2016 draws to a close

Next-to-last night of the year, spent at Fortify Restaurant in Clayton, with Andrew & Hillary.

Dining at the Lake Rabun Hotel and the Blue Fish Lodge

George, Bill and Shirley, at the Lake Rabun Hotel.
We had to share our little nook with 'Daydreamer,'
a brown bear available (still) for a cool $3200.

This was our second dinner at the Lake Rabun Hotel. It's very nice. Every Thursday, they put on a Featured Farm menu, with food from one of the local farms. A couple of weeks ago, we ate with Ann from a menu using Mill Gap Farm in Tiger; next week, they'll be featuring our community garden on their Thursday menu.

George, Bill and Shirley, plating up at the
Blue Fish Lodge's boathouse dining room.

Batesville General Store

Great place for lunch (seven days a week), and suppers on Fridays and Saturdays. It is located at the junction of GA-197 and GA-255. And, the owner is a Gators fan, too!


From our cottage, take Timpson Cove to right turn on Charlie Mountain Rd, follow to the end, right on Bridge Creek to the end, right on Burton Dam Road to the end, left on GA-197 to the GA-255 junction; 12.5 miles. Phone: 706-947-3434

Updated: Tried out the supper on Friday night, with friends Jan and John. Closed out with apple pie and ice cream. Nice!

Beechwood Inn, Clayton

Beechwood Inn, Clayton

This is a nice bed and breakfast. They also host weekly (Saturday night) gourmet dinners with wines, some local vintages. We've done the 'bed-and-breakfast' part, but haven't tried the Saturday dinners yet.

In Clayton, take US-76 East from US-441, and turn left after a few hundred feet, on Beechwood Drive. Follow signs to the inn.

Cherokee Landing

Cherokee Landing Restaurant is located at what used to be Pazzo's Pizza, and is now run by the crew that used to operate Joanie's, which was just down the road. It has lots of outdoor seating (some covered), and some indoor as well. Casual food: burgers, salads, pizza, etc.

It is on the southwest side of Lake Burton. From our cottage, go right on Charlie Mountain to the end, right on Bridge Creek to the end, right on Burton Dam to the end, right on GA-197, about a quarter mile, and turn right on Laurel Lodge Road. Joanie's is about a quarter mile down Laurel Lodge, on the left.

Stockton House in Clayton

Nice restaurant, with a good, all-around menu, and a big view of Screamer Mountain. It is on Warwoman Road, a few blocks east of US-441.

Zeppelins

Pizza, pasta, salads, beer and wine, and lots of rock-and-roll memorabilia. Tasty.

Take US-76 East into Clayton. At Main Street, turn left, go about a block, and it's on the right side of the  street.

Lake Burton Cafe

When all you want is beers, burgers, country music and a pool table, Lake Burton Cafe is the place to go. But don't expect white linens or fancy food.

It is on US-76, at the junction with Jones Branch Road. You can get there by going west on Timpson Cove from our cottage (away from the marina); Jones Branch is the first gravel road west of our place. Or, you can go east on Timpson Cove, left on Charlie Mountain, left on US-76, and look for it on the left, first left-turn after Lake Burton Grocery. It is on an old section of US-76, where a curve was cut-off in the straightening of the highway.

LaPrade's

LaPrade's is located at the head of Wildcat Cove, and includes a marina as well as a restaurant. Sometimes, there is a dockside grill operating, from which you can get sandwiches and such. Upstairs, there is an indoor dining room, as well as a covered, open-air seating area with a bar. We like the open air dining, generally.

You can get there by boat (west out of Timpson Cove, south to the entry to Wildcat Cove, and when you reach a fork at the Captain Morgan statue, stay left, to Wildcat Cove (right goes to Moccasin Creek). Or, you can drive: US-76 West to GA-197 South, then several miles to Wildcat Cove; Laprade's is on the left, past the fire station.