After a steam shower (a nice feature) and outfit change, I made my way to Saint Bibiana, the hotel’s hot-ticket Italian restaurant, housed in a separate, three-story mansion. Built in 1888 as a family residence, it became a funeral parlor in the 1950s and served as Savannah's finest mortuary for decades. I can happily report that the only spirits conjured during my stay were in the cocktails, served with a large cube of clear ice.

Named after the patron saint of hangovers, this new dining concept brings authentic flavors from coastal Italy to Savannah. Executive Chef Derek Simcik draws upon his worldly experience to deliver elevated dishes that are as innovative as they are inviting---try the impeccable Florentine steak served with Calabrian green salsa. Expect elegant seasonal offerings artfully made with locally sourced, high-integrity ingredients.

And that’s even more true of the public spaces — from the impressive spa to the expansive pool deck to the restaurant, Saint Bibiana, serving impressively authentic coastal Italian fare.

If you're looking for a reason to get dressed up in your fancy clothes, indulge in delicious wine and dine at an elegant restaurant, then set the GPS for Saint Bibiana. This charming establishment is apart of the elegant Hotel Bardo and offers a delightful culinary experience, showcasing the rich flavors and traditions of Italian cuisine. With a menu featuring a variety of authentic Italian dishes, Saint Bibiana aims to transport diners to the heart of Italy through its carefully crafted flavors and warm ambiance.

Located in Hotel Bardo, Saint Bibiana describes itself as a "coastal Italian restaurant tucked inside a historic mansion made for swooning." The restaurant is indeed glamorous with its moody lighting and lounge-like interiors. Executive Chef Derek Simcik's menu offers antipasti, pastas, and main dishes such as Grilled Branzino and Duck Rotolo. Don't miss the cocktail list, which is full of inventive concoctions like the fizzy Fra Lippi (vodka, averna, prickly pear, yuzu, and lambrusco).

We caught our first glimpse of Forsyth Park as we walked up the stairs into Saint Bibiana, the coastal Italian restaurant opened just months ago by Derek Simcik. I got to know Derek a decade ago when he opened Outpost S.B. for the Kimpton brand’s Goodland Hotel just minutes from my house.

If you're looking for a modern and stylish dining experience, this Saint Bibiana is the place to be. It's known for its innovative menu that focuses primarily coastal Italian cuisine in the newly renovated Hotel Bardo.

This modern Italian restaurant from chef Derek Simcik, a recent transplant, anchors the new Hotel Bardo. Every dish at Saint Bibiana — even the burrata and the grilled branzino — has nuance and intrigue layered in.

A couple of weeks ago, we got our first taste, pun very much intended, of what this new “urban resort” look in Savannah was going to feel like with the opening of their new restaurant, Saint Bibiana.