My love of Atlanta Culinary Tours is no secret. These guys put together fantastic tours at extremely reasonable prices. So far, they’ve invited me to attend two tours that introduced me to a plethora of restaurants I’d never before visited, even though I’ve lived in Atlanta for decades. The Sweet Auburn Curb Tour exposed me to so many cool vendors  and I learned about the history of building. And the Norcross tour introduced me to many restaurants that I would love to revisit. So, when ACT told me they were starting up a Roswell tour I just knew it was gonna be awesome.

I have always been a fan of the restaurants in Roswell. If you’ve not been they’ve got a lovely downtown area that are lined with wonderful, cozy restaurants. On this particular the day, the weather was perfect and many Roswellites were soaking up the sun in many of the patios that line the streets of the downtown Roswell area.

On the ACT’s Roswell tour, we visited five restaurants.

Rice – This cute little Thai spot in a renovated house was the first and the favorite of all our stops. I loved learning how Chef and Owner, Kris, bought the house on a whim and decided to open a restaurant with no formal training. The Thai shrimp and sticky rice pudding we sampled were divine. Can’t wait to go back and have a proper meal. Fact: The artwork that adorns the walls in the restaurant was done by Chef Kris and his wife. He even has a painting hanging in the High Museum.

Table & Main – This was the restaurant I most anticipated visiting. I thought the meatball we sampled was forgettable. With the glowing reviews the restaurant has received, I just didn’t feel this menu item lived up to my expectations.  General Manager, Ryan Pernice told us about how they incorporated some of the original wood and other decor pieces found around the house in the design of the restaurant. It is a very pretty space and has a inviting patio. Table & Main takes reservations for only a set number of tables each night leaving a good portion of the restaurant open for walk-ins. If you have to wait for a table, you can always play a game of corn hole, while you wait!

Artisan Foods Bakery and Cafe - Beignets! Seems like I’ve had plenty of these lately. I’m not complaining, though. These were warm and fresh, and so soft on the inside. We had a sample of coffee with a sugar rimmed glass that went perfectly with the beignets.

Oli & Ve – Amazing to find out that this place has 48 different kinds of oils and vinegars. While we could only sample a handful, we did identify some favorites: Harissa, Blood Orange and Espresso. We were even treated to some ice cream topped with Blueberry Balsamic Vinegar – Yum! Some in the group were smart to grab some of the oils and vinegars as gifts.

Fickle Pickle – Proprietor Andy Badgett greeted us and treated us to some of his favorite items from his long-standing Roswell restaurant. Of course, we had to start off with their famous Cajun Fried Pickles. I enjoyed them, but I enjoyed the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich even more. Made with a tomato jam that is mixed with onions and garlic and topped with Arugula and cheese, even the small sample was quite filling.

In addition to the Roswell Tour ($32), Atlanta Culinary Tours takes you to some of the highlights of the Inman Park / Old Fourth Ward restaurants ($39) on that tour and even tours Atlanta’s Chinatown ($28) in yet another tour. I attended complimentary as this was a tour for media. Most tours visit five to six eateries and last about three hours. Looking for something different for a date other than the typical dinner and a movie? This is terrific option. I highly suggest you take a tour with Atlanta Culinary Tours, but book quickly as tours fill up fast.

The recipe for Joe’s hummus and Baba Ganoush is a family recipe kept under wraps. We, of course, sampled that and the stuffed pepper and lamb ribs recommended by him as well. I usually enjoy hummus more than Baba Ganoush, but there was a unique smokey flavor to the Baba Ganoush that made it irresistible. And the stuffed pepper was so tasty, I was a bit bothered I had to share it with Mr. ARB. The lamb ribs, meaty and juicy were served up with a side of cilantro lime slaw that shouldn’t be missed.

We also sampled the mushroom flatbread and the artichoke. Both of these were just exquisite, the mushroom flatbread being one of the highlights of our meal. I only wish I had ordered a glass of white wine to enjoy with them. The wine list is carefully chosen to pair with food, however we were too busy enjoying our cocktails to swap to wine.

Mixologist Shawn dazzles guests with unique drinks like the Jalapeno Margarita, and Cucumber and Basil martini. There’s even a dessert drink: Andes Candies (see the video below for how to make it). He is also skilled at wine pairing recs, turning us onto a Malbec to compliment our veal and lamb dishes. And only $28 a bottle was extremely reasonable for this Malbec.

Lamb is really the star of the show here. Veal is good, but the lamb chops were the better of the two. I wasn’t crazy about the risotto served with the lamb chops, but the house made grits are to die for. Love ‘em. Get yourself over to Basil’s patio pronto before it gets too hot to really enjoy it. And don’t forget to get an Andies Candies from Shawn for dessert.

Basil’s Website
2985 Grandview Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30305

I was quite surprised to hear that the Underground Market would not be so “underground” anymore, changing names to The Atlanta Nosh and moving to Atlantic Station with much promotion around it. Atlantic Station invited me and several other bloggers to The Atlanta Nosh debut. In addition to entry, we given several coupons for tastes at different vendors.

Here are some of the highlights:

Who says Beignets are just for dessert. The Beignets from Yay!Yay! come stuffed with your choice of shrimp, crawfish or roast beef. The combination of sweet and spicy are superb. Hope to catch these guys again real soon.

Feeling adventurous? Give their mealworm cookies a try.

Sarap Filipino Fusion
I’d just had some Filipino Barbecue on a recent trip (post coming soon) and completely fell in love with Lumpia (a Filipino type of spring roll). So I was thrilled to get to have it once again. I also tried their Empanada and curry noodles. Yummy!

The Trinidadian food of Nellie’s Iron Pot was one of my favorite finds. I grew up eating this West Indian food. The authentic drinks of Sorrel and Mauby were just like I remember. And the spicy Doubles (chickpeas in naan) and Pholourie (fried and spicy dough) was delightful.

Sweet and savory rolls with beef or chicken and even Curried Collards with Pumpkin from Caribbean Pantry.

Fried Gyoza from Eat Bowza

There were lots of organic, vegetarian and gluten free items to be found, like this taco from Pure Abundance. I thought it was pretty bland, but there were lots of others who seemed to love this spot.

If you have a sweet tooth, there’s a bevy of dessert items for you to choose from. Cupcakes, Cake Pops, and Mini Pies and Tarts and more can be found here. Don’s Famous Pies hooked me up with Lemon Meringue and Pumpkin Pecan Pies and I also had a lovely Meyer lemon/Coconut Mascarpone cupcake from Iced as well as an Espresso Pie from another vendor whose name I can’t remember right now.

Whew! Did I really eat all that? Some of the vendors will be there on a regular basis and some will rotate out. That’s what makes each visit unique – you never know what you’ll discover – Venezuelan Arepas, Filipino Lumpia, Brazilian Truffles, Ethiopian Doro Wot, Senegalese Lamb Sliders and more.

Atlantic Station is rather large and The Atlanta Nosh can be a bit tricky to find. When I attended there wasn’t much signage. It is located near Dillard’s off of Tower Street. Walk down the set of stairs to the large fenced space and that’s where you’ll find the Atlanta Nosh.

The Atlanta Nosh is every Sunday from Noon to 3 and they begin serving booze at 12:30. Entrance to The Atlanta Nosh is $5 and tastes range between $1 and $5. Most vendors only accept cash but I did notice a few vendors accepting credit cards with a $10 minimum purchase. If you plan to go often buy a season pass for $35 which allows you entry an hour before everyone else.

The Atlanta Nosh Website

I’ve compiled a list (with the help of Open Table) of some of the restaurants offering special menus for Valentine’s Day. Maybe it is a reflection of the current state of the economy or guys are just plain lazy, but a cursory peek on Open Table shows that many of the restaurants have tables available at peak times.

10 Degrees South – Sexy, sophisticated environment is the perfect setting for a spicy date night. For $60 per person, choose from menu items such as a Safari Salad or Calamari to start the night. Main entrees include dishes such as Kingklip, Chicken Curry and Filet au Poivre and desserts that will entice such as Chocolate Lava Cake and Raspberry White Chocolate Brulee Cheesecake.

Amuse – Chef Noelle has created a special3-course Prix Fixe Menu inspired by the “foods of love”
(priced at 45 per person)

Azul Agave Restaurant & Bar (Alpharetta)
In addition to our regular dinner menu we are offering a 4 course pre-fixed menu included champagne toast for $40 per person.

Baraonda Ristorante The restaurant’s Valentine’s Day specials include Pan Seared Maine Scallops, Panko Fried Oysters, Seared Beef Tenderloin and Blackfin Crab Filled Ravioli. Save room for dessert: Millefoglie, Puff Pastry Filled with Strawberry Campote, Chantilly Cream and Bourbon Chocolate Sauce, perfect for sharing with your sweetheart. Valentine’s Day specialty menu items range from $6-$25.

Bistro Niko (Buckhead)
Bistro Niko is offering our special four course menu featuring Chef Gary’s traditional creations as well as menu favorites. $59 per person. Wine pairings also available.

Botekim Brazilian Bistro (Marietta)
Come celebrate Valentine’s Day Brazilian Style! 4 Course menu for $24.95 per person.

Carpe Diem Cafe Bistro (Decatur)
Romance your Valentine at Carpe Diem! Chef Chebbi is cooking up some love with a 5-course Prix Fixe menu for $45 per person. Menu is also available a la carte. Dinner only.

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse The 3-course prix-fixe dinner menu includes Sunchoke Soup, Foie Gras, Applewood Smoked Bacon; Grilled Sweet Gem Lettuce Salad, White Anchovy, Feta Dressing; Jonah Lump Crab Cake, Whole Grain Mustard Sauce; Gnocchi, Creamy Basil Pesto, Toasted Pinenuts, Lobster; Niman Ranch Sirloin, Curried Cauliflower Puree, Toasted Hazelnuts, Arugula; Striped Bass, Basil Coconut Risotto, Meyer Lemon Confit. Save room for dessert: a Caramel Chocolate Mousse Cake served with Brulée Strawberries and Basil Syrup; Citrus Ricotta Cheesecake served with Coconut Biscotti Crust and Caramel Blood Orange Syrup. $54 per person; $72 per person with wine pairings. Available for dinner Friday, February 10 through Tuesday, February 14.

Kyma – Buckhead
Four course menu featuring traditional creations as well as menu favorites. $69 per person. Wine pairing also available.

Livingston Restaurant (Midtown)
Three Course Dinner by Chef Zeb Stevenson & toast to a romantic evening with champagne on us! Three Course Menu $45.

Nava
Nava is offering our special four course menu featuring Chef Ryan’s traditional creations as well as menu favorites. $59 per person.

no. 246
Four-course, $55 prix-fixe dinner with a broad range of seasonal options sure to delight any diner.

Paschal’s Restaurant
Join us for Valentine’s Day Dinner, Feb 14th 5pm to 10pm, with a Romantic 4 Course Meal, Live Jazz, & Roses for the Ladies! $55/single & $85/couple.

Seed Kitchen & Bar (Marietta)
Celebrate in seductive style this Valentine’s Day at Seed. 4 course dinner menu for $49pp, sip on love potions from our sommelier’s exclusive wine list this night only.

The SHED at Glenwood
Join Us For A Wonderful 3 Course Prix Fixe & A Glass Of Bubbles With Dessert For Only $45! Make Your Reservation Today!

South City Kitchen Midtown
This Valentine’s Day, join us for a delicious, 3-course prix fixe dinner for only $39.95 per person (plus tax and gratuity). This is in place of our regular menu.

Veni Vidi Vici
Four course menu featuring Chef Jamie’s traditional creations as well as menu favorites. $59 per person.

A couple options for Singles headed out with friends.
HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern
We will be serving our regular menu along with 3 course special menu for $19.95 and optional beer tasting pairing for $9.95

Publik Draft House will be hosting an Anti-Valentine’s Day party on Saturday, February 11th from 7:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Publik will make bitter BETTER with drink specials such as Bitchin’ Pink Peppercorn martini, ‘I’m Not Your Ex’ Ginger martini, Bitter End cocktail, and ‘It’s Not Me It’s You’ cocktail and food specials such as the Single Man’s Bread Pudding and Cold-Bitter Heart Pot Roast with Vegetables.

I chose Botekim for my Birthday dinner, opting for a low key evening out. The space is not much to look at from the outside. However, it is pretty inside with hardwood flooring and exposed duct work. We started the evening with two of Botekim’s cocktails – the Scottish Mule and their version of a Margarita. Both were overly sweet. But the wine list is quite nice. So skip the cocktails and focus on the wine. There are some unique wines like Pinot Gris or Douro that you won’t find elsewhere.

For starters we chose the Yucca fritters and the Sausage with toast points. Both were delicious and the highlight of our meal. The Yucca fritters are like a pastry filled with savory ground beef. The sausage was perfectly done and had a wonderful smokey flavor. Both of these appetizers were $8 and if you have a large group the sausage app is where you get the most bang for your buck. Drive ITP and you’d get half that size for the same price. My only regret is not having a glass of red to savor with that sausage.

We noticed that there is a prix fixe menu available: 2 courses for $19 or 3 courses for $24. So we opted for the 2 course option (apps were part of that offering) and got the Flounder and Shepherd’s Pie for our entrees. The Flounder had a sauce with shrimp, capers and other goodies that was just delicious and I wouldn’t hesitate to order it again. I ordered the Shepherd’s pie because one of how much Cliff Bostock of Creative Loafing gushed about how delightful it was. He must’ve tasted something very different than what I had because most of what I tasted was salt. It did have a nice flavor but was completely overpowered by the salt.

We were quite full and got our dessert to go, but I wish we would have skipped it altogether. The flan was super tiny a way too rich for what I was expecting. Totally not worth the money. I’d definitely stop in again if for nothing else than those tasty appetizers. The service was another highlight, with the owner making recommendations and checking in to make sure each table was enjoying their meals.

1410 Terrill Mill Road
Marietta, GA 30067
678 402 7584
Botemkim Bistro Website