This is one of the hottest and most appealing restaurants in Savannah, with award-winning food, a high-ceilinged and airy space that emulates a hip restaurant in New York or London with a gloss of historic authenticity that's Savannah all the way. It occupies the top floor of an antebellum cotton warehouse that was used by Sherman's troops during the Yankee occupation of Savannah. Past the sprawling cocktail bar into the dining room -- adjacent to windows with high-altitude views over the Savannah River you'll find the restaurant's pride and joy: a map painted by Union troops directly onto plaster, showing their idea of the juxtaposition of Georgia with Tennessee and South Carolina.

Vic's has a menu bursting with southern pride. Entrees might include a pulled-pork egg roll with barbecue sauce, hot mustard, and peach chutney, and popcorn grouper, served in a movie-palace cardboard popcorn box, with rémoulade sauce. The best main courses include braised shank of lamb with cherries, boneless filet of pork with butternut risotto, spicy wild Georgia shrimp over grits smothered in gravy made from andouille sausage and tasso ham. A great view and great food make this restaurant a Savannah gem.