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At a time when Savannah society was flourishing, the Clay family used the house to host elegant soirees and entertainments befitting their station. Exceptional local flavors thus converge within the historic rooms where Georgia's leaders once dined centuries ago. Dishes like the creamy shrimp and grits or silky she-crab soup allow diners to savor two of the Lowcountry’s quintessential flavors. Today diners bask in that historic ambiance carefully recaptured by the Strongs. With a vision to revive the mansion to its former elegance, the Strongs commissioned meticulous restorations of the original floorplan, doors, windows, and interior details.
The Olde Pink House is serving up southern charm and delicious food.
During Clay's tenure as mayor of Savannah from 1805 to 1806, he and his family took up residence in the mansion. As Savannah progressed into the 19th century, the stately Habersham house passed into the hands of prominent political leader Joseph Clay. Between the food, decor, and architecture, the senses pick up on the echoes of Georgian and antebellum life that still linger within the Olde Pink House.
SAVANNAH'S FAVORITE ADDRESS FOR LOWCOUNTRY CUISINE
The war had taken its toll on Savannah, so operating the old house as a hotel provided much needed accommodations. For over two centuries, the mansion has welcomed Savannah's elite through its doors, from the lavish parties of Habersham's era to the distinguished gentlemen's club operated out of the house in the 19th century. Standing stately in Reynolds Square, the Olde Pink House restaurant inhabits one of Savannah's finest examples of Georgian-style architecture.
Why The Olde Pink House is Pink
Arched windows flanked by columns, iron-railed balconies, and a signature white ornamental iron fence cast in Savannah all exuded an air of refinement. In exploring the history of the Olde Pink House, we peel back the layers of this Southern icon to reveal its origins, illustrious inhabitants, and evolving identity across centuries at the heart of Savannah. The Olde Pink House (also known as The Pink House and, formerly, Habersham House) is a restaurant and tavern in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Located on Abercorn Street, in the northwestern trust lot of Reynolds Square, the building dates from 1771.[4] It is bounded by East Bryan Street to the north, Abercorn Street to the east and East Saint Julian Street to the south.
The striking pink facade also rendered the mansion instantly recognizable in the local landscape, with the color chosen as a proud nod to Habersham's English heritage. We specialize in memorable dining experiences ranging from a quaint table for 2 in the Planters Tavern "Wine Vault", to a party of 400 guests reserving the entire mansion. When guests savor the cuisine, they take part in the continuing story of Southern food that fills this landmark with legacy. Crisp fried green tomatoes offer another taste of regional delicacies transformed by the Olde Pink House into appetizing works of art. The menu draws deeply from traditions and recipes perfected in local kitchens across generations. During this period, the mansion was less a family home or even hotel—it now bustled daily with patrons conducting business transactions and employees obediently working in their offices.
Built in 1777 for James Habersham Jr., the Olde Pink House was originally a mansion whose red bricks would bleed into the white plaster, turning the home pink. Today, it is a restaurant and tavern serving Savannah tourists from around the world. The appropriately-named Olde Pink House is easy to find, with its iconic shade of pink, right across from Reynolds Square. Adjacent to our historic Savannah hotel is The Olde Pink House, one of Savannah’s most popular restaurants. The food draws from regional tradition, but underneath the surface of fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits lies a storied landmark that has watched over Savannah from Reynolds Square for nearly 250 years.
This year, the dinner was graced by the luminous presence of stars such as Scarlett Johansson, Molly Ringwald, Lynda Carter and Chris Pine, who brought Hollywood glamour to the politically charged atmosphere of Washington. You'll find the portions to be large, the pricing to be fair, and the service to be great. The Olde Pink House is a large restaurant that recently underwent a massive renovation. The room we were seated in was so dark we couldn’t read our menu without our flashlights on our phones. Savannah may be home to Paula Deen and good ole Southern comfort food, but our city has a variety of...
Habersham had already amassed substantial wealth as a planter by the time he hired the architect William Jay to design his new Savannah estate. Savannah overflows with storied landmarks that transport visitors back through the ages. An almost-identical house was built in 1928[20] at 102 East Gaston Street,[21] just beyond the northeastern corner of Forsyth Park. If you need your guests to have an unforgettable experience, the Hayden Collective will deliver.
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With their low ceilings, fireplaces, and limited seating, they resemble the type of formal but cozy spaces where Georgia's early aristocracy would have entertained friends for elaborate dinners. The basement Planters Tavern transports guests back to 1855, when it first opened as an underground bar and billiards hall frequented by Savannah's gentlemen. Patrons dine immersed in the architecture and atmosphere of 18th century Savannah brought to life by one of its earliest leading citizens. When completed, the Habersham house stood among the grandest residences in Savannah.
The Habersham-Clay mansion led a utilitarian existence for many decades following Savannah's antebellum era. As the Civil War plunged the nation into chaos, the grand house transitioned into more practical uses aligned with tumultuous times. Joseph's wife Mary was known as a consummate hostess who masterfully planned lavish dinners, musical evenings, and holiday balls in the mansion's spaces. Guests delighted in dancing the evening away in the grand first floor ballroom or discussing politics and business in the dining room over sumptuous meals.
Olde Pink House damaged, but not done - Savannah Morning News
Olde Pink House damaged, but not done.
Posted: Fri, 28 Dec 2018 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The seafood choices connect back to Savannah's traditions as a port city that has long drawn bounty from the Atlantic. When renovations were complete, the Habersham-Clay house had emerged as the Olde Pink House restaurant. By the early 20th century, the aging but still-stately former Habersham mansion had passed through many uses and owners. The mansion followed this trajectory when purchased in the 1870s by a consortium establishing a bank. The house glittered with candlelight while well-dressed gentlemen and ladies conversed over cards or music. The parties perfectly reflected the sophistication and gentility of Savannah's elite in that era.
The Olde Pink House is one of Savannah’s finest dining establishments, offering new Southern cuisine in a sophisticated, yet casual setting. The Olde Pink House is known for specialties like Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Molasses, Crispy Scored Flounder with Apricot Shallot Sauce, and Corn Bread Fried Oysters. The stately mansion surely felt livelier during the Clay's residency than in its previous incarnation as a more staid family estate for James Habersham Jr.
The Olde Pink House’s pink color isn’t a new development – it’s been part of the restaurant’s signature décor for almost 100 years. But the story behind the color is more elaborate than just a standard paint job, so the story can't be explained without diving into the restaurant's history. Through painstaking technique and time-honored family wisdom, the Olde Pink House kitchen channels history onto every plate. Stepping into the Olde Pink House today, patrons can embark on a culinary journey through Savannah's regional fare thanks to the restaurant’s meticulous attention to heritage Southern cuisine. The Olde Pink House transports modern patrons back through centuries of memories made within those walls. If only the walls could speak of Habersham's grand parties, the Clays' lively gatherings, or the bustle of Victorian bank tellers - all long gone but not forgotten.
It's tucked away and may not be brought to your attention by the Olde Pink House staff. You will need to request to sit in the Tavern which does not accept reservations. At the Tavern, you'll find a nightly piano player playing tunes of today and yesterday. Servants smoothly attended to every guest's needs and Mary Clay ensured the food and wine were of the finest quality. News of the Clays' parties often appeared in Savannah's society pages, further elevating the family's social status.
Just as in 1771, the Olde Pink House remains a destination for those who seek to experience Georgian Savannah's splendor. Today, diners can still experience that refined grace as they step inside the Olde Pink House restaurant and enjoy Southern cuisine in spaces that have hosted Savannah society since the city's settlement. Upstairs you'll find a formal dining room, a large ballroom, and a small bar area to enjoy your time with family and friends. On the side of the restaurant, you'll find sidewalk seating as well as another bar.