Last month in this column, I asked Fayette's foodies what type of restaurant they would like to see come to town.

It seems I struck a chord, because I received more e-mail on this one topic than anything else.

Well, the results are in, and it looks like Fayette's discriminating eaters would like to see more “white-tablecloth restaurants.”

Specifically, residents are clamoring for seafood restaurants such as Red Lobster and more Italian places such as Olive Garden.

Residents were also open to more Asian and ethnic cuisines and feel the time is right for the restaurant scene to become more diversified. Here are some of the responses:

” “In response to your question about what type of restaurant we would like to see in Fayetteville — we would love a Thai, Vietnamese or Indian restaurant. Thai and Vietnamese would especially be nice, with their emphasis on more vegetables and less meat.

“We DON'T need another steakhouse, barbecue, or other such place. Their menus are basically the same, with minor variations — not much to choose from, really.

“I love steak and hamburgers, but enough is enough!”

” “I would like to recommend that Fayetteville or Peachtree City look into opening a Fazoli's Italian food. They are considered a fast food company, but have great food. It's hot and the price is reasonable.”

” “I suggest we have a fine restaurant specializing in fine French food. I repeat “fine” purposely. Hopefully it would concentrate on quality at the expense of quantity, of which there is too much anyway these days. There should be a good selection of wine, preferably French or at least European (not Californian).

“I am of the school that wine is an important and integral part of a fine meal. It would also be nice to have waiters who know their wine and can offer suggestions based on what they stock. All this should be offered at prices commensurate with quality. I have other suggestions, but you get the picture.”

” “I think what we really need in Fayetteville is a good seafood restaurant... like Red Lobster.

“Of course until the good citizens of this town wake up and join the 20th century by voting liquor by the drink, I doubt we'll ever get a lot of good restaurants here regardless of whether they are chains or independents. That's why you have to drive to Peachtree City, Riverdale or Jonesboro to find one.”

” “Olive Garden

Longhorn

Red Lobster

TGI Friday's

Outback Steakhouse

California Pizza Kitchen

Golden Buddha Chinese/Japanese

Ryan's Steakhouse

“Please publish this request. We really NEED some good restaurants in Fayette County so we won't have to drive at least 12 miles to spend our money in another county.”

” “I wanted to put my bid in for seafood and vegetarian.

“Heck, I'm not proud, a Red Lobster would suit me fine. I've even got the spot picked out. Crosstown Court, that loops off Crosstown Road across from Kroger (McDonald's and Pizza Hut are on it) backs up to the wetlands south of Braelinn.

“With careful placement, you could put a rustic seafood restaurant there, or even better, farther west toward the Jiffy-Lube place, backing up on the woods. Put an old-timey back porch on it and sell all-you-can-eat catfish. Get Catfish Hollow over here! Yes! Catfish reigns!

“I wrote Lettuce Souprise You several times, dangling in front of them demographics that support a Ruby Tuesday and a Morrison's (at that time) and two McDonaldses, etc. but they insist we just don't have the numbers for a primarily lunch place.

“Tell `em we do! Have you ever eaten at a Lettuce Souprise You? They have a salad bar six blocks long, a baked potato bar, and a soup bar, and the first time I was in one, they were passing out fresh hot muffins to people waiting in line! Nothing but sublime! Ecstasy!”

One of my favorite responses comes from a lady in Peachtree City who wants a destination restaurant with a unique identity.

She wants a restaurant with a genteel atmosphere, a variety of entrees, decent wine list and valet parking.

Our clever reader would put this restaurant in the old Wal-Mart building. New landscaping complete with trees with twinkling lights, along with a row of shops, would complete the atmosphere.

She even suggested that Movies10 offer a couple of alternative films or classic movies to make for a complete night on the town.

Wishful thinking?

I hope not. Fayette business leaders, this is what your residents want. Surely there's a crafty entrepreneur who can make this happen and create more of a real city than a village of strip malls and urban desolation.

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