The Best Kept Secret, Your Neighborhood Hideaway
A restaurant and bar with bold, fresh character could only become what it is under the eye of an entrepreneur with equally as much character. Ron Blake, with his entrepreneurial spirit and love for entertaining, has created a timeless social and dining setting in Braselton, GA with his newest venture Blake’s of Braselton.
Downtown Braselton has a small-town, picture book quality about it. Its relaxed streets are lined with historic buildings and storefronts that have been lovingly restored for modern retail use. These shops are ideal neighbors for a modern speakeasy-style restaurant and lounge set in a historic FFA classroom building owned by the city. Blake founded Blake’s of Braselton in spring 2019 to fulfill a need in the town for a place where couples and friends could come together to enjoy drinks, food, and the pleasure of each other’s company without the constraints of rapidly turning tables and crowded waitlists.
The friendly atmosphere of Blake’s is like a step back in time. Jazz or blues music sets the mood for a vintage-styled evening of relaxation and revelry. Unique art adorns the richly colored, distressed shiplap walls, elegantly lit by chandeliers and ornate wall sconces. Textured velvet curtains frame the windows, which boast stained glass fixtures that catch the light perfectly at sunset.
A curated assortment of suede and leather wingback chairs, white leather captain’s chairs, and romantic two-tops establish intimate seating nooks arranged to bring people together, giving them the time and space to enjoy the luxury of one another’s company just as owner Blake intended. The speakeasy reflects simpler times before cell phones or added distractions, when people derived the majority of their entertainment from one another.
There is one element of Blake’s that won’t be found anywhere else: staff don’t turn tables throughout the evening, so guests can stay as long as they like. It encourages them to spend time reconnecting with loved ones, forming new relationships, and enjoying the simple pleasures and tailored ambiance of a bygone era.
Blake’s opened with a menu of traditional cocktails from the 1920s and ‘30s, but these quickly evolved into new and refreshed recipes inspired by those classics. Its current cocktail menu uses a range of modern spirits, including Japanese gin and whiskeys, along with classic spirits. Eclectic brand selections, and the addition of themed drop-in cocktails around the holidays, make each beverage experience memorable and encourage guests to return again and again to try them all.
Trying new wines and enjoying good company is the cornerstone of Blake’s of Braselton, so its wine list is extensive, each bottle hand-selected by staff to offer an option for any style customers may request along with some unusual selections to broaden their palates. Juggernaut Cabernet is a crowd-pleaser with a big personality and even bigger flavor, yielding tastes of vanilla and black currants. Fritz Zimmer Riesling Spätlese is an excellent choice for guests enjoying the warm weather on Blake’s patio, offering notes of apple, peach, and pear with a light touch of citrus and sweet honeysuckle for a crisp finish.
Some patrons enjoy Blake’s wine list and speakeasy atmosphere so much, they become VIP members. Memberships are designed to afford valuable benefits such as complimentary drinks every week of the year, 20 percent off food and beverage orders, and 50 percent off cover charges for special events such as game night, comedy night, cigars and bourbon, or dinner and a show. Members also have access to exclusive members-only seating, private member events such as wine tastings and wine and food pairings, and the opportunity to use the space for their own private event.
The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind
Humphrey Bogart
The dinner menu at Blake’s of Braselton delivers classic, elegant dishes that pair well with Blake’s cocktails and wines and change often to feature fresh, seasonal ingredients. The charcuterie board comes in three sizes and presents rotating international cheeses, meats, pickled vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, spreads, and crackers. Every charcuterie board is unique in design and assortment.
Flatbreads are made to share in the spirit of Blake’s mission to promote camaraderie among its customers. The Pig and Fig flatbread, a local favorite, is topped with applewood smoked bacon, sun-dried figs, mozzarella, fresh arugula, and a balsamic glaze. The In the Woods is another favorite with mushrooms, goat cheese, fresh arugula, and a decadent truffle glaze. The Bruschetta and the Tuscan are more traditional flatbread choices.
Sandwiches and salads round out the menu at Blake’s of Braselton. The Muffelleta sandwich has cured meats, gruyere, and tapenade on toasted bread with Dijon mustard. The Mediterranean salad includes salami, prosciutto, tomatoes, Spanish olives, artichoke hearts, and a feta cheese on a bed of mixed greens with house-made Greek vinaigrette. Tarragon chicken salad is also available as a flavorful sandwich.
Sunday brunch at Blake’s is a widely-attended affair in Braselton accompanied by live music. Guests have the choice of a brunch buffet or lighter continental breakfast. The buffet changes week to week, but features an eggs-your-way station offering made-to-order omelets and scrambles, a ham carving station, and a vast assortment of casseroles, grains, fruits, and breakfast desserts. The continental breakfast includes pastries, muffins, fresh fruits, and yogurt parfaits. Either brunch option wonderfully with a bloody Mary, French 75, or bottomless mimosas. Brunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., but the bar stays open until 3 p.m.
Blake’s of Braselton provides wonderful service to all, but it is also a perfect host for private events; its speakeasy atmosphere is a wonderful backdrop for an intimate celebration. The lounge and event room provide comfortable indoor seating for groups of 15 to 40 guests, a great size for family gatherings, reunions, wedding showers, birthday and holiday parties, and corporate events. The outdoor pavilion has flexible seating to accommodate larger groups for concerts, weddings, and rehearsal dinners. Blake’s tailors each private event package to ensure a personalized experience for its patrons.
Whether an evening of good food, good drinks, and good conversation is the goal or just a quick nightcap, Blake’s of Braselton is the place to go in historic Braselton. With a cozy vintage lounge and airy patio space, the restaurant epitomizes the role of giving host, fostering an atmosphere of fellowship and flavors that leave every guest satisfied. Blake’s mantra comes alive at every table: drink what makes you happy, with friends who make you laugh.
