Editor’s Note: This just in we are RE-OPENING registration for the Virtual 10K due to a high demand. After much consideration and requests, we have decided to reopen the 10k. We thought about those who have not had a chance to register as well as those who took the time to register. Given the short registration time frame and the fact that people can register for a “normal” race the day of, we have reopened registration.
Last night our two families came together to toast the holiday season at Elizabeth’s on 37th, our favorite Savannah restaurant. Each holiday season the restaurant has three nights of holiday fun including carolers, a seasonal seven course tasting menu, and the uncorking of their famous Gregarious Eggnog. The cost of this evening, $100 per person before alcohol, is expensive but well worth the price.
The interior was decked inside and out in warm, festive lights welcoming us for the evening.
Everything on the menu sounded amazing, including the wine tasting that my dear aunt and uncle gave us as a Christmas gift.
We started the evening with an amazing champagne, Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc 2008. I’m already trying to find this in Savannah as it was a smooth, crisp, and delicious way to start the meal!
Our first course was a rich lobster and Georgia shrimp puff paired with a tomato reduction.
This was quickly followed by their famous blue crab cake served over creamed corn and tomato-chive butter. This was my favorite course of the evening, filled with fresh crab.
Between this course and the next they brought out our next wine, a Ramey 2008 Chardonnay that was spicy and full without having too much oak.
Our next course, was my brother’s favorite of the night, the seared sea scallops topped with tuna tartare relish and wasabi cream.
Surprisingly, the puree of wild mushroom soup over Georgia shrimp and royal trumpet mushrooms was one of the most decadent courses of the night. By the time I finished this course I was so full I couldn’t bear to think about three more courses!
Luckily, I have never been a fan of Elizabeth’s famous organic mixed green salads. Each day the staff at Elizabeth’s pick fresh herbs and greens from their garden for the evening salads. While some people, such as Bo and my mom, love these salads I am not a fan and therefore took a break during this course. I will say that I heard wonderful things about the warm goat cheese.
Last but not least, was the course that the men at our table were looking forward to all evening. The Meyer Ranch beef tenderloin paired with a Madeira cream sauce, roasted new potatoes, and spinach feta torte was heaven for our men. While I only enjoyed a bite before sharing my plate with the table, the bite proved that the meat was perfectly cooked and the rich spinach was a perfect pairing.
We enjoyed a short break before the final course of the evening, the uncorking of the eggnog and the desert sampler. I was excited for the sampler, as the presentation was beautiful and petite.
How adorable are these petite desserts? The desserts were a pecan almond tartlet, chocolate baby cake, and red velvet baby cake. My favorite was of course the red velvet baby cake though the rest of the table said the chocolate baby cake was “to die for.”
The real excitement started when the eggnog arrived. The two brothers, Greg and Gary, who own Elizabeth’s on 37th have been making the eggnog for years and make enough to give each family a bottle after their tasting menu experience and also as a final toast to the evening. Very different from Bo’s eggnog, this recipe has more brandy and cinnamon than most. Even though I rarely enjoy eggnog, last night I enjoyed more than a few healthy sips of this decadent treat! I am sure our personal bottle will be opened this week while we continue to celebrate the holidays.
After the wonderful meal was done and the last toast had been made, we gave holiday hugs and posed for pictures in front of their beautiful tree.
The Elizabeth on 37th Holiday Tasting was a perfect way to kick off the holidays with our families and taste the most amazing and indulgent Southern seasonal food Savannah has to offer. While I’m not sure we would do this every year, the wonderful carolers throughout the evening and delicious food make it a tempting proposition.
Question: What is your favorite holiday cocktail? Eggnog? Hot Toddies?
