Thomas Edison once stated, "The doctor of
the future will give no medication, but will interest his
patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause
and prevention of disease." Perhaps he had a restaurant like his
namesake, The Edison, in mind.
The Edison is a brand new power on the
Tallahassee restaurant scene. Literally. The restaurant is
housed in the historic former Power Plant Building, built in
1921 to house the city's electric and gas power plant. In 1954,
the plant was vacated and deteriorated. Then as people began to
value their local history, the area surrounding the building was
turned from an eyesore to beautiful Cascades Park. The building
was added to the Local Register of Historic Places in 2012.
 |
| A family enjoying one of the
firepits at The Edison |
Finally a perfect use was found for the
historic structure and in September of 2015, it opened as The
Edison. The building is owned by the city and leased by
experienced restaurateurs, Adam Corey, Ryan Grindler and John
Minas, who is the head chef.
Minas brings a lot to the table at The
Edison. He was head chef for Governor Rick Scott for four years.
He has a unique take on his culinarty views. He combines his
professional credentials as a graduate of the Culinary
Institute of America, his Armenian roots consisting of Middle
Eastern dishes learned in his grandmother's kitchen with
American Southern Cooking which he prepares a bit less
deep-fried and more healthy but still very home-style.
 |
 |
| Cheese
board at The Edison |
My yummy Key Lime Brulee |
Throughout his career, healthy food has
been a primary concern of Minas. He gave reporters his view on
The Edison's menu on opening night, "We are trying as little as
possible to buy anything from outside. We want to really give
the guests our flavors and our experience that we want to take
with them and come back over and over and over again."
In view of the healthy stance on food,
The Edison offers a chef's table in the kitchen. The Edison is
proud of its kitchen and staff and wants to show them off.
 |
| The Chef's
Table is perched in a cozy corner of the kitchen at The
Edison |
The Edison is unique also in that it is
really eight distinct eating and drinking establishments under
one roof. Although the partio dining overlooking the waterfall
in Cascades Park sporting manhole covers converted to roasting
pits that allow toasting marshmallows on them are under only the
stars. There is the Power Plant Cafe Downstairs for less formal
dining as well as a beer garden and a private wine tasting room
and private dining rooms that can be used for events.
 |
| The kitchen at The Edison is a
busy place |
We dined upstairs in the main dining room
where we could view the beautiful weathered brick walls and high
arches. I sampled one of the specials at the Edison, The Brick
Chicken, made with an actual brick in homage to the building's
history. I'm not sure which part of Chef Minas' repertoire it is
taken from but it was delicious. As was the cheeseboard
appetizer and my dessert, Key Lime Br�lee.
 |
| That Brick Chicken is delicious |
Their wine list is impressive with over a
hundred wines: some by the glass others by the bottle. There is
also an inventive cocktail list and coffee, tea and soft drinks.
The Edison is once again living up to its heritage and lighting
up Tallassee.
For more info:
http://www.edisontally.com/
American Roads and
Global Highways has so many great articles you may r>want to
search it for you favorite places or new exciting destinations.
|