Caraway Cafe – Fresh & Healthy – Perfect for the New Year!

I have finally found a healthy, tasty lunch spot with a friendly atmosphere where you are treated like family!! 

Caraway Cafe prides itself on healthy, fresh ingredients with sandwiches and specials made daily.  What is even better…..the menu is full of many of my favorite things…goat cheese, roasted peppers, portabella shrooms, artichokes, feta…and more!!  And their freshly made soups are wonderful – they change daily, but everyday is a good soup day at Caraway!

Some of my favorites are …

The Chopped Turkey Salad with onions, tomato, sunflower seeds, avocado, bacon, goat cheese dressed with a whole grain vinaigrette – light, tasty, plenty of texture (which to me is very important in a good salad, and a dressing that brings all the wonderful flavors out and ties the salad together like a gift from the gods!!

The Baja Fish Taco which is pan seared tilapia, horseradish slaw, pico de gallo, spinach drizzled with a chipotle cream.  I am always up for a fish taco and this one is done right!!! Tasty!!

Caraway has daily specials each day such as their famous Black Bean Cakes with sauteed spinach, tomatilo salsa and chipotle cream and the Spiced Butternut Salad over mixed greens, pepitas, lentils, goat cheese and a pomegranate vin.

Caraway Cafe has market items available for take home…Great wines selected from local Wine Guru Tim Rutherford and local cheeses from Sweet Grass Dairy A must stop on the way home!!!

Stop by and check them out, afterall, it is a new year…time to enjoy some fresh & healthy options for lunch!!

Caraway Cafe & Market

Located on the corner of Paulsen and 66th. 912-691-1266

Monday – Friday 7am – 2:30pm, Catering is Available anytime as well!!

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

13th Annual Savannah Asian Festival!!

Yeah!! Come one and come all!!

From Mehndi to Mandu, the 13th Annual Savannah Asian Festival brings an entire continent of unique cultures, cuisines, performances and fun to the Savannah Civic Center! This festival continues to grow in popularity every year, and has become one of the largest celebrations of Asian culture in the Southeast. The City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs and hundreds of Asian-American volunteers work together to present this one-day, whirlwind tour of the East under one roof.

This is a great time and place to sample the culinary delights from all of Asia in one spot!! A must see for travelers and locals alike! Check it out!

A review of this festival will be coming after I sink my teeth into the offerings!! Check back!!

 

The 13th Annual Savannah Asian Festival

Saturday, June 7 — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Savannah Civic Center MLK Arena
Presented by the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs
and the Savannah Asian Festival Committee

The 13th Annual Savannah Asian Festival

My New Favorite – Coffee Crusted Beef Tenderloin!! Who would have thought!

~~Gourmet Girl News Flash~~

For some reason in the past 10 years I have turned into one of those people that just don’t eat alot of red meat.  It was never a consious or health decision, I just always choose seafood or chicken – I like it better.  Not that I don’t appreciate a good cut of meat and trust me, a good hamburger every now and then is tasty!! But that is about the extent of it… or it used to be.

 

Not long ago I would proudly say to myself, “I don’t remember the last time… or anytime for that matter, that I ordered a steak at a restaurant”.  Just hearing me say that sounded odd – even to me!  

That now has changed…. Brace yourself, this is a good one!

At one of my favorite restaurants a while back while I was glancing over the seafood entrees, an interesting Beef dish caught my eye.  This was a Coffee Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Oyster Mushrooms with an Espresso Cream Sauce!!  I DO love Coffee so it automatically sounded yummy and extremely interesting – I had to try it.

 

The dish was wonderfully presented on a triangle-shaped plate that was visually exciting and refreshing to see someting other than a round plate!  The Tenderloin was crusted with coffee and cooked to perfection, the mushrooms were silky and sexy and the potatoes were rich, creamy and delicious.  But the sauce…oh! the sauce.  Oh My the Sauce!  This was the best tasting sauce that I have ever tasted.  Sounds kind of strange – coffee and steak – but it is actually the perfect marriage!  Rich and earthy, fantastically delicious, lip-smacking goodness.  This would be good over anything (seriously!), but it was the PERFECT compliment to an outstanding dish!!

Bravo – Bravo – Goes to The New South Cafe for creating an interesting, memorable, fantastic entree that is out of this world !!  Check it out for yourself if you are in Savannah!!

Coffee Crusted Beef Tenderloin – What to order!!

The New South Cafe – 2601 Skidaway Road, Savannah, GA 31404 – 912-233-7558

www.thenewsouthcafe.com

 

Southern Food in Savannah – Served in Many Places

Each week I check my stats on this website to see what the most viewed post is and every week it is the same…My review of The Lady and Son’s (Paula Deen’s restaurant) in Savannah.  I suppose I can understand this being that Paula Deen is everywhere you look now days, but it concerns me slightly to think that people visit Savannah for some good southern food thinking that The Lady and Son’s is the ONLY place in town that serves traditional “Southern” food –

 NEWSFLASH…

Savannah is located in the South, therefore there are many great restaurants to get your fill of Collard Greens, Fried Chicken, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, etc.  

No one, I repeat, no one should have to stand on the sidewalk in the sweltering heat of Savannah in the summer hoping to get a seat at The Lady and Sons.  I have received several comments from my earlier post of The Lady and Sons and this is the number one complaint.  If you find your vacation taking you to Savannah for some southern food, here are some other options for you that are really good – and you won’t have to break a sweat waiting in line like cattle… 

The New South Cafe – obviously one of my favorites! Well, well worth every penny! It is on the “Foody Tour” stop for Southern Food!! 

Mrs. Wilkes – Savannah tradition (if it is still open).  You can always get takeout through the backdoor in the lane behind the restaurant! Good value! 

The Holland House – I have heard through the grapevine this one is as good and less crowded than Mrs. Wilkes – check it out.   

Sweet Potatoes – fun, quirky little place – with great food I must add!   

Keep an open mind while dining, don’t follow the crowd EVERYWHERE!  Meaning, Savannah is a beautiful city with some wonderful restaurants and excellent Chefs that can cook some fantastic dishes  – check them out! 

I will add the addresses and phone numbers of the restaurants that I have listed soon.Enjoy! 

My Best Meal in Savannah so far…

I like all types of food, but I must say I am partial to seafood – in fact, I can not remember the last time I have ordered a steak at a restaurant – I have tasted, just not ordered. 

The other night I was in the mood for a good piece of fish – not a flimsly, thin slice of fish, a nice thick chunk that is substantial that melts in your mouth.  As we all know, this is easier dreamt of than found. 

Well, I got lucky!

I was at The New South Cafe the other night and ordered the Blackened Redfish from the menu.  This dish, for some reason, I have never had.  The Blackened Redfish is presented over a nice bed of Coconut-Leek Risotto with a Blood Orange Gastrique – OH MY GOD!!  How on earth did this dish never make it to my pallet I have no idea.  This was the best dish I have ever eaten in Savannah.  The fish was perfectly seasoned – not too spicy, just right.  The coconut-leek risotto was to die for – the flavors blended so perfectly with every bite.  And if it could not get any better than that – the Blood Orange Gastrique was the perfect accompanyment that accented all of the flavors and married the entire dish to be a wonderfully created dinner that was so satisfying I did not want it to end!!!  The flavor that was left in my mouth was beautiful – spicy, sweet, sour, tart – all combined to make this a sensory explosion experience!

Now, I don’t usually write about individual dishes that I eat, but in this case – it is well deserved!

My hat goes of to the wonderful chefs at The New South Cafe for once again, creating an experience that all others will have to live up to in my book.

I won’t even say IF you go….this is a MUST GO…

The New South Cafe, 2601 Skidaway Road, Savannah, GA 31404

912-233-7558

www.thenewsouthcafe.com

The New South Cafe Express – Welcomed Addition

Just recently, The New South Cafe – which is one of my favorite ‘finds’ in Savannah, has added on to their wonderful restaurant with an ‘express’ cafe to the right side of the restaurant.  Meaning, in less than 30 minutes, you can get a wonderful, full plate of home cooked southern food, fresh and hot for $10 – including tax, and tea!! There are daily specials that will be the same each week (to allow you to plan your week around smothered pork chops and fried chicken – yummy!). 

I think the addition is a great concept and a fantastic idea for people working with time constraints for lunch, but still looking for a plate of yummy food.  Also, with fall and winter fast approaching, what a better way to stay warm throughout the day!

Some of the dishes that will remain constants each week are…Fried chicken, smothered pork chops, catfish fingers, salisbury steak and pecan crusted trout – with such side dishes such as collard greens, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash casserole and the best….let me say this one more time…THE BEST creamed corn I have ever had in my entire life!!!

So, for your $10, you get one meat, 2 sides and a corn muffin as well as your tea and tax!! In and out – good deal!

Check it out if you are on the eastside of town!  Oh yeah, they also will keep the Express side open until around 7 pm to allow you to pick up dinner sized portions to take home (that way you don’t have to cook – shhhh…you don’t have to tell anyone YOU didn’t cook it, right!! :))

The New South Cafe Express (located on the side of The New South Cafe), 2601 Skidaway Road, 912-233-7558

www.thenewsouthcafe.com

Watch out Paula Deen! The Big Guy is on your heels!