The Gardens Restaurant in Pine Mountain Georgia

Fine Dining and So Much More at Callaway Gardens

Inside the 14,000 acres that comprise Callaway Gardens, delighted visitors can enjoy the spectacle of 20,000 blooming azaleas every spring and 8 million lights in dazzling displays during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

In between, guests are invited to hike, bike, play golf and partake of a full schedule of musical, educational and recreational events. Several dining choices can also be found within the gates, ranging from vending machines, light snacks and country comfort foods to an elegant, gourmet experience.

The Gardens Restaurant

The Gardens Restaurant, housed in the original clubhouse built in 1952 for the Lake View Golf Course, is open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays. Meals planned and prepared by Chef Joshua Greer are both beautifully presented and sublimely delicious. Recently promoted to this prestigious position, the Summer 2016 menu was Chef Greer’s first to design totally alone. I predict many more wonderful offerings to appear as the seasons change.

The dining room features wood beams, a floral carpet, long tablecloths and upholstered chairs. The windows overlook the 10th hole of the golf course, as well as Mountain Creek Lake. Imagine settling in for a quiet dinner while “Stella by Starlight” is played on a saxophone in the background.

The appetizer my husband and I chose to share on a recent visit was Brie en Croute with a Raspberry Compote and Fresh Strawberries. The warm brie, the flaky crust, and the ripe berries were a great flavor combination.

My husband ordered Honey Roasted Salmon with baby carrots, pea puree, a roasted tomato and parmesan risotto.

My entrée was Seared Pork Tenderloin with carrots, asparagus, peach compote and squash cornbread. The ingredients were perfectly prepared, but I couldn’t get over how pretty the food actually was. It was a visual AND a gastronomic treat.

Since we had such a wonderful appetizer, we chose to forego the tempting desserts. However, that banana panna cotta topped with peanut butter whipped cream and crushed peanut brittle on top still lingers in my imagination.

More to Enjoy in Pine Mountain Georgia

If you decide to have dinner at The Gardens Restaurant, I strongly urge you to go early enough to enjoy driving around and soaking up the natural beauty.

There is much to see in Callaway Gardens and the surrounding area. The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center is open until 5:00 p.m. and is superbly done.

The Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center hosts Birds of Prey Shows a couple of times each day, so be sure to check their schedule to see if you can also catch one of those very informative presentations.

On selected Saturdays, you might luck out on an organ concert at the Ida Cason Callaway Chapel on the grounds.

If your time and budget allow, spend a weekend and take in all that this special property has to offer. Accommodations are available in all sizes and price ranges in Pine Mountain Georgia. See recommendations for lodgings in Pine Mountain on TripAdvisor, a MilesGeek Affiliate.

And, within a drive of only 90 minutes, you can also visit Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Little White House in Warm Springs, GA and the Jimmy Carter Historic Sites in Plains, GA.

History, natural beauty, science lessons, outdoor recreation and culinary wizardry are all within a small section of southeast Georgia. Come and see for yourself.