With its homemade pastas and delicious Neopolitan pizzas, Leoci’s Trattoria quickly became one of Savannah’s top Italian restaurants when it opened its doors last Decemeber. Now, Leoci’s is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a party on Dec. 12 as a way to thank and celebrate with the Savannah community. It will also be the launch of Leoci’s Italian Gourmet Wholesale Market, which will feature fresh mozzarella, European and Sicilian olives, Balsamic vinegars, unfiltered imported olive oil and Fresh Homemade Pastas to name a few. The Market will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

912.335.7027
606 Abercorn St., Savannah Georgia
www.leocis.com

Step inside Form, the new SoFo (South of Forsyth) gourmet “tastery” on Habersham and 34th that celebrated its grand opening this past Friday, and your mind immediately begins searching its crevices to categorize exactly what kind of place you’ve just entered.  Good luck!  This trendy venue is one-of-a-kind, at least for now in Savannah. And if that’s not enough for intrigue, take a look at these flavorful facts:

Warm up this winter with a holiday herbal treat from some of the best Savannah has to offer.

When Yoshimono, owner and chef of Sushi Zen, first came to Savannah 18 years ago, the sushi climate in this country definitely wasn’t what it is now. Consequently, Yoshi, as he likes to be called, originally from Tokyo, felt a responsibility to share the Japanese culture with Savannahians and bring a new cuisine to the South.

When you eat in the South, dining out can often mean weighing in after you’re finished. With great-tasting but waistline-expanding options like fried chicken or macaroni and cheese, it’s easy to see why patrons sometimes choose to stay in and cook a homespun meal. Fortunately, in Savannah you can venture beyond your kitchen. Many restaurants offer healthier options for the more calorie-discerning consumer. Whether it’s the way a dish is prepared or the kinds of ingredients used, we’ve got you covered for a more wholesome dining experience. Each of these seven dishes offers great taste without feeling like you ate an elephant.

Places to Remember your Diet

K Bella

Why? For a healthy meal to go. Choose from their rotating menu based on seasonal specialties  and local seafood, produce and meats. They also have a wide variety of options for vegetarians and event catering. 119 Charlotte Road, 912-897-4026, kbellagourmetcarryout.com

After working with a cast of characters at Walt Disney World’s Resort and partnering with the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu, chef Darin Sehnert has now made himself a home at the Mansion on Forsyth Park’s 700 Kitchen Cooking School. While epicureans of all skill levels can take an in-depth class on culinary creation, he gave South a few tips on how to put the soul in soul food.

When you first walk into The Crypt Pub, don’t forget to look down.

“See how the flooring’s different here?” owner Brad Clapp explains. “It’s believed that a body was buried underneath after a terrible fire started by a jilted lover. Nobody’s touched that section of the floor since.”

With inspiration like that, it’s easy to see where this new establishment on Broughton Street gets its name. The Crypt Pub is definitely a place where Savannah’s ghosts will feel right at home. From the face-distorting mirrors in the bathrooms to a skeleton DJ and his devil companions that move to the music, the sensation of a haunted house doesn’t escape patrons for long.

Savannah’s new nightspot has just arrived for adventurous night owls. With an enhanced Mediterranean atmosphere, complemented by the luxurious lure of a hookah lounge, The Mirage Mediterranean Bar & Grill is a pleasure for all the senses.

As the city’s only smoking lounge, owner Red Marsid prides himself on offering something new, but was unsure of how people in Savannah—with all their gentility— would take to the idea of giant smoking devices, complete with velvet hoses and all, adorning their beloved Broughton Street.

1.Black Bean Noodles

Umami Asian Kitchen

All diners have at some point experienced the intensity that somehow eludes definition: that enigmatic fifth taste known as umami. And Umami Asian Kitchen lives up to its unique name. “Every meal here at Umami has a distinctive taste and is freshly made to order,” says Steven Sanders, the owner of the new addition to the Twelve Oaks Shopping Center. One such dish worthy of sinking your chopsticks into is their black bean noodles. The key to unlocking these flavors is the heat, both in terms of the temperature and the spice. All stir-fry and noodle selections at Umami are quickly seared in a wok at a temperature of 700 degrees to lock in color, nutrition and freshness. The chefs create this popular entree by combining crushed black beans, ample chunks of red bell peppers, stalks of bok choy cabbage and slivers of flavorful onions and scallions: all stir-fried together with thin, tender yet firm rice noodles. You may also request that they toss in some chicken, tofu, beef or shrimp. And voila, noodle nirvana!

5500 Abercorn Street, 912.692.1411, Iwantmyumami.com