This sexy steakhouse opened last month in Philips Arena downtown. The idea is that patrons can enjoy fine dining while watching their Atlanta team, or special event in Philips Arena. RED has tiered seating to ensure that all have a terrific view of the action going on below them. In order to enter RED, patrons must have a ticket for the game taking place that evening.

RED is open before, during and after games and shows at Philips Arena. Since I was attending the Hawks game that evening, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to visit RED. Arriving about an hour before start time, the restaurant was just starting to fill up. With the bar and kitchen in the center of the restaurant, the seating is all around these two focal points.

Besides pricey steaks, the menu features burgers, pizzas, and a mixture of starters and sides. I sampled one of the signature cocktails, however, I was a bigger fan of the beers and switched to that after my cocktail. We began our meal with a berry salad with balsamic dressing, crab cakes and the “Pow Pow” rock shrimp. All were good, but the shrimp was by far the best item we sampled all evening. It was crispy, flavorful and a large portion for sharing.

Staff was very quick to bring out our starters, but I believe they got pretty backed up when we ordered our steak (we shared as it was large and >$40). The manager came around to explain they were working out the kinks. By this time, the game was well underway. And, although we could have sat there with a terrific view, we chose to go to our suite to watch the game.

Overall, I think RED is a good concept. It is a pain in the ass to get to a restaurant and wolf down a meal then drive to Philips Arena for a game starting at 7:30, especially on a weekday. And, let’s face it, they do have upscale food kiosks at Philips Arena, but I don’t exactly enjoy getting my fancy Italian dish from Veni Vidi Vici and trying to enjoy it while cramped in my small seat eating it out of a paper container.

RED solves this by offering a nice environment to enjoy a fancy meal without the pressure of wondering if you make it to your destination on time. I just think they need a bit of time to work out issues with the kitchen and polish the staff a bit more. In the meantime, stick to beer and the starters and you’ll have a tasty and fun evening!

1 Phillips Dr
Atlanta, GA 30303

The Capital Grille has recognized that people still want to experience a terrific meal and are doing something to accommodate those guests: offering a $15 lunch menu. The Capital Grille recently invited me in to sample their lunch menu, which consists of fall specials like the Porcini Bisque and the Butternut Squash and cranberry side dish.

So, here’s the deal – for $15 choose one from each category:
Starter: Clam Chowder, Porcini Bisque or Salad
Entree: BLT, Steak Sliders or Lobster Roll
Side: Truffle fries, Butternut squash or Green Beans

Lucky us, we tried them all. The bisque complete with chive oil looked and tasted wonderful, but if I had to pick a favorite of the soups, I’d pick the Clam Chowder. The salad, with heirloom tomatoes champagne dressing is nothing to sneeze at either.

While I fully expected to enjoy the lobster roll more than the sliders, it was those tasty sliders that won me over. Prepared medium with only the slightest amount of cheese, they were delicious and, oh my, how tender! They do almost melt in your mouth. The lobster roll didn’t skimp on lobster meat, using no filler and very little mayo at all. Good luck getting a lobster roll complete with starter and side for just $15 at other restaurants in the city – it is usually $15 – $20 for the sandwich alone.

Up against those heavenly sliders or lobster roll, the BLT, the other option on TCG’s $15 menu, isn’t likely to be ordered by me, but I did get to sample it. In fact there was so much food on our table, I took half the sandwich home. Even the next day, the sandwich tasted like it had just been delivered to my table. Even after trying several times, I haven’t been able to duplicate that tasty of a BLT on my own…

I don’t think Capital Grille has any plans to remove the $15 lunch menu, but do hurry in to be able to sample the current specials before they are gone.

255 East Pace Ferry Road
Atlanta, GA 30305
404.262.1162

Someone has a new menu!!

This is my first time at  Don Shula’s Steakhouse. Little did I know that they have a full featured restaurant outside of the white-tablecloth fine dining establishment. Shula’s 347 Grill is an upscale sports bar of sorts that is located at 3405 Lenox Road Northeast Atlanta, GA 30326-1308. The inside is immaculate. Here’s a professional shot of what you can expect when you show up.

New (or reconfigured) on the menu – that we tried is the Buffalo Shrimp, Sweet Potato Fries, Crab Cakes, Ahi Tuna, Spicy Meatballs, Calamari Fries, Tempura Asparagus, and Sweet Chili Chicken. Here’s a copy of the Menu for their own description. Courtesy of Karen Canavan PR I sampled the above. My brief description:

Buffalo Shrimp – Nice light and tasty. Tempura fried gives it a nice texture and flavor

Sweet Potato Fries – Typical, nothing special, but still delicious

Crab Cakes – I continue to be impressed by crab cakes at steak houses. Excellent lump meat, good (not great) flavors – depending on the quantity, it’d be a solid appetizer with friends

Ahi Tuna – The wasabi cream made the tuna sing

Spicy Meatballs – YES! I love meatballs as an appetizer

Calamari Fries – I don’t think I’ve ever had calamari in fry-form. They had a really good texture.

Tempura Asparagus – I’m a fan of tempura frying, it’s more healthy than the heavy bread coating on most things. These asparagi were forgettable.

Sweet Chili Chicken – Sweet Thai Chili Sauce is pretty delicious on most things. If you’re a fan of that sauce, this appetizer rocks. However, it’s pretty uninventive.

I’d go back. 7.5/10

In the week prior to opening, Ocean Prime had several events for media and bloggers. We attended and sampled a bevy of delicious of cocktails (Cucumber Gimlet = magic!) and appetizers. We loved the Truffled Mac ‘n Cheese, Lobster Bisque and Chocolate Peanut Butter pie the most. Check out Atlanta Restaurant Blog’s video on Ocean Prime below.

3102 Piedmont Road
Atlanta GA 30305

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!