Georgia restaurants Archives - There Goes Connie

5 Foodie Finds in Downtown Cartersville, Georgia

09/30/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

When you arrive in Cartersville, a parking spot near the depot will have you within easy walking distance of the Bartow History Museum, Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville’s Photo Fence, Friendship Plaza and Fence of Fame and a lovely specialty shop called Olive Tree and Vine. But, even better, you will be near five exceptional restaurants that would love to serve you.

TABLE 20 – 20 North Wall Street

Executive Chef Chris Lyons is responsible for a dish (Georgia trout) included in “100 Plates Locals Love” posted by Georgia Eats, plus he and his staff make up a successful team that led to a 2018 People’s Choice Award.

I personally tried a couple of great appetizers there — the beer cheese dip and pretzel, plus the deviled eggs. Both were very good. You’ll also find at least one pasta dish, steak, seafood and pork as dinner entrees. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the service is attentive. Their hours are Tuesday – Thursday from 11:00 to 9:00 and on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 10:00.

MAINE STREET COASTAL CUISINE — 24 W. Main Street

The spelling of this restaurant’s name is very clever. It IS on Main Street, but the menu and the inside decor suggest the State of Maine. Lots of fresh seafood is available for the folks in this land-locked town.

For many details, read the review I wrote in TheYums.com.

Maine Street Coastal Cuisine is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

APPALACHIAN GRILL – 14 E. Church Street

The menu here reflects the expected dishes of North Georgia with upscale twists. I particularly enjoyed the fried calamari and the smoked salmon spread served with garlic toast points for appetizers. And the Smoky Mountain Trout I had for my entree was wonderful. The portion size could have been shareable.

Desserts looked amazing. I restrained myself but will definitely try one on a return visit. Plan accordingly.

Appalachian Grill is under the overpass (or, they say under the bridge). It is closed Sundays and Mondays but is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. You might have to wait for a table since they don’t take reservations. But, don’t worry. It’s worth it.

BRIDGEHOUSE CAFE — 10 E. Church Street

BridgeHouse, also located “under the bridge,” is actually both a cafe AND a home interiors/gift shop. Serving delectable soups, salads, sandwiches and flatbread pizzas for lunch from 11:00 to 3:00, they also offer a shareables menu from 3:00 until they close at 5:00. BridgeHouse Interiors stays open until 6:00 p.m. and opens an hour before the cafe.

You’ll love looking at the beautiful displays in the front and then walk to the back to place your order at the counter. A server will bring your food to your table when it’s ready. It’s a perfect place for ladies to meet for lunch with lots of shopping to do downtown before and after lunch.

THE CITY CELLAR & LOFT – 110 N. Museum Drive

I am not always a fan of live music while I’m trying to enjoy a meal — mainly because I am a huge fan of lively conversations around a table. But, the night I had dinner at The City Cellar, the musician was exceptionally good and had an extensive repertoire. I suspect they are in the habit of lining up quality musicians.

The City Cellar is located right beside the railroad tracks and directly across from the World’s First Outdoor Coca-Cola Wall Sign. You can’t miss it. They are open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday but closed on Sunday. The menu offers a good variety, but I’d say that the steaks are exceptional.

I’ve written a number of posts recently about the attractions, eateries and lodging options in Cartersville. Scroll back through and read them. Then, plan a trip soon. It will be gorgeous when the leaves start changing.

Good Eats in Athens, GA

03/11/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

5 & 10

Five and Ten, at 1073 S. Milledge Avenue in Athens, is possibly the most upscale restaurant in the city. Owner and Executive Chef Hugh Acheson won the James Beard award for Best Chef in the Southeast in 2012 and has recently been nominated for Outstanding Restauranteur in 2019. Diners walk in the door of 5 & 10 expecting an exceptional experience, and much care is given to meeting that expectation.

The name of the restaurant stems from its former location at the corner of Highway 5 and Highway 10, but several years ago it moved to its present spot at the end of Fraternity and Sorority Row for University of Georgia students. The building is a large home built in 1913 by architect Fred Orr who placed his distinctive “O” in the roof line right over the front door.

Steve and I shared the Duck Liver Mousse appetizer and the Grilled Trout entree. Both were outstanding, beautifully presented and delicious. Service was discreet but attentive.

Duck Liver Mousse with sweet potato and apple chips.

I would strongly recommend calling to make a reservation. Parking is provided in the back.

LAST RESORT GRILL

The colorful mural of vegetables painted on the side of the building will assure you that you’ve found the right spot. Last Resort Grill is vintage is every sense of the word. It began as a music/entertainment venue in 1966, seeing such notable performers as Doc Watson, Jimmy Buffett and Steve Martin during the 1960’s and 70’s. It was closed and vacant throughout most of the 80’s before being reopened as a restaurant in 1992.

Last Resort Grill, at the corner of Clayton Street and Hull Street, is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. It prides itself on fresh, local produce, homemade dressings and trout straight from the streams of North Georgia.

Steve and I shared a flavorful veggie bowl and a thick burger.

The many flavors of cheesecakes and triple-layer cakes are made by nearby Blackbird Bakery and are said to be worth the calories in every mouthful.

Go for the good food, the beautiful local artwork lining the walls, and the vibe of history.

STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM PIE

At least 30 years ago, Steve and I attended a veterinary conference on the campus of the University of Georgia and stayed at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel. We enjoyed a dessert during that visit that was good enough to remain in our minds ever since. During this recent visit, we wanted to know if that pie still existed.

Yes, it does. Inside the Magnolia Room at the Georgia Center, you’ll find their famous Strawberry Ice Cream Pie that has been served since the building opened for guests in 1956. The crust is made of crushed almonds and coconut. The filling is vanilla ice cream infused with strawberries and sweetened whipped cream. The pie is topped with a strawberry coulis and garnished with fresh strawberry slices. Hopefully, this pie will stay on the menu for years to come.

By the way, their celestial chicken is also an iconic dish that has been served since 1956. If you find yourself on the UGA campus, I would highly recommend seeking out the Georgia Center for a delicious meal.

7 Places to Eat Just South of Atlanta

04/16/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Clayton County, Georgia calls itself “Atlanta’s True South,” and Henry County, Georgia describes itself as “Comfortably South of Atlanta.” The city promoters have done a perfect job with those terms. Clayton and Henry lie on either side of I-75 South as you head out of Atlanta. That means residents of those counties can take advantage of all that Atlanta has to offer (airport, professional sports teams, world-class entertainment possibilities, etc.) but enjoy a rural, small-town atmosphere full of history and quaintness.

During a recent visit to the area, I found 7 eateries you will want to consider when you plan a trip of your own. (Remember that I told you last week about the Road to Tara Museum in this post).

7 Locally-Owned Eateries the Whole Family Will Enjoy

15th Street Pizza & Pub — 2130 Jodeco Road, McDonough, GA. Pizzas take center stage, a fact that will please any youngsters or children you have with you, but you’ll also find salads, burgers, wings, subs, calzones and pasta. The Meatlover Egg Rolls caught our attention, so we added an order with our pizzas.

Meatlovers Egg Rolls at 15th Street Pizza and Pub.

Supreme Pizza at 15th Street Pizza and Pub.

Gritz Family Restaurant — 14 Macon Street, McDonough, GA. Good for breakfast and lunch on the square in McDonough, it is open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. We had a delicious early breakfast in this homey diner.

Pancakes at Gritz Family Restaurant.

French Market & Tavern – 3840 Highway 42 South, Locust Grove, GA. French Market, tucked into a building that dates back to the early 1900’s. is closed on Mondays but is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday and for lunch on Sundays. The menu has a French/CAJUN slant to it with items such as Nola Boudin Balls and Crawfish Etouffee, but gourmet sandwiches predominate for lunch, and the dinner menu includes many seafood dishes, as well as pork, chicken and steaks. Click here to take a look at the yummy dessert offerings. Be sure to allow time to browse the boutique market displays in the front room of this attractive restaurant.

Zucchini and cornbread nuggets at French Market.

Chicken salad on a croissant and jalapeno slaw at French Market.

Pasta Max Cafe – 50 Griffin Street, McDonough, GA. Pasta Max is closed on Sunday and Monday and only open for dinner on Saturday evening, but Tuesday through Friday, diners may enjoy lunch from 11:00 to 2:00 and dinner beginning at 4:00 p.m. There is a cozy, Italian trattoria vibe at this popular eatery. You are sure to find your favorite Italian entrees here, along with fresh salads and special desserts. On my next visit, I want to try Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie or Strawberry Sabayon.

Garlic rolls at Pasta Max.

Pasta dish at Pasta Max.

Queen Bee Coffee Company – 58 Griffin Street, McDonough — right across the street from Pasta Max Cafe. Like Pasta Max, Queen Bee is closed on Sunday and Monday, but Tuesday through Thursday you may enjoy coffee and house-baked treats from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is a pleasant outdoor seating area that is sure to be popular for the next 6 months. Queen Bee does coffee very, very well, and the pastries are decadent.

Kirby G’s Diner and Pub– 45 Macon Street, McDonough, GA. This is a fun 1950’s style diner with a burger voted Best Burger in Atlanta for several years in a row. Atlanta Eats, a website showcasing the best of the best that city has to offer, has featured Kirby G’s on numerous occasions. Everything on the menu is named after a term, movie star, song, movie, television show or popular phrase from the 1950’s. I was there for an afternoon ice cream treat, but I want to return soon for a full meal.

Ice cream treat at Kirby G’s.

Anne and Bill’s Restaurant – 1057 Main Street, Forest Park, GA. You might want to bookmark this comfort food eatery when you are on your way in or out of Henry and Clayton Counties, because it is closer into metro Atlanta, just a couple of miles off I-75. Anne and Bill’s is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday and lunch only on Sunday. Think country cooking, and you’ll have it figured about right. The menu has pretty much all of the Southern favorites you’d expect. There is a large dining area, but the locals fill it up quickly. This place “screams” Baby Boomers and Church Senior Adult groups visiting attractions in the area. Get the picture?

Fried Green Tomatoes at Anne and Bill’s.

Fried catfish at Anne and Bill’s.

Roast beef and sides at Anne and Bill’s.

Banana pudding at Anne and Bill’s.

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