You can call it a do-over. Call it a re-do. You can call it New Eats 2.0. But regardless of what you call them, they are popping up all over the city.
The number of restaurants in our area who are about to experience their first full Springtime in Savannah is significant. That means you get to enjoy their first full Springtime in Savannah as well. And everything that comes with it.
Think about it. As popular as Starland Yard is in Savannah, they’ve never had the pleasure (nor have we) of sitting there to watch-for example-the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament. Starland Yard (and Pizzeria Vittoria inside) opened in July of 2019. Sure, the Fall was great. Winter was slow, but before everything could ramp up again, the world shut down.
Another example is The Collins Quarter in Forsyth Park. It has become a jewel in the middle of the park now, but they opened literally DAYS before the shutdown. Not exactly how you draw it up when you are planning a business expansion.
A third example is The Penthouse at The Drayton Hotel. Fancy name? Perhaps. But ultimately it is just their rooftop bar and restaurant.
The Drayton Hotel -at the corner of Drayton and Bay Streets in Downtown Savannah, opened in Fall 2019. St. Neo’s Brasserie on the ground floor is one of Savannah’s better eateries. I’ve not done the math, but I’d probably put them top 5 right now. Yeah, that good.
The rooftop venue was open for a little bit, but just kind of limped along as an afterthought in Savannah. There’s really not a whole lot you can/should do when you are not only brand new, but being affected (like everyone else) by a worldwide pandemic. Labor, marketing, planning, all of it got gummed up for everyone.
Spring 2021 is offering a clean slate to all who care to enjoy. When you do, you should put the rooftop at The Drayton on your list. For starters, the views are great. Dominated by City Hall’s golden dome, but sweeping views of the Savannah River off to the other side.
At night our city sparkles.
I enjoyed a tasting preview of their penthouse menu last week. For the most part, light bites like oysters ,of course, Asian style ribs and a smoked trout dip. Dessert was their ‘Milk and Cookies.’ I have no idea what they put in that ‘milk’ but I could probabaly drink a gallon of it. Right before I seek an endorsement from the late Wilford Brimley. So deliciously dangerous.
The bar is actually completely indoors on the roof. Unlike a lot of other rooftops in Savannah, this one can handle rain or shine or stiff chill in the air perfectly fine. You’ll enjoy it.
Much like the brasserie downstairs, I would suspect this rooftop to attract a more mature crowd. I think it is fair to say most of our rooftops sport a particular ‘flavor.’ You’ve got your woo-hoo girls over here, you’ve got live music over there. Sometimes they overlap.
I’m curious to see how this space evolves. It is beautiful. It is convenient in the center of downtown. It should go on your list of new spots to try.
Even if it’s been around for well over a year.
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