Upon entering the restaurant, the initial vibes were promising. I've been meaning to come for a long time and finally came on a special occasion. However, my excitement was dampened by a series of disappointments. Firstly, the parking situation was a little weird following a sign directing towards the restaurant's parking area. It was a $20 flat fee that was not expected at all. Moving on to the food, there were some hits and misses. The complimentary muffins with honey were a pleasant start, and so is the accompanying hard pita with the hummus. The Georgian hummus, while flavorful with dried cranberries adding a nice touch of sweetness, could have been with a softer pita. Additionally, the catfish platter turned out to be disappointingly bland, and the oxtail, while expected to be tender, arrived cold and difficult to break apart. We also ordered a side of grits that were also underwhelming so we didn't really touch it. Service further added to the underwhelming experience. With food arriving an hour after ordering and difficulty in flagging down our server for additional drinks or check-ins, I suspect the problem might root from being understaffed. To top it off, being automatically gratified for a less-than-satisfactory experience left a sour taste in my mouth. I would probably try other great restaurants in the area given the price and experience.
Iesha A.
The feel of the building is low key and chill. They are located up stairs. There is a doorman that greets you when you walk in. Once you enter made it to the second level you are greeted by the server who can assist with your reservations. There is an older crowd although there was a mix when I attended. Good music. Great food. I was here for a date night and the scene was nice and romantic. The music is urban. And the staff was amazing.
It's not the SavannaBlue I used to frequent on Friday nights with my colleagues. I looked forward to a beautiful evening with my husband to celebrate my birthday. We saw patrons in gym shoes, sportswear, and hoodies. Classy? Upscale? Not! The table was dirty, along with the glasses, and plates. They were out of pop (no CO2), ox tails, mac n cheese, and crab cakes. I just ordered the burger because I pretty much lost my appetite, but who serves a burger with cherry tomatoes; those are for salads! The burger was ok, but the cherry tomatoes kept falling out. My husband had the catfish plate and was not impressed. We were so disappointed. I will not be back, nor will I ever again recommend this place to family, friends, or colleagues. Classy? Upscale? Not anymore.
Juanita C.
The food was very good and the ambiance is nice. However, the service was slow and the server seemed to have a slight attitude. We had to ask for refills, check, containers to take our leftovers. The only time the server perked up was when it was time to pay.
It was a great experience I went later in the evening, so the servers were a little tired lol. But over all it was a great experience the vibes were perfect. The food was incredible!! Absolutely fire. I definitely recommend. It was a quiet chill respectful atmosphere.
Reviewer2
I had a 5:00 dinner reservation and when we arrived they were already out of the ox tail dish, which was the main reason for going. So early in the evening, really?!? Disappointed!
AsiaA
Me and my boyfriend went to celebrate and we had a great time and enjoyed ourselves. Majority of the food was good except the macaroni and cheese! The environment and vibe was great!
JonettaG
The waitress was kind but she barely checked in on us until we mentioned that she barely was checking in on us. She said it's at the end of her section and I guess she always forget that area, which furthermore should had made her more mindful of the end of her section and the customers in that section.
AnthonyB
I loved the server you guys had working her name was crystal. She was very kind, very sociable, and very easy to work with. She handles everything in really good, and timely fashion. I loved the chicken breast, but the macaroni was alright.
Twentyfourhoursevendays
Great music and decor 10/10! The mac and cheese was good. The jerk burger had great flavor and texture but was a little too salty and the bun was a bit soggy on the bottom; another person in my group had the same meal and thought so too. The roasted cauliflower was good and they had a variety of very good mixed drinks. Service was slow.
I am from Ohio, and my boyfriend lives in Detroit! I was looking for places where we could have a nice date night. We both love soul food and when I came across Savannah Blue and the reviews, I knew we had to give this place a try. He's lived in Detroit his whole life but he's never heard of this place, so it was a nice experience for the both of us! From the ambience, food and customer service...I'd highly recommend this place to anyone. We will definitely be back!!!
Pheo
My partner and I dinned at Savannah Blue during our visit to Detroit this past weekend and were completely blown away by the entire experience. We could feel the warmth and love put into this venue from the second we confirmed our reservation over the phone to the minute we paid our bills. The staff were so kind and engaging, and even warmly welcomed us to the city. The Oxtail dish and catfish fritters are something to write home about (hence this review), so if you can try these dishes, please do! Huge shoutout to our server, Z, who was phenomenal and patient with our many menu questions. We were very happy to be able to support a Black-owned restaurant and will be back the next time we visit Detroit, for sure.
Marilyn B.
Each time I visit Detroit, I make it a habit of going to SavannahBlue. It's a fantastic fusion soul food spot. I love the feeling of exclusivity as you walk upstairs to the dining area. Originally launched by the late Tanya Heidelberg-Yopp, her husband Roger Yopp and John Stockton, SavannahBlue stands out as a special place wedged on a quiet side of Times Square near the People Mover. Once you're inside, the good food, drinks and music begin. Roger and John have done a great job embracing the rotating menu with some favorites like shrimp & grits and catfish fritters. I was there yesterday (2/22/2024) and enjoyed the catfish fritters. This is a big deal because I don't particularly care for catfish. The candied sweet potatoes were a vegetable and dessert. It was a delight. As I left, I reminded myself to check out Willow, their new speakeasy with a private, separate entrance behind the building. The vibe, the dim lighting and smooth, grooves are everything. They offer some small bites and a vast drink menu. Both Savannah Blue and Willow are worth the patronage!
SimoneB
Savanah Blue is simply fantastic. 5 stars. The food, ambiance, location, parking and customer service is top tier. If you're thinking about going. Don't walk, run. You won't be disappointed.
Will
I was really looking forward to SavannahBlue after reading about it. It's a tale of two cities. On one hand the food is absolutely amazing, with one exception that I'll get to. And on the other hand the ambience is very cozy, with one exception. The catfish was light and fluffy, seasoned to absolute perfection. Collards and yams remind you of your Grandma's. Chicken had a great flavor with accompanying sauce. Mac & Cheese in the cast iron skillet! Smashing! My two gripes: get a door to limit the view into the workspace. Eating while looking at a mop, dust bucket, and empty boxes! Not cool. Curtains just don't work. And the bread pudding? Disappointed is an understatement. More like I was insulted that someone thought I'd eat it. Hard, crunchy, overcooked, dry, and covered in fruits, berries, and a sauce. C'mon. Just say you don't have it. Embarrassing. Other than that, I'd absolutely give them another visit. And I was just visiting.
Upon entering the restaurant, the initial vibes were promising. I've been meaning to come for a long time and finally came on a special occasion. However, my excitement was dampened by a series of disappointments. Firstly, the parking situation was a little weird following a sign directing towards the restaurant's parking area. It was a $20 flat fee that was not expected at all. Moving on to the food, there were some hits and misses. The complimentary muffins with honey were a pleasant start, and so is the accompanying hard pita with the hummus. The Georgian hummus, while flavorful with dried cranberries adding a nice touch of sweetness, could have been with a softer pita. Additionally, the catfish platter turned out to be disappointingly bland, and the oxtail, while expected to be tender, arrived cold and difficult to break apart. We also ordered a side of grits that were also underwhelming so we didn't really touch it. Service further added to the underwhelming experience. With food arriving an hour after ordering and difficulty in flagging down our server for additional drinks or check-ins, I suspect the problem might root from being understaffed. To top it off, being automatically gratified for a less-than-satisfactory experience left a sour taste in my mouth. I would probably try other great restaurants in the area given the price and experience.
The feel of the building is low key and chill. They are located up stairs. There is a doorman that greets you when you walk in. Once you enter made it to the second level you are greeted by the server who can assist with your reservations. There is an older crowd although there was a mix when I attended. Good music. Great food. I was here for a date night and the scene was nice and romantic. The music is urban. And the staff was amazing.
It's not the SavannaBlue I used to frequent on Friday nights with my colleagues. I looked forward to a beautiful evening with my husband to celebrate my birthday. We saw patrons in gym shoes, sportswear, and hoodies. Classy? Upscale? Not! The table was dirty, along with the glasses, and plates. They were out of pop (no CO2), ox tails, mac n cheese, and crab cakes. I just ordered the burger because I pretty much lost my appetite, but who serves a burger with cherry tomatoes; those are for salads! The burger was ok, but the cherry tomatoes kept falling out. My husband had the catfish plate and was not impressed. We were so disappointed. I will not be back, nor will I ever again recommend this place to family, friends, or colleagues. Classy? Upscale? Not anymore.
The food was very good and the ambiance is nice. However, the service was slow and the server seemed to have a slight attitude. We had to ask for refills, check, containers to take our leftovers. The only time the server perked up was when it was time to pay.
It was a great experience I went later in the evening, so the servers were a little tired lol. But over all it was a great experience the vibes were perfect. The food was incredible!! Absolutely fire. I definitely recommend. It was a quiet chill respectful atmosphere.
I had a 5:00 dinner reservation and when we arrived they were already out of the ox tail dish, which was the main reason for going. So early in the evening, really?!? Disappointed!
Me and my boyfriend went to celebrate and we had a great time and enjoyed ourselves. Majority of the food was good except the macaroni and cheese! The environment and vibe was great!
The waitress was kind but she barely checked in on us until we mentioned that she barely was checking in on us. She said it's at the end of her section and I guess she always forget that area, which furthermore should had made her more mindful of the end of her section and the customers in that section.
I loved the server you guys had working her name was crystal. She was very kind, very sociable, and very easy to work with. She handles everything in really good, and timely fashion. I loved the chicken breast, but the macaroni was alright.
Great music and decor 10/10! The mac and cheese was good. The jerk burger had great flavor and texture but was a little too salty and the bun was a bit soggy on the bottom; another person in my group had the same meal and thought so too. The roasted cauliflower was good and they had a variety of very good mixed drinks. Service was slow.
Restaurantji Recommends
I am from Ohio, and my boyfriend lives in Detroit! I was looking for places where we could have a nice date night. We both love soul food and when I came across Savannah Blue and the reviews, I knew we had to give this place a try. He's lived in Detroit his whole life but he's never heard of this place, so it was a nice experience for the both of us! From the ambience, food and customer service...I'd highly recommend this place to anyone. We will definitely be back!!!
My partner and I dinned at Savannah Blue during our visit to Detroit this past weekend and were completely blown away by the entire experience. We could feel the warmth and love put into this venue from the second we confirmed our reservation over the phone to the minute we paid our bills. The staff were so kind and engaging, and even warmly welcomed us to the city. The Oxtail dish and catfish fritters are something to write home about (hence this review), so if you can try these dishes, please do! Huge shoutout to our server, Z, who was phenomenal and patient with our many menu questions. We were very happy to be able to support a Black-owned restaurant and will be back the next time we visit Detroit, for sure.
Each time I visit Detroit, I make it a habit of going to SavannahBlue. It's a fantastic fusion soul food spot. I love the feeling of exclusivity as you walk upstairs to the dining area. Originally launched by the late Tanya Heidelberg-Yopp, her husband Roger Yopp and John Stockton, SavannahBlue stands out as a special place wedged on a quiet side of Times Square near the People Mover. Once you're inside, the good food, drinks and music begin. Roger and John have done a great job embracing the rotating menu with some favorites like shrimp & grits and catfish fritters. I was there yesterday (2/22/2024) and enjoyed the catfish fritters. This is a big deal because I don't particularly care for catfish. The candied sweet potatoes were a vegetable and dessert. It was a delight. As I left, I reminded myself to check out Willow, their new speakeasy with a private, separate entrance behind the building. The vibe, the dim lighting and smooth, grooves are everything. They offer some small bites and a vast drink menu. Both Savannah Blue and Willow are worth the patronage!
Savanah Blue is simply fantastic. 5 stars. The food, ambiance, location, parking and customer service is top tier. If you're thinking about going. Don't walk, run. You won't be disappointed.
I was really looking forward to SavannahBlue after reading about it. It's a tale of two cities. On one hand the food is absolutely amazing, with one exception that I'll get to. And on the other hand the ambience is very cozy, with one exception. The catfish was light and fluffy, seasoned to absolute perfection. Collards and yams remind you of your Grandma's. Chicken had a great flavor with accompanying sauce. Mac & Cheese in the cast iron skillet! Smashing! My two gripes: get a door to limit the view into the workspace. Eating while looking at a mop, dust bucket, and empty boxes! Not cool. Curtains just don't work. And the bread pudding? Disappointed is an understatement. More like I was insulted that someone thought I'd eat it. Hard, crunchy, overcooked, dry, and covered in fruits, berries, and a sauce. C'mon. Just say you don't have it. Embarrassing. Other than that, I'd absolutely give them another visit. And I was just visiting.