October first may have fallen on a Sunday this year, but it was no less like a national holiday at my house.
My first book, "Savannah Food Crawls", was officially released to the public. The book has been on shelves for a week or so, but this weekend marked the point where those who ordered online were beginning to get theirs delivered. I know this because I fielded a number of texts and calls from friends very excited about their copies being delivered. As you might expect, I am excited too, but for more reasons than just the fact that my Aunt Carole in Boca Raton got her copy on Sunday night.
Over the last couple of weeks, since I received my promotional copies of this book, I've been not only flipping through it, but discussing it with several people around town.
The natural reaction is to think this is a book targeting Savannah's visitors. Of course it is. But the more I looked through it, the more I realized that it's an excellent guide for locals too. The number of people who have lived in Savannah for years but can't tell you exactly where Big Bon Bodega is located is staggering. I know this because I'm asked regularly by people who admittedly "don't get downtown all that much."
There is certainly nothing wrong with not knowing your way around downtown or where you can find its best eats, but that's where I think this book fits locals as well.
Amanda Marks is a friend of mine and a local concierge. She knows the food scene around here as well as I do. I don't think she minds me sharing that she was more than a little excited when I brought her an advanced copy. In exchange, I wanted her honest feedback. The text she sent a week or so later was "This is awesome. It is exactly what we needed."
I'm biased, of course, but I can't disagree.
Yes, there have been books written about Savannah's food scene here and there, but none have broken down the whole of downtown from River Street all the way to Victory Drive in as much detail. I divide Savannah into 15 different "walk abouts" or "crawls" and tell you where to stop and why every step of the way. I like to think this book is three parts food, two parts drink and one part history. Did you know that Savannah City Hall offers guided tours once a month for free? That and more is in this book.
If you like to eat in this town, and I know a lot of you do, then you should have a copy of this handy. I spoke to a small business group last week in downtown. Once I explained it, they agreed. I sold every copy I had except for two, and those sold that afternoon online.
You can find them at The Book Lady Downtown as well as E. Shaver Booksellers. Signed copies are available at eatitandlikeit.com or you can get unsigned, print and electronic copies on Amazon.
If you prefer to join us at some of our events this month, we are hosting a dinner at Pacci Italian Kitchen on Sunday night, Oct. 15, and will be having a small book signing reception on Oct. 18 at 208 Wine Bar. There will be more, but you'll have to get that at eatitandlikeit.com.
If you've purchased a copy, thank you. If you haven't but plan to, thank you as well.
