Pin Point – Black Heritage along the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor
January 3rd, 2012 by Teresa
Rendering of Pin Point Heritage Museum, Savannah Tribune
Pin Point is a small African-American community located just southeast of Savannah that has been struggling to maintain its black heritage and lifestyle. First settled in about 1896, the community prospered when Varn Seafood located a processing plant there in 1926, and for the next 60 years life was, well, idylic. Now part of the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, the tiny hometown of Supreme Court Justice Clarence aims to tell the story of freed Sea Islands slaves who founded Pin Point, and to preserve what may be the last piece of Georgia coastline still owned mostly by African-Americans.
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Exploring Savannah’s Black Heritage
December 15th, 2011 by Teresa
First African Baptist Church - 1st black congregation in Georgia
Savannah’s Black Heritage is not the most touted tour in our beautiful city and perhaps that is because people tend to step lightly when discussing slavery even after all these years. This subtle attitude however belies the magnificence of the contribution that Savannah’s blacks have given to the fabric of our city. Four inns of Savannah have decided to collaboratively create a package that will highlight some of the best but lesser known historical sites of our city’s black history, culture and heritage.
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The Savannah Tea Room
December 10th, 2011 by Cami Nicole
My name is Cami, and I’m married to the delicious dish that does the cooking and such. I’m a blogger.
I have a new favorite restaurant: The Savannah Tea Room on Broughton. Granted, my great friend Helen works there, and I lurve seeing her pretty face. But I also double lurve hot tea, and every meal comes with a endless supply. Heaven!
I must admit, the place is a bit fancy for my taste:
Fancy-pants place setting
But the food is delicious. The meal starts with soup (the soup on this particular day was egg
drop…and, sadly, I thought it was too salty and should’ve opted for the fruit plate):
I thought this place was English?
The entree I ordered on my first visit was tuna tartare (I. love. fresh. tuna!):
Sushi-grade deliciousness
Wowza. It was perfectly marinated, seated on a bed of spinach. Honestly, you must, must, MUST drop by and try it yourself; words don’t do it justice.
Savannah’s Best Kept Secret?
November 22nd, 2011 by Teresa
Introducing our Guest Blogger, Foodie Agent 008!
- Have you ever wondered what Savannah’s Best Kept Secret might be? Is there but one secret? Personally, I think that Savannah Innkeepers know lots of secrets, I certainly do. For instance, what is the best time to head over for some mighty fine Southern cooking during lunchtime? Have you wondered if there really is a good ghost tour of Savannah that isn’t, well, hokey? Where do I go for some rib smackin’ good BBQ? I think you get the idea. Well, yesterday, I learned another best kept secret, and I’m sharing this with you, my guests and friends.
By mere happenstance yesterday evening, an old acquaintance stopped in to fill me in on a new adventure (more on that later) that my Savannah visitors were sure to find hauntingly delightful. We conversed for a bit, my friend and I, joined by a guest, Leigh Cort of Leigh Cort Publicity. As Leigh picked the brain of my friend to pieces, stories of lives past and future dreams emerged. This secret agent, however, had another story that resonated with Leigh and I – both closet foodies. Closet foodie? What the heck does that mean? Well, it means we love food, all kinds of food, and we go in search of the best with every venture that comes our way. It means we share our opinions with friends, but are not secure enough in our nose and palate to wax poetic on the dishes set before us – so we stay in the closet.
Where do you find that shortcut to heaven - who is the “go to” person that knows the best of the best in the town you plan to visit? Enter Foodie Agent 008 at your service! The Mission? “To find what’s worth a foodie’s time!” Qualifications? A former chef, entrepreneur, guide to Savannah’s past, and, quite frankly, darned easy to look at (not that it’s a requirement… but it sure fits secret Agent #008). Foodie 008 has signed on to give my guests an insider’s glimpse into the best that Savannah diners can experience. Watch for these fantabulous insights into dining in Savannah, coming soon to the “B&B of Choice” in Savannah.
Azalea Inn and Gardens, a Savannah GA bed and breakfast inn, invites you to reserve a room today and begin enjoying the best food experiences in our city, which Travel + Leisure Magazine acclaimed as a “World’s Best City” in July 2011.
Best Savannah Events and Things To Do
October 30th, 2011 by Teresa
Evening Arts on the River
Your innkeeper is the door to the best Savannah events and things to do both inside and outside the Hisitoric District. The staff at Azalea Inn & Gardens are pretty serious about the recommendations we make whether its where to dine or where to fish, what’s the best house tours and scariest ghost haunts, and what will it be: trolley ride or scooter rental? We don’t have a laundry list tucked under the front desk – we have experiences and memories and passion. Ask the innkeeper where to eat and she can easily waltz you through the plethora of fine dining experiences each with its own ambience, point out the hands-down favorites for BBQ or burgers, seafood or steaks, and even the best hidden dining spots for the romantic evening of your dreams. Ask us – make us show off for you!
Fine Dining mixed with Romance your thing? Ask us to book you for the wine cellar dining experience or perhaps you would prefer to dine in an old bank vault. Tired of the same old tourist trap lunch places: have you thought about a delightful mix of international cuisines reflecting the very different cultural backgrounds of the proprietors – we have the answer! Best Burgers and Beer – now that’s a difficult choice cause we have two favs – one in a turn of the century rehabbed old beer joint while the other features local crops and grassfed beef and homemade ketchup! Yum. Okay, I am getting hungry so let’s change the subject.
Is there a music scene in Savannah (Are you kidding!) Are they any famous houses to tour in Savannah? Will the trolley come to the inn to pick me up – (you betcha!) I’d rather take a walking tour – what do you recommend? (Give us a minute to narrow down your interests and we will choose the best group or private tour available). Where’s Bonaventure Cemetary and can I walk there? Where is Forrest Gump’s bench (not where you expect it). Is the Bird Girl Statue in a museum? Are you a Civil War afficionado or is your thing the Revolutionary War? Challenge us to create an intinerary just for you!
Shopping – of every genre imaginable. Want a pair of custom designed shoe – the owner has four pair – which means they are very reasonable. Want to meet the Women of Whittaker Street in the Designer District? We know the who, what and where.
Indulge yourself, spend one night or spend several. Azalea Inn and Gardens, a Savannah Historic Inn, is the place with all the answers – check us out!
Neighborhood Soul Food in Savannah, GA – A Secret Treasure!
October 19th, 2011 by Teresa
Soul food heaven in Savannah, Georgia
I recently read an article that mentioned Neighborhood Soul Food restaurant in Savannah GA as one of the best soul food establishments in the city, I had been planning on checking it out one day soon as it is a selfless passion of mine to taste my way through Savannah’s best eateries to share with my guests. My sister, Sharon, then surprised with me with an impromptu visit and the statement she was ready for something good in her day. I usually interpret that to mean we need some serious comfort food prepared without any fuss. We grew up in a home with eight children and a mom who was gifted with the ability to turn the simplest ingredients into a memorable meal – we wanted something that clung to our ribs and evoked childhood memories. I headed towards the address I had jotted down just days before – 504-1/2 West 42nd Street – a transitional neighborhood that made my sister the cop a bit wary but she generously bowed to my passion for identifying the best Savannah restaurants.
We almost missed the entrance and the old faded sign – the building is that small, located just off MLK Blvd. I drove around the block and pulled over shutting off the car. After just a moment of silence, I opened my car door and stepped into the street with Sharon on my heels; I am, after all, the big sister. We crossed MLK and entered into a long narrow room with two sit-down tables and a step-up counter. The lady behind the cash register smiled hello and pointed to the back of the room where steam tables were set up on each side of tiny kitchen area.
This was Sharon’s first soul food venture and so I lead the way. One of the women stepped up and asked what we wanted after explaining you pick one meat and three sides or just a meat. I chose a smothered pork chop, rice with gravy, boiled cabbage and okra and tomatoes, with a side order of cornbread and sweet tea. Sharon chose the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, boiled cabbage and mac-n-cheese, also with sweet tea and cornbread. I spied a piece of sweet potato pie on the back counter and scooped that onto my tray as well. We sat at a table and quipped about each other’s choices and as sisters will do, reached across the table to sample each others’ meal. I loved the taste and texture of her meatloaf but after giving her one piece of my pork chop (which was heavenly – not dry, lightly fried, tasty gravy), I closed the door to sharing. Well, except for the sweet potato pie cause I did take the last piece. The meal turned out to be more than we could finish and we opted to bring it home with us for later.
Our lunch, with drinks and the pie, came to less than $20 and we considered that to be a fair bargain and worth repeating! The restaurant serves breakfast from 6 am and closes its doors at 6 pm, Monday thru Saturday. The breakfast menu covers the usual eggs and meat with grits or hash browns, biscuit or toast for about $6 or you can get fancier with smothered shrimp or an omelet. Lunch and dinner offers a meat only or meat and three sides option with the meat choices ranging from turkey wings, neck-bones, or pork chops to shrimp, beef stew, oxtails or chicken and dumplings (to name just a few). They also offer a vegetable plate though it is probably not vegan worthy!
Don’t be fooled or put-off by the location – the food, the atmosphere and the experience are worth every finger-licking bite. Azalea Inn and Gardens highly recommends this off-the-beaten-path secret Savannah treasure on your next trip to our fair city.
Travel Value: Say NO to Hidden Hotel Fees – Stay at this Savannah B&B
October 3rd, 2011 by Teresa
Wine Social and Appetizers at Azalea Inn and Gardens
When we plan a trip I keep travel value in mind. During our stay in Washington DC this past July as a part of “Renewal and Remembrance” at Arlington National Cemetery, I took exception to some hidden hotel fees that surfaced on our bill at checkout. I couldn’t help but compare that to our Savannah B&B, Azalea Inn and Gardens, and the B&B industry in general. Innkeepers offer an exceptional travel value every day of the year, you might even say it’s like an inclusive resort vacation wrapped in a blanket of personal service and attention to detail.
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Adventures in Eating Outside the Savannah Historic District – Think Blue Turtle Bistro
September 26th, 2011 by kolin
Blue Turtle Bistro - fresh and local ingredients in a Yummy Salad!
Tucked away in a building on Paulsen Street at 66th in Midtown is an instant new favorite for us. The Blue Turtle Bistro features homemade hearty meals with a healthy twist. The mid-mod style inside is all at once funky, extremely chic and sophisticated. Cool blues with pops of burnt orange here and there make for a fun environment accented by the warm glow of candles on each table and along the walls. We sat with our friends in the middle of the restaurant and it still felt very intimate – the Blue Turtle Bistro had made it a point to not crowd the tables leaving ample room to move around and mingle with other locals.
The menu is simple to understand and the very straightforward presentation of each meal makes The Blue Turtle a hit with me already! I’m all for simple food, good food, and healthy food. They definitely delivered! I ordered the Seared Pork chop with Homemade Mac and Cheese and Braised Spinach. Cami had the special of the evening, Chicken Picatta with Asparagus and Mashed Potatoes, while our guests savored Bacon Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Haricot Verts, and Creamy Risotto with Chorizo Roasted Red Peppers and Manchego Cheese.
We were all eager to taste each others dinner and with the portions being as ample as they were, nobody refrained! Every morsel of each entree was absolutely mouthwatering. The Picatta sauce was bright and had just the perfect brineyness (is that a word?!) from the capers while maintaining a creamy subtle richness. My mac and cheese was velvety smooth and just sharp enough to compliment the crisp salty sear on the thick bone-in chop. We were all extremely pleased and so satisfied with our individual choices (and not at all shy about exclaiming over everyone’s choice.)
The service was prompt, friendly, and very welcoming even though we had arrived only 30 minutes prior to closing. There was a sense of real pride about the food and space that really draws you in, then the food is the real kicker that beckons you to be a repeat offender! Great ambiance, perfect company, and simple, elegant, scrumptious bistro fare is what you’ll find at The Blue Turtle Bistro in Midtown Savannah, Georgia!
For more suggestions on where to eat, sleep and indulge in all things Savannah, call our Savannah GA Bed and Breakfast, Azalea Inn and Gardens so you can see of all of Savannah and Tybee Island GA.
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- Dining room
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- Blue Turtle Bistro – fresh and local ingredients in a Yummy Salad!
What’s there to do in Savannah in the Fall?
September 14th, 2011 by Teresa
Jazz and Blues, Forsyth Park Savannah
We are often asked, “What’s there to do in Savannah?” and with a quiet smile we share, and share and share. The quality and quantity of everyday adventures in Savannah is legend. Our history and architecture alone justifies a 3-day submersion into culture and food and art. If this is not enough, or you have been Savannah-friendly for a while now, we will help you find more to love about our city by honing in on some of your other interests and building an itinerary fit for you.
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Historic Savannah Rocked Fashion’s Night Out
September 9th, 2011 by Teresa
Savannah's Fashion Night Out
Historic Savannah rocked Broughton Street last night, and I for one am so looking forward to the second Vogue Fashion’s Night Out (FNO). The evening was a mix of fashion shows, food, wine, and desserts (you know me – I still have to have my sweet fix). I am not a fashion chaser, heck I am barely literate in the world of “What to Wear” when one is approaching 60, but last night’s affair has me reevaluating my wardrobe!
I arrived fashionably late, a scant 45 minutes after the start of FNO, to find Broughton Street closed to traffic and a line of sassy women, children and young men flaunting their most fashion forward pose as SCAD students completed lightning-fast sketches of our model wannabes. I skirted this group, not feeling particularly fashionable, and made my way to Ruel Joyner’s 24E (one of the nations leading furniture stores) where a collection of boutiques had set up “pop-up” stores with displays of clothing lines and accessories from jewelry to scarves. Three of my favs were there: Violet Gardens (bohemian couture), and Mangled Courtesan (Project Runway’s April Johnston) and Kathi Rich. I also bumped cheeks with the beautiful Jaclyn Schott of the blog “Shop My Savannah”. Grabbing a decadently rich chocolate brownie I headed on down the street to find what other treats awaited me.
The street was beginning to fill, the bands interspersed throughout the blocks of our fashion “runway” were rocking, and aspiring trendsetters walked, no, strutted their delightful sense of fashion abandon up and down Broughton Street. I reluctantly admit that I was not brave enough to raise my camera and click, click, click away recording some serious fashion nightmares. I ducked into the Copper Penny knowing that Alligator Soul provided the appetizers at this stop and you know this is one of my top go-to restaurants. The interactive fashion show was a mix of renowned designers (Dianne Von Furstenberg and Tibi) as well as a few up-and-comers like Annie Griffin and Waverly Grey.
Paris Market was my next stopping point, where I captured a fashion statement or two around the deliciously set table of confections front and center just inside the store. Shoppers of all ages, children and adults, were pulling loose wisps of green cotton candy and stuffing it into eager mouths while store clerks dressed in the period of Marie Antoinette serving up refreshing beverages.
Savannah Bee Company was Abuzz with Bea!
I ventured next to the Savannah Bee Company and the delightful Bee, Bea – seriously, the bumble bee at Savannah Bee is named Bea – abuzz with activity. She favored the crowd with her incredible bee knowledge, describing the nuances of different honey samplings, and as well as enlightening the crowd with honey flavor science. I scooped a chunk of bee hive honey onto a chunk of cheese, dripped a bit down my shirt and licking my lips left the store. Trust me, I will be back.
I then made a beeline for the Savannah Shoe Company just missing Adam Turoni of Chocolat, but in time to sample a sensuous melt-slowly-over-your-tongue trufflesque treat. I was wearing a colorful pair of slides from SSC and on request modeled them for some shoppers – I do believe I should have earned a commission on that sale – or at least a discount on my custom made ankle boots! (I’ll tell you about them later). Scarfing up one more chocolate I was out the door.
Fab’rik seemed to be the hottest happening store on the block and after a few moments inside I realized in its past life it had been a funky antique mall with the grandest staircase I had ever seen. The same stairs provided several levels of inspired pampering with personal beauty consultations and a glam squad ready to help you shop!
Reaching the outer limits of the FNO zone I found the runway – a flatbed trailer with a band at one end and the catwalk performances with models from Rise Model Management – it was time for me to turn back and catch the other side of the street’s offerings and soon to wend my way home via Pedi-Cab.
You really must make reservations for next year’s Fashion’s Night Out. We have a little something planned for the evening to set you off in style! Azalea Inn and Gardens is a better way to stay.
A "Thank You" Worth Sharing
A Favorite Savannah B&B Breakfast - Eggs Pomodoro
Azalea Inn and Gardens Takes a Stand on an Important B&B Issue: To Doily or Not to Doily!
Memorable End to Summer: The 5th Annual Craft Brew Festival in Savannah, GA
