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!

Genki Sushi, has locations in the Prado in Sandy Springs as well as Buckhead. The popular sushi restaurant is also expanding and will be opening a third location in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood some time in April according to management. I was invited to Genki Sushi by the lovely Caren West PR.

Our server, Petia, a total pro, was well-versed in the cocktail and sushi menu. As she highly recommended the Mango Martini and the Red Samurai cocktail, we were more than happy to oblige. And these cocktails didn’t let us down. I loved the Red Samurai with the pomegranite juice. Since the drinks were such a hit, we let Petia steer us in the direction of appetizers too, choosing the Hamachi Kama (yellowtail) and the Tuna with wontons. Very fresh and delicious, I enjoyed every bite.

There are a number of cooked entrees and noodle bowls at Genki. So, if you have a group and someone doesn’t care for sushi, there are plenty of other options. I ordered the Genki Tuna roll and Mr. ARB ordered the Rainbow Roll. Again, both were extremely fresh. We were so full, we couldn’t manage a dessert, but Amy, one of the bartenders twisted our arms into trying one of here specialty shots, the Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake. If you are lucky, maybe she’ll make one for you

Please check out the video I shot while at Genki:

Extras: Wednesday nights include half price bottles of wine.

Bottle Rocket, located in the downtown neighborhood of Castleberry Hill, is the rebirth of Wasabi restaurant. Though the menu retains much of its sushi heritage, some new items have been added as well. I’d never been to Wasabi, so I don’t have a comparison of it to what is now Bottle Rocket, but I understand that the new decor is quite different. Gone are the white walls and minimalistic look of Wasabi. There’s a splash of color on the walls now. There’s a chalkboard menu. There’s a great music selection too.

We started with the Georgia Boy and the Dark ‘N Stormy. After seeing the video on Thrilllist how could I not order a Georgia Boy? It was tasty, the almond milk and liquor a perfect blend. But it was the Dark ‘N Stormy that won my heart that night. I don’t know how this drink tastes so much better here than any other place, perhaps it is the high end rum used in the mix. So addictive, I could have easily had about five or six of them. I only had one since I was driving, but at only six bucks a piece, it wouldn’t have hurt my wallet much.

I do know that the owners of Bottle Rocket strive to make quality drinks that are affordable. Even the Coke sold at Bottle Rocket is imported from Mexico. Instead of high fructose corn syrup, it contains real cane sugar. You can totally taste the difference.

For appetizers we choose the mussels and the vegetarian dumplings. The mussels were huge, every single one of them. And the broth was delicious and unique in that it is flavored in part by sake. Yum. Yum. You don’t want to miss out on this app. Of course, you’ll need extra bread as you won’t want any broth to go to waste. Our server, Joel, was very observant of this, being careful to leave the bowl and bring us extra bread for the broth. The vegetarian dumplings were another hit. Very fresh tasting and filling.

As I said, the menu is quite heavy on the sushi. I chose the Candy box, which comes with shrimp, a lobster salad and tuna on the top. What a pretty presentation. Quite delicious too. Although, I certainly need to revisit and try some of the other sushi offerings as the menu is very extensive.

However, I feel return visits would involve tuna burgers primarily. It is a steal at only $13. Oh, I can’t even begin to describe how heavenly this burger is. Bottle Rocket uses sushi grade tuna in this burger. It is held together with the panko breadcrumbs and a quail egg. See? Aren’t you dying to try it now too?

The staff was so friendly and helpful. It really seems to be an anchor in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood. If I lived in the Castleberry ‘hood, Bottle Rocket would be my Cheers.

180 Walker St.
Atlanta, GA 30313
404 574-5680
Like them on Facebook
Website

Extras: Free Street Parking or in the No Mas lot!

All you can eat Sushi at ROOM
Wednesday from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Sushi options include:
· California Roll
· Spicy Tuna Roll
· Spicy Salmon Roll
· Eel Roll

ROOM at TWELVE
400 W. Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30308
404.418.1250
Website

Lobby Bar and Bistro Brings Back “All You Can Eat Pizza” Night
Thursday from 6 – 9 p.m.
Get up to 6 toppings per pizza! Wowza

Lobby Bar and Bistro
361 17th Street
Atlanta, GA 30363
404.961.7370
Website

Social Vinings does have an intriguing list of martinis. I had settled on the PEARfect martini, but out server told us about a Rubytini which she said is the most popular with Peach Schnapps and grapefruit juice. I changed my mind, and regretted that choice after a couple sips of the drink. Definitely not smooth, it tasted more like medicine than anything else.

My friend Amy and I started out with sliders. Hers – bbq pork, mine -Wagyu beef with bacon onion marmalade dressing. Amy only ate one slider and don’t think she was too impressed, but was too nice to complain since I had picked the restaurant for our Girls Night Out / belated birthday celebration. My beef sliders tasted like a notch above a Krystal burger, except Social was more generous with the onions. I did like the sweet potato fries that I ordered, especially with the bacon-cheese-jalapeno sauce for dipping.

We also ordered some shrimp fritters to share. I think these were the most disappointing of everything we ordered. The outside of the fritter tasted like it had been burnt and the inside was rubbery. I wanted to try to some sushi to give Social Vinings a chance at winning me over, but Amy just wasn’t feeling it, so we got our check and left.

On our way out, walking though the bar area, the clubby atmosphere caught us by surprise. I’d love to go back and try their sushi or a regular entree at some point, but not anytime soon…

3621 Vinings Slope SE Ste 4110
Atlanta, GA 30339
404 432 9772