Macon Beer Company
My parents have lived in Macon, Georgia for a few years now, so with this visit they were able to show us around and take us to some of their favorite places.
First stop: Macon Beer Company. They only open their doors every Saturday and third Thursday of the month, so I’m happy we were able to go! On their website, they describe themselves best:
“Macon Beer Company is a production brewery located in historic downtown Macon, GA. We have a unique perspective on brewing that comes from our Brew Master, who happens to also be a Professional Chemical Engineer. Our innovative recipes and techniques result in beer quality beyond industry standards. We have wild ideas and overly technical methods, but that’s simply a manifestation of our passion to make your mouth happy.“
Also located next door to a grave shop
Ready to go inside
But first a quick photo with my dad
Welcome
Entrance to the tasting room
Ready to go in
T-shirts for sale
Macon Dreams was my favorite! A peach beer!
The bar
Decisions, decisions…
Close up of the beer and taps
Cheers!
Many, many kegs on site
We also headed to Just Tap’d to fill a few growlers with local beer to take back home. With so much beer available in Belgium, I’d love a place like this to refill and try new beer.
Just Tap’d
Inside
You can also eat and drink inside, not just take your beer to go
Luckily you can have a taste before buying!
So many taps
For dinner one night we headed to The Rookery for burgers and milkshakes, a classic combination that I wish would be popular here! I also discovered that alcoholic milkshakes are a thing!
Outside waiting area
My parents
With a 45 minute wait, we had drinks outside – my whisky cocktail
Inside
Koen and mom
Dad and me
The Billy Carter milkshake: banana ice cream, peanut butter, Jack Daniels, and a slice of bacon
The Jerry Reed Burger: pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, and sriracha mayonnaise, served with battered fries
Another evening we went to Jim Shaw’s Seafood Grill for some southern-style seafood with my grandparents. I had the surprise of dipping my sweet potato fries into a white sauce only to find out it was marshmallow cream!
Jim Shaw’s
Ready to go in
The entrance
Fisherman lamp next to their awards for Best Seafood Restaurant in Macon
Waiting for our table
Tybee Island Blonde for a taste of Savannah
Pimento Cheese Fritters
Fried pickles
Oysters
Koen’s grilled scallops
My grilled shrimp and sweet potato fries with marshmallow sauce
One day for lunch, Grandma took all of the girls out to Brasserie Circa. This was one of my favorite meals while in Macon. The food and drinks were delicious! Brasserie Circa an American meats French style bistro. There are a lot of classics – both in sandwiches and cocktails!
Parking the car outside the restaurant
Grandma
Tamar
My Moscow Mule
Hummus topped with Spanish paprika served with pita points
Grandma with her crabcake
Close up of the jumbo crabcake with lemon caper mousseline sauce and wilted spinach
Mom with her chicken burger
Closeup of the chicken veggie burger: a patty made from chicken and sauteed vegetables, with gruyere and a vidalia onion/dijon spread on a brioche with sweet potato fries
Me with my lobster club
Close up of my lobster club: fried lobster tail, avocado, bacon, and remoulade served on a brioche bun with sweet potato fries
For Valentine’s Day, Koen and I went on a double date to Natalia’s with my brother Grayson and my sister-in-law Tamar. Natalia’s is well-known Italian restaurant in Macon. I don’t recommend going on a special day like we did, because the restaurant was packed and we had a set menu (we had look ahead of time and nothing I originally wanted was on the menu that night). At least the ambience was cozy!
Natalia’s
Red for Valentine’s Day
Grayson and Tamar
By this point my brother was tired of me taking so many photos
My forever Valentine ❤
My starter: Grilled duck with fried polenta and a cherry sauce
Koen’s starter: Smoked fish trio
My main: Chicken marsala
Koen’s main: Veal Milanese
One more lunch out in Macon at The Mandarin, a self-proclaimed Chinese bistro. The food reminded me of the Chinese food I grew up eating. It’s funny how reference points change over time. In Belgium and the Netherlands, Chinese food has more of an Indonesian influence. But of course, Chinese food anywhere adapts to the tastes of the country it’s in. As my dad will happily tell you, when you order lunch at The Mandarin you receive a ton of food!
The Mandarin
Inside
Little Prince
Hope having a look at the menu
The beautiful ceiling
Wonton soup
Szechuan chicken with a mountain of rice, chicken wing and an egg roll
An American in Antwerp 