Augusta, Ga. has its fair share of fine restaurants. But heading north to Edgefield, S.C. will lead you to a meal you won't soon forget. The drive, when traveled along Sweetwater Road, is a treat in itself. You'll pass Mount Vintage Plantation, a rolling expanse of greenery that's home to both foxhunters and a stop for the LPGA tour. Edgefield itself has several claims to fame and tends to be a walk through Southern history. It has been home to 10 governors of the state, including 98-year-old Strom Thurmond, who's South Carolina's senior U.S. senator. It boasts one of the largest historical archives in the state, is known for great hunting, great antiques, great old houses and the sweetest peaches on earth. And now, with the addition of the Old Edgefield Grill, it is becoming known for great food. Nestled off the sleepy little square, in the oldest brick house in Edgefield County, is a restaurant that is setting the culinary world on its ear.

The Old Edgefield Grill, headed up in the kitchen by Chef Sean Alexander Wight, is fastly becoming one of the finest eating establishments in the state -- and rightly so. Chef Sean sets the tone with his creative flair for Southern cooking. Fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits are perfect examples of the elevation of his Southern-style cuisine. Other choices from the winter dinner menu include baked brie, roasted garlic salad, Cajun popcorn salad, cornmeal-crusted grouper and prime-aged Angus beef (rib eye or filet). Open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday and for dinner Wednesday through Saturday, The Grill is noted for serving up regional fare, with most of the fresh produce being obtained from local growers. The menu changes seasonally, and nightly specials include fresh wild game cooked to perfection. An extensive wine list works in conjunction with the menu, offering up the perfect accompaniment to your meal by bottle or glass. Whether you're a nearby resident or visiting from out of town, you should definitely consider taking the trip to Edgefield. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (803) 637-3222.