Arrrr, Matey! Dinner at the Pirate’s House
Adventures of a Pirate from Savannah
The Pirate’s House, on the northeastern corner of Savannah, is thought to be Georgia’s oldest building, and is certainly one of its most famous. This is where Captain Flint, from Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island, is said to have died from drinking too much rum.
So we went. We had to! Like Paula Deen’s restaurant, The Pirate’s House is a Savannah institution, and demands at least one visit. Our food was good… a little overpriced, but we expected that. At the Pirate House, you’re paying as much for the experience as the dinner. We started with fried pickle slices, and I had a kind of seafood lasagna bake. Arrr, delicious! Just as me matey Blackbeard might’a liked! (Halfway into the meal, Juergen no longer found me amusing, and asked me to stop Arrr-ing every 30 seconds. “Fine, you got a point. Arrr, that ye do!“)
Legends abound in the Pirate’s House. One of the more popular concerns the underground tunnels that lead from the basement of the house into the sea. Back in pirate days, they were used to shanghai drunken sailors — wait until they passed out, then steal them away through the tunnels onto ships bound for destinations unknown. That really happened, and the tunnels still exist. “Pirate’s House” isn’t a misnomer: it actually was. And normal, 18th-century Savannahians knew to stay well away from it.
After our meal, our waitress led us on a tour of the house. She explained a bit about its history, and showed us into the attached Herb House, the oldest structure in Savannah and (naturally) haunted. It’s also the coolest dining room in the restaurant, available for fancy parties.
We had a good time at the Pirate’s House … by simply being inside a building with so much history, you’ll enjoy yourself. And if you wear an eye-patch, and insist on talking in “Arrr-matey”-pirate-voice to your dinner companions, you’ll enjoy yourself more. But they might not.
The Pirate’s House
20 East Broad St
Location on our Savannah Map
912 233 5757
- Book your Savannah Ghost Tour here ($13.50)
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December 19, 2010 at 7:09 pm
December 19, 2010 at 7:45 pmSandy Traub
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I’m so glad you two went there! In the soul of the Pirates House is Herb Traub, one of the most dear people I ever knew. The restaurant is a favorite for sentimental reasons, but their food (especially lunch buffet) is so amazing! This year, like every year! I remember most the wonderful Christmases at the Traub’s beach house on Tybee Island — Oyster Roast, and the biggest buffet of wonderful food. Dessert surprises by friends and family attendees. One year my brother-in-law had his staff to hand pack me a quart of the delicious Greenwood ice cream, complete with hot ice in my Christmas present. Herb waited with spoon in hand to wish me a “Merry Christmas” and enjoy … turning to my then husband to say, “Let her enjoy it!” Merry Christmas to you two! Thank you for reminding me of these great memories.
December 21, 2010 at 10:23 pmRhyme Me a Smile
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Aaargh. I’m glad at least one of ye spoke like a pirate. The spirit lives in all of us, but many deny it.
)