Chef Greg Metcalfe faced a huge challenge in the beginning of the pandemic. He recently closed his Southern Comforts, Southern Dining and Seafood Shack in the Hammock Shops Village and opened SoCo Grille on Front Street. He kept employees working during the transition and worked on remodeling the building at 619 Front Street for a grand opening. 

Metcalfe and his entire staff were successful in early May with that opening and have seen a large amount of business, with repeat customers. 

Instead of sitting still, Metcalfe jumped at an opportunity to bring a grill back to life after about three years of dormancy.

That grill is located in the Belle Isle Villas at their marina. 

You may remember it when it was Jamie Finley's Belle Isle Marina Bar and Grill, before she went on to open Rollin Local on Front Street. Then came David Milligan with Milligan's at Belle Isle. Both served great food, but eventually they ran their course and paths led elsewhere.

​Now, new life is in the marina and SoCo Marina Grille completed a two-night soft opening with a limited menu to huge fanfare. 

The eatery's hours 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. with the official opening starting August 26, 2020. They are located at 1228 Belle Isle Road and can be reached at 843-904-5149.

When you arrive to the gate at the villas, just use the call box to reach the restaurant and they'll let you in. It's open to the public. 

The pandemic has forced many restaurants to close across the nation and world. It says quite a bit for Metcalfe and his whole staff to open two during it. We wish them well with their second location. 

(SoCo Grille -the first location - is located at 619 Front Street in Georgetown)

You've been asking for it, friends. 

Brunch is back at Root, located at 919 Front Street. This Sunday was the kick-off and yes, it kicked off superbly. 

New owner Jimmy Hildebrandt and chef Jesse Goguen have developed a menu that features light servings with simplicity, but retains the flare the eatery is known for. What's not kept is high prices of the past. This menus is meant to welcome and build a community through food and fellowship around great ingredients. 

Let's talk about the two dishes above. To the left is Chilled Israeli Couscous. It's served with Greek yogurt, saffron, pickled onion, cucumbers, feta and tree nuts. For $15, you get a hearty helping of fresh produce while being light on the stomach. Flavors were outstanding.

The dish on your right is Fruit and Granola. Again, simple, but packs a flavorful brunch punch to the taste buds. The Greek yogurt with fresh citrus zest and honey drizzle makes it pop.

The Wake Up Burger is a different blend than the regular Root Burger. It's packed with flavors, but is light enough to enjoy the rest of the day without a feeling of bloat. And, please, use the knife and slice it. Let that egg drool over the meat. Trust me. 

We had to capture that moment where the steaming Gorgonzola dressing was poured over the Black and Bleu Salad. The cook on the New York Strip was perfect. Fresh avocado and the hard-boiled egg made it superb. 

Root's Sunday brunch happens every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call ahead for seating or take-out options. 843-461-9344