Authors | Flagpole Magazine | Athens, GA News, Music, Arts, Restaurants

Blog posts by Hillary Brown

Classic Center to Offer Culinary Scholarship

Blog: Grub Notes

As part of an expanding mission, the Classic Center Cultural Foundation will be offering a new culinary scholarship for local college students, with applications due Jan. 10.

The restaurant and food production industries are good ones for Athens, in that they attract tourism, which is a big area of concern for the CCCF, so the connection makes sense. More than anything, the scholarship program seems aimed at students in Athens Tech's Culinary Arts program, but as long as you're from Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Oconee or Oglethorpe County, you are eligible.

The scholarship provides $1,000 to the student and $500 to his or her college. Check the specifics after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | December 18, 2013
Always Baked Returns in a New Place and Form

Blog: Grub Notes

After leaving its location in Athens Bagel Company on Jackson Street (ostensibly to focus on delivery but coincidentally closing on the heels of chain Insomnia Cookies opening around the corner), Always Baked is returning to a walk-in location, this time in the former YoDawgs on Baxter. Brian Gamsey writes:

Always Baked Goodies is very excited to announce we will be opening a new store front at 723 Baxter Street (the old YoDawgs). The menu will include all of the old favorites cookies, fried goodies and other munchables. We will also have an expanded menu including "Get Baked Panini's" - creating your sandwich with your choice of cheese and meat grill pressed on Texas Toast and "Pack a Bowl" - french fries with your choice of cheese and/or chili. The store is scheduled [to] be open around the beginning of this coming Spring semester.

So… they're not abandoning their clientele.

By Hillary Brown | December 10, 2013
Rashe's Cuisine to Open on Tallassee in 2014

Blog: Grub Notes

The always promising but also always problematic space at Tallassee and Mitchell Bridge still best known as the former Caliente Cab (Google Maps screenshot above) is about to get a new tenant. Rashe Malcolm, who has been running a personal chef service for a while, both in Athens and elsewhere, is opening up Rashe's Cuisine, a Jamaican restaurant, in the new year.

In a phone conversation, Malcolm related her travels from St. Mary's Hospital, where she worked in food service, to North Carolina, where she worked for Marriott, to a stint doing contract work for the EPA. When her contract was up, she decided to "take a leap of faith," as she put it, and dive into the restaurant business.

More after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | December 10, 2013
Weaver D's Not Closing After All

Blog: Grub Notes

Psych! The on-again-off-again saga of Weaver D's is entering an "on-again" phase, according toDexter Weaver's Facebook page, which reads:

By Hillary Brown | December 2, 2013
New Viva Location and Hi-Lo Are Open

Blog: Grub Notes

Photo via Yelp.com.

The once-Eastside-based restaurant is opening its new location in the Bottleworks on Prince this coming Friday, so if you're sick of turkey and want something different, head over.

By Hillary Brown | November 27, 2013
Hugh Acheson Signing Books at Avid Tonight

Blog: Grub Notes

Surely, if you yourself don't like to cook, you at least know someone who does. I have found Hugh Acheson's A New Turn in the South to be among my favorite cookbooks, not so much because of its lovely photography (courtesy of Rinne Allen) and committed localism, but because of its clear, direct recipes that, if followed, result in deliciousness.

More after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | November 22, 2013
Turkey Day Options in Athens (for Pick-Up or Eat-In)

Blog: Grub Notes

We all have different skills in this life, and cooking is not among them for everyone. If you are looking to have someone else shoulder the burden of Thanksgiving, there are some options for you after the jump. We'll update this list as we hear more, so keep checking back.

By Hillary Brown | November 20, 2013
Chili Cook-Off at Terrapin and Other Food Events

Blog: Grub Notes

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Athens Area Humane Society will hold its fourth annual Charity Chili Cook-Off this Saturday, Nov. 23, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Terrapin Beer Co. (on Newton Bridge Road). The $22 tickets benefit AAHS, and competitors include 13 local charities (Dee’s Haven Parrot Rescue, Athens Community Council on Aging, Free IT Athens, BikeAthens, Learning Ally, Oconee Warrior Foundation, Humane Society of Morgan County, Georgia Equine Rescue League, Oconee Regional Humane Society, Casa de Amistad, Hope Haven, The Ark and Community Connection).

The charity that wins the most votes gets a $300 cash prize. Tickets are $10 for ages 13-21 and kids 12 and under get in free. Groovekid will supply music, and there will be adoptable dogs on hand to look at you with sad brown eyes.

More foodie news after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | November 19, 2013
Troubadour Pub & Grill, Saucehouse to Open; YoDawgs and Others Closed

Blog: Grub Notes

So, using the old Harris Street Locos as an event facility didn't last too long. Instead, Doug Cason plans to open Troubadour Pub and Grill there in the near future. Cason didn't have much in the way of details on the food/drink (still a work in progress), but he did ask us to mention the parking scholarships he's offering:

We are working to be part of the community and give back to the students where we are able to. That being said, we are offering 60 free parking scholarships. I understand they pay from $200 to $450 a semester to park. We will have applications available and look forward to helping them out.

More news after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | November 18, 2013
Cheese Shop to Open in Elberton

Blog: Grub Notes

Nature's Harmony Farm (brought to you by Tim and Liz Young), in Elberton, has been producing quality cheeses for a while now, and you can sample the results at The National, the Branded Butcher and Heirloom Café, as well as purchase them from Earth Fare and the Murray’s counter at the Alps Kroger.

Now you can also buy the stuff from the farm's new venture, Artisanal Provisions, a store that opens this Saturday (Nov. 16) and will be open in the future on Saturdays from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

More after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | November 12, 2013
Weaver D's Is Closing for Real

Blog: Grub Notes

This post could stand with just its title. The details are almost beside the point. When you've already threatened to close and then put your business up for sale officially, the announcement that you really, really are closing this time (which came today via owner Dexter Weaver's Facebook page) isn't a surprise, even if it is a sadness after 27-plus years.

The announcement, after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | November 4, 2013
Vegan Cookbook Author Isa Chandra Moskowitz at Avid Next Sunday

Blog: Grub Notes

Avid Bookshop continues to do a great job focusing on special events, and it has emphasized food-related ones since the beginning. The bookstore's next in the category features Isa Chandra Moskowitz, host of "Post Punk Kitchen" and author of Veganomicon, Vegan with a Vengeance and, most recently Isa Does It: Amazingly Easy, Wildly Delicious Vegan Recipes for Every Day of the Week, which she'll be signing Sunday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. (in Fire Hall No. 2, next door to Avid).

By Hillary Brown | November 4, 2013
Mama Bird's, Juice Up Both Open

Blog: Grub Notes

Mama Bird's Kitchen

As of about two weeks ago, Mama Bird's Granola and Kitchen is officially open in its brick-and-mortar location at 909 Broad St., on the ground floor of the high-rise condos there. Not only can you get the tasty granola, but the store also offers 1000 Faces coffee (50 cents if you BYO mug), real groceries (fruit, local veggies, local eggs, local meats), baked goods (some gluten-free), art, pre-made sandwiches, frozen homemade soup, pesto, local preserves, Luna bread, cheeses and more.

More after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | October 28, 2013
Daily Groceries Adding Beer, Wine, Bread from Independent Baking Co.

Blog: Grub Notes

Hey-o. Prince Avenue's Daily Groceries Co-op, heretofore known for bulk bins, tasty veggies, all kinds of natural products, a well-stocked popsicle case and a fine selection of veg sandwiches, is now adding beer and wine sales.

The grocery was issued its license by Athens-Clarke County this past week, but is still working on other issues: finding distributors, picking specific beverages and, most of all, making space in its tight quarters.

More after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | October 15, 2013
Eat Local for Life Wednesday

Blog: Grub Notes

Leading up to Saturday's AIDS Walk, even non-walkers can help out and eat well at the same time, with Wednesday's Eat Local for Life event.

AIDS Athens organizes the percentage night every year (Flagpole is a sponsor), and most of the participating businesses are giving a chunk of your bill to the charity for lunch, dinner or even drinks.

Places you can eat/imbibe are listed on the flyer after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | October 15, 2013
Ike & Jane Adds Evening Hours

Blog: Grub Notes

Yet another sign of the increasing foot traffic around Normaltown is Ike & Jane's addition this week of night hours. I caught wind of the new development a few days ago, but everyone was being tight-lipped until the restaurant updated its Facebook to confirm.

Dinner runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with burgers, wieners, veggie options and Frito pie, making it a nice replacement for the loss of Farm Cart at Normal Bar.

The shuttering of the Ike & Jane outpost on College downtown (replaced by Ok Cafe) means it's unlikely the additional hours mean more staff, and until Hi-Lo opens (November), the only other evening food option on the strip is Agua Linda.

By Hillary Brown | October 12, 2013
Ideal Bagel Is Open

Blog: Grub Notes

I honestly thought that Ideal Bagel, whose impending existence has been rumored for quite some time, might turn out to be a white whale on the Athens food scene.

Luna Baking Co. owner Matt Downes always has a lot of projects going, and this one has been in the works for several years. Well, color me surprised to see the bagel shop open this morning, next to Treehouse Kid & Craft on Broad in the former Nuwaubian Temple/Ideal Amusement Co. (the latter provides the new restaurant its name and portions of the sign).

By Hillary Brown | October 10, 2013
Ok Café Open Downtown, Cook-Out on Epps Bridge, Old Pal in Normaltown

Blog: Grub Notes

Ok Cafe

There's something new in the tiny building attached to the side of Wuxtry that previously housed a branch of Ike & Jane. Ben Goodwin (ex-Helix) opened Ok Café there today (not to be confused with OK Coffee, which once occupied the space), with sammiches, croissants (from The Comerian), coffee and nice sodas (Blenheim Ginger Ale, Coke with real sugar).

At the moment, he's open 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but late-night hours Thursday through Saturday are soon to come. Could this get confusing, with A-OK Cafe less than a full block away? No doubt. The new place takes credit cards as well as cash.

More news after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | September 30, 2013
Donderos' Grand Opening, Other Food Events Around Town

Blog: Grub Notes

Donderos' Kitchen

The new location of Donderos' Kitchen has been open to the public in a soft way for a little while now, but its official grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3:30 p.m., with members of the Packway Handle Band supplying music.

The grocery has a new phone number (706-354-8688) and new hours (Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Sunday), plus some new additions. More info after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | September 27, 2013
Free Frozen Pints Craft Beer Ice Cream at Grindhouse Saturday

Blog: Grub Notes

Frozen Pints Craft Beer Ice Cream, which operates carts in Atlanta (they were out at the Decatur Book Festival recently), does retail and distributes its product to restaurants, will be in Athens for the Georgia-LSU game, doing its part to get you schnockered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Grindhouse Killer Burgers on Lumpkin.

By Hillary Brown | September 27, 2013