Botekim Bistro is the latest Brazilian restaurant to hit the scene in Marietta. If Buford Highway is our Chinatown, then the Delk Rd / Powers Ferry / Terrell Mill area is our Brazilian Eatery mecca. Within that area are a handful of Brazilian restaurants, some are Churrascarias and some are not. Botekim Bistro is not. It already has glowing reviews from the AJC, Creative Loafing and others.

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

Earlier this year, I was approached by a publishing company, Globe Pequot Press, and asked if I was interested in writing a Food Guide book for Atlanta. I practically jumped out of my skin, I was so excited that they picked me. My publisher just sent me the cover of the book (pictured above) and I wanted to share it with you.

I’ve had so much fun over the last several months visiting restaurants around Atlanta and talking to staff and chefs. It has been a wonderful experience writing the book and I definitely have a new appreciation and respect for both authors and editors.

As you are reading this, I’m down in Florida for a short break and celebrating finishing the book!

Cheers!

“For years, our customer base has driven into the city to shop for cookware, kitchen accessories and appliances and especially to learn in our cooking school. This new store will serve devoted customers of The Cook’s Warehouse as well as open our ‘Every Excuse to Cook’ concept to many more gourmet enthusiasts who live anywhere from 15 to 50 miles outside downtown Atlanta,” Moore said.

The Cook’s Warehouse, in addition to retailing quality gourmet cookware, operates the largest avocational cooking school in the Southeast. It also sells professional-grade appliances such as built-in refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, ice makers and more. It will be really nice to have a Cook’s Warehouse so close for Cobb Country residents.

Truth be told, my expectations were low. I hadn’t heard about the Marietta Greek festival as very little advertising was done. And I just stumbled upon it driving around. From what I could see from the outside, there wasn’t much going on at the Marietta Greek Festival. But, I thought that it was a nice day to be outside walking around so, I would check it out.

Once inside, I couldn’t help getting some of their yummy Greek morsels. It was a lot of food and very reasonably priced. The church tour was interesting – not boring at all as I suspected it might be. I loved the dancers and if nothing else was astounded by the Greek Colesseum they have on the grounds.

The Food
The food was pretty tasty at the Marietta Greek Festival last year. I sampled the chicken and pork kabobs. The chicken was white meat and marinated in olive oil and other spices which I enjoyed pretty well. But the kabobs were way better, they had much more flavor and were a bigger hit than the lamb at the festival. All the dishes come with rice and spanakopita (pastry stuffed with cheese and spinach).

Save room for dessert as there are so many goodies at the Marietta Greek Festival to sample. I tried to Baklava, which was excellent, but there are lots of other tasty treats like special cookies and pastries to enjoy as well. They have greek wine, but it was not pleasing in any way. I would skip that and just enjoy a soft drink.

The Entertainment

Greek Dancers

I was amazed at the entertainment. I really wasn’t expecting much, but it was actually quite enjoyable. In addition to Greek bands which perform, there are also dancers. They vary in age from quite young at the kindergarten level to young adults. Don’t worry about seating as there is actually a Greek colosseum in the ground of the church that allows for great views of the dancers. This in itself is pretty spectacular to see.

Church Tours

Marietta Greek Orthodox Church

The Church Tours of the Orthodox church take place during all three days of the festival. I took the tour last year and was really glad I did (and not only because it got me out of the heat for a while). A guided instructor takes small groups of no more than about 20 people through the church and gives them a brief history and some information about the Greek Orthodox Church.

It is great to get inside and to see their beautiful, rich designs and learn about their history at the same time. It was intriguing and at only 20 – 30 minutes short enough to prevent me from getting bored as I tend to do quite easily with these things.

Cooking Demonstrations
Located in the Agora Marketplace West lobby
Various times Friday, Saturday and Sunday – Times posted in the lobby.

Admission is $3.00.

May 13, 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
May 14, 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
May 15, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Holy Transfiguration
Greek Orthodox Church
3431 Trickum Road
Marietta, Georgia 30066
770.924.8080

AT WORK WARNING: OBNOXIOUS LOUD MUSIC WILL PLAY WHEN YOU CLICK THE LINK BELOW
Website

Cobb Country Restaurant week begins tomorrow. You know the drill, 3-courses for one price: $20.10. I’m surprised that with all the restaurants in Cobb, only 12 are participating. I recommend SOHO and South City Kitchen.

September 11-18, 2010
Three-Course Menus
Lunch & Dinner $20.10

Click here for the list of participating restaurant and to make a reservation.