A few weeks ago as we rolled into the summer season, I shared a list with you of my top five summer must-tries in this area. Five things you should have on your summer to-do list if you enjoy different things to eat or drink.
Quite frankly, that list was so well received, I thought I’d offer you another one. Only this list might just wrap into your summer vacation.
Since I left WSAV back on May 24, I have been in and out of town enjoying some downtime, yes, but also working on some things for our fall season of “Eat It and Like It.”
In the process, I’ve come across a few places you should know about and might want to try if you and the family are hitting the road at any point this summer.
So here they are, in no particular order, some spots you may want to keep in mind during travel season.
I am going to start with Atlanta because it is quite possibly the most frequently visited city for people in our area.
If you watch all of the cooking competition shows on TV, then you may remember Chef Kevin actually won “Chopped.” He has a few restaurants in Atlanta, and all are highly regarded. My meal at his steakhouse was on par with any in America.
The Coca-Cola ribs made with a Big Green Egg (as an appetizer) were some of the best I’ve ever had. The bones were simply there as a way to hold up the melt-in-your-mouth pork. Unreal.
While you are in Atlanta, you might want to check out Krog Street Market. Disney World for food lovers.
I sat in on a seminar a few weeks back at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival where James Beard Award winner Sean Brock was talking about his love for tortillas.
Have you ever seen someone talk for an hour about tortillas? It was bizzare. The point here being, the guy is passionate about them, how they are made and all of the things you can do with simple ingredients in Mexican cuisine. He opened a spot in Charleston called Minero, a slightly upscale taco shop. They were without question some of the best I have ever had. Pork, shrimp, beef — it didn’t really matter. They were incredibly tasty. Brock is about to open a Minero in Atlanta at Ponce City Market, so you could try it the next time you are there. But Charleston is already rockin’ and rollin’. A must-try if that is your thing.
Also in Charleston is Butcher and Bee, one of my favorite lunch spots in America. True story.
About 90 minutes south of downtown Savannah, you find the tiny beach town of Fernandina Beach. I know a good number of people who spend weekends down on Amelia Island just for a change of pace from the beaches around here. Amelia Island is gorgeous. The food on the island is coming along.
Sure, you can find great — and pricey — meals at the resorts, but historic Fernandina is incredibly charming. Right in the heart of it, you will find one of my favorite spots for Cuban food outside of Miami. Hola was featured on our TV show this past winter and is every bit worth stopping in for a sandwich or some coffee.
Never been to Miami? Visit Hola and you will get a true taste.
St. Augustine:
When I was in St. Augustine, I zeroed out my odometer before heading back. The mileage from downtown St. Augustine to downtown Savannah? 171. Yes, exactly five more miles than a drive to Macon. As I mentioned earlier, driving to Macon on the way to Atlanta is a no-brainer for any of us in the Savannah area.
Well, turn that mileage straight South and you are in the middle of the history and charm of St. Augustine. Leave it to me to find a spot older than what we have around here, but it is. It is a bit touristy, but if you know where to look, you can find some great food.
The Floridian is a gem we also featured on the show, but a couple of others jumped out at us. The Ice Plant is a newish restaurant doing great things with Southern cuisine. It’s an old ice warehouse, much like The Florence here in Savannah, and it sits next to a distillery you can tour. A great spot. Also, the Mediterranean restaurant inside the Casa Monica Hotel is outstanding. When I was there, they were about to build a tequila bar to go along side of it. It’s likely done by now. Definitely worth a visit, a cocktail or a few small bites.
Lucky Rooster Kitchen and Bar:
I’m going to wrap up our road trip with a short drive (by comparison) to Hilton Head Island.
For all of the great food on that island, the scene is actually evolving a little bit. I don’t think the envelope is being pushed as hard as it is, for example, here in Savannah, but there are some spots over there where you can get an incredible and forward-thinking meal.
Lucky Rooster is one of those spots. The shrimp and grits were fantastic, as was the appetizer dish we had: fried chicken skins (with a little rib meat, of course). They were only $4.
Chef Clayton Rollison is a perfectionist and one of the top five talents on the island. Don’t take my word for it. Find them online and peek at the menu.
