Attracted by the mention of rooftop dining as advertised on the sidewalk specials board, a friend and I decided to have lunch at Isaac’s on 9 Drayton one cool Savannah afternoon. A step inside and a quick glance around the downstairs dining room revealed an old world ambiance, featuring a gigantic and gorgeous wooden bar with plenty of seating. As it turns out, the bar is the trademark of Isaac’s. It was built in England in the 1700’s, and after about two hundred years, found its home in Savannah.
Isaac's Haunted History:
The building itself has a notable history as well. Like most buildings in the historic district, it is well over a century old and is rumored to be haunted. The story goes that an Englishman and Irishman bare-knuckle brawled to the death, and the locals were so offended that they hung the winner in the cellar of the pub. Some say the man’s cries can still be heard from the cellar and that his ghost even appears hanging in one of the rooms.
Rooftop Dining:
Aside from the rich history and stories, Isaac’s has plenty of other reasons to visit. The rooftop dining area is small with a cozy garden atmosphere. There is no view, however the designers have done a good job of making the space aesthetically pleasing with potted plants, trees and a great many types of flowers. Rooftop dinners have the option of sitting in the sun or in the shade under one of the table umbrellas.
Review of Lunch:
We ordered beverages and I was quickly disappointed with myself for not ordering sweet tea (like my company) when it arrived with a fresh mint sprig garnish, a charming touch that added to the refreshing atmosphere. The lunch menu was full of great options with delicious looking appetizers, salads, sandwiches and desserts.
My guest ordered the B.L. & Fried Green Tomato sandwich with sweet potato pub chips. This sandwich was tasty, but could have used some spice. The sweet potato fries, normally healthy veggies turn deep-fried bad, were a great mouth-watering accompaniment. I must say that if you have never had a fried green tomato, you must try one during your visit to Savannah.
I ordered The Milan with grilled chicken. It was served open-faced on a baguette with a layer of Isaac’s spinach-cheese dip. Toppings included tomatoes, fresh basil, spinach and melted mozzarella cheese. I could not have been more pleased with this sandwich and I think the spinach-cheese dip, which also may be ordered as an appetizer, made it extra tasty. For my side dish, I ordered potato salad, which was fairly ordinary, but good. Other side choices included seasonal veggies, fries, greens and baked potatoes.
The Bottom Line:
Isaac’s on 9 Drayton Street is just a half-block from historic Bay Street. It is a wonderful restaurant to visit if you are looking for a place with history, atmosphere, the option of outdoor dining and, as advertised,
Fresh Southern Eats with International Flair. For date-worthiness, I give the pub high marks.
Isaac's on 9 Drayton - Additional Information:
- Address - 9 Drayton Street, Savannah
- Telephone – 912-231-0100
- Serves - Lunch and Dinner Daily
- Prices Range - Moderate
