Omnivore - ‘Away down south in Dixie!’

I don’t think I’ve ever regretted forgetting my camera as much as I did Sunday night when Wayne and I dined at Pittypat’s Porch.

Although it is the oldest continually operating independent restaurant in the city, I have never eaten here before. Part of the reason is that I grew up dining frequently at the original Aunt Fanny’s Cabin, which was far more famous. I had enough of nostalgia for Dixie.

Like Aunt Fanny’s, Pittypat’s walls are covered with autographed photos of celebrity diners. I don’t, however, remember Aunt Fanny’s featuring the absolute herd of taxidermied birds and animal heads that decorates Pittypat’s dining room, which was barely air-conditioned Sunday night. There were fans here and there.

We decided to visit because it is Downtown Restaurant Week and, like other restaurants, Pittypat’s is featuring a three-course meal for $25 — a significant savings off its regular menu prices.

I borrowed the photo above from TripAdvisor.com. The upstairs level, by which you enter, is called the “Rocking Chair Lounge.” The gigantic dining room is below.

Tune into “Grazing” later this week for more.