Looking bright at The Brice
Generations of Savannahians knew it as the Mulberry Inn—and generations before that knew this building on Bay Street as the Coca-Cola bottling plant—but the folks at The Brice officially marked the grand opening of this new Kimpton hotel last week, with food catered by Roberto Leoci's onsite restaurant, Pacci, and entertainment including Savannah's Waits & Co. (pictured).
The vibe is minimalist boutique and very bright, airy and inviting, with a cheery and helpful staff. The lobby is something of a destination in and of itself, with a very fashion forward feel and awesome artwork.
We also took a tour of some rooms, and all we have to say about that is three words: PREMIER KING SUITE.
Storming the Ampersand
It's not exactly on Bastille Day—that would have been July 14—but this Thursday, July 17, is when Ampersand hosts a "Bastille Day Party and Ribbon Cutting" beginning at 5:30 p.m. (If you have to ask where Ampersand is, you're already not cool, but anyway it's at 36 MLK Blvd.)
Featuring door prizes, tasting menu and samplings of signature cocktails. Music from the Savannah Philharmonic—we’re guessing not actually the entire orchestra!—with a special appearance from the French Consulate, which is either some diplomats or an awesome indie band.
Ampersand is asking that you bring a couple of cans of food for America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. This being Savannah and this being Ampersand, there will be an afterparty about 11 p.m.
Mellow goes Up in Smoke
Some of may have already noticed the new "Up In Smoke" menu on the tables at Mellow Mushroom on Liberty Street. The new, limited-edition signature dishes and specialty cocktails "draw inspiration from the bold, smoky flavors of chipotle and poblano peppers," we're told. The summer menu will be available through July 27.
New menu items include: Fully Blazed Chicken Mole Pie (mole sauce), Mel’s Fattie (flour tortilla based), Smokin’ Shrimp Calzone (self-explanatory), Holy Mole Hoagie (ditto), Shrimp Rajas Salad (shrimp, poblanos, onions, sprouts, greens in a chili lime vinaigrette), Chicken Poblano Bowl (chix in a mole sauce topped with mozz, etc.), and of course Tortilla Soup.
They’re suggesting Sam Adams’ Rebel IPA as the best pairing for the new dishes. And oh yeah, seasonal cocktails include the El Diablo Margarita, infused with fresh jalapeño and served with a half rim of chile lime salt.
Tix on sale for SAV Food & Wine Fest
Several new events have been announced for the Savannah Food & Wine Festival in November, and tickets are now available for some of the festival's most popular events, including the VIP Lounge, Bethesda Garden to Table Wine Dinner, Grand Reserve Tasting and the Jazz & Bubbles Brunch.
The new events include: Le Grand Cochon, presented by The Local Palate Magazine and a Candlelight Home Tour and Olde World Wine & Dine Experience, in partnership with the Historic Savannah Foundation and the 2014 National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference taking place in Savannah during the festival.
Le Grand Cochon will be “a fun and lively heritage hog roasting and barbecue” with plenty of celeb chefs, we’re told, taking place riverfront at the Westin Savannah Harbor, following the Grand Reserve Tasting on Thursday, Nov. 13.
That Friday is a Candlelight Home Tour through Warren and Washington Wards. The Olde World Wine & Dine Experience is a separate event sponsored by the festival following the Candlelight Tour, taking place at previously mentioned The Brice, catered by Pacci.
Get tix savannahfoodandwinefest.com/
Kayak Kafe opens in Midtown
Last but not least, one of downtown's favorite lunch spots, Kayak Kafe, now has a Midtown location in addition to its popular Broughton Street venue. They're now in the spot formerly occupied by the Blue Turtle Bistro on Paulsen Street. And this one has a bar area, so there's that.
