A Vacation Close to Home

We took a trip to Germany this weekend. And by Germany I mean Helen, GA. Close enough right? My boyfriend had never been to Helen so we took a weekend vacation to the North Georgia Mountains for Oktoberfest.

The first night we enjoyed dinner at the Nacoochee Grille, which is a bit more on the high end in comparison with the rest of the area. I must say how refreshing it is to dine at a nice restaurant without having to deal with all of the high prices, formalities, and stuck-up restaurant staff. It's a true gift to find that balance of being able to offer good food at a great price, all while supplying a welcoming and unique atmosphere.

We had to wait about a bit for a table so we sat outside on one of the numerous rocking chairs, sipping vino from one of the many local wineries. Waiting for a table ended up being a blessing in disguise. We enjoyed the company of several other couples on the porch and got to know various travelers from all over the country.

At our table I did my best to explain to my Turkish boyfriend the concept of southern food. I was nervous that he wouldn't like it. For our first appetizer we had braised duck tacos, served with lettuce, avocado, tomato, and red onion. They didn't look very fancy but they were some of the best tacos I've ever had. The duck was cooked perfectly and the toppings really balanced the heavy nature of braised duck.

For the second app we ordered a small cup of the corn and trout chowder. All I can say is “yum!” I'm sure that little creamy and smokey cup of deliciousness was like 5,000 calories, but it was worth it.

The boyfriend ordered Baked Rosemary chicken with fries and I had Jerk Trout with collard greens and mashed potatoes. He raved about his chicken - however I still think I made the best choice, as usual.

The trout was seasoned well, without over-powering the fish, and the sides were so good I could have licked the plate! The chicken dish I will admit was cooked to perfection, juicy on the inside and crispy and charred on the outside. The epic downfall was that the fries were well below par, a bit cold and lifeless. And since we are fry connoisseurs, that was a pretty big mistake.

The next morning we hiked Anna Ruby Falls (to work off that chowder). I honestly think we went up there on the perfect day of the year. Temperature was in the upper 60's and sunny and it wasn't super crowded.

The rest of the weekend we spent eating cheap German food, bratwurst and schnitzel, and drinking beer with family and friends.

Overall, we loved the food and wine and we definitely had fun! Prost and Zum Wohl!