A ‘pond-to-plate’ seafood restaurant — with a raw bar — is on its way to Lake Norman
A “pond-to-plate” restaurant focused on serving fresh, farm-raised and wild-caught seafood sourced solely from responsible fishermen along the East Coast is coming to Mooresville.
In spring 2023, Savannah Oyster Co. will open at Mill One, 201 Church St., Suite 100. The former textile mill fronts the popular Liberty Park area.
Guests can expect a seafood-heavy menu with a coastal flair and a heavy focus on Southern hospitality.
“The space has an unapologetic energy — for some a little noisy, for others completely infectious. An evening out should be driven by the entire experience, with world-class hospitality, a culinary approach to cocktails and a savory menu that promotes humble ingredients with a sophisticated touch,” said owner Jason Tutton, who heads Southern Fork Restaurant Group, which also operates Barrel & Fork in Cornelius.
Savannah Oyster Co. will seat about 90 guests indoors, with a large pewter bar as the center focus. Just past the main bar will be the restaurant’s raw bar, which Tuton said will offer guests “dinner and a show,” featuring an up-close look at the team shucking oysters to order. An opening dining room and — when weather allows — a 1,800-square-foot patio with views of Liberty Park will round out the seating options.
“Our signature raw bar is located in the center of the restaurant on purpose. It changes daily with several varieties of oysters from up and down the coast, little neck clams, mussels, shrimp, caviar and always a surprise or two,” Tuton said.
With a kitchen as large as the dining space, Tuton’s executive chef Kaley Laird and her team will have plenty of space to get to work.
“I wanted a creative mind that was driven and was also searching to make a healthy impact on the community and industry. Kaley is very much that different chef. Her background is predominantly geared around being a renegade pastry chef that takes pride in working everywhere but inside the box,” Tuton said.
Open six days a week and closed on Sundays, Savannah Oyster Co.’s bar and raw bar will open at 4 p.m. for pre-dinner snacks and drinks, and dinner service will begin at 5 p.m.
Savannah Oyster Co.
Location: 201 Church St., Suite 100, Mooresville NC
Cuisine: Seafood
Instagram: @savannahoysterco
This story was originally published January 4, 2023 at 6:45 AM.
