Ah, Christmas

time in the suburbs.

There's something

reassuring about this time of year. Manic shoppers at the Pavilion. Gaudy

decorations that require sunglasses for viewing. Traffic even more horrible

than usual.

The holidays

can be both exhilarating and stressful. But if the most wonderful time

of the year is getting you down, never fear... Foodie's here.

During the

past year, I have grazed my way through some of the county's best and

worst dining establishments. The gastronomic adventure in Fayette County

is getting a little more creative and restaurant owners are becoming a

bit more savvy in the dining business.

Everybody is

time-constrained and, when we use our dollars to dine, we want our money's

worth and also the feeling that we are a little special and not just another

link in the food chain.

Foodie's gift

to his adoring and sometimes cranky readers is the Fabulous Five. These

five restaurants are the best in Fayette County and deserve your attention.

All offer unique dining experiences and I have never been disappointed.

When the holidays get you down, treat yourself to a good meal. It will

melt those holiday blues and give you a warm feeling in these cold months.

The Fabulous

Five (in no particular order):

Pascal's Bistro

in Peachtree City.

Pascal has

converted the tired Agnes and Muriel's space in Westpark Walk to a wonderful

little bistro. During lunch, the chef offers a sumptuous buffet, while

dinner offers a wonderful continental selection of specially prepared

items.

Valentino's

Restaurant in the Braelinn Shopping Center in Peachtree City.

What used to

be a run-of-the-mill Italian joint in a strip shopping center has been

transformed into a trip to old Italy.

The new ownership

offers wonderful pasta, chicken and veal dishes with sauces like Mama

used to make.

The City Cafe

on Ga. Highway 85 in Fayetteville. This is Fayette's most European restaurant

and the new chef is constantly whipping up dishes that offer Fayette foodies

a trip to Europe without a passport.

Village Cafe

in the Banks Station Shopping Center. This was Fayette's first truly fine

dining restaurant. The restaurant has recently added new items to its

menu and offers a welcome respite to the proliferation of chain restaurants

around the county.

Ginza Restaurant

in Peachtree City. This was Peachtree City's first foray into the sushi

culture. The restaurant still dishes up some of the tastiest Japanese

cuisine on the south side.

Enjoy!