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The Blue Willow Inn
by Beverly Lucey
Amusing weekend visitors is often a challenge. Especially if the visitors cannot begin to imagine why in the world you’ve left familiar turf and ventured off somewhere. Especially if somewhere is South . . . but not Florida. They understand Florida. In fact, if you have to move somewhere, most of your friends would prefer it be Florida, precisely so they could come visit you. Often.Atlanta might call itself The City Too Busy to Hate, but a more precise consumer slogan might be: Atlanta...the city that never said no to a new Mall. At this moment, we probably live off the ONLY clear exit off the Perimeter (which is like the Beltway surrounding DC) that does not lead directly to a Mall. By next year, that will not be true.
But if you land at Hartsfield Airport, now the country’s busiest airport, and are aiming for the Masters Tournament in Augusta or heading for a Bulldog’s game at UGA in Athens, you will be able to take a straight shot east down I-20 to get there.
I bring this possibility up because we’ve found a natural place to take visitors for a taste of Southern Cooking.
THE BLUE WILLOW INN
The Inn is located in Social Circle, Georgia. Yep. That’s the name of the town. Located in a restored Georgian mansion that opened a decade ago, the building houses a series of small dining rooms with one entire room dedicated to its buffet.
Despite being named the "Best small town Restaurant in the South" by the readers of Southern Living Magazine, be aware that although the restaurant is lovely, as pictured on its web site, it is not “fine dining” as many would define it. It’s casual, bustling, bust a gut eating. It’s an experience. So, of course it’s worth going there.
Bring your own wine, if you like. The Blue Willow Inn serves only sweet tea and lemonade. The most you will ever pay for the buffet is still under $20. Of course this includes all the banana pudding a human being should need for a year. Banana pudding is as typically Southern as coconut cake and red velvet cake.
Sometimes a Southern Belle in full costume will greet you. Another evening might present the “most famous concertina player from Italy.” What difference does it make? You’ll have a fine time, no matter what.
Cooking show fans might also note that Nathalie Dupree's Comfortable Entertaining--airs each week on many local public television stations (PBS). And where is the location of Nathalie’s Kitchen?
Social Circle, Georgia.
As my neighbors often say, “Y’all come see us.”
CyberTour of Social Circle, Georgia
Nathalie Dupree’s Web Kitchen