The year 2020 will go down in history as a lot of things. Most of the descriptions for the year can’t (or at least shouldn’t) be repeated in a space like this. For the record I’m going to go with wonky.
I use that word in this instance because our usual pattern for restaurant openings, among so many other things, has been all over the map. If you do this for as long as we have, you find there is a definite pattern to new restaurant openings. The short answer is everyone wants to be open for St. Patrick’s Day. That doesn’t always happen, of course, then the calendar fills in accordingly. The challenges in getting doors open this year have been obvious.
We’ve had a couple of flurries of new restaurants come along. The one we are seeing right now is certainly the largest. Some are already open, others are days away as we post this writing.
Madam Butterfly is the latest from Savannah favorite Ele and the Chef. You can find them in the old Sapphire Grill space on Congress Street downtown Savannah. 110 West Congress to be exact. As you might expect from an “Ele effort” the space is gorgeous. The menu is good looking as well. Steaks, seafood and a series of apps. Soft open service is underway with limited menus and hours.
PIER 16 – TYBEE ISLAND
Pier 16 is a casual seafood spot going into what was the old post office on Tybee at Tybrisa and Butler. The renovation, clearly, is thorough with lots of deck space and even a rooftop for dinner and or drinks.
SUNDOWN LODGE – WILMINGTON ISLAND
Sundown is the highly anticipated seafood spot set to open on Johnny Mercer Boulevard on Wilmington Island. Brought to you by Keith Latture, owner of Sandfly BBQ and Wilmington resident, he thought the island needed a casual seafood spot. So he built one himself. We spoke to him about it just before the March shutdown. Click here to see what Keith had to say about his chef and what you can expect. Sundown Lodge is days away from opening as well.
BULL AND BARREL STEAKHOUSE – STATESBORO
Bull and Barrel is a good looking property on Main Street downtown Statesboro. They were also scheduled to open in the Spring, but their plans were affected by the shutdown. They’ve now been open for a little over 2 months to rave reviews.
On Friday and Saturday nights if you don’t have a reservation, you are probably out of luck for a table. Capacity is being controlled for obvious reasons, but you can get a table if you plan ahead, or visit them during the week. The menu looks good. The wine list I’m told is growing. As I said, the space is beautiful. It and the building are a jewel along the Statesboro restaurant landscape.
Located in the same spot as the old Tybee Island Fish Camp on Campbell Avenue, Sea Wolf is brought to you by the same creative folk behind downtown’s very popular Lone Wolf. There is food. Largely oysters and other light bites, but they do offer several options for the vegan crowd. Good move. Plenty motivation to get some landlubbers out to the coast.
Cockspur Grill is a brand new and locally owned eatery in the old 80 East Gastropub near the North End of the island. Their menu features standard ‘Sports Bar’ like fare. Sandwiches, salads, burgers and a few main courses. They are open 6 days a week. Closed on Mondays.
ALSO COMING SOON:
COMMON THREAD
We first told you about the FARM Bluffton concept coming to Savannah a couple of weeks ago. Read more here. Look for them late Fall.
Franklin’s is a brand new concept coming from the Daniel Reed Group. Owners of Local 11ten, Public Kitchen and Bar and SOHO South Cafe. Franklin’s is currently under construction on Liberty Street in downtown Savannah near Bull Street. In between Knights of Columbus Hall 631 and Mellow Mushroom. Look for this to feature more casual eats and some grab and go options.
STONE AND WEBSTER CHOPHOUSE – SAVANNAH
The brand new Plant Riverside District along Savannah’s Riverfront has gotten more ink than a University of Georgia football game the last few weeks. One of the restaurants that didn’t open in July is approaching their time in October. Will Stone and Webster become Savannah’s desperately needed signature steakhouse? Time will tell, but I can tell you I am hoping so. Look for them around October 1st.
# # #
