Inaugural Wine Dinner at the Colonnade

Yes you read the title correctly. The Colonnade hosted a wine dinner and they did it with style. As soon as I saw this event come through my inbox, I jumped at a chance to see their kitchen swing into full scale gourmet action. Chef Ryan Cobb often sticks to the tried and true favorites that have been drawing folks to the restaurant for decades but he also offers specials that showcase his culinary skill on a regular basis. This dinner was a chance for him to pull out all the stops. As I entered the back dining room, a favorite regular waitress handed me a glass of champagne and showed me to my seat. The tables were graced with white linens and fresh flowers (yes this is the Colonnade, it was surreal). I enjoyed my drink and introduced myself to others at the table. Mostly regulars also looking to see what they were up to. They have promised that this will become a more regular thing at the restaurant and also mentioned they are ramping up the cocktail and craft beer selection at the restaurant. We were in for a treat!

 Duck Salad with Oranges

Champagne Sorbet

Tenderloin with Truffle Potatoes

 Apple Panna Cotta

Enjoying Empire State South

Last night I finally got the time to celebrate Mother's Day with my family. My mother and I have a recent tradition of honoring special occaisions with attending a cooking class together. This time I planned a perfectly themed night. We started with dinner at Empire State South and ended with her present, Hugh Acheson's new cookbook A New Turn in the South, which recently won a James Beard award for best American cooking, and reservations for an Atlanta Community Food Bank cooking class with Chef Acheson himself!

I have to admit this one will be a treat for me as well! If you have not experienced one of the ACFB cooking classes, you should give them a try. They are typically hosted by Cooks Warehouse as a part of their quarterly schedule of classes. They showcase some of Atlanta's best chefs, prizes, enough food to call it dinner, and wine tastings. As an added bonus the proceeds go to the food bank itself. What a fun way to give back!

Although he has turned over the reigns of Executive Chef to Ryan Smith, Chef Acheson's strong influence is present in the tasty menu. After his recent James Beard wins, the dinning room was again packed with guests. We were looking forward to all of the great takes on traditional southern flavors.

 To start, we chose the In Jars an amazing selection of tasty spreads presented in miniature mason jars. The choices included pimento cheese with bacon marmalade, smoked trout, boiled peanut hummus, ricotta with sauteed mushrooms, and a selection of house made pickles. The waiter laughed as we picked up the jars to scrape out every last bite saying, "that is how we know people like them."



In Jars



For our next course we tried several of the Beginnings, a mixed green salad with duck bacon and a house made cheese puff, a warm vegetable salad with goat cheese, a fried shrimp salad with foraged greens and the farm egg served almost like bi bim bab over rice. The flavors were rich, but not over powering. These were imaginative takes on salads with a southern spin.

Fried Shrimp Salad





Mixed Greens

 

Warm Vegetable Salad



Farm Egg

For our entrees we chose the pork loin with a light gravy. It was served with beans and roasted vegetables. We also enjoyed the duck over farro with a mustard mustard sauce presented in an iron skillet. Finally we tried the trout paired with Asian greens and mushrooms. The duck was rich and set off by the spicy grain mustard. The pork was light and flavorful. At first I was skeptical of  gravy in the summer, but this presented more as a light sauce. The trout was enclosed in crisp skin and perfectly moist. We added a side of collards and creamed field peas. I could have eaten three bowls of each of these. My mother, who prides herself on her collards, conceded these were some of the best she had tasted!


Trout



The Duck




Pork Loin

For dessert we chose the blueberry tres leches cake served with blueberry sorbet and a peanut brittle side, the chocolate and sassafrass creme brulee, and the ginger snap and creme cookies that were melt in your mouth good. Our dinner was a great way to celebrate my mom and for our family to enjoy some of our favorite southern flavors in a new way.



Update: Merideth's Favorite Places in Atlanta

This is an update to a previous post from last year. I haven't changed my mind about my love for some old favorites, but I have discovered some new places I would love to share. I have starred the updated for 2011! There is no guarantee here that you will like my restaurants, or that I indeed have what you would call a sophisticated palate, but here you go.

Favorite All Time Restaurant: Still winning from last year! Sotto Sotto. I choose this little Italian restaurant every time I can for dates, birthdays and special occasions. I was there last week and tried a winter special pasta on the menu, it was an amazing. I typically have a hard time resisting the Tortelli di Michelangelo. This pasta was similar, it ravioli like shape stuffed with sausage and apples drenched in a brown butter sauce with crispy sage leaves. I highly recommend a visit here any time.

Favorite Italian: Sotto Sotto

Second Place: Almalfi (OTP) located off Atlanta Rd. near Roswell Square, this family style Italian place is a hidden out of the way gem.

Favorite Mexican: Nuevo Laredo Cantina- I don't think you can graduate from Georgia Tech and not learn to love this place. Their salsa is perfect, the brisket is amazing, and they have a delicious mole sauce.

***Honorable Mention: Eduardos Mexican Grill- This little place located in a Kroger shopping center of Lavista has some of the best Mexican chicken soup and tamales I have eaten in Atlanta. They serve fresh large portions of some traditional Mexican favorites. Although they are targeting a suburban American audience, I am consistently pleased with the food here.

Favorite ethnic: ***Desta Ethiopian Kitchen- is located off Briarcliff Rd. near Clairmont. This out of the way restaurant stands out among the 4 others in the same shopping center area. The food here is fresh and flavorful. My favorite is the Fish Tips with shiro.

***Second Place: Panahar Bangladeshi Cuisine- they are always friendly and the food has a rich combination of herbs and spices that stand out differently from Indian cuisine.

***Third Place: Mezza- This location offers a traditional restaurant or the lounge where you can eat on cushions and experience the entertainment of belly dancers. The food here is Lebanese/ Mediterranean. Each dish was distinct and flavorful.
*** Runners Up (and a little further off Buf. Hwy.) Pho 24- This staple for great Pho has been around. The newer location on Rockbridge Rd. in Norcross/ Tucker makes it more accessible to the masses.
Havana Cuban- This is a local legend. They have been around since the 1970's and are a great spot for a casual lunch or a hearty Cuban dinner. The empanadas and the Cuban sandwiches are amazing.

Favorite Breakfast/ Brunch: Babette's Cafe I can't pass up the tenderloin Benedict on fresh bread with amazing Hollandaise sauce, or the french toast which is to die for.

***Second Place: Murphy's in Virgina Highland. This place does everything well, but its breakfast has always won my heart. The chilaquiles here of all places are fabulous and I cant go wrong with the Eggs Virgina Highland.  The crowd gets large after 10 am so come early or spend your time browsing for great wine while you wait.
*** Third Place: The Flying Biscuit Cafe-Some may argue they are not as good since they went chain, but I still love some love cakes, and you cant beat the biscuits at the Candler Park location.

Favorite Southern Food: The Farmhouse at Serenbe Making a small trip south of Atlanta is well worth it for authentic and flavorful southern food in a picturesque setting.

Second Place: Horseradish Grill or Murphys These Atlanta staples still hold a place in my heart for my favorite southern food done well and with a gourmet twist. The BBQ appetizer and fried okra at HRG and the pork shank and meatloaf at Murphys take my vote, and you can't beat either for their amazing desserts.

***Favorite Sandwiches: Sawicki's Meat Seafood and More in Decatur- this is a great shop for meat, fresh cheese and other gourmet provisions. They have the most amazing sandwiches including fantastic chicken salad and a roast pork sandwich that I dream about. Also check out their information on monthly farm to table dinners.

Second Place: Cafe Lily (grilled cheese, lunch menu only) Bar none, the best grilled cheese in Atlanta. Perfect in Fall with the tomato basil soup!
***Third Place- Maison Robert in Chamblee offers up a very small selection of very well done sandwiches on fresh bread with great cheeses. My favorite is the ham and brie on baguette. Definitely have some macarons or chocolate after your meal, and pop in next door to Le Caveau wine shop to take some wine for later.

Favorite Romantic Date: Amuse- great French food, but this one swings south toward Provence. Amuse is a cute tiny house with a great menu and cozy charm. This special little place is tiny, cozy and has a fabulous French menu.

***Second Place: 4th and Swift continues to hold strong in Atlanta's restaurant battle. This restaurant does a great job of turning what could be another noisy warehouse style space into something a little more cozy and intimate. The dinner menu and wine list hold their own against the others in this category, but often without the hustle and bustle of some other spots.

Favorite Casual Date Night: Young Augustines This is my new favorite hang out on Memorial Drive. They have amazing gourmet pub style food with an inventive beer menu as well as bocce ball courts!

Second Place: Iberian Pig If you haven't tried this place on Decatur Square yet, you need to. This Spanish style restaurant is the only place in Atlanta to serve Iberico pork. Their menu is a mix of tapas, flatbreads, and main entrees. They also have a great wine and cocktail list.

Favorite First Date: Rathbuns I know John Kessler thinks they may be stretching themselves thin, but this place is consistently one of my favorite places to eat in Atlanta. Kevin Rathbun and friends know how to cook! The atmosphere is nice, and the food delicious. Be sure to try to ask for one of the booths along the wall. They are great fro cuddling and for people watching, plus the main floor tends to be noisy.

Second Place: Float Away Cafe near Virgina Highlands is an out of the way romantic location. While it is not as intimidating or as expensive as its sister Baccanaillia, it delivers a great menu full of well made dishes. On a recent visit last month I enjoyed the sweet potato gnocchi with walnuts and kale and for dessert an apple cobbler.

Favorite Steak: Kevin Rathbun Steak This place knows how to do steak, and you pay for it! Its pricey, but mouthwatering good. The atmosphere is a modern masculine with dark woods and mood lighting. The food is out of this world. For a girl who loves steak and has eaten at some of the best places in Manhattan, this is still my favorite place to indulge in red meat!

Second Place: Bones The Atlanta boys club standard. I first went here in high school and was impressed with the professional waiters with crumbers! This place is an institution. They know how to cook steaks and cater to the business crowd.

Favorite Cocktail:  H. Harper Station. I have written previous posts about why I love the great cocktails here!
***Second Place:Holman and Finch I followed Greg Best from his days as bartender (mixologist) at Restaurant Eugene to H&F. This more laid back restaurant lets his interest in experimental food and meats shine. They are famous for the cocktail list and the late night burgers.

***Third Place: Ecco (elderflower gin martini) and Leon's Ecco is known for its wine list and its great food, but I swoon for the Elderflower Martini. It actually won an award from Bombay Gin for best cocktail. Ask the bartender to see the bedazzled gin bottle trophy!

Favorite Burger [not from a burger dedicated joint]: Although Atlanta is currently full of places dedicated to burgers, I have to go with the one at Abittoir. I have written this one up in the past and I keep going back and bypassing the whole wonderful menu for this burger! Made of pork, it is the perfect blend of flavor and juiciness.

Second Place: Highland Tap In the dark basement bar of Highland Tap lives one of Atlanta's best burgers. Sirloin burger made old school with your choice of toppings and some killer onion rings to boot.
***Runner Up: George's in VAHiglands is an old school dive, but the burgers are great and the onion rings are the perfect complement!

Favorite Tacos: El Taco Veloz- Although this is a chain located here in Atlanta, these places put out amazing fresh tacos with authentic Mexican flavors. Top is off with a cool and sweet horchata to beat the heat of the special peppers and sauce.

***Second Place: Hankook Taqueria- While there tacos are more Korean than Mexican, they pack a punch of flavor. I recommend the fried green tomato that comes with pimento cheese or the more traditional pork served with Korean BBQ sauce. Try the sesame fries as well.
Runner up: Taquiera del Sol If you are willing to wait in line, then you can experience some of the most creative taco flavors in Atlanta. They may not be traditional but they are good. A margarita or two helps to pass the time in line.

Favorite Pizza: Antico Pizza Nepolitano With their ingredients, chef, and even the ovens imported from Naples Italy you can't beet Antico for authentic Italian style pizza. Take your own wine and eat in the kitchen where you can watch the chefs in action. Save room for the cannoli.

Second Place: Fritti- A sister to Sotto Sotto Fritti offers an authentic thin crust selection of pizzas with one of the best Italian wine lists in Atlanta.

Favorite BBQ: Fox Brothers Located on Dekalb Ave. this BBQ establishment was a newcomer to Atlanta and is holding their own against some stiff competition. I recommend the pork, and the Tomminator tater tots covered in Brunswick stew covered in cheese. The fried pickles are also addictive.

Second Place: Harolds BBQ - So old school they don't have a website. They are located at 171 McDonough Blvd SE Atlanta. Best Brunswick Stew in Atlanta. If you want to eat lunch with the guys from the Capitol pull up a seat here. They are in a bad location, with an old interior and little parking, yet always full. I think this speaks volumes about their food!

Favorite Thai: Surin of Thailand- A long time favorite of mine, seems to be less crowded these days which is fine with me. My favorite here is the Pad Prik King.

Second Place Northlake Thai- A sister to Eurasia Bistro in Decatur, this one is out of the way and located in a Kroger shopping center, but its worth the drive and a try. They have Panang Curry nailed!
***Honorable Mention: Little Bangkok Amidst the random mix that is Cheshire Bridge comes this unassuming restaurant. The food her is delicious and incredibly fresh. The interior is a little less nice and very crowded but the food never disappoints.

  

By Neighborhood

• Midtown: Ecco, Top Flr, Tierra
• Decatur: Iberian Pig, Cafe Lily, 246, Sawicki's
• Inman Park: Sotto Sotto, Rathbuns, Victory Sandwich, Barcelona Bar
• East Atlanta/ Grant Park/ Cabbagetown: Holy Taco, Young Augustines, The Earl, H. Harper Station
• Buckhead: Horseradish Grill, Grand China (sorry don't head that way much)
• Westside: Bocado, Abbitoir, JCT, Nuevo Laredo, Miller Union
• Virgina Highlands: Alon's Bakery, Murphys, Float Away Cafe

Great Article with an Atlanta Connection

I know I have not been doing very much this month, but I have been doing some great reading. Here is another great article with a connection to Staplehouse in Atlanta.
http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/08/06/underground-supper-clubs/

French Chocolate Heaven

Hidden in a somewhat industrial area of Chamblee, Maison Robert offers you a step into France. This small chocolate shop features truffles, confections, and savory lunch items all made in house. Robert Reeb opened a shop in Atlanta in 1977. Robert had trained in his native France as a third generation pâtissier-confiseur-glacier. 

As you walk into the shop, the smell of chocolate overwhelms your senses. You can dazzle your eyes at the chocolate counter and explore the cute packages of chocolates and treats and you can watch Robert and his family in action. When I was there for lunch recently, I was able to watch him hand dip chocolate caramel truffles! Finally don't miss out on the tiny but delicious lunch menu. We tried the turkey and brie sandwich served on fresh baked baguette, and the homemade spinach quiche. The breads and quiche are also made daily and are the closest to France I had tasted in a while. The quiche was light and flaky with eggs that were firm, but not overcooked something hard to find. They also offer them frozen so you can take one home. 

Before leaving, we had to get some chocolates and try my personal reason for visiting, the macarons. These are very hard to find in Atlanta. Maison Robert offers about 10 flavors, each one delicate and full of natural flavors like sea salt and caramel and raspberry.  The colors are so pretty and they taste amazing.

This little shop offers so much to its customers. It is well worth exploring Chamblee to have lunch and go home with some sweet treats. 

Watching the Pros Test the SFA Cookbook

Monday night, I had the pleasure of attending a cooking class based on the new Southern Foodways Alliance Cookbook. The recipes came to life courtesy of four fabulous chefs, Virginia Willis, Steven Satterfield, Angie Mosier, and Lynne Sawicki.  

Chef Steven Satterfield has earned his fame recently at his amazing Westside hot spot Miller Union.  Steven grew up in Savannah and has lived in GA most of his life. His contribution to the cookbook was a great recipe for a version of cheese straws. For our class, he chose a recipe from Louisiana, dirty rice and skillet greens! 

The dirty rice was sinful featuring a combination of 3, yes three forms of meat! He started by sauteing chicken livers, in bacon grease! He added house made sausage (Boston butt), the bacon, red pepper flakes, and the "holy trinity" or "Cajun trinity" onions, green pepper, and celery.  This mixture is cooked together. The rice is first sauteed in the fat from the meats, then cooked with water until ready. All ingredients were combined, and topped with green onion for an amazingly rich dish. This was offset by the crisp greens. Collards (of course) were sauteed with garlic, red pepper, and anchovies which were ground to a paste. This added a rich ans salty flavor to the bitter greens and cooled the heat from the rice. Amazing choice Chef Satterfield!

Up next was Lynne Sawicki. Chef Sawicki formerly of Floataway Cafe and Star Provisions now owns an amazing meat and provisions shop, Sawicki Meat and Seafood,  in downtown Decatur. Lynne prepared another Louisiana influenced dish. It was a take on Osso Bucco, but using frog legs! Lynne sauteed the breaded frog legs in olive oil and set them aside. Then again added the "holy trinity" and a number of other veggies. She also added Merlot to the mix. The combination of the vegetables and the gelatin in the frog legs she explained, created a thick gravy-like consistency, perfect over rice or as we had it over biscuits!

The fabulous biscuits were made by Ms. Virgina Willis. Virgina is one of my favorite chefs in Atlanta. She has the culinary pedigree and the interesting scientific information that hits the mark for me. I guess you can say I am a groupie! She prepared a recipe from the cookbook of a simple buttermilk biscuit dough. She prepped the ingredients in a food processor, and showed us how to properly roll out the dough, and place the biscuits in the pan. I enjoy that she chose to use southern simple ingredients found on the shelf at anyone's grocery store. The biscuits buttered were light, fluffy and flavorful with a gorgeous golden top.

The frog leg osso bucco with a homemade biscuit!

Last up was Angie Mosier. Angie was the past president of the Southern Foodways Alliance, and she is a writer, baker, teacher, and food stylist. She chose to share with us her recipe from the cookbook which was a take on her version of the Rich's Bakeshop coconut cake! Angie also shared with us her tricks and tips for icing, baking, and styling a cake. She made it look effortless, but I appreciate her sharing her insecurities about her baking and her ease about imperfections in her product. She is a true role model for the home baker, and her cake was out of this world!

Coconut cake with buttercream icing!

The Southern Foodways Alliance is an important organization connecting Americans and the world with the old and new traditions in Southern cuisine. I am so excited that people care about preserving and promoting the tried and true as well as the innovating things happening with food in the South! Thanks to this organization and these chefs for keeping the movement going!

Craving Cocktails at H. Harper Station

On a cold Friday night a few weeks ago, I ventured out to H. Harper Station. They had a soft opening the previous Sunday, and I was curious to see the next restaurant to fill the long vacant Atlanta & West Point rail station in Reynoldstown. Walking in the decor had changed some from the look of Depot, the previous tenant. New retro green milk glass chandeliers and trendy Edison style filament light bulbs hung over the tables and an entertaining small plate prep area was located at the end of the lengthy bar.

Surprisingly, we were seated immediately at 8 pm on a Friday night. I assume that there is much more of a wait now, but reservations are available online at Opentable. We perused the cocktail menu and were pleased to see many old fashioned drinks along side some inventive takes on the classics. The bar was well stocked with numerous choices for rye, gin, bourbon, wiskey, bitters, and housemade mixers. I chose the amulet, Hendricks gin with apricot brandy, dolin dry, grapefruit, and pernod. My date chose an old fashioned. My cocktail arrived in a cute old fashioned champagne style glass, a nice touch to the retro drinks.

The menu ranged from small bites to larger plates with a lean toward the southern. We started with the relish tray, for two. A nice plate arrived featuring pimento cheese, pickled veggies, and deviled eggs. This seems to be popular at restaurants today, but I can hapily say the pimento cheese stands out as one of my favorites, and the deviled eggs were delicous, different from many I have tried (in a good way).

Next we chose to diversify our order and had the parsnip and fennel soup along side the chicken salad sandwich, and the Springer Mountain chicken and mushrooms. The soup arrived thick and creamy. Much better texture than I expected from the ingrediants. This was so warm and flavorful. A perfect start to a comfort meal on a cold evening.

The chicken salad sandwich was fine, but nothing to write home about. We southern women are particular about our chicken salad. The chicken and mushrooms however was perfect. The chicken was roasted and served under a puree of rosemary infused pumpkin and over carmelized onions, carrots, mushrooms and toasted pumpkin seeds. The flavors were rich and distinct and the texture of the smooth onions with the pumpkin seeds was perfect. This was the confort dish I was seeking.

Overall H. Harper Station is somewhere I will return. Next time, I think I will plan to plant myself at the bar and enjoy a few more of ther great cocktails, while trying out a few more items on the menu.

Fabulous Fall Dinner with Staplehouse

I have been waiting for months to get a seat at this dinner table! Prelude to Staplehouse is a supper club of sorts hosted by Chef Ryan Hidinger  and Jen Hidinger. Ryan attended the Art Institute here in Atlanta after high school before returning to his home in Indianapolis to begin a career as a chef. That career took him from top restaurants in Indiana to Atlanta where he worked at Bacchanalia, Float Away Cafe, and finally Muss and Turners. Today the Hidingers are working on a new restaurant concept Staplehouse, which will feature fresh ingredients, craft beers, and a great bar. They hope to have great food in a comfortable atmosphere with a reasonable range of price points. The Prelude to Staplehouse dinners have quickly become one of the hottest tickets for Atlanta foodies. The moment an invitation goes out, hopefuls respond to the email invite and cross their fingers for one of the 10 seats. They have been hosting formal five course dinners, and some family style three course meals on an almost monthly basis. I tried for two months to snag a seat, responding three minutes after the email came out to no avail. Then finally I grabbed two spots for the October 24th family style dinner!

We arrived at the cute house in Grant Park for the reception and were greeted warmly by Jen and introduced to the other guests for the evening. Mostly Atlantans, the crowd ranged from younger folks to slightly older couples, but we all had an interest in food and wine. Ryan was hard at work in the kitchen, and the smells were amazing. The menu for the night was to be served family style and paired with wine and beer. They served a fennel apple salad with hazelnuts, grain mustard and goat cheese, a roasted loin of boar with caramelized apples, onions and sage, and finally the best homemade pumpkin pie I have ever eaten (sorry mom).

The fennel and apple salad was crisp and fresh, topped with goat cheese, nuts, and bacon (yes please!). It had the perfect balance of clean crisp texture and a rich fall  flavors to complement the cozy meal.  The boar loin was something I had not experienced. I have eaten wild boar several times in Italy and here in Atlanta, but typically had seen it served stewed or as a part of a ragu or bolognese sauce. The wild boar loin was tender, lean and ultra flavorful. It was served atop caramelized apples, onions, and sage with other fall root veggies. The meat was not too rich, and without knowing it was boar most would have though it was a heavenly marinaded pork tenderloin.

Finally the dessert, the pumpkin pie had a homemade crust, a real pumpkin filling (no canned pumpkin here) and was topped with a maple syrup whipped cream. This was paired fantastically with a pumpkin ale. The flavors washed together to create the perfect ending to a great meal.  For some great pictures of the food taken by Jen as well as recap of the meal, check out their blog.

Ryan and Jen were such gracious hosts, welcoming us to their home, and sharing their fantastic food. Ryan took time to tell us about his concept, his cooking style, and the plans for the new restaurant. Today another dinner invitation came out, but sadly I will be out of town. So now, I wait poised over my gmail for the next invitation, and am eagerly awaiting the opening of Staplehouse.

What'll ya have?

Airing again tonight on WPBA here in Atlanta is What'll Ya Have a great documentary on The Varsity! Anyone who has lived in or even visited Atlanta can't resist a chili dog, some onion rings, and an FO (Frosted Orange). I can remember my first time visiting while on an elementary school field trip. It was like a wonderland. As a Tech student we used to take the walk across 75/85 for a late night snack. The Varsity is linked to Tech's history and the history of Atlanta. I learned so much watching this the other night.

Upcoming Foodie Fest

The Taste of Atlanta Festival will be held next weekend October 23rd and 24th in Midtown (Tech Square). What a perfect way to spend a weekend! The event will feature over 70 restaurants, celebrity chefs and a wine, beer and cocktail experience. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event. Kids 13 and under are free with an adult admission. Plus there is a $75 VIP option with access to more food and the drinks!  This is a great way to get exposure to all the culinary delights Atlanta has to offer!

By Popular Demand: Merideth's Favorite Spots in Atlanta

Several friends have asked recently for recommendations on my favorite places to eat in Atlanta. Since that was the original point of this blog and since I have spent most of my time here recently pining away for France in print, I now am obliged to share my top picks for eating out in Atlanta. I may go back and edit this from time to time. There is no guarantee here that you will like my restaurants, or that I indeed have what you would call a sophisticated palate, but here you go.

Favorite All Time Restaurant: Sotto Sotto. I choose this little Italian restaurant every time I can for dates, birthdays and special occasions.

Favorite Italian: Sotto Sotto

Second Place: Almalfi (OTP) located off Atlanta Rd. near Roswell Square, this family style Italian place is a hidden out of the way gem.

Favorite Mexican: Nuevo Laredo Cantina- I don't think you can graduate from Georgia Tech and not learn to love this place. Their salsa is perfect, the brisket is amazing, and they have a delicious mole sauce.

Second Place: Mi Barrio- Located on Memorial Dr. near Oakland Cemetery this small hole in the wall wins points for authenticity. I have been told it is one of the few places inside the perimeter to get good tamales.

Favorite Buford Hwy ethnic: Panahar Bangladeshi Cuisine- they are always friendly and the food has a rich combination of herbs and spices that stand out differently from Indian cuisine.

Second Place: Hae Woo Dae- this no longer secret Korean BBQ hole in the wall has an amazing selection of meats for grilling and other traditional Korean rice dishes.

Favorite Breakfast/ Brunch: Babette's Cafe I can't pass up the tenderloin Benedict on fresh bread with amazing Hollandaise sauce, or the french toast which is to die for.

Second Place: Flying Biscuit Some may argue they are not as good since they went chain, but I still love some love cakes, and you cant beat the biscuits at the Candler Park location.

Favorite Southern Food: The Farmhouse at Serenbe Making a small trip south of Atlanta is well worth it for authentic and flavorful southern food in a picturesque setting.

Second Place: Horseradish Grill or Murphys These Atlanta staples still hold a place in my heart for my favorite southern food done well and with a gourmet twist. The BBQ appetizer and fried okra at HRG and the pork shank and meatloaf at Murphys take my vote, and you can't beat either for their amazing desserts.

Favorite Sandwiches: Toscano and Sons The perfect little out of the way Italian sandwich shop and market of Marietta Street. They know how to do a panini with only fresh Italian cured meats and cheese on authentic bread.

Second Place: Cafe Lily (grilled cheese, lunch menu only) Bar none, the best grilled cheese in Atlanta. Perfect in Fall with the tomato basil soup!

Favorite Romantic Date: Atmosphere Bistro This special little place is tiny, cozy and has a fabulous French menu. Cuddling up at the fire on the outside patio also makes for a nice night.

Second Place: Amuse- Again French food, but this one swings south toward Provence. Amuse is another tiny house with a great menu and cozy charm.

Favorite Casual Date Night: Young Augustines This is my new favorite hang out on Memorial Drive. They have amazing gourmet pub style food with an inventive beer menu as well as bocce ball courts!

Second Place: Iberian Pig If you haven't tried this place on Decatur Square yet, you need to. This Spanish style restaurant is the only place in Atlanta to serve Iberico pork. Their menu is a mix of tapas, flatbreads, and main entrees. They also have a great wine and cocktail list.

Favorite First Date: Rathbuns Consistently one of my favorite places to eat in Atlanta. Kevin Rathbun and friends know how to cook! The atmosphere is nice, and the food delicious. Be sure to try to ask for one of the booths along the wall. They are great fro cuddling and for people watching, plus the main floor tends to be noisy.

Second Place: Shauns Out of the way but not off the map in Inman Park Shaun's has clean southern style cuisine. With an emphasis on the ingredient, you can't beat the hanger steak with duck fat fries, or their shrimp and grits served in what looks like a fish bowl! They also have played host to my family's Easter brunch for the past 3 years, amazing.

Favorite Steak: Kevin Rathbun Steak This place knows how to do steak, and you pay for it! Its pricey, but mouthwatering good. The atmosphere is a modern masculine with dark woods and mood lighting. The food is out of this world. For a girl who loves steak and has eaten at some of the best places in Manhattan, this is still my favorite place to indulge in red meat!

Second Place: Bones The Atlanta boys club standard. I first went here in high school and was impressed with the professional waiters with crumbers! This place is an institution. They know how to cook steaks and cater to the business crowd.

Favorite Cocktail: Holman and Finch I followed Greg Best from his days as bartender (mixologist) at Restaurant Eugene to H&F. This more laid back restaurant lets his interest in experimental food and meats shine. They are famous for the cocktail list and the burger!

Second Place: Ecco (elderflower gin martini) and Leon's  Ecco is known for its wine list and its great food, but I swoon for the Elderflower Martini. It actually won an award from Bombay Gin for best cocktail. Ask the bartender to see the bedazzled gin bottle trophy! Leons is a great laid back hang out in Decatur. They have a fun menu, bocce ball, a great patio and some tasty hand made cocktails.

Favorite Burger: Abittoir  I have written this one up in the past. I keep going back and bypassing the whole wonderful menu for this burger! Made of pork, it is the perfect blend of flavor and juiciness.

Second Place: Highland Tap In the dark basement bar of Highland Tap lives one of Atlanta's best burgers. Sirloin burger made old school with your choice of toppings and some killer onion rings to boot.

Favorite Tacos: Matador Cantina With two locations one in Oakhurst and one within walking distance from my house in Glennwood Park, Matador holds its own in the quest for tacos. I love the Texas and the Carnita the most!

Second Place: Taquiera del Sol If you are willing to wait in line, then you can experience some of the most creative taco flavors in Atlanta. They may not be traditional but they are good. A margarita or two helps to pass the time in line.

Favorite Pizza Antico Pizza Nepolitano With their ingredients, chef, and even the ovens imported from Naples Italy you can't beet Antico for authentic Italian style pizza. Take your own wine and eat in the kitchen where you can watch the chefs in action. Save room for the cannoli.

Second Place: Fritti- A sister to Sotto Sotto Fritti offers an authentic thin crust selection of pizzas with one of the best Italian wine lists in Atlanta.

Favorite BBQ: Fox Brothers Located on Dekalb Ave. this BBQ establishment was a newcomer to Atlanta and is holding their own against some stiff competition. I recommend the pork, and the Tomminator tater tots covered in Brunswick stew covered in cheese. The fried pickles are also addictive.

Second Place: Harolds BBQ- So old school they don't have a website. They are located at   
171 McDonough Blvd SE Atlanta. Best Brunswick Stew in Atlanta. If you want to eat lunch with the guys from the Capitol pull up a seat here. They are in a bad location, with an old interior and little parking, yet always full. I think this speaks volumes about their food!

Favorite Thai: Surin of Thailand- A long time favorite of mine, seems to be less crowded these days which is fine with me. My favorite here is the Pad Prik King.

Second Place Northlake Thai- A sister to Eurasia Bistro in Decatur, this one is out of the way and located in a Kroger shopping center, but its worth the drive and a try. They have Panang Curry nailed!


By Neighborhood
Midtown: Ecco, Top Flr, Tierra, Noon
Decatur: Iberian Pig, Watershed, Cafe Lily
Inman Park: Sotto Sotto, Parish, Rathbuns, Shauns
East Atlanta/ Grant Park/ Cabbagetown: Six Feet Under, Agave, Young Augustines, The Earl
Buckhead: Horseradish Grill, Grand China

Young Augustine's

I know I promised Paris postings, but apparently when you leave your job for over two weeks, things pile up a bit. I am ready to dive back into the blog and tell you all about Paris, but first I need to back track to my last meal in the states.

Young Augustine's has become my new favorite hangout. Its in the laid back neighborhood of Grant Park, features amazing food, fun bar games, an ever changing beer list, and its less than a mile from my house!  I have been going there for a while now, but my last night before leaving for France, I finally took the initiative to take some photos.

The atmosphere here is casual and cool. They reopened in the space that was once The Standard, altering the menu and bringing in a more pub-like feel to the patio and interior.They have a great inside bar as well as a separate room for darts, but I am consistently drawn to the patio. There are patios on the back and side of the building giving views of downtown and Oakland Cemetery. In back they have two large size bocce ball courts.

The menu is an eclectic gourmet version of pub food. They offer small appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and heavier entree options. For starters I always begin with the homemade pimento cheese. It is served with a crusty baguette and a variety of house made pickles including pickled tomatoes, onions, and their amazing house made kimchi. This time I decided to try a new treat, pork belly sliders. These little bits of heaven were an small light buns with crispy yet moist slices of pork belly, just a little kimchi, and of course Duke's mayonnaise!

For entrees, its hard to go wrong with their fish and chips. The fish is lightly tempura battered and the chips are cooked in duck fat. Diets aside, everything tastes better in duck fat.I have to mention their tarter sauce which is I think the best I have eaten. For lunch I have requested this fish over a large salad. It was the perfect way to indulge in that amazing fish and still stay awake back at the office!

The carnita tacos are served with the kimchi. and sour cream. This is an interesting but delightful combination of salty sweet and sour flavors. In addition the steak (also served with the duck fries) was well marinated, tender and cooked to order.

The beer list rotates weekly to feature micro brews, some local names, as well as many national favorites. They have an excellent selection of IPAs and my favorite Belgian style beers.

I have heard they have dessert, but cant seem to stop myself from just ordering another beer and sitting back to watch the sunset over downtown. Young Augustine's is my new favorite hangout. I suggest you stop in and prepare to be impressed.

Korean BBQ

For a Southern girl like myself, BBQ is a staple of family gatherings and summertime cuisine. I love to find a perfect out of the way spot with great sauce and the perfect cole slaw. More on that later, this post is dedicated to Korean BBQ. I was first introduced to this by a friend who had moved to Atlanta from San Diego. At first taste, I fell in love with the smokey flavor of the meat, and the cool fresh taste of the condiments.

In case you don't know (because I didn't), when eating Korean BBQ (as I was shown by our great waiter) the meat is grilled at your table over hot smokey coals. It is then typically served with lettuce and an assortment of banchan (side dishes), like kimchi, radishes, bean sprouts, peanut or soybean paste, scallions, and other vegetables. The grilled meat is placed inside the lettuce to make a lettuce wrap and can be eaten with the side dishes.

Hae Woon Dae has been voted best Korean BBQ in Atlanta several years running. This small out of the way restaurant sits in one of the many obscure strips of shops off Buford Highway. I was pleased the first several times I ate there to be the only non-Asian customer. The menu consists of many traditional Korean dishes and appetizers. I prefer the Kimchee Jun a moist crepe like appetizer with kimchi and onions. We have also enjoyed the Goon Mandu a fried dumpling stuffed with beef and cabbage, much like a Chinese dumpling.  For entrees you can choose between traditional rice and stew dishes likeBi Bim Bab, shredded beef & vegetables over rice with hot sauce or my favorite the Dol Sot Bi Bim Bab which is a veggie version of the dish. This comes served in a cast iron hot pot so the rice becomes moist but slightly crunchy.

For the main event though it is hard to pass up the BBQ itself. I pair it with a Korean beer Hite. Guests choose from an assortment of familiar and maybe not so familiar meats. Many feature exception marinades. I recommend the short ribs which are marinated and very tender, also the Joo Mool Ruk  which seems to be marinated beef tips, as well as the Dak Yang Nyum Gui  marinated chicken that melts in your mouth. I have also tried the Dae Ji Bul Gogi  pork marinated and grilled. For more adventurous eaters, they feature tripe, tongue and various seafood choices.

This restaurant is a destination dining experience. I have been taking friends new to Korean BBQ here for a few years. The service is friendly and the food is fun and delicious. Well worth the drive just outside the Perimeter.

Savoring Serenbe

Yesterday for Mother's Day, my parents and I ventured 35 minutes south of Atlanta to Serenbe Farm. We had been planning to visit for over a year. Upon arriving we were transported to an idyllic country setting.  Serenbe is a planned community near Palmetto. The community is a neighborhood with small shops and restaurants similar to Watercolor Beach in Florida, but it features an Inn with an amazing restaurant The Farmhouse. 

 The Inn at Serenbe consists of a main house constructed from a resurrected 1905 farm house and  is surrounded by various out buildings and barns new and old that have been renovated into additional guest quarters. Rooms at the Inn are quite reasonably priced in comparison to other resorts near Atlanta, and the ambiance is exactly what you seek when you try to get out of the city. Picture a Countrytime Lemonade commercial and you are there. Wildflowers were in bloom, horses stood lazily in the pastures, and the garden behind the Inn was lush with lettuce, and herbs used in our Sunday lunch.

Being Mother's Day, we were there for the Sunday fried chicken lunch. We were greeted and seated on the beautiful screened in porch overlooking the garden. The Sunday menu is pre fix featuring a green salad, your choice of fried chicken or ham, various seasonal side dishes, and a dessert. For only $25 this was a deal.

The meal started with a green salad, featuring the lettuce we could see growing in the garden! It was tasty, but nothing out of the ordinary. The accompanying bread stole the show. These little biscuits were perfect. Slightly crusty on the outside, totally moist and buttery on the inside and full of fresh chives.

The entree arrived with a huge portion of fried chicken served  with chive cheese grits in a casserole, fresh carrots (also from the garden) and a tomato, cucumber and onion salad. The chicken was amazing, crispy and moist with plenty of black pepper in the batter, delicious. The cheese grits were so creamy. To finish we were served a homemade old fashioned style lemon pound cake with fresh blue berries and whipped cream.

The meal was a perfect way to celebrate the day. I am looking forward to returning to Serenbe for the day or for a weekend. Throughout the summer and Fall they have events for families and couples. This is one retreat worth venturing outside of the city to find!

Mi Favorita Margaritas ( My Favorite Margaritas)

Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow and that calls for margaritas. There are plenty of places to drink them around Atlanta, but in my humble opinion a good margarita here is hard to find. About 5 years ago a friend of mine made margaritas for a dinner party. She had taken a cooking class at Nava in Buckhead.  The chef had shared the Nava margarita recipe. Since that day, I have been perfecting the recipe to my taste and have become sort of a margarita snob.

Here is my version of this classic and pretty easy recipe:

1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (blood orange is really good too)

1 1/4 cup tequila (I prefer Don Julio Anjeo, but your favorite will do)

1/2 cup Cointreau

**1 cup of simple syrup (see recipe here)

** instead of simple syrup, you can substitute one cup of Splenda powder. Place this in a measuring cup, then add water. The Splenda powder will dissolve. Add enough water to bring it back up to one cup.

For other places in Atlanta to buy pretty good margaritas check out my favorites list:

1. Agave
2. Nava
3. Taquiera del Sol
4. Nuevo Laredo
5. Lupe

Practicing Pasta Patience

I have been waiting to return to Sotto Sotto since my birthday in August. I am headed back there Friday night. I can't wait to sample one of my favorite Italian restaurants.  I will cover that meal in detail, but until then, here are my favorite US  Italian meals.

• Gnocchi at Lupa in NYC 
• Tortelli di Michelangelo at Sotto Sotto in Inman Park, Atlanta, GA
• Calamari and Penne alla Amatriciana sauce at Amalfi in Roswell, GA
• Bombolotti alla vodka at Restorante Fiore in Boston's North End

Magnificent Monteluce Winery

Last weekend I wanted to get out of the house and enjoy the great weather. I spent some time searching for a quick day tip getaway and found a gem. Monteluce Winery  is located just outside of Dahlonega, GA and is one of the wineries on the North GA Wine Trail. The winery itself sits within a larger planned community modeled after an Italian landscape. The homes and the winery reflect the look of Tuscany, but with a slightly modern flair. The winery itself holds a restaurant Le Vigne, a tasting room, and a bar as well as several spaces for private events and dining.

The tasting room was beautiful, a perfect blend of old world style and modern touches. The bar had ample room for tasting and several cozy booths where you can cuddle up for a drink.

Speaking of drinks we did a tasting of the Monteluce wines, followed by a winery tour and then a special tasting of rare Italian wines. There were not too many people visiting this weekend so we were treated to a personal guide and tour as well as one on one attention for our tasting.

First the Monteluce wines. I have been to several wineries in GA and been dissappointed by the wine, this was not the case here. We tasted five wines, a Rose, a Chardonnay, a Viogner, a Merlot and a Cabernet. The Rose, and Cabernet were excellend. The Viogner was sweet, but would be a nice apertif. The Chardonnay is not oaked and therefore was one that I would like to drink, but not my favorite on the menu. The Merlot however lacked substance. Overall Monteluce has some excellent wine. According to our guide, Bill, the current wine is made from grapes from a nearby vineyard. Monteluce is only two years old so this fall will be the first full harvest. I can't wait to go back to try more.

Now for the Italians... Bill had chosen several oddball Italian wines for us to sample. We again worked our way from a light white toward the deep dark reds. While I love Italian wines, two stuck out as clear winners. The Casata Monfort Blanc de Sers 2006 was a fabulously flavorful blend of northern white varietals. The Tormaresca Neprica 2008 was also unexpected, and unusually complex blend of traditional red varietals put together in an interesting way.

Monteluce is a stunning place to get away from the city. You are less than an hour from a little piece of Italy. I am looking forward to returning to sample the Sunday Supper. More to come!

Monteluce Winery
http://www.montaluce.com/

501 Hightower Church Road
Dahlonega, GA 30533-2235
(706) 867-4061