Savannah Restaurants
 

We plan to spend a w/e in Savannah & wanted suggestions on nice restaurants. Everyone says Elizabeth's is great. I've looked over their menu and while I'm impressed with the description of the entrees, I'm not at all impressed with their $30 prices per meal. Even the fanciest restaurants in Charleston don't charge that much for entrees! So, any suggetions? We want excellent service and unique food. We don't like the tourist scene! <BR>Any word on The Marshall House Inn? <BR>Thanks!

Well, Bev, you've rule out the best one in Savannah, so don't know what to say. Perhaps try Times on Bay and the Sapphire Grill. There are in fact restuarants in your city that hit you for $30 for the entree - Savannah is not that pricey. Some also like the Pink House, I believe. Check out the Ga. site for more ideas. When in Sav., look along Congress Street. And avoid any place that claims Clint Eastwood ate there while making his movie. They stink, for the most part. Savannah is a small city, and around the Historic Area, there are some small places to try. Get a good guidebook too, and check the city's website. Ciao, and have fun.

Elizabeth's is great. It seems I've spent more money eating in Charleston than there. How about making up for the splurge by having lunch at Mrs. Wilke's Boarding house -- one of the most fun things in Savannah. But I think they are closed for lunch Sat. and Sun.?

The Pirate House is very unique, not elegant but good food, decent service. Full of history, especially if you have kids along. It is full of tourists.

Bev...love Chas'ton but can't let it off the $$$ hook either. Have you eaten at Louis Osteen's place? Used to be Charleston Grill, but he's moved. Phew, our credit card smoked for days. <BR> <BR>As Leone said, Elizabeths is the best in town, hands down. #2 Sapphire Grill, #3 tie between Pink House and 45 South. Pirate House is a tourist destination (there might be other words for it) and you can see it without dining, which is absolutely the best way to do it. If you are looking for fine dining, though, it's Elizabeths. <BR> <BR>If you'd like something less expensive but still very nice, not quite the quality food-wise of the above mentioned, but still loved by well heeled locals, try Garibaldi's or possibly Il Pasticcio, which can be very good, or very mediocre, likewise their service. IMHO, the River St restaurants are all well below these choices. <BR> <BR>Patrick's suggestion of lunch at Mrs Wilkes is great. She is closed weekends, only open Mon-Fri and only for breakfast and lunch, no reservations taken but don't miss it--its worth the wait for the down home Southern cooking. Furthermore, you'll really save as that will be on the only meal you'll need all day! ;&gt; <BR> <BR>Oh...you asked about Marshall House Inn. Isn't that the new one on Broughton St? It's been completed since we moved so I haven't been in. Broughton St is changing rapidly, but sort of the ugly step-sister of streets in the historic district--worn out commercial section of the historic district. Shoot for something on one of the squares if possible. Foley House is on one of my favorites, Chippewa...a much better area than Broughton. But then, how much time do you spend in your room anyway? Enjoy.

Bev -- I have to agree with most of the earlier post - definitely Elizabeth's and Mrs. Wilks' -- the 2 best in town. enjoy jwg

What is it about Mrs. Wilkes? I've tried to send a number of people there, most recently my sister and her husband. When they asked at the hotel how to get there, they were told not to go, that it was nothing but a tourist trap and were directed elsewhere where they had a horrible meal. Is there some sort of local plot against it? Good to hear that apparently locals go too. When we were there we seemed to be the only non-regulars at our table. (Yes you share tables with strangers, and are also told to take your dirty plates to the kitchen!) We loved the fun of the place and had some of the best down home cooking I've ever eaten. I used to think I hated okra and yellow squash, but both were fantastic.

What about "The Lady & Sons?" Talk about WONDERFUL downhome Southern cooking! To die for! I plan to eat there every other day, next time I'm in Savannah. The Johnny Cakes, the Fried Green Tomatoes, the Fried Chicken, oh my, the best! And reasonable, very, to boot!

Patrick, That's a charge that I've never heard leveled against Mrs Wilkes! Yes locals do eat there and we brought our out of town guests as well. Everyone enjoys it. I'm curious as to where your sister was staying and to which restaurant she was directed...email is fine if you'd rather not post it. <BR> <BR>Lani...I've never eaten at Lady & Sons but have heard only good about that as well. I personally would do Mrs Wilkes before that, but if Bev is in Savannah on the weekend when Mrs Wilkes isn't open, that's a great alternative luncheon suggestion. <BR> <BR>There was another fine dining restaurant while we lived there that I've forgotten to mention. They were a bit more difficult to find and I'm not sure they've survived. It's a fixed menu, xxx course, small 2 seating type restaurant (the sort that seems to be bubbling up around the Tampa area now too), called Jean Louise. (Don't give "Jean" a French pronunciation...it's named after his daughter). It was excellent...never advertised yet was always booked!

I'd be very interested to know whether anyone here has been to Savannah over St. Patrick's Day? What was it like?

Here's another idea -- definitely not fine dining -- Nina's (I think???) It's a storefront type restaurant -- VERY inexpensive "soul" food. We went there for lunch -- not sure if she's open for dinner. What a great experience! I'm not sure what street it's on, but it's several blocks from the riverfront. It's very popular with the local lunch crowd and tourists, so be prepared.

Hi again, Bev. I would like to second CMc's suggestions. This poster is wise in matters of the hospitality aspects of travel, and a boon to all things Fodoresque. And after that fabulous meal, your evening can perhaps be just beginning. You may be ready for some action, and if so, although it may be touristy, line up for Lady Chalis' place near Congress and Bay, just down the street from the world-renowned Days Inn. This club has the best display of transvestitism in Savannah (actually it may be the only commercial display) - a terrific show upstairs, and afterward you can go down (stairs, that is) and have a drink and dance to some rather mechanical refrains. If you happen to gyrate next to a 21-year old in jockey briefs and combat boots, you will be edging into another dimension of the Savannah experience. This is not solely a historical city. However you view it, great fun. Enjoy the city of SCAD, and take time to visit their gallery. Ciao, e buon viaggio.

What a nice guy Leon!! Chablis' is sort of funny once. It's called Club One. Don't expect to see her though..she's rarely there. Where'd she move to Leone do you know? I'm thinking it was Atlanta. She's a tough cookie. <BR> <BR>Ess...I lived through four St Paticks Days and would never voluntarily visit the city at that time. The goal generally was to get as drunk as you could as early as you could. We moved there my son's freshman year in college and his spring break was his first exposure to St. Patricks Day. His comment..."first time I've ever seen adults as drunk as the kids in the dorm on a Saturday night"...and off he went. :&gt; <BR> <BR>They've made a concerted effort to improve the quality of it in recent years. They started gating off River St, charging admission to get in, issuing bracelets IDing you as to age etc. River St merchants were up in arms thinking it'd cut into their profits, driving folks to City Market instead. Those of us who had property in the area were thrilled. It reminds me of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but without the costumes. Sound like fun?

You may be right - she may be in Atlanta - I'll be there just before coming to Tampa in December - so will alert my friends. Yes, Club One - how could I have forgotten. I know I have been forbidden to attend that club alone. The word must have gotten back. Anyway, do try Elizabeth's place. A moderate bit of money, but afterall, you cannot take it with you. Ms. Oil, enjoy that Thanksgiving. I understand the airlines are warning people that Wednesday night will be chaiotic - and that airline service has further degraded. How is that possible!! Ciao.

Eat at The Lady and Sons; fabulous fabulous fabulous. Casual and elegant at the same time, local cuisine at it's best. My daughters and I visited this summer, and ate at them all; The Lady and Sons was our favorite. Also, eat at Netta's for lunch!It opens more or less at 11:30 for lunch and it doesn't get more local than this. Yummy.

Where in Savannah is 'Lady and Sons' located?