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Soho, Vinings, Atlanta, GA Restaurant Review

Aug 9

Posted by in Atlanta visiting, Perimeter, Restaurant Reviews, Seafood, Vinings, atlanta | 1 Comment

Soho restaurant opened up in 1997 and is still located in it’s original location, in the Vinings Jubilee shopping center off of Paces Ferry Road in the heart of Vinings. Soho remains one of the few unique restaurants in the area, incorporating Asian, Southwestern and South American influences into its Modern American menu. In my never-ending quest to be trying out new Atlanta Restaurants, I realized it had been about four years since I last dined at Soho. So, I was pretty stoked when Soho restaurant reached out to me, and invited me to join them for dinner.

Settling in to out table, we perused the menu and I settled on a cucumber cocktail which was refreshing and hit the spot on this hot summer day. But if you are a wine lover, do sample at least one glass from the extensive and well-planned menu. If you need help, ask your server as they are quite skilled at offering pairings, at least mine was.

Back in the day, Soho had a menu item I just couldn’t resist and ordered on each visit. The Tuna Two Ways; one was an Ahi Tuna and the other was tempura battered if I am remembering correctly. I have fond memories of that dish. Although the Tuna Two Ways is no longer available, the appetizers menu is loaded with items that make it difficult to choose.

Lucky for me, we had four in our party. If I had the appetite, I would have loved to have sampled everything on the appetizer menu. I so wanted to try the Poke tuna, and lucked out when the Chef sent an amuse bouche of Ahi Tuna over to our table. What a beautiful pink color. It tastes just as good as it looks. And the side of beans isn’t just for show, it’s a great pairing to the tuna.

Being a seafood lover, the mussels and poached shrimp appetizers were also calling my name. Luck was on my side again, as the special that evening was mix of seafood (mussels, shrimp and octopus) in a white wine broth. At only $5, this dish is extremely reasonable for the price. The portion is really good for one, but if you order four appetizers like we did, you can make it work for two. All the seafood was perfectly done, and I know sometimes Octopus can get rubbery or tough, but it was cooked just right. While I was tempted to soak up the broth in bread, I went easy, to save me appetite.

We also ordered the Salmon Thai, Beef Carpaccio and Fried Green Tomatoes. While I liked the Fried Green Tomatoes, I just had a nibble, really focusing more on the other seafood / meat apps. The Beef Carpaccio was was tasty and pretty filling. The use of the shaved Asiago cheese is a nice departure from the usual Parmesan cheese. And the creamy dijon sauce drizzled atop makes for a pretty presentation, but the Carpaccio is tasty enough to stand on its own.

If you are a fan of crab meat and brie, then don’t miss the crab and brie quesadilla. I’ve had it in the past and it’s a winning flavor combo. But instead of that, I chose to order the Salmon Thai which is a little more unusual and complex. It is a piece of Salmon in a thai pesto sauce (recipe available here) with a citrus sauced drizzled over top.

Moist and flaky, this was another hit in the seafood department. The pesto is really Thai in it’s DNA, consisting of basil, mint, cilantro, lemongrass and peanuts. The pesto and citrus flavors both serve to enhance the salmon, not overpowering it, allowing the all the flavors to come through bite after bite. And if you are looking for something light to have, you could totally order this as an entree and add a side of rice (tomato-basil risotto recommended) and it would be perfect. Definitely worth 8 bucks.

My dad ordered the crab cakes and my aunt ordered the chicken, neither of which I tried myself, but they both had no leftovers, and were very complimentary of the meal. Judging by the looks of the crab cakes, they are mostly lump crab sans any unnecessary filler. I did steal a taste of my dad’s tomato-basil risotto that accompanied his crab cakes – so much flavor packed into that side dish.

Steak:

Seabass:

Glen ordered a steak special which he seemed very pleased with. I had a bite and loved how tender it was. It had some South American spices on it, which went well with his rice and beans. I’ve had the Seabass a handful of times at Soho, and this time was no different. It is slightly crisp on the outside and cutting into it gives way to the buttery insides. Yum. It’s always been done exactly right each and every time I’ve ordered it. Oh and I love the Edamame ravioli that it served with it, which I don’t ever remember having in the past. Just like it sounds, it is crushed edamame cooked inside the ravioli – how unique!

Lastly, we were treated to the dessert platter: an assortment of 4 of the most popular desserts at Soho. This consisted of the Peach Cobbler, NY Cheesecake, Strawberry Sorbet and Chocolate Bread pudding. The four of us loved all the desserts, but oddly enough each had a different favorite. My aunt liked the Peach Cobbler the best. Nice that it actually had lots of peach in it. Don’t you hate when you order cobbler and you end up hunting for the fruit bits?

My favorite was the cheesecake. And I found out that Soho has this made specially for them from a local baker who’s originally from NY. My dad found the Sorbet to be the most appealing. Light and fresh, it is the perfect summer treat! And Glen, while usually never a fan of Bread Pudding liked that the best. I will say it is not exactly like traditional bread pudding but more like an extremely moist chocolate cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel.

During the course of our dinner we were introduced to Soho’s friendly owner, Susan Smith. And I noticed her many times throughout the evening, walking around, making sure everything was running smoothly. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to rediscover Soho. If you haven’t been in a while, you are overdue for a visit. And if you’ve you’ve never been, you’re about to discover a hidden gem in Vinings.

4300 Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta, GA 30339
770 801 0069
Website

Extras: There’s lots of Gluten-Free menu items to choose from

Soho on Urbanspoon

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Mary Mac’s Tea Room Anniversary Party and Book Release

Aug 6

Posted by in Atlanta visiting, Books and Information, Good for Groups, Midtown, Restaurant Reviews, Southern, atlanta | No Comments

Sometimes us bloggers get all caught up in the latest and greatest restaurant on the scene. We flock there, and happily tweet away as we marvel at something shiny and new. But in our haste, we forget about the truly great, iconic restaurants that have graced Atlanta for many years. One such restaurant is Midtown’s Mary Mac’s Tea Room off Ponce de Leon (pronounced ponts-duh-lee-on) if you live in the south.

Back in the 1940s, there were 16 tea rooms in Atlanta. Although not a place that served tea, these were a fancied up versions of a meat and three. They were centers for neighborhoods where families could go and enjoy good food in the company of friends. Today, Mary Mac’s is the only tea room that remains in Atlanta.

Mary Mac’s has had it’s doors open for 65 years, serving up classic Southern food. Some of the servers have even been there for decades. John Ferrell bought the restaurant in 1994 and runs it with his partner, Hank Thompson. These are truly some of the nicest Southern gentlemen you could ever meet. No wonder Mary Mac’s Tea Room has been patronized by celebrities like Richard Gere, Beyonce, the Dahli Lama and is a favorite of Paula Deen.

I was recently invited to attend Mary Mac’s 65th Anniversary and Book Release party. Mary Mac’s cookbook not only includes 125 of their wonderful recipes, but staff pictures and anecdotes and the history of this fine establishment. Strolling into Mary Mac’s, I couldn’t believe there were already customers waiting for a table at 4 pm. But I guess it is no lie that they serve about 1,000 meals per day.

I immediately spotted owner, John Ferrell, and wasted no time getting my book autographed. Such a sweet man, he offered that if I ever have any questions, I could call him ask. Soon after taking a seat, I ordered a Peach Martini. It definitely hit the spot and I could have easily downed another, but held off as I knew these aren’t no fru fru drinks, but the real deal.

Although servers walked around passing out samples of delicious goodies like tomato pie, squash casserole, and nibbles of other goodies, that was just a teaser. There was an entire buffet spread taking up one wall of the dining room just waiting to be pounced upon. So when John came over and asked me to start things off, I didn’t hesitate and dove right in.

True Southern favorites were on the list – fried okra, salmon cakes, fried shrimp, fried green tomatoes, fried chicken tenders, fried crawfish, ribs and much more. Perusing the recipes in the book, you’ll notice whatever isn’t fried probably contains cheese and butter (measurements in the stick variety) Healthy, this ain’t. But it sure is good.

And what is a Southern meal without Pecan Pie? Absolutely wonderful, but a little piece will do ya. Especially if you opt to have a piece of the Blackberry Jam Cake and delectable banana pudding as well, like I did.

Although Mary Mac’s Teach Room Cookbook contains many recipes from the wildly popular restaurant, there are lots of stories about the history of the restaurants and quotes and features on past and current employees. Highlights in the book:

  • The pencils and order forms to write your own order are still on the tables, a tradition that will never vanish.
  • Mary Mac’s “Goodwill Abmassador” Jo Carter aka ‘the back rub lady’ was brought out of retirement to make sure every guest has good time.
  • Southern Hospitality: owner John has even offered to drop out of town guests back at their hotels.
  • Mary Mac’s refers to their sweet tea as the “table wine of the south” and it was even mentioned in Travel and Leisure magazine.

“The interesting thing about Mary Mac’s customers is you can’t recognize them. We serve people from all walks of life; the rich and poor, teachers, celebrities, politicians, young and old, black and white.” Quote from Mary Mac’s Tea Room Cookbook

I’m looking forward to trying out recipes for the Shrimp and Grits, Black Eyed Pea cakes, and Turkey and Vegetable Meatloaf.

Get your copy here:

224 Ponce de Leon Ave
Atlanta, GA 30308
404 876 1800
Website

Extras: All first time guest are treated to a sample Pot Likker (you’ll have to go and find out what it is)!!

Mary Mac's Tea Room on Urbanspoon

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Portofino, Buckhead, Atlanta, GA Restaurant Review

Jul 27

Posted by in Atlanta visiting, Italian, Wine Selection, atlanta | No Comments

My Groupon brought me to Portofino Restaurant on a recent June evening. We were celebrating Glen’s daughter’s birthday. And we thought Portofino’s Italian / Mediterranean would be agreeable with a teen’s tastes. Three things to note if you are planning to visit Porfino: 1) Forced valet is NOT complimentary (they want 5 bucks – WTF?), 2) Regardless of a reservation or not, patio seating is first come, first serve, 3) Ladies – entrance and walkway is so NOT heel friendly.

So, you know how when you use Open Table to make a reservation, there is an option to put any special requests in for the restaurant? Well, I wrote that we were celebrating a Sweet 16 and anything they could do to make it special would be appreciated. My hopes were that Portofino staff would have brought out a dessert with a candle in it after dinner or something of the sort.

As the restaurant was rather busy, we could have been seated immediately inside or wait for the outside seating. Since it was lovely outside, we chose to wait for outdoor seating to become available. Also, the restaurant is rather noisy inside, so if it is full, don’t expect to having some romantic dinner if you sit indoors. Close to 9 a patio table at Portofino became available for us.

Our server told us that Portofino highlights a different region of Italy every month by crafting appetizers, entrees and selecting wines from said region. This month was Cambria, but the mushroom calzone appetizer didn’t sound too appealing so us, however, Glen did try one of the white wines from the region which he was very pleased with. I chose Our server recommended a Tuscan Red which was velvety and delicious.

For starters, we chose the Short Rib Bruschetta ($11) and the Fried Artichokes ($8), having heard good things about both. The Bruschetta had a very generous amount of meat on it, so much so, that the bread almost couldn’t hold up. That being said, I found this bbq-like appetizer to be mediocre but not a standout in any way. The three of us enjoyed the Fried Artichokes more and of the 2 appetizers this is a better value. The breading was the perfect temperature, crisp and not in any way salty. And the tarragon aioli served with it was a perfect compliment.

Portofino Veal

Entrees were Shrimp and Eggplant as well as the Veal Saltimbocca: Veal Scaloppine, Prosciutto, Sage, White Wine, Tomato Bacon Potato Salad, and Asparagus. Yum- what’s not to love? The veal cutlets were pounded very thin, and all the flavors seemed to play off each other well. I had a tiny bite of Glen’s Veal, which was pretty tasty, and he cleaned his plate, so he must’ve thought it to be excellent too.

Portofino Shrimp and Eggplant

I quite enjoyed my Shrimp and Eggplant dish. The medium shrimp were properly cooked and the cubed eggplant pieces were well-prepared. The Basil Pappardelle that was part of the dish tasted like it was house made. I forgot to ask and didn’t see that information on their website, but suffice it to say it was delicious and extremely filling. My only criticism of this meal is that the smoked ricotta never came through. I saw it, it was definitely there, I just didn’t taste it in the slightest.

After our plates were cleared, I was anxious to see if any special dessert was brought out, which would have been a nice touch and acknowledgment of my message via Open Table. Nothing was done, so either they didn’t get the message or chose to ignore it. We decided to skip their dessert and head down to Cafe Intermezzo where dessert options are endless as are the coffee and hot chocolate selections.

Extras: I’ve never seen a server so excited about a diner using a coupon. No, I’m not being sarcastic. She was more enthusiastic about us using our Groupon than anything else the entire evening. Go figure.

3199 Paces Ferry Place
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
Website

Portofino on Urbanspoon

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Gulf Aid Fundraiser

Jul 1

Posted by in Atlanta visiting, Italian, Midtown, Seafood, atlanta | 1 Comment

Atlanta’s Pacci Ristorante announced today that it would be joining the relief efforts in the wake of the devastation caused by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill with its “We Cook While They Clean” fundraiser.

Beginning Wednesday, June 23, $1 from every seafood dish on the Pacci lunch and dinner menu will be donated to the Gulf Relief Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to providing relief to the fishing community of the Gulf Coast and their families. For more information on the Gulf Relief Foundation visit www.gulfaid.org.

“We Cook While They Clean” will continue until fishermen are back in their boats. Seafood dishes at Pacci include calamari with spicy aioli; mussels and clams in anisette cream with heirloom cherry tomatoes; halibut with roasted alba mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, grilled corn and corn butter; and sea scallops with wild mushroom risotto and sweet pea nage. Pacci has been a leader in the Atlanta community with its commitment to sustainable fishing practices and its relationship with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, which certifies seafood suppliers from sustainable fishing environments and provides a unified message concerning the conservation of ocean resources through sensible seafood choices.

“We wanted to support those who have been most affected and displaced by this oil spill, especially those fishermen who we rely on everyday in our restaurants,” said Executive Chef Keira Moritz. “We are coming together and making an honest commitment to these fishermen,” she adds.

866 West Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta Georgia 30308
678.412.2402
Website

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Tierra, Midtown, Atlanta, GA Restaurant Review

Jun 16

Posted by in Atlanta visiting, Caribbean, Latin, Midtown, Restaurant Reviews, Romantic, atlanta, outdoor dining | 1 Comment

Wow Tierra Restaurant in Midtown is hard to find, I wondered as I drove on Piedmont Rd looking for Tierra. Fortunately for me, I called and spoke to one of the owners and she very nicely guided me in the right direction to Tierra Restaurant. After talking with Tierra’s the owners, Dan and Ticha Krinsky, I found this is a common occurrence with patrons getting lost trying to find them. It is located in a bright yellow building on Piedmont Ave not far from Monroe in Midtown. Tierra recently added a new sign so they area easier to locate as well.

The good news with Tierra is that once you do find them, you can park yourself – no valet to deal with (a definite plus in my book). Upon entering the small (inside has around 15 tables, outside about 8 tables) Midtown restaurant, I was immediately struck by the cozy charm of the restaurant and friendly attitude of the staff. I was invited to check out Tierra Restaurant recently, and was very fortunate to have beautiful weather allowing me to sit on the outdoor patio.

The menu features a mix of tried and true favorites with a little mix up bi-weekly, as well as specials that are changed quarterly. It is Dan and Ticha’s way of keeping things interesting and including seasonal ingredients in their menu. For starters, we went with the Pionono (a beef filled pastry wrapped in a sweet plantain). This is a signature dish, never leaving the menu and the chef duo even prepared it on a recent Fox 5 Good Day Atlanta show. This was the highlight of the evening. It looks simple, but when you take a bite, you can taste the complexity of the flavors all working together for an extraordinary appetizer.

If you are a wine lover , then you’ll appreciate the well-planned wine list. Most wines are Chilean with a handful from Argentina. All whites are available by the glass and as are many reds. We chose one Cabernet and on Malbec, both excellent accompaniments to our entrees. But if you aren’t sure, servers can help make a recommendation.

Next up for entrees we went with the pork medallions as well as the trout. Our server said the medallions are a favorite on the menu and Glen ordered those. I went for the trout with a avocado sauce which just sounded light and perfect for a summer evening. I was really surprised by how tasty the pork medallions were. They were juicy and the chipotle mashed potatoes that accompany the dish gives it that extra zing that just makes is superb.

I did enjoy my trout as well. It was huge portion and cooked perfectly – flaky and tender. I wish I had ordered the chipotle mashed potatoes as my side. The plain white rice is bland in comparison. If you order the trout when you visit or anything that doesn’t come with the chipotle mashed potatoes make sure you get a side order – they are divine.

I did order a side of the Swiss Chard cakes. It sounds so unusual, but it was so delicious. It has a great balance of the Swiss Chard as well as the “cake” part. Not too doughy and not to vegetably either. And it comes in a white bean and onion mix. I highly recommend getting a side to share. The three cakes are a great portion for two to share. And, you know, if you are vegetarian you could order 3 sides and put together an extremely satisfying meal.

We wrapped up our meal with Tierra’s Award-winning Tres Leches cake. Oh Em Gee, this is insanely good. There’s definitely a reason it has won awards. It is moist as you would expect Tres Leches to be and sweet but not sickenly so. The portion was the perfect size for two to share. And when your server asks if you’d like a scoop of dulce de leche ice cream on the side, don’t even think about. Just say yes. Trust me, if you think the cake is good by itself, one bite with a dab of dulce de leche ice cream is heavenly.

It may be a bit difficult to find Tierra Restaurant, but it is worth the trouble. The staff and owners are so warm and friendly, but beyond that I can’t express how high the quality of the food is. I love the complexity of the flavors. Biting into their food, you can tell the owners put a great deal of thought and planning into a well-crafted menu. Tierra Restaurant is a hidden gem if ever there was one.

Extras: There is a special menu the week of 7/4 to celebrate Argentina Independence day (7/9).

1425 Piedmont Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
404 874 5951
Website

Tierra on Urbanspoon

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11 Stories at the Glenn Hotel, Downtown Atlanta

Jun 7

Posted by in Atlanta visiting, Downtown, atlanta, bar | 4 Comments

I remember when the Glenn Hotel opened up several years ago. In downtown Atlanta, the Glenn Hotel seemed so swanky and posh, just what the downtown area needed. I never got a chance to eat at 30 Tables, the restaurant Glenn Hotel. And, until recently, never had the opportunity to check out the rooftop bar, 11 Stories.

If you know anything about the Glenn Hotel, you know that it is for singles or couples, not families. It exudes sexiness and definitely doesn’t seem kid-friendly. So, it was only fitting that they add a rooftop deck to enjoy those warm Atlanta spring evenings and cool fall nights for all the hipsters flocking there.

I happened to be staying at a nearby hotel downtown and thought this would be the perfect evening to check out 11 Stories. So, I walked the 10 minutes form my hotel to the Glenn Hotel. I carried my 5 inch heels, and walked in flip flops, only putting them on inside. Our party of two took the elevator up to, you guessed it, the eleventh floor. If you visit, note that the elevator to get up to the 11th floor is around back, so you’ll need to walk through the bar to get to it.

I was excited as I heard that the view from the 11 Stories deck is amazing. Coming off the elevator, I noticed first that there was a large party at 11 stories on that evening. Second, I noticed that the space is much smaller than I had anticipated. Third, I noticed the view.

There was a private party of about 20 -30 people who had reserved ALL the couches. Not that there’s all that much to begin with. But if you don’t snag one of these spots than your options are to sit at one of the few hightops (they accommodate 2) or stand. As you can imagine, on a May evening in Atlanta, there weren’t any spots available. And the deck area only covers a little over half of the actual roof. We ended up sitting on (a pretty sturdy) end table.

Although it wasn’t ideal, it did provide a great view of the city. And it is a spectacular one. With the CNN Center and Omni hotel to our left, the remainder of the Atlanta skyline was straight ahead. At this point, after walking the distance there, we decided to stick it out for a cocktail. I ordered Vodka Gimlet. I don’t think I’ve ever had one made so poorly. It was like limeade sans any sugar. Could I get my 11 bucks back, please?

At this point a DJ started setting up. They could never quite get their sound right. It was more loud bursts of music and static than music. By about 10 pm, the private party started dwindling. I noticed many open spots in the “reserved” area. As I was taking all this in, I locked eyes with one of the private party guests. She shot me a look that said, “don’t you even think about invading our turf.” Shortly after that, the hussy moved out, and we moved in enjoying what was left of our evening.

Perhaps I picked a bad night to visit. I don’t really fault the Glenn hotel for lack of seating. I mean, if they have reserved seating that’s fine. But as seating is kinda limited, they may want to rethink letting non-private party people up there on those nights. I do fault them for the bad drink though.

110 Marietta Street Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30303-2703
(404) 469-0700

11 Stories on Urbanspoon

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Lobby Bar and Bistro, Atlantic Station, Atlanta, GA Restaurant Review

Jun 3

Posted by in Atlanta visiting, Midtown, Restaurant Reviews, Southern, atlanta | 2 Comments

Lobby Bar and Bistro has been around for quite some time, located at Twelve, the hotel in Atlantic Station. If you haven’t heard of it before, Lobby is a Concentrics restaurant, part of the One Midtown Kitchen, Two Urban Licks, Parish, Tap,etc empire. It seems to have gone through a slight name change from Lobby at Twelve to Lobby Bar and Bistro. Not sure if this is to coincide with the return of the original chef Nick Oltarsh.

I had never visited Lobby before, but was excited to check it out when I was invited to a Media Lunch recently. Perhaps it is the name, but I never thought about dining in the lobby of a hotel. I guess I was thinking more of a Holiday Inn rather than a swanky hotel like Twelve. But upon entering Lobby Bar and Bistro all prejudices were removed. It is rather pretty and the “lobby” name is somewhat of a misnomer. True, there are tables in the front to sit and chat or have drinks, but the dining area is set back with more of a restaurant feel than sitting in a hotel lobby.

The guest list for the media event was rather large, and we were seated in the private room all the way in the back. I loved the wines set along the wall of the room. It makes a dramatic impact. As we waited for everyone to arrive, I perused our set menu – gumbo, chicken and waffles, pizza, salmon, shrimp and grits. Nice! Glad I brought my appetite.

We started with the gumbo, made with andouille chicken, rice and scallions. It sounds like a pretty simple dish, but I was amazed at the complexity of the flavors. And it had the right amount of spice and wasn’t the least bit over-salted as gumbo can sometimes be. This was definitely a surprise as gumbo isn’t something I would usually order. I would include the picture I took at the Lobby Luncheon, but it really doesn’t do the gumbo justice. Just go have it, trust me.

Next up were the Chicken and Waffles as well as Ahi Tuna. As big of a deal as chicken and waffles are in the south, believe it or not, I’ve never had them. The combination of crispy fried chicken with the sweet maple syrup covered waffles sounds great. They were good, however the Tobasco sauce that was supposed to be included never came through as promised, albeit a tasty offering.

Oh, how I loved the Ahi Tuna. You know how they say you eat with your eyes first? Well, this is one dish that exemplifies that. It is so colorful – pink tuna, green avocado, orange slices – yum. And the taste? Wonderful, so many fresh ingredients, especially loved the inclusion of hearts of palm in the dish.

Pizza was the next item on our menu. I think ours was a hybrid of the margherita and traditional pizzas on the regular menu. I know ours had basil, zucchini, and onion, but was definitely meatless. The ingredients were extremely fresh and the portion is great for sharing.

Entree choices were Salmon or Shrimp and Grits. I was sitting across from fellow blogger, Amy, so we decided to get one of each and share. Me: Salmon. Amy: Shrimp and grits. I found my salmon to be cooked perfectly flaky and not the least bit dry. This can be a problem especially when serving a big group. But the preparation was perfect and the creamy lemon sauce was a refreshing departure from other restaurant offerings.

As for the Shrimp and Grits, I must admit, I’m not a fan of grits. They just seem so bland. I tasted the shrimp and they were properly spiced and tasty, but alas the grits just didn’t do anything for me. I will say, that the shrimp were plentiful and enough to fill you up without having to use the grits to make up for it.

And of course, don’t forget to save room for dessert. The lemon tart was excellent – a perfect compliment to my lemon-sauced salmon, but the pistacio-topped eclair was a standout.

Lobby at Twelve
361 17th Street Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30363-1078
(404) 961-7370

Lobby at Twelve on Urbanspoon

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Abattoir, West Midtown, Atlanta, GA Restaurant Review

May 19

Posted by in Atlanta visiting, French, Restaurant Reviews, atlanta | 1 Comment

Located just off Howell Mill Road in Midtown, Abattoir is part of the Star Provisions restaurant group and the latest dining venture by chefs/owners Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison. These are the same folks who brought us Floataway Cafe and the highly lauded Bacchanalia. I’ve now been to Abattoir several times since it’s opening just about a year ago, so I feel it’s high time to get a review of Abattoir up. I really do love the development over in the West Midtown area. We’ve now got Bocado, Miller Union and Ormsby’s to open recently. And it seems new places are springing up all the time over in West Midtown. All that area needs a couple ethnic joints and it will be hopping.

On my first visit to Abattoir, I couldn’t have been more excited. I love the name; translation: Slaughterhouse although the French name is much more appealing. It is very fitting as Abattoir serves just about every part of the animal (tongue, liver, tripe, you name it), but did you know the building once used to be a slaughterhouse? I also love the fact that there is free parking in the deck adjacent to Abattoir’s building. Walking past the sign (crossed butcher knives) and entering Abattoir’s dimly lit interior for the first time, I was pleasantly greeted by the hostess, who immediately showed us to our table outside.

Abattoir Decor:

I like the bar in the front and center. It almost seems more cozy than a table, except super difficult to read the menu. The lighting they have around the bar and really throughout the restaurant isn’t adequate for reading the menu at Abattoir. The staff knows this as they have little flashlights they carry around in their pockets in case a guest needs it. This isn’t the 20something crowd. This seems to be an over 40 crowd. And they don’t want or need to be reminded that their eyesight is going downhill.

Bartenders are super friendly and know the menu inside and out. Brian even mixed up a special drink for me, that may now even be on the menu at the time of this post. It is a pear infused congac drink. It was the perfect finish to our dinner. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me start back at the first visit.

On my first visit, I went with a French friend. I thought if anyone would know if the food was authentic, he would. We tended to stick to the mixed drinks: Moscow Mule, Pimm’s Garden Cup, Elderflower Gimlet. Most of the specialty drinks at Abattoir tend to be either very sweet, ie, Pimm’s Garden Cup, or pretty sour like the Moscow Mule or Gimlet. So, just be aware, there really isn’t a happy medium. My next visit, I chose wine instead.

We started off with the rabbit rillettes, which he gave the nod to. This “food in a jar” as Abattoir likes to call it, is just that, a cold mix of meat, spices and fat. You spread it on crusty bread of which Abattoir will give you plenty. And it was tasty, with much more flavor that I would have expected.

Although French, my friend didn’t go for anything out of the ordinary, and stuck with the Trout. He cleaned his plate and seemed pleased with his meal. I’m more of an adventurous eater and decided to go for lamb liver fritters. With the name “fritter” I assumed there would be more breading and less “liver” especially at a price point of only $8, but I was profoundly shocked at just how much liver was included. If you are a fan of chicken livers, then you must try to the lamb liver fritters. The fries I ordered to go with the fritters were plentiful, but not as crisp as I would have hoped for.

On a follow up visit, was sad to see Belles Oberon not on tap any longer, the replacement is not as good. Only 4 wines by the glass was slightly disappointing as well. However, I did overhear a couple of women who work at Anis remark how surprised they were at how affordable the wine list is.

Other Abattoir dinners included no offal but did include scallops and short ribs. The 3 large scallops were cooked well, nicely flavored, and completely filling. The side of curried greens that accompanied the scallops was sublime. Really delicious and would be great by itself as a vegetarian offering. The short ribs were decent, but very heavy on the salt. It is too bad as they were so tender. If the salt had been a tad less it could have been a standout meal.

I’d just like to preface the following paragraph by saying I’m usually not this picky or difficult. Desserts started out with the sundae. Very odd presentation and not sweet enough. So, I exchanged this for something the bartender recommended. Not sure the name but it was ice cream on top of a bitter chocolate cake. I then traded this in for the rice pudding.

This was better although a bit weird. The berries were served on the side as was the almond milk. I don’t know why you would pour it on top as it would make it much colder. But back to the rice pudding. It was not like any rice pudding I’ve ever had before. This was like baked into a creme brulee more than anything. Def better than the first dessert, although they all seemed rather bland, boring and 100% forgettable.

I really wanted to love Abattoir, but so far I’m on the fence. The food is interesting, but definitely not some place you would take someone who isn’t much of an adventurous eater. The decor is trendy. It kind of reminds of a modernized looking farmhouse if that makes any sense. All the while, prices seem reasonable but it is important to remember how cheap these offal parts really are. Way back when, these were the parts of the animal poor people ate cause that’s all they could afford. Now they are being presented to us as haute cuisine. I’m just saying…

1170 Howell Mill Rd
Atlanta, GA 30318
404 892 3335
Website

Extras: Free parking in the deck adjacent to the building (love not having to deal with valet!)
Restaurant.com lists Abattoir as “Downtown” but don’t be fooled this is in West Midtown off Howell Mill.

Abattoir Chophouse on Urbanspoon

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Buckhead Life Restaurant Group: $25 for 25 Days Promotion

May 18

Posted by in 5 star restaurants, Atlanta visiting, Buckhead, Prix Fixe, Seafood, Steaks, atlanta | 2 Comments

I think that one the hardest hit industries in these economic times is the restaurant industry. Prices are going up for EVERYTHING, but consumers are cutting back on spending, especially anything that isn’t a necessity. So, restaurants are hit with a double whammy: they must pay more for food, but patrons are dining out less and less. I’ve noticed that more restaurants are offering specials and I definitely get more BOGO free coupons for restaurants than I ever have before. Even the fancier, 5 star restaurants are not immune this.

The Buckhead Life Restaurant Group is having restaurant week promotion of sorts. The promotion is known as $25 for 25 days. It began May 6th and runs through May 31st. Each Buckhead Life Restaurant Group will be offering a 3 course farm to table meal for $25.

This is a great opportunity to try some 5 star dining without paying the 5 star price. They offer 3 course meals, all priced at $25. Each restaurant has 3 menus, changing from one week to the next. After looking at all the menus many do not change that much from week 1 to week 3.

To see full menus follow this link:
$25 for 25 Days

My top 3 choices after reviewing the menus: VENI VIDI VICI, Atlanta Fish Market, Pricci, – in that order. Veni Vidi, Vici for the Shrimp and Calamari appetizer, the Pork Milanese entree, and the Four Cheese Cheesecake for dessert, Atlanta Fish Market for the Blackened Mahi Mahi, and Pricci for the Pork Scallopine. Enjoy!

Other Resources:
America’s Most Wanted Recipes
Secret Restaurant Recipes
Get Paid for Shopping and Eating out

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Bistro Niko, Buckhead Life Restaurant, Atlanta, GA Restaurant Review

Mar 30

Posted by in Atlanta visiting, Buckhead, French, Prix Fixe, Restaurant Reviews, atlanta | No Comments


I’ll be honest. I visited Bistro Niko during Buckhead Restaurant Week. So, this review is somewhat more of a first impression. Having had many mediocre meals lately, and many more where the chef had a heavy hand with the salt, I wondered if Bistro Niko, one the newest editions to the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group would live up to the reputation that the Group has always exuded.

I waited until just a couple days before said Restaurant week began to make my reservation at Bistro Niko, believing I could easily snag one in this sad economy. I was floored to see that Bistro Niko in Buckhead was full almost every night and I was lucky to get a reservation for 6:30 pm on Tuesday.

As we entered the restaurant from what seemed like the rear, we passed by the open kitchen. I watched as staff hussled to get dishes out of the kitchen and to the diners in the full and vibrant dining room. As the name would suggest, Bistro Niko is a French Restaurant and most of the menu is in French with English translation, a tactic I don’t much care for. Really – who is reading the French?

So, our server, Corey brought us the menu and told us about some specials which went right over my head as I was fixated on the restaurant week menu. When we asked him about Bistro Niko’s special menu, I braced for the friendly smile on his face to disappear as he learned we were only there for the Prix Fixe menu, but it never did. He graciously pointed to a small square space on the bottom of the menu where Bistro Niko’s Prix Fixe menu is. Turns out, you can always get a 3 course meal here, it will just cost you about 5 bucks more than during restaurant week.

I was a little disappointed that the menu was somewhat different than the one posted online. There were no piquillo peppers stuffed with cod and potatoes, or Veal Osso Bucco, or Coq Au Vin, to be had. But all was not lost. One of the managers even came over to explain to us that they change out the 3-course menu quite frequently. Very nice touch.

So, we ordered the rabbit ravioli and smoked salmon sammies. Yeah, that’s not their official name, but you get the idea. Both were excellent choices, each with its own distinct flavor. And at around $10- $11 per appetizer, a superb deal. Corey even made sure to leave the broth of the pasta as he could see we were sopping it up with our bread.

For entrees, we ordered the duck breast and the shrimp in fried wontons. The duck was tender and juicy. I expected it to be a bit more dried out but it wasn’t at all. The outside could have been a tad more crispy but that’s my only criticism. As for the shrimp, this was the highlight of the evening. It seems simple shrimp with fried wontons I know. By the way, that’s not the proper menu term either, I just can’t think of what it is. It was crispy and delicious. And the lemon aioli that came with it was the perfect accompaniment for dabbing our shrimp wontons.

As our dinner was nearing the end, I looked around at the packed dining room. I assumed it was incredibly busy due to the Buckhead Restaurant week, but when I inquired with Corey, he said no, it’s just always like that. Perhaps it is a reflection of the very reasonable menu pricing. Although Bistro Niko looks all fancy pants inside, most menu items are under $20 and many appetizers under $10. Or then again, maybe it is just the well-seasoned food, not overloaded with salt and other unnecessary seasonings.

Bistro Niko Baba a Rum Dessert

Oh, and the service? Still outstanding like I’ve come to know at all the Buckhead Life Restaurants. Our server, Corey was helpful, friendly and extremely efficient. He was jovial and could interact with us, but left us alone to enjoy our dinner. All in all and great experience. Definitely go check this place out. Now.

3344 Peachtree Road Northeast
Atlanta, GA 30326
404 261 6456
Website

Bistro Niko on Urbanspoon

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