The best restaurant in LaGrange, GA, is in West Point, GA…read more
This place is a one-of-a-kind treat in every possible way!
If you arrive at lunchtime to a locked door, don't be shy! KNOCK BOLDLY, asking for lunchtime availability! They told us to encourage that!
A friend and I had been to Sip for lunch several times (as had both of us with groups of friends) and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and the food.
After checking that it was open on Tuesday, we went there again intending to feast again for lunch. When we arrived at what we thought was the right time, though, the door was locked. After pulling on the handle to no avail, the door was opened by the friendly kitchen manager, Melissa, who told us that they were only open now at lunchtime on weekends for brunch and Wed. through Sat. for dinner.
She told us to wait just a minute, then opened the door wide for us to enter, greeted not only by her but also by the owner, Jamie, who welcomed us with open arms for a "private" lunch. It turned out that they were testing the full menu that day to ensure consistency in every dish. He offered us our choice of anything on the menu and spent much of his busy time chatting with us about his and his wife's arrival in West Point from LA (Lower Alabama and Prattville) via Atlanta to West Point for a change of pace, vocation, and lifestyle.
Both Jamie and Melissa (the rest of the staff was in the kitchen testing and cooking) were sincere, hospitable, and incredibly personable. He said that sometimes he sits outside and talks to passers by who may think the restaurant is too expensive and upscale to try. One night, he invited a biker who was waiting in line outside a neighboring less formal restaurant to come look at the venue and the menu. He and his friends are involved in biking to raise funds for charities such as service veterans. He was so impressed with Sip that the next morning he and 17 of his friends showed up for brunch!
He also told us how, in contrast to his engineering background, he'd ended up owning and running a FABULOUS, atmospheric restaurant in small town West Point, GA. Having decided to detour his career, he hired a consultant who must be excellent him/herself because, once you set foot in the environment, it is calm and welcoming, the menu is varied offering something for all palates, and he and his staff are attentive but not overbearing or unctuous.
Aspects of his engineering background come through in his attention to detail and desire for memorable eating experiences through practice, practice, practice. He also emphasized the team approach involving the entire staff in ensuring a memorable dining experience for his customers.
His goal is that they will be so consistent that anyone could take their recipes and replicate them in any kitchen.
After mulling over the broad menu, my friend ordered lobster thermidor. Melissa exclaimed that it was her favorite item on the menu, so I, too, ordered it after considering the gumbo or spicy shrimp. Oh My Gravy! We were NOT disappointed. Had Melissa and Jamie not been around, I would have picked up the lobster shell and gnawed it to be SURE I had ALL of the meat eaten! It was tender, buttery, but not smothered in sauce and SOOO good I was ready to go back for dinner! There was enough of it and some accompanying greens that we didn't need more (although we ordered a scrumptious cheesecake to top it off!) The meal offered a sufficient amount of food for dinner as well as lunch.
My friend and I told him how much we--and others, several of whom drive farther to Auburn, AL for dinner out--wished that he would expand to LaGrange, GA, our hometown as we have LOTS of "restaurants" but few that offer a consistently delicious meal in a relaxing, atmospheric venue. We were thrilled with our choice and are planning on taking many more friends down there for weekend brunch or dinner!
