CityView Magazine

food Nostalgic Dining of the department store, overlooking the grand rotunda. The popular eatery opened in 1958 and many people in- terviewed for this special issue of CityView mentioned The Birdcage as a highlight of the era. On any given day shoppers could be found indulging S hopping at The Capitol almost always meant eating lunch upstairs at the beloved The Birdcage restaurant, owned by Ruth Poe. The Birdcage was located on the second floor Fayetteville's restaurant scene has always been diverse — and delicious BY REBEKAH SANDERLIN & KELLY TWEDELL served with a scoop of congealed salad and cottage cheese. "Mother did a really great chopped chef salad with ham, turkey and all the trimmings complete with her own Roquefort dressing," Bender said. "She also used some of the Junior League ladies as hostesses." Ann Newberry Augustine, a lifetime Fayetteville resi- on pie and coffee in the aſternoon. "They were known for their great desserts," said Susan Bender, Mrs. Poe's daughter. "It was a time when ladies gathered for leisurely lunches." Bender recalled that in the back of the restaurant were two large round tables. During the morning the lawyers in the courtrooms might be foes, but inside The Birdcage at lunchtime, they would share meals and conversation as they solved the world's problems. Mrs. Poe was known for her homemade lunch fare, such as her chicken salad platter atop large lettuce leaves and dent whose family ties date back to the first landowner and millwright (see page 36), has fond memories of eating at The Birdcage with her mother aſter a day of shopping. Augustine's favorite dish was the Crab Imperial, a cas- serole that was baked bubbly hot. For dessert, Lemon Chess Pie. Always. Much like today, there were numerous places to eat, but many folks remember The Birdcage, The Green Lantern, The Highland Cafeteria and The Lighthouse best, as they were where families frequented aſter church on Sunday. As if it was meant to be, Susan Poe ended up married to George Bender, the son of a prominent pharmacy owner from that era, blending their families together, both rich in Fayetteville history and having great stories to share. CityViewNC.com | 25

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