Cherryl is the Editor of The TowneLaker magazine. She lives in southwest Cherokee with her son Dale and daughter Lori.

Around Towne
by Cherryl Greenman

 What's New

Thanks! And Welcome Home!

The TowneLaker wants to say "Thank You" to all the returning men and women in our Armed Forces. We have seen several "Welcome Home" signs throughout the Towne Lake area and we are grateful these courageous, patriotic people have returned home safely to their families. Our thoughts of encouragement and prayers are with those who still have family members overseas.

What's New

The parcel of land on Bells Ferry Road across from Countryside Villas is planned for 94 single family detached homes. According to the developer Tony Avarillo, the plans for the site will be similar to Mirramont (on Bells Ferry Road). The cost of the homes will start in the $160 - 170K range. Construction is slated to begin in February or March 2004 with build out expected by 2006.

Cedars Taverna is now under new ownership and management - don't worry faithful clientele of this establishment, the new owner Kiranjiv (Ken) Bharadwaj is not changing anything! You will see the same menu and the same staff will greet and serve you. In celebration of this change, Ken will be offering free appetizers (up to $4.50 value) during the month of September. Cedars Taverna is open Monday - Thursday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Song's Garden in the Publix at Rose Creek shopping center on Towne Lake Parkway is celebrating their second anniversary. They are offering their customers tax-free orders during September (see pages 58 and 59 for more details).

On Going

The sidewalk on Towne Lake Parkway is to be completed this month. Construction of the additional lane on Towne Lake Parkway under I-575 will not begin for at least another year.

Finalization of construction on the Express Oil Change located across the street from the Amoco/BP and Eckerds at the corner of Parkbrooke Circle and Parkside Drive is just about complete. The next step will be the installation of the equipment, with an opening date scheduled for mid to late October.

Framing is currently taking shape at the Animal Hospital of Towne Lake on Parkbrooke Circle. Dr. Weaver still is anticipating completion by Thanksgiving.

The new Publix at the Crossing Shopping Center is scheduled to open on September 4. Additional new businesses planned for the center include Washington Mutual, Planet Tan and Southeastern Dry Cleaning.

Towne Lake Diner

Ambers

by Cherryl Greenman

Amber's portrays itself as a "Fine Dining Restaurant." Recently my daughter and I had the opportunity to dine in this unique restaurant and I think that perhaps rather than "Fine Dining Restaurant," a more accurate way to describe Amber's would be "Treat Your Customers as Family" restaurant. Ambers, located next to Towne Lake Fitness in the Southpointe shopping center, opened last May. Charlene (Char) Slaj and her husband Michael Maslon have created a wonderful establishment.

We were greeted very warmly when we walked in and our server, Kyle Amos who lives in Towne Lake, not only was very knowledgeable about the menu but also explained in detail the specials for the evening. Char was constantly busy visiting each table to ensure her guests were completely satisfied and just simply wanting to talk - "like family." Explaining her desire to create an atmosphere and menu that would have everyone who came through the doors wanting to return.

We ordered the Grilled Salmon with an orange fennel sauce and the Blackened Chicken. Both meals came with a house salad or you could have ordered a Caesar salad instead. A fantastic mashed sweet potato soufflé was served with the Salmon along with fresh green beans sautéed with bacon. The Blackened Chicken side was a loaded baked potato and fresh vegetables. We were delighted with both dishes; just the right spices on the Blackened Chicken made this a unique and mouth watering entrée.

Chef Tery LaMont Foster visited our table to ensure our satisfaction with our meal. He has been a Chef for more than 26 years. Tery and Char said the menu is to be revised this month to include specialty items such as duck, lamb loin and crab cakes. Kyle's brother Sean also works at Ambers in the kitchen and has realized his "calling" to become a chef. Sean will be attending Cordoned Blue Culinary Arts in October. Tery then plans to send him to Paris and California before coming back to work with him at Amber's. Char and Tery's attitude toward their staff is very unique and we left Amber's not only with our palette's satisfied but with the feeling that we had just been to visit a very special friend whom we will visit again!