Community Brew & Tap – Everything I Expected But More…

Step through the doors of Community Brew & Tap, and the whole atmosphere changes – like something from a Science Fiction movie, where time interrupts existence and the future intertwines with the past in one neat package with a bow on top. From beveled glassed mirrors to photos of the Prohibition – Bootlegging Era, the bricked walls whisper the secrets of the past. I could almost hear the hustle and bustle of the streets, see women in flappers, and gentlemen wearing fedoras. Wedding cake crystal chandeliers and original murals from early 1900s lead the way to a historical adventure, leaving one to wonder, “Have I stepped back in time?”

Housed in a beautifully restored 120-year-old building on the corner of North Main Street in lovely Cornelia, Georgia, the experience is everything you would expect in fine dining with a touch more. The innovative Jay and Melissa Reeder, owners of the establishment, walk the hallways describing the care to detail of maintaining the integrity of this period in time. But it is the feeling of community, the respect of those who once opened and closed the doors, locked the vault, or marched up and down the staircase carrying merchandise that brings the “MORE” which places Community Brew & Tap above all others. It is a tribute to those who have gone before us, a reminder of the impact the past has on the future, and the contributions of others who make us a part of something larger than ourselves.

Greeted by the distinguished  Maître D’ and seated in the eloquence of an open yet homey Dining Room, which conjures images of the Roaring 20’s, cannot adequately prepare you for the palatable, mouth-watering, food-affair just up ahead. The bread, warm and tempting with a hint of Rosemary; the Chopped Salad, perfectly blended with fresh, leafy vegetables which combine into a flavor, even the reluctant, non-vegetarianist, would long for; and the meat – from cuts of steak – to porkchops and chicken – portioned for those who like a good steak and want to take some home. Dessert? We topped it with a sharable chocolate, flourless cake and homemade ice cream – better than my grandmothers. Chef Jason Vullo’s artistry is imaginative, alluring, and envisages feel-good recollections.

However, the truth of an experience comes down to the nitty-gritty of how-it-made-you-feel. My husband, Rolando, and I left holding hands, having laughed more than we have in quite a while, wishing we could stay longer, and planning our next occasion in the ever charming Community Brew & Tap. And, lucky for us, we get to live in Northeast Georgia, where a simple 20 minutes brings me to a place like none other.