City Welcomes Back Chef Falk at New Old Eatery

Most people would say that you are lucky to make history once. Chef Stephanie Falk knows that feeling, having been the chef at The Sycamore Grill half a decade ago, working in Stone Mountain's oldest building on record. Now, with her triumphant return and the renaming of her old haunt, Falk is ready to do it again in the newly named restaurant, .

Her new "old" restaurant is still located on Mimosa Drive, and it's still in that wonderfully charming old house right by the railroad tracks. But the chef brought back some new tricks to make tastes that are new to her love of Stone Mountain and its residents.

She and her business partner, Marie Young, have walked in and rebuilt a beautiful bar from old floor boards that had been ripped up by a former owner and made everything they could out of the original parts and materials left behind.

"We didn't want to throw anything away," Falk says. "We wanted to keep it as close as we could to staying original." Some of that originality includes the many "ghosts" that inhabit the old house. "I know they exist," Falk claims. "I can tell … sometimes things are moved and stuff isn't the way I left it in the office."

Building owner Joey Seguin concurs with the chef. "I named one that stays in the office 'Ernest'," he says. "You just know we're not alone here with the restaurant ... and that's OK."

After working in some great places like The Buckhead Diner and opening Bona-Petite Cafe some years ago, Falk landed in Stone Mountain, where she loved working and was loved by her diners. And, during the time she was away from the area, she knew her heart was here, in Stone Mountain.

When the chance came up again, to "come home," she says she took it.

No stranger to the area, while here before, Chef Stephanie was a member of Stone Mountain's merchants association, and has already been asked to be a part of that again. In the past she'd partnered with the ART Station for special events and plans to do that again as well. She and her team also take part in the Walk and Wine tour that is a monthly event in Historic Stone Mountain Village.

"We are delighted to be opening and excited to see our friends and supporters again," says Falk. 

Her food is fun and affordable and comfortable. Right now, (and the menu is going to change soon) you can order a grouper sandwich grilled, fried or blackened. Or, enjoy her signature Blackberry Chicken Salad, or some Sweet Potato Wedge Fries, served with Danish Blue Cheese dipping sauce. With most plates $11 or under, it's a lot of taste for the price point.

If you are in the mood for something more, she's offering Tipsy Chicken, which is half a chicken, soaked in wine with fresh herbs, then baked low and slow until crispy and tender. Or, a dish she brought back with her from Tennessee: Coconut Encrusted Grouper, with jalapeno jelly. Young, her business partner, says it was the most popular dish while they worked over there in the neighboring state. "Everyone loved it," she says.

Local business owners, Nan and Charles Nash, of Stone Mountain Old Post Office Emporium, say they're "glad to see" Falk back in town. "It is great to have her here again," says Nan Nash.

Dennis Rogers, a resident in the area for the last 21 years and a fan of Falk's, said that when the chef left the first time, it caused a ripple effect in the village. "I used to eat here a lot," he says. "But, when Stephanie left, everyone else did, too." Rogers also said she got him to eat vegetables, something he never does, while she was here before. "The word is spreading and I know that once everyone knows she's back, that it will always be packed."

The Rock House is located at 5329 Mimosa Drive in Stone Mountain Village. The phone number is 770-500-7933, and the e-mail address is therockhousestonemtn@gmail.com. The restaurant is open Mondays and Tuesdays for lunch from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. From Wednesday - Sunday, it's open from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.