Last weekend Atlanta got it's first taste of fall weather that brought lots of sunshine and cold air. In wanting to take advantage of one more weekend before the twins arrive, Brian and I decided to get out of the city and visit the utopian countryside of Serenbe. Just a short 30 minute drive south of Atlanta, this 1,000 acre community boasts sustainable green living, an organic farm, quaint tree lined streets, boutiques, farm to table restaurants, stables, an art gallery and an inn all surrounded by lush grounds and eco-friendly homes and townhouses all within walking distance from one another.
Every Saturday from May to October, there's a quaint farmers market that features produce from Serenbe Farms and other local Chattahoochee Hill County farmers along with artisanal products from local and regional vendors. Bag in tow, this is where we started our morning, purchasing fresh produce for our weeks meals along with the most amazing fall baked goods ~ I'm now wishing I had brought home more of the Sweet Potato Bread as it was AMAZING!
From there we walked along the central 'town center' and went into the few boutiques that reside in Serenbe. For lunch we ate at the Hil, a refined casual dining restaurant with farm fresh cuisine.
I absolutely adored the ambiance and decor of the space and the food was perfect for a Saturday Brunch.
The pimento cheese was the perfect southern starter and for entrees Brian ordered the
Fried Chicken Sandwich with Fried Egg, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Organic Lettuce & Hil Made Ranch
And I ordered the
All Natural Chicken Salad Melt, Farm Fried Egg & Organic Lettuce Salad
which was delightful! Not the traditional chicken salad melt I expected, but better. If anything I'm trying to figure out how to create it with turkey for a Thanksgiving weekend brunch!
And of course the pregnant lady ordered fries...and they were amazing!
After brunch we decided to drive around the grounds, stopping by the Inn and the barn on Selborne Lane where we ran into this handsome fellow:
The community itself ended up being smaller than I had imagined and in driving to it, I was surprised to see that this development lived right in the middle of a somewhat highly populated rural area (I think I expected it to be in the middle of no where). And the houses and townhomes, while beautifully eclectic, were quite close in proximity to one another. But for those looking to move to a sustainable community without the hustle and bustle of city living...think country living without all the personal upkeep, Serenbe is the perfect modern utopian countryside.
Before heading back to Atlanta, we walked the quaint community again, stopping into the Blue Eyed Daisy Bakeshop for an afternoon coffee & pastry.
While Brian and I didn't make any plans to move out here, it really is the perfect place to visit for the day. The eclectic mix of houses alone would make for a wonderful Saturday walk and of course the food and quiet atmosphere of Serenbe is the perfect escape from the city. You better believe double stroller in hand, Brian and I will come back!