Dining options in the Golden Isles for GA/FLA...

by Cheri Leavy

These are my tried and true favorites in the Golden Isles and I am giving you a wide variety in case you are a fortunate Dawg that is making this a week long pilgrimage. If that is the case, I would mix some fine dining in with casual as we have the best of both worlds.

A trip is incomplete if you don’t do Bennie’s Red Barn for a steak and fried seafood combo or if you miss the legendary burger at Brogens or if you are really in the know a visit to Frederica Cafe for Eggs Benedict or their Reuben. Lots of folks would say you have to get the renowned crab cakes from Barbara Jean’s or the California taco from Bubba Garcia’s.

Take advantage of this new opportunity at The Cloister on Sea Island. The Georgian Room is now open to the public with reservation. With Mobil Five Star Service, refined southern cuisine, an elegant setting and Wine Spectator Excellence wine menu, this is a treat you should not miss.
Click here to learn more about Georgian Room dining

If you are looking for down home hospitality combined with Southern charm, and the finest selection of grilled, blackened, steamed or fried seafood and steaks in the Southeast- look no farther than Crabdaddy’s Seafood Grill. Visit www.crabdaddysseafood.com to see the full menu.

Sensational seafood abounds at Tramici Restaurant on St. Simons Island. Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels, Fried Calamari, Crab with Basil, Poached Wild Georgia Shrimp, Sauteed Local Snapper and Apalachicola Oysters, just to name a few. Enjoy simple and savory dishes inside, around the bar or open-air in the courtyard. Open every day of the week from 5 PM to 10 PM with Happy Hour daily. You’ll love the pace and the prices! www.tramicirestaurant.com

www.halyardsrestaurant.com shares its outdoor courtyard with Tramici. Try out their small plates with big tastes- smaller portions, great prices and the opportunity to sample more than one when you just can’t decide. Seafood, beef, poultry, game. Halyards is proudly redefining Island Cuisine with great food, varied wines and tremendous service.

If you want ocean front views, the best spot on St. Simons is the King and Prince Resort. Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Blue Dolphin Restaurant. Sensational regional fare and certified angus beef. Their seafood gumbo and a bloody mary are tops. Don’t miss their famous fresh baked Georgia Peach Souffles if you are there for dinner. And the Sunday Brunch buffet is sure to end the trip on a high note. King and Prince dining

Call 912-638-SOUL or go to www.southernsoulbbq.com
to place your order for your GA/FLA tailgate… their southern sides of collard greens, hoppin’ john, mac n cheese, Brunswick Stew, deviled eggs and cornbread are as incredible as the barbeque! Or stop by and sit at the picnic table and enjoy your lunch there.

Catch 228 Oyster Bar & Grill in the back of Redfern Village is a great spot to dine and linger into the night as well. Great food with an extensive menu and island casual. I love their specialty oysters. This is a great spot to watch football and enjoy their Bloody Mary Bar and big screens if you are not making the trip to Jacksonville. 35 cent oysters at Happy Hour.

Check out Village Pub Let the good times roll. Enjoy a wide selection of cocktails, fine wines and beers and an extensive martini menu. I suggest starting with the Pub’s famous Wild Orchid Martini. Live music and a great environment. It is a favorite spot to start hopping through all the spots in the Pier Village. But the older I get, I have a tough time leaving one of the comfortable leather chairs!

Ziggy Mahoney’s has moved in case you didn’t know to a larger location between Bonefish and Winn Dixie. There, a larger dance floor and bar, high-tech lighting and sound system, a separate smoking porch, and two private party rooms blend in with numerous other party-friendly improvements, all in a classic Ziggy-style Southern Coastal atmosphere. It’s not just a dance club – it’s an Island institution since 1982. A destination. And of course, always a party! Especially for GA/FLA weekend!
www.ziggymahoneys.com

Tagged: ziggy mahoneys, village inn and pub, king and prince resort, catch 228 oyster bar grill, southern soul bbq, halyards, tramici, the georgian room at the cloister, crabdaddys seafood grill, dining on st simons island