Show support for local lunch spot Lanier’s

Sidney Lanier was once Macon’s favorite son, a poet and musician of the 19th century who eventually became a professor of literature at Johns Hopkins University. His birthplace on High Street is now a beautiful museum on the National Register of Historic Places, open to the public.

This new restaurant, Lanier’s, is housed below the downtown law offices where Lanier briefly worked. The decor has an antique feel, with homages to Lanier around the room. Lovely chandeliers and sconces keep the light low and quiet, even for lunch time.

We came during a time of transition, between the first blush of a thoughtful dream and the harsh light of reality. The hours are in flux (call before you come) and the posted menu is only half accurate. Some of the favorite items, like the freshly famous fried cheese curds, are missing right now, as are the seafood, chicken salad and steak items.

What we were able to order was very good. The chicken quesadillas for $7.25 were enough to share and the chicken stew for $5.75 was so full of chicken and sweet corn that it heaped an inch above the bowl rim. Our best sides were the onion rings and thinly sliced fried green tomatoes, but the fries were just OK.

By far the best item we ordered was the Lanier burger for $8.25. It was juicy, cooked exactly as ordered, topped with whatever you choose on a Kaiser bun. I hear good things about their sliders, which come three to an order for $7.25.

Our 10 wings came on a Georgia Bar Platter with two sides for $13.25, but you could get various numbers of just wings for about 85 cents each. The wings were fried and meaty, in the usual flavors. Our Alpha club sandwich was piled high with meats and vegetables on toasted sourdough, with a side for $8.75. The only other sandwich available during our visit was a Reuben. Hot dogs also are available.

On the bar are two cake plates — make sure you find out what’s in them before you leave. We couldn’t pass up the day’s 14-layer chocolate cake and caramel cake, served cold and absolutely perfect.

This place needs your support to make a go of it, so come try their burgers and wings while they build up their clientele and menu. It’s local places like Lanier’s that make downtown Macon a place like nowhere else.

This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 3:47 PM with the headline "Show support for local lunch spot Lanier’s."