When I tell people what I know, the reactions, frankly, have been priceless. Some people, too many people, have gotten angry because they didn’t like the answer I gave them. True story. Had a friend call “bs” on me and all but accuse me being part of a media conspiracy to keep the alleged ‘real information’ away from the public. Seriously.
What is the question that is the source of such ire?
“When is The Darling Oyster Bar going to open in Savannah?”
I got a message via social media as recently as last night. Asking “When/If” the Charleston-based raw bar and seafood restaurant is finally going to open their doors on Franklin Square in Downtown Savannah, across from City Market. If I’ve been asked 10 times, I’ve been asked 25 or 30 in the last 3 or so months alone.
Allow me to quote someone I met here in Savannah some time ago. Don’t even remember his name. His favorite quote?
“Uhhh, y’all need to chill.”
Yeah. You do. For realz. Totes.
I understand it’s a source of frustration to not know all of the reasons why we haven’t seen The Darling open yet, but the part most people like to conveniently forget during their rage is that this restaurant is really like any other restaurant that is planning to open. They are on their own timetable. Not yours.
I saw Executive Chef Derick Wade last week at the Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival. Yes, we did talk about it. Yes, he is as excited to get going here as anyone out there. The man has an apartment here. When I asked him if he would split his time between here and Charleston he said “Not really no. Those guys are on auto pilot up there. They’d probably kick me out of the kitchen if I tried to roll back in there.”
“I’m gonna be in Savannah for a while to get it going.”
Of course, the magic question you came in search of while reading this is the ‘when’ part of the equation, right? No one is going to give you a date. No one is going to give you a range of dates. Heck, I wasn’t even given one. It doesn’t matter if you hold your breath and jump up and down at the intersection of Abercorn and Derenne at 5:30pm on a Friday afternoon. It will open when it opens.
What I can say with absolute certainty is that it will be soon. Yeah, soon. And everyone involved appreciates your patience.
Even those of you who have been dramatically impatient.
Keep cool, everyone. It’s comin’.
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