Jalapenos Savannah: Mexican Comfort Food

There is something about home that just calls for comfort. This can come in the form of a childhood bed, favorite sweatshirt, the scent of your family’s detergent, or a favorite restaurant.

Tonight, Bo and I were able to indulge at one of our favorite restaurants. Even though we live in New York City, where you can get almost any type of food delivered to our doorstep, we’ve yet to find a good old fashioned order by number Mexican restaurant. There is nothing like a pile of perfectly crisp, greasy tortilla chips, a cold beer, and a trusty taco salad to end a long day and bring back childhood memories.

Growing up in Savannah, Georgia we were never far from refried beans, enchiladas, or a green, white, and red painted Mexican restaurant. My Mexican memories begin with El Potro, which was a small strip mall Mexican restaurant which delivered deliciously spicy salsa and the kids special #4, taco salad.

As we grew older, the restaurants evolved and Jalapenos has been our go to for greasy Mexican, cold beers, and strong margaritas for at least the last 10 years. The wait is always 20 minutes, regardless of the hours, but you always see plenty of friends and acquaintances which helps pass the time. Jalapenos chips

Tonight was one of those nights that memories are made of at Jalapenos . It was Bo’s mothers first time in Jalapenos as she tends to steer clear of spicy food. But, within minutes we’d run into two friends, enjoyed a cold beer, and were all laughing as we watched the crowds and crunched on perfectly crisp and greasy chips. The burrito tipicos was the clear winner of the night though in my opinion, the taco salad was delicious as always.

Jalapenos Savannah Jalapenos Taco Salad

Like I said, even though I live in New York City, where any genre of food can be delivered to my doorstep, there is no meal I crave more when I’m home in Savannah than an order by number Mexican meal.

What is your favorite restaurant or comfort food when you’re home?

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Elizabeth on 37th Holiday Tasting Menu

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.  

For those who have already registered early, we are giving you the opportunity to be the only one’s in the raffle prize for the Brooks shoes.  
If you are registering now, please fill out this form.  Also to see the original details of the race please check it out here. 

 

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.

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The interior was decked inside and out in warm, festive lights welcoming us for the evening.

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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!

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Our first course was a rich lobster and Georgia shrimp puff paired with a tomato reduction.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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Salad and Potato Chips

 

Last night I was that girl. The girl who orders a salad, with dressing on the side, and then chows down on potato chips. You know what? I loved every minute of it and wouldn’t change a thing!

When Tina announced that she was coming to NYC, I knew that called for a celebratory dinner and some much needed girl time over delicious food and some quality beer. I really wish we’d captured a picture last night because we had such a great time together!

After Frank and Melissa introduced us to The Smith last year during a double date, Bo and I have since become huge fans of The Smith’s original East Village location due to the fact that they are on Seamless Web. Every so often we’re in the mood for delicious takeout that is a step above sushi or Chinese. Everytime we order from The Smith we’re impressed more than the last!

Therefore, I was excited to share The Smith with Dori, Theodora, Tina, and my friend Jessie last night and knew it’d be the perfect spot for us to celebrate!

Below picture via Tina.

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The Smith is best known for their upscale and perfectly executed comfort food. The house specialties include hand cut potato chips, macaroni and cheese, and tomato soup. Both the Midtown and East Village location are quite large, leaving plenty of room for large groups and a hopping bar.

Choosing drinks was the easiest task as we each knew exactly what we were craving whether it was wine, beer, or a cocktail. I started with a perfectly refreshing Duvel which paired perfectly with our next course.

004 As I mentioned before, The Smith, is known for their hand cut chips. Who can resist potato chips topped with blue cheese, melted and served on top? Dori and Theodora ordered these for the table and it was an amazing choice.

001 (640x478) By the time we were done with this bowl there was nothing left except some melted blue cheese which had dripped to the bowl’s bottom.

While most of the table was dreaming of The Smith’s famous chunky tomato soup, I knew exactly what I wanted: salad. I’ve ordered one of The Smith’s huge salads at least 90% of the time and have never been disappointed. Their salads are always huge portions, piled high with delicious and fresh toppings that leave me satiated and stuffed.

Tonight I chose the chicken salad which is a bit simpler than some of their others but equally as delicious. This huge bowl included fresh arugula, sliced Granny Smith apples, walnuts, Brie, grilled onions, and rotisserie chicken.

002 (640x478) In case you’re wondering what the tomato soup looks like, below is a picture of Tina’s chunky goodness.

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I’m not going to lie, it looked pretty amazing. I think I’ll have to order this next time!

If you live in New York City and are looking for a casual dinner, lunch, or brunch spot with friends The Smith is a reliable and reasonably priced choice! If you’re looking for more information, I highly recommend checking out Dan’s review here!

Question: Have you ever been that person who orders Diet Coca Cola and fries or a salad and potato chips?

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