Tastemaker: W. Brooks Stillwell

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When you want to truly know a city you ask the locals. AVIA did just that, and here are picks and tips for diving into Savannah.

Savannah-native Brooks Stillwell is recognized as one of the city’s preeminent attorneys, thinkers and community advocates. As a former city Alderman and Mayor Pro Tem, as well as a chairman and board member for countless regional organizations, Stillwell’s finger is on the pulse of Savannah’s thriving creative and business communities. His great-grandfather’s drug store was once located on Ellis Square, across from AVIA’s location, in the early 1900s. As a partner in Savannah’s largest law firm, HunterMaclean, Stillwell has represented many of the region’s major real estate developments of the past three decades, including the AVIA development, News Place at Ellis Square and the Savannah Harbor Resort on Hutchinson Island. He considers the opportunity to live in Savannah as one of his great pleasures in life.

HunterMacLean

What is your city best known for, as far as the locals are concerned?
Savannah's citizens love our city, and we are anxious to show it off to visitors. The city is famous for hospitality, history, tradition and tolerance. As a seaport, Savannah is much more diverse and multicultural than most Southern cities. Since its founding, it has had large and active communities of English, Scottish, Jewish, African-American and German citizens. We celebrate our diversity.
Where are some places our guests should go to taste local cuisine?
The local breakfast favorite is The Breakfast Club on Tybee Island. For lunch, try the Soho South Café on Liberty Street or Johnny Harris Restaurant, my favorite barbeque place, on Victory Drive. For dinner within walking distance, you'll like Alligator Soul on Barnard Street, which has great eclectic dishes; 45 Bistro in the Marshall House on Broughton Street; or The Olde Pink House on Abercorn Street, located in one of Georgia's oldest buildings. If you are a foodie, you should splurge and drive out of the Historic District to Elizabeth on 37th, which deserves its reputation as Savannah's finest restaurant. For good tapas in a casual neighborhood setting, try Eos on Habersham Street, north of Ardsley Park.
Where is a great place to see and experience local architecture in your city?
Try a driving tour of the city's squares on Bull and Abercorn Streets. Particularly note the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Mickve Israel Synagogue, the Owens-Thomas House and the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace - all very well restored and worth a tour.
If you sought a truly "off-the-beaten-path" experience in your city, where would you go or what would you do?
Try a visit to Fort Jackson, east of Savannah, which was built for the War of 1812, or go out to Tybee Island and take a boat trip to watch the dolphins or to go deep-sea fishing.
If you were to do one thing that characterizes a true local experience in your city, it would be…
The St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17 is one of the largest parades in the country. Several hundred thousand visitors indulge in Savannah's biggest celebration of the year. Also, try the 4th of July on River Street. The City hosts a terrific fireworks display over the river. It's best viewed from the Hutchinson Island riverwalk, which you can reach by taking the ferry from the dock next to the Hyatt Regency Savannah to the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center.

GREAT CITY FOR . . .

Tastemaker: W. Brooks Stillwell

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