Georgia Plays Musical-
Restaurants
Article and Photos by Kathleen Walls
There are lots of restaurants with musical ties
but Georgia seems to have more than her share. Here are a few of my
all time Peach State favorites.
Weaver D's in Athens
R.E.M. began their career in a converted church where they lived at
the time. The church has since been torn down and all that remains
is the steeple but it is noted on a self guided walking tour put
together by the Athens/
Welcome Center and Flagpole Magazine.
If the B-52's had turned the music world on to a new kind of sound,
R.E.M. brought it to its peak. When they won a Grammy for their 1992
release of "Automatic for the People."
Athens
added another shrine to the R.E.M. legend.
Weaver D's was a popular soul food restaurant frequented by R.E.M,
the B-52's and many other bands in the late 1980's. It was, and is,
a small unpretentious restaurant. The tables are communal and
covered with checkered oilcloth tablecloths.. The food is Southern
Soul Food at its best, fried chicken, greens, and homemade mashed
potatoes and squash casserole, Weaver's signature dish. When the
boys from R.E.M. came to Dexter Weaver with a request to use his
"Automatic for the People" slogan on their album, is suddenly became
a part of the R.E.M. legend. Dexter was suddenly besieged with
television crews and starstruck fans wanting a glimpse into the
everyday life of these music phenomena.. He was offered a contract
to write a book, "Automatic Y'all — Weaver D's Guide to the Soul."
Weaver D's now serves over
300 people a day. (No matter how long the line, his food is worth
any wait.)
Molly's in Macon
Betty Mock, owner. Felt there was a lot of
Little Richard feeling in the corner where she was, just across from
the Visitors Center where Little Richard is the "Goodwill
Ambassador" and near
another Little Richard hot spot, the Tick Tock Room. It was only
natural she named her cafe for one of her favorite songs, "Good
Golly Miss Molly."
The decor takes you back to the heyday of Rock
and Roll. It's Shabby Chic. The food is anything but shabby. It will
have you "Keep a Knockin' at Molly's door."
Her Chicken Salad Wrap, Crab
Bisque and Spinach Quiche always "Call My Name."
There are daily rotating specials that will turn you into
"Short Fat Fanny" if you indulge too much but they are well worth a
little extra exercise. Her desserts are a lot more than just "Tutti
Frutti." You can even have an old fashioned Root Beer Float. When it
comes to ice cream "There's a Whole Lot of Shaking Going on."
If you
visit Macon and don't stop at Molly's all I can say is "Ain't That a
Shame."
Tic Toc Room in Macon
Back in the 50s it was Anne's Tic Toc Room and
a struggling young would-be-singer worked that as a dishwasher. The
place was not as upscale as it is today and when business was slow,
the owner, Anne, let his sing. I am sure the few patrons who
appreciated hearing the explosive styling of Little Richard had no
idea he would go on to become one of the biggest names in Rock and
Roll music.
Today, the Tic Tock Room is one of Macon's most
stylish dinner spots. The food runs the gamut from sushi to steak to
seafood. It's all superbly prepared under the watchful eye of Chef
Julio Roses. A specialty of the house are the fancy martinis of any
style and color. Even if you are not a martini lover, you just have
to sample one of these beautiful concoctions. They have a great wine
selection as well.
One thing I really love about the Tick Tock
Room is the TAPAS, small plate s that let you try our several
choices without ordering a ful scale meal.
Desserts are special here
too. Classic Creme Brule or
Camp Fire S'Mors are my favorites but there are several other
choices that will make your mouth water.
Zeppelin's Pasta House in
Clayton
It is a trip back to the days of old Rock and
Roll legends at Zeppelin's Pasta House. Owner Cappy Taylor and her
husband Mark specialize in the freshest food mostly all organic.
Cappy describes her restaurant as "A Buckhead style, all natural,
Rock and Roll restaurant that is possibly the best spot in the north
Georgia mountains."
If you
are a fan of Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and their elk,
you will love their pictures decorating all the walls.
Don't let the "pasta house" fool you. You will
find great steaks and seafood as well as the best pasta around and
some really original pizzas. Their She Crab Soup is fantastic.
Desserts are unique. the Banana Zango and Cr�me Brule Cheesecake are
just two examples.
They have one of the most extensive beer menus
in the state and some pretty innovative martinis. The service will
leave you feeling as if you are getting "A Whole Lot of Loving."
For more info:
Tic Toc Room:
https://www.facebook.com/TicTocRoom
Zepplins:
http://www.zeppelinspastahouse.com/