The warm and fuzzies of a page flipping to a new year have largely worn off. What is left behind in this area’s food scene are the same issues and concerns we all had before 2021 made its official appearance. The good news is, no one will deny that we are closer to the end of the national nightmare than we are the beginning. There is still plenty of reason to be excited about what is ahead. We just need to get there, right?
Some news and notes to stir your beverage heading into the new year. And I will start with good news.
*The streets of downtown Savannah were jammed over the two weeks around Christmas and New Year’s Day. I don’t think anyone could dispute the fact that downtown businesses were making great money for a short period of time.
*The flip side of that coin is the fact that before Christmas, Savannah was largely a ghost town. Yes, that time of year is typically slow, but it was slower than normal. I was out multiple times before Christmas and the word I kept hearing was ‘sluggish.’ Again, that was December leading up to Christmas.
*The holidays, though? Crazy. Rusty Browne, Owner of Savannah Pedi Cabs said “I haven’t seen Savannah this busy in years.” Good timing, I suppose.
*One thing I find particularly fascinating for no reason in particular, is the number of visitors we are now getting from South Florida. How do I know? Most of you know that Miami is my hometown. Between December 23rd and January 1st, I got three texts from family in Miami asking me about something in Savannah because a friend of theirs was here. That has never happened.
*Not only that, but I found myself chatting with a visitor from West Palm Beach in Ellis Square on Sunday. When I told her I’ve seen a significant uptick in people from South Florida she offered “Oh, half of Miami is here. We know a bunch of people who have been here this week.”
*All are welcome of course. Their money is green too. Speaking of green….Go ‘Canes…#beatbama. But I digress.
*We went out for a holiday celebration the week before Christmas. Our annual EIALI Christmas Crawl. A night of eating and liking and perhaps some drinking and liking. We hit Husk, Planter’s Tavern and St. Neo Brasserie. The highlight of the night was probably the Duck Charcuterie dish at St. Neo. Simply outstanding. Their menu changes daily so don’t go looking for it, but suffice to say St. Neo is just…awesome.
*The brand new Plant Riverside District was jammed all week. I stopped by twice for a few minutes each time during the week and saw a ton of activity. I was told they were sold out for a few days over the holidays, which is an indicator of how crowded this city was. I will say I struggle with $10-12 for a draft beer in their ‘biergarten.’ Local beers too. Especially when you know you can get that same beer for half that about 400 feet away on River Street. #notcool
*The crowds disappeared just. like. that. One restaurant manager told me they had 120 reservations on Saturday night (January 2nd). Plus walk-ins. On Sunday evening, they had 20. I was out for a bit Sunday afternoon, and it was clear the crowds that were left were largely day trippers headed out.
*That’s the perfect time to remind us all that our local restaurants may have gotten a nice bump the last two weeks, but I would dare say a large majority by FAR are still in a pretty deep 2020 induced hole. A restaurant owner once told me most restaurants close in January/February because they can’t afford to renew their liquor licenses. Kudos to Mayor Johnson for extending their deadline on that this year, but that isn’t going to put butts in seats. I cannot help but think it is going to be quiet around here for a little bit. Especially in January.
*Now more than ever, please remember to support local restaurants.
*If you work in the Food and Beverage industry, Bella Napoli Italian Restaurant on State Street downtown has been offering 50% off all Food AND drink to industry employees. Monday nights only. No reservations accepted. A tremendous deal for dinner if you throw in a bottle of wine.
*The Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce is going forward with their annual restaurant week. Usually it is held last week of January/First week of February. This year it will be February 20-27th. CLICK HERE for more information on that.
*Speaking of Hilton Head Island, Chez Georges Bistro and Bar is the hottest restaurant on the island right now. Exceptional food, cocktail program and atmosphere. I loved it. They just started Sunday brunch too.
*The Winter Igloos at The Lost Square atop The Alida Hotel have been a huge hit. You can book them in 90 minute blocks with a dining/beverage minimum charge. See more here.
*For those of you who watch on TV, Eat It and Like It with Jesse Blanco is back to noon on Saturday on WTOC-TV after a holiday hiatus beginning next week, January 16th. New episodes on the way!
*For the first time in many years, Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House will stay open through January. They usually take a break, but considering they are take out only, it is easier to manage. You can still eat at a table along the sidewalk on Jones Street, but there is no indoor dining. Of course, lunch only as usual.
*2021 is going to be pretty great for us at EIALI and on our food scene. More details next week. Trust me, there is big news on the horizon. Sign up for our newsletter here. It resumes this Thursday and every Thursday thereafter.
*Before we go, a quick story to share. Early December, I was out for margaritas with a gal pal. Nothing dramatic, it was happy hour. She left, I had one more and then asked for the tab. I opened the check holder to find a note that said “Thanks for all you do. It’s on us.” My understanding is that someone who was there picked up the tab and left. That doesn’t happen to me nearly as much as some of you would like to think. I was floored. I’m sharing here in hopes that the person who did that, sees this and knows how grateful I was for the holiday cheer. Thank you.
# # #
1 thought on “Happy New Year…News and Notes”
Jesse, my wife and I met you in Epcot years ago having an ice cold beer to get out of the heat! You might not remember, but we do. We enjoy these emails very much and we always try out your recommendations when we travel. I once mentioned that my cousin is a Master Chef, Chef Jon Gibson, who has been around for a while and has received many awards for his originality and in supporting local farmers’ produce and especially seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. Jon got much of his culinary education in different countries in Europe and eventually found himself at a 5* Restaurant in San Diego. Within the past year has opened his own restaurant in his home town of Opp, Alabama and has survived what COVID has done to us all. He and his business partner, a lifelong friend from high school, have survived the first year and the pandemic and are doing well! He is located off the beaten path on Hwy 331 in Opp, Alabama serving his versions of gourmet Southern Seafood with style and the ambience of this renovated building in the middle of town. It’s called The Wheelhouse! Jon and his partner, and the restaurant, were recently featured in “Alabama Living” magazine in the new January 2021 issue and has been getting raving reviews!
We are excited for him and look forward to much success on the way!
If you ever find yourself wandering around south Alabama in Covington County and get hungry, there are a lot of great places, but I think you’d be pleased if you can check out “The Wheelhouse” in Opp, Alabama!
Thank you,
Jim & Sandy Cowen
Pike Road, Alabama