The Jury Room: 551 Greene St.

A wonderful place to eat if you want a soothing atmosphere and great food, The Jury Room specializes in coffee, salads, and sandwiches for the lunch crowd.  Not only that, but they are becoming well known for their home-made Italian gelato and fudge as well. The décor is reminiscent of an old court room chamber with polished solid wood doors and bookshelves filled with old law books. This small and simple café really lives up to its name. The wait staff is personable and pleased to help in any way possible. The manager Cathy Walker invites anyone to come and visit Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm.  Lunch is served from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.

broad street market to re-open

broad street market
1282 broad street
706.922.5970

Fused foods are a fast-growing trend popping up in restaurants throughout the country. Downtown Augusta gets trendy this month with the launch of a modernized and fully revamped Broad Street Market. Entwining Asian, French, and Southern influences, two doctors are creating a fresh, contemporary dining experience at 1282 Broad Street. Their vision becomes reality on April 6th, as the restaurant opens its doors.

Menus at fusion restaurants are typically the most artistic and creative concoctions of all local cuisines. Broad Street Market is blessed with some fantastic chefs (hailing from Atlantas renowned Bacchanalia, Robert de Niros Tribeca Grill and Augustas Bambu), ready to give patrons a taste of their personalized vision of culinary delight. The chefs espouse the ideology of fresh food, unique blends and on-site creations. Ive volunteered to be an official taste-tester as they concoct and fine-tune the menu.

Owners Shrinath Parimi and Hetal Thakore share a friendship, profession and, now, a restaurant. Both primary care physicians, they have a passion for fine scotch, delicious food, and the downtown atmosphere. The duo chose downtown because downtown hasnt experienced this type of dining yet. Plus, downtown is changing; theres a growing influx of going out to eat, things to do at night its simply a perfect place to put a fine dining place and there is a need for it. Parimi adds, plus we wanted to add to the revitalization of downtown Augusta.

Parimi chuckles, It seems like if you own your own business, you might as well enjoy a good meal while youre at it.

The average dinner plate will run between $20 to $30. Broad Street Market will boast a full bar, specializing in scotch. In a few months, a dedicated pastry chef will join the staff. The Market also has two specially designed separate dining rooms for private parties and events.

Reserve your seats online at www.broadstreet-market.com. Theyre open Tuesday to Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm and Friday to Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm.

- by Lara E. Plocha

209 Music Lounge

Where? Eight Street Bulkhead

Fairly new to downtown, 209 Music Lounge is a great place to go out for dinner or catch a live band. The spacious building contains two full bars and a dining area for families, offering up great soul food and finger foods. With dinner and a drink comes a little entertainment. There’s karaoke on Wednesdays, DJ on Thursdays, and live bands on Saturdays. As the weather gets nicer, the riverfront patio will feature live jazz bands. Owner, Glen Brinson, keeps it open four days a week. Wed: 11 am to 11 pm; Thu: 11 am to 12 am; Fri: 11 am to 2 am; Sat: 12 pm to 2 am.

Hildebrandt’s

Where? 222 Sixth Street

One of the oldest shops in Augusta, Hildebrandt’s has been serving up great food for 128 years, and encompasses a small grocery store and sandwich shop. Owned by Luanne Hildebrandt, it is a regular stop for lunch on Sixth Street between Broad and Ellis. The sandwiches are made with fresh quality meats and cheeses and handmade right when you order, leaving a little time to browse the rest of the store or simply sit and converse with Ms. Hildebrandt. Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri: 9:30 am to 6 pm; Wed: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and Sat: 9:30 am to 3 pm. Closed on Sunday.