Fresh and Robust Flavors
Food in Rabun
Foodies Unite With This Culinary Venture
For starters, what is a foodie? It is a person who has a keen interest in great food! It doesn’t just include the food itself, it also includes an experience. Their conversations may start like this, “Remember when we went to Italy and had the most exquisite risotto ever made on earth…” It is a connection between the food and the location, the people, the event. We’ve heard the old adage, some people eat to live and others live to eat. A foodie lives to experience food, drink, conversation, locale, and event as a whole. Rabun County is Georgia’s farm to table capital, so why not have a foodie adventure? Wineries, farms, sustainable foods located in a beautiful, picturesque location – a perfect fit. The owners of Beechwood Inn are in search of local, sustainable products, farms, and other establishments that are of interest to foodies. They have put together some incredible foodie itineraries that span several days so foodies can experience the local Rabun County culture through food, education, conversation and tasting. There are many award winning chefs, restaurants, wines and vineyards in Rabun County. These foodie itineraries are trying to capture them all. If you are a foodie looking for a new culinary experience, come to Rabun County and experience our Southern hospitality nestled in with our foods, farms, vineyards, and families.
Imagine a quiet evening for two, you and your significant other. Holding hands with a mesmerizing view of the lake. The light of the moon bounces off the ripples in the water. The intoxicating aroma of Italian pasta fills the air. The conversation is light and romantic. This describes dinner for two at Louie's on the Lake. This casual lakeside restaurant brings the best of Italian cuisine in pizzas and pasta. The atmosphere has that cozy lakeside cabin feel, casual and inviting. Create your own pizza with the toppings you enjoy, including anchovies! Antipasto salads, and signature pasta dishes such as baked manicotti, ravioli, and spaghetti. What better to top off your meal than with cannoli or spumoni? Join us at Louie's on the Lake tonight, a regional favorite you won't forget.
Dinner for Two – Only at Louie's on the Lake
An Exhilarating Place to Wine and Dine
There is something special about enjoying a meal knowing the food is locally sourced or grown just outside the kitchen door! The Dillard House has offered local fruits and vegetables since the early 1900’s. Listen to the table groan under the weight of the dishes full of beans, corn, tomatoes, cornbread and apple pie. The Beechwood Inn Bed & Breakfast operates an organic vegetable and herb farm. Their Chef’s Table Tasting Dinners are not-to-be-missed. The menu changes weekly at Farmhouse Restaurant at Persimmon Creek depending on what is fresh at the local markets. Fortify Kitchen & Bar’s chef is recognized for inclusion in Best Chefs America, as are both of the chefs at the Beechwood Inn. When the barn doors open and the mountain views unfold at the Red Barn Café at Tiger Mountain Vineyards, it’s going to be a magical dining experience. Enjoy tastings of fine wine while enjoying the land that was once a five-generation dairy farm. The views enhance the delicious food at Lake Rabun Hotel & Restaurant and The Chophouse at Laprade’s.
Summer Nights at Moon Pie Pizzeria
A big ol’ pizza pie shared with family or friends on a summer night sounds delicious; even better, a pizza pie from Moon Pie Pizzeria. Using fresh, local ingredients, Chef Charles Maddrey puts together a pizza that can’t be beat. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday, this pizzeria has a menu that extends way beyond pizza. The menu starts with some fantastic appetizers: calamari, wings, stuffed artichoke hearts and the infamous cheesy garlic bread. A line up of delicious salads is up next including favorites such as antipasto, Cesar, Greek, and garden varieties. Lunch serves up pizza and calzones made your way or a variety of iconic partners and signature pies. Added to the dinner menu are the chef’s renowned pastas including lasagna, parmesan encrusted chicken breast over angel hair pasta, and traditional favorites such as spaghetti and chicken Alfredo. Top off your meal with a fantastic homemade dessert. The chef also offers special throughout the week. “When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that’s amoré…” Pizza and pasta served up with a little amoré – do not miss out on this scrumptious eatery!
The Rusty Bike Café – Good Food, Good Company
Have you ever been to a bike-themed restaurant – Rabun County has their very own –The Rusty Bike Café. Located in Clayton, this local favorite has a menu that can’t be beaten. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting; everyone is welcome no matter how many wheels they ride in on. Serving breakfast all day, the menu includes large platters of pancakes, eggs, breakfast meat, and a bottomless cup of coffee. The breakfast specials have clever names such as The Gear Shifter and The Unicycle, keeping with the bike theme. Buttermilk or multigrain pancakes are served that seem to be the size of small wheels and are sure to stick to your ribs. The lunchtime menu boasts soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers. Sweet potato tots, onion rings, and French fries top the list of sides. All time classic favorites include Philly cheese steak, design your own burgers and smoked chicken salad. Don’t delay – ride in today, whether two wheels or four – and enjoy a great breakfast platter or fabulous burger. The Rusty Bike Café – good food, good company
We Heard it on the Grapevine
When we say “grapes and beans” we are not talking about fruit and vegetables really. We are talking about fine, smooth, delicious liquid – wine and coffee. This clever duo is served up at Clayton’s local wine and coffee shop aptly named “Grapes & Beans”. The award winning restaurant serves up a fantastic lunch filled with local and organic fare. They offer up signature soups, salads, and sandwiches with daily specials. Open for coffee at 9 am, lunch from 11am to 2:30 pm and coffee or wine until 3:30 pm, this local favorite is a place to sit back, relax and enjoy. The Grape side of the house serves wine by the glass or the bottle. Their collection includes several local varieties and organic wines. The Bean side serves organic coffees with great robust, but not bitter, flavor. They also serve beer, domestic and organic. Indoor and outdoor seating is available at this cozy spot. Come in today for your cup of Joe, stay for lunch and end with a subtle wine. We know it is good because we heard it on the grapevine.
Taco Tuesdays are Tasty at LaCabana
Mexican dining at its finest begins at LaCabana in Clayton and Dillard. Family owned and operated, this restaurant strives to give you authentic Mexican cuisine at family affordable prices. The menu ranges from quesadillas and nachos, burritos and tacos, enchiladas and chili relleno, and sopapillas and more; also offering a full-service bar and soft drinks. Large portions, great homemade chips and salsa are the norm at LaCabana. Also offering low carbohydrate options for those trying to eat healthy or those who may have health requirements. LaCabana offers daily lunch specials and who doesn’t love tacos?! Choose your tacos: crispy or soft; chicken or beef. Add chips and salsa and your favorite margarita or soft drink and you have a great lunch. Want to spice it up? Add jalapenos, pico de gallo or LaCabana’s homemade hot sauce. Next Tuesday come on in and enjoy tacos. You won’t be disappointed.
Fill Your Cup with Weekend Brunch at Cupboard Café
What is better than weekend breakfast? Weekend Brunch! Brunch is such a fun social time. It is a time to gather with family or friends. A brunch allows you to sleep in a bit and still enjoy the best foods for breakfast and lunch, thus brunch. Brunch at Cupboard Café is just the spot for your weekend brunch. Cupboard Café located in Dillard has a goal of serving good food at a fair price. Following a growing farm-to-table philosophy, the ingredients used in their dishes are sourced locally as much as possible providing their customers with the freshest food possible. Fabulous homemade desserts including pies are always on the menu. Isn’t there a rule somewhere that you should start your meal with dessert – I think so! After your meal visit the onsite gift shop and enjoy the coffee bar. Let’s make a date for brunch this weekend at Cupboard Café.
Wicked Good Food! Serious. Southern. BBQ.
It’s hard to find authentic, mouthwatering, southern barbecue, but Clayton, GA has a corner on the market since The Wicked Pig rolled into town. And roll in they did on their extravagant, high tech, decked out food truck. Today they also have a restaurant and reserve the food truck for events and catering. The menu selections will melt in your mouth. They serve up some signature dishes like brisket eggrolls, smoked pork and apple salad, and pork popper melt. Of course, they dish up the traditional list of meats: pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, ribs, and the ultimate smokehouse platter. The large menu also has burgers, tacos, sliders, sandwiches, wings, and more. Next time you are in town, give The Wicked Pig a try. It will soon be your favorite!