Sure, Paula Deen’s super Southern restaurants get a lot of press, but there’s a lot of eating and drinking to be done here, and none of it has to include biscuits.
Snacks, Papillote
A day of shopping requires substantial snacks, and that’s why I stopped by Papillote mid-afternoon. As the name would indicate, this quaint little French café offers light lunch items, pastries and other goodies. We indulged in a baguette with brie, which was simple, absolutely delicious and around $6.
We also grabbed a slice of duck pie—savory duck confit topped with pecans and roasted garlic was absolutely indulgent and flavorful.
If you go, it’ll be tough to miss the colorful display of macarons and they are just as delicious as they look. Salted caramel and Nutella were my favorites.
Signature Savannah Goodies to Take Home
Don’t miss a stop by Byrd’s Famous Cookies for delectable little cookies, both savory and sweet, that have been made in Savannah since 1924. The flagship store is on Waters Avenue, but locations throughout the city offer free samples of more than 20 different types of cookies. I’d suggest you make sure to sample the bene wafers—a Southern delicacy similar to a sweet sesame cookie—the tart Key Lime Cooler and Lemon Tart cookies, and the savory Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits, but they’re all delicious. Other must-stops for foodie shopping include Savannah Bee Company and Chocolat by Adam Turoni.
Cocktail Hour, Perch
If it isn’t absolutely freezing get your booty to Perch, the rooftop bar above Local 11ten (a warm, chef-driven restaurant I most certainly plan to visit on my return) has a secluded garden vibe and a cocktail list with an extensive selection of both traditional and new libations. I went traditional with a Hemingway Daiquiri—Papa’s Pilar rum, maraschino liqueur, lime, grapefruit and grapefruit shrub—perfectly refreshing after a day wandering the city. The boyfriend went more newfangled with the Paper Planes—Basil Hayden bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, lemon and Burlesque bitters combined for a well-balanced, boozy concoction.
Dinner, The Grey
The dining highlight of my visit to Savannah, The Grey is a contemporary restaurant housed in a 1938 art deco Geryhound Bus Terminal. I thought it was so delicious, in fact, I gave it its own post. Read more here.
Drinks With a View
Everyone told me Rocks on the Roof, the rooftop bar at The Grand Bohemian, was a must-visit for sweeping views of the Savannah River. We didn’t make it by until after dinner, so I wasn’t sure what I’d be walking into late in the evening. We stepped off the elevator into a small but clubby atmosphere with red accents and a live band rocking modern tunes by the likes of Bruno Mars and Beyonce—so far, a little more touristy than my average destination, but also kind of fun.
But the true test, would the drink menu be quality or clubby? I didn’t want to end my night with a watered down vodka soda. Again, I was pleasantly surprised. From a list of craft cocktails and martinis—the Savannah Mule features house-made ginger liqueur—I chose a barrel aged Manhattan. The price was around $17, obviously marked up for the view, but the drink was a nice nightcap to wander the patio, take in the views, then head off to bed.
