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Your one-stop source for local gastronomic gossip
DAY & NIGHT IN WATKINSVILLE
A 15-minute drive out of Athens will land
you at Patrick's, the newest eatery in
Watkinsvrlle. Owned by Patrick Regers, this
quaint restaurant's concept is ideal for a small
town: diner by day, hner dining by night. As
Rogers likes to say, "VVe kick it up a notch at
night.” Lunch features a "meat and three"
menu (that's three vegetables), which is ordered
at the counter and served at your seat. Patrons
may eat at the counter or dine at one of the
many tables or booths that are stripped of fancy
linens.
Evening is a different story at Patrick's. The
lighting changes, linens are put on the tables
and candles glow on each table. Their menu fea
tures a variety of pastas, salads, appetizers and
house specialties. They even have a children's
menu that is freshly prepared (not just frozen
chicken fingers out of a box). Patrick's has two
accomplished chefs, Chris Bass and James Hill.
Bass is originally from Indianapolis and was the
chef at The Spaghetti Store. James Hill, sous
chef, hails from the Southern food Mecca of
Savannah and was formerly a chef at Trump's
Restaurant. The house specialties include among
others, Kentucky bourbon-marinated steak or a
Grecian-style pork chop with a choice of two
freshly prepared vegetables such as grilled
asparagus or rosemary and garlic potatoes.
Among the appetizer selections are sweet potato
fries that come with a spicy horseradish sauce.
Patrick's is open Monday through Saturday
for lunch and dinner. Reservations are recom
mended for large parties or special occasions.
They are planning to add an upscale Sunday
brunch beginning in March. Also, it's Oconee
County, so no alcohol at this time. Patrick's is
located on 441 just before you reach historic
downtown Watkiiisville near the old Hardee's.
Since they virtually become two different restau
rants between night and day, you can eat there
for lunch and dinner!
BREAKING BREAD IN THE BIG CITY: Athens will
soon have a new bakery
featuring fresh, hot
breads, pastries, and
beverages. Big City
Bread is scheduled to
open March 1 on the
corner of Finley and
Meigs streets (behind
the Prince Avenue
Wendy's). I stopped by
to chat with the
owners. Ella Silverman
and Jim Payne, and to
have a look at the
place. Through a large
picture window on one
wall, patrons can watch
fresh bread being pre
pared and baked daily
in a huge hearth oven
imported from France.
The bakery will feature
as many as 12 varieties including flavored
loaves, rolls, baguettes, specialty foccacias and
organic breads. Owner and pastry chef Ella pre
pares all of the pastries fresh. Formerly a high
school teacher, Silverman has always had a skill
for baking. Jim Payne is a former baker from
Atlanta and worked at Maggiano's Corner Bakery.
Big City Bread will of course offer coffees (from
Jittery Joe's) as well as fresh juices and bottled
waters.
The bakery will be open Monday through
Saturday. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. Ther* is indoor and outdoor
seating available. They have a terrific courtyard
area featuring local art. A reception is planned
for some time in April. Meanwhile, when they
open on March 1. swing by for a hot, crusty
baguette and a cup of joe.
Leslie Terrell-Payne
Ort.'s
CLEAR CREEK STEAM BEER (S3/pmtj is
brewed by and available only at Burntstone
Brewhouse at 140 East Washington St. down
town.
Brewer Matt Buley, a sometimes-Yeasty
Boy'" and several-years fnend, has done the
near impossible: he has biewed a true ste«m
beer (well, in flavor, anyway: he couldn’t pos
sibly have rigged the necessary flat, shadow
fermenters to be absolutely »rue to style!)
that really, truly tastes almost exactly like
Anchor Steam Beer. Mjtt s version is even
more asseituely hoppy, though, than
Anchor's, so be forewarned
Fritz Maytag, owner of Anchor Brewery in
San Francisco, Calif trademarked the term
"steam beer" so nebody could come along and
make an inferior version of what he sweat
blood and tears perfect. Since Matt has no
designs on off premises sales, he is probably
^ legally out of danger (Maytag is a good guy;
he just doesn t want anybody to ruin what he
worked so hard to build!) from using the term.
I truly think Fritz would, it he only could, walk
in the door, sit down, order up a pint, take
one taste, and run to congratulate Matt on a
job well done.
That’s just what I will do here. Matt is
modest to a fault, and he is brewing consis
tently excellent beers This is the best thing
he’s ever come up with, though. Frankly, it's
probably one of the very best brewpub beers
I've ever tasted. It's iiquid bliss. Tuesday night
after The Yeasty Boys, I ventured up to
Burntstone and had several pints. At the first
taste, tears ran down my face. That, folks, is
what we call The Quiet Ort.gasm.
All truth is not in a pint glass, but this is
truly a great beer for lovers of hoppy. assertive
brews. Hey, it might even make it to being
judged The Beer Of The Year — it's that good!
Go by and buy one. You'll thank me. Good
call, Matt 1 Prosit! (30.)
1999 William Orten Carlton.
February Is
Bulk Awareness Month at..
Daily Groceries Co-op
20% Off
All Bulk Items
Herbs • Coffees • Teas • Pastas • Cereals
Confections • Tofu • Oils • Soaps • Etc.
Monday. Teh. 15 thru Sunday. Teh. 2S
$23 Prince Ave • 548-1732
eatdally@bellsouth.net
Open 10*9 Daily!
CHEAPEST
RHVESMIDim
ONLY
$5/WEEK
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Come see the
for gijt$ & home furnishings.
142 n. jackson 369-8079
His & Her Discount
Clothing Outlet
WINTER
CLEARANCE SALE
Sweaters $3.99 Jackets I Coats $9.99
Jeans $3.99 Shirts $3.99
Sweatshirts $6.99
521 BazterSt (Next to Domino*) 206-9760
You Asked Foe It,
You Opt IT!
The Smoking Room is Back Up Front!
get a tote
Cigarette with coupon-
Purchase of
large coffee
Mon Thu 7:30 1:30am • Fn Sat 7:3(L3d)0arn • Sun *00 L30am
243 W. WASHINGTON STREET • Next to the Engine Room
Italian Cl Restaurant
275 l. QtTtM St. • Dtwatowv • 5494221
ENING)
Full Service
Dinner
Monday - Saturday Ml
Express Lunch 11-4
Now Serving Beer & Wine
r |ctnoc$e@ (Jrs,
9SS6S8SS9S6F-
BIG CITY BREAD
393 N. Finley St / Studio B
OPENING MAROH 1ST
Bread and Pastries Baked Fresh Daily
Serving . • OPEN • ^ * *
^7 \Gr-S.it 7am-6pm . OM]'
* Sun 9am-5pm
FEBRUARY 24, 1999 FLAGPOLE ED