Breakfast:
Jittery Joe's: 1635 Montpelier Avenue, 478.621.5400, jitteryjoes.com. Indoor seating, kid-friendly and no reservations required. This is one of the great businesses found in Mercer Village, a project of the College Hill Corridor effort that Jessica works for. We recommend the Mayan Mocha with dark chocolate and cayenne! It is walking distance from the Hilton Garden Inn, but it's a hefty walk. ($-$$)
H and H: 807 Forsyth Street, 478.742.9810, mamalouise.com. Indoor seating, kid-friendly and no reservations required. The most soulful restaurant in town with hearty breakfast options and music memorabilia everywhere. You never know who you might meet, even in the morning. Mama Louise is a guest of the wedding, but you'll always find her working behind the counter. Be sure to tell her you're here for the wedding. We recommend the eggs, thick-cut bacon and cheese grits! ($)
Lunch:
The Rookery: 543 Cherry Street, 478.746.8658, rookerymacon.com. Outdoor seating, kid-friendly and no reservations required. We'll be showing you a lot of the Rookery - site of the wedding after-party concert by Brian Lee & the Family as well as the brunch gathering the next day thanks to owners and wedding guests Wes Griffith and Chad Evans. Until then, check out their huge menu that includes some of the best and infamous burgers in town. You can't go wrong with the Walden Greenback with goat cheese, bacon and fried green tomato (named after Jessica's family!) or the Jimmy Carter Burger with bacon and peanut butter or the Big O Burger, the Doctor John Burger, the Ray Charles Burger, the Allman Burger . . . okay, all of them rock. And they substitute for veggie patties. Full bar available. Also open for dinner. ($$-$$$)
Greek Corner Deli: 587 Cherry Street, 478.254.3059. Outdoor seating, kid-friendly and no reservations required. Great lunch special combo of Greek salad and homemade humus. Jamie loves the chicken pita. Jessica digs the Greek sampler with humus, dolmas, olives and other finger foods. Also open for dinner. Beer served. ($$)
H and H: See above. This is the famous soul food joint that launched many a skinny musicians' full bellies. It's a Macon institution and Mama Louise (and wedding guest) is everyone's favorite cook in the kitchen. We recommend the fried chicken and collards. Just be prepared to leave with the smell still sticking to you. ($$-$$$)
Nu-Way Weiners: 430 Cotton Avenue, 478.743.1368, nu-wayweiners.com. Counter and booth seating, kid-friendly and no reservations required. If we're talking Macon institutions, here's another. Jessica has even been locked in Nu-Way with Oprah when she came to town. Their slaw-dog was named one of the New York Times' best in the country; their "All the Way" is the classic way to go. Jessica even does it strange sometimes and asks for "Dressed Buns" with just the filler goodness in a bun. Their burgers and chocolate malts are insane too. Just make sure you don't mind that onion smell trailing with you for the day . . . We'll all know we're you've been eating. ($)
Fountain of Juice: 3045 Vineville Avenue, 478.755.5000. Outdoor seating, kid-friendly, no reservations required. If you're going to be in the Vineville neck of the woods, visiting the Big House in particular, we highly recommend grabbing lunch at Fountain of Juice, owned by friends (and wedding guests) Natasha and Carl Phillips. Fountain of Juice is providing the cupcakes for the big night! Sample one of her creations while you're there! And expect high quality sandwiches, soups and salads known for their organic ingredients and monster good taste. Jessica recommends the Lemon Basil Smoothie and any and all of their sandwiches made by the Fountain of Juice staff with serious love. ($$-$$$)
Joshua Cup Coffee: See above. In addition to coffee and baked goods, they do quality sandwiches, regular and toasted. Walking distance from 1842 Inn, grab it to go and picnic in Washington Park, just across the street. ($-$$)
Francars Buffalo Wings: 1365 Linden Avenue in Mercer Village, 478.741.3338, francarswings.com. Outdoor seating, kid-friendly and no reservations required. This is another close restaurant to the Hilton Garden Inn. You can't go wrong with any of their famous wings. We love the Tangy Peach. Their Philly Cheesesteak is also a favorite, as well as their fried corn nuggets. Beer available. Also open for dinner. Tell Carl and Sharon Fambro hello - they are also guests at the wedding! ($-$$)
Ingleside Village Pizza: 1635 Montpelier Avenue in Mercer Village, 478.743.4113, inglesidevillagepizza.com. Outdoor seating, kid-friendly and no reservations required. This is another restaurant close to the Hilton Garden Inn and a sister restaurant to the original "IVP" in the Vine-Ingle area. Their White Pizza is legendary. All of their dough is hand-tossed and you can get just about any topping you want. We recommend the Ultimate Village Salad or the Ultimate Village Pizza. Either are loaded with goodness. Lots of beer to choose from. Owner Andrew Collier is among wedding guests. Also open for dinner. ($$-$$$)
Dinner: We recommend grabbing a bite to eat before the wedding since we're serving it snack-style with a gourmet hotdog bar!
Downtown Grill: 562 Mulberry Street Lane (in the alley behind the Cox Capitol Theatre), 478.742.5999, macondowntowngrill.com. Reservations suggested - especially the night of the wedding. Owner and friend Richie Jones and right hand man Richard Dennis (who are also friends and wedding guests) can tell you our favorite drinks and dishes . . . fried artichoke hearts, bistro steak medallions, grit cakes, green goddess salad, goat cheese stuffed filet . . . We're getting hungry writing about it. What's cool about Downtown Grill is it's a historic hotspot where Andy Warhol, Bette Midler, Cher and more once dined back when it was known as Le Bistro, opened by Capricorn co-founder Frank Fenter. Full bar. ($$-$$$$)
Michael's on Mulberry: 588 Mulberry Street, 478.743.3997, michaelsonmulberry.com. Outdoor seating, reservations suggested. You'll be just around the corner from the Capitol and in view of the marquee from the outdoor seating at Michael's. Owners Michael and Candy Taylor are a power couple inspiration to us and will take good care of you, considering they are guests of the wedding, too. We highly recommend their seafood nachos and smoked salmon appetizer! Full bar. ($$$-$$$$)
Tic Toc Room: 408 Martin Luther King, Junior Boulevard, 478.744.0123, hotplatesrestaurantgroup.com. Limited outdoor seating, reservations suggested. This is the restaurant that founded the resurgence of the swanky dining movement in downtown Macon thanks to owner Cesare Mamarella. We recommend the ahi tuna appetizer, lobster bisque and just about any of the steak and sushi dishes. The bleu cheese stuffed olives are a favorite in dirty martinis. And the smores dessert is pretty fun to order and roast on site. Full bar and extensive martini list. ($$$-$$$$)
Lemongrass Thai Bistro: 442 Cherry Street, 478.257.6464, lemongrassthaibistro.com. Outdoor seating and no reservations required. From little plates like our favorite shrimp basil rolls to big dishes like the delicious Thai clay pot that includes noodles, shrimp and bacon to Jessica's favorite smoked salmon sushi roll, there is plenty of variety that can go with or without chopsticks. Owners and friends Gary and Carla will take good care of you. Fried ice cream is a favorite dessert! Full bar with exotic drinks. ($$$-$$$$)
Tokyo Alley: 574 Mulberry Street Lane (behind the Cox Capitol Theatre), 478.743.9449, tokyoalley.com. No reservations required but the place fills up fast! If you have a large group, call ahead for private dining. Tucked away in the alley alongside Downtown Grill, it's one of the most intimate tables in town. You can brown bag your wine and choose from both Japanese and Thai influenced dishes. We recommend the cheese rolls and vegetable basil leaves. Their lemon chicken is a local favorite and they've got all kinds of curries. ($$-$$$)
Sunday Brunch:
The Rookery will be hosting specials on the Brunch menu in honor of the day after our big day. That's where we will be on the morning of being a married couple. Dolce Vita also serves a great brunch with full Bloody Mary Bar.
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