Tybee Vacation Rentals Concierge and Tybee Information Site

This rockin’ restaurant and bar has great food, music, and they are open late – til 3 am. Summer hours are 11 am-3 am. If you like action and good food, this is the place for you. 1518 Butler Ave., 912.786.7176

It’s begun! The celebration for Tybee’s Mardi Gras began with the first King Cake party of the season. It was held at Tybee Time on the Strand on Jan. 6th.

What is a King Cake and what does it have to do with Mardi Gras?

The King Cake, a round wreath-like cake decorated with colored sugars, is named for the three kings or wise men who bore gifts to the Christ Child on Twelfth Night. The Cake originated in France in the 12th century as a homage to those three kings and when French colonists settled in New Orleans, LA, they brought the cake with them. After the Civil War, a group called the “Twelfth Night Revelers” heralded the start of the carnival or Mardi Gras season (Twelfth night to Ash Wednesday) with a King Cake as the main attraction. In New Orleans, the first cake of the season is served on Jan. 6th and once a week thereafter until Mardi Gras Day.

The cake is a yeast cake, flavored with mace and cardamon; containing a filling of sugar, butter and cinnamon; glazed with powdered sugar and then decorated with three colored sugars: purple for justice, green for faith and fold for power. When the cake is baked, a tiny plastic baby representing the Christ Child is placed into the bottom of the cake (it can also be a nut or jewel). Whoever finds the figurine is crowned king or queen for the day and is said to have good fortune for the upcoming year. They are also expected to host the following week’s King Cake party.

The Crab Shack will have a special King Cake Party on January 28th. There will be special food and drinks, live entertainment, contests, prizes and beads galore. The time is 7:00-9:00 pm. For more information call 912.786.9857.

“Laissez les bons temps rouler!”

For a gorgeous view and yummy food go to Marlin Monroe’s at the Beachside Colony complex on Butler Ave. With a full bar and full view of the ocean, Marlin’s is just the ticket for your eating pleasure. On Sunday’s they have their all-you-can-eat oyster buckets and most weekends they have live music. Their fare includes steaks, seafood, burgers, great salads, and some of their own specials, plus a tiki bar. Call 912.786-GRIL. http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/282/1229968/restaurant/Savannah/Marlin-Monroes-Tybee-Island

Wow! What a fun place to be. We’re talking about Fannies on the Beach, the pink establishment down on the Strand. Great fun, food, live music, three floors and two decks that look out at the ocean, gentle breezes, a full bar, and just a whole lot of fun. Come on down to Fannies and sit where the locals sit for a true Tybee experience. 912.786.6109.  Located at 1613 Strand. http://www.fanniesonthebeach.com/

For a kid-friendly, ocean view treat go to MacElwees at 101 Lovell Ave. They serve local seafood-fried, steamed or broiled; have daily chef specials including local grouper, mahi, flounder; steamed oysters, hand-cut filets and ribeye steaks. They have been in business 27 years and have a full service bar, AND they’ll do take-out orders. Call 912.786.8888 or visit www.macelweesontybee.com .