Today I learnt to make Succotash. And that's just one of the reasons I have fallen head over heels in love with Savannah.
What is Succotash?? Well it's a good Southern stew of vegetables, usually always containing corn, lima beans, and tomatoes. It was delicious. But that's beside the point - the real point is that I have been seduced by this glorious place, by its beauty, its history, the friendliness of its people, and of course its food.
When you visit, steer clear of the touristy river front and the main City Market area - by all means check it out, but once is enough. The real treasures are behind the riverfront and away from the candy shops - in the astonishingly green, spanish moss dripping squares - 21 of them in fact - strategically located all around the historic area, and all but one still in their original form from the mid 1700s, and the surrounding streets. They are just breathtakingly beautiful. Stroll up and down these glorious streets and stop to look around you - the magnificent houses, the majestically beautiful trees, the romantic spanish moss...this is a place you cannot but love. Take your time. Discover the next treasure around the corner, I promise you, it will take your breath away (and it made me swear on more than one occasion - I just couldn't believe how beautifully atmospheric it was).
Sigh. Can you tell I'm hooked? Just look above at the envy shots. We are so lucky that Savannah surrendered to Sherman at the end of the Civil War, they had heard what had happened to Atlanta (burnt to the grown), and knew resistance was futile, so they surrendered her, thus preserving all her history, buildings and beauty. Thank you Savannah.
Now, I am aware that this is a food blog - and I have indulged myself with all that romantic raving...but readers, worry not....the food here is bloody FANTASTIC!!
A big thank you to Michael who gave me some wonderful foodie tips - the two best meals I had, he recommended. GOLD, MICHAEL, GOLD!
And of course to Jordan, my local partner in food crime, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I finally met someone who moans as much as I do (when eating, readers!), and, I have to admit, loves food with more passion than even I. You are an inspiration.
I fell in love with Savannah because of...
1. The Foodie Tour
I did something very touristy and booked in for the Walking Foodie Tour on my first day. Best decision I ever made. Despite the pouring rain, I had the most fun ever. Our wonderful guide, Rebecca, with her trusty apprentice, Jordan (mentioned above) led myself and two others around the local foodie haunts - WITH TASTINGS!!! Not only was the food fantastic, the company was hilarious - real food and real foodies. I was in heaven. Some of the best stuff is here on my list.
2. Elizabeth's on 37th
Michael gave me this tip. He said "If I had to have a meal before I died, I'd have it at Elizabeths". Hmmm. Not bad. Apparently it is known as being in the top 50 restaurants in the USA. Hmmm again. Not bad. I went. Check out the following post. Second best meal of my life, no question (first was Quay on Sydney Harbour last September).
3. The Cooking Class - Southern Lunch
Today I learnt to cook Succotash as I already mentioned. Kelsey, from Kitchens on the Square, taught Nicole and I how to also do wonderful wonderful cornbread with a peach butter topping (see pic above), spicy crab, and the most divine peach and blackberry cobbler. Now cobbler, readers, is sort of like a crumble, except it has like a scone dough on the top...mmmmmmmm...today's was served with a bourbon whipped cream - dear lord!! Just as an aside, they call a crumble a "crisp" here. We laughed and laughed, and I just didn't want to leave. Thank you ladies - that was way too much fun for a cooking class.
4. Soho's Signature Lump Crab Cake Sandwich
That's the hamburgery thing you can see above. This one was another of Michael's... "It's the best crabcake sandwich in Savannah, if not the world". Big call. OMG, it was AMAZING. The Soho South Cafe on Liberty Street, is a quirky, huge cafe, and the crabcake sambo was OUT OF THIS WORLD - the crab was fresh and tasted like it had come from the sea, it was salty and sweet, and I could taste all that even though it was crumbed and fried, served on a "griddled challah bun with Russian Dressing, lettuce and tomato". Do not go to Savannah without visiting here. And while you're there try their divine Raspberry Spritzer...unsweetened fresh raspberry coulis with soda water and a touch of Sprite, oh and their cookies...mmmmmmmmmmm...I'll stop raving.
5. Zunzi's
This is a local institution - thanks Jordan for the introduction. Run by a South African couple, this is a hole in the wall serving amazing food - huge servings of it, and outside they have dining tables set up. Each time I walked past, the tables were packed full of college students (Savannah has a famous Art College here called SCAD). I never actually ordered a meal for myself, I was way too full each time I passed, but when I was there inspecting production, they gave me a taste of their famous herbed chicken with their two special sauces....a lot of moaning ensued. One of my greatest Savannah regrets will always be that I couldn't order and eat an Oliver's Lunch from Zunzi's - roast herbed chicken on a bed of mash or rice, with greens, gravy, special sauce and baguette...mmmmm. I will be back, Zunzi's, you're on my list.
6. The Elvis Cupcake
Yes, I ate an Elvis Cupcake. Fortunately I was introduced to Mable Francis Potter's Cupcake Emporium during my Foodie Tour. We got to choose one. Elvis was there, and as you know, I do love Elvis. The Elvis, which you can see above, is a sublime banana cake, with peanut butter frosting...YES YOU READ RIGHT - PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING. And OH MYYYYYY it sooooooooooooooooo worked. I had to close my eyes and just savour - it was one of those moments. Warning to HOS and kids - I'm busting to try this one at home!
So, sportsfans, there you have it. Just a few reasons to love this wonderful city. A few reasons for you to come visit. And a few reasons for me to come back....Zunzi's is already calling...
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