Savannah Georgia travel advice wanted

[allenmurray]

In a couple of weeks I'll be presenting at a conferenc in Savannah. I won't have any real sightseeing time during the day, but will be free for dinner two nights. Any restaurant reccomendations? My colleague who is travelling with me is vegetarian (not vegan, but doesn't eat seafood).

[ugadevil]

I'm not sure if you can get in or not but The Lady & Sons is very popular. It's Paula Dean's restaurant. They have a great buffet if you want southern food.

[Lavabe]

In a couple of weeks I'll be presenting at a conferenc in Savannah. I won't have any real sightseeing time during the day, but will be free for dinner two nights. Any restaurant reccomendations? My colleague who is travelling with me is vegetarian (not vegan, but doesn't eat seafood).

Although southern cuisine is wonderful, my family and I had a dreadful experience at Paula Dean's place, Lady & Sons. HIGHLY overrated, long wait, and fairly expensive for a southern buffet style place. The food was okay, but not out of this world. And I don't think your vegetarian friend will enjoy it. IIRC, devildeac has a much different opinion of it.

Having said that, maybe they would have your favorite coconut custard pie.:confused:

It's a fun city. Enjoy it!

Cheers,
Lavabe

[Lavabe]

I'm not sure if you can get in or not but The Lady & Sons is very popular. It's Paula Dean's restaurant. They have a great buffet if you want southern food.

Well... there you go. uga would prefer a Ymm thread for Paula Dean, and I would prefer a YCCH thread.:eek:

I say go to the other restaurants in Savannah. There's a lot to choose... and you won't have as much of a wait.

Cheers,
Lavabe

[OldPhiKap]

Hard to eat in Sav. w/o eating seafood.

There is a restaurant -- is it called the Pink House? -- that was pretty good if you are looking for dressy. There are a few good (but kind of touristy) places on River Street/Bay Street.

[wilson]

I tend to agree with Lavabe about Paula Dean's place...rather overrated.
If you want honest to goodness southern cooking, you need to go to Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room, but unfortunately, you'll have to be free for a weekday lunch, because that's all they serve. But man, is it delicious...they serve the meals family style, and it's all you can eat. They do have some seafood, but mostly really good fried chicken and the like, along with any and every southern-style vegetable you can think of (I suspect your vegetarian friend would approve heartily). It's been in Savannah, run by the same people, for 65 years. This is the place that has the soul, flavor, and history that Paula wishes she had.

[ugadevil]

I tend to agree with Lavabe about Paula Dean's place...rather overrated.
If you want honest to goodness southern cooking, you need to go to Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room, but unfortunately, you'll have to be free for a weekday lunch, because that's all they serve. But man, is it delicious...they serve the meals family style, and it's all you can eat. They do have some seafood, but mostly really good fried chicken and the like, along with any and every southern-style vegetable you can think of (I suspect your vegetarian friend would approve heartily). It's been in Savannah, run by the same people, for 65 years. This is the place that has the soul, flavor, and history that Paula wishes she had.

I've heard reviews from very credible southerners that would verify Wilson's review. Mrs. Wilkes' dining room is legit.

[365Duke]

You have got to go to River Street Sweets. Best homemade Turtles on the planet.MMMMMMM:D

Also take the tours, lots of Civil war info and stuff. You can take the horse and buggy or the trolley.

[wilson]

I've heard reviews from very credible southerners that would verify Wilson's review. Mrs. Wilkes' dining room is legit.

What, and I'm not a "very credible southerner"? Born and bred, my friend, born and bred...;)

[Lavabe]

I tend to agree with Lavabe about Paula Dean's place...rather overrated.
If you want honest to goodness southern cooking, you need to go to Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room, but unfortunately, you'll have to be free for a weekday lunch, because that's all they serve. But man, is it delicious...they serve the meals family style, and it's all you can eat. They do have some seafood, but mostly really good fried chicken and the like, along with any and every southern-style vegetable you can think of (I suspect your vegetarian friend would approve heartily). It's been in Savannah, run by the same people, for 65 years. This is the place that has the soul, flavor, and history that Paula wishes she had.

Dead on, Wilson! This is the place ... You'll also have to pray (they're really very traditional).

One word: okra!

Cheers,
Lavabe

[billybreen]

In a couple of weeks I'll be presenting at a conferenc in Savannah. I won't have any real sightseeing time during the day, but will be free for dinner two nights. Any restaurant reccomendations? My colleague who is travelling with me is vegetarian (not vegan, but doesn't eat seafood).

Well, Charleston's only 1.5 hours away. I say you make the 3 hour round trip each night. ;)

[wilson]

Well, Charleston's only 1.5 hours away. I say you make the 3 hour round trip each night. ;)

I must agree with that as well. Savannah's great, but at the end of the day, it's really just a poor man's Charleston. Charleston is what heaven looks like.

[billybreen]

I must agree with that as well. Savannah's great, but at the end of the day, it's really just a poor man's Charleston. Charleston is what heaven looks like.

Heh, I thought only snooty Charlestonians thought that.

As we say, Charleston is where the Ashley and the Cooper meet to form the Atlantic Ocean. ;)

[wilson]

Heh, I thought only snooty Charlestonians thought that.

As we say, Charleston is where the Ashley and the Cooper meet to form the Atlantic Ocean. ;)

Someday, I dearly hope to be a non-native Charlestonian. It is undoubtedly my favorite city, and there really isn't much of a second place finisher.

[ugadevil]

What, and I'm not a "very credible southerner"? Born and bred, my friend, born and bred...;)

"stinking liberal communist Obama supporter"? Nah, not a credibile southerner:D

[wilson]

"stinking liberal communist Obama supporter"? Nah, not a credibile southerner:D

Touche.:)

[billybreen]

Touche.:)

That's why I moved to Boston, where stinking communism is de rigeur.

[Lavabe]

"stinking liberal communist Obama supporter"? Nah, not a credibile southerner:D

And by how much did Obama win Georgia?:eek:

[ugadevil]

And by how much did Obama win Georgia?:eek:

LOL. It was just the primary! I'm just wondering when my university mascot will run for governor and win by a landslide.

[wilson]

LOL. It was just the primary! I'm just wondering when my university mascot will run for governor and win by a landslide.

Oh, dear God...Uga would own this place.

[billybreen]

Oh, dear God...Uga would own this place.

May have trouble carrying Atlanta.

[Lavabe]

May have trouble carrying Atlanta.

No, much of UGA comes from Atlanta, or has Atlanta ties. Tech might get some support, but you'd be surprised at just how strong UGA is here in Atlanta.

FWIW, the Tech dome is now leaking (they couldn't play the UVA game last night). That was one way they wouldn't lose at home!

Cheers,
Lavabe

[billybreen]

No, much of UGA comes from Atlanta, or has Atlanta ties. Tech might get some support, but you'd be surprised at just how strong UGA is here in Atlanta.

FWIW, the Tech dome is now leaking (they couldn't play the UVA game last night). That was one way they wouldn't lose at home!

Isn't that, like, an engineering school. For shame!

[Lavabe]

Isn't that, like, an engineering school. For shame!

Blame it on the guvna for praying!:D

[ugadevil]

Back to Savannah, has anyone ever been to the tea room? Is it worth it?

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Well, Charleston's only 1.5 hours away. I say you make the 3 hour round trip each night. ;)

And Hilton Head is only 45 minutes each way. If you are a fan of prime rib (leave your friend at home!), Crane's Tavern has the best prime rib I've eaten in the last 30 years. Your friend could have a salad and veggie plate if he insists on going with you.
http://www.hiltonheadisland.com/cranestavern/

Looking over their linked menu is making my mouth water.......

[billybreen]

And Hilton Head is only 45 minutes each way. If you are a fan of prime rib (leave your friend at home!), Crane's Tavern has the best prime rib I've eaten in the last 20 year. Your friend could have a salad and veggie plate if he insists on going with you.
http://www.hiltonheadisland.com/cranestavern/

Looking over their linked menu is making my mouth water.......

My family goes there for the Heritage every year, and the Waterfront Cafe (formerly Cafe Europa) is the place to be, especially Saturday night. Last time I was there, we were sitting next to Jim (not Larry) Nance. I was tempted to ask him how he avoids punching Billy Packer in the groin every March.

[ugadevil]

My family goes there for the Heritage every year, and the Waterfront Cafe (formerly Cafe Europa) is the place to be, especially Saturday night. Last time I was there, we were sitting next to Larry Nance. I was tempted to ask him how he avoids punching Billy Packer in the groin every March.

Larry Nance or Jim Nantz?

[billybreen]

Larry Nance or Jim Nantz?

Ugh. My bad. Fixed.

[gotoguy]

I've eaten at Elizabeth on 37th a few times. Pricey but excellent. They have a website. http://www.elizabethon37th.net/

Also you may want to take a late evening ghost tour...fun and a little scary like hanging out in the witchcraft section of the Divinity School library around Halloween.

A must if you haven't read it is "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." A big best seller a decade back, it speaks to some of Savannah's quirky character.

For a Civil War fix visit Fort Pulaski National Monument east of town on U.S. 80.

[Lavabe]

Also you may want to take a late evening ghost tour...fun and a little scary like hanging out in the witchcraft section of the Divinity School library around Halloween.

A must if you haven't read it is "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." A big best seller a decade back, it speaks to some of Savannah's quirky character.

There's a really nice breakfast/brunch cafe near the "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." Clary's Cafe. Good breakfast and lunch fare. Good blintzes, decent latkes, and very good pancakes/eggs.

For an upscale drink or four, try 700 Drayton, by the park. It's expensive food, but the drinks are nice.

Don't forget to stop where they photograph the bus stop bench scenes of Forrest Gump.

Life is like a box of chocolates...
Cheers,
Lavabe

[Master Shake]

I've eaten at Elizabeth on 37th a few times. Pricey but excellent. They have a website. http://www.elizabethon37th.net/

Also you may want to take a late evening ghost tour...fun and a little scary like hanging out in the witchcraft section of the Divinity School library around Halloween.

A must if you haven't read it is "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." A big best seller a decade back, it speaks to some of Savannah's quirky character.

For a Civil War fix visit Fort Pulaski National Monument east of town on U.S. 80.

Second for Elizabeth's. Really enjoyed it.

[DevilBen02]

Also you may want to take a late evening ghost tour...fun and a little scary like hanging out in the witchcraft section of the Divinity School library around Halloween.

I enjoyed the haunted pub crawl. It was a good excuse to take advantage of Savannah's lack of an open container law with a few ghost stories thrown in.

[ugadevil]

A must if you haven't read it is "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." A big best seller a decade back, it speaks to some of Savannah's quirky character.



Fun trivia...Which university mascot has an appearance in the film version of "Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil"? Hint: You can't spell sugar without him.;)

[rthomas]

The one bit of advice I have is: if your meeting is in the convention center, you have to take a shuttle boat over to the convention center from where all the hotels are. The hotel side of the river is where the booze is served; the meeting side has no booze. So plan accordingly.

[Carrie]

I have yet to see anyone mention Tubby's. Every time my husband and I go to Savannah, we go there and order the Lowcountry Boil. If you like seafood, you can do no better. Plus, if the weather's nice, it's fun to eat on the deck and look out at the river.

[devildeac]

Although southern cuisine is wonderful, my family and I had a dreadful experience at Paula Dean's place, Lady & Sons. HIGHLY overrated, long wait, and fairly expensive for a southern buffet style place. The food was okay, but not out of this world. And I don't think your vegetarian friend will enjoy it. IIRC, devildeac has a much different opinion of it.

Having said that, maybe they would have your favorite coconut custard pie.:confused:

It's a fun city. Enjoy it!

Cheers,
Lavabe


Devildeac has no opinion about it as he has never dined there. Mrs. Devildeac may opine(?) here but she does not post but I will ask her thoughts and share this week.

[devildeac]

Discussed with the dear wife this evening and she remembers this restaurant very fondly as being very representative of Southern home/comfort cookin', going early and not having a long line or being particularly expensive. This was about 6 years ago.

[Lavabe]

Discussed with the dear wife this evening and she remembers this restaurant very fondly as being very representative of Southern home/comfort cookin', going early and not having a long line or being particularly expensive. This was about 6 years ago.

That would explain it. In Fall 2006, my wife (Mrs. Devildeac's sister) had to get there early on a Saturday to wait in line 90 minutes to get a number for later in the day. They give you a time window to be there, at which point you have to wait again. Our family then came back at the appropriate time to wait in line another 75 minutes to be asked if we would mind eating in a location that would not have worked ... so we waited another 15 minutes and managed to get another spot.

Simply ridiculous, and for food that was nothing special. The ho' cakes (not hot), B.E. peas (usually my wife's favorite), and collards (usually my favorite) were not good. Our daughter wanted to eat somewhere else after being turned off by the place.

I'd like to think it was a bad day for them. Then again, the cost was out of line for what we got and for our wait. The line situation must have developed after Paula Dean hit it big on FoodTV. You know, even a decent cobbler would have saved the day, but not on that day.

We felt as though we should have gone to the place Wilson had mentioned earlier.

Cheers (but not for this place),
Lavabe