Well, it's

been a busy year on the dining scene in Fayette this

year. Restaurants have opened and closed; trends have

been started and dining choices have expanded.

December

finds Foodie in a reflective mood. As I've looked through

the past year's experiences, I've decided to bestow my

own little list of Fayette's best to the readers as my

gift.

The list

is, of course, highly arbitrary and based on my own

experiences. If you've got a different opinion, be sure

and drop an e-mail or a line, and I'll print your picks

next month. But until then, here's Foodie's Best Of

Fayette:

* Best Restaurant - (tie)

Village Cafe and City Cafe, Fayetteville. Both of these

restaurants offer a taste of Atlanta in suburbia. Both

pride themselves on fresh ingredients and unique menu

offerings. I just can't decide.

* Best new restaurant -

City Cafe. See above.

* Best barbecue - DuRoc,

Fayetteville. The stew and `cue are sublime.

* Best Chinese - Golden

Chopstix, Fayetteville. They've been doing it right for

several years.

* Best Mexican - El

Parian, Fayetteville. Fayette County exploded with a

proliferation of Mexican restaurants this year, but for

my money, this is still the best.

* Best chain restaurant -

Chili's, Peachtree City. This new addition to the dining

scene offers good food at a reasonable price.

* Best new spin on an old favorite -

Rosemary Cafe, Peachtree City. The new chef is doing

wonders with fresh seafood and pastas. If you haven't

been lately, go now.

* Best burger -

Fuddrucker's, Peachtree City. The huge burgers are cooked

to perfection.

* Best soup - Atlanta

Bread Company, Fayetteville. The selections change daily

and offer perfect comfort food on a cold winter day.

* Best bagel - Manhattan

Bagel, Peachtree City. The closest thing to a real New

York Bagel in the county.

* Best bread - (tie)

Atlanta Bread Company and City Cafe. Both restaurants

feature good chewy bread and a variety of choices.

* Best sandwich - Publix

deli, Peachtree City and Fayetteville. The sandwiches are

all made to order and are little slices of heaven.

* Best to-go meals -

Kroger, Peachtree City and Fayetteville. A wide selection

of prepared foods gives the harried commuter a chance for

a home-cooked meal with little preparation time.

* Best pizza and best Italian food

like Mama used to cook - Johnny's Pizza and

Subs. The pizzas are delicious and the pasta sauce

reminds me of Italian relatives cooking the sauce on

Sunday mornings.

* Best restaurant that I still wish

was in business - Ventura's Pizza, Fayetteville.

Please re-open and bring that great pizza back to town.

What do you

think, Fayette County? Tell me your choices, and we'll

see how close I am to the pulse of the dining public next

month.