Soggy Saturday, I think I will enjoy a carbonara this evening. If it rocks, I will share the recipe. Happy New Year everyone! Some news and notes from my travels around the way.
*The changing of the East End Provisions concept to The 5 Spot on Broughton (Broughton and Price) appears to have worked so far for the Gaslight Group. Foot traffic appears to be up, the neighborhood folk I’ve spoken to welcome a more approachable menu AND, there are now multiple TVs at the bar. Oh, and still an under the radar secret? Free parking directly across the street on Broughton. FREE parking downtown? yup. As long as you are at The 5 Spot.
*Had a wonderful chat with Harry Morales, GM and co-owner of Trattoria Divina on Hilton Head Island. They announced this week they are closing for good after seven years. “People see restaurant closings as failures.” he said. “This certainly was not. It was magical.” Read my full story here.
*Big news in Savannah over the New Year holiday was the return of Gerald’s Pig and Shrimp to Tybee Island. He was closed for 441 days expanding his operation. Now it’s bigger and the menu is as well. Very much enjoyed some fried shrimp on New Year’s Day. Read story here.
*If you want to learn the secret to fabulous fried shrimp, come check out out cooking demo with Gerald himself on Sunday, January 19th at 1pm at the Savannah Convention Center. Yes, there will be free samples.
*Gerald is part of our 3 days of “Eat It and Like It Cooking Stage” fun we are having at the Low Country Home and Garden Show. January 17-18-19.
*Fried Shrimp on Hilton Head Island? If you haven’t tried them at Fish Camp on Broad Creek, do it. Today. Once it stops raining.
*More seafood: The brand new St. Neo Brasserie at The Drayton Hotel is high end seafood in Savannah done very very well. We enjoyed a tremendous dinner there last week. I’ll be sharing that story next week. I had one chef tell me “It’s a game changer.”
*Pooler’s Pie Society is having a pie party. All you can eat? Yup. January 23rd. Click here for more and ticket information.
*Speaking of sharing, new episodes of our television show resume tonight. Saturday night, 11:30pm on WTOC-TV. Set your DVR for Eat It and Like It with Jesse Blanco. Coffee, Seafood and more on the agenda tonight.
*Are you signed up for our newsletter yet? Do it. All the news that’s fit to eat. Once a week. No spam. Sign up form is on our home page.
*787 by Chazito is now open in the Starland District. 2222 Bull Street to be exact. A couple of doors down from Squirrel’s Pizza. Puerto Rican classics and a full liquor bar. You all know about Chazito’s very popular food trucks, well this is his next step. The menu looks good, if not a smidge pricey. Looking forward to trying it.
*Down the road: Whiskey Wine and Wildlife is our favorite boutique food festival of the year. It’s a month away. February 6-9th at Westin Jekyll Island. They’ve sold out every year for the last three. Get your tickets in advance. Click here for more.
*Finally, our Savannah and Hilton Head Island Fried Chicken and champagne events still have tickets available. Savannah is January 16th at Rhett in The Alida Hotel (free valet parking). Hilton Head Island at Lucky Rooster Kitchen and Bar on January 24th.
*Oh, one more thing, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 2020 is going to be amazing. More on that soon.
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