Face to Face: Athens location

[James H]

In that case, I second the Transmetropolitan suggestion.  I thought we
were meeting later - parking and crowding shouldn't be too bad downtown,
and it is meets all the items listed below.

   JamesH



Brian Pitts wrote:
> It looks like these are the requirements that, as a group, we have have 
> for a meeting place in Athens.
> 
>   * It has convenient, free parking on April 12 at 2PM.
>   * It will not be full on April 12 at 2PM.
>   * It can comfortably seat large groups.
>   * It is unique to the Athens area.
>   * It is family-friendly.
>   * It serves beer.
> 
> Like Mark, I really think anywhere will fit the first two. Here are 
> descriptions of the restaurants I noticed being proposed; the 
> descriptions are taken from from http://flagpole.com/Guide/
> 
> Transmetropolitan
>      * 145 E. Clayton St.
>        Athens, GA 30601
> Hand-tossed pizzas can be seen flying high in the open kitchen of this 
> happening pizza joint. Fresh, made-to-order calzones set these guys 
> apart from the pack, as does the one-and-only Johnny Hector’s BBQ 
> Chicken Pizza on a thick Sicilian crust. Panini and build-your-own 
> pasta, salad or veggie bowls ensure that there is something for 
> everyone. The upstairs bar has several beers on tap, including Terrapin 
> and Sweetwater. After some wine and mixed drinks, the Sunday 
> hair-of-the-dog special, a design-your-own Bloody Mary bar, is a 
> welcomed treat. Lunch & Dinner, 7 days. Full Bar. Take-Out. Checks/CC.
> 
> The Grit
>      * 199 Prince Ave.
>        Athens, GA 30601
> The menu at this legendary local vegetarian eatery is divided partly by 
> ethnicity with Indian, Italian, Mexican and Middle Eastern make up the 
> bulk of the menu. Sandwiches like the Chik’n Parmesan (French bread, 
> chicken-style patty, homemade marinara, cheese) and the Tofu Reuben are 
> lunch-time favorites, but the long-time star is the esoteric “Golden 
> Bowl” (browned tofu, with soy sauce and nutritional yeast over rice). 
> The humble description does no justice to the actual taste. Brunch is 
> especially fun with pancakes, biscuits and omelets. House-made desserts 
> like the Blonde Brownie, cakes and exotic pies can also be purchased 
> whole to enjoy at home. Belhaven Scottish Ale and Staropramen are just a 
> little glimpse into the extensive beer selection, and fine wines are 
> available for pairing.
> 
> Mellow Mushroom
>      * 320 E. Clayton St.
>        Athens, GA 30601
> The franchise that began in Athens, and has since expanded to 45 
> locations around the South, features pizza (35 toppings available), 
> calzones, salads and hoagies. Try a BBQ Chicken or the Magical Mystery 
> Tour pizza (spinach, portobello and button mushrooms, mozzarella, feta 
> and jalapeños, with or without chicken and sausage), or sample the 
> "monumental" hoagies, like the steak and cheese, chicken, avocado and 
> even tempeh and tofu. Start things off with tasty pretzels or hummus.
> 
> Barberitos Southwestern Grille & Cantina
>      * 259 E. Clayton St.
>        Athens, GA 30601
>      * 706-549-9008
>      * 1860 Barnett Shoals Rd.
>        Athens, GA
>      * 706-549-9954
>      * 1739 S. Lumpkin St.
>        Athens, GA
>      * 706-548-1866
>      * 1880 Epps Bridge Pkwy
>        Athens, GA
> With 20+ locations across the Southeast, Barberitos, which started out 
> in Athens, is taking a big bite out of the specialty burrito market. The 
> uncomplicated menu is anchored by cleverly titled burritos (Skinny, 
> Fatty and Heavy D), so big you’ll have to two-fist `em. Wrapped in 
> spinach, chipotle or plain tortillas, everything is made from scratch, 
> including the variety of salsas and flash-fried chips. The tofu is 
> passionately touted by hardcore veg-heads. Fridays are jerk fish taco 
> day. Try the deconstructed fajitas and for the health conscious, seven 
> meals have under seven grams of fat.
> 
> Panera Bread
>      * 3151 Atlanta Hwy.
>        Athens, GA
> Just as the sun rises each morning, so do the loaves of warm bread at 
> Panera. The Pepperblue Steak with Gorgonzola red pepper sauce on toasted 
> ciabatta is a testament to how delicious a sandwich really can be. The 
> Mediterranean Veggie is a port in the storm for longing vegetarians. Hot 
> paninis and Crispanis (artisanal flat-bread pizzas) are really nice, but 
> the real show-stoppers are the warm soup-filled sourdough bread bowls. 
> For dessert or breakfast, be sure to try a fresh-baked pastry with a cup 
> of coffee.
>