Firefly Cafe
Savannah's 22 shady squares set the stage for the city's many enchantments. On Troup Square, the funky Firefly Cafe provides its Saturday and Sunday customers with a fine brunch menu and the option to soak up some charm at tables under umbrellas that overlook the square.

Start with their delicious Famous Virgin Bloody Mary. (The sale of alcohol is prohibited on Troup Square.) Then turn your attention to the main event.

We enjoyed the Eggs Benedict with Crab and Grits, the Blueberry-Corn Pancakes, and the Make-It-Your-Way Omelette.

There's also a crabmeat-and-spinach omelet on the menu along with a Greek omelet. An old-fashioned corn hoecake makes an unusual offering to complement the usual grits (excellent) and hash browns. The service was fast and friendly, and the food was prepared just right.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a spot that's more relaxing for an easy fall weekend morning in Savannah. 321 Habersham Street (on Troup Square); (912) 234-1971. Weekend brunch entrées: $5.25-$9.25.

Elizabeth on 37th
A culinary landmark in Savannah since 1981, Elizabeth on 37th still occupies a Victorian mansion in the center of town, and its reputation is very much intact.

Founded by executive chef Elizabeth Terry but operated today by chef de cuisine Kelly Yambor, Elizabeth has always incorporated into its creative offerings such Lowcountry favorites as black-eyed peas, greens, grits, ham, okra, and shrimp. Fortunately for their current clientele, that tradition continues unchanged.

We savored a black-eyed pea patty with greens and curry cream, a roasted local shiitake and oyster mushroom entrée, and a perfect pan-fried flounder with a crab cake made just right. The winner among the dessert selections was a triple chocolate cake with fudge icing and chocolate sauce.

We visited on a busy Saturday night, but the staff and kitchen seemed to handle the crush with grace and efficiency. Be advised that Elizabeth does not have much parking, so you may need to arrive a few minutes before your reservation in order to find a spot on the street. 105 East 37th Street; (912) 236-5547. Entrées: $24.95-$31.95.

The Olde Pink House
Another Savannah culinary institution, The Olde Pink House, is the most Savannah-esque restaurant in town. It occupies a classic 18th-century Georgian mansion right on beautiful Reynolds Square in the heart of the city. You can't miss it from the street. It's a handsome pink, naturally.

We found the service slow and inattentive, but there were several items on the menu to recommend. The Caesar salad comes with crispy cornbread fried oysters. The shrimp-and-country ham appetizer with grits cake is a nice start, and among entrées we tried were the grilled lamb loin and jumbo sea scallops. The Chocolate Oblivion torte was a fine ending.

While not the best dining experience Savannah has to offer, The Olde Pink House definitely offers its patrons a true sense of the character of this unique city. 23 Abercorn Street; (912) 232-4286. Entrées: $14.95-$24.95.

45 Bistro
There's a lot going on in Savannah these days, and the resurgence of Broughton Street is an obvious indicator of a renewed local spirit.

45 Bistro is located within the beautifully restored Marshall House Hotel, right on Broughton. There's a direct link here to 45 South, a longtime stalwart in the pantheon of Savannah's finer restaurants that's still going strong in its own right.

We chose a chilled cucumber-yogurt soup to start and found highly commendable the pan-seared black grouper over eggplant caviar served with a red pepper reduction and truffle oil. The Grand Marnier banana spring rolls with créme anglaise was without question one of the more remarkable desserts we experienced while exploring Savannah's dining scene.

Patrons can enter from a separate entrance on the street or from within the hotel. Situated in an atrium with a glass ceiling courtyard, the restaurant boasts a relaxed, spacious atmosphere that sets the tone for a memorable meal downtown. 123 East Broughton Street; (912) 234-3111. Entrées: $15-$28.

Il Pasticcio
There's something about the white tablecloths and well-set glassware that tells you quality and style lie just beyond those large plate glass windows at the corner of Broughton and Bull Streets.

Once inside, your impression will be confirmed by the trendy decor, lively open kitchen, and general sense of patrons out on the town and having a good time.

Here you'll find Savannah's most exquisitely prepared Italian fare. There are exceptional pasta dishes such as the Fettucine al Frutti di Mare--pasta sautéed with shrimp, scallops, mussels, and clams in a spicy white wine sauce.

Entrées include chicken, veal, lamb, pork tenderloin, filet mignon, and an intriguing array of seafood dishes. The wine list is quite extensive and provides wonderful opportunities for enjoyment and experimentation.

Following dinner, if you are so inclined, you might want to check out Après, the nightclub just upstairs that caters to the disco set. 2 East Broughton Street; (912) 231-8888. Entrées: $14-$35.