Restaurateur opens second downtown Stone Mountain eatery

Jonathan Hartnett, owner of Cherokee Rose restaurant on Main Street in Stone Mountain Village, has now opened a more casual eatery a short walk down the street. Like Cherokee Rose, Live Oak Tap, where the official ribbon cutting was held May 7, is named to honor Harnett’s home state. 

“The Cherokee Rose is Georgia’s state flower, and the Live Oak is the state tree,” Harnett explained. The nod to Georgia symbols and traditions doesn’t end with the restaurants’ names. The menus for both have items inspired by the Peach State. 

Among the Live Oak offerings under the menu heading “Vittles,” are wild Georgia shrimp, boiled Georgia peanuts, and fried fish served with Tybee sauce. Sandwiches include such Southern classics as pimiento cheese, tomato with a Southern brand mayonnaise on white bread, and a burger served with Vidalia onions. The dessert menu features peach ice cream. 

Many of the signature cocktails feature Georgia flavors as well.  

Harnett, who also owns Las Brasas restaurant in Decatur, said he chose downtown Stone Mountain for the site of Cherokee Rose and Live Oak Tap because he grew up in Stone Mountain and wanted to bring something locals and visitors could enjoy to his hometown. 

Downtown Stone Mountain, with commercial buildings that in some cases date back to the late 19th century—like many American downtowns—experienced a slump as stores, restaurants, and theaters moved away, leaving empty buildings. “I would love to see downtown Stone Mountain the way it used to be—busy, bustling. Restaurants are a good start in that direction, and I thought American South-themed restaurants would do well in this area. It was a big risk, but it was a risk I wanted to take,” Harnett said.  

So far, he said, the venture has met his expectations. “We’re doing a brisk business in both restaurants,” the restaurateur noted. 

“The city of Stone Mountain has been great,” Harnett continued. “They envision downtown Stone Mountain as a future major tourism destination. Great restaurants will be a big part of that.”