DOWNTOWN
CULINARY SCENE
EMBRACES
INNOVATION
"I SPENT A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME traveling
to different markets. My sister lives in Manhattan,
my best friend lives in Kansas City, going to St.
Louis, Atlanta. Travel provided the inspiration,"
said Chelsea Hughes, owner of Kinjo Kitchen
and Cocktails. Kinjo represents just one of a wave
of new restaurants in Downtown Macon that are
implementing chef-driven seasonal menus, major
cocktail programs and fusion cuisines rivaling any
world-class city.
The eclectic nature of these establishments
cater to diners looking for upscale experiences, not
just a quick bite to eat. Hughes was inspired by no-
frills ramen shops, which she described as having
a cult following and "everything you need in one
magical bowl of food." On the other hand, Hughes
has a background in craft cocktails, which are more
common in high-end eateries.
How did she reconcile that? "I knew Macon was
ready for more cocktails, and I knew Macon was
ready for ramen. The key to implementing it was a
menu so diverse that it doesn't feel like one thing.
It can be an upscale,
Asian-fusion place
for experimentation,"
Hughes explained.
The menu will
always have ramen,
but a patron can also
sample a Peking-style
Duck Confit entree
or a seasonal bao bun
small plate alongside
a balanced Japanese
whisky beverage.
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