I have a confession – I almost canceled my dinner reservation for this place after perusing some recent online reviews that were less than positive. Folks were complaining about reservations not being honored or food and service being subpar. It was over hyped and not that good, some said.
I am so happy that I ignored the negatives because that was not my experience whatsoever. In fact, I’m considering a return to this stalwart Savannah restaurant, bar and lounge. It was that good.
I arrived a little early for my 8:00 booking and told the hostess I was interested in sitting at the bar where I could watch the Knicks game. She shepherded me through the warren like restaurant to the bar and passed me off to a gentleman who found me a seat with an excellent view of the screen.
My first impressions were of professional bartenders, a classic space and friendly people all around me. The young man seated beside me quickly launched into a conversation which carried us through dinner and his departure for a nearby blues bar. It was also his first visit to this beautiful city and he was enthusiastic about seeing and experiencing as much of it as possible, a goal I found to be admirable.
I was hungry and the menu was full of dishes that I wanted to sample. My approach was to zero in on a salad and an appetizer that I definitely needed to try and then avail myself of some guidance from the bartender taking care of me, for a second appetizer to round things out.
My opening dish, the BLT salad, was fantastic. Plentiful bacon in strips atop greens with fried green tomatoes. What’s not to like? In fact, I loved everything about it. The crispness of the bacon combined with the herbed breading on the tomatoes beautifully and I very happily chatted and chewed until my plate was clean. Great start and well matched to the glass of New Zealand Sauvignon blanc I had ordered.
My next dish was the pan seared jumbo lump crab cake which also featured fried green tomatoes as an integral component. Wow – delicious! The crab cake broke apart with the slightest touch of my fork and was a terrific foil for the moist, yet firm tomato slices. Another winner.
At this point in my meal things began to get a little hectic, in the best way. I had a second glass of wine. Lively conversation and the game combined to distract me slightly from my meal and I neglected to snap a photo of the bartender’s choice of appetizer for me, the shrimp, crab and sausage spring rolls. There were three on the plate and it took some effort for me to finish this appetizer because I was already leaning towards full. I mustered the drive and managed to consume the crisp spring rolls, but had to declare mercy on the accompanying greens and, most regrettably, the gorgeous biscuit that had been served in a sweet basket, along with butter at the ideal temperature for smearing.
I’m a little sad right now that I couldn’t get those last couple of bites in because the biscuit was, without a doubt, the best I’ve ever had. Tender, moist, perfectly baked. Truly, genre defining.
As half time approached and the bar began to empty out a bit, the bartender encouraged me to have a look around the restaurant, enthusiastically asserting that the downstairs lounge should not be missed. Toting my slice of key lime pie to enjoy later, I allowed him to lead me down the stairs to a subterranean room that was spectacular lit by tall white tapers within glass cylinders.
It is a stunning space and I would love to revisit it when I have the capacity to enjoy a cocktail along with the wonderful piano music I caught a few moments of last night.
The Olde Pink House is very much worthy of a visit because it hits on what I consider to be the most fundamental elements of hospitality – well prepared food, an interesting interior and absolutely warm and graceful service. Don’t miss this place.
Pro tip – make a reservation, singles and couples, per the bartender, can often slide into being seated as walk-ins if they’re flexible and patient.
DelSo 