Nine Drayton

The location, what used to be the original Churchill’s Pub prior to it burning, has been completely renovated save the bar which somehow survived the fire and thus the setting is both historic yet benefiting fully from new creature comforts and custom decorating. The atmosphere is upscale and makes very good use of the rear area of the rather small first-​floor space and the diagonally-​positioned tables with their white tablecloths, low light, and a really good jazz soundtrack playing sets the scene for intimate dinner and resounds with class. That’s all very good, however, I did not find the food quite up to the expectations obviously set by this elegant atmosphere.
Everything, including even the potatoes, was overcooked, slightly dry, and to add insult to literal injury, overly salted. The old fashioned the bartender made me was pretty good, but he lacked the absinthe to make a sazerac which was my first choice and when he asked what Bourbon I wanted for the old fashioned, I asked him what all he had and he responded «oh, just about them all» but come to find out he had Knob Creek, Maker’s Mark, Woodford, and maybe five others plus his well Bourbon. That’s not «them all», at all, folks. There are bars with easily over fifty to seventy Bourbons on hand.
All in all, I really wanted to like this place, but I felt fell short yet still could do in a pinch: it’s nice enough (with prices to match but not exceedingly high for the area) and the location is great. I just feel potential has been missed to make it truly great – like The Grey or Collins Quarter it should broker the grandness and sophistication as well as care in craft expected of Savannah’s better restaurants today.

The atmosphere was just as good as the food at this little known new gem. The Beef Stephanie was fantastic as was the seafood/​spinach/​artichoke dip. Extensive wine list. Mike, the pianist/​vocalist really completed the perfect ambiance in this intimate venue with exposed brick, fireplace, and great lighting. We’ll be back.

Stumbled in last night on an early evening walk about with my mother. Thought we’d have a drink and then stayed for dinner at the bar. Enjoyed our time, met the owner, and ordered a nice range of things to eat. I’m a vengetarian, went with the vegetable sides and avocado roll and my mother had the house salad together with a small plate of shrimp and grits. All were excellent, plus some really nice wines. Dining room is lovely. I would definitely dine here again.

We walked in thinking we were going to Z2 because the old sign was still up. We completely caught off guard at the new dining room. Don’t get me wrong, it was beautiful inside but it was not what we expected. We were not greeted when we came into the establishment. We had to look around and all we saw were people staring at us. Finally, someone asked if we needed a table. I’m not sure why else we would be there but sure, why not? My partner, a friend, and I were seated at a small table next to another couple. They too were confused by the new menu and atmosphere. We talked with them and giggled about how caught off were all were. Their waiter arrived (note: this couple was seated after us) and explained the new menu to them and how the change came about. After he left, the couple relayed the message to us. Many of the old Z2 menu items were still on the menu but renamed. We had been sitting there for close to thirty minutes without a single person coming to our table to take our drink order, check in on us, or simply say hello. Our friend got up and went to the bar to tell someone we needed service. By the time someone arrived, we decided to leave. If the service was that bad, I can only imagine how the food is now.

We just finished walking River Street tonight (Saturday) and everything looked too busy, too dark, or too uninviting. We decided to go to Bay Street and start looking for a place to eat, when we literally stumbled upon Nine Drayton. It beckoned to us to walk in and we are so glad we did. We were greeted immediately and seated. The ambience was lovely. We had great service and wondered, how is the food? There were not many people there when we first arrived. I ordered one of the specials, duck a la orange, and my wife ordered the filet mignon. We had a nice New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and roasted tomato & corn soup as an appetizer. We finished with a plum/​berry crumble dessert. Everything was excellent and well seasoned. The steak was cooked medium and it was perfectly done. I was very satisfied with the duck. A woman came over and spoke to us after we ordered our entrees (? the owner), she informed us that they have only been at this location a couple of months. They were at another location under the name Maxwell’s. Highly recommend this place if you want a delicious meal, attentive service and prefer to avoid the tourist traps and chain restaurants. Even the bread basket with dipping oil surpassed expectations.

Best meal we have had downtown in a long time. Skirt steak wheel. Avocado Chili sauce apps. Best creamed corn in town. Snapper and lamb chops were perfect. And a roof deck check it out

Had a waiter named Ford who was amazing! Very charming and attentive! Sadly the food wasn’t as great, not bad but not very good either.

There are 3 other bad reviews under the old restaurant name Z2 as their sign and computer system still hasn’t change.
NEW ownership and menu, operating under the same name. Our group of 18 attended during Saint Patrick’s and we expected delays, we didn’t expect rudeness, cold food and bad service, specially when the restaurant wasn’t even full. We asked the waiter to take our food order as the drinks where taking long, he said we needed to wait. Our food took over 1.5hr to get to us, during that time he didn’t check if we needed more drinks or even refill our waters, or to apologize for the long wait. I asked him 3 times to bring the food out as it came out of the kitchen and not to let it sit, most of us could tell that it was sitting for a bit. There was a bridal party and they were just as mad as us, they missed another reservation bc they took that long. We talked to the owner in 3 occasion, she didn’t seem to care at all. We are really good tippers, but we ask them to remove the «suggested» tip but they didn’t. Attached is a pic of my receipt. Food was ok but i would never go there again, not worth it. I wrote the following on the bill «Water would had been nice. Checking on your table would had been nice. Bringing the food HOT would had been nice. Rudeness is what got you 0 tip. Apologies are free»

Was surprised that the resultant changed. Duane explained to me the change in the restaurant. I was not disappointed. The savanna mile and the meatloaf were on point. I’m so happy we have a great fine dining spot that’s not pretentious and is rewarding and welcoming.