Running off at the keyboard on the final weekend before the kids head back to school. That sound you hear are parents hi-fiveing each other all over town. It’s OK to admit it. I thought summer would slow down, but the email machine hasn’t stopped for weeks and the news keeps pouring into my inbox. So, we share.
**If you missed it, Hitch opened on the corner of Drayton and Liberty Streets a couple of weeks ago. Brought to you by the same guys that are behind the success story at Treylor Park on Bay Street. Larger space, larger menu, larger everything. With the same kinds of twists they’ve always offered.
**Savannah Restaurant Week is going on through Sunday, August 7th. Three courses for $30 at about 2 dozen area restaurants. Including first timers Noble Fare
**A very interesting pop up dinner is coming to Foxy Loxy at the end of August. It is a vegan dinner. Before you flip out and say no way, take a look at the menu. Seriously. Very middle of the road and interesting.
**Green Truck Pub and Chef James Levens are joining forces for a pop up on Sunday, August 7th as well. Big fan of both. $69 includes wine pairings from Le Chai. Should be fantastic.
**A new cocktail bar is going in on Bull Street downtown Savannah next door to Public Kitchen and Bar. Same ownership, same attention to detail. It will be called Artillery. It’s being worked on now. I’m told they should be good to go around September 1st. I will keep you posted, but it’s going to be beautiful, I’m sure.
**Frali Gourmet pasta makers on Liberty Street at Tattnall are now offering dinner service. Two nights a week. Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations recommended.
**I’m told the space has been furnished for about three years. But there is finally movement inside of Great Times Jazz. 107 West Broughton Street. The sign has been hanging it seems like forever, but they are 4-6 weeks away from opening. Full restaurant and bar with live music. More on that later.
**The Grey has been open for lunch for quite some time, and it’s fantastic. New menu is rolled out. Summer corn chowder, smoked eggplant dip are some additions. Chef Mashama’s Patty Melt isn’t going anywhere. That thing is sinful. If you haven’t tried it, race on down there. Served with chips for about $12. Worth every penny.
**Tickets are on sale now for our Speakeasy event at the Savannah Food and Wine Festival. Without question the party was one of the highlights of the week last year during the festival. This years will be bigger and better. Find tickets here.
**You’re invited to join us for a tremendous night of fun in September. The Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia are throwing a great party on Saturday night September 17th. It’s called the Thin Mint Throwdown with yours truly as your host. Dinner, cash bar amazing food and a contest between two area bakers to see who can prepare the best dessert using Girl Scout cookies. For tickets and more information gshg.org or call (912) 988-8655.
**Celebrity Chef and owner of The Florence Hugh Acheson was asked by Zagat about where he likes to eat when he is in Savannah. Solid list. Including one surprise. Take a look.
**New BBQ coming to Waters Avenue near Eisenhower. Bowtie BBQ is under construction. More about that soon.
**Saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Cynthia Hayes. She can best be described as something of a pioneer in the local food co-op industry. She was one of the people behind the Savannah Local Food Collaborative, the group that started the Forsyth Farmers Market. You can read a little more about her and what she meant to this community here.
** Alligator Soul, a locals favorite, has been closed for a while after a plumbing issue force a major construction project in that basement restaurant. Safe to say they are back and will be re-opening to the public on Tuesday, August 9th.
**And finally, glad to say I am back in the office after what was very likely my biggest summer break in the 5 years since we started Eat It and Like It. When we wrapped up The Foodie Awards at The Brice back in May, it was time to unplug. And I did. But I’m back. We are making new television shows, and digging up all the news that is fit to eat. Our season premiere will be Sunday, September 18th, 7:30am on WSAV-TV. Of course, you know I’ll remind you a time or two between now and then.
See you on TV,
Jesse
