The openings are coming at us fast and furious. They have been for, seems like forever around here. Grilled Cheeses, Desserts, a New York Style Bodega and an Italian Masterpiece in the Victorian District. Some times I laugh when I get a text from a friend asking about new places because they can’t keep up anymore. I feel ya. I have trouble keeping up and I do this for a living.
Not mentioned above on the list of newbies on the Savannah Scene is a spot you may have heard a few whispers about, but I’m guessing if someone asked you right now where it was, you couldn’t answer that question. The restaurant is called Rhett, it is inside of the brand new Alida Hotel, which for the record, sits at the Intersection of River Street and MLK, Junior Blvd.
There’s a lot of construction going on over in that corner of our city. The JW Marriott Kessler project dominates the landscape right now on the river. I’m guessing that unless you follow this type of stuff very closely, then you didn’t even know a totally separate hotel was built across River Street from that massive Kessler undertaking.
The hotel is beautiful, art deco in design it is warm and inviting. One flight down, or down a set of stairs if you are outside, is River Street and the restaurant. Yes, Rhett is tucked away right now. You are going to have to really want to in order to get there. I think you should. I had dinner there last week and it was wonderful.
The menu is a bit on the smallish side, which I wasn’t a fan of frankly. I am told this is just a beginning menu and it will expand down the road. Their mains list a Roasted Pork with Fermented Collards and boiled peanuts, a Steak au Poivre and a Half Roasted Chicken. There’s a fried cauliflower app (oh my) and house made ricotta.
The cocktails and wine program are in excellent hands. Rhett recruited some of the best beverage talent in the city to oversee their effort. That would include Cody Henson, who has been part of the bar programs at The Grey, Collins Quarter and most recently El Coyote on Victory Drive.
The food and drink isn’t the issue at Rhett, it’s the location. I believe it is a temporary issue, but an issue nonetheless. I was told they regularly see tourists walking up River Street, see the construction and turn back East on the River. Of course, eventually that will all iron itself out when the Kessler project opens its doors some time next year. That effort will include parking garages which will allow easier access to everything going on on the Western end of the River.
But until then, I’m guessing the higher maintenance among us will find it a bit of a challenge to get to Rhett, even if an elevator inside the front door of the hotel will take you right down to the restaurant. We’ve heard far too many times about people who hate to walk 2 blocks for dinner downtown. They prefer to be right up front. For the record, The Alida is offering 2 free hours of valet parking, so that will make it easier.
The hotel is loaded with meeting and banquet space, it’s clear they are targeting business groups. The restaurant even has 2 beautiful private dining rooms in order to accommodate groups who are dining with them. I’m guessing numbers-wise they will eventually be fine until the dust settles across the street.
Rhett is a fine addition to our food scene. Especially on River Street. I look forward to a few nights down there with some light bites and a glass of wine or two. Frankly, I think you should give a damn as well. I’m looking forward to seeing a more robust menu when they get to it, but in the short term I am going to be very curious how many locals won’t be scared away by its location.
See you on TV
Jesse
