Clockwise from top left: Train Me 24/7’s Drew Edmonds (Best Personal Trainer), Bleubelle’s Heather Burge (Best Bridal), Tailsspin’s Jusak Yang Bernhard (Best Pet Supplies), The Grey’s Mashama Bailey (Best Chef) and Savannah Morning News’ Tom Barton (Best Columnist) 140 SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM THE BEST OF SAVANNAH One decade and six years ago, the editors of this magazine brought forth the Best of Savannah™ poll, designed to ask you, discerning readers, your favorites in food and fêtes, shops and services, people and places. Once again, you have cast your ballots—and given your fellow Savannahians a list they can truly trust. The votes are in, and the winners of Best of Savannah™ 2016 are … By the readers of Savannah magazine Written by Alvieann Chandler and Sarah Taylor Asquith PHOTOGRAPHY BY IZZY HUDGINS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 141 IZZY HUDGINS DINING & NIGHTLIFE How often does a friend or guest ask you for a restaurant recommendation or where to meet for BEST NEW RESTAURANT a drink? Now you’ll be ever-ready with an answer, Cotton and Rye thanks to Savannah magazine’s readers. APPETIZERS BAKERY Brian and Julie Curry brought the You’ll probably wait in line at Back small-plate trend to Savannah 13 in the Day Bakery, but as you know, years ago with Jazz’d Tapas Bar, it’s worth it. Owner-chefs Cheryl and today, it’s still the dish for and Griff Day whip up an irresist- locals and visitors alike. The main ible selection of sweets (cupcakes, attraction: Their something-for-ev- pudding, pies!) and savories eryone menu of 30-plus tapas, (biscuits, grilled cheese!). Even their from truffle fries to barbecue beef salads—topped with dried fruit brisket tacos. jazzdtapasbar.com and spiced nuts—are scrumptious. Runner-up: Tybee Island Social Club backinthedaybakery.com Runner-up: Baker’s Pride Bakery ASIAN FUSION Right off Route 80 on Wilmington BARBECUE IZZY HUDGINS Island, Ele Fine Fusion serves The trophies along the wall don’t some of the finest Asian food lie, nor does the name. Wiley’s BEER LIST BRUNCH Hop heads of the world, unite … There’s something about making around (think: dumplings, noodles, Championship BBQ is a crowd and answer some trivia questions pancakes at your own “griddle curry, sushi). Owners Ele and Sean favorite, where those-in-the-know while you’re at it! This tavern’s table” that’s so much more fun Tran pride themselves on authentic gobble up caramelized burnt ends name, World of Beer, speaks to than making them at home—just cuisine, as well as an upscale, and St. Louis-cut ribs—slathered in the breadth and depth of its brew- ask a three-year-old. Hence the elegant atmosphere. their famous “Better Than Sex BBQ based menu, but the live music, lure of Funky Brunch Café, which elesavannah.com Sauce.” We’ll let you be the judge mind games and craft cocktails serves plenty of non-DIY brunch Runner-up: Tangerine Fusion and on the latter. keep Savannahians walking options, too. Bonus points for the Sushi Bar wileyschampionshipbbq.com through the door. worldofbeer.com hopscotch outside. Runner-up: Sandfly BBQ Runner-up: The Public Kitchen and Bar thefunkybrunchcafe.com Runner-up: The Collins Quarter BREAKFAST BUSINESS LUNCH THE VOTING PROCESS With as many “skillet break- It’s named after the trendy New Ethics: Reader votes—and only reader votes—determine a Best of fasts” that J. Christopher’s York City neighborhood, but Soho Savannah™ winner. As with all of our editorial, there is no pay to play. Period. serves daily, it’s a wonder that South Café has a certain charm owners Jay McCann and Chris that’s all Savannah. Its rustic- Tradition: As part of the area’s largest news organization, we strictly limit our role to tallying and reporting results. Brogdon have enough cast-iron chic décor and comforting menu pans to go around. But that’s just (tomato basil bisque, fried goat Procedure: We only accept one ballot per person. Duplicate ballots, and one of the restaurant’s draws— cheese salad, pot roast) make those without verifiable names and addresses are automatically disqualified. customers also love the Blueberry even a lunch with your new boss a Crunchcakes and omelets the size relaxing experience. Disclaimer: We can’t control how individuals campaign for Best of Savannah™; we can only control how accurately the votes are tabulated. of your head. jchristophers.com sohosouthcafe.com Runner-up: Clary’s Café Runner-up: Vic’s on the River 142 SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM DINING & NIGHTLIFE CARIBBEAN CUPCAKES Jamaican food in Savannah? It’s More than 30 kinds of cupcakes? BEST DESSERTS true, mon. Donavon Smith, who Believe it. With flavors like Lulu’s Chocolate Bar hails from Westmoreland, Jamaica, chocolate chip cookie dough and opened Sweet Spice Restaurant in root beer float, the assortment 2011 and continues to greet diners, at Gigi’s Cupcakes is vast—and now at two locations, with jerk delicious. Bethany Shantz opened chicken, beef stew, fried plantains the franchise here in 2011 and has and, as he should, a Bob Marley been sweetening up Savannah ever Burrito. sweetspicesavannah.net since. gigiscupcakesusa.com Runner-up: Best Caribbean Cuisine Runner-up: Wicked Cakes CHINESE CURRY Opened by Taiwanese Ele and Sean Tran are nicknamed Savannahian Simon Chi more than Savannah’s “first family of Asian 20 years ago, Wang’s II is a family cuisine” for good reason. The King tradition for dine-in and delivery. and I, one of their seven restau- Popular dishes include the Walnut rants, is crowned a local favorite Chicken and Sliced Beef with year after year. With five mouth- Broccoli, while, for some, Chi’s watering Thai curry dishes on its Moo Goo Gai Pan is a throwback to extensive menu, the restaurant is a suburban takeout of yore. Midtown mecca. Runner-up: Yummy House kingandisavannah.com Runner-up: Taste of India COCKTAILS Should there ever be a category for DATE NIGHT Best Place to Make a Scene, Rocks At once luxurious and cozy, the on the Roof atop the Bohemian historical Olde Pink House is an Hotel fits the bill—that sweeping ideal setting for lovebirds. Dine in vista of the river and bridge is the the main restaurant, outside on ideal backdrop for a girls’ night out, the terrace or in the cellar tavern, after-theater drinks and pre-dinner where, at the latter, the piano bar libations. is the stuff of memories. As for the bohemianhotelsavannah.com hearty chicken pot pie? It tastes Runner-up: Jen’s and Friends best shared. plantersinnsavannah. com/the-olde-pink-house CRAFT BREWERY Runner-up: Circa 1875 The crew at Southbound Brewing Co. is crafting more than brews; DESSERTS they are creating community in For those who adhere to that old their outpost on Fahm Street, from saw, “life is short; eat dessert hosting monthly hot yoga-hops first,” look no further thanLulu’s mash-ups to pre-concert parties Chocolate Bar. The city’s collective with cornhole competitions. sweet tooth finds deep satisfac- southboundbrewingco.com tion from such offerings as brown Runner-up: Service Brewing Co. sugar shortbread dipped in a dark TERESA EARNEST 144 SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM DINING & NIGHTLIFE chocolate fondue, triple-chocolate mousse towers and a strawberry suspension cake. BEST LATTE luluschocolatebar.com Foxy Loxy Café Runner-up: Baker’s Pride FINE DINING A burst pipe left this basement enclave a bit swampy, but diners are game once again for Stephen McLain’s wildly inventive menu at Alligator Soul. Rebuilt, the new space exudes the inviting warmth of the old but has a reinvigorated sense of purpose. alligatorsoul.com Runner-up: The Olde Pink House FRENCH FRIES How do you like your fries? For Green Truck Neighborhood Pub aficionados, the answer is simple yet specific: skin-on, lightly salted, soft in the middle while crunchy on the ends, and best dipped in house-made ketchup and washed down with a local draft beer. greentruckpub.com Runner-up: Five Guys Burgers and Fries IZZY HUDGINS FRIED CHICKEN yogurt. That’s what La’ Berry with dishes that include escargots, bacon, tomato and onion. Unless you know someone who Frozen Yogurt is all about, along steak frites and roasted chicken. greentruckpub.com knows someone who knows with 10 rotating daily flavors and Just add a bottle (or two) of Runner-up: B and D Burgers someone in the kitchen, you’re toppings galore, from healthy fruit Bordeaux. circa1875.com going to wait in line. And after 70 and granola to the much-more-fun Runner-up: Jazz’d Tapas Bar HAPPY HOUR years in business, that’s become mini donuts and Nerds candy. It’s been more than 20 years since part of the fascination with Mrs. laberryfrozenyogurt.com HAMBURGER Julia Roberts stood outside that big Wilkes’ Dining Room. Another Runner-up: Lovin’ Spoons At Green Truck Neighborhood paned window in her nightgown, fascination? That succulent, Pub, Josh and Whitney Yates catching a cattin’ around Dennis perfectly seasoned, fried just-so GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT make sure their beef is grass-fed, Quaid in the act—but it’s clear chicken. mrswilkes.com A dinner at Circa 1875 is unique, all natural, hormone free and Savannahians find theSix Pence Runner-up: Sisters of the New South classy and fun—just like your girl- locally sourced. They also make Pub still “something to talk about.” friends. Owners Donald Lubowicki sure their burgers are delicious. sixpencepub.com FROZEN YOGURT and Jeffery Downey go out of their Enter 10 different kinds, including Runner-up: Churchill’s Pub For frozen yogurt lovers, the way to make their cuisine thor- the Trailer Park, a house favorite pay-by-the-ounce concept is oughly French yet unpretentious, topped with pimento cheese, the best thing since, well, frozen 146 SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM THE BEST COURTESY OF VISIT SAVANNAH Our better angels defy categories.