How Poseidon Uses Locally Sourced Food From The Lowcountry

Restaurant Spotlight: Poseidon

Poseidon, named for “the god of the sea,” has become the mid-island destination for the best Dining, Shopping and Entertainment. From our fresh catch items to our “Coast-to- Coast” entrees, we have the best selection of seafood, steaks and much more!

Executive Chef Chris Carge and his culinary team pride themselves on utilizing locally sourced ingredients in a variety of appetizers, signature entrees, and seasonal specials all year long. We take pride in serving “Locally Sourced Food” on Hilton Head.

Keep reading to learn about where Poseidon sources local ingredients right here in the Lowcountry.

The Mid-Island Destination For Hilton Head’s Best Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment 

Micro Greens From River Root Farms in Bluffton, SC

Micro Greens

Microgreens are a vegetable green, harvested after sprouting as shoots, that are used both as a visual and flavor component. Executive Chef Chris Carge use microgreens to enhance the attractiveness as well as the taste of Poseidon’s dishes with their delicate textures and distinctive flavors.

Since their introduction to the Californian restaurant scene in the 1980s, microgreens have steadily gained popularity. Despite their small size, they pack a nutritional punch, often containing higher nutrient levels than more mature vegetable greens. This makes them a good addition to any diet.

River Root Farms

Microgreens are packed with nutrients. While their nutrient contents vary slightly, most varieties tend to be rich in potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium and copper. Microgreens are also a great source of beneficial plant compounds like antioxidant.

What’s more, their nutrient content is concentrated, which means that they often contain higher vitamin, mineral and antioxidant levels than the same quantity of mature greens. In fact, research comparing microgreens to more mature greens reports that nutrient levels in microgreens can be up to nine times higher than those found in mature greens.

Oysters: Lady’s Island Oysters

At Lady’s Island Oyster they grow premium single oysters that are destined for raw bars and fine restaurants throughout South Carolina.

Lady’s Island Oysters are grown in the clean, crisp waters of the entire South Carolina Lowcountry . The estuaries that nurture their oysters are filled with pure salt water, flowing directly from the Atlantic Ocean. These waters give Lady Island Oysters a smooth briny start, with a sweet, clean & absolutely delicious finish.

At Lady’s Island Oyster, they actually spawn their oysters in their own hatchery and roughly one year later they are ready for you to enjoy. The baby oysters are meticulously cared for until they are ready to settle. When they are ready to settle, Frank, the owner of the operation, and his team provides them with the ideal environment to make sure they settle as singles, not in clusters.

Fresh Oysters Getting Cleaned and Inspected at Lady’s Island Oyster

This enriched environment gives their signature Single Lady Oyster a deep cup and nice fan across its bill. From the hatchery, the oysters are moved to a land-based nursery for a couple of months until they are ready to be placed in mesh containers and put out to sea for the remainder of their life. They remain at sea on for roughly one year, being cared for on a weekly basis.

Lady’s Island Oysters stay in the water until they meet the highest quality standards, then they are off to market. When they harvest, it’s time to hand select only those oysters meeting the quality standards while the rest are returned to the water to continue to grow.

Harvesting is supported by a small footprint on land because their oysters are delivered to Lady Island Oysters’ customers quickly ensuring freshness and enjoyment. Whether its a Single Lady or a Jewel Oyster the distinct and signature   flavor that comes from the clean & crisp waters of the St. Helena Sound estuary.

Chef Chris knows the folks over at Lady’s Island Oyster take great pride in nurturing their oysters from hatchery to harvest. What they do is called Mariculture and this unique process actually removes the pressure from wild oyster resources, as well as providing valuable ecosystem services that benefit the vast majority of the Lowcountry’s coastal waters.

Fresh Caught Speckled Trout From Russo Seafood

Russo’s Fresh Seafood

Charles J. Russo Seafood is a family business located in Savannah, Georgia.  Charles J. Russo Sr. opened the company with his wife Antoinette in October of 1946.  The current operator is Charles J Russo Jr.

Since it’s opening in 1946, Russo Seafood has prided itself on having the highest quality seafood. Their seafood is prepared in the cleanest and most sanitary surroundings in the southeast. For their local customers, they showcase freshly prepared shrimp, scallops, crabmeat, and assorted fish, cut to order.

THE RUSSO FAMILY’S MOTTO IS WITH “JUST ONE BITE AND YOU’LL KNOW THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE AT RUSSO’S, A FAMILY BUSINESS PROUDLY SERVING THE HIGHEST QUALITY SEAFOOD IN SAVANNAH SINCE 1946!”

CANEWATER FARM

Canewater Farm grows organically because they deeply believe in trying to repair a broken food system. They grow food for environmental reasons. For social justice reasons. They also love to cook and want to eat only the best produce possible. They want their kids, community and friends to all have access to healthy, local food.

Canewater Farm started 6 years ago after working for various organic farms across the country for many years. They wanted to come back to the south, where they are originally from.

The Lowcountry did not have enough local organic food available. It is here they thought they could make the biggest impact. They was fortunate to have so many chefs jump on the opportunity. Due to them, they have created a thriving business and most importantly forged lasting relationships along the way.

Canewater Farm now grows 20 acres of organic produce and also run a grist mill, milling organic corn into grits, cornmeal, polenta, and corn flour. They care deeply about the land we farm, our employees, and the food we produce. They strive to grow healthy soil- to grow healthy crops- to grow healthy community.

Canewater Farm Provides Poseidon with Kale, Turnips, Potatoes, Carrots, Tomatoes, and Grits

Delivering an amazing experience every time is one of the main goals here at Poseidon, and that starts with the food! Each team member takes great pride in every aspect of the food we prepare for you. We hope you enjoyed this behind the scenes glimpse of just some of our local partners we work with. We look forward to seeing you!