Just back from Charleston and Savannah...
May 5th, 2001 | 06:15 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Just back from Charleston and Savannah...
Just returned home last night from a 2 week trip to Charleston and Savannah. Thanks everyone for your input on where to stay and dine...
Here's my observations:
We stayed at the Foley Inn in Savannah. The location is fabulous. We had the two basement rooms which were a little less expensive then some of the other rooms ($165-175) and perfect.
Very comfortable with lovely decor and one of the rooms opened unto a semi-private patio where we had our breakfast one morning. The owner/manager Phil played the baby grand piano in the evenings in the parlor where hors d'oeuvres were served with wine (charged by the glass)
We ate at Savannah Bistro which was excellent and Lady and Sons which was "so so" in my opinion. We had a 9:15 reservation and when we arrived we had a hard time convincing the guy at the door that we were on the books! He had it written down incorrectly and didn't want to honor the reservation. (He actually blocked the door and wouldn't let us in!!! tacky!!) He finally called over the manager who said no problem and let us in but two of our party ordered the buffet and felt like they were going to wisk it away at any moment. I ordered crab cakes which were served with black beans and covered with parmesean cheese?!?? Not my idea of southern cooking...but I guess I should have asked.
We loved Fort Pulaski (even more so then Fort Sumter in Charleston) and thought that Savannah was charming in the way it was built around the "squares". We toured the Owens mansion which was very worthwhile.
We went from Savannah to Beaufort which we really enjoyed. We ate at the Dockside Restaurant which had very good food (wonderful margarita's) and stayed at the Old Point Inn.
Joan, the innkeeper had the keys to her neighbors house which was built in 1717 and she let us look through the house. Very interesting in that the house had a very livable floor plan for a home built over 280 years ago.
From Beaufort we drove up to Charleston and played golf at the South Carolina National Golf course. There were lots of alligators all over and a 11 foot gator had his tail wrapped around a golf ball that had been hit down the fairway. No one was going near it!
Charleston is really beautiful. Much larger then Savannah and not nearly nas navigable on foot. The houses on the battery are breathtaking. We parked our car and walked around the area. These people must feel like they live in a fishbowl but you can't help but stare. The homes are just beautiful.
We enjoyed the Magnolia Plantation and the swamp tour which is self guided. You navigate the swamp by boardwalk which is elevated and takes you right through it. There are gorgeous birds and lots of turtles. Be sure and take binoculars.
In Charleston we ate at Anson which was really, really good. We live in L.A. and have lots of great restaurants and this one rates right up there. In fact, I had the very best Caesar salad I've ever eaten at Anson.
I also tried the she-crab soup which was really yummy. We also had lowcountry barbecue grouper with plum tomato glaze, Crispy flounder with apricot shallot sauce and pecan crusted chicken with blackberry bourbon sauce.
Hominy Grill was also very good, less expensive and more of a local scene.
From Charleston we went to Myrtle Beach which was a complete culture shock but they have wonderful golf courses!
This was a fabulous trip and we loved the south. Oh! one more thing...in Charleston we went to see "Angel Oak" which is supposed to be 1400 years old. It is absolutely huge! About 1/2 hour out of the city and worth the drive.
Thanks y'all again for your help in making this a great trip!
Here's my observations:
We stayed at the Foley Inn in Savannah. The location is fabulous. We had the two basement rooms which were a little less expensive then some of the other rooms ($165-175) and perfect.
Very comfortable with lovely decor and one of the rooms opened unto a semi-private patio where we had our breakfast one morning. The owner/manager Phil played the baby grand piano in the evenings in the parlor where hors d'oeuvres were served with wine (charged by the glass)
We ate at Savannah Bistro which was excellent and Lady and Sons which was "so so" in my opinion. We had a 9:15 reservation and when we arrived we had a hard time convincing the guy at the door that we were on the books! He had it written down incorrectly and didn't want to honor the reservation. (He actually blocked the door and wouldn't let us in!!! tacky!!) He finally called over the manager who said no problem and let us in but two of our party ordered the buffet and felt like they were going to wisk it away at any moment. I ordered crab cakes which were served with black beans and covered with parmesean cheese?!?? Not my idea of southern cooking...but I guess I should have asked.
We loved Fort Pulaski (even more so then Fort Sumter in Charleston) and thought that Savannah was charming in the way it was built around the "squares". We toured the Owens mansion which was very worthwhile.
We went from Savannah to Beaufort which we really enjoyed. We ate at the Dockside Restaurant which had very good food (wonderful margarita's) and stayed at the Old Point Inn.
Joan, the innkeeper had the keys to her neighbors house which was built in 1717 and she let us look through the house. Very interesting in that the house had a very livable floor plan for a home built over 280 years ago.
From Beaufort we drove up to Charleston and played golf at the South Carolina National Golf course. There were lots of alligators all over and a 11 foot gator had his tail wrapped around a golf ball that had been hit down the fairway. No one was going near it!
Charleston is really beautiful. Much larger then Savannah and not nearly nas navigable on foot. The houses on the battery are breathtaking. We parked our car and walked around the area. These people must feel like they live in a fishbowl but you can't help but stare. The homes are just beautiful.
We enjoyed the Magnolia Plantation and the swamp tour which is self guided. You navigate the swamp by boardwalk which is elevated and takes you right through it. There are gorgeous birds and lots of turtles. Be sure and take binoculars.
In Charleston we ate at Anson which was really, really good. We live in L.A. and have lots of great restaurants and this one rates right up there. In fact, I had the very best Caesar salad I've ever eaten at Anson.
I also tried the she-crab soup which was really yummy. We also had lowcountry barbecue grouper with plum tomato glaze, Crispy flounder with apricot shallot sauce and pecan crusted chicken with blackberry bourbon sauce.
Hominy Grill was also very good, less expensive and more of a local scene.
From Charleston we went to Myrtle Beach which was a complete culture shock but they have wonderful golf courses!
This was a fabulous trip and we loved the south. Oh! one more thing...in Charleston we went to see "Angel Oak" which is supposed to be 1400 years old. It is absolutely huge! About 1/2 hour out of the city and worth the drive.
Thanks y'all again for your help in making this a great trip!
May 6th, 2001 | 01:39 PM
#2
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Posts: n/a
Toni, thanks for that GREAT trip report- wish everyone would come back with that much info for everyone. Sorry that you were disappointed with Lady & Sons - it's one of my favorite places in the world to eat, so don't know what the problem was that day! I hope you complained if you were unhappy - the lady who owns it really cares! Glad you loved the South - we try!
Jul 15th, 2001 | 03:49 PM
#7
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Savannah to Charleston (downtown to downtown) is a 2 hr drive.
A week is plenty of time to see both cities. I'd allot no more than 3 days to Savannah (which would allow you to see it *thoroughly*) with the rest in Charleston.
Great cities, both of them. We used to live in Savannah but Charleston was my real favorite.
A week is plenty of time to see both cities. I'd allot no more than 3 days to Savannah (which would allow you to see it *thoroughly*) with the rest in Charleston.
Great cities, both of them. We used to live in Savannah but Charleston was my real favorite.
