The last few years I’ve been jotting down some of the best things I enjoyed in the calendar year. Sometimes they’ve been close to home in Savannah, other times not so much. It’s not, nor has it ever been, a ranking. Similarly, it is also impossible to compare some of the meals I’ve enjoyed at some very special wine pairing dinners with a quick dinner down the street at home. Apples and Oranges in my book.

Off the top, I will share that maybe the best meal I had top-to-bottom in Savannah in 2023 was at Cotton and Rye. I said at the time I walked away from the meal telling my friends “Nothing on that table wasn’t amazing.” The agreed. An exceptional experience. That said, some dishes I enjoyed, 2023 style.

Dirty Rice -Brochu’s Family Tradition

There’s a lot to love at Brochu’s. Anyone who’s been there knows that. Their fried chicken platters and the desserts are over the top wonderful. However, one dish that just jumps off the page for me is the Dirty Rice. (Photo Above) I’ve told anyone who asks that I think this is Savannah’s best side dish. The description on the menu says “grilled bits , egg yolk, trinity.” It is heavenly alright. A must if you haven’t had it already. If you have, then you already know.

Sopa de Amor – Hilton Head Seafood Festival

Back in February, during the Hilton Head Seafood Festival, I attended a Molé dinner featuring Chef Fernando Olea, a James Beard Award winning chef from Santa Fe New Mexico. His first course was a soup. The photo below does this dish zero justice. I just know that after one taste, all of us in the room look around at each other knowing what we were eating was other worldly. It’s called Sopa de Amor. Chef Olea’s signature soup. Blue crab, creamed poblano broth and topped with an Amaretto whipped cream.

It was so good, I looked up his restaurant Sazón in Santa Fe to see if this dish was on the menu. It was and I spent the next 10 minutes day dreaming about when I could possible get to New Mexico to try it again. And I wasn’t even done with the cup I had in front of me.

The good news is, I don’t have to wait. Chef Fernando will be back in February as part of the Hilton Head Seafood Festival. His dinner will undoubtedly sell out again. I would not delay if I you.

Brisket – Slow Fire BBQ Savannah

A few weeks ago, I was asked what Savannah’s signature BBQ spot is. I told them our best BBQ is from a food truck. If you’ve had Slow Fire then you know. I don’t normally volunteer food trucks because you can’t just decide any day of the week to enjoy their food. However, just last week Slow Fire announced their plans for a brick and mortar location in 2024. In my book, that makes their Texas style brisket fair game. It is Savannah’s best. They’ve been on the street just about a year and have earned themselves a fabulous following. If you’ve not tried it, look them up. Yes, it is every bit as delicious as it looks.

Shrimp and Lobster Enchiladas – Savannah Tequila Company

2023 was also the year I found myself enjoying a number of great eats at Savannah Tequila Company, the Mexican concept at the Plant Riverside District. I’ve been a fan of this place since they opened. This is well made “higher end” Mexican dishes if you will in a casual atmosphere. During a couple of visits, I had a manager recommend I try the Shrimp and Lobster Enchiladas. “They are our most popular dish.” It still took me about 6-7 months to try them. When I finally did Thanksgiving weekend, I understood why. Simply exceptional and recommended to anyone.

E-Tang (Locations on Hilton Head Island and Savannah)

E Tang Chinese food has been on Savannah’s scene for a couple of years now. Very well received. Plain and simple it is our best Chinese food. Some months ago, I had dinner with the owner of E-Tang at their Hilton Head Island location. It was one of those dinners where I was not allowed to order any food. It was just wave after wave of wonderful coming to the table.

Off the top of my head, I don’t remember exactly how many dishes we enjoyed that day. I do know it was North of 10. There was a ton. From hand made soup dumplings (fantastic) to a whole Sea Bass with a brown garlic sauce I wanted to drink straight off of the plate. The meal as a whole was just amazing. One of the top 2-3 I enjoyed all year anywhere. Absolutely worthy of mention here. If you’ve not visited yet, you have no idea what you are missing. Delicious.

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