Bright New Day for a Gourmet

by Kathleen Walls

The Gourmet Day Cafe offers home cooked dining in historic surroundings.
Photo by Kathleen Walls

The old Patton-Rea House in LaFayette Georgia was a popular gathering place for the soldiers returning home after the Civil War. Today it is a popular gathering place of another kind. It offers the most mouthwatering Southern home cooking you ever tasted.

The evolution of the gracious antebellum home to today's Gourmet Day Cafe is an interesting one. It was built in 1860 as the Patton family home. The Civil War changed things for the home as it did for the entire South. Its proximity to some of the bitterest fighting of the war made it a natural to be the headquarters of the Confederate Army.

A "weary soldier" rests in front Photo courtesy Gourmet Day Cafe

It was known as the Hitching Post because Confederate soldiers waiting to receive dispatches would leave their horses at the long hitching post in front of the house. Former owner Louise Shuford Thurman recalled her grandmother, Lucille Lowery Patton, reminiscing about her husband assisting Colonel Hart in preparing dispatches during that time.. Mrs. Patton's favorite story was when she persuaded the "Yankee" officers to spare her home and stock after the Confederates were driven out.

After the war, the tired dispirited veterans slowly wending their way home stopped there for direction home. Perhaps Mr. Patton has never left his original home or perhaps one of the many soldiers who perished near by inhabit it, but whatever the reason, the building claims it's own resident ghost. Many of the employees of the restaurant have heard strange noises and stomping on the second floor.

Mark Ford poses on the lawn of Gourmet Day Cafe with his favorite "chef".
Photo by Kathleen Walls

Mark Ford discovered the old home last year and fell in love with it. He and his partners then owned the Gourmet Day Cafe in Dalton. He saw this as a natural expansion of the original restaurant. It took a lot of work to renovate it and add the necessary requirements for a restaurant but the result was worth it. In the course of the restoration they found original features like a built in bread warmer over the fireplace and many handmade nails used in the construction of the original house. They took a lot of care with the restoration of the old fireplaces. Today, the four magnificent fireplaces lend an authentic ambience to the world-class restaurant. It opened in late 2002 as the third Gourmet Day Cafe. (Besides the Dalton Cafe, they also have one in Calhoun)

Just one small sampling of desserts. Photo by Kathleen Walls

In January this year, they instituted their famous Sunday buffet. It goes from 11am to 2pm and brings in hungry guest from all over the surrounding areas as well as travelers who are fortunate enough to discover this culinary gem. One look at the overflowing buffet that occupies the entire back sun porch tells you why and if you are not convinced yet, just a mouthful of their ham, fried chicken, barbecue or any of the other dozens of home cooked goodies definitely will. No matter how stuffed you get, save just a little room for one of their home baked deserts.

You don't have to visit on Sunday. They have a slightly scaled down version of the Sunday buffet daily. For more elegant dining, visit at night, they are open on Friday or Saturday. Robin, a versatile local singer, will entertain you with your choice of country, classic or easy listening. The food at night moves way uptown. Dishes like Pork Tenderloin Medallions or Grilled Alaskan Salmon. Of course, you won't be disappointed if you stick with the conservative Prime Rib.

One of the dining rooms at the Gourmet Day Cafe.
Photo courtesy Gourmet Day Cafe

Mark says that he wants to make Gourmet Day Cafe more than just a great culinary adventure. He wants to "create an entire sensory experience." Along with the weekend music, the cafe features concerts on the lawn, a back yard horseshoe pit, booksignings with local authors and eclectic art on the walls.

The original Gourmet Day Cafe began with fine sandwiches at the Calhoun location. They haven't abandoned the tradition here either. At lunch you can get your choice of a well-stuffed club or their out-of-this world Rueben. Back that up with a gourmet salad or a bowl of soup and you have the classic lunch. If you are a vegetarian, Gourmet Day doesn't forget you They offer four veggie sandwiches, Garden Burger, Portobello Mushroom, Hot or cold Veggie Sandwich.

The Gourmet Day is located at 640 South Main St. in LaFayette. They can be reached at 706-638-8077