Yes, I am the food guy. Yes, I sit here every week and tell you about great food in Savannah. Yes, I Eat and Like a good bit of what I talk to you about, but this week I am going to mix business with a little bit of pleasure.
There is fabulous food around a good many corners in our fine city, but there is also good music as well. As I sit and write this, the Savannah Jazz Festival is gearing up for another successful week. On any given weekend night, any number of venues downtown play host to great talent, whether local or just passing through. The music scene in Savannah is well documented. I will leave the details to the others who do a fine job keeping you up to date in that arena. However, I will use this space this week to tell you about a monthly event you should seriously consider attending. The music is fantastic. Some of the best in town, really. And the food? Oh yeah, that. The food is top notch, as well.
My phone rings the other day, on the other end is a friend inviting me to a show. Live music, he says. Three course dinner, he says. Full bar, he says. Great wine selection. Seriously, all of that was a bonus for me, because live music at my age? The guys getting together for the Motley Crue Farewell Tour in Nashville next month. Yeah, that’s how us old guys roll, right? Jeremy Davis tells me about their performances at The Westin Savannah Harbor.
Every third Monday of the month, Jeremy Davis and his Fabulous Equinox Orchestra set up shop inside Aqua Star on the second floor of the Westin and put on a show. A great show. How great? Let me describe the scene.
If you’ve been to Aqua Star, then you know it is arguably one of the best views in Savannah. The views are across the river OF Savannah, but those are semantics at this point. The picture windows afford spectacular views back across the Savannah River at our skyline. The restaurant itself, remodeled not much more than a year ago, is gorgeous as well. There are couches set up to sip on a glass of wine and enjoy the view or plenty of tables to accommodate you for dinner as well. Dinner is a three course meal designed by brand new Executive Chef Steve Black.
On the night I attended, we had a fantastic salad with thyme roasted tomato, shaved Manchego cheese, candied bacon and sherry vinaigrette. And yes, I am well aware I had some of you at “bacon”. The entrée was a wonderful filet with sautéed shrimp, pommes anna and haricot vert (potato and green beans y’all). Dessert, which I fought myself to skip, was a Chocolate Peanut Butter cup with Crème Caramel. All of that, including the live music? Thirty-five bucks. Not even during Restaurant Week will you find a deal that good.
Speaking of that live music, Jeremy Davis and his Orchestra are phenomenal. Coincidentally, I had followed along online and saw photos of them playing to crowds as far as the eye can see in open air venues in Brooklyn and some of the coolest clubs you can find in New York City. Yes, they are that good. It’s a fantastic selection of standards. Nothing at all to make you sleepy. They are talented, entertaining, and a whole lot of fun to watch. And not at all just for the over-50 crowd. The idea, I’m told, was the brain child of General Manager Mark Spadoni at the Westin. Always looking for new ways to get locals to cross that bridge or take that ferry, this is a natural fit. There are similar events going on in Atlanta to standing room only crowds, I’m told. People of all ages enjoying a true Savannah Supper Club with those great views to boot.
Only one night per month. The third Monday. Next ones will be on October 20th, November 10th, and a special Christmas show on December 15th. Quite obviously, not everyone who reads this will be looking for something special or fun to do on a Monday night, but there are plenty who are. These shows at the Westin are a great evening out and the food is fantastic, as well.
For more information on tickets and reservations, go to www.westinsavannah.com
See you on TV.
Jesse
