Blue Ridge has exploded with an influx of great shops over the last few years. East and West Main Street---the heart of the retail district---are lined with an eclectic mix of retail establishments: antique shops, art galleries, jewelry and clothing stores, gourmet food, coffee and candy shops. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway begins its tour on the railroad tracks that run in between the two main streets, making this delightful part of town a mecca for visitors and locals alike.
The quaint shopping district is also home to several great restaurants. The newest addition is Repaz on Main. Located in a lodge-style building that looks like it would be equally at home in a posh Rocky Mountain ski resort, Repaz is rustically elegant, yet relaxed. A massive stack-rock fireplace is the heart of the restaurant, surrounded by soaring vaulted ceilings, stone floors, wrap-around windows and a warm color-palette of oranges and greens.
Ann Blonder, the vivacious, gracious, attractive--and yes, blond, owner of Repaz, keeps a watchful eye on all facets of the restaurant. She is a study in movement--greeting customers at the door, darting back to the kitchen, visiting tables to make sure everyone is satisfied with their dining experience.
Blonder, a Buckhead transplant, bought a home on Lake Blue Ridge 10 years ago. After years of entertaining and cooking for a steady stream of family and visitors to her lake house, Blonder's three children-seeing that she was such a natural hostess--encouraged Blonder to open her own restaurant in Blue Ridge. As an homage to her three children, Blonder came up with the name Repaz as a combination of their three names: Rebecca, Paige and Zachary.
The menu at Repaz features a pleasing variety of dishes, from homemade soups to fresh seafood, salads, to heavenly desserts made right on the premises. Repaz's chef, Adam Daniel, has an impressive resumé, including time spent cooking at the famed Blackbird in Chicago --Oprah Winfrey's favorite restaurant-- as well as perennial Atlanta-favorite, Bacchanalia. Joining him in the kitchen is sous-chef Curtis Clark. Drawing strongly from the farm-to-table movement, Daniel & Clark use only fresh ingredients and local produce. Almost everything is cooked and baked fresh on the premises, down to the potato chips and pickles. Meats and fish on the menu are all fresh, as well.
Repaz's best selling dishes include the southern classic, shrimp and grits, a succulent mahi-mahi sandwich, and the flavorful chicken dishes. The eggs Benedict --with from scratch Hollandaise sauce-- is a real crowd-pleaser. Divinely decadent desserts --all freshly made-- are tempting, even after a satisfying meal.
Blonder's mission when opening Repaz on Main was to provide a restaurant that delivered an elevated dining experience for locals and tourists alike that is built on a bedrock of wonderful, fresh food at reasonable prices in a beautiful atmosphere.
She has succeeded.
Curtis Clark, Ann Blonder, Adam Daniel
Behind them are Blonder's three children: Rebecca, Paige & Zacharay after whom Repaz on Main is named
Repaz on Main
576 E. Main Streeet
Blue Ridge, GA, 30513
706-946-6912
Hours:
Tuesday & Wednesday: Open for lunch
Thursday-Saturday: Open for lunch & dinner
Sunday: Open for brunch
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