We recently returned from a “work-ation” in St. Simons Island, Georgia. We have been there multiple times, and it’s nice to travel to a place very different from home but also familiar. The island has a number of fine dining establishments and we take full advantage when we’re in town.
Not to bury the lede – the torch has been passed for the best place to eat. For years we’ve considered Delaney’s the best fine dining restaurant in St. Simons. We had another excellent meal last week. But there were two things about Delaney’s that we didn’t like. One was everyone there seems to know each other, probably because the island is small and they do. The service has always been very good, but there is a subtle sense that you’re an outsider.
The other thing, possibly related to point one, is that we always got sat in the same section of the dining room. We joked that this must be the “visitors” table. It’s a bit close to a service station, and we decided this time we’d say something if it happened again. Sure enough, we were led to exactly the same table! We asked nicely for a different one and they complied.
Dinner was excellent, I had the flounder and Gabriele had elk. With dinner we had a bottle of Gaja Ca’Marcanda Promis Toscana, a high-quality IGT which I’ve discussed previously here.
The new standard IMHO is Woodside, a husband and wife chef operation. Their reviews were over the top and we can see why. All the boxes are checked – ambiance, service, and top-quality food. We both started with pasta appetizers (squash agnolotti and stonecrab cappellacci) that were sensational, then Gabriele had a bouillabaisse-like fish stew led by grouper, and I had the tri-tip steak.
The only slight disappointment was the small wine list. We had a bottle of Cooper Mountain Pinot Noir with dinner that was enjoyable rather than noteworthy.
The Pinot Noir discovery of the trip was found in a small package store, not at a restaurant. The 2022 Patricia Green Durant Vineyard, Madrone Block is really good juice. It’s rich but also balanced, not over the top like some prominent Pinots today. Bright cherry fruit leads with some cranberry, subdued tannins, some spice, and some suede to the texture. A delicious wine and a steal at $38, a price the owner said he’d have to raise on the next shipment.
Georgia Sea Grill and Halyards are also good choices for dinner. There is an amazing barbeque place, Southern Soul, with lots of media accolades, including multiple appearances on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Thursday is pastrami day! (No, I could not eat this sandwich in one sitting.)
Hope this gives you enough to go on for dining in St. Simons Island if you ever visit! Early spring wishes.
Gabriele had elk…that’s fancy!
Indeed – but they tried to put baby in the corner! ;-)