Weekend Getaway to Savannah

The town of Savannah, Georgia is a lady with a past both elegant and eccentric and she is the perfect destination for a girls' getaway. Last weekend I was at a girlfriends getaway at Historic Savannah and loved it!! We booked a package for three at a Suite in the old Historic Hamilton-Turner Inn which is an award-winning bed and breakfast in Savannah--an incredible boutique hotel with no elevators. There were 40 stairs leading up to our Suite so we got our workout going up and down the steep flight of stairs at least four times a day. A gourmet breakfast was served every morning and we three women woke up everyday to the aroma of brewing coffee, eggs benedict or quiche being prepared. The Hosts were very gracious and Southern hospitality is well-known. Every afternoon lemonade and ice tea is served with munchies, evening comes with wine and appetizers. While we returned to the mansion every night port was served with cookies in the Lounge. Talk about being spoilt---  turn down service with home-made cookies. The long-awaited Rest and Relaxation after my stressful month at work -it was heavenly!!!





  



 


 









     



We spent a charming afternoon stepping back in time and experiencing a tour of the city with step-on-guides. Savannah is considered the most haunted city in the US.  The trolley tour exposed us to a sample of the attractions we wanted to explore the next day on our own. We walked down River Street enjoying dinner at the River House Seafood and doing some shopping at the quaint little shops along the river. The next day walking around town ate lunch at a very unique little cafe called the Firefly Cafe(they had a spicy tomato bisque that was "Out of this World "good) before heading out to venture on our own the infamous Chippewa Square. The world will never be the same once you've seen it through the eyes of Forrest Gump. Now Chippewa Square is the location in the movie Forrest Gump, where Tom Hanks made the statement " My Mama always said 'life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get". I have seen the movie so many times and still love it. So I was a bit dissappointed that the bus stop did not really exist --it was created for the set of the movie. Anyway---I was excited at being there.

Although I admit I am a Foodie, I am also a big art buff  The universe is a stage. My  mind dances with my body(although mine sometimes hiccups:)), guided by my heart and I have a deep passion for beautiful pieces of art. The Hamilton Inn has gorgeous old fashioned pieces on the walls and very unique arrangements in different rooms. The windows in the Lounge are from the ceiling to the floor  so it gets brilliant sunlight in the morning. When morning coffee was served in the Lounge every day, it definitely started my day off on a relaxed note. The fireplaces, furniture and gardens are so comforting and very charming it felt like home.

Now my thoughts about the dining around Savannah--- it was fantastic with southern food at its best! We dined at The Olde Pink House Restaurant rated the very best in Savannah and it was a memorable dinner. It was a light meal but every little morsel of food worth devouring!! The reviews did say "Awesome Fried Green Tomatoes" and I agreed with every one of them after my dinner. Here's proof.............



Fried Green Tomatoes, Crabcake with Aoli and Sweet Potato Fries

 

The Last day we spent at Tybee Island Beach and Lighthouse after a short stop at the serene and beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery. You're probably wondering why I called a Cemetery "serene"? Yes, this is a public cemetery about 160 acres and located on a scenic part of the Wilmington River east of Savannah. The Spanish Moss hangs from the Oak Trees everywhere you look although locals say it is not really "Spanish Moss". I never thought I would say this but this Cemetery has historic importance and is a very peaceful picturesque place to visit.  It was featured in the 1994 book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" by John Berendt.

Our next stop was at the Tybee Beach and on our drive back we stopped at the Crabshack. We were seated very quickly with no waiting at all. Time flew as we chatted and laughed over lunch. Lunch was at an gorgeous waterfront table under a giant tree with wide branches. When L insisted, I tried out a few of her order of Steamed Oysters--- not bad for my first time. S and I ordered a platter each of seasoned Crabmeat Stuffed back into the shells. Both meals were scrumptious.

We ended the trip with dinner on our last night there at Alligator Soul and got the taste of huge portions of spectacular Southern food.  Between the three we had Mediterranean Lamb Ragout, Pork Chops and Steak. Dessert was Caramel Pear Tart with ice cream...... mmmmmmmmmm.



 Well, that was my wonderful weekend so I have been in vacation mode and keeping the kitchen rather quiet. My "pots & pans" have been idle for a few days, so I hope to go into action very soon posting some interesting stuff:)