Bestselling novelist and cookbook author PAT CONROY discovers a world class Italian restaurant on a corner in downtown Beaufort.

When Pat Conroy called to ask if he could write a review of his favorite local restaurant for Lowcountry Weekly, we were honored and thrilled. Pat tells us this is the first restaurant review he’s ever written. We think the kid has a bright future ahead of him. – Editor

The best restaurant in my history in Beaufort opened quietly in January at the corner of Carteret and Craven streets. It is called Griffin Market, which makes it the worst named Italian restaurant I’ve ever heard of in my life. Its food is glorious and it is, by a long shot, the best Italian food ever served in South Carolina. The chef is the inimitable Laura Bonini and she received her classical training at Galileo’s in Washington, DC.

Last Wednesday, our mischievous cat Arthur – not to be confused with our mannerly cat Frodo – came prancing through the cat flap with a baby squirrel in his mouth. I heard it before I saw it; the wee critter was squeaking up a storm. Panicky – my mother’s voice in my head warning, “you don’t know what diseases it has!” – I picked up the cat, critter in mouth, and put them both outside. My daughter was screaming – “Mom! Get the squirrel out of his mouth!” – but Arthur had already trotted off, and there was nothing I could do.

The 17^th Hilton Head International Piano Competition, presented by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on Hilton Head Island, March 5 – 12, 2012.

Historical novelist Michael Parker is next up at USCB Lunch With Author Series

When you are a ‘come yah’ to the South Carolina Lowcountry invariably you’re given a list of must-read books of history, environment and culture.  The USCB Lunch With Author Series is adding the new historical novel, The Watery Part of the World by Michael Parker, who will be guest author on Wednesday, March 14^th at the Country Club of Hilton Head.