It has hardly been a deeply rooted secret on the streets of downtown Savannah, but there hasn’t been any buzz about a new restaurant coming to River Street this Summer. By the time the doors open, it may have the biggest splash on the waterfront of this year.
For the last 15 or so years, Vic’s on the River has been a fine dining staple on Savannah’s food scene. Now, they are planning to expand. Kinda/sorta.
Vic’s River Grill is the name. Work on a complete renovation and makeover is ongoing as we speak at 19 East River Street. The space previously occupied by Barracuda Bob’s, which was sold last year.
Vic’s River Grill, we are told, will absolutely be an extension of the ‘Vic’s” brand. All the way down to the grand piano that will be placed at the back of the first room where a massive marble-topped bar will be installed. One television in the corner. Vic’s River Grill won’t be a sports bar.
The space is massive for River Street. Two stories tall, nearly 5,000 square feet. They obviously cannot commit to a final number on capacity just yet, but they are hovering around 150.
The approach to food is a work in progress. We are told there have been dozens of conversations about the menu. We do know there will be lots of oysters, peel and eat shrimp and maybe crab legs. Your first indication that this will be a more casual approach than the original Vic’s on the River directly upstairs, which has established itself as a mainstay on the local fine dining scene.
More casual, yes. But based on what we were told about the cosmetic work being done, this is going be beautiful and very likely a beacon in the center of Savannah’s ever evolving River Street.
More soon.
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