Norman's Landing - Cumming Georgia - Peachtree Pky and Brannon Rd

You can find Norman's Landing at 365 Peachtree Pkwy, Cumming, GA 30041 near Brannon Rd right off of Exit 13 from 400. This is the last bastion of decent eating in this rather restaurant desolate area (and yes, I know that there's tons of building going on so that description won't last for long). The restaurant is on the left as you head East from 400.

I've eaten at Norman's Landing several times and have always had good food and service. This is an interesting restaurant with all the feel of a restaurant you would typically see along a lake or seaside bay, only without the expansive patio view or smell of briny water. The interior is all exposed wood and rafters with water-sport artifacts on the walls or hanging from the ceiling. While it's a bit kitchy, that's quite OK as the food more than makes up for it.

I can see that this is a popular spot for locals - plenty of people at the bar enjoy libations even if this last time I visited (a sleepy, Sunday night) there were few at the dining room tables. I can imagine myself enjoying a beer or specialty cocktail here before dining, or even just hanging out and talking about fishing. I do miss the coastal bars I frequented while living closer to coastlines - this is about as good as it gets without actually being on water.

The menu has several items that looked interesting and has a simple approach - you can basically get just about any of the fresh catch broiled, fried or grilled (with some exceptions). You can also get steaks and chicken if you're along-for-the-ride and don't really like seafood. There's an assortment of appetizers and plenty of sides so you're certain to find something to satisfy you - I come here with some very picky eaters and haven't heard any complaints, which is rare indeed.

The previous times that I've dined here I had salads or something with few or no carbs, as I was doing more of an Adkins thing. This time I went for a seafood combination with scallops, shrimp and fish, all fried, with collard greens and sweet potato fries on the side.

Also at our table, was a crab-stuffed flounder accompanied by beets. I'm not a huge fan of beets, but the entree was quite good - the lemony piccata-like sauce included capers and was just dandy to enhance the flavors inside.

In all, the combination of ambiance, the great service and the good food put me in a reminiscent mood for the sea. Funny how that works - maybe it'll do the same for you?

-- John

(shorter version of this review also posted to Yelp)

Indigo Coastal Shanty - Brunswick GA

You can find Indigo Coastal Shanty at 1402 Reynolds St., Brunswick, GA 31520 - this is a small restaurant with a big deck and plenty of flavors. It's also the one of the best restaurants in Brunswick and the surrounding areas (like nearby St Simons, Sea and Jekyll Islands).

Emerging like a phoenix from the ashes of the popular Cargo Restaurant in downtown Brunswick, chef Kate B. and crew opened this down-sized establishment to thrill locals and visitors with world coastal cuisine. More than a Caribbean restaurant, Indigo Coastal Shanty fuses Asian, Indian, Creole, African and other exotic flavors into a melange of taste sensations at very affordable prices. This small restaurant powers a spice-filled one-two punch of great fresh ingredients with beautiful preparation and presentation, something you rarely see in remote destinations, yet tucked away in this little corner of Georgia.

For full disclosure, I have a bit of a connection with Indigo Coastal Shanty and the chef, Kate B, having originally worked with her at Indigo, her mom Alex' place in Atlanta (Indigo Coastal Grill on N Highland Dr). This was the last restaurant where I worked as a chef before hanging up that hat and taking up software development.

What I love about Indigo Coastal Shanty is that there are many very familiar items on the menu, only subtly different enough that the offer something more, a true improvement and interpretation of what we had at Indigo in Atlanta. The original restaurant is missed to this day by locals, but can be re-experienced down in Brunswick for those both Jones-ing for the original and looking for new vistas. I joined several other previous Indigo employees at a bit of a small reunion that centered around the visit to the Shanty. Besides plenty of rest and relaxation at the local beaches, we all enjoyed our visit at the restaurant and a sampling of what it had to offer.

Curried Mussels - these are pot-cooked mussels in vino and curry for an exotic aroma and flavor - delicious

Crispy Fried Plantains with Avocado Puree - this is an old standby from the Indigo days and a great starter.


Jerk Chicken with black-beans and rice, slaw and pineapple salsa - another very popular Indigo dish and one of my favorites from back-in-the-day. Often copied by other restaurants but always lacking in that certain something - this is the real deal at the Shanty!

Charleston Sauté... Shrimp  with ham, tomatoes, peppers and fried okra served over cheesy grits (the original dish we called the Low Country Saute - this is definitely an improvement!)

Pineapple Upside Down Cake - delicious mix of sweet and sour tangyness!

Cajeta Brownie - not one can resist the power of cajeta!

My other recommendations are any of the Southern favorites like the Fried Green Tomatoes. Also, check out the fantastic deck for a nice dining experience under the perfect blue skies! In all, a fabulous evening with great food, good friends and fantastic memories!

-- John

(shorter version of the review also posted to Yelp)