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Bo’s 30th Birthday Weekend

I am sun kissed but alive! Things have been quiet on the blog the past few days because we’ve been enjoying a wonderful, long weekend with our friends and family! In honor of Bo’s 30th birthday, we hosted 12 of our friends in Savannah for some Low Country relaxation. Our days were spent either out on the water or relaxing at the pool and each night was filled with Southern food and laughter. The weekend was absolutely perfect and the memories will remain with us for far longer than the sunburn lasts.

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Words can’t begin to express how thankful we were to enjoy this time with everyone and share our hometown with them. I can’t wait to share our weekend with you all in more detail but for now, I only have time to share pictures before sitting down to lunch with my mom.

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Greetings from Savannah

The first few days of our vacation were pretty perfect. We quickly found ourselves in a vacation routine which included sleeping until our internal alarm clocks woke us up, going out for a run, enjoying fresh peaches and blueberries with breakfast, lazily reading on the back porch, enjoying a beach walk, and finally eating dinner together.

As soon as I felt the humidity Monday morning, I decided to adjust this week’s training plan. I love running outside each morning but have been sticking to 3 and 4 mile runs most mornings. Since I’m cutting the distance down versus my normal 5-6 mile runs I am focusing on speed.

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My mom and I are both reading Me Before You. I loved the book so much that I read it in two days. I’ve already downloaded her other books on my iPad and look forward to starting The Girl You Left Behind next! 

003 004Our lunch each day has been super fresh, taking advantage of the local Georgia produce. Each day we’ve made homemade healthy shrimp salad with relish, mustard, seasonings, fresh shrimp, Fage yogurt and a dollop of hummus. On this side we’ve enjoyed a simple Vidalia onion and tomato salad with Triscuits or Kashi crackers!

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Long walks on Tybee Beach with my mom are one of my favorite activities when I’m home as it gives us the perfect chance to catch up while also getting some sunshine and exercise. Yesterday it was already 99 degrees while we were walking so we cut the walk short to 3 miles but it was still better than nothing! Like I said in my post the other day, there is nothing I prefer than being near the water with friends and family!

024 027 031Last but not least, our nightly dinners have ranged from grilling on the back porch to trying new, local restaurants. 039 My brother and his girlfriend treated us to dinner at Tortugas, a new to us restaurant in Thunderbolt which brings together Southern style food with a Caribbean influence. While they do not have any beers on tap, their bottled beer menu is impressive, to say the least. Everything we ordered was delicious but the fried shrimp, fried green tomatoes, Kona beer in a koozie, and local grouper special were the highlights.

007008009Hope you guys are having a great week and are ready for a wonderful weekend. Today 15 of our friends arrive in Savannah for a long weekend to celebrate Bo’s 30th birthday!

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Best Places to Eat in Savannah

This weekend many of my blog buddies are spending time in my favorite city – Savannah! As most of you know, Bo and I were both raised in Savannah, calling it home until we each left for college at the age of 18. While we only get back 1-2 times per year the gorgeous moss covered oak trees, marsh grass sunsets, beach walks, history, and, of course, our family still make it our favorite city. Whether you are in town for 24 hours or moving there permanently, I thought I would put together a list of our favorite restaurants, bars, and sights.

Most of these spots are conveniently located within walking distance to downtown, historic Savannah hotels but a few of them are out on Tybee, our beach which is a 15-20 minute drive from downtown Savannah.

Best Places to eat in savannah

Eats

  • B. Matthews Eatery – This bistro located near River Street is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but their weekend brunch is what keeps me coming back! The made from scratch biscuits and gravy, shrimp and grits, or mayme’s omelette make this a regular stop anytime I’m home.
  • Mrs Wilkes Dining Room – There is no better fried chicken in Savannah. Only open Monday through Friday the wait is well worth it. Enjoy family style Southern food in the heart of historic Savannah and wash it all down with sweet tea.
  • The Olde Pink House – A perfect location for a date night dinner their menu will leave you drooling but leave room for dessert. I highly recommend the scored flounder.
  • Zunzi’s – Incredible sandwiches and an extensive vegetarian menu bring locals and tourists alike to this small spot which blends South African, Italian, Swiss and Dutch flavors together due to the owner’s backgrounds.
  • Vinnie Van GoGo’s Pizza – A cash only Savannah institution serving up thin crust pizzas in the heart of City Market.
  • Crystal Beer Parlor – When all you are craving is a burger and beer there is no better spot than this Savannah institution which reopened downtown a few years ago.
  • Vic’s on the River – Enjoy views of the waterfront while enjoying fried green tomatoes, crawfish beignets, lump crab cakes and shrimp and grits. Go hungry and with a fun crowd because this is one of my favorite places to steal tastes from other people’s plates!
  • Elizabeth’s on 37th – Hands down my favorite restaurant in Savannah you can go for lunch if you aren’t looking for a formal dinner experience or date night while you’re in town. Everything on their menu is incredible and the staff makes you feel like your family as you dine in an old, Savannah home. The herbs on your salad are from their garden, I dream about their cheddar biscuits and orange marmalade and the restaurant has hosted the likes of the Marc Jacobs and the Dalai Lama to name a few in recent years.

Sweets

  • Leopold’s Ice Cream– Located on Broughton Street this local ice cream shop has been in existence since 1919 but reopened in the current location in 2004. The small shop draws crowds daily thanks to the delicious, creamy ice cream. My favorite flavors are mint chocolate chip, peanut butter chippy and lemon sorbet.
  • River Street Sweets – A perfect rest stop during your River Street exploration, you can thank me later for introducing you to turtles and Southern pralines.

Sips

  • Rocks on the Roof – The roof of the Bohemian Hotel has become an evening or weekend meeting spot due to the gorgeous views, delicious cocktails and convenient location.

Tybee

  • North Beach Grill – After spending the morning enjoying some beach time or an afternoon climbing to the top of the Tybee Light House there is no better spot on Tybee then sitting beach side enjoying some life music and seafood fritters, fish taco or one of their more Caribbean dishes.
  • The Breakfast Club – This diner features a chef who is a Culinary Institute of America alum and a multi-page menu filled with dishes such as the Blackhawk burrito, Grill cleaner, country fried steak and other solid foods. I personally love their omelets, filled to the brim with vegetables and shrimp or their egg florentine. They do not take reservations so I recommend getting there early, especially in the Summer months.

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have via the comments, Twitter or email!

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