Blue Ridge, Georgia is a perfect vacation spot. When visiting all the lovely restaurants in this beautiful mountain town, one that you really do not want to miss is Harvest on Main. A quick review of Harvest on Main should whet your appetite for all its tasty menu offerings, so keep on reading!
Harvest on Main looks like a beautiful mountain lodge with its log walls and high ceilings. With dining both inside and on the front porch overlooking East Main Street, Harvest on Main offers a family-friendly atmosphere and great food that makes excellent use of local ingredients and flavors. Since it first opened its doors in January of 2010, the restaurant is open Thursday through Monday for lunch and dinner.
Chef Danny Mellman has studied in Europe and served as an Executive Chef in Cape May (New Jersey) and Captiva Island (Florida) before opening Harvest on Main in Blue Ridge with his partner Michelle Moran. He earned national accolades for creativity in his pairing of seasonings and game meats.
Danny and Michelle define their mission as serving the best ingredients they can find and to use as many locally grown ones, especially seasonally, as possible. Mellman describes his menu's flavors as internationally influenced with a definite "southern twang". They offer an American, Mediterranean and organic menu to their customers. In a short Harvest on Main review of their menu offerings, let's examine at some of those local flavors.
Small Plate: Pimento Cheese and House Pickles
Pimento cheese, for those who don't know, is a Southern staple and theirs is much better than my mom's (sorry, Mom). The ricotta and cream cheeses added to the classic pimento cheese create a fluffy, light dish that is beyond delicious. A touch of garlic adds a nice flavor kick you don't expect.
Soup: Three Onion and Apple Soup
This soup is a blend of white, red and Georgia's world famous Vidalia onions (the best sweet onion you'll ever taste) plus Blue Ridge apples fresh from local orchards. This blend of sweet and tangy onion plus sweet juicy apple is topped with smoky Gouda cheese. These unexpected combinations smell and taste great together. Garlic croutons add a welcome crunch.
Salad: Kale Salad
This dish is a feast for all the senses. The kale salad has a colorful presentation, and is tossed with tangy lemon vinaigrette to tame its pronounced flavor. The candied pecans and craisins add the perfect touch of sweetness to balance the tang. All the aromas stimulate the appetite as the salad is served. The smoky smoothness of the Gouda is a nice balance to the crunch of the pecans.
Dinner Small Plate: Smashed Chicken Livers
North Georgia is home to many chicken breeders, so fresh chicken is readily available. Sautéed livers are infused with the flavors of sweet onions, bourbon, garlic, oranges and pepper. Served as a chilled mousse with chips, this "smash" has a rich collection of aromas and tastes.
Dinner Starter: Smoked Salmon and Trout Spread
Trout streams abound in the Blue Ridge Mountains and this appetizer pays homage with local fresh trout that has been house-smoked. Mixed with cheese and herbs, the trout is covered with smoked salmon and little caper remoulade. The flaky fish, the smoky flavors, the spices and cheese all offer different tastes to stimulate your appetite.
Dinner Plate: Seared Duck Breast
This entrée demonstrates perfectly how Chef Danny won accolades for creative use of seasonings with game. The duck is flavored with all-spice, cinnamon, coriander, and cider syrup then served with house-smoked bacon, house-cured sausage, red cabbage slaw and mashed sweet potatoes. A feast for the taste buds, its presentation engages your eyes and nose first.
There’s More!
Harvest on Main also serves their own unique version of comfort foods like hamburgers, hot dogs, Mac and Cheese, meatloaf, and shrimp and grits. You may quench your thirst with Izze Natural Sodas in Blackberry, Pomegranate or Clementine or have an Abita Natural Root Beer. They also serve herbal teas, specialty coffees, and sparkling water and Coke products.
Summary
Are you hungry yet? Harvest on Main will not disappoint you. Some entrees are completely vegetarian and several may be modified easily to be gluten-free. A children's menu is available. Reservations are not necessary but are accepted and may be helpful on weekends and holidays. During your stay in North Georgia in one of your Blue Ridge cabin rentals, be sure to visit Harvest on Main for lunch or dinner at least once. You'll be glad you did.