Categories

Top 5 Savannah Food Stories of 2015

It has been an interesting year on the landscape in Savannah. The naysayers may disagree, but so much has changed in our city. No, Savannah isn’t perfect, but she is growing and evolving.

As the calendar reaches the end of December, a good many people like to take stock. We take stock of our jobs, we take of our waistlines. Heck, some people even take stock of their friendships. New year, new me! Go ahead and laugh, we are all guilty. While most resolutions go unfulfilled, the growth of Savannah’s food scene cannot be denied. We’ve seen a number of food-related events making big news in Savannah. That got me to thinking about how much everything has changed in this area. Using my background as a news anchor, I thought I’d put together Savannah’s top 5 food stories of the year. Some good, others not. You put them all together and you end up with the year that was, 2015.

 

**The Grey opens on MLK Junior Blvd. – Technically, The Grey opened her doors just before Christmas in 2014, but all of the noise she made has come in this calendar year. Not since The Lady and Sons popped up in USA Today as “International Meal of the Year” in 2003 has any one restaurant brought as much attention to the City of Savannah. The year started with being named a semi-finalist for a James Beard Award. Beyond that, Executive Chef Mashama Bailey has been featured in any number of publications. Food and Wine Magazine even named The Grey one of the Top 15 New Restaurants in America. We’ve all enjoyed some great food in this city, but the glow emanating from The Grey is bringing people to Savannah from near and far. Which can only mean great things for our food culture’s future.

**Leoci’s Trattoria closes – There was a time when Leoci’s was Savannah’s Italian “go to” spot downtown. Out of the gate, it was near impossible to get a table. Leoci’s Trattoria very quietly closed its doors a month or so ago. A sign on the door says they are closed for renovation and expect to re-open. I’ve been told Roberto Leoci is expecting to re-group and re-open. I’ve also been told that if it does happen, it may be a while. There have been a number of mixed signals regarding the space at 606 Abercorn. Maybe he will make this list again next year for different reasons. Buona Fortuna.

**Savannah Food and Wine Festival celebrates a marvelous year three. After a couple of years of growing pains, the 3rd Savannah Food and Wine Festival was the best food festival this city has ever scene. Beginning with Taste of Savannah at the Georgia Railroad Museum, thousands enjoyed anything from a Riverfront World Record Low Country Boil, all to the way to a perfect venue with perfect food and drink across the board at “Taste.” Add to that a simply stunning James Beard Foundation dinner at The Mansion on Forsyth Park and you have proof that this community can and will support the finest cuisine in the South. Maybe someone should start a television show about that. (wink).

**Sundae Café loses Executive Chef and Co-Founder Kevin Carpenter. Sundae Café is one of the best restaurants in Chatham County. Ask anyone who has been there. Kevin and his business partner bought a tiny ice cream and yogurt shop in a tinier strip mall on Tybee Island and turned it into what it is today. Kevin’s sudden passing in January of this year rocked the island. The shock waves made it through kitchens all over the city. Kevin is remembered as a man who was passionate about what he did in the kitchen and even more so with what he offered his community. Kevin was only 39 years old.

**39 Rue de Jean finally opens downtown Savannah – There have been any number of restaurant openings and closings in and around Savannah during 2015. Cotton and Rye comes to mind, as does Lili’s or Little Italy on Wilmington Island.  The spot that got the most buzz sits inside the Embassy Suites hotel on downtown Savannah’s West side. 39 Rue de Jean finally opened in November of this year after about a year long delay. The classic French Brasserie offers anything from Steak Frites to Coq Au Vin to sushi. Yes, sushi. The concept originated in Charleston and is a welcomed addition to the downtown food scene.

See you on TV,

Jesse

webbanner_sundwsav_04

Share Now :

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Reddit

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories

Sign up for
our Newsletter!

Categories
March 2024
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Follow Us On

Scroll to Top