Wednesday, August 20, 2003

Europe on training wheels

By F.C. FOODIE
Food Critic

For Fayette foodies who want a taste of Europe without a seven- to 10-hour plane ride, I highly recommend a quick, end-of-summer getaway to Montreal.

In just over two hours, you can be sipping coffee and watching people in one of the many cafes lining the streets of this modern metropolis.

Walking through the city is a unique mix of New York and Europe. All the shops seem familiar, but you're surrounded by people speaking French. Canadians are very hospitable to Americans, and once you start speaking English, they'll switch to English and be very accommodating.

It seems there are at least three or four restaurants on every city block and the range of cuisine is amazing. Italian, Lebanese, Irish and British eateries are just some of the many cuisines available for the adventurous.

Of course, the city also boasts some of the finest French cuisine west of Paris. Many of the restaurants offer tasting menus, which gives diners choices of several different items to sample.

Walking through the streets, I wondered if our region would ever be as sophisticated about food as the Euro-influenced Canadians.

There are signs that our region is maturing as a dining destination. I'm getting calls on a regular basis telling me about new restaurants opening in Fayette and Coweta counties. Instead of driving to Atlanta, foodies can now stay close to home and sample ethnic choices.

More independent restaurants are dotting the landscape, and we have a taste of Europe in the county with restaurants such as Pascal's, Famous Fish Company and the City Cafe and Bakery.

Cafe culture is also starting to pop-up in the area, and more people are beginning to meet after work for lattes.

As the county continues to grow, more and more residents are clamoring for better dining options. The dining landscape has already changed dramatically in the county in the last 10 years, and their's every reason to believe that Fayette can become one of the dining destinations in the region in the next decade.

Back to Dining Guide Home Page | Back to the top of the page