Destination: The Falls at Blue Ridge
The entrance to the restaurant at The Falls set up for a wedding Some photos: Courtesy of C. Willett and The Falls
Author: Artsy Chow Roamer
DESTINATION
THE FALLS AT BLUE RIDGE
I’m always happy to explore in my own backyard as Georgia has a lot of beautiful towns and cities that offer much in the way of things to do and great food to eat. While I’m not planning any events at the moment, I still like to share super destinations with my readers, especially if they offer the opportunity to just take a pretty drive for tasty signature cocktails, fancy menus and rustic charm.
My latest discovery is The Falls at Blue Ridge. Located at the foot of Blue Ridge in Ellijay, this venue offers 70 spectacular acres of manicured grounds with beautiful views, waterfalls and expansive event spaces. Thoughtful planning and design have provided a perfect spot to gather for any occasion from a smaller friend’s getaway or family reunion to the larger corporate retreat or wedding.
The pond at entry to the restaurant and Conservatory Bar
aRRIVAL
The entry at 1654 Old Northcutt Road is well landscaped and takes you to pretty buildings that are designed to meld well with the scenic woodsy surroundings. Continue around the curve until you see the beautiful pond at the restaurant and bar. Free valet parkers will take your car and let you walk down the steps to get your first views and impressions of the place which will be very positive.
This will give you a little tour
The steps down open into a large flag stoned courtyard with gathering spots of all kinds surrounding the restaurant and bar spaces. Comfortable sofas, chairs and tables arranged in a living room fashion provide excellent lounging opportunities for groups. High-top barrels and chairs make cozy two-top spots for wine sipping date night.
The expansive patio can host a variety of events with spectacular views of the Majestic Waterfall on the property. This space is so versatile, it can be set up with high tops for a party with easy mingling, rows of chairs for smaller wedding ceremonies and dining tables for some spectacular seasonal dining offerings or receptions.
THE RESTaurant
The restaurant has a wonderful rustic farmhouse charm to its design. High ceilings, wooden beams and walls of textured stone make a cozy surrounding for modern tables and chairs. Group tables set in front of fireplaces make cool evening gatherings the romantic spot to be on holidays like Valentines which just happened to be when we visited ourselves.
Early diners began arriving at 5 for the lovely menu developed just for the day which seems to be a thing at The Falls. If you sign up for their mailing list on the website, you will always get notification for special dining opportunities with fresh seasonal menu offerings. Starters for our evening included butternut squash soup with crispy bacon, lobster and crab phyllo roll, a raclette cheese meatball dish, italian sausage bun or a salmon and beet infusion gravlax.
The handsome rustic farmhouse interior of the restaurant
Main course offerings included a classic old school filet with pancetta, truffle mashed potatoes and sauteed mushrooms with bernaise sauce and a ribeye surf and turf dish with demi-glace and lemon butter. Non-meat eaters would have loved the salmon in papillote with veg and cherry tomatoes which was my choice for the evening. Others in our party selected one of the two pasta dishes: fettuccine with lamb ragu or wild mushroom pappardelle in a creamy truffle sauce. All agreed they were both delicate and delicious.
Three thoughtfully chosen desserts made it hard to choose so we ordered all three and shared around the table. I’m a citrus kinda gal and the lucious lemon pie cup provided the sweet tart creaminess you want in a light airy dessert finish. My husband craves chocolate and felt the cube of light and dark mousse was both rich and delicious. Tiramisu was turned on its head with a pistachio praline filling making it the hit for the night.
Executive Chef John Emanual and Chef de Cuisine Eddy Villata are the guys behind your menus and food experiences at The Falls. Under their watchful eyes, “exquisite flavors meet stunning scenery” offering innovative dishes with international culinary techniques that celebrate local fresh ingredients. The hours of operation are lunch 12-3:30 Tuesday to Saturday, Sunday brunch 11-3:00 and dinner 4-10:00 Tuesday to Saturday and 4-8:00 on Sunday.
An extensive dinner menu makes it nearly impossible to decide what to have, there are so many super choices. A smaller but beautiful collection of lighter versions of that menu are offered at lunch. Brunch is a real spread of different stations including carving, egg, croissant and bagel, all served alongside signature dishes like chicken and waffles, hash brown and potato casseroles and pancakes with syrup. Add on a fancy dessert station that will keep you coming back and the $59 price per person is totally worth it.
THE CONSERVATORY BAR
Step in side one of the most elegant bars around the area and you will find The Conservatory. Dress code: smart casual. Drinks: exceptional. Views: stunning. I would make the drive just to sit at the bar enjoying both the waterfall and pond views while sipping on any of 10 different martinis or specialty cocktails like a Moscow Mule, Smoked Old Fashioned, Falls Sunset with tequila or Rum Espresso. An impressive wine list and an amazing number of fine liquors, especially in the bourbon and scotch categories, might make this the spot to hit in the evening when a cigar is calling your name.
WEDDINGS
Say yes to this property for your best in wedding venues. With its romantic allure and stunning views, the backdrop sets the stage for your cocktail hour, rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, indoor/outdoor celebrations and truly breathtaking photoshoots. With unparalleled client service and a gourmet chef to help you plan your menus, you will create the memories of a lifetime as a wedding should be. Only an hour and twenty minutes from Atlanta, your guests will find it easy to access and enjoy the charm of a small-town setting with a lot to offer visitors.
WHERE TO STAY
The venue works with many property managers offering a variety of accommodations including luxury rentals, hotels and mountain cabins. An example highlighted on their website is Talona Mountain Viewhaus with 6 bedrooms and 4.5 baths located 10 minutes from the property. The wedding party will want The Bowling Cottage on property with 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, game room, pool, outdoor fireplace with lounge and its own bowling alley. This is true luxury offering rest, ease, fun gathering spots and space to spread out and enjoy the wedding or weekend getaway.
THE VENUE
Because the spaces are so expansive, the set ups are limitless for your event planning based on type, scale, theme, numbers attending and desired atmosphere. The ballroom is a breathtaking space with high ceilings, beams, chandeliers and stone floors accommodating up to 255 guests. The Conservatory can be an intimate cocktail gathering, corporate or shower luncheon or small rehearsal venue while the restaurant space can accommodate ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners and corporate events of all types and sizes. Book your next family reunion or retreat at The Pavillion with a bar, lounge with fireplace and its own pizza oven.
The restaurant space can be set up in a variety of ways for a reception or rehearsal dinner
CONCLUSION
Lush landscaping and lawns, beautiful gardens, creeks, a serene lake, koi-pond, waterfalls and the Majestic Waterfall on the patio in the courtyard provide the perfect background for making memories at The Falls. Your guests, family, friends and co-workers will be very happy indeed that you decided to bring them to this wonderful destination at the foot of Blue Ridge in the North Georgia mountains. Whether it’s for a social gathering, getaway weekend, event or a simple romantic date night dinner, escape soon for a visit…you’ll like it…I promise.
A little more 411
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Cheers!
ArtsyChowRoamer
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