This week’s dose of irony comes from the fact that I have long thought that the Jepson Center Museum in Downtown Savannah was one of the prettier buildings in our historic district. Particularly if you are on the inside looking out. The purists might scrunch their noses at me, considering how ‘unhistoric’- if you will- that particular building is. Frankly, I am surprised that I don’t scrunch my own nose at myself. Like so many others in town, I am fully enamored with anything truly historic around here.
The Jepson opened in 2006. That hardly qualifies as historic around. It’s still one of my favorite spots in town. I’ve long thought the cafe inside was a perfect hiding place for a solid lunch if you were looking for something quiet and delicious downtown. The café as been operated by several local restaurant owners. They’ve seen varying levels of success. Ultimately, they’ve all moved on.
I think this latest one has the best chance to stick for the long term. It is certainly the best of the bunch that has rolled through the Jepson. The new incarnation is called Wildflower Café and it is simply one of downtown Savannah’s best kept lunch secrets.
Some months ago when I heard who was behind Wildflower, I knew it would be outstanding and, frankly, I thought it was a stroke of brilliance.
I’ve beaten the drum plenty around here about one of the best restaurants in the city, Common Thread. Going back a few years, it was FARM in Bluffton. If you’ve not been to either of those, shame on you. They are very simply some of the region’s best eats. If you’ve ever had the butter beans at FARM then you can understand. This is simple, every day food, but it’s done better than practically anyone around.
So imagine my reaction when I heard that they were opening a café inside the museum? I figured it would be creative sandwiches and salads. “Museum food” if you will. Nothing heavy, nothing fried, nothing really ‘touristy.’ I knew it would be good.
Check that. I knew it would be great. And it most definitely is.
Beyond great food, the other stroke of brilliance with this café is the fact that they’ve moved their primary seating into the Jepson’s atrium. Entirely surrounded by glass with sweeping air conditioned views of Telfair Square out in front, the café is now fully visible from the street. There are no elevators or stairways to deter a customer from wanting to pop in for a bite. At the same time, entry to the museum is not required in order to enjoy lunch there. That is a huge key here. With the café tucked away up on their 2nd floor, I can’t imagine how many passers by failed to stop because they assumed it was an ‘all in with the museum’ proposition. It is not.
FARM/Common Thread Executive Chef Brandon Carter is behind it all, obviously, but the menu here at Wildflower was largely put together by Chef de Cuisine Annie Coleman.
There are no ingredients here you can’t pronounce. Nothing you won’t recognize. I regularly get a chuckle out of just how many people in Savannah hear the word ‘chef’ and automatically assume it’s going to be exotic, expensive, and too high brow.
I wouldn’t think a delicious Peach and Feta Salad with spiced pecans, local greens, basil and a poppy seed dressing is too over the top for anyone. I had Wildflower’s last week and it was delicious. If I had added chicken to it, it might have given Starland Café’s Kitchen Sink Salad a run for its money as my favorite in Savannah.
Yes, it was that good. Simple and delicious.
As was the “Grown up Grilled Cheese” House made Ciabatta, gouda, white cheddar, confit garlic, chili oil, red onion, arugula, and a citrus side salad.
There’s a smoked short rib sandwich as well for dad because we know how he rolls. I didn’t try the spicy peanut noodle dish, but I watched them prepare it. The aroma was amazing. I’ll be digging into that one soon enough. See the full menu here.
On the beverage side, there are soft drinks of course, but there is a short wine list as well. Available by the glass or bottle. A couple of desserts round out the line up. I didn’t try them, but I can’t imagine them being anything but great.
You should know that it is counter service. You order at the counter, take a number to place on your table and the dishes are brought to you. The food is great, the space is just as great. What I was most surprised to learn about this great new addition to downtown Savannah’s lunch scene?
They are open seven days a week. I’m not exactly sure how many others downtown can say that, but Wildflower Café certainly can. Which makes it the perfect venue to keep in your back pocket when you need a great lunch in a pinch downtown. Go see for yourself.
You will absolutely Eat It and Like It.
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