Paloma Park (235 W. Washington St., 706-850-7356): When Paloma Park opened in spring 2021, I didn't give it a proper review. If I had known how many “restaurants” I've been to, I would have known that it was a bar that served Cisco's fried food and the like, and smelled like draft beer during the day. The owner had experience working in college bars such as Buddha Bar, Centro, Double Barrel, and Sandbar, and did not inspire any culinary confidence. So imagine my surprise when the menu was far beyond acceptable and the atmosphere was kind of…nice.
Don't get me wrong. Paloma Park is a bar. There is a man checking IDs at the entrance even during off-peak hours. But it's also a great brunch spot or a great place to grab an early snack before the bass starts blaring and the giant TV starts blaring. There's a cute mural depicting the tequila production process and some 6-foot-diameter disco balls.
Everyone in the kitchen has some level of skill. Because the dishes, while not perfectly consistent, are nicer and more creative than they should be. Prices are a little high considering the current economic climate ($5 for a taco, $12 for 6 wings), but if you've had a few drinks, your tolerance for spending may loosen up. not. You may also be unaware of the automatic fees for credit card usage (4%) or counter service (14%) because there is an “additional tip” field on your receipt.
These tacos may not be expensive or filling, but they're fun and creative, like fried chicken that incorporates pimento cheese or catfish tacos seasoned with orange and gochujang. The wings are delicious, with flavors like truffle agave (pleasant, not overpowering) and peach bourbon barbecue, and served with avocado ranch instead of blue cheese. If you go on Sunday, it's 99 cents. Generally speaking, the more snacky and flavorful the better. Elote corn ribs, which are pieces of corn cut off the cob and rolled into balls, fried and generously sprinkled with tai gin, cotija, and cilantro, easily top a large, bland burrito. A Sunday hangover concoction in which tortilla chips are cooked in salsa roja and then topped with fried eggs, birria, and cotija, birriaquille is a giant platter in between, though by the time it makes a dent it's a little thinner. , pretty tasty to start. Cocktails ordered separately from the food are mostly tequila-based and prices are not listed. Anything can be made non-alcoholic if you wish. A little more tartness (both the Park Paloma and Blackberry Smash are too sweet at $12) and it would be much better. Shall we go on Friday night? I don't like it. I'm too old for that. But would I go again on Sunday for smoked fries and beer? I might!
Paloma Park is open for Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 3 p.m. anytime, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Until.
TREATHOUSE (585 Barber St., 706-850-8226): This is a similar situation. A magical toy store called Treehouse Kid and Craft recently moved from Broad Street to Barber Street and rolled up to open a candy and ice cream shop. door. One visit was thwarted because the ice cream shop was keeping different business hours than the store, and the other was thwarted because the ice cream maker was making frites, but I forgot about that for a while. I did. But I'm glad to be back. Vegan products based on oat milk are not as good as those derived from cows. Oat milk tends to be a little thin and a little too sweet, but the toppings make up for it. When I offered the Salt-N-Pepa (salted blue corn corn, vanilla soft-serve ice cream, spicy salsa matcha drizzled around it, and large strips of salty dried mango), more than one person gave me a skeptical look. If you like delicious desserts, it's made for you. Who would have thought that hot sauce and ice cream would make such a great team? EVOO-OOOH is a sundae topped with olive oil, Condor Chocolate Magic Shell, sea salt, and a delicious dried orange slice for a slightly more savory flavor. You can add some, but it's still delicious. Children tend to prefer party animals (birthday cones, sprinkles, frosted animal crackers, lighted birthday candles) that are more visual than palatable. Don't miss out on the fruit fluff and dairy-free strawberry soft-serve ice cream. Enjoy the colorful patio with astroturfed trees. It's a little more expensive than Hodgson's, but you can't get chilli crisps, edible flowers, or black sesame seeds in your ice cream there. As the soft serve gods please, ice cream will be served Wednesday through Saturday from 12pm to 6pm and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm.
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