J. Christopher's when you're in the mood for something different!

If you're looking for a great breakfast or lunch then zip on over to Westpark Walk in Peachtree City and grab a booth or table at J. Christopher's.

Everything from the coffee to omelettes to the soups and sandwiches are a step outside (and above) the norm.

Coffee... European Gourmet, Cafe Mocha, Cappuccino, Espresso...

Lighter fare includes tempting treats like:

Blueberry Scones ($1.79) - These are absolutely yummy! A nice soft triangle of blueberry bread topped with more blueberries. If you love blueberries you'll love this treat. Great for a mid-morning break.

Breakfast Parfait ($4.79) - fat-free yogurt, honey almond granola, strawberries and blueberries with whip cream!

Irish oatmeal, cinnamon rolls, bagels & lox, an assortment of bagels and more. Try the Lo-Carb Platter ($6.89), the South Beach ($6.89), a Sunrise Quesadilla (smoked turkey, bacon bits and Monterrey jack stuffed in a flour tortilla, grilled and then topped with pico de gallo) or the Atkin's Diet Substitute. Still thinking about those blueberries? Try the Berry Crepes!

Lest you think all of the treats are light we'll move onto the The Griddle! Blueberry Crunchcakes (yes, J. Christopher's is a blueberry lover's heaven), Chocolate Chipcakes ($6.79), Maple Toast ($5.79) and Strawberry Toast (maple toast crusted with granola and topped with sweet strawberry compote) are a few of the items I love to watch other's eat while I'm checking out one of the Skillets, Omelettes or Morning Stars! I have to admit that I'm prone to sneaking a bite from my husbands plate while he's not looking.

One of my favorite omelets is the Goddess ($7.59) as I'm always watching my figure. It is an eggwhite omelet with diced tomato, spinach and feta cheese. Another favorite is the Popeye, which comes stuffed with spinach, bacon, krabmeat, mushrooms and cream cheese. I have them hold the bacon.

Omelets are served with roasted potatoes or grits, fruit and an English muffin.

Here's a few other tempting items from the menu: Bleu Bacon Burger, Turkey Dijon BLT, Sante Fe Grille (blackened chicken sandwich all soothed with ranch dressing and avocado), Salmon Salad, Mandarin Chicken Salad and the Patty Melt.

I haven't tried any of their soups yet, but based on the quality of everything else I've tried, they have to be excellent.

The seasonal favorite list makes my mouth water! Fried Green Benedict, Pumpkin Pancakes, Gingerbread Waffle, Chocolate Crepe, Italian Omelette, Caramel French Toast... it is a long, tempting list! I'm going to have to find out when they plan to have the Kahlua Waffle on the day's specials, hips be darned I'm trying that one.

Even the kids (10 & under) can have some fun with their food choices. What child wouldn't want to try Dinosaur Eggs? Just in case they're not up for eggs the menu includes pancakes (chocolate chip or blueberry), french toast, waffles, grilled cheese and chicken fingers. Included in the price ($4,79) are fresh fruit and a beverage.

If you're used to IHOP prices and volume then you might be a tad disappointed in J. Christopher's. I've never heard, or had, anyone complain about a lack of food, but for those who like quantity over quality this might not be on your list of regular stops.

Due to the wide open space the noise levels can get a bit high at times. It's not overwhelming but this isn't meant to be the place you go for a romantic dinner. In fact, they're only open for breakfast, brunch and lunch.

We give J. Christopher's a Fayette High Five!

There are 13 J. Christopher's in the Atlanta area. I'll be looking for other locations as I travel around the city!

J. Christopher's
Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch
264 Commerce Dr.
Westpark Walk
Peachtree City
678-216-1010

Open 7 days a week from 7 am to 2 pm.
www.jchristophers.com

Pascal's Bistro, a well-known Peachtree City secret

On this last day of 2007 some friends and I met for lunch at Pascal's Bistro in Peachtree City. What a yummy way to say goodbye to this jam-packed year!

We beat the crowds who will be coming to celebrate New Year's Eve by going for lunch. Usually there's a crowd, but we didn't arrive until 1:30 p.m. so things had slowed down enough for us to find a quiet table to talk. We overstayed our welcome, sitting and yakking long past the time they closed their doors for lunch to prepare for dinner.

Tonight will be a busy night for restaurants. It sounded like Pascals will be non-stop through midnight! If anyone happens to pop onto the County Cuisine before leaving for dinner (doubtful as it's almost 6 p.m.) be sure to have one of their chocolate martinis. We didn't imbibe at lunch, but remembering the last one I had at Pascal's, it was hard to pass up the temptation!

Today I enjoyed whole wheat pasta with spinach, broccoli, shrimp, garlic and mushrooms. I tried three of their four lunch buffet sauces, marinara, Alfredo and clam. Usually I divide my pasta in half and have one sauce on each side. Trying for three sauces wasn't the most brilliant thing I've ever done, but it was still excellent.

I am rather picky about my clam sauce. I snub my nose at the runny, tasteless (or too salty) batches that come from most restaurant kitchens. Pascal's was wonderful. I wish I had skipped the Alfredo and marinara completely, although both are excellent.

During the lunch hours, Monday - Friday and Sunday from 11 - 2 p.m., you'll be able to eat your fill at the Pasta Buffet Lunch. The cost is only $7.99 for adults, $4.99 for children. A bargain at any cost, the pricing is extremely reasonable. They serve your choice of 14 different meats and vegetables, 4 types of past, 4 different sauces, Caesar salad and garlic bread. Drinks are separate.

They close from 2 to 5 each day to prepare for dinner. And what a dinner you can expect! Plan for a culinary treat. I could make a meal from the appetizers alone! Seafood Cocktail, made with shrimp, crab and scallops, Calamari, Crab Cake, Baked Brie and Beef Carpaccio join some expected standards on the appetizer menu.

The biggest problem I find at Pascal's is choosing which of the many entrees to try! Groper Imperial sauteed with sherry butter and topped with fresh lump crabmeat, Baked Flounder stuffed with a jumbo lump crab cake and baked with two shrimp in a creamy saffron sauce, Steak au Poivre, Grilled NY Strip Gorgonzola, Braised Lamb Shank, Sauteed Organic Chicken Breast Marsala, Mustard Crusted Pork Tenderloin and many other tempting dishes temp the palette.

All are served with vegetables or other side items.

One thing I've always found when eating at Pascal's Bistro is that they are very accommodating. I am one of those fussy eaters who can have a server sweating before I allow them to leave. I pity the server who has to remember all of my little switches from fried to baked or stuffed with that instead of this!

They may roll their eyes when they get back into the kitchen, but if they do I've never even had a vague hint when they waited on me. The service is always top-notch, professional and they are always gracious.

I've been saving the best for last. Their desserts. I would highly recommend trying to save a bit of room for their Creme Brulee, Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie or Bourbon Apple Tart. For those who steer away from sugar, be sure to give the Splenda Creme Brulee a try!

The old saying that you get what you pay for isn't quite true at Pascals. You get more than you pay for at this outstanding independent restaurant. Expect to pay from $5 - $11 for your appetizer, from $12 - $25 or $26 for the entree and in the $7 - $9 range for dessert. They offer a set menu option during weeknights, Prix Fixe, that includes appetizer, entree and dessert for around $24 (definitely a bargain).

Whether you opt for the pasta buffet lunch or the more elegant evening fare you'll savor every moment.

They are located at Westpark Walk on the corner of Hwy's 54 and 74 (on the corner opposite the Avenue). The restaurant is tucked in on the backside of Westpark facing Hwy. 74.

To find out more visit http://www.pascalsbistro.com/ or call 770.632.0112.