Our third morning in Savannah was our last. We skipped breakfast at the inn and took a stroll through the historic district in search of somewhere to eat breakfast. By the time we hit Johnson Square, Becky was ready to mutiny. I remembered passing a interesting looking place on my run, and we made our way towards B. Matthew’s Eatery. The restaurant is located on the corner of Bay and Habersham Streets in a historic three-story brick building. Black awnings shaded the side walk and four red umbrellas covered the same number of tables that stood outside the front door.
We arrived a few minutes before the doors opened and sat at one of the outside cafe tables. A crowd slowly began to build, and soon the sidewalk held a crowd of twenty. The group was a cross section of Savannah and included young professionals, tourists strapped with fanny packs, and a couple of twenty-somethings heavily inked with muffin tops.
At 9 o’clock a staff member opened the front door, and the crowd shuffled out of the muggy coastal Georgia air into the cool interior. Wood floors, exposed brick, and black paint gave the restaurant an upscale casual feel. Square wooden tables flanked by identically colored curved chairs provided seating. A bar stretched the length of the room and was dotted with swirled glass pendant lights.
The hostess directed our to a seat at a table and brought us two menus. Our drinking order was promptly filled by our waitress while Becky and I tried to decide what to order. The brunch menu at B. Matthew’s served on Saturday and Sunday mornings is varied and includes Southern staples, hearty sandwiches, and lighter breakfast choices. Becky decided to try shrimp and grits while the fried duck and waffles caught my eye.
Our meals arrived after a moderate wait. Mine was served on a white oval plate. A large circular waffle was topped with three pieces of crispy fried duck. A side of maple mustard and a seasonal fruit selection full of melons, pineapple, and strawberries completed the plate. The waffle was light and fluffy and the maple mustard provided a tangy sweetness. The duck, however, was inconsistently cooked. Some pieces were tender while others were a bit tough. Becky’s shrimp and grits looked beautiful. Plump shrimp dotted yellow grits covered in gravy, bacon, cheese, and green onions. She was kind enough to allow me a few bites and it tasted just as good as it looked.
B. Matthew’s is open Monday – Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m, Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The restaurant is online at bmatthewseatery.com and on Facebook. The restaurant can be contacted by telephone at (912) 233-1319 and reservations are recommended on weekends.
Sweet Tea & Bourbon’s Rating:
Atmosphere: A
Taste: B
Presentation: B
Service: A
Cleanliness: A
Price: $$
Sweet Tea & Bourbon 