite without overshadowing the vibrant flavors on our plates. My A5 Wagyu ribeye was simply divine, cooked to perfection with a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that only Wagyu can deliver. It was a symphony of rich flavors, each bite more indulgent than the last. My wife’s Ravioli di Vitello al Tartufo Nero was equally outstanding. A harmonious blend of House made veal ravioli topped & black truffle sauce. Both dishes epitomized the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. One of the true standouts of the night was the Raviolo al’Uovo con confit d’Anatra. This dish was a revelation! An unexpected, yet beautifully balanced combination of flavors that demonstrated both creativity and precision. The delicate pasta, rich duck confit, and perfectly runny egg yolk created a dish that was not only visually stunning but an absolute pleasure to eat. Another unexpected delight was the Insalata d’Anatra con Albicocca e Burrata. A light and refreshing salad featuring succulent duck, sweet apricots, and creamy burrata. It was the perfect prelude to the main courses, showcasing a masterful understanding of balance and texture. Venturing into new territory, I tried the Polpo alla Griglia, my first experience with octopus. Grilled to perfection, the octopus had a surprisingly tender, almost steak-like quality that was enhanced by a smoky char. It was a revelation for me both unfamiliar and yet incredibly satisfying. For starters, we couldn’t resist the Peach and Plum Salad with Scallops. The sweet, ripe fruit paired beautifully with the perfectly seared scallops, highlighting the restaurant's commitment to sourcing only the finest seasonal ingredients. Every bite was vibrant, fresh, and utterly delicious. As if that weren’t enough, the desert menu demanded our attention. The Tiramisu was nothing short of perfection!espresso and rum-soaked ladyfingers layered with a light mascarpone mousse and topped with a dusting of cocoa and caramel drizzle. Hands down, the best Tiramisu I’ve ever tasted.

The Sformata di Cioccolata con Gelato Vanilla Rich, molten-centered chocolate cake served with creamy vanilla gelato was a chocolate lover’s dream. The baked peach stuffed with oats and pine nuts was another winner. It was refreshing, light, and oh so exciting to my tongue. It had a similar presentation to a small coffee cake, but packed a flavorful punch of peach cobbler. Finally, the Affogato, a dessert that was new to me but instantly became a favorite. Vanilla gelato drenched in rich espresso, chocolate sauce, Kahlua, and whipped cream. It was an indulgent, yet perfectly balanced way to finish the evening. Michael Anthony’s isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience. From the perfectly executed dishes to Eleanor’s exceptional service, every detail is designed to make you feel pampered. For anyone who appreciates authentic Italian cuisine with a creative twist, Michael Anthony’s is simply a must. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to treat yourself to an unforgettable dining experience, Michael Anthony’s will not disappoint! We are planning our next...

My review is starting with an explanation of why I gave Michael Anthonys four stars. I pride myself in giving the most honest reviews. For me, the experience is as big of a part as the food is when doing a review.

We have been wanting to try Michael Anthonys for three years! We visit hilton head yearly and have been intrigued by the debate between Ombre Cusina, Nunzios and Michael Anthonys. Saturday night we had a reservation for 7:30. Made well in advance to ensure that we had a table. We ended up getting done with our previous plans earlier than expected. We arrived at the restaurant at 6:30 with the intention of having a drink at the bar. Upon our arrival I explained that we were early and before I could finish speaking was told that there was no seating available. I explained that we did not expect this and that we wanted to grab a glass of wine at the bar while we waited. We were told the bar was fully committed and that we could not. (There was only two people currently seated at the bar). We then discussed walking across the way to the trattoria to see if we could sit at that bar. The host then said we can seat you now and offered us a table directly next to the door. I politely explained that we had requested a booth and that since we had waited for years to try the restaurant we would wait. I was then told goodbye and to have a nice evening. I explained that I still wanted my 7:30 table. We walked across to the trattoria where there was three people at their bar. We were also denied seating, stating that they too were fully committed at the bar. I asked the very nice hostess on the trattoria side if we could just get a glass of wine. She said, yes you can sit on the patio. They were very nice and served us a glass of wine. In about 15 minutes we were told that our table was now ready, (40 minutes early). So we paid, thanked them and went inside. We were sat… closet to the busy kitchen door and the bathroom’s. At this point I decided to concentrate on the food.

First we ordered a bottle of wine and our server cane back with two glasses. No mention of the bottle. I did not say anything because we had already had the glass prior to dinner.

We ordered the Caesar salad with anchovies and the caprese. They were both good, not great. Slightly under seasoned.

For our entrees we ordered the Gnocchi di Patate alla Boscaiola and the Pollo alla Parmigiana con Salsa di Vodka. Both dishes were outstanding and hit 5 stars for both of us.

The odd thing that happened in between courses was that we saw the other diners getting fresh silverware in between courses. We did not get this experience.

For the dessert round we ordered the Profiteroles and the Sformata di Cioccolata. Both desserts were also 5 stars for both of us. We have never had a better profiterole in a restaurant.

In total we spent $251 with the tip. (Total of 2 people) The entrees and dessert were amazing and worth trying Michael Anthonys, the service and the experience fell short for us. The food is 4.5-5 stars, I am being generous with my 4 star review due to the service/experience...

DO NOT GO HERE. Don’t let the reviews fool you. These are from locals and southerners. I come from a northeastern Italian area, and my wife is 2nd generation Sicilian (Italian) from Brooklyn.

Food was absolutely tasteless, bland no fresh Parmesan, no fresh red pepper, there was not even a hint of any basil or oregano in the red sauce.

The calamari was rubbery and frozen- as you bite into it water came out. The fish was not fresh and was tasteless and rubbery. The bread and oil at the beginning was okay but maybe add some salt into the oil along with the throw-up of random spices floating in the oil.

The burrata- NO GOOD!!! Not fresh mozzarella, clearly not made in house. It was not gooey or fresh. The burrata had NO balsamic vinegar on it and had a splatter of olive oil on it- no oregano or basil mine you. The bits of salad, (no arugula ) and pepper and tomato was drenched in olive oil and water- clearly not washed and balanced right. Also, for the price, the helping of mozzarella was a joke.

The $4 expreso shot was a joke. Very sour and was basically coffee. The gelato tasted like store bought Telamaook or Breyers- but definitely not gelato. It was good ice cream…the sort of lava cake was also burnt and clearly microwaved. The waiter said 10-15 minutes for the cake and so I was thinking it would be fresh. To add insult to injury, there was a piece of black burnt hair found in the cake coiled up.

The drink menu- specifically the cocktails needs a revamp. My waiter suggested I start out with a Manhattan on an empty stomach….maybe teach your staff how to properly suggest drinks in a normal order.

Not to mention, our waiter, although he did a decent job, was Mexican and could not pronounce ANY of the Italian words or names of dishes. Walked past the kitchen and to my surprise- all Mexicans in the back, making mind you- delicate Italian cuisine.

Lastly, no home- cooked feel or welcoming vibe. Air was stale and the service seemed rushed and bothersome….on a Friday night at 8.

My meal was $300 with 3 courses per person, one lava cake, one glass of Prosecco, 1 glass of white whine, and an underwhelming basic manhattan cocktail!!!! (PLUS my $30 tip)

Not worth it. Nunzio’s right there is 1000% better...