Carriage House restaurant offers great food, Southern flair

A step back in time.

That is just a small part of the experience waiting for those who would visit the recently opened Carriage House Restaurant and Bar in Perry.

“It’s not going to be a European flair like it was in the past,” said Jim Marshall, who along with Lynn Whiddon are owners. “With the prices like they were in the past. It’s going to be hand-cut black Angus ribeye steaks, huge porkchops, all-you-can-eat catfish, catch of the day. Stuffed chicken. Pretty much everything, but the hand-cut ribeyes will be under $20.”

The house that holds the restaurant was built back in 1838. Marshall and Whiddon are stakeholders in Southern Bridle Farms in Fort Valley. Marshall said they were overbooked there as far as weddings were concerned, so they went looking for an additional venue. That’s where Carriage House, which was up for sale, came into the picture. He said he has no experience at restaurants but thought, Why not give it a try. He did. The result: “We’ve been very busy so far,” he said. “I’ve been very happy with the turnout.”

Currently the restaurant is only open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. That could change if the business drives it, he said. There is also a bar and typically “live” music of a wide variety, and it also boasts local staff, including head chef Craig Smith.

“Most people stay a long time (when they visit),” Marshall said. “It’s not a quick rotation out. They’re coming in in parties of six, eight, 10, and making a night of it. Then they go to the bar and out to the patio to listen to music.

“So it’s like a night out for adults. It’s not very far from Warner Robins and you don’t have to fight the traffic of Macon. It’s just right here in their back door. We hope people will just come and enjoy it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.”

To make a reservation at the restaurant, call Marshall at 478-396-5947 or Whiddon at 478-952-1658. The address is 125 South Langston Circle.

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