And the mail keeps

coming...

Two months ago, I asked

residents what type of restaurant they would like to see

in Fayette County.

Last month, I printed a

sampling of your replies. This month, I'll throw one more

stick of kindling on the fire with this letter from a

Peachtree City resident.

"I read with interest

your article on what type of restaurants people would

like to see locate in this area. It reinforces what the

gentleman from Rosemary's Cafe said a couple of months

ago.

"Give the people of

Fayette County all they can eat for $3.95 regardless of

what it is, and they will flock to your doors.

"A case in point is

Village Cafe. My wife, mother and I went there recently

thinking we were going to a nice upscale restaurant. The

owner is a true chef with good credentials.

Unfortunately, he has had to adjust his menu to the

tastes of Fayette County.

"Prime rib by

definition of the FDA is `prime' standing rib roast. They

serve boneless rib roast of `choice' grade meat. Au jus

gravy is the natural juices from the meat mixed with a

little water or wine, nothing more.

"They advertise prime

rib with au jus gravy. Their gravy is good old thick

gravy slathered all over the meat, not even on the side

so that you would have the option of not eating it.

`Traditional Caesar salad' is another case in point. Do

not call Caesar salad `traditional' unless it is made

with olive oil, lemon or wine vinegar, anchovy,

Worcestershire, garlic and egg."

"Traditional' Caesar

salad does not have a `creamy' dressing. This is what the

people of Fayette County want because it is cheap and

there is a lot of it. Taste or quality has nothing to do

with it.

"Why does a place like

the old Hogans' Heroes survive? Because they don't bow to

people with no taste, they stand their ground and people

who appreciate quality and taste in their food come from

North Atlanta where there are GOOD restaurants.

"I realize this is

going to offend people in the county with one of the

highest per capita incomes in the state, however they

obviously wouldn't know a fine (let alone gourmet)

restaurant if they were standing in front of one. Maybe I

am wrong - it may be they just don't have the taste

for one."

The reader makes some valid

points, but I'm hopeful that Fayette County's fellow

foodies will prove him wrong and create a clamor for a

destination, gourmet restuarant that has customers

driving from Atlanta, instead of us heading north for a

dining experience.

In other dining notes

around the county:

- Ventura's Pizza between

Fayetteville and Peachtree City has closed its doors.

Rumors are swirling that the owners had a lease problem

with the building and are looking for another location.

Hopefully, it won't be too

much longer until Ventura's is back serving the best

pizza in the county.

- In my initial call

for restaurants, I selfishly wished for a Thai restaurant

to call Fayette home. Well, one hasn't opened in the

county yet, but in Clayton County, Flavors of Thailand

has opened its doors. According to my reports, the

restaurant, at 847 Southway Drive in Jonesboro, is

dishing up some fine authentic cuisine.

- A hearty welcome to

three more chains to the Fayette County dining scene.

On the Border and Chili's

have opened their doors for business on Ga. Highway 74 in

Peachtree City, while Malone's recently opened on

Ga. Highway 85 South in Fayetteville.

One advisory note to

Chili's, though: Please take names and seat people in the

smoking section. As it is now, smokers have to wait until

they see a vacant table and then run to nab it. I foresee

a fight one busy Friday or Saturday night.

- The old Agnes and

Muriel's location in Westpark Walk in Peachtree City is

now home to Pascal's.

Pascal's is a continental

bistro and bears watching as an interesting addition to

the food scene.

- One of the county's

best restaurants, City Cafe in Fayetteville, is

serving up German specials this month to celebrate

Octoberfest. While you're there, be sure to bring home

some of the best pastries and bread in the area.