Best of Savannah 2013

2013 best
of
savannah
No one knows the Hostess City like Savannah magazine readers.
Find out who YOU voted to win in each lifestyle category.
DINING. . ........................................ 124
NIGHTLIFE . . ................................. 128
COMMUNITY...............................130
SHOPPING.................................... 132
PEOPLE......................................... 138
SERVICES.. ....................................140
Compiled by Erika Jo Brown, Zach Powers and Sarah Hinson
Illustration by Cari Clark Phelps
Photography by Beau Kester
122 savannahmagazine.COM
SE P T EM B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3
123
Be st D in in g
Asian
Ele Fine Fusion
It’s a great time for foodies
on the islands, especially with
the fine-dining flagship Ele on
Wilmington still pleasing the
palates. Restaurateurs Ele Tran
and “The Chef” also own the
runner-up in this category, as
well as three other area establishments, all of which boast
top-notch nosh.
elesavannah.com
Runner-up: The King & I
Bakery
Back in the Day Bakery
If the smell of fresh-baked artisanal bread alone isn’t enough
to reel you in, a taste of Cheryl
and Griff Day’s signature sweets
will have you hopping on back to
Back in the Day time and again.
backinthedaybakery.com
Runner-up: Baker’s Pride
Barbecue
Wiley’s Championship BBQ
Wiley and Janet McCrary have
earned their “Championship”
title, pitting their BBQ against
the best America has to offer. If
you can’t make it to a national
competition, don’t fret. You
only have to drive as far as
Whitemarsh Island to taste the
blue-ribbon BBQ.
wileyschampionshipbbq.com
Runner-up: Sandfly BBQ
Yes,
it’s
legit,
y’all!
Breakfast/BRUNCH
J. Christopher’s
This old Liberty Street garageturned-restaurant griddles up
breakfast favorites as well as
original creations every day
until 2 p.m. We recommend the
Route 66: an egg and corned
beef hash over a bed of skillet
potatoes. That’s right, potatoes
on top of potatoes.
jchristophers.com
Runner-up, Breakfast: The
Breakfast Club
Runner-up, Brunch: B. Matthew’s
Business Lunch
Soho South Café
Never underestimate the power
of a really good sandwich. This
Liberty Street hotspot boasts a
deceptively simple menu, and
the unique space and eclectic
décor can elevate a working
lunch from business to pleasure.
sohosouthcafe.com
Runner-up: Toucan Café
Cupcakes
Gigi’s Cupcakes
Gigi’s creates towering cupcakes
that taste as good as they look—
and, yes, it is socially acceptable to lick these sugar-infused
sculptures.
gigiscupcakesusa.com
Runner-up: Back in the Day Bakery
Desserts
Lulu’s Chocolate Bar
Savor something sweet at
Ethics: Reader votes—
and only reader votes—
determine a Best of
Savannah winner. As with
all of our editorial, there is
no pay for play. Period.
124 savannahmagazine.COM
Savannah’s swank afterdinner date spot. With an
unmatched offering of housemade desserts and exquisite
martinis, Lulu’s is the best way
to get some sugar, literally and
figuratively.
luluschocolatebar.net
Runner-up: Baker’s Pride
Fine Dining
The Olde Pink House
Don your best for Southern fare
that’s equally refined. There’s
no other place in Savannah that’s
equally adored by savvy locals,
tasteful tourists and prom-going
teens.
Runner-up: Elizabeth on 37th Fried Chicken
Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room
Though the line on Jones Street
stretches half a block by 11 a.m.,
your patience will be rewarded
with some of the best fried food
in the South. The President
himself stopped in on his swing
through Savannah.
mrswilkes.com
Runner-up: The Lady and Sons
Frozen Yogurt
Lovin’ Spoons
Get in on some groovy goodness
at any four of this self-serve’s
area locations, customizing
your yogurt creation with
near-endless toppings, from
Moon Pies to fresh mango. The
final ingredient for fun is the
Tradition: As part of
the area’s largest news
organization, we strictly
limit our role to tallying
and reporting votes.
flower-power décor.
lovinspoons.com
Runner-up: La’ Berry
Hamburger
Green Truck Pub
Eat well by eating local.
Grass-fed beef and homemade
ketchup are just two of the
touches that have jacked Green
Truck up to the apex of Savannah
burger-making in its few short
years of existence.
greentruckpub.com
Runner-up: B&D Burgers
Ice Cream
Leopold’s Ice Cream
What qualifies a place as a bona
fide institution? Ask Stratton
Leopold, whose ice cream shop
shines as bright on Broughton
Street as its neighboring
Trustee’s Theater marquee. We
suggest scooping up the headlining flavor Rum Bisque and the
seasonal Rose Petal.
leopoldsicecream.com
Runner-up: Coldstone Creamery
Coffee Shop
Cutter’s Point Coffee
Of the chain’s dozen locations, this
coffee shop on Skidaway Road is
the only one outside the state
of Washington. That’s a long
way from home, but our readers
are clearly elated to have some
Seattle-style brew in the South.
cutterspoint.com
Runner-up: Gallery Espresso
Procedure: We only
accept one ballot per
person. Duplicate ballots
and those without a
verifiable name and
address are automatically
disqualified.
Disclaimer: We can’t
control how individuals
campaign for Best of
Savannah; we can only
control how accurately the
votes are counted.
BEST New Restaurant
SE P T EM B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3
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The Public Kitchen & Bar
Be st D in in g
Italian
Bella’s Italian Café
With pizza, pasta and paninis
on the menu, patrons come for
the comfort of classics. Bella’s
specializes in homestyle Italian
fare, serving up peninsular
favorites in a family-friendly
atmosphere.
bellascafe.com
Runner-up: Leoci’s Trattoria
Kid-friendly
Dining
Basil’s Pizza and Deli
What started as a spare storefront in a small strip of shops,
Basil’s has expanded and is now
the big kid on the block. With
ample seating, an enclosed playroom and a menu that appeals
to picky eaters and culinary
connoisseurs alike, a family
night out has never looked—or
tasted—better.
basilsonline.com
Runner-up: Mellow Mushroom
Mexican
Jalapeños Mexican Grill
No, that’s not a fishbowl;
it’s your margarita glass. At
Jalapeños Mexican Grill, rarely
does a glass go empty by the
time one of their signature
dinners arrives at the table. Add
even more heat by pairing your
spirits with sizzling fajitas.
jalapenosinc.com
Runner-up: Cancun
New Restaurant
The Public Kitchen & Bar
With the success of their
first venture, Local 11 Ten, it’s
no wonder the owners have
expanded their chic and savory
brand. At the corner of Liberty
and Bull, Public epitomizes
casual style in both décor and
delectables. We recommend a
pre-dinner basil gimlet for the
gullet.
www.thepublickitchen.com
Runner-up: The 5 Spot
Organic
Cha Bella
Gourmet first and organic a close
second, Cha Bella sacrifices
nothing in serving up a wholesome, responsible repast.
Whether in the dining room, at
the bar or on the patio, expect
fine dining and impeccable
service.
cha-bella.com
Runner-up: Green Truck Pub
Outdoor/
waterfront
Dining
Bonna Bella Waterfront Grille
Escape to the middle of Mother
Nature without ever leaving
Savannah—or having to forage
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for your own food. The unrivalled marsh view at Bonna Bella
expands indefinitely in every
direction, revealing deep greens
below and the azure sweep of the
sky above. Likewise, a glance at
the new menu won’t disappoint.
bonnabellayachtclub.com
Runner-up, Outdoor: B&D Burgers
Runner-up, Waterfront: Vic’s on
the River
Pizza
Vinnie Van Go Go’s
This City Market institution
exudes the relaxed ambiance of
a pizza joint like no place else in
Savannah. Order a slice and a
beer, and indulge in reading the
writing, stickers and years of
miscellany on every flat surface
while you wait.
vinnievangogo.com
Runner-up: Mellow Mushroom
Seafood
The Crab Shack
Once you see the sign for The
Shack on U.S. 80, you know
you’ve reached Tybee—and
an island icon. So if you’re in
the mood for seafood, drive no
further. Known as much for its
atmosphere as its food, The
Shack delivers on both counts.
thecrabshack.com
Runner-up: Pearl’s Saltwater Grille
BEST OUTDOOR DINING
BEST WATERFRONT DINING
Bonna Bella Waterfront Grille
Smoothie
Smoothie King
The fresh, fruity franchise wins
fans by quickly blending a cool,
quality snack for every grumbling
tummy on the go.
smoothieking.com
Runner-up: The Sentient Bean
Steak
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
As Downtown’s only high-end
steakhouse, this national chain
has a well-deserved reputation
for providing an exclusive dining
experience, no matter how you
cook it.
ruthschris.com
Runner-up: Chart House
Sushi
Sushi Zen
At its old Whitaker Street
location, the nightlife crowd
cherished Sushi Zen for its late
hours and lofted seating. Now,
celebrating its seventh year in
its MLK digs—and a Southside
location to boot—the focus has
shifted, rightly, to the food.
sushizen-sav.com
Runner-up: Tangerine
Takeout
Zunzi’s
What else can be said about
downtown Savannah’s favorite
place for lunch on-the-go besides
“Ah-MAZE-ing?” How about a
resounding “thanks” for opening
a second downtown location,
Zunzi’s 2, which also offers indoor
seating, a full bar and dinner. The
Conquistador and a beer, please.
zunzis.com
Runner-up: Carey Hilliard’s
Vegetarian
Thrive Café
Organic, wholesome and
absolutely delicious, Thrive is
certified as Savannah’s first
green restaurant, bringing a
cultivated takeout option to the
islands. Chef Wendy Armstrong
smartly serves up an everchanging menu with plenty to
please the discerning vegetarian.
thrivecafesavannah.com
Runner-up: Kayak Café
SE P T EM B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3
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Be st n ig h t l if e
Appetizers
Bar Food
One of the first establishments
to help usher in the Habersham
Village renaissance, Bar Food’s
simple fusion menu always satisfies. It’s perfect for anyone who
wants a grown-up night out away
from the throngs downtown.
barfoodsavannah.com
Runner-up: Jazz’d Tapas Bar
Beer Selection
World of Beer
With 50 beers on tap and who
knows how many bottles to boot,
WOB has made Broughton Street
a brew-lover’s dream. The selection rotates, so if you do manage
to sample all the suds, don’t
worry; new ones will hit the tap
soon enough.
wobusa.com
Runner-up: The Distillery
Cocktails/
meeting singles
Rocks on the Roof
You can guess the quality of a
bar’s cocktails by the diversity
of the liquor on the back shelf.
Rocks boasts a wide array of
all the major boozes, and the
talented barkeeps can conjure
up just about any concoction you
can name—or dream up.
bohemianhotelsavannah.com
Runner-up, Cocktails: Jen’s & Friends
Runner-up, Meeting Singles: Jazz’d
Tapas Bar
Dancing
Saddle Bags
Best known for its mechanical
bull, Saddle Bags has bucked the
competition to become the go-to
spot for country music. Gallop
by on a Thursday night for free
line-dancing lessons from the
famous Saddle Bags girls.
saddlebagssavannah.com
Runner-up: Club One
Girls’ Night Out
and touring artists from across
the region.
wildwingcafe.com
Runner-up: The Jinx
Jazz’d Tapas Bar
An unassuming staircase on
Barnard Street descends to
one of the hippest subterranean spaces in Savannah. With
delectable food, an extensive
wine selection and live music six
days a week, Jazz’d is prime for
an intimate date or a ladies-only
night out.
jazzdtapasbar.com
Runner-up: Rocks on the Roof
Pub
Happy Hour
Sports Bar
Jen’s & Friends
Jen may have been voted the
best barkeep in Savannah, but
it’s her friends that elevate
her happy hour to elite status.
Whether it’s your hundredth
time tipping a glass at Jen’s or
your first, you’ll be welcomed like
a part of the family.
Runner-up: Rocks on the Roof
Late Night Spot
McDonough’s Irish Pub
It’s the end of the night and you’re
feeling pretty confident about
your singing abilities, so head on
over to McDonough’s to claim
the karaoke crown. If singing
isn’t your thing, you can always
acquire a reasonably priced
nightcap while enjoying the often
amusing entertainment.
innatmcdonoughs.com
Runner-up: Rocks on the Roof
Live Music
Wild Wing Café
As the heart of rock ‘n’ roll in
City Market, Wild Wing’s corner
stage and even bigger bar make
the upstairs room the most
rollicking place to catch a sureto-please show, featuring some
of Savannah’s best local acts
Churchill’s Pub
When the original location
closed due to fire, Churchill’s
proved to be the phoenix of pubs,
reopening on Bay Street better
than ever. The towering dark
wood bar is the perfect place for
a pint, or you can take a proper
British meal in the dining area.
thebritishpub.com
Runner-up: Six Pence Pub
Coach’s Corner
This Thunderbolt establishment
gets every sports channel imaginable, and they have enough
TVs to show them all. Stop in
to watch your favorite team and
grab a beer for a great price.
Coach’s also boasts some of the
best bar food around.
coachs.net
Runner-up: Wild Wings
Trivia Game Night
Mellow Mushroom
Do you like pizza? What’s your
favorite beer? Who was the
fourteenth president of the
United States? If you can answer
these questions, then Mellow’s
weekly trivia night is for you.
mellowmushroom.com
Runner-up: Wild Wings
Wine Selection
Elizabeth on 37th
With a wine cellar that can stash
10,000 bottles, Elizabeth’s has
no trouble keeping their 250
favorite wines in stock. Let their
dedicated wine captains steer
you toward a perfect complement to a gourmet meal.
elizabethon37th.net
Runner-up: Savannah Wine Cellar
BEST PUB
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9
SE P T EM B E R / O C T O B E R
2 0 1 3 1 2 Pub
Churchill’s
Be st CO MM U N IT Y
Charity Event/
Fundraiser
Komen Race for the Cure
Savannah’s charity scene is
active and healthy, and the
local branch of Susan G. Komen
does its part to make sure
Savannah’s women stay that
way, too. The annual race tinges
all of Downtown pink, and helps
contribute to the $2 billion
Komen has raised nationally for
breast cancer treatment and
research.
komencoastalgeorgia.org
Runner-up: Kiss-A-Pig Campaign
Company to
Work For
Gulfstream Aerospace
Corporation
With production of the new
G-650 in full swing, now’s the
time to find work at Savannah’s
favorite employer. Competitive
salaries and substantial perks are
just a couple reasons to dust off
the ol’ resume.
gulfstream.com
Runner-up: Old Savannah Tours
Day Trip/Fun Place
to Take Kids
Tybee Island
Tybee Island is hardly a secret,
as anyone stuck in the weekend
traffic on Highway 80 can attest,
but the outpost has retained its
quirky charm thanks to a colorful
catalog of year-round residents
who keep things just weird
enough to be welcoming.
tybeevisit.com
Runner-up, Day Trip: Charleston, S.C.
Runner-up, Fun Place to Take Kids:
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
Fishing Spot
Tybee Pier
Stock up on your bait of choice,
sling a rod over your shoulder,
and make the trek down the
length of the Tybee Pier. Local
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fishers cast there with confidence, and even if you end
the day with an empty bucket,
it’s only a short walk back to
Tybresia, and a drink to drown
your angling sorrows.
tybeeisland.com
Runner-up: Wassaw Island
Golf Course
Savannah Golf Club
They’ve been smiting the
dimpled orb at Savannah Golf
Club since the ’90s—the 1790s,
that is. By some accounts, it was
the first golf club in the country,
and the greens are as lush as
the history. But membership is
by invitation only, so seek out a
friend with a good lie.
thesavannahgolfclub.com
Runner-up: The Westin Savannah
Harbor Golf Resort
Group to
Volunteer For
Humane Society for Greater
Savannah
There are so many worthy volunteer opportunities in the area,
but nothing tugs at the heartstrings like our local animals
in need. The Humane Society
offers the chance to help care
for thousands of displaced pets
every year, and to find them a
loving home.
humanesocietysav.org
Runner-up: America’s Second
Harvest
Museum
The Telfair Museums
With the Owens-Thomas House
Museum, the Jepson Center
for the Arts and the Telfair
Academy, the Telfair Museums
span from classic to contemporary in arts and architecture.
Two of the three sites anchor
Telfair Square, which is fast
becoming a cultural hub for
events such as the Savannah
Book Festival, and lectures by
visiting luminaries.
telfair.org
Runner-up: Isaiah Davenport
House
Private School
Savannah Christian
Preparatory School
For more than 60 years,
Savannah Christian has been
providing faith-based education
to Savannah’s families. With top
programs in academics, athletics
and extra-curriculars, students
find success from preschool
through high school graduation—and beyond.
savcps.com
Runner-up: Savannah Country Day
School
Public Park
Forsyth Park
Picnics, pick-up games of
football, the Saturday Farmers’
Market, SCAD’s Sidewalk Arts
Festival and concerts in the
clamshell. The fountain may be
the most photographed spot in
Savannah, but the open fields
on the south end are where the
action really happens.
Runner-up: Daffin Park
Public School
Savannah Arts Academy
As the magnet school of
choice for Chatham County’s
creatively inclined high
schoolers, Savannah Arts also
sets the standard for success in
academics. Students regularly
receive local, state and national
recognition for their work in and
outside the classroom.
sccpss.com
Runner-up: May Howard
Elementary
Radio Station
WRHQ 105.3 Quality Rock
The lack of musical variety on
some radio stations makes them
not much better than static.
WRHQ prides itself on diversity,
never repeating a song in the
same day. Tune in for tracks
that almost anyone can get into,
and don’t be surprised to hear
a once-forgotten deep cut off a
favorite album.
wrhq.com
Runner-up: 97.3 KissFM
Special Event
Facility
Charles H. Morris Center
For the fifth year in a row, the
Charles H. Morris Center has
claimed this title. The versatile
space, with bare brick walls,
wood floors and a high peaked
ceiling, can be adapted for
almost any event, from weddings
to parties to some of the
Savannah Music Festival’s finest
concerts.
trusteesgarden.com
Runner-up: Savannah Station
Summer Camp
YMCA of Coastal Georgia
When school’s out and the
temperature is on the rise, the
fine folks at one of the YMCA’s
10 local locations help kids beat
boredom with one of their traditional or specialty day camps.
ymcaofcoastalga.org
Runner-up: Oatland Island Wildlife
Center
Tourist
Attraction
River Street
From festivals to fireworks to the
fracas of St. Patrick’s Day, River
Street is as synonymous with
Savannah as sweet tea. Locals
shouldn’t forget that it also offers
plenty of destinations for dinner
and a drink.
riverstreetsavannah.com
Runner-up: Tybee Island
BEST DAY TRIP
BEST FISHING SPOT
MOST FUN PLACE TO TAKE KIDS
Tybee Island
TV Station
WTOC
The Southeast Newsleader has
been atop the TV ratings since
the ’80s with news anchors
whose combined experience
at the station runs well over a
century, WTOC is the channel
that Savannahians turn to first.
wtoc.com
Runner-up: WSAV
View
Rocks on the Roof
Grab a cocktail at the bar and
step outside to the nearly
360-degree view on the
Bohemian Hotel’s rooftop. With
downtown on one side and the
river on the other, you can cover
the entire Historic District before
you can call for a refill.
bohemianhotelsavannah.com
Runner-up: River Street
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BEST FASHION ACCESSORIES
BEST FASHION VALUE
Red Clover Boutique
Be st S H OPPIN G
Antiques
Jere’s Antiques
From bookcases to bureaus,
clocks to cupboards, the
33,000-square-foot warehouse
of Jere’s Antiques is home—
temporarily—to the museumquality furniture Savannahians
“pine” for. With furnishings
spanning three centuries of
English design, Jere’s riverside
location testifies to our rich
legacy of trans-Atlantic trade.
jeresantiques.com
Runner-up: Habersham Antiques
Market
Art Gallery
Kobo Gallery
With ever-changing exhibits
and a refreshing range of price
points, Kobo Gallery on Barnard
Street certainly is a sight for sore
eyes. The co-op of Savannahbased artists and craftspeople
showcases woodwork, fibers,
photography, jewelry and more.
kobogallery.com
Runners-up (TIE): Iocovozzi Fine
Art, Ray Ellis Gallery
Baby Gear/
Clothing
Punch and Judy
Owners Linda and Eric Karpf
scour the world for everything
you could ever possibly need
to feed, bathe, diaper, clothe,
transport and entertain your lil’
bambino. Monogram services
are available to ensure that baby
enters the world in style.
punchandjudysavannah.com
Runner-up: Sara Jane Children’s
Boutique
Bikes
Quality Bike Shop
Dedicated to expanding the
community of cycling fanatics,
Quality Bike Shop offers
a plethora of well-priced
services. In addition to a wide
selection of wheels—road,
mountain, BMX and kids’
bikes—the encyclopedic knowledge of the service team keeps
customers coming back.
qualitybikeshop.com
Runner-up: Bicycle Link
Bridal
BleuBelle Bridal
Heather Burge’s chic boutique
stocks an array of top-label
gowns, from classic silhouettes to cutting-edge couture.
Offering perks like in-house
alterations and a 10 percent
discount for bridesmaids,
Heather and her expert fitters
give brides another reason to
celebrate.
bleubellebridal.com
Runner-up: David’s Bridal
Candy Shop
River Street Sweets
The staff at family-owned
River Street Sweets is always
cheerful—perhaps the candy’s
exquisite sweetness rubs off on
them. With an array of gourmet
Southern treats like pralines,
bear claws, glazed pecans and
salt water taffy, it’s hard not to
leave the shop with a smile.
riverstreetsweets.com
Runner-up: Savannah Candy
Kitchen
COSMETICS
Glow Medical Spa
From the mouthwatering
Kai fragrance line to the
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state-of-the-art “genie
bottle” applicators of healing
Colorescience Mineral Makeup,
Courtney Buntin Victor and her
team of beauty gurus curate
an impressive collection of
exclusive cosmetic brands. See
the “Service” category for Glow’s
three additional wins.
glowsavannah.com
Runner-up: 40 Volume Salon
Fashion
Accessories/
Fashion Value
Red Clover Boutique
Much like its namesake—an herb
known for its healing properties—this bohemian boutique is
a celebrated location for “retail
therapy.” Since opening their
doors in 2007, Leah Lancaster
and Thu Tran have won our
readers’ loyalty by offering
modest price points on carefully
curated collections of clothing
and accessories.
shopredclover.com
Runner-up, Fashion Accessories:
Zia Boutique
Runner-up, Fashion Value: Fab’rik
Florist
John Davis Florist
John Davis has commandeered
the local floral business for more
than two decades—thanks to
the freshness of his ideas and
his blossoms. From the simplest
boutonnière to blowout wedding
styles, let your imagination
bloom with Savannah’s most
trusted floral font.
johndavisflorist.com
Runner-up: Kiwi Fleur
Fresh and
Organic Produce
Forsyth Farmers’ Market
Coastal cultivators present
a veritable cornucopia each
Saturday at the Forsyth
Farmers’ Market. In addition
SE P T EM B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3
133
Be st S H OPPIN G
to high-quality local fruits and
vegetables, shoppers can source
meats, eggs, baked goods, jellies
and honey—all the better to
serve with your organic produce,
of course.
forsythfarmersmarket.com
Runner-up: Brighter Day Natural
Foods
mansion off Madison Square for
nearly 40 years, E. Shaver is a
haven for readers. Bibliophiles—
or anyone in need of a classy
gift—revel at the extensive selection of fiction, maps, coffee table
décor and children’s books.
eshaverbooks.com
Runner-up: The Book Lady
Independent
Bookstore
Independent Pet
Supplier
E. Shaver, Bookseller
Nestled in the ground floor of a
BEST FRESH ORGANIC
PRODUCE
Forsyth Farmers’ Market
TailsSpin
Get your tail down to Savannah’s
best-loved spot for pets. In
addition to a variety of food and
toys—many made in the USA—
TailsSpin enriches the community by promoting vaccine clinics,
nutritional advice, adoption
events and even hurricane
preparedness for your pussycat
or pooch.
tailsspin.com
Runner-up: Grateful Hound
Jewelry
Levy Jewelers
To say that the family-owned,
fourth-generation Levy Jewelers
is a Savannah staple would be an
egregious understatement. This
paradise of all-things precious
has peddled designer jewelry,
loose diamonds, watches, estate
treasures and myriad giftware
for more than 100 years.
levyjewelers.com
Runner-up: Zia Boutique
Liquor
Habersham Beverage
Warehouse
Savannahians who love to entertain—and we don’t call it the
Hostess City for nothing—stop
first at Habersham Beverage
Warehouse. With an impressive
selection of wines, spirits and
beers, the store caters to lovers
of craft and imported hooch,
as well as those who just need
some swill in their kegs.
habershambeverage.com
Runner-up: Johnnie Ganem’s
Package & Wine Shop
Men’s Clothing
J. Parker Limited
Southern gentlemen and haute
hipsters rub elbows among the
racks at the Broughton Street
and Midtown locations of
J. Parker Limited. From luxury
sportswear by Michael Kors and
Ralph Lauren to locally designed
cummerbunds and leathergoods,
134 savannahmagazine.COM
get the right look for any occasion here.
jparkerltd.com
Runner-up: J.B. Rourke
New Cars/Used
Cars
Southern Motors
Even if Southern Motors hadn’t
swept this category, the car
experts would at least deserve
applause for least annoying
radio commercials. For more
than 80 years, the dealership
has offered a special blend of
customer service and good deals
on smooth automotive machines
such as Acura, Chrysler, Dodge,
Honda, Jeep and Ram.
southern-motors.com
Runner-up, New Cars: Critz
Runner-up, Used Cars: Vaden
Automotive Group
Seafood Market
Russo’s Seafood
If there’s one thing coastal citizens
do not mess around with, it’s our
seafood. Luckily, Charles J. Russo
Jr., second-generation “spawn”
of the original Russo’s, does not
disappoint. If your recipe calls for
shrimp, crab, scallops or fresh
Atlantic fish, follow the stream of
satisfied customers to 40th and
Abercorn Street.
russoseafood.com
Runner-up: Pooler Seafood
Shoes
Globe Shoe Company
Up your shoe game at Globe
Shoe Company where you’ll find
footwear and accessories by
Stuart Weitzman, Cole Haan,
Thierry Rabotin, Ugg, Ecco and
more. For an establishment
founded in 1892, the stock at
both Globe’s Broughton Street
and Midtown locations is incredibly on-trend and in-demand.
Runner-up: Copper Penny Shooz
I fo und i t a t . . .
Be st S H OPPIN G
Specialty
Gourmet Foods
FORM Cheesecake, Wine,
Gourmet
Combine a gourmet boutique, a
fine-dining eatery and a specialty
catering service, and you’ve
cooked up an epicurean delight!
For a little more than three
years, the trio of Brian Torres,
Claude Auerbach and James
Kleinschmidt has concocted
a culinary smorgasbord for
the connoisseur and common
consumer alike.
form-cwg.com
Runner-up: Brighter Day Natural
Foods
Sports/Outdoor
Wear
Half-Moon Outfitters
BEST new cars
best used cars
Southern Motors
Half-Moon Outfitters is a backpacker’s mecca. Even if you’re
not a fan of Savannah’s abundant outdoor sports—kayaking,
paddle boarding, rock climbing,
backpacking, surfing, fishing and
swimming spring instantly to
mind—this gear shop also sells
hammocks and stylish threads
for low-country lounging.
halfmoonoutfitters.com
Runner-up: Fleet Feet Sports
Stationery
La Paperie
Sweetly ensconced in downtown’s design district, La Paperie
offers stationery, journals,
sumptuous gifts and the full
suite of bridal paper needs. If
you like your paper artisanal,
classic, luxurious, handmade,
letterpressed or embossed, this
is your spot to shop.
lapaperie.net
Runner-up: Merry Times
VINTAGE Clothing
and Consignment
Civvies New & Recycled Clothing
Civvies is a Savannah institution
that has benefited from decades
of SCAD students and generations of bountiful Southern
belles. Organized by color,
this shop showcases fashionforward apparel that’s new,
vintage and, occasionally, just
plain old school.
civviesclothes.com
Runner-up: Goodwill
Women’s Clothing
(Tie)
BleuBelle Boutique
&
Fab’rik
Savannah ladies are savvy
when it comes to style—which
accounts for this category’s tie.
Fortunately, there’s enough love
to go around for both BleuBelle
Boutique, which has won
this magazine’s honor nearly
every year of its decade-old
existence, and for Fab’rik, the
chic-yet-affordable franchise on
Broughton Street.
bleubelle.com
fabrikstyle.com
Runner-up: Red Clover
Best
Liquor.
Thanks again, Savannah!
Credit: Cedric Smith,
photographer and
Halo Models and
Talent Group
22 West Broughton Street
Savannah, GA | 912-629-6800
SAVANNAH | CHARLESTON
MOUNT PLEASANT
www.shopcopperpenny.com
www.HabershamBeverage.com
136 savannahmagazine.COM
Franchising Opportunities
Available
BEST PERSONAL TRAINERS
Drew and Shazi Edmonds
Be st PEOP L E
Band
Liquid Ginger
For more than a dozen years,
Liquid Ginger has been rocking
downtown with big harmonies
and tight instrumentation.
Corralled by lead singer Ginger
Fawcett, their tunes are like the
root—compelling, distinctive and
packing quite the punch.
Runner-up: The Train Wrecks
Bartender
Jen McEvoy at Jen’s & Friends
It’s the sheer number of Jen’s
eponymous friends that assured
her victory in the Best Bartender
category. It doesn’t hurt that
she knows how to mix a gazillion
martinis, either.
Runner-up: Stephanie Atkins at
Saddlebags
Caterer
Susan Mason
If such a thing as a “celebrity
caterer” exists, Susan Mason
fits the bill. For more than 25
years, her good name has been
synonymous with scrumptious
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Christine Hall
elegance, and her cookbook,
Silver Service, is the hospitality
bible for Southern debs and
downtowners.
susanmasoncatering.com
Runner-up: Paul Kennedy
business to ethics to politics,
there’s no story of the hour that
he can’t cover.
savannahnow.com
Runner-up: Bill Dawers
Chef
Mark Tate
Tate Law Group takes on big
cases and wins. This success,
coupled with Mark Tate’s several
TV shows over the years, have
made him one of the most recognized and respected attorneys
in town.
tatelawgroup.com
Runner-up: Brooks Stillwell
Nick Mueller
More than a dozen years ago,
Nick and Tracy Mueller founded
Chef Nick Mueller & Company—
and Savannahians have been
a fortunate bunch ever since.
As a team, they’ve produced
hundreds of events, with a guest
list including state governors,
Hollywood stars and megawatt
sports personalities.
chefnick.net
Runner-up: Roberto Leoci
Columnist
Tom Barton
Being a professional newspaperman is no easy task, and Tom
Barton, the editorial page editor
at the Savannah Morning News,
takes on the toughest topics with
finesse and diplomacy. From
Lawyer
Party/Event
Planner
Sebrell Smith
Savannah is a top destination
for weddings, and Sebrell Smith
is the top-notch planner who
makes them magnificent. Her
dapper details produce the
magic for intimate garden affairs
and grand black-tie galas, children’s parties and sophisticated
nuptials, allowing her honorees
to shine as the stars of each
event.
sesevents.com
Runner-up: Posh Petals & Pearls
Personal Trainer
Drew and Shazi Edmonds
Drew and Shazi Edmonds are
those rare birds who actually
enjoy exercising and endeavor
to share their enthusiasm with
others. The native Georgian
husband-and-wife team offers
personalized training services
at their clients’ home, as well as
in their state-of-the-art private
studio.
trainme247.com
Runner-up: Jodie Luther
Photographer
Christine Hall
You’ll be ready for your close-up
138 savannahmagazine.COM
with Christine Hall behind the
camera. Whether the occasion
is a family portrait, senior snapshot or bridal memento, you’ll
want to see yourself through her
masterful, award-winning lens.
christinehallphotography.com
Runner-up: Angela Hopper
Realtor
Cora Bett Thomas
She’s the little lady who founded
a real estate empire. Cora Bett
Thomas specializes in luxury
properties—historic estates,
trendy condos, beachfront
chateaus and commercial
complexes—and unparalleled
customer service.
corabettthomas.com
Runners-up (TIE): Celia Dunn,
Bonnie Gaster
Television
Personality
Sonny Dixon
After serving as a state representative in the ’90s, Sonny returned
home and took up with WTOC
News. Since then, his casual
charm and encyclopedic knowledge of local history have made
him the most popular anchor in
the city. In 2011, he even won an
Emmy as the top talking head in
the Southeast region.
wtoc.com
Runner-up: Mike Cihla
Tour Guide
Savannah Dan
When a tour guide is as much
a landmark as the monuments
he’s showing, then he must be
doing something right. For years,
seersucker-clad Savannah Dan
has been a fixture downtown,
showcasing our city with his
distinctive Southern charm and
signature bowtie.
savannahdan.com
Runner-up: Steve Ellis
BEST HAIR SALON
40 Volume Salon
Be st S ERVIC E S
Ad Agency
Robertson and Markowitz
This full-service agency has your
marketing and PR needs covered,
from A to Z (well, from clients
AirTran to Wendy’s and everything in between). Robertson
and Markowitz can give your
business a boost across radio,
TV, outdoor signage, print, web
and corporate branding platforms.
robmark.com
Runner-up: Monroe Marketing
Assisted Living
Summer Breeze Senior Living
The folks at Summer Breeze
Senior Living are caring stars,
pure and simple. Widely
renowned for their personalized
attention, homey decor, active
agendas and impeccable cleanliness, this assisted-living center
provides Southern hospitality
at its finest. On-site amenities
include an ice cream parlor,
barbershop and library.
kapdev.com
Runner-up: Marshes of Skidaway
Island
Audio/Video/
Lighting
Production
Stage Front Production Services
With enough glitz and glow
to rival the night sky, Stage
Front Production Services is
Savannah’s go-to for all things
illumination. From discrete
“gobos” (e.g. single-colored
wedding initials or corporate
logos) to total event management, the dedicated team will
have you seeing stars.
stagefrontproductions.com
Runner-up: Kaufman-Heinz
Auto Repair
Savannah Tire
The folks at Savannah Tire move
the city, literally. Founded by
M.J. Kicklighter in 1951, the
140 savannahmagazine.COM
business is now a third-generation family-owned institution,
with eight locations throughout
the Coastal Empire. Check out
their website for cost-cutting
coupons!
savannahtire.com
Runner-up: Mall Auto Repairs
Bank/Financial
Institution
Wells Fargo
In the battle of big banks, Wells
Fargo—the fourth largest in the
U.S.—edges out the competition
with consistently friendly service
and a convenient downtown
location.
wellsfargo.com
Runner-up: SunTrust
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Planter’s Inn
Let the Planter’s Inn cultivate the
seeds of romance, with add-on
amenities like a private horsedrawn carriage tour, nightly turndown service with special treats,
chilled champagne and long-stem
roses. Located on Reynolds
Square, this distinctive landmark
consists of 60 rooms, embellished with period-style finesse.
plantersinnsavannah.com
Childcare
Savannah Christian Daycare/
Preschool
The quality caregivers at
Savannah Christian Daycare/
Preschool create an idyllic
learning landscape for Savannah’s
tots, 12 hours a day, all year long.
With a stringent no-television
policy, children ages 6 weeks
through 3 years learn, grow,
experiment, develop and play in
classrooms built for curiosity.
savcps.com
Runner-up: Maggie’s Morning
School
Computer Repair
Tweaks by Geeks
Who better to doctor your sick
computers than the geeks who
love them? Adept at everything
from virus removal to network
troubleshooting, no project is
too small for the professionals
at Tweaks by Geeks. Their
friendly, articulate staff also
helps customize desktops,
laptops, servers, workstations
and gaming systems.
tweaksbygeeksonline.com
Runner-up: Digital Doc
Day Spa
Spa Bleu
Since the days of Mary Telfair,
Savannah doyennes have bid
adieu to stress within the historic
walls at Spa Bleu. Admire local
artwork as you sink into luxurious massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, thermal
body treatments, spray tanning
and make-up application. With
specialty packages available, we
dare you not to spend a day in
the lap of luxury.
spableu-sav.com
Runner up: Savannah Day Spa
Design Firm
Clark Creative
Designers are a dime a dozen
in our artsy city, so it takes true
vision—not to mention formidable grit—to distinguish oneself
as best of the best. Enter Clark
Creative, an award-winning
design and communications
studio founded by Cari Clark
Phelps in 2004. Her designs are
so iconic that they’ll work for you
and on you.
clarkcreativedesign.com
Runners-up (TIE): Creative
Approach, VizPro Creative
Dry Cleaner
Curry Dry Cleaners
Curry Dry Cleaners have swept
this category for nearly a decade.
Clearly, this family-owned business has found the right formula
for a brilliant clean, served up
with an equally brilliant smile. If
you’re serious about fashion—or
just prone to stains—same-day
service, superior alterations and
two locations will “iron” out all
your cleaning conundrums.
Runner-up: David’s Dry Cleaners
Exercise Facility/
Gym
YMCA
Y not visit the YMCA today?
With personal training, youth
sports, group sweats, aquatic
classes, a diabetes-prevention
program and on-site childcare,
this nexus of exercise inspires
healthy Savannahians in mind,
body and spirit.
ymcaofcoastalga.org
Runner-up: Train Me 24/7
Facial/Massage/
Medical Spa
Glow Medical Spa
For the fifth year in a row, Glow
Medical Spa is voted the premier
temple of beauty and health.
Father-daughter team Dr. Jules
Victor III and Courtney Buntin
Victor captain a credentialed
staff of laster technicians, facial
rejuvenation specialists, licensed
medical estheticians, registered
nurses and massage therapists
who offer a panoply of cosmetic
procedures in a peaceful
environment.
glowsavannah.com
Runner-up, Facial: Milan Day Spa
Runner-up, Massage: Spa Bleu
Runner-up, Medical Spa: Genesis
Medical Spa
Hair Salon
40 Volume Salon
Turning it “up to 11” is for ’80s
hair bands. Going to Volume 40,
however, is for Savannah’s hair
Be st S ERVIC E S
feel sure that State Farm has
you covered. Quick quotes,
abundant options, money-saving
maneuvers and peachy policy
combos make each customer
feel welcome and valued.
statefarm.com
Runner-up: Allstate
Manicures/
Pedicures
BEST YOGA/PILATES
STUDIO
Savannah Yoga
Center
aficionados. The five skillful stylists can update your look book
with the freshest tress trends or
help you maintain your striking
signature coif.
40volume.com
Runner-up: Color Boxx
Handyman
Hubbard’s Handyman of Savannah
Once in a while, we all need a
hand at home—especially for big
projects like floor installations,
house painting, window replacements and remodeling. Our
readers leave it to the experts
at Hubbard’s. Your thumbs will
thank you.
hubbardshandyman.com
Runner-up: House Doctor
Milan Day Spa
Allow the beauty technicians at
Milan Day Spa to wait on you
hand and foot. Touch up your
topcoat, slough rough skin and
handle your hangnails at this
pretty palace where sugar scrubs
are part of the package.
milandayspabroughton.com
Runner-up: Crystal Nails
Pet Groomer
Top Dog Grooming Spa
One bad grooming session can
put you in the doghouse with
your beloved Fido, so it’s a relief
that you can count on Top Dog
Grooming Spa to pamper your
pet. With three locations and
a nifty mobile truck service,
they’re truly the alpha dog in this
category.
topdogspa.com
Runner-up: Diva Dogs
Pet Sitter
Catnip-n-Biscuits
Depending on your travel destination, you may find yourself
growing envious of the overnight
doggie suites and kitty condos
available at Catnip-n-Biscuits.
Featuring upscale accommodations and outdoor play yards, this
“luxury pet hotel” promises firstclass play and relaxation.
catnipnbiscuits.com
Runner-up: At Home Pet Sitters
Retirement
Community
Marshes of Skidaway Island
Sprawled over 58 acres on
Skidaway Island, this nonprofit
is dedicated to the health and
wellness of Savannah’s senior
community—plus, its awardwinning dining rivals fancy-pants
downtown restaurants.
marshesofskidaway.org
Runner-up: Summer Breeze Senior
Living
fourseasonstrvl.com
Runner-up: Edgewood Travel
Tour Company
Case Veterinary Hospital
Veteran veterinarian Dr. Carla
Case-McCorvey is on the case!
The good doctor captains Case
Veterinary Hospital, founded
more than century ago by her
great-grandfather. While honoring
her rich family legacy, she’s also
introduced several cutting-edge
technologies to her modern
10,000-square-foot facility.
casevet.com
Runner-up: Island Vet Clinic
Old Savannah Tours
If you think you know everything
about our little city, hop aboard
an Old Savannah Tours trolley
and be dazzled by your guide’s
insight and wit. Founded in
1979, this company truly brings
Savannah stories to life when
energetic Forrest Gump or
General Oglethorpe impersonators jump aboard.
oldsavannahtours.com
Runner-up: Old Town Trolley
Travel Agency
Four Seasons Travel
When Savannahians feel like
playing tourist elsewhere, they
turn to the elite consultants
at Four Seasons Travel to be
their guide. Since 1980, these
seasoned explorers have made
connections and recommendations on behalf of the most
discriminating spelunkers.
Veterinarian
Yoga/Pilates
Studio
Savannah Yoga Center
Whether you’re an experienced yogi or amateur “om”-er,
Savannah Yoga Center has
something to offer you. With a
range of styles and levels—and a
teacher-training program—you
know you’re in good hands.
savannahyoga.com
Runner-up: Savannah Power Yoga ■
Hotel
The Bohemian Hotel Savannah
Riverfront
Staycation, anyone?
Accommodations at the
Bohemian can be summed up
in one word: rhapsodic. All the
local glitterati know that the
Rocks on the Roof rooftop lounge
is the place to see picturesque
views of our fair city—and, of
course, to be seen.
bohemianhotelsavannah.com
Runner-up: Westin Savannah
Harbor
Congratulations
Dr. Jen Emberton
Voted Best
Physical Therapist!
INN/B&B
Presidents’ Quarters Inn
Modern conveniences marry
historic charm at these twin
Federal-style mansions on
Oglethorpe Square. Ask for a
balcony room overlooking the
serene courtyard garden.
presidentsquarters.com
Runner-up: Ballastone Inn
Insurance
Company
State Farm
With 15 licensed agents in the
Savannah city limits, you can
142 savannahmagazine.COM
CELEBRATING
23 YEARS!
westrehab.com
SE P T EM B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3
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