Alligator Soul – “The Soul is what truly matters”

Located on Barnard Street just off of Broughton Street downstairs from the Postal Office, Alligator Soul is a unique restaurant with an inviting dining room surrounded with exposed brick walls, lovely tables and several intimate dining rooms that makes the restaurant feel much larger than it really is.

The meaning behind the name…as we are all curious…is very interesting.  Alligator Soul has everything to do with who you are, not what you look like. Too often, we are wrongly judged by our exterior appearance (thus the word Alligator). We all know, however, that the soul is what truly matters.

I visited Alligator Soul recently with a small group and was quite impressed with their menu, their decor, their chef and the waiter – Eddie I believe (Thanks Eddie for an incredible experience).  Now, I am going to mention many, many items – keep in mind that I didn’t eat all of this by myself, but tasted I did. 

Appetizers

• Skirt Steak Omlet – (amuse bouche) – quite tasty, a nice little ‘teaser’ for the night.
• Oyster Bienville – eBlue Point Oysters on the Half Shell Baked with Creole Spiced Bienville Stuffing made with Georgia White Shrimp, House Smoked Bacon, Trinity Mire Poix and Hilbo Cajun Seasoning.  Garnished with Lemon Wedges and Crumbled Bacon. –excellent, served on a bed of rock salt, very good
• Alligator Soul Cheese Course – International and Domestic Cheeses. Served with house made Focaccia and Papadum Bread, Italian Olives and Marinated Sun Dried Tomatoes, Fresh Grapes and Savannah Bee Company Honeycomb.  My Favorite!!! Yummy!! Lip smacking goodness!! I would eat this everyday, well, maybe not EVERY day…but possibly!! Did I say it was my favorite yet….yum, I am hungry.
• Fried Green Tomatoes – Organice Fried Green Tomatoes, Cornmeal Battered Crisp and Golden.  Served with Alligator Soul Chipotle Mayo and Purple Perubian Potatoes.  Garnished with Salsa Verde and Sliced Citrus.  Fried Green Tomatoes are becoming to Savannah what the Crab Cakes are currently – all restaurants are starting to have them on their menu and everyone claims to have the best.  These were good, nice breading, great taste, I loved them.
• Beef Carpaccio – Thinly Sliced Beef Tenderloin Served with a Dijon Horseradish Sauce and Baby Mustard Greens with Fresh Shaved Parmesan Cheese and Truffles.  Drizzled with a Caper and Citrus Basil Vinaigrette.  Garnished with Sea Salt, Cracked Black Pepper and Herb Crostinis.  Excellent!

Entrees

• Diver Scallops – This was my entree.  The scallops were perfectly cooked and seasoned.  I did not care for the huge leek stalk that was with it thought, but overall the taste and presentation were very nice.
• The “little” Eddie – Eighteen Ounces of Choice Rib Steak Cold Smoked, Blackened in cast iron with Cajun Spices and Finished in the oven.  Served with Bourbon Peppercorn Cream and Skillet Roasted Potatoes – Slightly, well actually way too much blackening seasoning – almost unpleasant to eat.
• The ‘Big’ Eddie – Not on the menu but basically the same as the ‘little’ Eddie with a bone sticking out of it and approximately the size of a human head!!  (not the visual you would want, sorry, but for size factor, trust me, I am right on).  Seasoning was much better on this one, but slightly charred on the outside.

Done…

Needless to say after this meal, I was stuffed like that snake on the news that ate that alligator a couple of years ago.

Overall, the restaurant is a great place.  I love the menu and the chef seems to have a true talent for putting flavors and textures together that are interesting and inviting.  I would recomment this and I will be returning.  As far as the prices go – for downtown, high but right in place with other high end restaurants of this calibur.  Check it out!!!

www.alligatorsoul.com