Not long ago, we were invited to try a little place called Table and Main located in a renovated 1910 house in Roswell, GA. For those of you who know us, you can imagine our first thought was, this really may not be our cup of tea . . . or shaker of Manhattans if you will. But once we were told about the “boozy” desserts and saw their list of whiskies, we decided we had to give it a chance.
We arrived at a charming cottage complete with an inviting porch and lovely patio. But that was nothing compared to the warmth of the interior space, especially the bar. Predominately a wood and brick space, it reminded me of visiting my grandparents house. You know, if they had kept a kickass bar stocked full of hard-to-find whiskies from such great names as Van Winkle, Balcones, Eagle Rare, High West, and more!
The welcoming atmosphere of Table and Main is matched by the embracing nature of the staff. This is especially true of owner Ryan Pernice and head chef Ted Lahey. When we arrived, Ryan was personally making sure every customer was enjoying their dining experience. While we perused the menu to see the night’s offerings (yes, we do eat), the staff started us off with their house Manhattan – Big Bottom bourbon, Dolin Rouge, and bitter. Not a bad way to start the evening!
The evening took a turn in our favorite direction when we began discussing whiskey. While Table and Main does not offer a full, formal cocktail menu, whiskey is their shining star. They offer a variety of whiskey flights for tastings, including a different featured flight each month. For the more advanced palate, Ryan will put together a custom flight to match your tastes and interests.
So what was his thought for us? Based on our conversation, Ryan said, “I think I’ll put together a weird flight.” Yes please! The delightful threesome he presented was composed of St. George Breaking and Entering bourbon, Brimstone Balcones whiskey, and High West OMG Silver rye. Surprisingly, we had not tasted any of these before. We started with the St. George, which we found to be lovely if a bit middle of the road with the usual light sugary flavor of most bourbons. Then we were hit with the revelatory Balcones. This unusual whiskey has the caramelly nature of bourbon, but has an intense smoky scotch flavor that rivals many Islay single malts we have tried. Finally came the High West, also unusual with a fruity taste profile followed by delightful dried spices like cinnamon and cardamom.
We would be remiss if we didn’t talk about the wonderful food available at Table and Main. Chef Lahey’s locally focused menu makes this Southern tavern more than just a place to drink with bar snacks. With a wide variety of options from the traditional Shrimp and Grits to more unusual fare, there’s something to please every palate. Speaking of that, we have to mention the dessert that started this whole adventure – the chocolate pudding. This delight of velvety dark chocolate topped with peach whiskey whipped cream is served in a charming Mason jar. Couple that with a terrific bourbon ice cream and it was a perfect way to close out the evening.
All in all, we tasted close to a dozen whiskies. Heaven? Pretty close. If you don’t live near Roswell, definitely consider a trip to this great restaurant and tavern. If you are in Roswell, what are you waiting for?
Table and Main
1028 Canton Street
Roswell, GA 30075
(678) 869-5178
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