return to writing
section
Food and Boos
by Lynn Lamousin
Atlanta Magazine, October 2002
This Halloween, skip the costume parties and seek out something
more deliciously inventive like dining in a real haunted house,
or bag lunching in a Victorian cemetery. After all, at any time
of the year it's no trick for these Atlanta restaurants to treat
your palette.
At Anthony's (3109 Piedmont Road, 404-262-7379)
when you hear the word “spirits” you can never be sure if the
wait staff is referring to your drink order or an otherworldly
visitor. Believers say the house is haunted by the ghost of Annie
Barnett Bean, a woman who was married in the house and died in
childbirth; skeptics attribute the odd noises and eerie temperature
shifts to the fact that the rambling structure is over 200 years
old. Whichever is true, signature dishes such as the Chateubriand
for Two keep patrons coming back despite the possibility of ghostly
happenings.
 Although
there are no rumors of supernatural sightings at The Abbey
(163 Ponce de Leon Avenue, 404-876-8532), the restaurant can be
unsettling at this time of year since it looks like it was plucked
out of the Inquisition. But not to worry, the only thing being
placed on the rack here is roasted lamb. Built in the early 20th
century as a protestant church, the medieval structure, monk-robed
waiters and Continental menu make for a divine meal.
If you can't imagine celebrating Halloween without sweets, leave
the store-bought candy for the kids and visit Carroll
Street Cafe (208 Carroll Street, 404-577-2700) for a
grown-up selection of confections. To get in the Halloween spirit,
try a seasonal goody like a pumpkin cookie. Get the order to go
and munch while taking a guided tour of Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta's
oldest memorial park, which is located only steps from the bistro/cafe.
If your taste for Halloween macabre runs more toward the fantastic,
visit the 57th Fighter Group (3829 Clairmont
Road, Chamblee, 770-457-7227) to be transported to the 1940's.
Located next to Peachtree-Dekalb Airport, the grounds and interior
of the restaurant pay homage to the flying heroes of World War
II. The main structure recreates a bombed Italian farmhouse and
is chilling in its authenticity. Serving American cuisine, the
restaurant's interior boasts an unparalleled collection of World
War II photographs and artifacts. An October feast at this time
traveler's paradise would make Rod Serling proud.
return to writing
section
|
