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Blue
Willow Inn Restaurant Mail From Our Customers |
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Blue
Willow Inn Restaurant Mail From Our Customers |
We enjoy hearing from our friends! |
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February 12, 2008 Dear Billie and Louis, Thank you for “The Blue Willow Inn Cookbook”. My wife and I fell in love with it when we saw it at our public library. We both inherited some blue willow dishes from our mothers, and we have added to our collection when we could find some for sale. My wife is from Maryland, so she is a southern belle. My family are Yankees from back before the War of 1812. But we both love southern cooking. After we tried a couple of recipes we bought your book and treasure it. Thank you so much for taking the time to put everything down on paper, and describe the history of your restaurant. We have told a couple of Michigan “snow birds” about the Blue Willow Inn and we hope they were able to stop by on their way to Florida. I am so pleased to find a down to earth book about American cooing. When we were first married Ann cooked her way through “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” by Julia Child. We did a lot of entertaining and it was wonderful. But we are really tired of all of the competitively and one-upmanship of so may contemporary cookbooks and the idea that every thing has to be so esoteric and difficult to be any good. Gee, if you can’t enjoy a good simple meal I think you are in bad shape. I think you have done a lot with your book to change the attitude of a lot of people in the North and Midwest. Entertaining doesn’t always have to be difficult using the most expensive and rarest ingredients to be good and fun. I am glad that you are presenting another point of view. I would like to ask you if your gift shop sells blue willow china by mail order, and if you have a brochure or price list you could send us. We would really appreciate it. I am especially enamored of the tureen pictured on the 3rd page of colored photos. Sincerely yours, Arden |
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Recent visit, Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyke, I meant to write you a while ago, but I've been a little busy.
My mom, step-father and I came
to your wonderful establishment in November. I'd been visiting them in
Hiawassee, and we were on the way to the airport in Atlanta. I am in the
Navy and the flight was the beginning of my journey to Iraq. Ironically
enough, I'm stationed in Japan, so this trip was to take me almost
completely around the world. |
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We can't come to the BLUE WILLOW as often as
we would like...but I have one of the
BLUE WILLOW COOKBOOKS....and let me tell
you....IF YOU CAN READ....YOU CAN GET IT RIGHT using the Blue Willow
Cookbook. Some of my pages are stuck together, but NO MATTER......I don't get in my kitchen unless I have my BWC handy!! THANKS D. Coleman Dillard, GA |
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Dear Mr. Van Dyke, On the evening of Dec. 20th several of my school administrator friends joined me for dinner at the Blue Willow Inn. We ate upstairs and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. But the best part of the evening was the service that we received from Ida our waitress. She was more than just a waitress...she was a wonderful advocate and representative of the Blue Willow. She was very concerned about meeting our needs and seeing that we enjoyed our dinner. She was extremely pleasant (after I know must have been a very busy day and evening) and went the extra mile to make sure we had everything we needed (including a lot of your good sweet tea). The next time we visit the Blue Willow, I will certainly ask for Ida. She is indeed an asset to your restaurant and I look forward to seeing her again. Thank you, Judith Snellville, Georgia |
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Dear Louis & Billie Van Dyke, I just wanted to tell you how much my husband Bill and I have enjoyed coming to Blue Willow. We moved to Covington a year ago from Birmingham. I still go to my doctor's at UAB and my lung doctor, Dr. Bradley, would ask me every time I went in, if I had gone, to the Blue Willow for dinner? I figured I better go before I went back to him and he was right. It was wonderful. We even spent Thanksgiving there instead of going to Birmingham. We take all our family when they come to visit. Thank you for having such a nice place. Pam |
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September 22, 2007 Dear Sir and Madam; My husband and I visited your restaurant for the first time yesterday. On the occasion of our 11th wedding anniversary, we opted for Blue Willow Inn instead of Turner Field. We were blown away! The entire experience was just awesome! The food was amazing! I am not a vegetable person, but the peas and broccoli and cauliflower were wonderful! The biscuits are yummy and the iced tea was--is-- THE ABSOLUTE BEST! I wanted 2 gallons and a straw for the trip home: we live in Columbus. And the service! Oh, my gosh! Miss Ida! What can I say?! She is wonderful! My husband and I came in with our presents, and she made a very polite inquiry, so I told her it was our anniversary. She and the other young lady--whose name I did not learn, sorry--came back with mugs and a chocolate molten cake with whipped cream that I ate when we got home. It rode all the way home in the trunk, and held up perfectly! And tasted like heaven! She anticipated everything, and we wanted for nothing. We really like that the home's original design and layout are maintained. So many places nowadays knock out walls and what-not, but not Blue Willow. Thank you. I hope I do not sound condescending; I am a HUGE fan of architecture, and Southern Greek Revival is right up my alley! I have to admit I put two of the place-mats in my bag, so I could invoke the joy we shared while sitting in the Lewis Grizzard Room. At breakfast this morning, my husband compared everything to our meal, and found it all lacking. I apologize for running on; I just cannot say enough good things, nor find the words to properly convey our total pleasure. I hope to be able to convince him to bring me back for my birthday December 7, if not sooner. May God continue to bless you! Thank you! Sincerely, Sharon and Gerald |
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Blue Willow Inn Gift Shop P.O. Box 465 Social Circle, Ga. 30025 Dear Sally, Just wanted to thank you again so much for the three cookbooks which we received recently in the mail and for the nice signing that Louis did for all three of them. That was great! It will be an honor and privilege to give them as Christmas gifts when the time comes. We hope we will have another opportunity to visit the Blue Willow Inn and to meet Billie and Louis in person. We'll never forget July 4, 2007 and the best southern meal we have ever eaten there at the Blue Willow Inn. May God continue to bless you as you continue to serve Him in such a fine way there at the Blue Willow. Gratefully and Joyfully in Christ, K. M. Bowman |
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HELLO, I HAD THE DISTINCT HONOR ON AUGUST 4TH TO DINE AT THE BLUE WILLOW INN. I DO OWN THE COOKBOOK AND HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DINE AT BWI. I MUST SAY THAT I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE ATMOSPHERE, SERVICE AND GREAT SOUTHERN BUFFET. I WILL RETURN AND WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE. PAULA DEEN EAT YOUR HEART OUT. THANKS JODY DUBLIN, GA |
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My husband and I visited the Blue Willow yesterday for the first time. Very often, when one has heard so many complimentary things about a restaurant, actually going to the restaurant is a disappointment or let-down. Let me assure you – that was not the case with our trip to the Blue Willow! We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and meal. The food was outstanding and our service was, too. Our waitress, Rhonda, took excellent care of us. Our whole experience was very positive. Rev and Mrs Pem Cooley |
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I went your restaurant this past Sunday and I have never had an experience at a dinner table as I did at yours. I was born and raised outside of New York City, so of course I had thought that I had the best of cuisine there was to be had. I can't believe how wrong I was. Your fried chicken was so incredibly good tat I could not stop eating it. I had never had homemade macaroni and cheese arid yours was so light and creamy. There was something called "Fried Okra" that I wanted to empty them into my purse for snacking on later. Your fried green tomatoes were to die for and I thought that was just the title to a good movie! The biscuits, cornbread and desserts were out of this world! What have I been missing?? The Northern population has no idea the kind of awesome food they are missing. Why do you Southern always keep such good secrets??? J. S. Duluth, Georgia |
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Today, we had lunch at the Blue Willow Inn, prior to our drive back to Mobile, Alabama. Our daughter, son in law and grand son ate with us. This was our second time to visit the Inn and what a treat it was. When we walked in the door about 11:45am, the lady at the front greeted us like old friends. You have such nice people working there. I don't know the ladies name, but she really made us feel at home. Of course, we ate too much. Could we have the recipe for the Sweet Potato Casserole? My wife would like it to pass out. Whenever Southern Living comes out again next year to select the places we like, you can be assured we will always select the Blue Willow Inn. Herb & Bobbie Mobile, Alabama |
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I would like to request the recipe for preparing the delicious greens I ate that day. I have cooked greens all my life. I thought that my Grandmother's greens could not be beat. WRONG. Your greens were seasoned perfectly. Didn't even add my usual pepper sauce as they didn't need it. Please send me the recipe. Thanks in advance, Bobette S. Hurst, TX |
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"The Blue Willow Inn was the perfect answer. We called you and you were so wonderful--even after five phone calls, increasing our guest size each time. The evening was magical, the food excellent (as usual). Everyone loved the dinner, the music and the hospitality--especially our guest from Hawaii who is a gourmet cook." DH |
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Diane Hannah 294 N. Cherokee Road Social Circle, Georgia 30025 Dear Diane, I wanted to thank-you and all the employees of Blue Willow for making our recent visit there so pleasant. We look forward to coming to Social Circle again. The discount coupons to the gift shop were an unexpected surprise. Everyone enjoyed browsing in the lovely shop. We didn’t have to wait to be seated, but enjoyed the nice atmosphere outside as we were making our way inside. I grabbed a cup of lemonade. It was so refreshing. The room you had for us was lovely, so bright and cheery. Everyone enjoyed all the food and I mean all the food. Everything was prepared to perfection. Oh, and if it was not enough, we had music to entertain us. I thought he added the nicest touch of the day. As I hope you can tell, we had an absolutely wonderful trip. The motor coach driver stopped in town for us to tour some of the unique shops. Everyone was nice from the time we arrived till we left. Thank you Blue Willow Inn! On a more personal/business note, I owe a big thank you to Blue Willow. I accidentally overpaid the bill by $100.00. Blue Willow returned the money to me promptly. This would have come out of my pocket, had they not sent it back to me. Your customer service can’t be beat! Everyone went the extra mile for us and we truly appreciate it. Debbie |
Dear Sir, This letter is late; but I feel it is just as important today. My name is Cathy and my family dined at the Blue Willow Inn on December 20,1998(for Christmas). The food was just delicious, the decorations were equally beautiful and the staff was EXCELLENT. The later is the reason for this letter, Susie and Renae will forever now be my reason for returning to the Blue Willow Inn. Their exceptional customer service should be bottled and sold along side fried green tomatoes. Their main objective was our feeling "welcome". And we left feeling as though we have just dined with close friends. Please extend my gratitude to the both of them and I plan to visit again, real soon. Thank you, Cathy |
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Hi: You, on the 22nd of March hosted a birthday dinner for Patrisha C. Included in her party were her husband Dick, her son Mike, her daughter-in-law Lori and her grandson Benjamin. I just wanted to inform you that they told me they had a wonderful meal and real good time. The atmosphere was wonderful.
J. R. |
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Dear Webmaster: The only problem I find with this site is it makes me hungry and I'm 4 hours away. It stirs the desire in my Southern soul to be there. Oh, to be sitting in the ambience of my favorite room, The Charleston, enjoying my second helping of fried green tomatoes. I live for the taste of that delicacy from one trip to Georgia to the next! I've enjoyed dining there at the Blue Willow many times and just dearly love it. It is truly the finest Southern foods restaurant in the whole region. Nearest thing to heaven next to my own Mama's cooking! Love this site! Thank you for bringing it to us. Sincerely, |
We celebrated my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary there this past weekend and thanks to Lisa, everything turned out wonderfully! We had people come in from all parts of the state to surprise my parents. Everyone was very pleased with the food and especially with Lisa’s service She catered to my parents every wish, and with a smile on her face. She is such a wonderful people person! She was immediately accepted as part of our family. Thanks for everything! ----Teresa Brown |
We have never been to the Blue Willow until the other night when we took my grandparents there for their 50th ! It truly made the day special. Thanks so much for your more than gracious service, and fabulous southern meal. You have something really special. MP |
My husband and I are from a small rural community of 500 residents in Upstate New York near Syracuse and were at your fine establishment on Saturday 2/20/99. We were guests of a local resident in Social Circle. What a nice dinner we had and although I am not a desert eater I tried your peanut butter pie….oh my!! --- Judith F. Pratt |
Dear Sir or Madam, I just wanted to let you know that I took my Mother and Grandmother to your fine restaurant last Friday. They were visiting from Canada and I wanted them to experience some real Southern cooking. I heard about your restaurant through a friend of mine, and our experience was so memorable and the food was so delicious that I will continue to "spread the word"! Thank you for your fabulous service and a wonderful meal. Sincerely, |
Hello, I am returning to your restaurant on 30 September with my club members from Warner Robbins. I am so looking forward to dining at your restaurant again, you have the best food in the world. Also, our Sunday school class is coming there for our Christmas Dinner. See you then!! Sylvia |
Louis, I had the great pleasure of eating at your rare restaurant. I enjoyed the southern hospitality and the beautiful setting of The Blue Willow Inn. What hit me the hardest was the food. I was time warped back over twenty years. The place I went was my grandmas kitchen . Your food was true southern cooking that brought back sweet memories. Words however cannot express how much I enjoyed my dining experience. I was truly blessed. This was a ministry to my spirit. May God continue to bless you efforts, R.A. |
Dear Blue Willow Staff, Last week, my wife, children and I came to Georgia to visit our relatives who live in Covington. They are, as we are, people who love to cook and create wonderful food. During the few times that we have been able to visit them over the last twenty years, they have always been able to surprise us with dinner at an exceptional restaurant in Atlanta. this time, it was the Blue Willow- a place they often frequent (to the point that they knew their waitress’ name.) In my years of cooking, catering, and teaching a few cooking classes, I don’t remember a culinary experience that emotionally ‘took me back home’ like our dinner there. Honestly, the first bite of the fried green tomatoes and the stewed tomatoes took me back to savoring my mother;s bounty of great vegetable dishes. As silly as it sounds, I found it hard to talk for a while because of the rush of good memories. Thanks! Everything that my family and I tasted was nothing short of grand! Thanks for your attention to great preparation and attention to your customer’s wishes! As a way of saying thanks to our relatives, I was hoping to get
them a gift certificate for dinner for two to the Blue Willow. I am assuming that you do
this but don’t know what I should do to get them. How can I do this and have it sent
to us in Texas? I will be looking forward to your e-mail. Thanks for the green tomato and the chicken and dumplings recipes on the web site. I hope to be there again on a business trip in October.
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From Dan Wollam, Oregon: "We are from Oregon state and collect Blue Willow. We are wondering if you know where we could purchase Blue Willow print fabric by the yard to make our own table runners, etc., for our home. Thanks for your help." I've checked with Sandi, the manager of the Gift Shop (she's also our decorator) and she is unfamiliar with any blue willow fabric patterns. Maybe some of our other "Blue Willow" collectors can help you out! (Please contact Dan at tdanlk@gte.net if you can help!) |
Ms.
LaVon Hathaway writes:
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From the Howes of Starke, Florida: "My wife and I passed through Social Circle on October 13th, and we saw your lovely inn. Upon finding you on the Web, I must tell you I love your site, and the music adds a wonderful effect! Great job!"
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Lucy
Moye of Hillsdale, Michigan:
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A restaurant patron,
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We enjoy hearing from our friends!
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