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What do a streamliner and Mexican food have to do with one another? Everything if you are talking about the Strange Bird restaurant. What started as a food truck 6 years ago has developed into a physical structure located at the corner of Barnard and Henry streets. Located inside a restored streamliner the charm of the restaurant was surpassed only by the food and the attentiveness of the staff.

When Luke and I first arrived, there was two other couples sitting in booths.  However, it filled up fast with every booth and stool at the counter occupied. We soon found out why. Not only was the food a pure culinary treat, but the entire experience left us wanting to come back for more. For appetizers we ordered the Georgia shrimp cocktail and Queso Fundido with chorizo along with two Mexican Cokes. Where do I start? We expected a typical shrimp cocktail and received anything but the usual cocktail. This cocktail was the epitome of fresh. There were huge shrimp mixed in a tomatillo vinaigrette, avocado, cilantro, serrano chile, and chulpe, served with totopos. The Fundido was one of the best we have ever had. Usually, I try not to eat chorizo on my food at a new eatery, because I do not know how salty or greasy it may be, but I relented to the whims of my husband, and I am glad I did. The chorizo was the perfect accompaniment to the pico de gallo, chiles, and pumpkin seeds. Yes, pumpkin seeds. They added a whole new texture and flavor profile to the Fundido. We were able to wash this down with authentic Mexican Cokes. By the time of this writing, Strange Bird should have added beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages to the menu if that is your proclivity.

For our entrees we both had three tacos each in various incarnations. We always end up sharing everything and wanted to taste them all, except for the vegan option (cauliflower and mushroom pastor). The other selections included: Crispy Chicken, Cochinita Pobil, Beef Barbacoa, Chorizo, and Georgia Shrimp Salpicon. All we could do was take a bite of each before we had reached our fill. It is hard to say which was our favorite and they were all nestled inside a light, fresh tortilla with Oaxaca cheese, pickled vegetables, and salsa. I also had an order of the crispy potatoes with the strange sauce.  The potatoes were very crispy, well-seasoned, and the strange sauce was strange, but tasteful. A good test for any meal is how well it travels. We had so much left over from the appetizers and our meal that we decided to take it home. The portion sizes are very generous. Even the totopos were still fresh when we reheated the meal several hours later for a late evening snack. Unheard of in most of my experiences. This is a must try restaurant! We loved everything about Strange Pig. The setting, the service, and especially the food.

The Kreole Kitchen located at 1800 E Victory Drive is a fantastic Caribbean Restaurant run by a St. Lucian family. The menu reflects the Caribbean vibe, and the taste will transport you to the islands. My husband and have passed this establishment plenty of times and finally decided to stop in. We are very happy that we did. With cook to order fare, as well as buffet style meals there are quite a few items to choose from, with the restaurant also offering breakfast. My husband loves curry oxtails but hates picking out the bones. I had a hankering for liver and onions for weeks and to my delight they had it on the menu as a cook to order item. I usually only eat my mom’s liver because it is a dish that can go horribly wrong, but my brethren did this plate major justice.
My husband really enjoyed his oxtails, he did not have to pick out any tiny bones, and he had a substantial portion that was very filling. The curry sauce was flavorful with a blend of seasonings it seems you can only get in the islands. From the coconut to the ginger to the garlic it was a palette-pleasing bite. My liver was browned to perfection, the onions were soft, and it was all immersed in a rich brown gravy over a bed of rice. Couple that with traditional macaroni and cheese and collard greens and it was quite a tasty treat. We are looking forward to our next visit to Kreole Kitchen. I don’t want to fail to mention that they have a variety of desserts and beverages that you can only get in the islands or specialty stores and restaurants. This is a must-try spot if Caribbean food is what you are looking for. Until next time let’s eat!

Lulu’s Chocolate Bar located in the heart of the Historic District is a must for the dessert lover visiting Savannah.  Though Savannah has a plethora of dessert spots ranging from Better Than Sex to the Peach Cobbler Factory or macaroons at Marche de Macarons, Lulu’s remains one of my favorite dessert spots.  It is one of the first places that my husband (Luke) and I visited 3 years ago when we were preparing to move to this stunning city.

I will say to be mindful of their hours.  It is currently Monday through Thursday: 6pm-11pm and Friday through Sunday they open just a little earlier and stay open a little later.  Another side note, they now have a bakery.  On to the stunning desserts!  I have been to Lulu’s on a number of occasions, this review is based on several visits.  Each time we have gone the experience has always been wonderful.  The wait staff, the atmosphere, and most importantly the desserts.

A favorite of mine is the honey lavender cake.  It is not always available so check the menu.  You will receive a healthy hunk of cake, but it is not too sweet and has a light, fragrant taste.  We always pair our desserts with cappuccinos or espressos.  However, Lulu’s does have an extensive martini ad drink menu that they will help you couple with your dessert.  We have also had the pleasure of having the Lulu’s Signature Strawberry Suspension Cake, White Chocolate Raspberry Swirl cheesecake, Triple Chocolate Brownie, and the Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie.  These desserts are self-describing, but the baker is a master of their craft.  

Lulu’s continues to grow, which is a blessing.  We need this sweet spot around.  Even if you have a sweet tooth, this is an awesome spot with many delicious treats to choose from.   In addition, they have a bakery located off Hodgson Memorial called LuluCakes.  Until next time, let’s eat!

Apparently, a lot happened in the year 1790 (read any local book about the history of Savannah), and a lot is still happening at the 17Hundred90 inn and restaurant. This quaint historic inn and restaurant are located at 307 E President Street, close to Columbia Square. If you are looking for fantastic food, great service, ambiance, all in a beautiful location, look no further than 17hundred90.

I do recommend a reservation. When my husband, Luke, and I arrived, we were promptly seated in the center of this bustling restaurant. Ray, our server, was on the mark from the start. He had our drinks to us and catered to our every need. Side note, we found out that Ray is also a Jacksonville, FL transplant to Savannah. In addition to the outstanding service from Ray, we were treated to the musical stylings of the restaurant’s piano player. With tunes that ranged from Radiohead to Pearl Jam, it was extremely entertaining. That, however, was just a prelude to the most toothsome food we have had in some time.

For the first course, we had a salad. While we waited, Ray brought over an appetite teaser, a biscuit coated in some type of maple gooeyness, that we devoured in no time. Luke had a Caesar Salad, and I had the 17Hundred90 Signature salad. My husband looked over at me between bites and kept reiterating that these were the freshest anchovies he had ever had in a Caesar salad with just the right amount. The signature salad was truly signature with the raisins, walnuts, blue cheese, onions, and raspberry vinaigrette acting as an edible symphony in my mouth with sweet and savory notes hitting just right.

Then came the appetizers, consisting of deviled crab cakes and Salmon croquettes. I couldn’t say which we preferred more, but I can say that they were incredibly fresh and cooked very well. As a still new Savannahian, we take our crab cakes and remoulade very seriously, and this is among the best crab cakes we have had in the three years that we have been here. Then topping the salmon croquettes with the freshly squeezed lemon before dipping them in the remoulade; a magical experience. This really set the stage for the rest of our meal.

Our entrees consisted of a braised short rib over a demi-glace mash and fresh asparagus and a ribeye. If you remember the opening credits of the Flintstones where they bring the order to Fred’s car and it tips over, that is how I felt when I saw my braised short rib. However, I put on my big girl bib and dug in. All I needed to do was lightly touch the short rib and it succumbed to the whims of my fork. The mash underneath was equally delightful, and the asparagus was a delectable side dish. Luke’s ribeye was well-seasoned and well-cooked to medium-rare. It was like butter and melted in our mouths. The steak was finished with a peppercorn demi-glace and roasted fingerling potatoes and glazed carrots. Just incredible.

You might think we couldn’t eat another bite, but Ray sold us on dessert and coffee. We decided to share the Princess Pineapple Cake. It was the magnificent end to a sublime meal. The cake was just enough for the two of us, it was not too sweet, and completely satisfying. It was light and airy, with an ideal layer of pineapple filling.

Put 17hundred90 on your “to eat at list”. You won’t be sorry. Until next time, let’s eat!

Although this site is an homage to local cuisine, we have yet to find our ‘forever’ Thai food home in Savannah. For that reason, I am reviewing a restaurant in Jacksonville, FL, which is a mere 1 hour and 45-minute drive for some of the best Thai food in the Southeast. The Green Papaya location that my husband and I frequent is located at River City Market Place; however, there are 3 other locations in Jacksonville and St. Augustine.

You will not be disappointed with anything on the menu, but on this occasion, we started our meal with the Green Papaya Sampler and an order of pork gyoza. The sampler includes Thai egg rolls, spring rolls, crab Rangoon, coconut shrimp, and chicken satay, accompanied by a peanut sauce and Thai garlic dipping sauce on the side. I can go on and on about each component; however, the spring rolls were extremely fresh and stuffed with a plethora of colorful vegetables. The fried elements were cooked to perfection, and the coconut on the shrimp was just the right amount. The pan-fried pork gyoza was crispy around the edges, and the pork filling was sublime.

For the main entrées, my husband and I ordered the house special Thai Basil fried rice and the chicken Pad Thai. The Thai Basil fried rice is a mixture of jasmine rice stir-fried with peas, carrots, scallions, chicken, egg, onion, fresh basil, and cashew nuts. It was beautifully presented on a clean, white dish alongside an edible flower. I have yet to eat a full flower, but I have added a petal or two to my entrée. Our litmus test for every Thai restaurant is the Pad Thai, and they had us from the very first time we ever ate at the Green Papaya. Now if we can’t decide what we want, we always order the Pad Thai. The ground peanuts and lime on the side of this rice noodle dish always work to enhance the flavors that will leave you wanting more and more. If you still have room left, the desserts are always a treat. I am partial to the Peanut Butter Explosion or the Tuxedo Bomb. My full belly would not allow any dessert during this visit.

While our search for a local Thai restaurant continues, we will happily drive to Jacksonville to the Green Papaya. With its simple yet sophisticated décor and impeccable service, don’t let the strip mall exterior fool you. If you have any Thai recommendations in the Savannah area, drop me a line at @kosterandkoster on Instagram. Until next time, let’s eat!

The Mansion, as the name implies, was an upscale hotel located adjacent to the well-photographed Forsyth Park. Although I never had the pleasure of staying at the Mansion, I had the extreme pleasure of dining at 700 Drayton on several occasions.

One could not help but feel a sense of importance while dining on gourmet dishes and receiving top-notch service. My last occasion dining at 700 Drayton was on New Year’s Eve 2022. Executive Chef Derek Simcik’s menu was delightful. Our waiter, Daniel, made some wonderful recommendations and was an awesome server.

For starters, we had the prawn toast and Arancini, which was a perfect pairing because the toast, though amazing, had some heat that the Arancini helped abate. For entrees, we had the steak and Heritage Pork Chop, both cooked to perfection. The steak was skillfully cut from the bone to maximize flavor and not lose any of the delicious filet. The pork chop was thick yet juicy. We followed that up with two desserts. One was a deconstructed cannoli, and the other was a pear/apricot cake. I cannot say enough about the food, but alas, I will have to wait and try the new restaurant, Saint Bibiana.

Saint Bibiana is set to open in September. The Mansion is no longer as well. Hotel Bardo Savannah is set to open in early 2024, and I look forward to being there for both occasions