Savannah

I'm planning a weekend trip in October with a group of lady friends. (Yes, this is a little premature.) We're already planning a trip to The Lady & Sons, for the novelty of it. Any recommendations on restaurants we shouldn't miss, as well as cute neighborhoods and things to do/places to go at night? I've never been, so I'm open to any sort of recommendation.

One place we always enjoying in the Pink House, not only is the food very good but it's just a neat place to eat. We also enjoy eating at the Crab Shack on Tybee Island to get a fix of seafood and at Elizabeth's on 37th if they want to go out for a special meal. There are many others but these are among our favorites.

We personally don't think much of Lady & Sons, it's a very overrated restaurant in our opinion and definitely not worth the wait required if you go at a normal meal time. Unless you just want to say you ate there I wouldn't bother.

Another interesting day trip is to take the ferry over to Hilton Head Island, you can go over in the morning and back in the afternoon. The ferry docks at Harbour Town in Hilton Head so you can do a little shopping and have lunch there.

October is a great time of year to go, the crowds won't be huge and the weather will still be very nice (unless a hurricane happens to come that way).

The last time we were there we had lunch at the Gryphon Tea Room and we really enjoyed it. The Lady and Sons is an experience, most of which consists of waiting to be seated. I'm not sure if they take reservations now, but they haven't in the past. You have to line up on the sidewalk outside to get your name on the list.

Don't know where you're staying, but the Eliza Thompson House is a lovely B&B on Jones Street. We've stayed there twice and I would go back there at the drop of a hat.

You may have heard of Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House restaurant, it's a family style lunch place that serves enormous portions of southern comfort food. My husband and I met some interesting people there, but the food wasn't that great.

For excellent English food and a great beer list (sorry I can't help myself!) check out Churchill's. They have an English bar that they imported from an old pub in England that was facing the wrecking ball, and it alone is reason enough to go in. Great food and a great atmosphere. There is also a good microbrewery called Moon River right down the street from Churchill's that we had lunch at. Good beer, and good pub grub.

For better dining I would suggest making the drive or taking the ferry to Hilton head. I would not limit myself to Seapines if taking the ferry. There are thousands of GREAT restaurants in Hilton Head. If you decide to go there, PM me and I will give you a bunch of recommedations. I lived there for 2 years.

As for Savannah,
It is really a touristy place. The Crab Shack on Tybee is okay, but it is rated very highly
Shrimp Factory on River Street is a place to go
Belfords on St. Julian st.
Clary's Cafe on Abercorn
Elizabeth on 37th
Huey's on River Street

There is a TAPAS bar in St. Julian Square, but I can't recall the name. It is AWESOME.

Hope this helps. Lady and Son's, Pink house and Pirates house are all tourist places, no locals go there.

There is also a good microbrewery called Moon River right down the street from Churchill's that we had lunch at. Good beer, and good pub grub.

Todd, thanks for reminding me about Moon River, I completely forgot about it don't know why since it's so good.

Hope this helps. Lady and Son's, Pink house and Pirates house are all tourist places, no locals go there.

I definitely agree about Lady & Sons and Pirates House they're definitely aimed at tourists. From what I've seen at the Pink House, even though a lot of tourists' eat there so do quite a few locals and the house itself is beautiful.

Pirates House is only fun if you're drunk and it's Saint Patrick's Day! Although my memories may be a little clouded on that fact.

Uncle Bubba's is a good seafood place. That is where Paulas Party is filmed at....Me and my late wife where there two years ago and the seafood was very good....kind of a casuall type place.....

Todd is right about Moon River and Churchills

I had forgotten about Uncle Bubba's but it is another good choice.

I was trying to remember the Pirates House, but could not think of the name. We had a horrible meal, overpriced food, below-par service, and some jacka$$ walking around in pirate gear trying to impersonate Johnny Depp from Pirates of the Carribean, which is just what you want to hear while trying to eat your miserable dinner. Avoid it at all costs.

I would suggest the olde pink house. It is on one of the squares and very good. Went twice a few years back. Wife loved it and I thought it was really good as well.

My husband and I are headed there in a few weeks. If anyone has any other restaurant suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

Beth, how about an update... how was the trip to Savannah? Any places that you want to add to the recommendations? Or any that you want to second?

There is a TAPAS bar in St. Julian Square, but I can't recall the name. It is AWESOME.

Kurt, any chance it is Jazz'd Tapas Bar on Barnard Street?

I can't remember for sure. As you enter St. Julian Square it is the second restaurant on the left. They have both indoor and outdoor dining. I am sorry I can't tell you more. There are several places in St. Julian square but I was particularly found of the Tapas bar. Actually it may have just been called TAPAS.

Sherrie,
If you decide to venture over to hilton head, go to Charlie's Le Etoille Verte on New Orleans Ave. One of my favorite restaurants in the Country. Another Forumite went recently and agreed with my sentiments.

My Dad lives there part of the year now, so my wife and I make at least one, usually two trips a year there. Elizabeth and Olde Pink House are good options, but I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend A Vida Restaurant and Wine Bar. Great location on Broughton Street. See http://www.avidarestaurant.com. Incredible menu, and VERY impressive wine selection, including wines by the glass. Definitely make reservations, even during the week.

A close second is definitely 45 Bistro at the Marshall House. That's the first good restaurant we dined at in Savannah, and love to go back.

The restaurant at the Mansion Hotel is also good, and as someone above said, Jazz'd Tapas is very good, but I really recommend dinner elsewhere, and then hit Jazz'd on a Friday or Saturday night for great music and dessert.

PLEASE visit the Mabel Francis Potter Cupcake Emporium on E. State Street (it's in the square where State and Bull Streets meet) - my step-mother runs it, and she definitely makes the best cupcakes you've ever had. For touristy value, it's in the location that used to house the flower shop depicted in "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." Tell her Brad recommended, and I bet she'll pass along the family discount.

AND for the all important weekend brunch, don't pass up the Firefly Cafe in Troup Square. The food is phenomenal, and they have great outdoor seating if the weather is nice.

General recommendation - the further you get from River Street, the less touristy and more local things get. The bars that look like dives are where the locals go - the bright cheery "microbreweries" are touristy.My personal opinion - AVOID Lady and Sons. There is some sort of "I went there" value to it for newbies to Savannah, but the food leaves A LOT to be desired, and usually you'll wait forever to get in and pay too much. Most who have been do not recommend to others. If you must have the Paula Dean experience (or at least the family), her brother runs a seafood joint somewhere closer to Tybee, maybe a 15-20 minute drive from old Savannah. The decor sort of reminded me of a shabby Red Lobster, and the food was mediocre at best, but it was much better and cheaper than LAS, and you can say you ate at Paula's brother's place.

Enjoy Savannah. I'm missing it just as I'm writing this.