Vanessa "Entre Nous" R.'s Profile

Go for the phenomenal mojitos and delicious calamari, then stay for the chef's choice 4 course meal. Although I find taking a table appealing for a group larger then two, or for a special occasion, if there are only two of you (and you intend to order a mojito), then sit at the bar. I insist. Both bartenders are named Matt, and both are lookers, but that's not the only reason to sit bar side. The real reason is to observe the creation of your mojito. It's quite a theatrical thing to behold. Picture this: muddled mint, crushed ice (crushed in front of your eyes), in conjunction with 5 kinds of rum. But be prepared to wait at least 10-15 minutes for your drink to be created. Then there's the calamari, drizzled with pesto, it's perfection. This calamari is the most delicious that I've had in Savannah. I'm basing this declaration on having ordered calamari at every restaurant that has it on the menu. The staff is lovely, they're extremely knowledgeable, and will take care of you without hovering. From soup to nuts, this restaurant will knock your socks off!

Yesterday I completed a three day Blueprint Cleanse, thanks to Gilt Groupe, where I was able to purchase a three day supply of juices at a significantly reduced rate. I'd been intrigued by Blueprint for a while now, probably since the picture of SJP traipsing around the city with a bottle, began making the rounds. I'd been feeling low energy for a while and I was well aware that my healthy eating habits had gone out the window when the holidays rolled around. I needed something to get me back on track.

I've done my fair share of cleanses, usually the insufferable Master Cleanse, but never for more than two days. Truth be told, the three day cleans was really a piece of cake. With a supply of 6 juices to get me through the day, I honestly felt stuffed and not even the tiniest bit hungry. In fact, on two of the days I couldn't even consume all 6 alloted juices.

Out of the three cleanse options, I decided to tackle level two, the foundation cleanse. This level is made up of three green juices (romaine, celery, cucumber, green apple, spinach, kale, parsley, and lemon - I started off not being too keen on this one, but it actually grew on me), one pineapple/apple/mint (my absolute favorite), one tart and spicy lemonade (agave, lemon and cayenne - picture the master cleanse, this one was tolerable), and one cashew milk (cashews of course, vanilla bean, cinnamon, and agave - the dessert of the lot, also tolerable). Included with the juices are ice packs and a small tote bag in which to transport your drinks with you wherever you might need to.

Digging around through various peoples reviews of the cleanse I found a few helpful hints. The green drink is infinitely more enjoyable when poured over ice with a bit of lemon added to it. Those juices you find hard to down are made more tolerable when consumed through a straw.

You're also given a cheat sheet of acceptable foods to consume while on the cleanse in case you just can't help indulging. Don't get too excited, think celery, cucumber, a quarter of an avocado, and low sodium vegetable broth.

If you live in NYC the cleanse can either be delivered to your door or picked up. Living in Savannah, I had my batch of juices over-nighted via FedEx, at the expense of Blueprint. They arrived before ten in the morning the day before I was to start my cleanse. The juices are organic and extremely perishable, lasting only 3 days from the day of arrival.

Before you're set to being your cleanse you'll receive an email from Blueprint offering tips to prepare the days leading up to the cleanse. As well as how to go off the cleanse, i.e. no meat/dairy, lots of vegetables and fruit.

I'll fully admit that although today I awoke not craving solid food and feeling like I could complete another two days of the cleanse, I did indulge in a bit of candy at the movies. How could I not? I should have eased myself off the cleanse by noshing on a salad as they suggested, but I couldn't resist a box of Good & Plenty. Here's hoping I didn't derail all that hard work with one box of candy.

One tip I'll take away from the cleanse and attempt to incorporate into my everyday routine is to begin my day with a cup of hot water with lemon. There's just something so refreshing and invigorating about a drink so simple.

In terms of the results, after the first day of cleansing I really wasn't feeling any different. But after the second day I awoke with energy, my skin seemed brighter, and I just felt healthier. If it weren't so pricey, I'd gladly indulge in a Blueprint cleanse multiple times a year.

Now, thanks to Blueprint, my routine of regular consumption of water, vitamins/supplements, exercise, and healthy eating can commence again.

This is another shop I discovered while reading the New York Times article, 36 Hours in Nashville. So glad we stopped by, as the shop is packed to the gills with great finds, vintage and new. I snagged a blue plaid Rockmount Ranch Wear shirt with horseshoe applique. It's exactly what I never knew I wanted. Who knew I could adore a shirt this much. The associate working the day I visited was extremely helpful and I think we bonded over our shared obsession of electronic Yahtzee. This shop also happens to be just down the block from another fabulous find, Las Paletas.

During our brief visit to Nashville, Las Paletas was on my list of "not to be missed" destinations. I'd first heard about their renowned popsicles while reading the article, 36 Hours in Nashville, in the New York Times. Although the temperature was frigid while we were visiting, I was still eager to indulge in at least one popsicle. From that particular days flavors, I selected a pistachio popsicle, it was incredible. It far surpassed my high expectations. My companion went with a chocolate with hot peppers popsicle, which disappointed a tad, as it tasted like your standard fudgesicle. Perhaps it was an off batch. With that said, my only real complaint is that we weren't in city long enough to indulge in more flavors.

I first encountered Rock, Paper Scissors online store before setting foot in their actual store. Then, on our way back to Savannah from Nashville, I convinced my traveling companion to take a detour to Franklin. In addition to the loveliness that awaited us inside the store, the town itself is adorable. Right out of a picture book. Christmas was, of course, probably the best time to first lay eyes on the town. It was definitely decked out in its holiday finery. I could have blown my entire paycheck quite easily in this store. From the peacock clock and palomino bone china teacup from England (which I took home) to the stationary and cards (which I did not). I was in H-E-A-V-E-N. I tried to reign myself in, and only buy those items, like the clock and teacup, which were best purchased in person. I knew all the paper products could quite easily be obtained from their online store at a later date. The store is pleasantly laid out and everything is smartly displayed and easy to access. The staff was friendly and pleasant to interact with. The woman working that day, who was not the owner, gave a great recommendation for where to get cupcakes. Ivey Cake provided us with delicious cupcakes to consume on our drive home. I'll detour to Franklin again, any day.

I've been frequenting Papillote since they opened almost a year ago. I'm attempting to work my way through their petite but perfect menu. More often than not though, I'll end up order something sweet rather than savory. But on previous visits I have tried their Goat Cheese, Spinach, and Roasted Tomato Pie and their Bouchée a la Reine (a puff pastry cup overflowing with a creamy medley of chicken, mushrooms, onions and spinach), both were delicious. On this particular visit I ordered the Croque Monsieur (a toasted sandwich of ham, Swiss cheese and crème fraîche). I must admit to being a tad disappointed to learn that they only make their homemade lemonade in the summer. I settled for a bottle of French Lemonade. While waiting for my order the owner came around to each table passing out samples of their gilded brownie (fudge chocolate confection topped with edible 23K gold leaf). It was the perfect indulgent bite of dessert before entree to make you feel just the tiniest bit naughty. The Croque Monsieur was phenomenal and so filling that I could only manage to consume just half. Too full for a proper dessert, I took their decadent chocolate mousse to go. Oddly enough, I think one of my favorite desserts they make are their chocolate chip cookies. They are hands down the best I've ever tasted. They only seem to make them sporadically, unfortunately. Or maybe that's a good thing. Their meringue are quite delicious also. Expect to be utterly taken with the attention to detail and love put into everything from the building itself and the decor to the sweet and savory items and service by the couple who own Papillote.

We stayed here the evening before driving to Plains to see Jimmy Carter teach Sunday School. I must admit that we were pleasantly surprised by the stately appearance of this hotel, located in the historic downtown of Americus. Our stay coincided with the week before Christmas and the entire hotel was decorated for the holiday. The hotel itself (exterior and lobby) were quite lovely and made even more so with the Christmas decor. The service of a bellman would have been nice when we were attempting to open their heavy doors with our arms full of luggage. Especially at a hotel that boasts a spa and not one but two restaurants. But c'est la vie. Despite the fact that the hotel had been remodeled and updated in the recent past, this really didn't seem to carry into the rooms (faded bedspreads and an ancient television set). But for the reasonable rate, who were we to have issue with the lackluster rooms. Although the Gilchrist & Soames bath products were a nice touch. Our one major issue, aside from the fact that the vending machine was about as far away from our room as possible, was that the heat in our room didn't seem to work. At first we thought that the room might just take a while to heat up due to the high ceilings. It was after we were showered and all settled in our beds that we realized it was never going to actually warm up. We went to bed without raising the issue about lack of heat. In the morning we helped ourselves to a breakfast buffet of the usual fare. During warm weather it would have been nice to have sat out on the deck to consume our coffe and waffles. At check out we mentioned the fact that we were freezing all night and the front desk clerk told us to take up the issue with the owner and presented us with his business card. So that was that.

Try looking for BBQ on a Monday in Memphis and your options will be quite slim. Luckily our concierge at The Peabody came through with this recommendation. You clearly don't come here for the decor or cleanliness. The restaurant could use a good scouring. We overlooked all that as we were famished from touring Graceland. What the restaurant lacks in style and cleanliness it makes up for in superb service and the most delicious BBQ I have ever tasted. The service is outstanding. Our waiter went above and beyond to be of assistance. I actually wish I had asked for his name because I would have called the manager to rave about the quality of his service. I was a little startled to see that our meal was to be eaten off of paper plates and eaten with plastic silverware, but when in Rome. My dining companion and I shared the Rib Sampler (ribs, pulled pork, and smoked chicken thighs) with a side of their BBQ beans and award wining (or so they claim) cole slaw. The portions aren't abundant, be warned if you're planning to share. But the superb quality of everything we tasted made up for the ladylike portions. I think what impressed me more than anything was the smoked chicken, it was unlike anything I've ever tasted. It's weeks later and I still can't stop thinking about this meal!

Just after Christmas I called this newly opened restaurant to get their hours (they're open 7 days a week 11am-11pm, in case you're interested) and was advised that if I wanted to have lunch there on a weekday, I better make reservations. Talk about making a splash. This place is in high demand and after a meal there, I now see why. The place was jumping when we arrived around noon on a Monday. If we hadn't made a reservation there would have been quite the wait. The proprietors gave the space that used to house Sweet Leaf a major facelift. It looks spectacular. They even added a deck out back. The fresh WARM bread that was waiting on the table along with one of my dining companions, was delectable. Since there were three of us lunching together, we decided to try three different items, then share. I ordered linguini with clams, while my Mom and friend ordered the saffron risotto with shrimp and the antipasti pizza. Everything was spectacular. Nothing was too saucy or rich, the flavors stood alone. The food was just how you envision Italian food tasting in someones home in Italy. The service was a tad slow and the staff seemed a bit preoccupied, but so be it. The food was superb and that was all that mattered on this particular visit. We shared a piece of tiramisu and a round of coffees for dessert, delicious. I will be back, often.

I've eaten here twice, once in the summer and once in the winter. We sat inside both times. The first time because the place was so packed. The second time because it was just too chilly. Next time though, whatever the weather, I'm sitting outside on the dock to watch a sunset. To start we had the conch fritters, the dipping sauce was divine (but I am a sucker for capers), and a crab stew, which was delicious. Then it was onto the main course of fried shrimp, potatoes, and snow peas. It all was spectacular and so filling. Dessert, which I had pre dinner, was rum punch. The service was prompt and the atmosphere just what it should be on Tybee, laid back and unpretentious. The parking is almost nonexistent though, be warned.