Savannah, GA

I guess there aren’t many people who haven’t heard of Paula Deen, the Emmy Award winning Food Network star and owner of The Lady and Sons restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. I’ve never driven by her restaurant in the historic district without a line outside, often extending around the corner and down the block.

Paula Deen fans love just can’t get enough of her heavy southern accent saying “Hey Yall”, her many cookbooks or her food network show “Cooking with Paula Deen” and “Paula’s Party”. Seems like everyone in town either knows Paula, knows someone who knows Paula or just can’t wait to meet Paula!

It’s hard to think that there was ever a shy bone in her body to see her now but at one time Paula was actually agorophobic, suffered from panic attacks and was basically house bound. Originally from Albany, Georgia she moved to Savannah in 1989 she started a catering business called The Bag Lady which grew into the Lady and Sons with the help of her sons, Jamie and Bobby and the rest is history.

Here top ten favorites as chosen by Food Network

» Southern Fried Chicken

» Creamy Macaroni and Cheese*

» Gooey Butter Cake

» Baked French Toast Casserole*

» Hoecakes

» Chicken and Rice Casserole*

» Cheese Biscuits

» Grandmother Paul’s Sour Cream Pound Cake

» Italian Chicken and Vegetable Soup

» Hurry Up Chicken Pot Pie

So if you’re hungry come on down to Savannah and take the Paula Deen Trolley Tour over to The Lady and Sons restaurant and say “Hey Y’all”.

Considering a visit to Savannah? Here are some places to consider staying
in the Historic District......



The "Gastonian Inn"



Voted "Savannah's Most Romantic Inn" in 2007 and recognized by Conde Nast as one of the finest places to stay in the world, this four diamond inn has 17 Guest rooms with working fireplaces all uniquely furnished. Close to Forsyth Park, The Gastonian consists of two adjoining Regency-Italianate style mansions built in 1868. Personalized breakfast menus, silver tray service or family style breakfasts. Complimentary tea, hors d'oeuvres and wine served in the afternoons and desserts and cordials served in the evenings.
http://www.gastonian.com/


The "Marshall House"



Located on Broughton Street, Savannah's equivalent of "Main Street" is Savannah's first hotel, The Marshall House. At one time it seved as a hospital for soldiers toward the end of the Civil War. In 1999 , 12 million dollar restoration returned the building to its origingal purpose. Guest rooms feature a Southern-style decor and heart pine floors. 65 guest rooms and suites.
http://www.marshallhouse.com/


The "Eliza Thompson House"



Built in 1847, this award winning Inn is on historic Jones Street, within walking distance to shops, antique stores, museums and restaurants. 13 rooms as well as Eliza's own "Carriage House" which overlooks the courtyard. Amenities include a deluxe continental breakfast, Wine and hors d"oeuvres, turndown service and desserts and coffee in the evening.
http://www.elizathompsonhouse.com



The "Kehoe House"



Built in 1892 for William Kehoe, this Queen Anne style mansion is adorned with cast iron railings, Corinthian columns, porches, balconies and window moldings. The house was built back in 1892 for a whopping $25,000. There have been numerous reports of hauntings in the mansion so be on the lookout for ghosts! Some interesting trivia is that the mansion was formerly owned by football great, Joe Namath. The Kehoe House features 13 guest rooms, each uniquesly furnished and named for figures in Savannah's History.
http://www.kehoehouse.com



The "East Bay Inn"


Built in 1852 as a home to cottom merchants and a cotton warehouse, the East Bay Inn is located just one block from Savannah's River Street in the Historic District. Lots of amenities including flat screen televisions, high speed internet, robes, turndown service, hairdryers, coffee makers and irons and ironing boards. If you happen to be in Savannah for Thanksgiving they have an outstanding buffet on Thanksgiving Day.
http://www.eastbayinn.com

Hope you have a great time in Savannah!

Savannah's 25th Annual Oktoberfest on River Street

A celebration of German food and beer, Oktoberfest in Savannah is held on Historic River Street, one of the most popular locations in the Savannah. A three-day event held annually in October features an arts and crafts show, live entertainment and a variety of food booths serving up German and other fare. Bratwurst, great German beer, pretzels, and Schnitzel. It began as a king’s wedding feast hundreds of years ago in the southern German state of Bavaria but Savannah’s Oktoberfest stay true to the original. For many, the highlight of the festival are the "Wiener Dog" races.

This weekend - October 3-5, 9:30pm

Friday & Saturday 9am-midnight and Sunday 9am-6pm

Live Entertainment featuring Headliner and Oompah Bands, German Food, Games,

Fun, Regional Arts & Crafts, Fireworks on the River Friday night at 9:30pm,

Wiener Dog Races Saturday at 10 am - register your "Weiner Dog" at: www.savannahdachshundclub.com

Cost - Free -Open to the Public

On Savannah's Historic Historic River Street

Ardsley Park, one of Savannah's most popular neighborhoods began around 1910 with the advent of the automobile becoming Savannah's first suburb. Just a ten minute drive from the downtown Historic District, Ardsley Park - Chatham Crescent was added in 1985 to the Register of Historic Places. The design is similar to that of the Historic District which was planned by Savannah's founder General James Edward Oglethorpe, laid out on a grid of landscaped parks and squares.

Most of the homes were built in the first half of the 20th century and are a mixture of large two story homes and smaller "bungalows". Savannah's first suburb, laid out in 1911, is a mixture of prestigious four and five bedroom mansions and quaint, craftsman style bunglalows situated on tree lined streets. The borders of Ardsley Park seem to be an ongoing debate. Because of the enormous popularity of the neighborhood it's not uncommon for people to debate what's "true Ardsley Park" and what's "Ardsley Park adjacent". I understand the original boundaries were Victory Drive to the north( originally called Estill Avenue) to 55th St. to the south and Bull St. to the west and Habersham St. to the east but today the eastern boundary is mostly considered to be all the way to Waters Ave.

Ardsley Park has become one of the city's hottest neighborhoods favored by young professionals and families.Real estate prices range from about 250,000 to $350,000 for to up to a million and beyond for very large homes. Located about 10 minutes from both the southside business areas and the downtown Historic District helps make Arsley Park a convenient neighborhood. Only a 20 minute drive to Wilmington Island and a 30 minute trip to the beach.