606 East Cafe
I'm happy to report that this former Savannah restaurant has returned, and it's just as funky-fun-eclectic as the original. This premier piece of real estate at the corner of MLK and Congress Street has been many things in the past decade, but it looks like 606 may turn a jubilant return into a long-term success.
The menu is casual and very interesting. I chose the meat loaf sandwich - a thick slice of meat loaf grilled to a crispy exterior, then sandwiched between toasted rye bread with Swiss cheese and cranberry sauce.
Before you make a face, the cranberry sauce was the perfect little sweet element to the sandwich -and helped to pull out the bread's savory flavor.
A side of curly fries was standard fare - but combined to create a meal that I should have split two ways. I washed it all down with a mildly fruity Magic Hat No. 9 on tap.
A neighboring diner's burger looked awesome - and I'm ready to return for a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich and tater tots.
The Carnival Bar on the first floor is fun and inviting - the second floor, while open to any diner, is particularly geared to families with children - and is outfitted with video games and plenty of other distractions for young diners.
Welcome back!
36 MLK Blvd.
Wright Square Cafe in Sandfly
The popular downtown chocolatier, gourmet food vendor and bistro has opened a second location in Sandfly. The new, beautifully designed and decorated space offers familiar Wright Square edibles and gourmet goodies - and raises the bar with a decidedly up-scale bistro menu featuring dishes like cassoulet, beef Carpaccio and a handful of interesting sounding pasta dishes. I can't wait to sample this menu.
Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch - open seven says a week. 7360 Skidaway Road (in the Piggly Wiggly center), 349-2452
Leoci's Fall menu
Chef Roberto has rolled out some hearty new additions to the menu. The beet salad looks awesome - it's brick-oven roasted beets accompanied by Sweet Grass Dairy Asher Blue cheese and drizzled with champagne tarragon vinaigrette.
For a real rib sticker, I'm partial to the rustic Hunter Pasta: Lamb, beef and pork braised in red wine tomato sauce and served over house-made papardelle pasta.
Leoci's Trattoria celebrated its one-year anniversary on Dec. 12 - and has made quite a splash in its first 12 months. Regular guests will be glad to know there is now a heated tent covering a large portion of the inviting back deck.
606 Abercorn St./ 335-7027