Favorite Georgia Eateries

Bernie’s Oyster House            115 East River Street, Savannah GA 31401

Looking for some quick take out, in a casual atmosphere, I ordered appetizers.  Simply outstanding Seafood Chowder and Crab Cakes—plenty to make it a meal on its own.  And the plates that I saw go by looked mouthwatering good as well—stacks of steamy hot shelled delicacies’ made me reconsider leaving several times.  In particular, their Low Country Boil looked amazing.

Note, there is a second location just a hop and skip down the road at Tybee Island, GA.

 

 

Fiddlers Crab House 131 West River Street, Savannah GA 31401 

Get your credit card out for this visit.  High quality fresh seafood isn’t free.  There were so many delish choices, I opted to get down and get messy with the Steamed Combo Platter–crab legs and crawfish, served with Savannah Red Rice and steamed veggies.  You know you’re in for some manual labor when there is a bucket built into the center of table.  Shuckin’ and smiling the whole meal, it was the real deal in seafood and well worth the sticker price.

 

 

Tapas by Anna   314 west St. Julian Street, Savannah GA 31401

Delightful eating establishment with outdoor, dog-friendly dining.  Buddy and I were well served at this lovely bistro.  He was provided a dog dish of unlimited water while I looked through their extensive menu. Overall Anna’s has an Italian slant to it with many pasta dishes, but there are also a number of sea food options as well, and several Cajun inspired dishes.  I was served up their Seafood Sampler; shrimp, scallops, a crab cake and catfish prepared to my liking (grilled).  This was a lot of food (I won’t lie, Buddy did get to sample some fish and dinner roll—not normally allowed!).  The shrimp and scallops were huge, quality nuggets, and the crab cake was fluffy and sweet.  We were both pleased with the meal and the price, well worth a return trip!

 

 

Island Grill 722 Highway 21, Port Wentworth  GA 31407

This little hole in the wall Sports Bar a few blocks down from the Hampton was a pleasant surprise after a long day touring Savannah. Locals were bellied up to the bar, several waiting for their take out.  I ordered their grilled shrimp platter and a cup of homemade crab stew to go, and tried a watermelon slushy while I waited.  Service was fast, and they even served up a tasty peach slushy to bring back to the hotel.  Once I returned to my room to eat, the shrimp was huge, plump and perfect, and everything was still hot and delicious! The stew was slightly spiced and had chunks of crab in it.  Kudos to the Chefs of the Island Grill!

 

 

The Pirates House 20 East Broad Street, Savannah GA 31401

The perfect opportunity to sample an array of Georgia’s down home grub, and keep the kids entertained.  This historic pirate theme based restaurant features a daily all you can eat buffet brunch filled with home style scratch kitchen cooked foods like fried chicken, grits, collard greens, pulled pork, catfish,  and more.  Wow.  What a treat and great departure from all the sea food I’d had the last few days!  The word is out on The Pirates House, the place always packed, so dishes do not sit long—the food is hot, the bins refilled quickly and their peach cobbler is to die for!  My waiter was very attentive, and I even had several visits and conversations with a real Pirate.  This is a great place to go with the family.  Watch out for the “Release Kracken”— one is plenty if you are driving.

 

 

 

The Cotton Exchange Tavern 201 River Street, Savannah GA  31401

Reasonably priced and well prepared food. I ordered this entire meal to go, and it was heaven in the hotel for several days.  The Crab Stuffed Mushrooms- were baked and topped with mornay sauce, so succulent! The Shrimp Orleans, 4 sticks of giant Cajun spiced shrimp wrapped in bacon and pan blackened, drenched with lemon peppercorn aioli, was spicy and a meal in itself.  I couldn’t decide on soup so I ordered both the Crab Chowder and the Clam Chowder both were creamy, dreamy, slightly warm (spicy) and loaded with their meats.  That made several lunches. Also couldn’t pass up their Seafood Scampi–sautéed jumbo shrimp. crab and scallops in a lemon garlic wine sauce, tossed with roma tomatoes, scallions and artichoke hearts, served on linguini.  A healthy portion that also lasted several meals.  I love the Cotton Exchange.  Sooooo nummy.

 

 

B.Matthews Bakery & Eatery 325 East Bay Street, Savannah GA 31401

A cozy yet eclectic choice for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this bistro is a favorite of the locals.  Their extensive menu includes only the finest ingredients and combinations to provide extraordinary dining experiences.  Scanning through the menu, choosing just one item was a tough decision!  I went for the TurDuckEn Burger, a turkey, duck and chicken burger with roasted garlic and sage, lettuce, tomato and Swiss cheese on a Kaiser roll, served with tabouleh salad (or fruit, or bacon blue cheese pasta salad, or German potato salad).  Tastes like chicken…yet not.  The burger was deep and richly flavorful beyond your typical broiled bird. It was an unexpected savory taste sensation I would happily do again.  Unless the Country Ham Sandwich pulled me away instead, with its thick sliced ham on a sourdough bun, with brie pear, arugula, and splashed with a honey-sherry vinaigrette.  Or perhaps next time I’ll go for the Truffled Maitake Pork Puff—a truffle infused pork and roasted maitake mushroom mash in a puff pastry.  B. Matthews is definitely the place to go if you want your meal to be an artistic event.  Where else can you find lamb, rabbit, quail, seafood, and Painted Hills grass-fed beef all in one place?  And surprisingly, everything is reasonably priced.  Two thumb up for B. Matthews!  I’ll be back!