The Farmhouse at Persimmon Creek, Georgia

If you find yourself visiting the spectacular waterfalls in Tallulah Gorge State Park,you are entering the farm to table capital of[amazon_textlink asin=’0820348686′ text=’ Georgia’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’c672d42e-6a88-11e7-9ab1-335824bf2551′] – Rabun County. This area gets plenty of southern sunshine and rainfall which makes it perfect for farming. As you get off the main road of small town Clayton, Georgia, nestled in the lush rolling hills on the now defunct Persimmon Creek Vineyards you will find an ultra-exclusive upscale dining experience at The Farmhouse at Persimmon Creek. The vines are still there. The grapes are not.

Location: 3093 Blue Ridge Gap Rd, Clayton, Georgia; Persimmon Creek Vineyards about 90 miles north of Atlanta.

Menu: The chef is Ohio-born former rock drummer Vince Scafiti and here is where he farms herbs, produce and eggs on the property. Scafiti is warm and welcoming and his image is still that of a badass. His passion for the food he creates and the farmhouse dining experience is immediately evident. His background isn’t only in music but in another art form: The culinary variety. You may have spotted him at the prestigious Aspen Food & Wine Expo participating in a seminar. In Weston, [amazon_textlink asin=’1465440941′ text=’Florida’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’1a4b36f7-6a89-11e7-bdaa-4f221ad58c14′], Scafiti also managed a 16 burner saute station at Tutti’s Trattoria. The man knows his way around food.

Menus are written weekly, classic and seasonal. Truly farm to table inspired meals. Meat, fish and vegetarian options (let them know the week of your reservation) are featured on the weekly menu. Holidays are traditional elegant southern fare.

Scafiti talks to the farmers on Sunday/Monday and plans his menu for the week from what’s available to him as well as what’s at perfect ripeness in the garden. Local farms like Wolffork Valley farm, a small family farm that raises lamb and a sustainable organic 45-acre farm, Timpson Creek grows a wide variety of produce just down the road.

Favorites: Luscious lobster bisque, juicy tomato, peach and basil salad that sings of the south, beef tenderloin perfectly cooked with earthy local wild mushrooms, salmon with what I call divinely-inspired olive relish. Solid wine selection as you would expect on a vineyard. Don’t be surprised if you show up early and see someone picking herbs or collecting eggs from the garden area for dinner service.

Quirky and occasional once-a-year meals and events like a mozzarella making class or a special dinner for the lunar eclipse will show up on the website from time to time. Now and then Scafiti will wrangle in a band to play an unplugged series on the lawn which has spectacular views of the grassy green property. In fact, come early before dinner and enjoy a cocktail on the porch before you’re seated. Holiday dinners book far in advance and always sell out. Great weekend romantic getaway dinner if you’re staying in the area.

Thoughts: The classic two-story white southern farmhouse, complete with front porch, is where the dining room is located. It is intimate and cozy complete with stacked stone fireplace and a room that holds 28 people at most. It is only open three days a week with Sunday brunch once a month May-October. With the residential kitchen partially open to the dining room itself you will feel like you’re at one of Scafiti’s private dinner parties. The small superbly elegant space makes for a lively dining experience.

This charming undeniably southern town has such abundance as you get off the beaten path. New farmers both millennial and retirement age are reviving the beauty of cultivating the land. The food at the farmhouse showcases so much of it and gives a soulful experience. With just a handful of tables in the dining room and exquisitely attentive service, I was positively enchanted, y’all.

Price range: Appetizers $9-14; entrees: $32-48; desserts: $7. Special events are priced per event. The website has an events calendar with pricing.

For information and reviews of hotels in the area click here.

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Disclosure: The author received a complimentary meal at the restauarant. This post contains affiliate links. Clicking through for additional information or to make a purchase may result in a small commission being paid at no additional charge to you. By doing so, you help support this site and its authors, and we thank you.

Guest author bio: Stephanie Anderson is a modern soul seeker, storyteller, and explorer. A trained journalist and once upon a time a chef who chose to leave the kitchen and meet the world to indulge her passion for adventure. She now works as a freelance travel writer and photographer finding the places and people you want to know more about. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Currently a member of the ITWPA (International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance), SATC (Society for American Travel Writing) and Food Bloggers Association.