Ruan Thai
I’m always scouring the town for a great lunch value, and stumbled into one last week at Ruan Thai. A very nice selection of lunch specials hovers at the $6.95 mark, plus beverage. I chose the dish pictured here — chicken with green curry. An ample portion of rice, a little fried eggroll and a handful of mixed greens accompany. Service is quick, attentive and efficient.
17 W. Broughton St., 231-6667
Late night cocktail
Sapphire Grill has rolled out a late night cocktail and bar food menu each Saturday from 11 p.m.–1 a.m. Sapphire has long been an elegant, special event fine dining location – and this addition is welcome for late–nighters who want a quiet, upscale bar in which to wind down the night.
110 W. Congress St., 443-9962
No cell phones
And that’s because there’s no signal at the remote Shellman’s Bluff restaurant known as Speed’s Kitchen. I ventured into the restaurant — basically three mobile homes bolted together — during my recent trip to Darien. The shrimp and fish heavy menu is all local and made to order. Don’t be in a hurry, and do take cash — no credit or debit cards accepted. The policy has worked for decades, and there’s no changing that.
Diners finish the meal by visiting Miss Gloria in the kitchen, where she rules over the cash register. The 15–18 count shrimp platter is $15.95 with slaw, hush puppies and choice of side dish. A gooey, cheesy, crab au gratin with side and hush puppies is similarly priced. There is no alcohol service, but a friend of the restaurant says you can BYOB.
About an hour south of Savannah off US Hwy. 17 on Speed's Kitchen Road, 832-4763.
Cacao makes the heart grow fonder
Culinary Institute of America schooled chocolatier Adam Turoni has opened a retail location on the west end of Broughton Street near Montgomery. Chocolat by Adam Turoni features Adam’s range of handmade chocolates and serves as the jumping off place for meeting with clients about special orders for weddings, corporate events and the like. Of course, you can still find his chocolates at a few local retailers like Wright Square CafÉ and the Paula Deen Store.
Daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 323 W. Broughton St., 335-2914.
‘Cue in Bloomingdale
Chef Stephen “Mac” McInerney has landed his own joint with Mac’s Place BBQ, the eat–in/take-out place adjoining Randy Wood Guitars in Bloomingdale. The menu ranges across barbecue, hot dogs and Greek and Mediterranean fare — I’ve never had a bad plate prepared by Mac. I’ll report in soon, but in the meantime, check it out.
Great pumpkin!
No, not the one of “Peanuts” fame. I’m talkin’ about the new pumpkin cheesecake at FORM. These guys eased into flavored cheesecake with the caution of a cow on ice. But when Jimmy and Brian broke through the flavor barrier — wow, the goodies have just kept on coming. Score it by the slice (maybe with a carryout lunch?) or by the whole pie. Best to check for availability.
1801 Habersham St.
