A taste of Savannah

July 15, 1996
From Correspondent Linda Ciampa

SAVANNAH, Georgia (CNN) -- In Savannah, some things haven't changed since James Oglethorpe founded this charming city by the sea in 1733. From it's tree-lined squares to it's stately homes, Georgia's oldest city has a lot to be proud of when it comes to beauty -- and when it comes to cuisine.

If it's turkey wings, fresh collard greens, salmon croquets or homemade corn bread you crave -- Nita's is the place to be.

Locals say this is some of the finest down-home cooking around..

"I'm from Tennessee, she's from Alabama, and this is about as Southern as it gets," two tourists say.

Owner Nita Dixon's trick for good cooking? She says it all depends on her taste buds and her mood.

To experience how wealthy Southerners ate a century-or-two ago, head on over to Elizabeth on 37th.

Inspired by the mansion that houses her restaurant, Elizabeth Terry researched refined Southern recipes from the 18th and 19th Centuries. What this leader in Southern cookery discovered was an elegant coastal cuisine.

"And so it was very natural and simple to work with the bounty that was right here; crabs, shrimp, flounder, grouper," says owner Elizabeth Terry.

And if you're looking to splurge at the end of the meal, look no farther than this Savannah cream cake. A favorite in these parts for generations, this variation on an English trifle is laced with nutmeg, dry Sherry, and heavy whipped cream.

Just a sampling of the flavors that await -- in a city known for its Old World charm and Southern hospitality.

Related site:

• Savannah food guide

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