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PAGE 8B THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2008 Escape... continued from 12A c ST.MARY’S ^ k H F A I T H CAFF 1 ¥ 1 T i M oyster sandwiches and raw oysters among the selections I tried. I even had a fresh oyster just after it was pulled from the water on an oyster boat. That was certainly a tasty treat. The Apalachicola oysters are sweeter than other oysters. Be sure to try the following restau rants: •That Place on 98, 500 US Hwy. 98, Eastpoint, Fla., www.thatplaceon98.net or 1-850-670-9898. This fun, friendly restaurant is casual and comfortable, and offers amazing scenery and won derful food. Located on the shores of St. George Bay, it has a sweeping bay view from a large outdoor deck. The specialties are the fried grouper and crab cakes. I decided to try everything oyster — oyster appetizers, oyster stew and a fried oyster sandwich. It was all great! Dessert offerings include home made pies. You can’t go wrong with the chocolate mousse pie. •Eddy Teachs’ Raw Bar, 240EastThird Street, St. George Island, Fla., www. eddyteachs.com or 1-850-927-5050. This is the spot for some amazing oys ter choices, including Dirty Humphry’s (raw oysters and sour cream topped with caviar). Another one to try is Donovan Chapman’s Tastes Like Chicken Oyster, which has asiago, jalapenos, garlic and Cajun seasoning on the steamed oys ters. It’s a small informal spot where locals and visitors alike gather. •Harry A’s Restaurant & Bar, 28 West Bayshore Drive, St. George Island, Fla., www.harryasrestaurant.com or 1-850-927-3400. I really enjoyed the ahi tuna with plantains. They have a huge menu and karaoke is featured in the lively restaurant. •Pirate’s Tiki Hut in Carrabelle fea tures waterfront dining on the scenic Carrabelle River. For more informa tion, call 850-697-4331. The large, open dining room has glass windows that provide a great view. They have great hushpuppies and the grilled oyster din ner was wonderful. •Tamara’s Cafe Floridita, 17 E Avenue, Apalachicola, Fla., www.tama- rascafe.com or 1-850-653-4111. This is fine dining that offers dishes that are as visually appealing as they are tasty. South American and Caribbean dishes are featured. I had the seafood salad, which had sauteed oysters, shrimp and scallops in a bed of mixed greens with black beans. It’s a wonderful combina tion. •Carrabelle Junction, 88 Tallahassee Street, Carrabelle, Fla., 1-850-697-9550. This is an old-fashioned soda foun tain that has some wonderful sandwich choices, as well as a blue plate special that is actually served on a blue plate! The tuna melt made a great lunch. •Cafe Con Leche, 32 Avenue D, Apalachicola, Fla., 850-653-2233. Grab a cup of coffee, sweet treat and check your e-mail or people watch in this prime downtown location. •Chef Eddie’s Magnolia Grill, locat ed on 99th Street in Apalachicola has some wonderful seafood selections and scrumptious desserts. For more infor mation, call 850-653-8000. Among the highlights on the menu are the shrimp gumbo, chateau briand, butter pecan snapper, greek style yellow edge grouper, and, for dessert, the toffee crusted strawberry cheesecake, choco late almond creme pie and the chef’s famous apple pie. WHERE TO STAY Whether you want a beach front home, new waterfront condo or cozy bed and breakfast, you will find it in Franklin County. I stayed at Casa De Chill, a huge, luxurious beachfront home offered by Resort Vacation Properties. It has three stories facing the ocean with a huge bedroom on the third floor. Nothing says vacation better than waking up fac ing the ocean as the sun rises. The home has four bedrooms, a huge living room and kitchen and a screened in porch facing the ocean. It’s a great location for a family gathering. There’s plenty of room for everyone to have their own space. A little rain didn’t even dampen my visit. I enjoyed chilling out at my very own Casa De Chill in my living room facing the ocean. A book, a board game or even a nap make for a perfect afternoon. The home also has an elevator, board walk to the beach and huge Jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom that faces the ocean. Free long distance calls are also included. A NATURAL ESCAPE Visit Franklin County, Fla., for a natural escape. The sunsets and sunrises are a great way to start your day or end a day of outdoor adventures. For more information, go to Resort Vacation Properties of St. George Island, resortvacationproperties.com or 1-866-927-2322. Other accommodation options include the following: •Collins Vacation Rentals, collinsva- cationrentals.com or 1-866-723-9460. •Gibson Inn, www.gibsoninn.com or 1-850-653-2191. •SandyBeachProperties,www.mysan- dybeach.com or 1-850-697-5300. •Water Street Hotel & Marina, www.waterstreethotel.com or 1-850-633-3700. Franklin County is located 80 miles southwest of Tallahassee and 85 miles southeast of Panama City. For more information on visiting Franklin County, Fla., contact the Franklin County Tourist Development Council at www.anaturalescape.com or by call ing 1-866-914-2068 (toll free). ROOM WITH A VIEW The huge living room in Casa De Chill, a luxuri ous beachfront home offered by Resort Vacation Properties, faces the ocean. It's a great place for families to gather during their stay on St. George Island. John Layher, M.D., & L. Steven Lowman, M.D. announce tneir new practice Oconee Heart & Vascular Center 706.389.3440 JOHN LATHER. M.D L. Steven Lowman, M.D V OCON Heart St. Mary’s Hospital & Vascuuvr Center 1230 Baxter Street Athens, GA 30606 Specializing In comprehensive cardiology 706.389.3440 care. Serving all of Northeast Georgia. Now accepting patients at their new location: WWW.STMARY5ATHENS.0Rn KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL A HAIRCUT Commerce's Only Barber Shop Family Haircare Bill Wood, Owner Walk-Ins Welcome Wood Barber Shop 581 Ila Road, Lot #1, Commerce (706) 335-5392 • Mon.-Fri. 8-6 PLENTY OF FRESH SEAFOOD Fishing boats line the water in the quaint towns of Franklin County, Fla. The abundance of fresh seafood leads to many wonderful restaurant selections. W & W METAL ROOFING “We Got You Covered” Residential • Commercial • Agricultural • Ship Anywhere In The USA • We Stock Your Metal Needs • Visit Our Showroom www.wwmetalroofing.com 706-654-5836 30 Year Paint "4 Hwy. 60 / Candler Hwy. • Pendergrass, Ga. Warranty Sales Service Installation