Savannah Fun

Savannah impressed on so many levels. It is picturesque, quaint and charming by day, spooky and haunted with serious underground/prohibition vibes by night. The food and drink scene here is so terrifically refreshing and unique. Love love love you, Savannah, Georgia!

The Atlantic | 102 E Victory Dr

Our ladies weekend kicked off with dinner at The Atlantic - a neighborhood eatery + imbibery set in an old gas station. We were seated in a funky booth with a trapezoid shaped table tucked between the crowded dining room and bustling bar. 

 Can I tell you how incredibly charmed I was with the bathrooms? (Mirror selfies, globe light sconces, a perfect sink, blue tiled floors, bright orange lockers). Of course, after I spent way too much time in there my girlfriend Eden who shares my love of cool spaces knew why. She immediatley asked, "Do they have fun bathrooms!?" 

The cocktails and wines were served in chic sets of curvy glassware, pictured above is Amalie with gin, vermouth blanc, lemon + bitters. The food was mostly hits and a few misses. I don't remember everything we shared, but pictured above is the duck breast over watercress, cabbage, blueberries + wild rice in a turmeric vinaigrette. Below: ratatouille kebabs with pesto.

The ALLEY CAT Lounge | 207 West Broughton Street Unit B

 Enter through the alley into the depths of a basement lounge and you're greeted with a newspaper menu where a page is dedicated to each type of spirit, plus one for the old fashioneds, another to punch bowls, and can't forget a horoscope cocktails section! The Alley Cat Lounge is a must visit in Savannah; an underground cocktail den sure to impress.

Drinking: ACL 1806 Old Fashioned - bourbon, demerara, angostura + orange bitters, lemon twist

The GREY | 109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

Occupying a refurbished 1938 Greyhound bus depot, it's no secret that the owners painstakingly restored the art deco space to its original luster. The Grey captures the retro charms of the time and further elevates the experience with polished service and modern Port City southern food. I was enamored with this restaurant - definitely my #1 choice.

Pictured: Foie + Grits - green grapes, red wine gravy, onion / Country Pasta with pork belly, parmesan + black pepper / Quail - ras el hanout, arugula, benne seed / Beer Battered Shrimp with green goddess, cilantro, pepper relish 

[photos 1+2  credit - her blog also has some great SAV guides]

The Olde Pink House | 23 Abercorn Street

Our last dinner was at Savannah institution The Olde Pink House serving traditional meets inventive low country cuisine in an 18th century Colonial Mansion. It was definitely the fanciest meal and my sweet girls surprised me with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot to celebrate my being engaged! We shared Blackened Oysters with watermelon radish and a pear, apricot + green tomato chutney. I enjoyed Crispy Lobster Tails with sweet chili dijon, bacon buttermilk mashed potatoes and butter beans.

The Brice | A Kimpton Hotel | 601 East Bay Street

Perfectly organized shelves of books on books on books, interesting gallery walls, a sharply decorated lobby, a comfy courtyard and a serene pool with retro vibes, The Brice Kimpton is a welcoming boutique hotel set on the far end of historic River Street. When Tricia and I arrived, the concierge promptly offered us wine. "Two?!" he question before he swiftly appeared with not two glasses, but two bottles of white wine. How's that for Southern Hospitality?!

Everywhere else I would recommend, plus the outtake photos. (We sure do get around!)

House of Mati Hara - prohibition cocktails + 1920s flappers - your hotel should know the password.
Leopold's Ice Cream - really, really good ice cream. My favorite flavor of all time Coffee Oreo did not disappoint! 
Treylor Park / Hitch - Two spots, we went to Hitch only. Casual, modern space, good pop in for lunch.
Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront - visit the Rocks on the Roof bar on the 5th floor.
Baracuda Bob's - grab a beer on draft and peruse River Street - visit Savannah's Waving Girl! 
b. Matthews Eatery - terrific breakfast and brunch eats + cocktails. Lucked out with 4 bar seats after we were told there was an hour plus wait. 
Savannah Tap House - Sunday Football calls! We watched the Patriots game here. Great crowd, beer selection + bar food.
Jen's + Friends - cozy bar featuring hundreds of martinis - every flavor you could imagine from rice krispy treat to birthday cake to bananas foster. 

Brio Tuscan Grille

I had been curious about Brio Tuscan Grille ever since I noticed last year they had moved into The Shops at Chestnut Hill. A couple weeks ago we had a really nice time dining with them. Although I've never been to Tuscany, the space somehow feels like I'd expect a Tuscan Villa to - grand molded archways with roman columns and sweeping gauzy curtains with marbled accent walls and tabletops. The afternoon summer light streaming in through the wrap around terrace. An expansive dining room boasts leather meets upholstered booths and tables are set in crisp white linens. 

We started our meal in classic Italian fashion - a round loaf of bread still warm and crusty from the oven and an olive oil plate with all the parmesan, crushed red pepper and balsamic. Brio's Burrata and Ciabatta ($10.95) appetizer is a near perfect rendition. They pair the soft, milky cheese with a hearty roasted tomato dip and plenty of lightly toasted ciabatta. I liked the presentation on a wooden board over an Italian newspaper placemat. The Calamari Fritto Misto ($11.95) is a heavily breaded and crispy version that would do well for a big party each having a couple bites. It was too much as a second appetizer for two people and had us filling up fast! Little did we know how massive the entrees would be...

From the Tuscan grille Bob had the New Zealand raised Lamb Chops Double Cut ($29.95) which were nicely cooked, with a side of the lust worthy Fingerling Potatoes Brio. Those fork tender fingerlings coated in an ethereal special sauce served in a mini cast iron skillet are a must order! Despite being overwhelmed by the serving portion of my Chicken Limone ($21.95) I loved it (especially for lunch not one but two days in a row!) The chicken is prepared traditional picatta style and served with lemon, capers, haricot vert and mashed potatoes in a flavorful lemon and herb sauce. 

As far as desserts are concerned, their Flourless Chocolate Torte ($6.95) misses the mark with a wedge of unremarkable chocolate and an olive oil gelato. The texture of the cake was off and the gelato was missing a creaminess to it - that special note that sets good gelatos apart. The Caramel Mascarpone Cheesecake ($3.95) with anglaise sauce and whipped creme was the better choice. That said, with large portions of hearty starters and entrees, you'll likely be too full anyways!

Brio Tuscan Grille

200 Boylston Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

*this meal was complimentary, all opinions are my own*