When I go on vacation Irsquo;m like everyone else in that the break from routines and the chance to unwind, recharge, etc. is something that is needed and even more so required. One of the routines I get away from is having to cook dinner.nbsp; In fact, cooking is the last thing on my mind when I go somewhere, be it vacation or a business trip.nbsp; If there is a downside to not cooking, especially in an area you are unfamiliar with is where you should go to eat. When you are home if you take a break from cooking you are often familiar with options to tempt your taste buds with foreign flavors. Once the decision is made, which for some of us can be back breaking, knowing where to go is simple and within a short amount of time we are enjoying all the splendors of a fine dish.nbsp; However, when on vacation, where structure is in limited supply, choosing where to go can require the equivalent of a joint session of Congress and that is only the beginning. Finding the Restaurant can be just as cumbersome, even if we do have a small Island.But fear not There is a simple way and the goal of this post is to ease that burden and allow you to enjoy a fabulous meal, with limited to no waste of energy on time discussing where to go or how to get there. As a multi-decade resident of Hilton Head Island and the surrounding area, I have seen many restaurants come and go. Some didnrsquo;t understand the culture of the area, let alone their own culture, while others lacked the effectiveness of good food and service.nbsp; What this post is to further serve is the notion that on Hilton Head Island the age-adage of lsquo;location, location, locationrsquo; as it relates to businesses, restaurants, etc. are not always the case. In fact, many on my list do not enjoy the spectacular views you would think they would. Unless you think a beautiful view of the parking lot is something to behold.Without further adieux, my Top 5 restaurants on Hilton Head Island for dinner are as follows: 5. HinokiThe only reason Hinokirsquo;s doesnrsquo;t rank higher is it their main fare is sushi. I know a good number of our visitors are not keen on eating raw fish and rice but should you follow the advice of someone like Tony Robbins and do something that yoursquo;re afraid of, this is one stop you donrsquo;t want to miss.nbsp; From someone that grew up in the Midwest, sushi was almost a taboo for me. In fact, anything that wasnrsquo;t meat and potatoes was taboo. However, once I learned that eating sushi wasnrsquo;t so much about fish as it was experiencing the wide array of flavors, textures and others this provides it made complete sense and from there the limits were no more. Even if you canrsquo;t find your way to eating raw fish they do offer a variety of steak and chicken, with an assortment of vegetables and rice. Japanese style of course.nbsp; The atmosphere is always high energy and even if you donrsquo;t make it for the sushi, it is a must stop on the dinner rotation. Hinokirsquo;s is located on New Orleans Avenue and itrsquo;s almost impossible to miss the BIG red awning at their entrance. 4. Chow Daddyrsquo;snbsp;nbsp; Even though Chow Daddyrsquo;s has only been around less than two years, it was the brainchild of the man with the golden touch when it comes to Hilton Head Island restaurants, Price Biel.nbsp; If you have ever visited Truffles Cafeacute; (in Sea Pines Center or in Bluffton at the Belfair Towne Village) you know what a magical atmosphere he has created. Chow Daddyrsquo;s has the samehellip;only different. When in Chow Daddyrsquo;s you feel as if you are in an older Low country barn. The kind only locals know about, even though that is far from the case here. With Low Country deacute;cor, the food is similar in that itrsquo;s Southern, with a twist.nbsp; Irsquo;m partial to the open faced bbq pork on top of jalapeno cornbread with a side of arugula and fries. nbsp;But donrsquo;t let me persuade you as their menu is full of amazing things such as; avocado dip and homemade potato chip appetizer, fish or bbq tacos and homemade ice cream sandwiches.nbsp; Therersquo;s plenty more and the best thing is, itrsquo;s something you can only get in the Low country. You wonrsquo;t find a Chow Daddyrsquo;s anywhere else. This one is easier to find as it can be seen from Pope Ave. but is located on Executive Park Rd. (which parallels Pope Ave.) Villas for Sale in Palmetto Dunes 3. Pomodorinbsp; If you like Italian food, then this is a lsquo;mustrsquo; stop. However, you may want to call in advance because like most great restaurants, it isnrsquo;t very large and seating is often at a premium. Pomodorinbsp;made my list not because I love Italian food but because of its fabulous Italian food.nbsp; The owner, Amanda Russ, spent years in Italy at culinary school and almost everything on the menu is made fresh that day, even the bread. Therersquo;s virtually nothing on the menu that you wonrsquo;t like and everything tastes lsquo;like Mama used to make.rsquo; Like Chow Daddyrsquo;s, Pomodorinbsp;can be seen from thenbsp;main road (Hwy 278) but is located off a side road (New Orleans Rd.). Itrsquo;s at the end of a strip mall, on the opposite end of Mattress Outlet. 2. Alfredrsquo;snbsp; Alfredrsquo;s is one of those places you might never have heard of if not for things like this blog. Not because it isnrsquo;t great but because locals prefer to keep it a secret, all to themselves.nbsp; Alfredrsquo;s has seating for approximately 40 so it is quaint and a great spot for romantics and small groups alike. Their certified Executive Chef also trained in Europe so Alfredrsquo;s and Pomodoris have more than one thing in common (the third being fabulous food). If wine is your thing, then you have the option of over 100 hand selected varieties from all over the world: California, Australia, France and Italy that will go well with your meat or fish choice. Sit at one of their quiet tables or at the chefrsquo;s counter overlooking the open kitchen.nbsp; Like the other great restaurants on this list Alfredrsquo;s has a wonderful view of a parking lot. You cannot see it from the Hwy 278 because it sits on the backside of a strip mall but donrsquo;t be fooled but this hidden treasures lack of location. This feature, which seems to be repetitive on the island is shared with our number 1hellip; 1. Sage Roomnbsp; Not only is the Sage Room unique in that it has a diverse menu selection but those that visit are just as diverse.nbsp; You can sit at one of many tables throughout (which isnrsquo;t that abnormal), sit at the chefrsquo;s counter with full view of your dinner being made in the open kitchen, sit at the bar and be catered to by Jason, the bartender thatrsquo;s been there at least a decade, or one of the few high-top tables within, or if privacy is your thing they have a private dining area as well. Regardless of your selection, be it seating or menu, they have you covered. Not only do they have a wealth of diversity in these things but the food is to die for. If you have ever wondered if there is a place where the image in your head and what is presented to you is identical, this is the place. Not only does it look unbelievable but it tastes even better. Whether itrsquo;s an appetizer, entree, red or white wine, or dessert menu everything on each is fabulous.nbsp; Is it any coincidence that such a gem would be located on the backside of a strip mall as well? Did I also mention they have a wonderful view of a parking lot? All that aside, the food and the atmosphere is so good you wonrsquo;t even notice. In fact, you will probably think you are floating on clouds once you visit The Sage Room.nbsp; The Sage Room is located on the backside of Heritage Plaza, which is half-way between the Sea Pines and Coligny Circles on the North side of Pope Avenue.NOTE - * indicates the view is of a beautiful parking lot.I trust you will find each of these establishments as good as I do, if not better. If your goal is to be delighted, treated well and have a great meal in a wonderful atmosphere where the issues in the world stop at the front door then each of these will fit that criteria. Have fun in visiting each and I look forward to hearing your feedback in the lsquo;Commentsrsquo; section below.nbsp; If you have your own lsquo;favoritesrsquo; let us know of them as well. I always look forward to adding to my list and venturing out to see whatrsquo;s new on the island, even if I have lived here a quarter of a century. Oceanfront Homes for Salenbsp;nbsp;Oceanfront Villas for Salenbsp;nbsp;Golf Homes for Sale under $600,000nbsp;nbsp;Bluffton Homes for Sale under $500,000nbsp;