In the three years we have been doing this television show, it’s hard to believe this is the first time we have taken on seafood. After all, based in Savannah, we are on the coast. People flock to this area in search of the best, freshest seafood they can find. As we mentioned multiple times during the show, seafood is one of those things that will never make everyone happy. There are some great seafood spots out there that we never go to. I’ll mention a couple of them at the bottom of this post. For now, the places we did Eat and Like at? In the order in which they appeared.
Chive Sea Bar and Lounge – Chive is quietly one of Savannah’s best seafood spots. Brought to you by the same great folks that own Tangerine, Ele, and King and I. What you get at Chive is a beautiful space, freshness, quality and consistency. I’ve had multiple people tell me it’s the best in town. As far as seafood across the board, it is near the top. There are other great seafood experiences in Savannah, but Chive is a winner. Just remember, quality comes at a price. It is not cheap. I watched a man put down two dozen oysters because he said they were the best he’d ever had. They were $36 per dozen. The man said he would have paid $50.
Old Fort Pub – Old Fort Pub is a Hilton Head Island Institution. Beaufort County’s only AAA Four Diamond Award winner. It’s a beautiful spot, great food and great atmosphere. If you didn’t notice the spectacular vistas during the show, you should plan your dinner around sunset and pay them a visit. Seafood is a specialty here, but everything is good. For the history buffs, there is some there. It sits on the sight of a fort on the island.
AJ’s Dockside – AJ’s was the winner of our 2014 Foodie Award for Best Fried Shrimp. That’s not all they do well. It’s hidden away in a residential neighborhood on Tybee Island, 20 minutes or so from downtown Savannah. The water views are gorgeous, the staff is laid back and friendly, the food is casual, but great. And, yes, the seafood offerings are wonderful as well. Fried shrimp is where it’s at here.
Fish Out of Water – Fish Out of Water sits about twenty yards off of the beach in Santa Rosa, Florida. It’s a beautiful stretch of beachfront in between Grayton Beach and Seaside, Florida. Inside the Watercolor Resort, Fish Out of Water is an elegant, but casual seafood gem. Yes, the food and the wine can be somewhat high end, but the prices are in line with anything you will pay for quality seafood anywhere. The selections are fresh, the flavors are perfectly blended and the atmosphere is beachy and fun. There is a deck to eat outdoors while you listen to the waves if you’d like and a great family atmosphere if that is your thing. Well worth the drive for a three day weekend in Florida.
Some others I’d recommend:
Sundae Cafe on Tybee Island. Tybee Island’s best restaurant. Hands down.
The Optimist. The Optimist is in Atlanta. Look them up if you have plans to be there and craving great seafood.
The Ordinary. Nothing ordinary about Charleston’s seafood powerhouse.
See you on TV.
Jesse
