Chances are it wasn't malones. I hang out there a fair amount...(I live there during football season) Spanky's a good possibility. A lot of area influence hangs out at pinkie masters sometime. SarahJane-I will most likely be working one of those days. when you come on the island you will have a sharp right curve onto butler ave. (the strip of sorts)we are about a 1/4 mi. down the road after the curve on the left. It is called Beachside Colony Condos. You come in the restaurant and walk straight through to the deck bar. You can't see the deck bar from the road. If you pop in I'll be able to give you some more advice about SAV.
OliveOyl-It's come along way. The Grill is in its 5th summer. I worked there two summers ago and it was alright. I took last summer off and I decided to go back this summer..there were alot of changes. It is really nice now.

Sorry to contradict GoTravel, who always gives great advice, but PLEASE don't rent Prince of Tides (the movie). Read the book. It's one of my all-time favorites and I think it really conjures the beauty & magic of the lowcountry. I can tell you are excited about your trip, but reading Prince of Tides (you've got to kill time on the plane, right?) will really get you going.

The movie is icky and will ruin the book for you.

BTW: Think McCrady's wine bar in Chars. since you have a wine interest.

GoTravel-The military movie filmed in SAV with John Travolta is called "The General's Daughter" Some of it was filmed across the street from my house. So in the morning and afternoon there were limos, film trucks, and military vehicles driving up and down my street. I walked down to where they were filming to see if they needed extras...no luck..oh well

Litespeed, I agree the book Prince of Tides is much better than the movie as Pat Conroy is my favorite writer. I think it is the preface of the book where he describes the sun setting over the marsh in such detail you can see it! Beautiful prose. The reason I suggested renting the flicks so sarah can see the towns she wil be visiting.

OO and blueguave, both wrong. It was McDonough's. I think that is the spelling. It was a bizzare evening.

Oh sarahjaneb, you're going to all the places we love best! A good thing to do in Charleston is to visit the house museums. One thing to stroll by those glorious mansions, and quite another to go inside and hear the stories. I would second going to Beaufort on your way down to Savannah. Don't take the highway. Use the back road and you'll see all the shimmering marshlands. Beaufort is a charming town and there's a small church with a cemetary attached to it--during the Civil War they use the tombstones as operating tables! Savannah has an entirely different feel to it than Charleston, so in no way will you feel like you are repeating the same experience. The only common thread is that they're both old, historic, and utterly captivating. If you want a great authentic pub/hamburger joint kind of place, try the Chrystal Palace Beer Parlor in Savannah. You may have to check up on the name, but I think I've gotten it straight. We ate there years ago and I still remember how good my burger was. Have a wonderful trip: I guarantee you'll come back time and time again. (Same goes for New Orleans!) Oh, and Hilton Head...what Hilton Head????

Litespeed Chick,
Thanks, I have read The Prince of Tides and saw the movie, and you are right. It has been so long, I will probably read it again on the plane. Good suggestion~ I am in the wine business so will find McCradys when we get there!

Uh-oh...sorry, it was North Beach Grill!! When you started giving directions I knew we were talking about different places. There was a restaurant/bar being torn down just was we were leaving...bar on right, restaurant on left, as you walked in, and patio on beach outback. Could it have gone up there? As a bartender, I wonder if you know someone named Jimmy Kehoe..always a regular on the beach bar scene..and in the aforementioned bar anytime we were there.

Another good (or I found it fascinating) low country book by Pat Conroy was the River Is Wide. It roughly chronicles his teaching experience at a one room schoolhouse on Daufuskie Island off Hilton Head. At the time, it was inhabited by Gullah descendants, and as one might imagine, his teaching style wasn't exactly conventional, but it was innovative and effective, at least according to his evaluation. He eventually lost the job...also not a huge surprise as he doesn't fit well into any molds people want to make for him. If you go to Hilton Head, there are boats going over to Daufuskie (no bridges) from Harbourtown. It was gorgeous when we went (8-10 years ago) and development was slow to catch on so you still might still find it a worthwhile trip. We named our boat "Beach Music"...two guesses where that came from?

Sarajaneb--Lucky you! What a gorgeous area to live in. That's one of the few places I'd trade places for anytime. IF they ever had vacancies, we can stay at Highlands Inn and Hyatt Monterey at no cost. IF. We have done Monterey once before they owned Highlands Inn.

dln, Crystal Beer Parlor is no more. Too bad. It was an institution.

Blueaguave...what is the latest on Mrs. Wilkes. Are they going to reopen?

Augh!!! I hate hearing this! First the Chrystal Beer Palace, now Mrs. Wilkes? We ate there only two summers ago and had not only a great Southern meal, but such fun talking to visitors from all over the world. Is this only a temporary closing?

As far as I know they are open. They closed after Sema Wilkes died and I think they were closed for about a week after the funeral. I think her family is running the restaurant.
And yes I do know Mr. Kehoe. He's a vodka/tonic in a tall glass man. nice guy. He always is at the grill. And don't worry even my friends mistake where I work for North Beach Grill. Even though they are no where near each other. Mr. Kehoe is always at The Grill Beachside where I work.

yeah OO. Dark wood bar on right and tables on left..then the deck out back on the beach with a pool on the right

As of March, Mrs. Wilkes family was still debating re-opening, or that's what we were hearing on this board. They always closed for the month of January, but this year they didn't reopen. :( That would be a real loss--you are right, dln, another institution! OK, blueaguave, you have a mission: to find out if they are up and running again! It sounded promising that they would but as late as March, it was still going back and forth.

Next time you see Jimmy, would you say hello for my husband please? (McDaniel), GM of the Hyatt before current one. They were active in several groups together and we all had a nice trip to Norfolk with his Navy group when the USS Savannah was decommissioned, with a contingent from the city going up on a Navy plane from Hunter. Really neat experience. This was in Susan Weiner's reign, not Floyd Adams, so a while back. He is a genuinely nice guy--we will always miss our friends from there!

ok OO. I will make a few calls and hopefully have some good news for all of you fried okra and fried chicken and sweet tea fans!! And I'll will probably see Mr. Kehoe tomorrow afternoon so I'll pass the message along for you

Yes...Mrs. Wilkes is back open. I called my Mom. Mom knows best right? She said her boss took his daughter to lunch there last week. My mom was also under the impression they were closed but now we know they were open at least as of last week. Sigh of relief for all of you who were wondering!!

All of you have gotten me so intrigued about Mrs. Wilkes...is is going to have to be my first stop right before drinks at The Grill. Keep posting as I am living vicariously though your sharing...

Terrific news blueaguave!! Thanks so much for checking. Yes...we Moms know all, hear all, see all...and don't you forget it! :) I love all their food(once a year it's ok) but will have to pass on sweet tea. No-no-no can do. Although Mrs Wilkes was in the dining room almost until she went into hospice, I think the operation has been run hands-on by the whole family for some time so hopefully there won't be any noticeable change. Some things should never be touched and that's probably one.

Thanks so much for passing on my husband's regards to Jimmy too. Glad to hear he is holding down the fort on Tybee still. We'll be up again before too long. It's only about a 5 hour drive...just need to make some time.

sarahjaneb...you won't regret it. She's only open for lunch and breakfast, and only Monday through Friday. No reservations...you go and stand in line and those people you are in line with (it moves) are the people you will be dining with at the family style tables. Fixed menu all good old southern cooking...they bring out the dishes and set out several per table and refill just as soon as necessary. You will not leave hungry. Mrs. Wilkes used to start the meal with a prayer but don't know about that now. Be aware you are expected to bring your dishes to the kitchen at the end of the meal. It's fun and with any luck, you'll meet some interesting travellers and locals. It is frequented by both. You'll find it on Jones St and don't snack on anything before you go!

OK...you have a mission too if you don't mind: a trip report when you return?? Would love to read all about your impressions.

I will promise to deliver a fantastic trip report...although I will be busy on the treadmill working off all of the amazing food and cocktails I will certainly overindulge in~ This posting has been a lifesaver and will take all of you and your experiences on my trip to NOLA, SC, and GA. Truly lucky to have found you...

Don't Worry OO. I'll break in Sarah proper like.
As for Mrs. Wilkes. That is one thing you will miss is not being able to speak with her. She was the nicest woman but don't let that fool you..She wasn't that innocent!! She was the funniest/wittiest woman I have ever had the pleasure of speaking with. With a southern dialect like buttah. She will be missed but her name will live on for years to come through her family.

^Just like an elephant...Savannah never forgets!

OO-Mr. Kehoe is one of the several regulars who come in for happy hour at the grill. And this weekend I get off on friday @ 5:00 which will be right around the time he arrives. So I'll be able to have a drink with him and ask him about Ya'lls travels together. In the past..he has always told me some great stories after a couple vodka tonics..I'll post tomorrow and let you know what he has to say Goodnight ooopss actually goodmorning!

still can't decide b'tween charleston and savannah, and this thread is't making it any easier! it all sounds so great.