The Experience

In 1982, Charlie Golson opened the doors of his Hilton Head restaurant based on the cuisine of “L’etoile Verte,” a small café he frequented while living in Paris. Back then, the restaurant was a tiny hole in the wall, but the simple fare caught on with locals and tourists alike. In 2001, the restaurant moved to a new spacious location with a full bar and an elegant French country atmosphere. Today Charlie’s Green Star maintains the same basis by offering a French-American cuisine made with the freshest ingredients of the Low country all made possible by a menu that is written daily. The chef, Charlie’s son Palmer, is sure to include fourteen fresh seafood items (mostly grilled) and four to five meat options. The extensive wine list is among the few in South Carolina to be awarded the Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence, with concentration on California Cabernet, Oregon Pinot Noir, Bordeaux, and the Rhone Valley. Since the beginning we have remained a family owned and operated restaurant focused on serving quality seafood with a French twist.

Charlie Golson, owner and chef

Growing up just across the river in the historic city of Savannah GA, Charlie Golson learned early about the Lowcountry’s wealth of local ingredients. As a young boy he would spend the weekends crabbing, shrimping and fishing on the Okatie River. From an early age Charlie new that he was more adept for entertaining and enjoying life, than hitting the books. As a student at the University of South Carolina he pursued a degree in French studies. His interest in the French language and culture took him to Paris in the early 70’s. Charlie soaked up Parisian lifestyle frequenting bistros and cafes, and attending some cooking classes. He returned to college eager to finish and return abroad.

After finishing college, Charlie moved to the Greenville area where he held several positions as a chef. Friends who he had made in France encouraged Charlie to join them in Senegal, Africa as a member of the Peace Corps. Upon returning to states two years later, Charlie and his soon to be wife Nancy decided to move close to family. Charlie landed a job at the Hilton Head Inn….the only hotel on Hilton Head at the time. When the opportunity presented itself to buy the local established French restaurant, Le Bon Vivant, Charlie and Nancy were ready for their own business. From that one room restaurant that began in 1982….the rest is history.