With just two weeks to go until the new year, it’s time for Foodie to reflect on Fayette’s bustling dining scene.
Without further ado, here are some of the things that Foodie is happy about this year:
• Old standby restaurants like the City Cafe and Bakery, the Village Cafe, the Famous Fish Company and Valentino’s. These restaurants show that Fayette Countians are willing to support genuine, independent restaurants in the vast expanse of chain restaurant dining. I’m also excited that Famous Fish is coming to downtown Fayetteville and expanding its Ga. Shrimp Company concept to Fayetteville.
• Breakfasts at Melear’s, the Original Pancake House and Mike and C’s. To me, the best meal served at Melear’s has always been breakfast. The Original Pancake House has great omelettes and pancakes.
If you haven’t been to Mike and C’s in the Publix shopping center on Ga. Highway 74 south in Peachtree City, you’re really missing one of the best breakfasts in the county. I also like the school spirit they show with all the Starr’s Mill memorabilia in the restaurant.
• The rapid jump in ethnic dining choices in the county. The county has always had a plethora of Mexican restaurants, but now we have several Thai restaurants in the county. For a very short time, we had a curry house, but I don’t quite think the county is ready for that cuisine. My wish list for 2005 would be a really nice French bistro and another Italian restaurant or two.
• New restaurants such as O’Charley’s, and W’s Diner in Tyrone. Despite O’Charley’s being a chain, I still think they serve pretty good food. I also like all the Fayette County photos on the wall. W’s has proven to be a pleasant addition to the Tyrone dining scene.
Next year, the county is slated to get even more restaurants in Peachtree City and Fayetteville. Now, if we could only get a few more independent operators in Atlanta who want to set up shop, we could be the dining destination on the Southside.
