Home Cookin' and Southern Charm

11.05.2009: We woke up in South Carolina with Georgia on our mind - Savannah to be exact. Catching up on some sleep we missed the breakfast at our hotel. This would later be very advantageous for us. As we were only a few minutes outside of Savannah, GA we decided to drive to the place we wished to have lunch, park the car, and walk around for a while.



Our lunch destination was 107 Jones Street - Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. Both our books highlighted this as a can't miss experience while in Savannah, GA and recommended that patrons line up early, as the doors open at 11:30 AM and seating is limited to a first come first serve basis. We arrived at about 10 AM, and the line was already forming and about 12 people long. So we jumped in line - and the line only got longer and longer.



When the lunch bell rang we directed to two seats at the second table on the right. Everything is served family style with 10-12 people per table. Our table had 22 different side dishes ranging from okra to cabbage to sausage and rice to bbq pork to greens to scalloped potatoes...you get the idea. Along with all the sides, of course there was the main event, the fried chicken and homemade biscuits. The food was blessed by the owners and the sides were then passed to the left and we took small samples of each side as we wanted to try everything. Like we mentioned before it was a good thing we did not eat breakfast earlier as we consumed a large amount of food. Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House is a great representation of Savannah, GA culture. The meal was best enjoyed slowly, taking in everything and enjoying conversations with those seated at your table. The city was much the same. Instead of one attraction you need to see in Savannah, GA the city is best when you take your time and wander through its lovely squares and marvel at its beautiful homes. Each of the squares has ornate fountains and statues and the city is filled with many historical sites.



You may remember a pretty popular book written about Savannah, GA - Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, or "the book" to locals. Both Katrina and David read and greatly enjoyed the book, so a tour of the Mercer Williams house was a must.



The house was an entire city block in size, including the gardens and carriage house. While tours take place everyday the Williams family still lives in the house. Therefore, we were only able to tour the first floor. With 15 foot ceilings, incredibly eclectic works of art and unique architecture the house was stunning. It was hard not to feel as if you were a character in "the book" once you entered this house. Our tour guide was the epitome of the perfect southern gentleman and we greatly enjoyed his narrative about the history of the house and family. For all you Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fans, the tour does include Jim Williams' study, the room in which he shot and killed his assistant.

Savannah, GA is home to the resting place of Johnny Mercer. He is buried in Bonaventure Cemetery but below is an exact replica of his grave stone featured in one of Savannah, GA squares.

While we were in Charleston, SC our tour guide at Magnolia Plantation, who lived in Savannah, GA for four years, recommended that we have coffee at Gallery Espresso. It was a neat coffee shop that offered everything from original art to spinach and feta scones to a regular cup of joe. Katrina had the house blend while David opted for a very interesting Turkish coffee.

We decided to visit Bonaventure Cemetery next. Bonaventure Cemetery also owes its fame to "the book" as the cover depicts an image of the bird girl statue, once located in the cemetery.

We both drove and walked around for quite some time, as both the ornate grave stones and the Spanish moss covered trees were very interesting. The cemetery had an equal balance of beauty and creepiness.

After the cemetery we decided to head to Grandma and Pop-pop's house in the Villages, FL before it go too late. Along the way we stopped for dinner at the GA Pig in Brunswick, GA for BBQ. The Road Food book did not give an address for the little log cabin restaurant. Katrina called and the man that answered told her, "We don't have an address. Take exit 29 off I-95, turn left, go just a little ways, we're across from the Huddle House - just look for the dancing pigs." When we pulled into the parking lot it was completely empty which made us a little hesitant. Walking into the empty restaurant we had the same feeling. But we ordered - a pork plate for David and a pork sandwich for Katrina, along with beans, macaroni salad, potato salad and Brunswick stew (a southern version of stewed mixed veggies). David washed his bbq down with a delicious glass of sulfur water from the tap - as the man who owns the restaurant assured him that, "Sulfur is good for you." As we ate, the place began to fill up, which is a testament to the excellent bbq that we ate.

We arrived in Florida at Grandma and Pop-pop's around 9 PM and headed out for drinks and appetizers at the Lighthouse. We are excited to spend time with them, enjoy the sunny weather of Florida and drive their golf cart!