Thursday, November 18, 2010

Thanksgiving Events in Georgia's Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge, GA


Lighting of the Great Tree -- Light Up Blue Ridge
November 18-21, 25, 26-28
Nunsensations,” The Nunsense Vegas Review, Blue Ridge Community Theater, Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2 p.m. Special Thanksgiving evening performance! Call for reservations 706-632-9223.

Saturday, November 20
Holiday Show & Sale, Opening Reception from 6 to 8 p.m., The Art Center, Historic Courthouse, Downtown Blue Ridge. Show runs thru December 23.

November 22 – 27
Festival of Trees, The Art Center, Historic Fannin County Courthouse. Reception & Silent Auction Nov. 26th at 6.

Thanksgiving Day
Blue Ridge Turkey Trot 5K race/walk. Downtown Blue Ridge. 7 a.m. registration and 8 a.m. start. Call 727-458-8556 for more information.

Thanksgiving Feast at the Martyn House. Back by popular demand Author and Chef Heather Antonelli returns. Come feast on traditional and global delicacies. Thanksgiving day from 3 to 6 p.m. Call for reservations, 706-635-4759.

Friday, November 26
Blue Friday in Downtown Blue Ridge, all-day entertainment, including Toast of Christmas Past" "Blue Ridge Bones" (Brass Band) and "Holiday Classics." Shopping Specials and other treats. Shops open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Light up the Basin, Downtown McCaysville/Copperhill. 6 p.m. in downtown McCaysville. Carolers, tree lighting and lighting of the old iron bridge.

Illuminate Aska, Lilly Pad Village in Blue Ridge. 50,000 lights, floating Christmas tree - meet Santa, enjoy roasting marshmallows, sing along, Christmas carols, enjoy a great hay ride and much more!

November 26 – Dec. 24th
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Christmas Express. Featuring Mr. and Mrs. Santa and the elves! Day trips or Evening excursions to Santa’s Village in McCaysville. Call for info 800-934-1898.

Saturday November 27
Light Up Blue Ridge, Downtown Blue Ridge. All day entertainment. Santa arrives at noon on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway! Photos with Santa. Live reindeer, childrens trackless train rides and much more. Parade at 5:30 and the lighting of the "Great Tree" at dusk.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

New Culinary Adventures in Georgia's Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge, GA
Wow! In 2010 the food scene in Georgia’s Blue Ridge went from good to great. We already had lots of local eateries that we still love, from down home cookin' to riverside dining. Now, with the addition of some wonderful new restaurants, the choices of dining spots are simply amazing. To download a free restaurant guide that's great to print out and bring along, just click here.

Harvest on Main

Extraordinary Dining Experiences
Blue Ridge Brewery – White table cloth dinners + microbrew tastings
Christy Lee’s Courtyard Grille – Courtyard seating, live music, fresh seafood & great steaks
Cucina Rustica – Fine Italian dining in the mountains
Harvest on Main – Chef Danny Mellman’s imaginative New American Cuisine
Toccoa Riverside – Riverside dining & local mountain trout
VH/Blue Orleans Bistro – Blue Orleans Cajun in the Blue Ridge Mtns

Fun Eateries
L & L Beanery Café – Local favorite for breakfast, lunch, coffee and just hanging out with a cappuccino and a laptop
Angelina’s – Yummy panini’s, huge desserts and takeout dinners
Blue Jean’s Pizza & Pasta – Great Pizza, huge portions of pasta, big screen TV and more
Cucina Pizzeria – Real oven fired pizza and microbrew on tap Danielle’s – French dinners & deli lunches at this popular spot
Serenity Garden – New location – same great food for breakfast, lunch & dinner
Sue’s – Best hamburger in Blue Ridge according to Facebook poll
Whistle Stop Grill – Wings, cold beer and Jack Morton’s Mama’s Sloppy Joes


Breakfast at Mercier's
Good Food with Southern Roots Bumblebee’s Café – Breakfast all day and good homestyle lunches at this casual new cafe’
Blue Ridge B-B-Q – Authentic wood-smoked barbecue – try the smoked chicken salad!
Circle J Steak House – Family steak house with Southern style buffet as well
Mercier Orchards Deli – Local sausage and gravy breakfast, deli lunch and fried pie for dessert! Yum Yum.
Plus plenty of take-home goodies for later.
Pete’s Place – Popular local restaurant reminiscent of the old Fannin Inn, open for lunch & dinner
The Village Restaurant – “Where the locals eat,” breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet
The Yellow Jacket – Family restaurant offering delicious country style food for 50 years

Gourmet Take-Out
Anthony’s Bakery – Real Italian baked treats (try the cannolis)
Boo Bear’s – Baked goodies & Bar-B-Q ribs – what a combo!
Buck’s of Blue Ridge – Gourmet meats, cheeses and wines for a cozy cabin dinner
Meyer’s Breads & Bagels – Old world German pastries, breads and bagels, homemade German specialties for lunch or take-out
Out of The Blue – Wine shop plus – gourmet snacks, local goat cheese,
all perfect for a relaxed dinner or picnic
Taste of Amish – Large selection of Amish goods, including Amish butter, deli meats and freshly cut steaks.


Christy Lee's Courtyard
 Culinary Adventures
Chef Douglas’ Cabin Cuisine – Gourmet meals prepared just for you at your mountain cabin, or ready for your arrival.
The Martyn House – Seasonal Farm to Table dinners in relaxed country setting.
U-Pick Mercier Orchards – Pick your own locally grown fruit at Mercier Orchards, strawberries, sweet cherries, blueberries, apples in season.
Appalachian Fresh Market & Blue Ridge Farmer’s Market – Fresh eggs and produce in season.

Ethnic Food Spots
El Rio Mexican Restaurant – Copperhill’s authentic Mexican restaurant. Mariachi band on special occasions.
Monte Alban Mexican Restaurant – Local favorite for delicious dishes, incredible Mexican chicken soup.
Meyer’s Bread & Bagels – Real German lunches and baked goods in Blue Ridge with lots of regulars – go early!
Tin Loong of Blue Ridge – Japanese, Chinese, Thai and American buffet in a Blue Ridge setting

Insider Tips: All around Blue Ridge are hidden treasures, just ask any local. What other small Southern town has an Amish deli, German Bakery, fresh seafood market and the largest apple orchard in the Southeast? You’ll find your dining experience at our new restaurants equal or better than any you might have in a much larger city. What makes us different is also what makes us special.

During your visit, try to find Natalie's Hotdog Cart when she is on a corner in downtown Blue Ridge. Come on down to L&L Beanery for a laptop cappuccino or a delicious breakfast and strike up a conversation with a local or another visitor.

People are nice here. Stop by our Welcome Center and ask a local what there is to do and where to eat. In season our local farmers markets offer the best in fresh locally grown produce at Appalachian Fresh Farmers Market and the Downtown Blue Ridge Farmers market.