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!

Inman Park Restaurant Week is back. Inman Park restaurant week runs 3/28 to 4/3. In case you’ve somehow missed the drill, it is 3 courses for $25, well, for the most part. See the breakdown below.

Out of the 11 participating restaurants, I really like the menus for Park’s Edge, Wisteria, and Kevin Rathbun Steak. However, at only $15, The Albert’s menu seems very generous for what you get.

Here’s the breakdown in pricing along with links to the menus:

$15
Fritti
Pure Taqueria
The Albert

$25
North Highland Pub
Parish Food & Goods
Park’s Edge
Rathbun’s
Sauced
Shaun’s
Sotto Sotto
Wisteria

$35
Kevin Rathbun Steak

Cafe Istanbul has had one location in Decatur for many years. They seem to be quite popular, though I can’t comment on the food as I’ve never eaten there. They’ve chosen their new location to be Kennesaw. The new location will be off of Wade Green Road in the LA Fitness shopping center. While it is a prime location with lots of traffic, I just wonder if Kennesaw folks will embrace Turkish cuisine.

Website

Whenever someone knows the food really well, especially what’s authentic and what isn’t, I always let them order for me. And this time being no different, I barley glanced at the menu, letting Ori order everything, even the wine. They were out of the Italian wine he wanted to order so we settled on an Argentenian red, although it was a tad more expensive. I think if a restaurant is out of the wine of your choosing, then they should give you the next higher priced wine at the lower price point.

Zaya Hummus

Zaya Mediterranean Appetizers

Ori told us that appetizers rather than entrees were to be ordered, as he found the apps to be more creative and tasty than the entrees which he said were decent, just nothing out of the ordinary. So, we started off with some hummus, lamb dip, mediterranean pizza, and the complimentary tepanade-like dip that is served with pita triangles. It resembles tepanade though not exactly the same. This spread is made with honey, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts and a couple other items I was not able to identify.

Zaya Mediterranean Pizza

I thought the hummus was kind of bland, but found the other appetizers very tasty. The pizza-like app was especially good, with a nice spiciness to it. The 2 other apps we ordered were an eggplant dish which was nothing to get excited about and a tomato cheese app that really stands out. Although the look of it is like tomato / basil / mozzerella salad, the taste is quite different. I love this cheese as it stays solid at high temps not melting and really is quite flavorful, without being a strong, pungent taste.

Full from our meal, we decided to try a Hookah. This was a first for me, and three of us shared a mango flavored Hookah. We also decided we had to give coffee and dessert a try. We ordered Turkish coffee and a Rosewater dessert. It was a huge portion, plenty for the 3 of us to share. Definitely an unusual taste, but in a good way. It wasn’t overly sweet, more of a subtle sweetness. I loved not only the taste but the texture of it as well.

Zaya Dessert

I’ve had Turkish coffee once before at Cafe Intermezzo. Had I known you had to wait a while after pouring, to sip on your coffee, so that the grounds would sink to bottom instead of landing on your tongue, I think I would have enjoyed it more the first time. It is actually quite pleasant. Although it was freezing outside, we sat leisurely enjoying our coffee, dessert and hookah – the perfect end to our evening and to Ori’s stay in Atlanta.

Prices weren’t bad either. I had assumed that because of the Inman Park location and fancy decor, that it would be rather expensive. But for the all we consumed: 6 appetizers, a bottle of wine, coffee, dessert and hookah, the bill was just over $100, not too shabby.

240 N Highland Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
404 477 0050
Website

Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 21st. If you haven’t already made plans for Dad, here are some restaurants he may enjoy:

Aspen Signature Steak (Cobb)
Father’s Day Brunch Buffet. Featuring Hand Carved Prime Rib, Honey Glazed Ham, & Eggs Benedict. ($18.95/adult, $9.95/children)

C&S Oyster Bar (Vinings)
They are featuring an 8oz filet, topped with crab served with asparagus. Seems like a deal at $30.

Muss and Turner’s (Vinings)
Steak & Eggs- 10oz Dry Aged Rib Eye with poached eggs with roasted potatoes and balsamic au jus. $29.93 on Sunday.

Cabernet (North Fulton)
Offering their regular menu and a $35 Prix Fixe Menu. Also, they have a special half off list of wines. We have a fantastic patio for the Dad’s to watch a game.

Wahoo (Decatur)
Father’s Day Brunch Buffet from 10 to 3. Menu highlights include Carved Ham, Shrimp and Grits, Smoked Salmon, Chicken Curry Salad. $16 / Adults, $8 / Kids under 12

Luciano’s – (Gwinnett)
Father’s Day Brunch Buffet including a carving station and dessert bar. ($19.95/adult; $9.95/kids 6-12; under 6 free)

Spice Market – Atlanta
3-course prix-fixe menu. ($30/person)

Veni Vidi Vici (Midtown)
3-course prix-fixe menu featuring creamy lobster bisque, a grilled veal T-bone, molten chocolate cake and more.

Zaya Mediterranean Cuisine (Inman Park)
3-course prix-fixe menu brunch ($25), featuring an appetizer, entree, and baklava. And a complimentary mimosa or Bloody Mary is included for dad.

Budget Friendly Options

ITP:
Vickery’s Brunch Buffet is only $10 with bottomless Mimosa’s or Bloody Mary’s for $15.
FuegoMundo – Buy three entrees and the 3rd of equal or lesser value is free on Sunday.

OTP:
O’Charley’s is offering a 7 oz sirloin, soup or salad, side and rolls for $9.99