Harvest Moon (Rome, GA)

Score: (5): "MAKE A PUPPY PULL A FREIGHT TRAIN"

Disclosure: My husband designed their "cow" logo.

Harvest Moon is a funky eclectic joint that serves up some serious eats.  I gave them such a high score for a few reasons: 1- we had a party of six, 2- we had dinner Friday night right in the middle of the block party, 3- we were seated right away, and 4- the food was fast and superb. 

We started off having drinks at the bar with Rome's legendary bartender, Marty.  After a libation we were promptly seated at our table. Because of the traffic from the block party their specials that evening were several gourmet artisan burgers along with chicken sandwiches and a veggie option.  Being the red blooded carnivore that I am, I was in the mood for steak. 

I take my beef seriously.  I want it seared, I want it rare and I want it properly seasoned.  Or as William H. Macy's sheriff character said in the movie "Happy, Texas "Give me the meanest steak you got! Rare, and I mean rare! Just de-horn it, wipe its butt and send it in." (I know a filet isn't exactly a "mean" steak, but you get my drift) My steak was perfectly cooked, charred on the outside with a nice bright red center.  It also came with a twice baked potato and seared squash which were both lovely. The potato was creamy and cheesy and the nice bite of the squash was an excellent contrast. One person in our group ordered the gouda mac and cheese and suggested I try it.  I did.  We immediately ordered one for ourselves.  I'm not sure who made it, but they know their béchamel sauce. (I highly suggest you try it). Dinner ended with banana pudding and my two banana pudding experts, Candice Freeman and Lauren Heller both thought it was great. (I don't dig bananas).  All in all it was a wonderful evening and we will definitely be back. As always you can read my reviews each Monday and Tuesday at www.coosavalleynews.com 

CHEERS!

Here's my scoring terminology:

1-5 "(5 being the highest)"

1: "Bless your heart"

2: "Don't stop Green Beanin' (For my Journey friends)"

3: "Medi'okra"

4: "Make ya slap your momma"

5: "MAKE A PUPPY PULL A FREIGHT TRAIN"

The Partridge (Rome, GA)

Score: (4) "Make ya slap your momma"

Three meats, five sides, a drink and dessert is a Southern tradition and exactly what you'll get on a Sunday afternoon at the Partridge restaurant in downtown Rome, GA.  The Partridge was established in 1933 and has long been a staple of the downtown dining scene.  (Their sign says it all.)  Upon arrival we were greeted by a lovely hostess and immediately escorted to our table just prior to the Sunday after church crowd. The Andrews Sisters, "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" was piping in and instantly warmed my heart putting me in a great mood for a nice homey meal.

Our waitress was an attentive young lady named, Cassidy.  She was, simply put, a gem. 

I learned a new phrase from her today as I was handing her my glass for a re-fill, she told me she caught me, "mid-ham". (I was about to eat a piece of ham). That my friends, is absolutely precious in my book and quintessentially Southern. 

I overheard her telling another table that she won "friendliest waitress".  I don't doubt that for a second. When you first sit down they bring you a little skillet of sweet hot cornbread and a side of cold creamy cole slaw. If they'd stopped right there I'd still be a happy camper. 

 'Family Style' is what's for lunch on Sunday at The Partridge,  which means they bring you several different meats and vegetables for you to share.  On this occasion, the menu consisted of, crispy and very juicy  fried chicken, (they go the extra step and brine theirs), sweet and salty spiral cut ham, plump turkey with gravy and dressing with the perfect hint of sage, corn (off the cob), pinto beans (pretty much a Southern staple), velvety mac and cheese, slow cooked green beans.  Our favorite was the squash and onions with a slight touch of garlic.  Although not offered on todays menu, their broccoli casserole is a must try.

Yes, you read that right, they literally serve you all this food for Sunday lunch.  When you're about to go into a food coma, you hear, "what would you like for dessert?"  On top of the delicious meal you just had they also include a dessert. The choices today were banana pudding, yellow cake with buttercream icing and peach cobbler.  Drinks are also included in the price of your meal. I'm a water drinker, but my tea expert said their tea was perfect  (fwiw: he's a half/half guy). If you in the mood for the Southern comfort food we grew up on with the added bonus that you don't have to cook it or clean up after (clean, ugh!!!) The Partridge is the place to go.  As always you can read my reviews every Monday and Tuesday at www.coosavalleynews.com

CHEERS!

Here's my scoring terminology:

1-5 "(5 being the highest)"

1: "Bless your heart"

2: "Don't stop Green Beanin' (For my Journey friends)"

3: "Medi'okra"

4: "Make ya slap your momma"

5: "MAKE A PUPPY PULL A FREIGHT TRAIN"

La Marie's (Lunch Review) Rome, GA

Score: (Cuisine) 4: "Make ya slap your momma"

Score: (wait time) 2: "Don't stop Green Beanin' (For my Journey friends)"

La Marie's is a charming restaurant located in arguably the heart of beautiful downtown Rome, Georgia.  Located in the Margretta Hall building it has a lovely entrance facing Broad St. and it's length and large pane windows run along Second Ave.  You're immediately met with beautiful high ceilings, wedding cake moldings and grand ornate drapes that highlight the stunning views of downtown.  They have a piano and harp for live music in the evenings.

Greeted right away I was whisked to my table. A full tea service with all usual characters, chicken salad, quiche, ambrosia etc. is available.  A quick note:  if you've noticed in past reviews, I always order what the restaurant either recommends as a "Special" or is known for.  We're not playing "gotcha".  I ordered from the daily special menu opting for the rustic chicken sandwich for $7.95 (pretty good deal for the quality and quantity of my meal). 

After I ordered from my very polite waitress...I waited, and waited, had a birthday (just kidding about that part) but I think you get my gist. For the working person with time constraints, it simply took entirely too long to get my meal. But happily, it was worth the wait and then some.  When my food finally arrived it was in a word, -exceptional!  My sandwich was served open face on ciabatta with a creamy sun-dried tomato basil mayo, smoky crisp tender roasted peppers and onions, silky melted mozzarella cheese, and a plump juicy piece of chicken.  And when you offer house made fries, you'll get me every time.  They were pure perfection. Perfectly crisp with a tender, fluffy interior, and dusted in a house seasoning.

As I mentioned, my only complaint -and it's small, was a bit of a wait.  If the rest of their menu is indicative of my lunch, it is worth more than another visit.  I'll just make sure I have a little extra time in my afternoon.  CHEERS!

You can read my reviews every Monday and Tuesday at coosavalleynews.com

Here's my scoring terminology:

1-5 "(5 being the highest)"

1: "Bless your heart"

2: "Don't stop Green Beanin' (For my Journey friends)"

3: "Medi'okra"

4: "Make ya slap your momma"

5: "MAKE A PUPPY PULL A FREIGHT TRAIN"

                                                                        Rustic Chicken Sandwich