The lovely Back Porch Oyster Bar. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The first time you see the Back Porch Oyster Bar in quaint little Dahlonega, Georgia, you might think you have been tricked into a time space continuum – and isn’t it always interesting when that happens? – and you have been transported to Key West or some other, equally fabulous coastal town.

But no.

You are still in the mountains of North Georgia; it’s just that the owners, Lee and Trish Creef, are natives of coastal North Carolina and happen to think everyone deserves really, really fresh seafood – even in the mountains of North Georgia. And we are so very, very lucky that they think this because every bite you are going to eat at their kitschy and quite lovely restaurant is going to be delicious.

Located right in Dahlonega’s historic downtown, the restaurant is classy yet comfortable and has a wonderful porch area that would be perfect for dining in the spring and summer. We were lucky enough to be served personally by the owners who were just so sweet, friendly and concerned that we like everything that they proceeded to bring us every single item from the kitchen.

Not that we are complaining.

Trish asked if it was OK for her to choose what to serve us and, not being fools and realizing that Trish would bring us the best they had to offer, we instantly agreed.

Lost in a haze of culinary deliciousness, I’m not exactly sure in what order we had the appetizers. Yes, I said appetizerS. So just let me tell you about each one and how completely wonderful they were. Each one was better than the last and each one was presented in the epitome of graciousness with accompanying garnishes and swirls of sauce that made you want to immediately scarf them down.

Fair warning.

You are probably going to want to eat after you read this. And if you are nowhere near Dahlonega, Georgia so you can eat at the Back Porch Oyster Bar?

I am so sorry for you.

Read more »