Restaurants in Savanah - day trip

[Jan&Ern]

We'll be going to Hilton Head and staying at Royal Dunes in October and want to maybe spend a day in Savanah. What do others recommend for activities (no kids, just 4 in our 50's) and where should we go for lunch? If we stay all day and decide to do dinner before driving back to HHI, where can we kick back and enjoy the local seafood? Can't wait to get there!! October seems so far away!

[swainj]

For lunch, try Lady & Son's. It's Paula Deen's restaurant. Expect to wait.

[shagnut]

If you can't get into Lady & Son's try Mrs. Wilkes boarding house. They have the same type of food. Both are great!! SHAGGY

[Garry]

I second Mrs. Wilkes' place.

[jme]

Lady & Sons will always be crowded, and you'll have to leave HHI about 8 am to get to Savannah at 9am...then you stand in line outside the front door(from 15 to 45 minutes) and take a "seating time"...it'll probably be around noon to 1 pm. You'll come back and be seated (and dine) then.

We got to Savannah at 10 am (Sunday), got a 2:30 time, and enjoyed walking around Savannah all morning....One suggestion: a GREAT place to take a walking break, i.e., sit a while and wait, out of the heat, is a few streets over (it's called Ambrosia Cafe)---the folks there are terrific, and the menu is good!...when exiting L & S, go straight down the street in front of you, to the end of that block, take a right, and walk a couple of blocks...it's on the left at a corner...there's also a Starbucks around another corner...in general, they're both "to the right" a few streets over when exiting L & S's front door. ..Anyway, Ambrosia Cafe has a great little lite breakfast or danishes and coffee....and comfortable seating and good mellow music......we loved it.....and very COOL in there...I mean A/C-wise.

Back at L & S front door, there's a lady across the street in the "tour bus route" window...she can give directions for walking...she also has a street map. We had a nice time that half-day...I don't know if we'd do it again, but eating at L & S's was definitely a WONDERFUL thing....everything they had was "the best of" that i've ever had. And we ate a lot! You think you don't have room for the desserts, but....oh, yeah, you do. The homemade cheesecake was divine. cobbler too. Well, maybe i WOULD go again....if near, you have to go....jme

[vlapinta]

I was in Savanah in April and went to Mrs. Wilkes' place. We had to wait about 1 1/2 hrs for lunch. It was a good experience but I am not sure I would do it again. My cousin ate at Lady and Son's and didn't like the food.

Vicki

[shagnut]

You've got to do one or the other!! shaggy

[nerodog]

There is also the tea room... help me guys with the name of it... very good !! And also the Pirates House is very good...others mentioned def. worth it!! ALso, Royal Dunes is a great place to stay.. you will love the condos and the room!! Very spacious, friendly and easy to get to.

[MULTIZ321]

Nerodog,

Are you thinking of the Savannah Tea Room? http://www.savannahtearoom.com/

or the Gryphon Tea Room


Richard

[nerodog]

thats it !! Very nice lunches and atmosphere in historic Savannah... thanks !! I was starting to hunt around my guidebooks and stuff from the trip last year !

[lucillec]

If you want some real home cooking...go to Nita's Place near Ogelthorpe sq..it is a place you would probably pass up.by sight..very informal... place your order at the counter and they bring it to you...only open until 2:30 or so..or until the food runs out...great cooking.....and priced right..if you take the time to look around you will see notes from many celebrities who have been there..as well as a write up in Southern cooking magazine...it has been a few years since i have been there..but highly recommend it..give a call for hours if interested!
lucille

[ruthjayne]

We also made a day trip from HHI a couple summers ago and had the most fun at Chef Joe Randall's cooking class! I love to cook and my husband loves to eat and we both had a great time.

He has his own building, which to some, may seem in a somewhat "seedy" area. There is one large room with counters and stools around three sides. It was completely full on the Wednesday night that we were there. And we met the greatest people. The man to my right was there with his supper club and come to find out, he was one of the group that originally rehabbed the city. He was even in "the movie". The man to my husband's left happened to (part) own the winery (in California) from which the wine of the evening was purchased. There were people there from all over the US.

The dinner was prepared and each dish was served as it was completed. I think we had the Low Country Dinner. There was shrimp & grits (never had it before) and the most delicious peach cobbler I ever had...I still dream about that one!

The stories that Joe told were fabulous, the guests were a blast, and the food was outstanding.

Here's the link to his website: http://www.chefjoerandall.com/classes.htm
Two couples would have a great time there.

r.

[Jan&Ern]

What a great suggestion! The couple coming to HHI with us are foodies like we are and this might be something that the four of us would really enjoy! I'll look into it. If we can't do this on this trip, we're coming back in March 08 for two weeks and we will have more free time to enjoy a day, possibly with an overnight in Savannah. Thanks so much for all the ideas!!

[Jan&Ern]

Are there any dinner cooking schools like this in Hilton Head? It would be so nice to be closer to home for something like Chef Randall's place in Savannah. Any one know of something like this on the island?

[MULTIZ321]

Jan & Ern,

Check out Scratch Kitchen on HHI - it's new and here's what a reviewer said

SCRATCH KITCHEN - Hilton Head

What's uptown, down-home and Southern? The new Scratch Kitchen, where you will find "uncommonly prepared Southern comfort food served with down home hospitality in an uptown atmosphere."

The colorfully decorated new restaurant in Port Royal Plaza (formerly Edible Pursuits) is a comfort food junkie's paradise. Chef Richard Vaughan (former owner of long-time Island favorite Spartina Grill) went back to his North Carolina roots and pulled out all the stops to bring Hilton Head a true Southern lunch counter.

Scratch Kitchen, chef Vaughan promises, serves "real comfort food at it's best," from a daily soup selections to an array of pies and cakes. Chicken & dumplings, collard greens, black eyed peas, and coconut cake are just a few of the items you will find when you visit. They have at least twelve freshly prepared entrees and vegetables daily. With all plate's priced from $6.75 to $7.95, Scratch Kitchen offers an excellent lunch value!

As Scratch Kitchen's name suggests, everything is made from scratch. Customers should prepare for a feast for the eyes as well as pleasing their stomachs. The uptown, down home theme carries through to the dining room decor, with walls embellished with one of a kind Southern folk art. Scratch Kitchen is open Monday-Saturday from 11 am-6 pm for lunch or take out. All dishes are offered in oven-ready casseroles for easy home preparation.

Cooking classes are offered three nights a week, covering a variety of foods and techniques. Classes on comfort foods, fresh seafood, and cooking for two are offered throughout the month. Come alone or bring some friends, Chef Vaughan says, and you will be entertained and well fed. You can also BYOB, if you wish to enjoy your favorite libation while learning the tricks of the trade.

Scratch Kitchen is located near the rear of Port Royal Plaza (home of Sam's Club and BiLo Groceries), next to Reilley's. You also can book your own private chef party or birthday celebration.

For more information on Scratch Kitchen, please refer to the Alphabetical Listing link or or call 342-9786.

Also - Charleys Crab offier cooking classes on the third Tuesday of every month
Charleys Crab
342-9066
2 Hudson Road - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (just off Squire Pope Road).
Cuisine: Seafood
Meals Served: L,D

Unusually attractive, spacious waterfront restaurant. Upscale, white tablecloth establishment that is part of Landry’s Restaurants, Inc., which owns and operates award-winning restaurants throughout the Carolinas and across the USA. Charley’s Crab serves a dozen or more offerings of beautifully prepared fresh fish and other seafood, aged beef, rack of lamb, fresh poultry and rabbit dishes. Although Charley’s is upscale, “guests will feel comfortable in casual and golf attire.” Ask about their popular cooking classes on the third Tuesday of every month. Reservations available.

Bon appetit!

Richard






Richard

[Jan&Ern]

I'm going to contact Charlie's Crab and get the scoop on the Tuesday class. Thanks so much for the info. I think we'll be there then and would like to look into it.