Our Inspector's Highlights
•The Sea Island restaurant's interior design edges on the Scarlett O'Hara side. With the dining room overflowing with opulent crystal chandeliers, gold décor and a hard-carved fireplace, the design sets a refined, classy atmosphere perfect for any Southern belle.
•You may find classic Southern flavors on the menu, but this is refined farm-to-table cuisine, so don't expect the kitchen to whip up fried chicken and gravy. But do prepare your taste buds for gussied-up favorites like cheddar grits soufflé or beef rib-eye with cornbread pudding.
•If you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a long chat with a cocktail, the best place for either may actually be the Georgian Room Lounge. With a tapas menu, 1920s-inspired libations and dark mahogany on the walls, the setting is perfect for nibbling and talking.
Things to Know
•Georgian Room isn't the type of place you'll just pop into after a day of sightseeing. So, we don't suggest you show up without a reservation; instead, call ahead and guarantee your spot in the luxurious Old South-style dining room.
•Keeping that Southern style in mind, dress the part: No, we're not suggesting you arrive in a hoop skirt and bonnet, but you should pick attire fit for a special evening—a suit and jacket for the gents and dress and heels for women.
•Don't think this is an in-and-out type of affair. You'll need to be prepared to spend at least two hours on your dining experience at Georgian Room.
•Georgian Room is one of the most kid-friendly Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurants you'll find. In fact, many of the restaurant's younger diners take etiquette classes during the hotel's summer program, so it's not unlikely to see well-mannered school-age children ordering caviar here.
The Food
•The team is so dedicated to farm-to-table ingredients that it transformed the rose garden outside The Cloister (home to this Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant) into a chef's garden.
•Although the kitchen focuses on traditional Southern flavors, it employs modern techniques and creative applications to produce a truly sophisticated dining experience.
•Pastry chef Lindsey Stevens uses locally sourced produce and nostalgic flavors to create warm, homey desserts. For example, in a “Tribute to the King,” Stevens combines powdered bacon, roasted banana ice cream and crispy peanut butter French toast into a fun and delicious treat that Elvis would love.
The Chef
•Chef Julian grew up in Ober-Morlen, a small town outside of Frankfurt, Germany.
•His grandmother, whom chef would pick mushrooms with and sell at the local market, gets the credit for inspiring his love of cooking.
•If you ever see buttermilk biscuits on a Georgian Room menu, you’d be wise to order a few; they are one of chef Julian’s true signature items.