Wine With Wanda

Uncorking the Past: History in a Bottle at Liberty Hall Museum

Who knew that in addition to grit and vision, founding a nation required copious amounts of alcohol? America's Founding Fathers appreciated a good tipple and their writings frequently reference booze. Benjamin Franklin famously said, "Wine is constant proof that God loves us and likes to see us happy." Evidence of the drinking habits of America's political trailblazers are on display in Union, New Jersey at Liberty Hall Museum's intriguing new permanent exhibition History in a Bottle.

During a recent renovation, museum staff were shocked by the discovery of a hidden cellar filled with wine and spirits spanning two centuries. Touring the impressive collection with John Kean, president of Liberty Hall Museum, I couldn't help but chuckle when he said, "The Founding Fathers were a bunch of drunks anyway!"

John Kean, president of Liberty Hall Museum. His ancestor, William Livingston, was the first governor of New Jersey and a signer of the Constitution. Livingston built the family's landmark home in 1772.

Built in 1772, Liberty Hall Museum is the landmark estate of the Livingston and Kean families -- their family tree includes the 1st and 48th governors of New Jersey. Active in politics and public service since the American Revolution, the family hosted many of American history's prominent figures at their palatial country estate, including an overnight stay from Alexander Hamilton. More likely than not, Hamilton enjoyed a glass of Madeira during his visit.



The liquid treasures uncovered at Liberty Hall Museum include a bottle of 1796 Lenox Madeira, the same wine that Hamilton might have used to toast a political success against his future assassin, Aaron Burr. Other highlights include a bottle of 1876 Old Crow Bourbon, Brandy from the mid-1800's, and a bottle of Château Mouton Rothschild 1905! 


In addition to the 1796 Lenox Madeira, History in a Bottle features several other very old bottles of Madeira -- an indicator of the importance and popularity of this fortified wine from Portugal during the 18th and 19th centuries. There is even literature that suggests that George Washington's oath of office ceremony was followed by a Madeira toast. Even the signing of the Declaration of Independence was toasted with Madeira. 

As if the discovery of 25 bottles of Madeira dating back to 1796 and 42 demijohns from the 1820's wasn't big enough news, these Liberty Hall treasures were actually in pristine condition! As a fortified wine, Madeira has impressive aging capacity but the exceptional quality of the wines unearthed at Liberty Hall can also be attributed to the excellent conditions of the hidden cellar and the Portuguese cork. Not only did the cork stoppers endure for such an extended period of time, they did an impeccable job of protecting the Madeira. During my visit to Liberty Hall, I was invited to taste their Madeira from the mid-nineteenth century and was blown away by its incredible vitality, freshness, and finesse. 


History in a Bottle is a rare and exciting opportunity to explore 200 years of American history through the lens of wine & spirits. Also, in addition to the exhibition, Liberty Hall and its grounds, located on the campus of Kean University, are absolutely lovely. As described on their website, "over the last two centuries, the originally designed 14-room Georgian Style home has grown into a 50-room Victorian-style mansion. The site houses extensive collections of antique furniture, ceramics, textiles, toys and tools owned by seven generations of the Livingston and Kean families." A great day-trip that is easily accessible from New York City, Liberty Hall Museum is a charming journey to the past.

Inspiration: Josephine Baker

Today, during a very boring meeting, I found my mind wandering to Paris. Specifically, the 1920's Paris of Josephine Baker. In this vivid daydream, my business attire was replaced with shimmer, feathers, and a whole lot of va va voom. My coffee mug transformed into a champagne flute and the office became a very chic cabaret with moi on stage. A little crazy, I know, but I've always felt inspired by Josephine's fearlessness. She left her home in St. Louis and took Paris and the world by storm with her talent, charisma, and sensuality. She was also an activist and a highly honored member of the French Resistance. Josephine wasn't afraid to explore the world, live her truth, and let her light shine. Even if you don't want to wear a banana skirt a la Josephine, she sets a fine example for the great things that can happen when we let go of the places and situations that hold us back.

 

Style Big Shot André Leon Talley Celebrates the Little Black Dress

 An ode to the little black dress features prominently on the list of books that I plan to write one day but style guru André Leon Talley has beat me to the punch. A compilation of photos and essays, his Little Black Dress (Rizzoli, $50) tome traces the evolution of the LBD and shares insights from Talley and other writers, including Pulitzer Prize winners Maureen Dowd and Robin Givhan. Featured designers include Chanel, Yves St. Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Balenciaga, Proenza Schouler, and many more.

Dolce and Gabbana
image: Adam Kuehl

If you are in New York City on Monday, April 15th, you can hear Talley discuss his book at FIAF (French Institute Alliance Française). His talk, Celebrating the Little Black Dress, begins at 7pm and books will be available for purchase and signing. Tickets are $25. Talley's talk is certain to entertain - he never holds back and his knowledge of fashion is encyclopedic. Not one to rest on his couture laurels, Talley recently left Vogue after 30 years to forge a fashionable new path as the editor-in-chief of Numéro Russia.

Calling All Flappers & Rumrunners! American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition at the National Constitution Center

In an era of obsession with craft cocktails and fine wines, it is hard to imagine that from 1920-1933 you had to break the law in order to wet your whistle. American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, a new exhibition at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, explores the many facets of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution that foolishly banned the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages.



On view from October 19, 2012 - April 18, 2013, the first-of-its-kind exhibition showcases 120 rare artifacts, including original ratification copies of the 18th and 21st Amendments, flapper dresses, homebrewing equipment, and a hatchet used by the feisty Carry Nation during one of her epic barroom smashing raids. There will even be a recreated speakeasy where visitors can learn to dance the Charleston. Spanning from the dawn of the temperance movement, through the Roaring ’20s, to the unprecedented repeal of a constitutional amendment, this exhibition brings the whole story of Prohibition to life.


Did you watch the fabulous Ken Burns documentary Prohibition on PBS? Well, American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition was curated by Burns collaborator and Pulitzer Prize finalist Daniel Okrent - author of Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition. Of course, we all know the ban on alcohol only increased the public's thirst for booze. People didn't stop drinking - they just found creative ways to break the law and fill their glasses. From Al Capone to flapper girls, the cocktail culture of the 1920's boasts some of the most colorful characters of the 20th century.

Admission to American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition is $17.50 for adults. There will also be a series of special events in conjunction with the exhibition, including the Bootlegger's Ball on October 18th.

Where to Stay: Kimpton has just opened the Hotel Monaco in the 100-year-old Lafayette Building on Independence Mall. The four-star property offers 268 rooms, luxury suites, the largest rooftop lounge in Philadelphia, and the 120-seat Red Owl Tavern that serves modern American fare and craft cocktails. You can save 20% off their best available rate through December 31st.

For more tips on planning your trip, check out VisitPhilly.com.

NYC's First Female Cabbie

Sometimes you hear a news story that just makes you smile. When I saw this segment on Good Day NY about NYC's first female taxi driver, I just had to share it with you. 97 year old Gertrude Jeanette drove a cab in the Big Apple from 1942-49. She was also an actress that performed as a leading lady for Tennessee Williams and counted Josephine Baker as a close friend. Ms. Jeanette also founded an acclaimed theater company in Harlem - a truly amazing lady. Watch the video clip and you'll see a photo of a younger Ms. Jeanette looking gorgeous in a little black dress! She even makes a driver's cap look stylish!

 

 

 

Love Lust & The Little Black Dress on the Sundance Channel

I love the fact that even the men in my life update me whenever they hear any LBD related news! My brother Glenn, aka the serious film guy, told me that he saw the documentary "Love Lust & The Little Black Dress" on the Sundance Channel's schedule and knew that he had to tell his dressaholic sister about it.

Score one for little brother! This saucy little documentary did a clever job of melding fashion history and modern sartorial trends. Did you know that the LBD is the only garment listed in the Oxford dictionary by its initials?

From Hollywood to the White House and from the runway to the streets, the LBD is everywhere and Love, Lust & The LIttle Black Dress traces that journey. When Coco Chanel, inspired by the nuns from the orphanage of her childhood, debuted her little black dress in 1926 it changed the way women looked and felt about themselves. Coco bid adieu to the bustles and bright colors of the Victorian age that covered women from head to toe. Fast forward to the 1980's and American designer Donna Karan liberated American women from those dreaded boxy power suits and put the little black dress back on the map. And, of course, Audrey Hepburn and the iconic Givenchy LBD that she wore in Breakfast at Tiffany's is featured in the film along with Jackie O, Princess Di, Mrs. Obama, Rita Hayworth and so many other ladies who made history in their little black dresses.

If you are looking for a way to make your couch potato time a little more glamorous, spend an hour watching Love Lust & The Little Black Dress. The documentary is scheduled to show on Sundance throughout February and March.

Style from the Nile and On Museum Mile: Cleopatra & American Woman Exhibitions

Can we be honest and admit that not every museum exhibition is exciting? There, I said it. I love art but a stuffy museum is more boring than watching paint dry. If you want to see two glamorous and captivating exhibitions, I recommend American Woman: Fashioning a New Identity at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art and Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

It took excessive amounts of self-control to restrain myself from asking the security guard at the MET where the fitting room was located. The American Woman exhibition is a decadent display of little black dresses and a wide variety of gorgeous gowns. If ever I wanted to embark on a life of crime and pull a museum heist, it was yesterday. American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity focuses on "archetypes of American femininity through dress, the exhibition reveals how the American woman initiated style revolutions that mirrored her social, political, and sexual emancipation." 

From Gibson Girls and Suffragettes, from riding habits to evening gowns, American Woman showcases creations by iconic designers such as Worth, Lanvin, and Poiret. The audio guide is narrated by Sex and the City fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker. Another highlight is the multi-media presentation set to Lenny Kravitz's rock tune American Woman that includes photos and video images of Josephine Baker, Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Onassis, Beyonce, Rosa Parks, and prominent American women of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
(image: La Sirene by Charles James. 1941)


Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt reveals that Hollywood wasn't entirely wrong - her life really was a soap opera! Egypt's last Pharaoh, Cleopatra was a legendary beauty and powerful leader who married her brothers, had love affairs with her enemies, and apparently loved to shop.

"Organized by National Geographic and Arts and Exhibitions International, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities and the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM), the exhibition features never before seen artifacts, and takes visitors inside the present-day search for Cleopatra, which extends from the sands of Egypt to the depths of the Bay of Aboukir near Alexandria."

In addition to important historical information that dispels many myths about Cleopatra, the exhibition includes eye-catching displays of beautiful gold jewelry and other luxury items. Also, did you know that current research suggests that the dramatic eyeliner worn by Cleopatra and others may have helped ward off eye infections? A smokey eye with medicinal powers - Sephora are you listening?

There's No Place Like New Orleans: 3 More Things I Love About the Big Easy

I'm back home in the Big Apple but my mind keeps wandering back to the Big Easy. Just a few days ago I was strolling along the Mississippi River and now I'm fighting my way onto the 6 train during rush hour. Go figure. 

So, with Kermit Ruffins playing in the background as I snack on a praline from Leah's, I've decided to take a mental holiday and look at some of the photos from my trip. Here are just three of the reasons why I'm a fan of NOLA.

Talking to Strangers: Please don't tell my mother, but I spend the majority of my vacations striking up conversations with strangers. I had some great exchanges with folks in New Orleans on topics ranging from Hurricane Katrina to Hubig's Pies. One conversation inspired me to hop a streetcar to the Treme neighborhood for lunch at a popular restaurant called Two Sisters (this is NOT the restaurant with the same name in the French Quarter).

 

This heaping plate of food may not be pretty but it was DELICIOUS!  If you want to try finger-licking, down-home cooking, hop the Canal Street streetcar and get off at Claiborne Avenue. This heaping plate of rice and peas, juicy neckbones, potato salad and cornbread was only $8.50! Two Sisters is open Monday-Saturday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. (Tel: 504-524-0056).

Another helpful stranger that I met was this handsome fireman. Oh my. Need I say more?

Music, Sweet Music: It makes sense that the birthplace of jazz  knows how to swing. Everywhere you go in New Orleans, you hear fantastic musicians playing their hearts out. These street musicians may not be famous but they have an abundance of talent.

History Everywhere You Turn: How can one small city be so rich in history? If you're an old soul like me, who prefers a crumbling mansion to a gleaming skyscraper, then you gotta love New Orleans.

    Congo Square, located inside Louis Armstrong Park, is where slaves and free people of color would gather on Sundays in the 19th century. The African dancing and drumming that occurred at the Congo led to the development of Jazz. (The park was closed during my visit so I could only gaze at the square from outside the gate.)

Sometimes I felt like I was back in Spain.


I love these romantic courtyards that pop up in the French Quarter


Playwright Tennessee Williams had an apartment here at 623 St. Peter's Street. They say this is where he worked on his masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire.

Thank you New Orleans - you are one beautiful, resilient, charming and unique city! Watch out, I'll be back in my little black dress.

Home to Grace Kelly & Sylvia Plath: Vanity Fair Remembers the Barbizon Hotel for Women

One of the most interesting articles in the April 2010 issue of Vanity Fair is Sorority on East 63rd Street - a lively chronicle of the legendary Barbizon Hotel for Women on New York City's Upper East Side. 

Now a luxury condo building, during it's heyday the Barbizon housed young women with big dreams, including Grace Kelly, Joan Crawford, Ali McGraw, Liza Minelli, Joan Didion, Cybill Shepard, and Sylvia Plath. During her stay, Ms. Kelly was known for "performing exotic dances in the hallways, while scantily attired, and for her facility in in arranging covert romantic assignations in the darker corners of the hotel lounges." Way to go Grace!  

Although fellas, including famous ones like Ricky Gervais, now live at the Barbizon, surprisingly the Big Apple still has women's only residences where gentlemen are only allowed in the lobby. Read the November 2009 New York Times article Where the Boy's Aren't for more information about the Webster Apartments, the Brandon Residence for Women, and the Jeanne D'Arc Residence.

I must admit that whenever I walk by the Barbizon, the theme song from the 1980's sitcom Bosom Buddies pops into my head. Starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari as two men in drag who move into an all women's hotel in NYC when their apartment is demolished, Bosom Buddies showed that people will do just about anything for cheap rent in Manhattan.

Remembering the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Discovery Times Square

We all know how the story ends, yet the world remains fascinated by the ill fated maiden voyage of the Titanic. An estimated 705 people survived and more than 1,500 passengers perished in 1912 when the "unsinkable" luxury ship struck an iceberg in the frigid Atlantic Ocean. Titanic never reached the intended destination of Chelsea Piers in New York City, but today many of her artifacts are on display during a limited engagement at the Discovery Times Square Exposition.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition features the largest collection of Titanic artifacts recovered from the wreck. More importantly, the exhibition makes a concerted effort to tell the stories of the families, immigrants, clergy, socialites, and titans of industry who boarded the Titanic full of hope and enthusiasm only to encounter disaster 4 days later. Upon arrival, all visitors to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition receive a replica boarding pass with the name and bio of an actual passenger. The journey through the exhibition's artifacts and replicas concludes at the memorial wall where visitors discover if the passenger on their pass was lost or saved.  

First class passenger, and Titanic survivor,  Margaret Brown became known as the "Unsinkable Molly Brown." Brown took charge of her lifeboat and went back to the sinking ship to rescue more passengers from the freezing water. Our kind of girl!

    
Replicas of the Titanic's first class and third class cabins. 
 
I was amazed at the number of personal items that were recovered from 12,460 feet below the ocean's surface such as shoes, jewelry, hair brushes, currency, purses, and even vials of perfume with their scent reportedly still intact 97 years later. The exhibition also features a stunning recreation of the Titanic's legendary Grand Stairway and an eerie ice-cold replica of the lethal iceberg. Foodies will be enthralled by the intact china dinnerware, set of au gratin dishes, and copies of the dinner menus. Tapioca consomme, anyone?

actual au gratin dishes from the Titanic

 Click here to learn more about Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition.  

Ten in My Town: Alva Johnson's Atlanta

From where to buy the perfect little black dress to the best spot for a romantic dinner, reaching out to local ladies with a zest for life is one of the best ways to get the inside scoop on a destination. Ten in My Town asks savvy ladies to name their top ten picks for the places to see and be seen in their hometowns. Our first stop is the land of juicy peaches, sweet tea, spicy reality TV drama queens, and so much more – Atlanta! Glamorous Georgia girl and globetrotter Alva Johnson is our guide to this sexy southern city.

Alva Johnson
Co-Founder, Independent Champagne and Sparkling Wine Invitational
www.icswi2010.com

Whether staffing 22,000 temporary employees for the Olympic Games, training personal assistants for celebrities such as Vera Wang and The Dave Matthews Band, or planning large scale events in Brazil and Germany; Alva Johnson is the consummate planning professional. As the co-founder of the Independent Champagne and Sparkling Wine Invitational (ICSWI), which will take place in New Orleans in April 2010, Alva brings the same energy and enthusiasm to bubbles that she’s used to ignite crowds worldwide. Alva passionately believes champagne isn’t just for special occasions – it’s the ultimate celebration of life! Let Alva's Ten in My Town picks inspire you on your next trip to Atlanta.  

1. To Buy the Perfect Little Black Dress - I love to shop at Fa'brik in Buckhead or Wish in Little 5 points. Both have sexy yet eclectic styles. Fa'brik is more designer driven while Wish has more fashion-forward options.

2. For a Night Out with the Girls - The St. Regis Hotel Bar- great crowd, cool atmosphere...after that possibly Club Opera or The Cheetah (this IS Atlanta).

3. For a Romantic Dinner - Canoe or Joel. Canoe when I want to see the Chattahootchie River or Joel when I want great French food and sexy atmosphere. 

4. To Take Out of Town Guests - my favorite local place by my home, Bistro VG's (formerly Van Gogh's). I live in the suburbs, 45min from the city, so I take out of towners to my favorite place by my home.

5. For Something Sweet- Bistro VG's again or Krispy Kreme. Bistro VG's for great crepes and homemade sorbets. Krispy Kreme for those days I do not have to fit into my little black dress.

6. For Cocktails - Drinkshop in The W Hotel Downtown or my home is pretty infamous for Champagne gatherings.

7. To Connect with Nature - my backyard...one of the great things about living in the suburbs is having a large backyard, a lake across the street, and a brook flowing in my back yard. My backyard is a haven for butterflies, they congregate in my yard and I love to step out of my stilettos and just be.

8. To Connect with the Past - Auburn Ave. in Atlanta. This is a historical street which has the Martin Luther King Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church.

9. Where I Go to Unwind - to the kitchen. I love to cook and naturally I have lots of great wine and champagne at my home, so my kitchen is a great source of relaxation. I pop a bottle of champagne, and enjoy it while I create a feast. My children love to cook with me so I buy them sparkling grape juice which makes them feel "fancy."

10. To Learn Something New- Easy one- the library, any library, usually the library at Crabapple Middle School (my son's school). I have always been an avid reader, a true lover of books, and any time I can spend in the library is a happy moment for me. I go to my son's school library without him knowing until he sees me in the hallway or the librarian tells him I've been there for hours.

Shoofly Pie and Wine: Five Things I Just Learned About Pennsylvania

It all started with a slice of pie. Shoofly pie to be exact. Apparently, I am the only person on the planet who had never tasted this sticky sweet confection of molasses and brown sugar with a crumb crust.

A Pennsylvania Dutch staple, each bite of Shoofly pie made me realize how very little I know about the Keystone State (aka the Quaker State or the State of Independence). Sure, I can rattle off some Philly trivia (Benjamin Franklin, Brotherly Love, cheese steaks, the Liberty Bell, Patti LaBelle) but Philly is just one city in a state of more than 12,000,000 people. Energized by the sugary goodness of the Shoofly pie, I was determined to learn more about Pennsylvania. If my list below inspires you to visit PA, log on to www.PAStories.com to enter a sweepstakes to win one of 12 fantastic Pennsylvania vacation packages.

1. Wine - Who knew that Pennsylvania had more than 100 wineries? With approximately 14,000 acres of grapes, Pennsylvania ranks 8th nationally in the production of wine. There are several wine trails you can visit, including the Groundhog Wine Trail, Brandywine Wine Trail, and the UnCork York Wine Trail.

2. Beer - Not only is Pennsylvania home to Yuengling,the oldest brewery in the United States but it also has six breweries that pre-date prohibition - more than any other state. Today there are more than 50 brew pubs and small breweries in Pennsylvania.

3. Art - The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh is the largest museum in the world dedicated to the work of one artist. Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural masterpiece, is located in the Laurel Highlands just an hour away from downtown Pittsburgh.

4. Snacks- Being the home of iconic brands like Hershey's, Heinz, Frito-Lay, Herr's and UTZ have secured Pennsylvania's position as the "Snack Food Capital of the World." Klondike Bars, Whoopie Pies and Shoofly Pie were all invented in Pennsylvania.

  5. Scenery - Pennsylvania has 17 million acres of forest and 83,000 miles of rivers and streams. National Geographic named Route 6 as one of the top 10 scenic drives in the country.

To learn more about Pennsylvania, visit www.VisitPA.com.

Six Simple Reasons to Love Savannah

Forsyth Park. The Fountain was created in 1858.

Although my maternal roots are in Georgia, I had never visited the state's First City, Savannah, until a few weeks ago. The Savannah in my mind was a mystical town of ghosts and modern-day eccentrics roaming bucolic plazas and streets lined with Spanish moss. And, of course, for many of us John Berendt's brilliant book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil first sparked our interest in the "Hostess City."

Founded in 1733, Savannah has had many years to create her colorful past.  However, Savannah today is not only heartbreakingly beautiful but a vibrant town where history and modern times meld like peaches and pastry in a most delectable cobbler. And, I do like cobbler! Artsy without being pretentious, down-to-earth without being common, Savannah is so easy-to-love. Here is my list of six things to love about Savannah. The list has no particular order, rhyme or reason and is by no means a definitive list of what to do in this town that offers so much. Savannah is a great destination for the solo traveler, couples, families, and groups of friends.

1.  The new Avia Hotel: The Avia Hotel may be the new kid in town but it fits beautifully into Savannah's historic district. If the sign of a good hotel is never wanting to leave, then the sign of a great hotel is secretly hoping that you miss your flight so that you can plead with the Front Desk to let you back in your room. The Avia is a great hotel. This luxury boutique property just opened in Savannah's historic district and is one of the best situated hotels in town. The Avia is just steps away from Paula Deen's Lady & Son's Restaurant, the City Market, the Riverfront, and the shops at Broughton Street.

 

More than a great location, the Avia offers lushly appointed rooms, a friendly staff, and a fantastic restaurant and wine bar. They even have their own blend of organic coffee. Thoughout the hotel a scrolling motif, inspired by Savannah's cast ironwork, appears in the carpets and upholstery. The view from the Avia will only get better once renovations are completed on the plaza directly across the street. The 42 inch plasma television and Dean & Deluca snacks might tempt you lounge in your room but then you would miss out on having a delicious Savannah Sparkler (imagine a mojito made with prosecco instead of rum) at the wine bar.

 

 

 

My room at the Avia

 

2. The People: When traveling alone you really depend on the kindness of strangers, not just to point you in the right direction but to engage in conversation and give you the insiders view of their town. Savannahians love their city. They know they live in a great place and enjoy talking about it. Friendly shopkeepers, funny cabdrivers and attentive waitstaff made my trip a real pleasure. Even the local shady characters were interesting for a really short conversation.

 

3. The Parks and Plazas: Savannah has the distinction of being America's first planned city and the brilliance of that plan included gorgeous squares. No matter what direction you walk in the historic district, one of Savannah's 21 squares (there used to be 24) provides an oasis of green and blooming flowers where you can stroll or just sit. Each square has its own unique charm. Savannah is very much a walking city and the open container law makes it possible to enjoy a cocktail while you stroll.

 

 

Thank you to the British tourist who snapped this photo of me. He was in Savannah for the first time too and we spent 10 minutes chatting about how much were both enjoying our visit.

 

4. The Honey House (Savannah Bee Company): Wine tastings are a dime a dozen but a honey tasting? Quicker than I could say "orange blossom", Beekeeper Clay Culver guided me through a tasting of 7 different honeys. From sweet Tupelo to buttery winter white, each honey had a distinct flavor profile. Founded by Savannah native and beekeeper Ted Dennard, the Savannah Bee Company also sells natural body care products. You can even buy a completely edible honeycomb - it pairs perfectly with cheese and fruit. Clay and Ted are so passionate about beekeeping that I came this close to buying the beekeeping starter kit. Bees not included.

 

 

A flight of Savannah Bee Honeys

 

 

Beekeepers Clay Culver and Ted Dennard

 

5. The Paris Market & Brocante: This two level emporium exudes warmth and sophistication. Spacious but cozy, the Paris Market actually feels like several specialty boutiques under one roof. The impressive selection includes high end candles, furniture, vintage books, jewelry, bedding, and even candy. The wide range of price points makes the Paris Market very accessible. Although I only purchased a box of cookies and a tin of French mints, they patiently wrapped my items in tissue paper and placed them in a lovely shopping bag. You have to love a store that makes a budget shopper feel like a million books.

 

The Paris Market

 

6. Dinner at Garibaldi's- More than one Savannahian told me that Garibaldi was one of their favorite restaurants and now I know why. The menu is a delicious fusion of low country seafood with continental and even Asian influences. One of the most popular dishes at Garibaldi's is the Crispy Flounder with Apricot Shallot Sauce, Pasta and Vegetables. I tried the Shrimp Risotto Cake (shrimp sauteed with country ham and cream) and yes, it is as decadent as it sounds. I opted to enjoy my dinner at the bar and the waiters kept me smiling! Chef Gerald Green even came out to say hello and insisted that I eat dessert. When in Savannah....

 

Dessert at Garibaldi's

 

Of course, there are more than six wonderful things I could share with you about Savannah. This low-country treasure was the birthplace of legendary songwriter Johnny Mercer and on more than one occasion I caught myself humming Moon River as I walked along the riverfront. There are some places that you visit once and you check them off a list but Savannah not only inspires songs but a fervent desire to return again and again.

 

For more information about Savannah, please visit www.Savannahvisit.com.