I live for a good girls trip. This particular girls trip was inspired by Netflix- Chef’s Table to be exact.  The Season 6 opener profiled Executive Chef Mashama Bailey– sparking grand dreams of sweet Savannah for my girl, Jenny. Dinner at The Grey became the centerpiece for her ultimate birthday getaway.  Having never been to Savannah before, KT and I jumped at the chance to explore a new city. With plans to visit Atlanta too, we didn’t have nearly enough time to enjoy all that Savannah has to offer. That said, we made good use of our time.  If you have one day in Savannah to explore, here are some gems we found on Jenny’s birthday trip!

Ooooh She Thiccc

Fresh off the plane on a hot and humid Wednesday morning, in search of breakfast, Maple Street Biscuit Company was our first stop in Savannah. Literally- we burst through their doors rolling luggage behind us, in search of “thiccc” biscuits and waffles.

If you feel torn and can’t decide on one thing, add a side order from the kid’s menu. The perfect compromise!

Enjoy the Traffic Jam

Most traffic jams suck. But Traffic Jam, a rich and delightful homemade blend of raspberries, blackberries and red plum will make your perfect, fresh biscuits sing at Two Cracked Eggs. Chrissi, the owner’s sister, adopted us from the moment we walked through the door. She made our brunch experience much like a visit to a family home.

If you are headed on an afternoon riverboat cruise, this is the perfect stop for a hearty brunch or lunch beforehand. An easy short walk from the riverboat dock and shops on River Street, the location is as perfect as the gigantic biscuits.

Rollin’ on the River

Riverboats are synonymous with the South for me; like cable cars in San Francisco, yellow cabs in New York City- a ride on a Savannah Riverboat was one thing our group of girls agreed we wanted to experience. The week we were in Savannah was extremely haaawt. Like mid-90s with crazy humidity. The kind of weather that prompts multiple showers a day. Even with the weather, we still dipped in an out of the air conditioned interior to grab photo ops on the deck. If the weather allows, grab a cocktail and enjoy the view from the deck as you cruise down the river.

Find Local Treasures

Whether you collect magnets, t-shirts or look for obscure local items unique to your destination, take a browse through the shops along River Street for a variety of gifts and keepsakes from Savannah.

Window Shop

Grab a frozen drink at Wet Willie’s, satisfy your sweet tooth with some gelato at Vic’s on the River (the chocolate peanut butter cookie dough was fire), or find beautiful artwork and jewelry at the Art Emporium.

A market place with creations from more than one hundred local artists, I almost missed what turned out to be my favorite shop. Tucked away, upstairs just next to Washed Ashore, the Art Emporium is a great place for gifts (for yourself and others).

The Girls and The Grey

After a full day, we took a brief break at our vacation rental, to rest up before dinner. The majority of us hadn’t seen the Chef’s Table highlighting The Grey yet, so we got comfy in the living room to watch the story that had ultimately inspired our visit. Beautiful cinematography, poignant stories and gorgeous landscapes, rivaled only by equally remarkable plates of food. As the story unfolded and amazing plates of food crossed the screen, Aneesa started looking at the menu on her phone. I began to understand Jenny’s excitement about Savannah and The Grey as her birthday destination. Marveling at the transformation of a Greyhound station into a destination restaurant; an African American woman leading a culinary renaissance, in a space that used to have a colored waiting room. Reminders of our complicated history in the American South.

Traditions

Enthralled with the gorgeous imagery of Savannah and stories shared by Chef Bailey, I reminisce about my own family’s history and food. My great aunt Tia’s journey from Texas to California. She worked as a cook for white families, earning enough to buy her own home in San Francisco- a home where I still live. Recipes and love passed down from one generation to the next. The comfort we all find in the familiar tastes created from the love of our grandmothers, aunts and mothers.

Clearly, the admiration for The Grey is shared widely. They only accept reservations up to thirty days in advance. Not one day earlier- trust me I tried. There are two spaces- the diner (which is more casual and has a separate menu) and the main dining room. Take a look at both menus to see which is a better fit for you. If you are able, try and catch happy hour in the diner.

Until Next Time

One day in Savannah is hardly enough time to scratch the surface. I found myself bookmarking places in my mind (and my phone) for my next trip. Though this trip with the girls flew by, Savannah was a great backdrop to celebrate Jenny’s birthday and the sisterhood we all share. Here’s to many more birthdays and girls getaways!