La Vetta, a modern Italian concept we’ve been telling you is coming to Downtown Savannah for months now, has finally arrived. They open for keeps this weekend on Broughton Street. Those of you who have been paying attention to what Southern Cross Hospitality has been building over the years already know this one matters.

Southern Cross is the team behind The Collins Quarter, The Fitzroy, Ukiyo, FishBar Savannah and The Deck on Tybee— concepts that have each, in their own way, shaped how Savannah eats and drinks. Now they’re turning their attention to contemporary Italian. This has been years in the making. The kind of project you always wondered how much longer it would take, but also knew it would eventually get done. Three years plus in the making by my math. Anthony Debreceny, the man at the top of the operation, would probably tell you it was longer than that.

It took a lot of patience and maneuvering (the kind we can discuss another time) but they have made it to the finish line. Or shall we say, the starting line? That patience, though, tells you something. It tells you they weren’t chasing a trend or rushing a launch. They were waiting until everything was right.

And here we are.

La Vetta sits right in the heart of the historic district, on Broughton near Bull. Under Executive Chef Michele Minchillo, the menu takes traditional Italian cooking and runs it through a modern, global lens — classic technique, unexpected flavors. The bar program and wine list are built to match that same ambition, and the space itself is designed to blend forward-thinking design with the kind of Southern hospitality this city is known for.

You can see the menu here. I’m excited for this entire team. I suspect La Vetta is going to attract a distinct, discerning audience — the kind of diner who’s been waiting for Savannah’s fine dining scene to take its next step forward.

I think La Vetta is exactly that step. This is Savannah reaching for its current pinnacle of fine dining, and doing it with intention.

Welcome to the neighborhood. Reservations are available via resy.

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