September 27, 2008 – 10:21 pm
Or, dear reader, post-Twitter from hell!
Oh, where to begin…
I’ve been up to my neck in alligators - some smoked, some barbecued.
Seriously, it’s time to do some catch up on the daily meanderings. I’ve tried to keep events current and thanks to all of you who participate in these awesome food and drink events. Having such an active community means we get more events, more wine makers coming to town and happy chefs who get to flex their chops.
I picked up carry-out plates today from Sandfly BBQ. Chef Keith Latture took over the little ‘cue restaurant from his father after Keith left Local 11 Ten. From all appearances, it’s been a good move. Keith has refined the menu, has his wife Laura by his side in the business and, importantly, gets more time at home with his kids.
The pulled pork was dee-lish - and I love the tang of Keith’s sauce. Sides are all made in-house now and, judging by the steady stream of customers - the BBQ joint has carved out a niche among residents of Sandfly, Isle of Hope and The Landings.
And speaking of barbecue…
Wiley and Janet McCrary are on the third week of Wiley’s Championship BBQ on Whitemarsh Island. Veterans of the professional barbecue circuit, the couple have 
settled in Savannah and are bringing their championship class and award-winning barbecue to the masses. It’s a clear winner - even with the lunch-only hours they are keep now. Look for extended hours for dinner in late October and a grand opening that will also celebrate Wiley’s birthday. I can honestly say I have not had a bad dish - and the homemade sides are both inventive and mouth-watering delicious! I’m gonna have to enter a 12-Step program if Janet doesn’t keep the bread pudding away from me!
Last weekend, Ms. T.J. and I fired up the Miata and road-tripped to Bluffton,S.C. We stopped in at the elegant little wine bar, Corks, where I enjoyed a couple of glasses from their tight but tasty wine menu. We visited May River Grill for the first time and were blown away by the service, the food and the warm reception. I savored a hearty New York strip steak marinated in bourbon and T.J. was beamed home again with fresh Walleye flown in from Michigan. It wasn’t pan-fried perch from her home near Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago - but it’s rare to get mild, fresh water fish along the coast.
I road-tripped to Pittsburgh in late August and spent a great evening at that city’s version of The Capital Grille. Thanks to my server, Sebastian Becerra, and Executive Chef Donato Coluccio. These gentlemen teamed up to provide a perfect evening of food and wine. Chef Coluccio took me on a real behind-the-scenes tour of operations - which really drove home the emphasis this Darden-owned chain puts on freshness, quality and service.
Ready for another not-so-gentle segue?
Speaking of great steakhouses….
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse is within 60 days of opening its first Savannah location. General Manager Michael Ambrose is on site, we’ve lunched a couple of times together and I can’t wait to sample the menu. Michael brings significant wine knowledge to the game - and he’s co-host of XM Radio’s “Wine Crush” program. Welcome Michael! The restaurant is in my former haunt, now known as News Place. Ruth’s Chris anchors the corner of Bay and Whitaker streets - and is across the street from a new Kessler Collection boutique hotel.
The inaugural Savannah Craft Brew Fest was an overwhelming success and those of us who worked on the project are nearly recovered. Nearly 2,000 streamed through the doors to sample more than 120 craft beers. Stay tuned for the 2009 edition - and leave Labor Day weekend open to visit the rest of us beer geeks in Savannah!
At my most recent Kitchenware Outfitters cooking class - where I prepared a 
suite of New Orleans inspired dishes - I was surprised after serving entrées by T.J. and her co-worker Guin. They stopped by to present me with the award for “Best Local Writer” as determined by a Savannah Magazine reader poll. I couldn’t’ attend the party - and the girls thought I could use a spontaneous ego boost - and a little smooch from T.J. Thanks ladies!
You frequent fliers should keep your eyes peeled for the November issue of Delta Sky magazine - I’ve got a piece in it on Savannah dining - and a little profile on film producer and Savannah ice cream shop owner Stratton Leopold.
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