Craving Italian Fare in Brunswick, GA: Exploring the Gastronomic Gap in the Golden Isles

Craving Italian Fare in Brunswick, GA

Exploring the Gastronomic Gap in the Golden Isles

So, here we are. We made it to Brunswick, GA. My first impression was “Holy shit. This is going to be interesting.” Brunswick is a coastal city comprised of the mainland and three islands: St. Simon’s, Jekyll, and Sea. They are filled with beautiful palm trees (they call them “palmetto trees” but, they look the same to me) gorgeous views, resorts, golf courses, and beaches. However, over on the mainland, it’s a different story. It had a “small town” feel to it. There was one main road that took you through the entire town. It was not anything like Long Island; where you have numerous route options. “Downtown” was one long street. That’s it. (you read that correctly). And the whole town went to bed at ten o’clock. It is also very QUIET. It's a stark contrast from the Northern East Coast where you’re used to hearing lots of street noise. It is SO quiet, in fact, at night you can hear the sound of frogs all around you. It is also, very dark. As in, very low “light pollution.” Not many street lights at night. In fact, I drove past my apartment complex pretty regularly because I couldn’t see it.

The night after we arrived home, we were invited out to “trivia night” at the local pizza shop. I was pretty excited to see my new town and meet some of my then-boyfriend’s (now husband) friends and colleagues. I got dressed in one of my favorite sundresses, did my hair, put my make-up on,  and was ready to go! When we arrived, I took a quick glance around. I noticed something. I was super overdressed. I felt like Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinny. Everyone else was dressed in jeans and tee shirts. I took a deep breath and sat down. As I perused the menu, I began chatting with my new acquaintances. “So, what’s good here?” I asked with a big nervous smile on my face. “Pizza, you gotta try the pizza.” “Oh really? That good huh?” I could feel all eyes were on me. I took a few gulps of water and continued fielding questions. “You’re from New York too right?” I replied, “Sure am!” No sooner than I answered that question, someone asked, “And you’re Italian right?” “One hundred percent!” I stated enthusiastically. “We have a great Italian restaurant. You’re gonna love it!” I was told. “Oh really? What’s the name of it?” I will never in my life forget this. My husband’s co-worker shouted out, “The Olive Garden!” I heard that, and I immediately fell into a state of complete and total shock. So glad these people couldn’t hear my internal dialogue. Inside I was screaming, “Are you kidding me with this? You’re going to tell an Italian from New York, that the Olive Garden is “the best “Italian restaurant??” My husband with a look of nervousness, smiled at me and squeezed my hand. (That’s his polite signal to me, to request I not have an outburst) I obliged him and smiled. The only sentence I could must after that bombshell was, “Okay, great. Thank you.” 

We ordered the pizza as recommended and began participating in “Trivia Night.” When it arrived, I took one look at it and made an audible “gasp.” My husband whispered in my ear, “Just have an open mind ok? Just try it.” I took another deep breath and took a bite. Well, it was bad. It exceeded my expectations of how awful this “pizza” was going to be. I smiled and ate what I could tolerate. (hey, I was still hungry). 

On our drive home, my husband could hardly contain himself. He was giggling and was barely able to utter, “Well, what did you think of the pizza?” “Pizza? That was not pizza!” I snapped back. “Did you know it was going to be terrible?” I asked. “Of course I did! It was meant to be a little joke. Sweetheart, you are not in New York anymore. The food is completely different here. You’re going to have to get used to it.” With a smirk, I said, “Well, then we’re going to have to get used to eating dinner at home before trivia night.” Needless to say, that night, I felt homesick.