One of the things I find fascinating about this city on parade day is that if you travel south of Victory Drive, it’s pretty much another day. People are keeping doctors appointments, the mall has people shopping, southside restaurants are chugging along — business as usual — when just a handful of miles away, the biggest celebration in the South this side of Mardi Gras is in full swing.
And no, it’s not all about getting drunk as quickly as possible and tossing your haggis back onto the sidewalk.
With than in mind, and giving some thought to how I’d approach this week, I re-lived many, many St. Patrick’s Days here in Savannah. Eat, drink, sing, dance, repeat, right?
Funny thing about giving you a list of places for that perfect serving of bangers and mash, potatoes, sheperd’s pie or any other pub food (yes, some of which is not actually Irish, so you traditionalists hold the emails ... kthanx), I had laugh because finding that perfect meal is unlikely on St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah. Well, in this year’s case, parade day.
Would you walk into Times Square on New Year’s Eve and expect no lines and perfect service? I know I wouldn’t. In Savannah, you find it’s an uphill climb anyway.
The reality is this day is what you make of it. Can you find someone who may have been over-served downtown on parade day? Indeed you will.
But you will also find my friend John at Bull and Liberty with about 200 Mellow Mushroom pizzas for him, his family and friends. On Broad near the Pirates House, you will find my gal pal Heather under a tent with her family, one of the only spots for this parade she’s ever known, her baby in a bassinet or playpen, oblivious to the fun until it’s their turn to lug the Krispy Kremes or cupcakes or casseroles out to the parade route.
You can walk past one of the spectacularly beautiful mansions on a square, bump into someone you know and get invited inside to cool off. There you could find any number of recipes that someone has whipped up to share on this special day in Savannah.
Oh yeah, then there is Amy. If you are lucky enough to navigate to that compound and get inside, there is enough food to feed a Bieber concert. Even some special green grits from our friends at Sunrise Cafe.
The Public Kitchen and Bar will experience their first parade this weekend at Bull and Liberty. I expect that to be a mad house. I can see a run on growlers at Parker’s. I am also going to go out on a limb and predict madness at Six Pence Pub, Molly MacPherson’s and Churchill’s.
But in addition, I also expect very large crowds for breakfast at Ruth’s Chris beginning Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. I also know I will stop in for my traditional green margarita-to-go at Juarez. One of my favorites in town.
For dessert? Sweet Carolina cupcakes on Whitaker had a line out the door last weekend. Imagine this weekend?
And yes, they are that good. Just remember, as with any other big event, be patient and kind with your servers if they deserve it. Chances are they’ve had their fair share of bad apples over the course of the festival.
Is it a celebration of green beer? Surrrre. Of course. But it is and will always be so much more in Savannah. It all depends on how you look at it.
If you are going to join us downtown, cheers! May you be safe, sane and never too far away from the nearest Royal Restroom.
See you on TV.
QUICK BITES
Brick House is now open at the old Blowin’ Smoke location on MLK. Moon Pie Burger? Uh, yeah. I need to try that out. Meantime, the new Blowin’ Smoke on Habersham is coming together. I am told they are looking at an early April open. We’ll keep you posted.
Wet Willie’s is now open at City Market (you think they’d miss they holiday? ha!) — as is the Beer Garden at Moon River Brewery.
Finally, Zunzi’s announced on their Facebook page this week that they are moving. Whoa. Savannah’s most popular take-out spot is moving to Drayton near Bay Street. Plenty of seats, a bar, live music and a rooftop deck for eating. The old “Issac’s on Drayton” spot. More on that soon.
Jesse Blanco is a local news anchor at WTGS and host of the Emmy-nominated “Eat It and Like It,” Savannah’s only TV show dedicated to its culinary scene. Visit him at www.eatitandlikeit.com or email jesse@eatitandlikeit.com.