I created a Change.org petition to bring a Fleet Week to Savannah. New York and San Francisco have Fleet Week celebrations. Savannah is home to many veterans and many senior citizens, and Fleet Week would appeal to many people in the area. It would be great for tourism as well.
This blog is a local food and culture blog. Though I may report some news, it is not nearly as good as Orange Street News. I read about the local blog and newspaper run by nine-year-old Hilde Kate Lysiak yesterday, and she has inspired me to step up my blogging.
Anyway here’s a quick round-up of local Savannah news.
There’s a new restaurant in Starland. The Vault opened a week ago to an enthusiastic and hungry audience. Bill Dawers went and he wrote his first impression.
PJ’s Thai on Abercorn has closed. I was looking at the sign when a man who’s working there told me that a new pizza place will open in the same corner spot. I hope it is not a chain restaurant.
Is the number 14 CAT bus ever going to go down Broughton Street again? Also, why would anyone park illegally in front of the bus for noontime mass at St. John The Baptist cathedral. This past Monday, a bus was pretty much stuck because of cars parked on Abercorn in front of the church. I had to get out and walk.
I overheard some business people (they were wearing ties) walking along River Street and someone said “35 to 40 on Broughton St” was talking about square rent prices for retail. If that’s the case, that would explain the recent openings of Tommy Bahamas, Club Monaco and Michael Kors.
BTW, I am an aunt again. I have a beautiful nephew that was born last week. He’s a happy spring baby.
I am picky about beer. When I was younger I used to drink Stella Artois, Blue Moon and maybe a Pilsner Urqell but now I drink mostly craft beer and I prefer IPAs. Craft beers tend to excel with IPAs in my opinion. IPAs are hoppier than other beer, and I like the taste. What is craft beer? According to the CraftBeer.com, craft beer is small, independent and traditional.
The first time I went to a microbrewery was in Cincinnati. Back in the 1990’s I would hang out at this place called Barrelhouse Brewery which was a brewery and brewpub. It was the first place where I learned how beer is made since they regularly gave brewery tours. Years later, I toured Brooklyn Brewery which is now one of the biggest craft brewers in the United States.
My third brewery tour was just a few weeks ago at Service Brewing which is craft brewery located here in Savannah. Service Brewing was founded by veteran Kevin Ryan in 2014.
“Our mission first and foremost is to make great craft beer, but we also want to give back to charities that support service”.
Not only does Service have an IPA, they brew a double IPA called Battlewagon. Know the difference between a Pale Ale, an IPA and double (Imperial) IPA.
On Friday, I got a chance to meet the staff and take a group photo of the team. They had raised money for a nonprofit that is focused on suicide prevention for soldiers. Service Brewing serves the community of Savannah, soldiers and veterans by its mission to serve others and to support others who serve. The beer is good, too.
Chicken liver is something that both Southern black people and Jewish people have in common. When I was a kid, I hated liver, whether beef or chicken. Beef liver with rice and gravy, and onions was one of my Dad’s dinner staples. Sidenote: My Dad is the primary cook in the family. My mom is great at making three things: pancakes, fried pork chops and fried chicken.
I became enamored with liver when I started eating foie gras and pate at fancy restaurants and going to fancy parties in New York. However, I don’t eat duck foie gras, and I don’t miss it. Chicken liver pate is delicious and inexpensive. You can make it at home.
The Grey has chicken liver on the menu. They have an appetizer of chicken liver mousse with a dash of sea salt and toasted Pullman bread from a local bakery, Back In The Day Bakery. I love it. The mousse is smooth and delicious. For only six bucks, it is a delicious bite to enjoy before dinner and/or drinks.
I did a fun photo project yesterday. I walked around Savannah, taking photos of pink things. Then I made a collage using PicMonkey for my photos. I also stopped by the Savannah Book Festival when I saw author Rita Mae Brown speak. She is woke. I want to read her books, now. I noticed lots of couples walking around downtown Savannah, and there was a pub crawl for Valentine’s Day. At 4 PM, the pub crawlers were already out in full force wearing red and being obnoxious. Anyway, I decided to go back home to enjoy a quiet evening watching the last season of ‘Justified’ on Amazon Prime. Raylan Givens is my virtual valentine.
The construction on The Vault Kitchen and Market on Bull Street is coming along. I would bet that it will be open by spring. It would be a welcome addition to the neighborhood.
I am loving the Meyer lemons that I am getting from the Forsyth Farmer’s Market. I add a slice to my drinking water, squeeze juice on my baked chicken or just eat them like a grapefruit.
Allegiant Air is a low-cost airline that is expanding flights out of Savannah. There are four new routes with direct flights to Savannah. Tell your friends and family who live Baltimore, Indianapolis, Lexington and Pittsburgh.
The Savannah Cheese Club is having a fun event at Lulu’s Chocolate Bar on Thursday, January 28th. It is their first award party. Stop by for $5 Champagne Night and tasting of Lulu’s (42 Martin Luther King Blvd) distinctive cheese board. There will be a drawing for a chance to win a Lulu’s Gift Card and other raffle prizes. [Gnatty Savannah will sponsor a raffle prize.]
The PULSE art and technology fair will be at Telfair from January 27-31st. Passes are free to members, and non-members pay only $15. During the Pulse Art Fair, there will also the second annual GIF Festival. Check out the five reasons to attend Pulse.
Monday, I said that the month is over. Well, it is January 13th, so I am half right. It’s only 63 days to St. Patrick’s Day.
What’s going on in Savannah right now?
Improv Session Tonight at The Vineyard
I will be speaking at a Content Marketing workshop for small businesses at Creator’s Foundry on January 14th.
The Florence just started lunch service this week which will be from 11AM-2PM. BTW, Hugh Acheson talked to Celeste Headlee about home ec and the importance of culinary education.
The Grey will host Sunday Supper on January 17th ($40 per person). Sunday Suppers will be held the third Sunday of the month. Make a reservation. BTW, Chef Mashama Bailey shares her Savannah with Garden and Gun.
MLK Day celebrations start this weekend.
The next Savannah Bazaar is Saturday, January 30th.
If you live in the Starland district, then you are probably already a frequent visitor to Foxy Loxy. It’s a coffee shop but more. They serve tacos, kolaches, and in the evening there’s beer and wine. In addition, Foxy Loxy hosts Vinyl Night, comedy show and live music in the courtyard. While sipping coffee in Foxy Loxy, you are amazed to the well-curated print art. A few months ago, Foxy Loxy opened up a retail shop next door, Shop The Fox, that features accoutrements for coffee lovers as well as great gifts like candles, soap, tea towels and more. About 50% of the merchandise is from either Savannah area and Southern artisans including Methane Studios.
Shop The Fox is a great place for shopping for thoughtful last minute holiday gifts. They are open until 8PM on December 23rd, but not open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Craft Scout Savannah is an annual holiday market showcasing local artisans. The Craft Scout market was held at the American Legion Hall Ballroom, which is just south of Forsyth Park. The market kinda reminded me of the Brooklyn Flea. It was a well-curated market featuring candle makers, jewelry designers, knitters, leather good makers and more. Today was a perfect day to shop since the weather was unseasonably warm with high in the 70s.
Three of the vendors are members of Jelinek Creative Spaces: Loop It Up Savannah, KKennedy Designs, and Salacia Salts.
Here’s the list of the vendors:
Tie One On
I love costume jewelry! When it comes to statement necklaces, I am often wearing the exclamation. (!) However, I have lots of broken necklaces that need to be repaired. Luckily, I work in the same building as Epiphany Bead and Jewelry Studio. The studio is located here in Savannah at Jelinek Creative Spaces (101 N. Fahm Street). Jessica, the owner, remade a big pink necklace that I bought in New York five years ago into a nice bracelet. Not only does Jessica design jewelry and repair jewelry, she also sells beads to other jewelry designers. You can shop for beads online at Epiphany.
Below is a photo of the original necklace which I wore at the first TECHmunch NYC in 2010. TECHmunch is a food blogger conference that I have co-produced in New York and Atlanta. It’s me with Matt Robicelli of Robicelli’s.
