Athens Food and Drink, Day Two, Part One

When you wake up in Los Angeles, you might be greeted by the L.A. Times at your doorstep, or some sushi delivery flyers, perhaps that morning’s Variety or Hollywood Reporter.  In Athens, Georgia, don’t be surprised if your west coast expectations are challenged.  The following was taped to my mirror:

Really, what else can be said?  If I had a few more days here, I might take Nature’s Harmony Farm up on their very generous offer. The photo opportunities alone would be worth it.

I took the daytime tour of downtown Athens and the University of Georgia yesterday. The mercury was hovering around 100 and despite the abundance of tree-provided shade, it was, as my friend Steve always put it, “hotter than a shit house in July.” The campus was established in 1785 and has over 30,000 students in attendance. The historic buildings and gorgeous landscaping make every turn of the eye a treat. Click on the images below for a high-res version, and then back-button to return for more:

Next was Casa Mia, a downtown tapas bar where we ordered up some very spicy calamari tacos, garlic shrimp and my very first plate of fried green tomatoes.  Served up on a bed of greens and a tasty pool of blueberry sauce underneath, it was the perfect ratio of crunchy to tangy to sweet.

The beer I chose to go with it was a Dogfish Head 90 Minute India Pale Ale that served up a pungent and malty flavor which contrasted sharply but not unpleasantly with the food. Casa Mia was not our first choice for food that night, but our initial destination, The Last Resort, was screaming with impatient chow-heads in the waiting area.  The detour ended up being more than worthy.  After dinner, it was on to the Globe Bar.  Posting to come, along with my first visit to a Waffle House and my first encounter with a Georgia bat.

Tags: Athens, Casa Mia, fried green tomatoes, Georgia, India Pale Ale, IPA, UGA