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Olde Pink House Review

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Olde Pink House

Member Rating: **** 4.3 | Rate It
  • Address: 23 Abercorn St., Historic District, Savannah, GA | Map It
  • Phone: 912/232-4286

Fodor's Review:

This pink-brick Georgian mansion was built in 1771 for James Habersham, one of the wealthiest Americans of his time, and the old-time atmosphere comes through in the original Georgia pine floors of the tavern, the Venetian chandeliers, and the 18th-century English antiques. The she-crab soup with sherry is a light but flavorful version of a Lowcountry specialty. Regional ingredients find their way into many of the dishes, including the black grouper stuffed with blue crab and served with a Vidalia onion sauce.

  • Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
  • Closed: No lunch

Member Reviews & Ratings:

Why Did I Ever Wait So Long to Eat Here

Posted by SDWallace from Savannah, Georgia on 7/21/08
I am a Savannah native. I took my mom to the Olde Pink House for dinner Saturday, 07/18/08 at 6:00p.m. We've lived here all of our lives but have never eaten here. We had the most pleasant experience. We arrived at about 5:40p.m. and were promtly taken to our table. Our server was Linda. She was excellent. She explained all the special dishses and answered all our questions. The service was impeccable. My mother ordered the scallop appetizer and I ordered the she crab soup. The scallops(two very large scallops) were cooked to perfection. The she crab soup was just the right consistency and Sherry was added once brought to the table. We both selected salads, my mother enjoyed the ceasar with an excellent home made dressing and I enjoyed the special which consisted of baby greens with pine nuts, fresh raseberries,crumbled blue cheese and a balsemic vinigerette dressing. Our entre's were even more delicious. My mother ordered the shrimp and scallops fetticine and I ordered the house specialty of the crispy scored flounder. The flounder came with creamy grits and I chose asparagus instead on the usual collards that came with the dish. I am a true southerner but we usually do not order collards when dining out! Linda was very gracious to adjust our selections. The flounder was drizzled with a onion and appricot glace' which hightened the flavors that I just can't describe. I almost forgot we started off our meal with a "Peach Tini" (peach martini). The atomosphere was wonderful. We were dissappointed that we did not have any room for desserts and ended up taking our entre's home. there is so much history in this house. They've done a wonderful job restoring and preserving the house but also updating it as well for modern necessities (i.e. restrooms, elevators, etc.) The dining room (main floor- green room to the left of the entrance foyer)we were in could of stood to be cooler; but with such high ceilings and the humid tempertures outside, it was tolerable. Our dining experience was a beyond our expectations. We loved it! We also enjoyed walking around and veiwing the different dining rooms (rooms in the house). There are three floors (main, upstairs, and basement). I can't wait to eat here again.

Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 5.0 RATING: 5.0

Mixed ambiance

Posted by Miller43 from Jacksonville, FL on 7/17/08
Pink house is inconsistent at best but Gail Thurmond kept us coming back. Live classic piano music is forth enduring many things. Our first visit to the Pink House was outstanding; the scallops were to die for. Subsequent visits were less impressive including a cleanliness issue; however, Gail was so talented that we continued to visit even if just for a cocktail. Gail is now sadly gone so the risk of dining at this establishment is not worth it.

Food: 4.0 Atmosphere: 1.0 Service: 2.0 Value: 2.0 RATING: 2.6

Best Dinner in Savannah

Posted by southerngourmet from Nashville on 5/27/08
Olde Pink House was wonderful. Easily the best meal in Savannah in several visits. Authentic gourmet Southern cuisine. Setting, service, and food were excellent. She crab soup and crab cakes were our appetizers. Entrees were scored grouper, encrusted tilapia and new york strip. All were house specialities and cooked to perfection. Can't wait to go back.

Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 3.0 RATING: 4.6

Wonderful for Special Occasion or Any Occasion

Posted by Andrea_K from Charleston, SC on 2/28/08
My husband took me to The Olde Pink House for our anniversary. This had to be one of my best meals ever. The BLT salad was so yummy and we both had the special of striped bass that was out of this world. The staff was so friendly and the atmosphere was fantastic!

Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 5.0 RATING: 4.8

Made our Thanksgiving UNBELIEVABLE!

Posted by mikenrobin from Atlanta, GA on 12/3/07
My sisters and I recently lost our parents so we decided to try a restaurant instead of a home for Thanksgiving this year. We couldn't get a reservation for Paula Deen's restaurant so I was tried the Old Pink House after reading the reviews here. They not only met our expectations, they exceeded them!! WOW! I never tasted food like that. The she crab soup was unbelievable, and I still fantasize about the Lobster Pot Pie!! BEST thing that has passed my lips in years!!! I cannot say enough about how comfortable and wonderful our Thanksgiving was thanks to the Old Pink House. The service was excellent, the managers and waitresses were so attentive and thoughtful, we cannot WAIT to go back!

Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 4.0 RATING: 4.8

My favorite restaurant

Posted by starrsville from Georgia on 11/23/07
The Pink House is my restaurant of choice in Savannah - and one of my favorites anywhere. Beautiful atmosphere, wonderful food, fabulous service. I have done a lot of business entertaining here and all have always been pleased. The scored flounder is their specialty, but I often order three appetizers - one as an appetizer and two served together as an entree. If you are not very hungry then a drink and an appetizer downstairs in the tavern is a wonderful option. When the fires are lit and the piano is playing, it doesn't get any better in Savannah. Whatever you do, save room for their specialty dessert, ice cream served in their homemade praline basket!

Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 5.0 RATING: 5.0

When in Rome

Posted by landrover from Nashville on 3/31/07
I have been to the Pink House a number of times and will be down there for Easter and plan to revisit. AS a native southerner and a huge fan of Savannah - thought I would share some perspective for folks with the hope of maximizing your expereience. Savannah attitude is not modeled after New York or LA, it is classically Savannah. Laid back and relaxed is the mode so if you are measuring service by how quick you get in and out, you will be disappointed. If you think of service in the European traditon, the host assumes you are there to relax and not be rushed, you will be closer to the Savannah attitude. Also I have always found my Pink House experinece to be best when I have eaten downstairs in the bar/lounge area. That seems to be where the locals go and you will find a fun and relaxed atmosphere with music and lots of local color. Last trip our server even gave me a mini tour of the old vault down there which is now used for storage. If you ask for downstairs seating, start off with drinks at the bar and just enjoy the atmosphere until your table becomes avaialale. Plan on spending a while there and you will be delightfully surprised (and tipsy). Nothing but excellent experience and in my opinion the best restaurant Savannah has to offer. ANd lots of interesting chef innovations using local items like pecans, shrimp, crab, etc in unique ways.

Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 5.0 RATING: 5.0

gotham foodies dad

Posted by rfcasella from New York City on 1/5/07
My wife and I ate there in Jan 07, She had the crispy scored flounder and I the pork chop. For starter we had the she crab soup (rich but delicious). Both meals were wonderful and the service was attentive and friendly.

Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 5.0 RATING: 5.0

Not worth a special event

Posted by Kay_S from Tampa, FL on 11/26/06
Our family celebrated our parents 50th wedding anniversary and I feel very sorry we choose this restaurant. For starters we were seated at two separate tables (we were a large party but saw other large parties seating together). When we asked if there was a way we could all sit together (or at least the adults at one table, children at the next) we were abruptly told no!We had advanced reservations so they knew we were coming). Our waitress was rude, did not even attempt to do or say anything nice to our parents(one ex. of many... reached in and took salad plates without even asking if we were through). Food was okay, some people in our party said their dishes were okay. My filet was fatty and on the advice of the waitress (wanted pink she told me to order Med. well against my better judgement the filet came out tough). My sons fish was horrible. Would not choose this restaurant for a special occasion but if you do not expect much and are looking for atmosphere it is pretty inside. There are much nicer restaurants in Savannah to choose from and that offer both high quality service, exceptional food, and ambience.

Food: 2.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 1.0 Value: 2.0 RATING: 2.2

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