San Francisco Part II: Rich Table
I have found a new favorite restaurant! While in San Francisco, I was lucky enough to snag a reservation at Rich Table. Husband wife duo Evan and Sarah Rich opened this spot in 2012 in Hayes Valley. In only one year, they were finalists for the James Beard Award for best new restaurant. The space is warm and inviting as well as unassuming. They pride themselves on being a place where you can casually get an amazing meal without the pretense of a fancy restaurant. We were given a great window seat near the bar and I got excited as we planned our menu choices with some help from the waiter. The menu features several sizes of dishes from bites to mid size plate to large more entree size offerings. We took the opportunity to try several things from each category. Each dish that arrived became my new favorite.
To start we sampled the dried porcini doughnuts. They were light and fluffy savory and doughy with a creamy dipping sauce that I couldn't get enough of.
To start we sampled the dried porcini doughnuts. They were light and fluffy savory and doughy with a creamy dipping sauce that I couldn't get enough of.
This was quickly followed with sardines served inside of crispy house made potato chips. I learned to love all things little fish while in France and Spain and this was no exception. This was an amazing flavor with the salty and the softness of the fish paired with the crunch of the chip. It was visually interesting as well, definitely not something you would try at home.
We marched ahead to the more entree like offerings including the chicken cannelloni. This was such a fresh take on what I often think of as a heavy dish. The flavors were offset by the crisp sweet peas and the salty crunchy chicken skin bits topping the plate.
Our final entree was a lighter take on the popular pork belly. This dish featured asparagus (the monster flavorful kind that you can only seem to find in Northern CA) and mushrooms. The asparagus balanced the richness of the pork and made an irresistible bite.
We finished our dinner with the coconut pana cotta. This was served with a fresh lime meringue and coconut crumbles. The perfect ending to a perfect meal.
Sneak Peek Dinner at The Lawrence
Just after Christmas, we drove home 4 hours from Asheville, NC and rushed to pack for our 7 am flight to Los Angeles all to be ready to experience a sneak peek of The Lawrence. Now in a soft opening phase and hosting seated dinners to build the buzz, over the holidays Scoutmob and The Lawrence hosted a series of four dinners to expose Atlanta to their concept.
The Lawrence is housed at 905 Juniper in the old Beleza/ Cuerno spot once owned by Richard Ullio. Upon entering the space had been white washed, the bar was still unstained, and there were only candles to light the evening in the dining room, but the kitchen was hustling.
This new concept comes to Midtown in an interesting collaboration between Patrick La Bouff of Dinner Party Atlanta, Darren Carr and chef Shane Devereux partners with La Bouff from Top Flr (Midtown) and Sound Table (O4W) , the chef de cuisine will be George Brooks (formerly at Rathbun's). Behind the bar as beverage directors The Lawrence features the amazing and friendly Eric Simpkins (DrinkShop/Trois) and T. Fable Jeon. Also according to Liza Dunning of LuxeCrush Atlanta, the King of Pops brothers are investors in this property.
So what do you get from such an interesting mash-up of young Atlanta culinary talent? A great night out, fabulous creative cocktails, thoughtful food, and a warm welcome from the whole team.
As we were seated, we were presented with our agenda for the night showcasing several of Simkin's cocktails and great wines along with small plates from throughout the menu.
The Lawrence is housed at 905 Juniper in the old Beleza/ Cuerno spot once owned by Richard Ullio. Upon entering the space had been white washed, the bar was still unstained, and there were only candles to light the evening in the dining room, but the kitchen was hustling.
This new concept comes to Midtown in an interesting collaboration between Patrick La Bouff of Dinner Party Atlanta, Darren Carr and chef Shane Devereux partners with La Bouff from Top Flr (Midtown) and Sound Table (O4W) , the chef de cuisine will be George Brooks (formerly at Rathbun's). Behind the bar as beverage directors The Lawrence features the amazing and friendly Eric Simpkins (DrinkShop/Trois) and T. Fable Jeon. Also according to Liza Dunning of LuxeCrush Atlanta, the King of Pops brothers are investors in this property.
So what do you get from such an interesting mash-up of young Atlanta culinary talent? A great night out, fabulous creative cocktails, thoughtful food, and a warm welcome from the whole team.
As we were seated, we were presented with our agenda for the night showcasing several of Simkin's cocktails and great wines along with small plates from throughout the menu.
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| The menu |
We eagerly sampled two cocktails along with some bar bites which came out of the kitchen in a self-serve style. The group encouraged guests to mingle in the space, ask questions of the busy chefs, and to get a feel for the concept. Our first cocktail featured Rye, brown sugar, maple, coffee and creme and was an excellent way to warm up on a very cold night. The second cocktail was my highlight of the night. It was a bright blend of Gin infused with jasmine tea (yes handmade) and paired with homemade cranberry jam, lime and sparkling rose. Who knew bartenders made their own jam?
Our drinks were complemented by the small plates of pickled eggs, crispy hogs ears (yes they were good), house made beef jerky and a shot of creamy mushroom soup.
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| Pickled Eggs |
As we moved into the next courses, we were offered a sampling of some unique yet approachable wines ranging from a modern riesling to a rich Monastrell. The small plates started with a beet salad, followed by house made fish sticks served with chick pea frites and stewed tomatoes, as Chef Devereaux explained this dish, he called it comfort food from his childhood dressed up. The entree samples included a potato gnocchi with chicharrones, the flavors were rich and the textures a great contrast. The final entree was rabbit schnitzel, this was delicious with charred tomato and fennel salad.
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| Beet Salad |
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| Fancy Fish Sticks |
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| Gnocchi |
As we ate dinner, I had a chance to talk to La Bouff about the name. He said he was happy to have been able to select it and be supported by his partners. The Lawrence refers to St. Lawrence who as I guess good Catholics know was basically grilled to death. The tiny symbol on the menu is a little grill and St. Lawrence is known as the patron saint of chefs and cooks. A fitting name I would say with this collaboration. As La Bouff and Carr made their way around the room it was evident they are excited about this place. The took the time to explain their concept and welcomed us as return visitors with a swag bag for each guest including discounts for the year of 2012 and a gift certificate.
For dessert, we enjoyed a slightly Asian flavor of rice pudding with coconut milk and cilantro. For someone who always prefers savory to super sweet this dessert hit the spot and cleared my palate for the final drink of the night, a chai buttered rum. For this Simkins made his own compound butter filled with brown sugar and slowly melted it into each drink. Talk about a hand crafted cocktail. I was glad the post holiday diet didn't start until the 1st! The evening ended with many leaving and some of us having time to talk with Simkins and get a chance to revisit our favorite drinks of the night. The headache on the 7am flight was well worth it.
I am looking forward to their full opening and to returning soon to The Lawrence!
My Favorite Romantic Restaurants
I am often asked for advice on romantic restaurants in Atlanta. While I can think of a number of places, and ways to be romantic on any budget, here are my top choices for a nice (and possibly splurge worthy) night out.
Canoe- Located in Vinings is a great choice for brunch or for dinner. If the weather is nice, ask for a patio seat. You can sit right on the Chattahoochee River and enjoy a candlelight dinner. If they still have the selection of three styles of creme brulee, it's well worth the calories. At brunch, you cannot go wrong with the cinnamon rolls!
Restaurant Eugene- Linton Hopkins, as in winner of the James Beard Award for Best Southern Chef, does southern food in gourmet style. The feature 5 and 7 course tasting menus, as well as a la carte ordering. The pork belly, snapper and trout are among my favorite dishes. They are also known for the amazing cocktails. This place is smaller and romantically quiet.
Floataway Cafe- Is actually owned by the same folks who own Bacchanalia but allows a little more room in your wallet. It leans toward Italian, Mediterranean and French style preparations and flavors. It is smaller, well designed and quiet. This is great for a celebration or a first date. Sit outside on the patio for an upscale casual meal.
Kevin Rathbun Steak- I think this place has better steaks than any I have eaten in Chicago, NYC, Atlanta or SF. The fillet or NY strip with black truffle butter can't be beat. They have a wine list to match the quality f the aged meat. It is dark and candle-lit and therefore romantic. Also can be a little noisy. You can ask for a corner table or booth here that I think helps with the sound.
Rathbun's located in Inman Park is a staple now for great food, good atmosphere. It can be on the loud side since it is located in a converted warehouse, you can ask for a great booth that lines the wall and muffles the sound. The food here is ever changing and eclectic. Even after several years, it still tends to book up on the weekends, so always get a reservation, or plan to wait it out at the Krog Bar outside.
Aria located in Buckhead is an Atlanta standard. This place has great food. Chef Kalaskla is famous in Atlanta for doing food well and not being gimmicky. He is an adventurous chef with a good sense of what Atlantans want to eat.
Horseradish Grill in Buckhead is an easy way to have a nice dinner without the pretence of many Buckhead or Midtown restaurants. If you go ask for a window seat, or sit on the patio if the weather is nice! They have great southern food, large portions. It can be dressy or casual. If you go here, save room for the Kentucky Derby Pie for dessert. This is also a great place for groups.
Atmosphere-While unassuming on the outside, this tiny house delivers a great atmosphere and traditional French cuisine. The often offer live music and feature wine tastings on Wednesday nights. Recently they are offering a $25 3 course meal on Tues-Thurs. nights.
Baccanailia-This is the powerhouse of Atlanta dining. I think many people who have never been are intimidated by this restaurant's image and assume that either it is too expensive, or too snooty to be worth your time. I feel they earn their name for the quality of the food, the presentation, and the attention to detail. You will see couples out for an anniversary date and folks in nicer jeans who wanted a nice meal out on the town. The menu changes constantly. I recommend trying the wine parings with the 5 course meal for the whole experience. If you want to get your feet wet, you can order a la carte at the bar! This place is anything but stuffy and well worth the price you pay for your meal.
Violette is not a newcomer to Atlanta, but recently came on my radar. It is located just off I-85 at the Clairmont exit. It sits in an unassuming building near the street, but once inside you are welcomed into a cozy space filled with the smells of great French food. The waiters are of true French quality and the food is a great way to bring back memories of trips to France!
Canoe- Located in Vinings is a great choice for brunch or for dinner. If the weather is nice, ask for a patio seat. You can sit right on the Chattahoochee River and enjoy a candlelight dinner. If they still have the selection of three styles of creme brulee, it's well worth the calories. At brunch, you cannot go wrong with the cinnamon rolls!
Restaurant Eugene- Linton Hopkins, as in winner of the James Beard Award for Best Southern Chef, does southern food in gourmet style. The feature 5 and 7 course tasting menus, as well as a la carte ordering. The pork belly, snapper and trout are among my favorite dishes. They are also known for the amazing cocktails. This place is smaller and romantically quiet.
Floataway Cafe- Is actually owned by the same folks who own Bacchanalia but allows a little more room in your wallet. It leans toward Italian, Mediterranean and French style preparations and flavors. It is smaller, well designed and quiet. This is great for a celebration or a first date. Sit outside on the patio for an upscale casual meal.
Kevin Rathbun Steak- I think this place has better steaks than any I have eaten in Chicago, NYC, Atlanta or SF. The fillet or NY strip with black truffle butter can't be beat. They have a wine list to match the quality f the aged meat. It is dark and candle-lit and therefore romantic. Also can be a little noisy. You can ask for a corner table or booth here that I think helps with the sound.
Rathbun's located in Inman Park is a staple now for great food, good atmosphere. It can be on the loud side since it is located in a converted warehouse, you can ask for a great booth that lines the wall and muffles the sound. The food here is ever changing and eclectic. Even after several years, it still tends to book up on the weekends, so always get a reservation, or plan to wait it out at the Krog Bar outside.
Aria located in Buckhead is an Atlanta standard. This place has great food. Chef Kalaskla is famous in Atlanta for doing food well and not being gimmicky. He is an adventurous chef with a good sense of what Atlantans want to eat.
Horseradish Grill in Buckhead is an easy way to have a nice dinner without the pretence of many Buckhead or Midtown restaurants. If you go ask for a window seat, or sit on the patio if the weather is nice! They have great southern food, large portions. It can be dressy or casual. If you go here, save room for the Kentucky Derby Pie for dessert. This is also a great place for groups.
Atmosphere-While unassuming on the outside, this tiny house delivers a great atmosphere and traditional French cuisine. The often offer live music and feature wine tastings on Wednesday nights. Recently they are offering a $25 3 course meal on Tues-Thurs. nights.
Baccanailia-This is the powerhouse of Atlanta dining. I think many people who have never been are intimidated by this restaurant's image and assume that either it is too expensive, or too snooty to be worth your time. I feel they earn their name for the quality of the food, the presentation, and the attention to detail. You will see couples out for an anniversary date and folks in nicer jeans who wanted a nice meal out on the town. The menu changes constantly. I recommend trying the wine parings with the 5 course meal for the whole experience. If you want to get your feet wet, you can order a la carte at the bar! This place is anything but stuffy and well worth the price you pay for your meal.
Violette is not a newcomer to Atlanta, but recently came on my radar. It is located just off I-85 at the Clairmont exit. It sits in an unassuming building near the street, but once inside you are welcomed into a cozy space filled with the smells of great French food. The waiters are of true French quality and the food is a great way to bring back memories of trips to France!
Wolf Mountain Sparkling Wine Class
The highlight of my Mid-May started with a tempting email from Wolf Mountain Vineyards. We joined the wine club there after a fall tasting and have been consistently impressed with the wine and the events offered to club members. May's treat was a special class on the making of their award winning sparkling wine. They make the one of the only true méthode champenoise wines in this part of the country. This year their Blanc de Blancs took a gold medal and the Brut Rose took a silver medal at the 2011 Tasters Guild International Competition.
We headed off to Dahlonega on a beautiful morning, and were greeted with a complementary tasting in the tasting room then whisked off the the newly opened sparkling cellar. The space was cool and well decorated. We were seated at tables and offered a sampling of cheese and fruit to prepare for the class.
We worked our way through the making of each of the sparkling wines produced at Wolf Mountain. The brilliant Blanc de Blanc, the smooth Brut Rose and the slightly sweeter Demi-Sec. Each of the wines produced a crisp taste and finite bubbles that tickled your nose. The lesson continued with the ingredients for each wine, an overview of the process of riddling, and finally the moment we were all waiting for, making our own wine!
Each couple was able to choose their favorite sparkling wine and make a bottle to take home. We chose the Blanc de Blanc for its crisp light taste. We entered the room, selected our bottle, were able to remove the temporary cap to discharge the yeast built up from the fermentation, and quickly add the proper dosage to create our blend. The bottle was then re-caped by hand and ours to take home. I am waiting for the perfect night this fall by a fire to pop the top on the bottle!
Lunch awaited the guests after our class. We were treated to a delightful early summer buffet including salmon wellington, fruit, cheeses, encrusted chicken, and fresh salads.
For dessert I had to try the pound cake, chocolate covered strawberries and profiteroles!
Our day at Wolf Mountain once again was a great escape from the city. We are eagerly awaiting the fall harvest festival in October!
We headed off to Dahlonega on a beautiful morning, and were greeted with a complementary tasting in the tasting room then whisked off the the newly opened sparkling cellar. The space was cool and well decorated. We were seated at tables and offered a sampling of cheese and fruit to prepare for the class.
Lunch awaited the guests after our class. We were treated to a delightful early summer buffet including salmon wellington, fruit, cheeses, encrusted chicken, and fresh salads.
Our day at Wolf Mountain once again was a great escape from the city. We are eagerly awaiting the fall harvest festival in October!
Miller Union
Lured by meeting Chef Satterfield at my cooking class this week, I finally made it over to Miller Union! This westside restaurant has been popular for a year bringing in rave reviews as well as big names looking for a great meal. I met friends for a drink on the patio after a long day and was determined to stay for dinner.
The drink menu was well developed featuring a number of house specialty cocktails in the now popular old school/classic cocktail style. I tried the Artichoke Spaceship. I am not really sure about the name, but I am sure about recommending this drink. If you have been reading recently you will know by now I have been on a bourbon kick the past few months. Assuming I may need to move on to more refreshing drinks soon, I settled into what I thought would be one of my last rich drinks of the season. The Artichoke Spaceship was surprisingly light, and crisp. The bourbon was offset by bitters and lemon juice. It was served up and garnished with what I think was lemon or orange peel. Delicious. The wine list and other available spirits is enviable. I am looking forward to working my way through the drink list.
As an appetizer we tried the feta snack. We were not sure what we were getting and were pleasantly surprised. This mixture of feta cheese, buttermilk, olive oil, course salt, and fresh pepper made a fantastic dip for carrots, and red a black radishes.
I convinced a friend to stay for dinner. Moving inside, we were lead to a cozy two top. While the restaurant does have many tables, it is divided into several rooms making it much easier to have a conversation. The decor is stylized and classic. For dinner we started with the butter lettuce salad topped with green goddess dressing. The dressing was flavorful and creamy, the greens were fresh and included fennel a favorite of mine, but overall the salad was a little less inventive and layered than I had expected.
The entrees were perfect. My friend gave the house made sausage a try. It came out over pureed rutabagas and we added a side of the best brussels sprouts I have ever eaten. The sausage was spicy and rich.
The drink menu was well developed featuring a number of house specialty cocktails in the now popular old school/classic cocktail style. I tried the Artichoke Spaceship. I am not really sure about the name, but I am sure about recommending this drink. If you have been reading recently you will know by now I have been on a bourbon kick the past few months. Assuming I may need to move on to more refreshing drinks soon, I settled into what I thought would be one of my last rich drinks of the season. The Artichoke Spaceship was surprisingly light, and crisp. The bourbon was offset by bitters and lemon juice. It was served up and garnished with what I think was lemon or orange peel. Delicious. The wine list and other available spirits is enviable. I am looking forward to working my way through the drink list.
As an appetizer we tried the feta snack. We were not sure what we were getting and were pleasantly surprised. This mixture of feta cheese, buttermilk, olive oil, course salt, and fresh pepper made a fantastic dip for carrots, and red a black radishes.
I convinced a friend to stay for dinner. Moving inside, we were lead to a cozy two top. While the restaurant does have many tables, it is divided into several rooms making it much easier to have a conversation. The decor is stylized and classic. For dinner we started with the butter lettuce salad topped with green goddess dressing. The dressing was flavorful and creamy, the greens were fresh and included fennel a favorite of mine, but overall the salad was a little less inventive and layered than I had expected.
The entrees were perfect. My friend gave the house made sausage a try. It came out over pureed rutabagas and we added a side of the best brussels sprouts I have ever eaten. The sausage was spicy and rich.
My entree was the duck. I guess along with bourbon, duck has been a winter staple for me (lucky me!) The duck was seasoned perfectly, served medium over a bed of farro with apples and pecans and along side a celery root puree. The sweetness of the apples played well off the flavor of the duck and the celery root puree lighted what could be a heavy dish. I will be back for this one before the menu changes to spring!
Miller Union is the perfect place to dive into Atlanta's growing batch of farm to table restaurants. Chef Satterfield is doing it right. The food is amazing and the prices are reasonable. I would recommend taking a trip over to this Westside gem.
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.
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.
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.
Fall Wine Weekend
There were so many to choose from, but you have to plan carefully to avoid driving an hour between wineries on little mountain roads (after a wine tasting no less)! On my next round, I hope to get to Tiger Mountain Vineyards, and Persimmon Creek in North GA then venture into NC for the newest wine hit Chianti (yes like in Italy) at Raffaldini Vineyards near Hickory NC.
Be sure to check back next week for more pictures and thoughts from my great wine escape!
Upcoming Foodie Fest
By Popular Demand: Merideth's Favorite Spots in Atlanta
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
And finally, your first installment.....
Finally, the menu was out on the table and I couldn't resist sneaking a peak of what we were going to enjoy. And here it is...
We started with a watercress salad served with a poached quail egg, beautiful...
This was followed by linguine with radishes and pesto.
Up next, Salmon in a hibiscus bay leaf sauce over fingerling potatoes. The sauce was lightly sweet and a perfect complement to this flavorful fish. We then had a palate cleanser. I am not a fan of the drink, but the Mint Julep Cleanser was amazing. Served in a small cup with bourbon like jello and a mint lime foam. This was the perfect way to break up the meal. This was a great example of the creativity of this team! See more about it on their web site.
The next course was a chicken liver and artichoke ravioli. I am not a big fan of chicken liver, but the flavor of the artichoke balanced this dish so well. The added fennel and preserved lemon added the right amount of tart contrast to these strong flavors.
Up next cumin encrusted flank steak served over a polenta cake. I always love red meat, and this was a great combination of salt and texture.
Our salad course featured white beans with roasted beets and dill.
Finally we ended the night with a dessert of strawberry shiso sorbet on top of a puff pastry and slices or rhubarb. After dessert we were treated to homemade doughnuts and great rich french coffee.
This was an evening to remember. Laura and Braden were such gracious hosts. Laura served us wine paired with each course and Braden took the time to explain each dish and answer questions about his cooking and his ideas in the kitchen. They welcomed us into thier home and made each guest feel welcome and well cared for. Here are some photos that put mine to shame. I can't wait to return to Paris and to Hidden Kitchen. Thank you guys for a great night!