Located in Inman Park in Atlanta, Wisteria restaurant is celebrating it’s 9th anniversary in September. It is a charming restaurant housed in a building nearly a century old. Opening only two days prior the tragic event of Sept.11, 2001, Wisteria definitely had obstacles to overcome. There were many doubts that Wisteria Restaurant would be able to survive. Nine years later, however, Wisteria is still open for business and pleasing customers with it’s contemporary Southern American menu as well as an award-winning wine list.

The current economy alone brings many challenges, but so does the natural competition in the restaurant industry especially in the Inman Park area. Despite this, Wisteria has continued to thrive for the past nine years. Their food is tasty, wine list has a superb selection and Wisteria restaurant just started offering a gluten-free menu.

To celebrate their nine year anniversary, Wisteria is hosting a low-country boil buffet on Monday, Sept. 6, 2010 during their regular weekday hours from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The buffet, which will include various local beers & house-made Southern wine coolers, better known as Sangria, will be $29.95 per person & will include the said drinks.

My Groupon brought me to Portofino Restaurant on a recent June evening. We were celebrating Glen’s daughter’s birthday. And we thought Portofino’s Italian / Mediterranean would be agreeable with a teen’s tastes. Three things to note if you are planning to visit Porfino: 1) Forced valet is NOT complimentary (they want 5 bucks – WTF?), 2) Regardless of a reservation or not, patio seating is first come, first serve, 3) Ladies – entrance and walkway is so NOT heel friendly.

So, you know how when you use Open Table to make a reservation, there is an option to put any special requests in for the restaurant? Well, I wrote that we were celebrating a Sweet 16 and anything they could do to make it special would be appreciated. My hopes were that Portofino staff would have brought out a dessert with a candle in it after dinner or something of the sort.

As the restaurant was rather busy, we could have been seated immediately inside or wait for the outside seating. Since it was lovely outside, we chose to wait for outdoor seating to become available. Also, the restaurant is rather noisy inside, so if it is full, don’t expect to having some romantic dinner if you sit indoors. Close to 9 a patio table at Portofino became available for us.

Our server told us that Portofino highlights a different region of Italy every month by crafting appetizers, entrees and selecting wines from said region. This month was Cambria, but the mushroom calzone appetizer didn’t sound too appealing so us, however, Glen did try one of the white wines from the region which he was very pleased with. I chose Our server recommended a Tuscan Red which was velvety and delicious.

For starters, we chose the Short Rib Bruschetta ($11) and the Fried Artichokes ($8), having heard good things about both. The Bruschetta had a very generous amount of meat on it, so much so, that the bread almost couldn’t hold up. That being said, I found this bbq-like appetizer to be mediocre but not a standout in any way. The three of us enjoyed the Fried Artichokes more and of the 2 appetizers this is a better value. The breading was the perfect temperature, crisp and not in any way salty. And the tarragon aioli served with it was a perfect compliment.

Portofino Veal

Entrees were Shrimp and Eggplant as well as the Veal Saltimbocca: Veal Scaloppine, Prosciutto, Sage, White Wine, Tomato Bacon Potato Salad, and Asparagus. Yum- what’s not to love? The veal cutlets were pounded very thin, and all the flavors seemed to play off each other well. I had a tiny bite of Glen’s Veal, which was pretty tasty, and he cleaned his plate, so he must’ve thought it to be excellent too.

Portofino Shrimp and Eggplant

I quite enjoyed my Shrimp and Eggplant dish. The medium shrimp were properly cooked and the cubed eggplant pieces were well-prepared. The Basil Pappardelle that was part of the dish tasted like it was house made. I forgot to ask and didn’t see that information on their website, but suffice it to say it was delicious and extremely filling. My only criticism of this meal is that the smoked ricotta never came through. I saw it, it was definitely there, I just didn’t taste it in the slightest.

After our plates were cleared, I was anxious to see if any special dessert was brought out, which would have been a nice touch and acknowledgment of my message via Open Table. Nothing was done, so either they didn’t get the message or chose to ignore it. We decided to skip their dessert and head down to Cafe Intermezzo where dessert options are endless as are the coffee and hot chocolate selections.

Extras: I’ve never seen a server so excited about a diner using a coupon. No, I’m not being sarcastic. She was more enthusiastic about us using our Groupon than anything else the entire evening. Go figure.

3199 Paces Ferry Place
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
Website

Do you remember the old John Harvard’s Brewhouse from years ago? It closed down long before there were ever Bloggers, Yelp or or Urbanspoon. But what it’s turned into is a great Seafood restaurant known as Aqua Blue. Stepping inside the suburban (Roswell, GA) Aqua Blue, you would never know that this was once a Pub.

It’s sleek, modern interior could fool you into thinking you were in an upscale Buckhead or Midtown restaurant. There are four distinct areas throughout the restaurant, each very well appointed. As you walk inside, there is a curtained off room to the right of the hostess stand for private parties. Behind the hostess stand is a large bar area with plenty of hightops (see pic below), and as beautiful as it is, you could enjoy your entire meal there.

But the main dining area is pretty snazzy itself (see pic above right), with white booths and nicely appointed light fixtures, it is a great choice for an intimate date night. Lastly, the outdoor patio beckons you on warm spring evenings or cool fall nights, which is where I chose to sit on my recent visit to Aqua Blue.

Aqua Blue invited me for a visit, so, in full disclosure, this was a free meal. After being seated on the patio on a gorgeous spring evening, our server, Elbie came over to introduce himself and give us his recommendations. He’s got to be one of the coolest, friendliest, most knowledgeable servers I’ve encountered in quite sometime. If you visit, ask for him, you won’t be sorry.

To start, we each ordered a cocktail – one Pommegranite Martini and a Georgia Peach tea concoction. They were ok, but didn’t get me too excited. Skip the cocktails and head straight for the wine list here. They have a great selection and Elbie really steered us in the right direction.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. First let’s talk about the bread. The crispy wafer bread tastes like a pretzel albeit with minimal salt. I enjoyed this, but only had a couple pieces, not wanting to fill up before the real goodies arrive. Also included are two other varieties of rolls – one rye and the other a cornbread-esque type. You’ll be served butter, but you won’t need it. The rolls are soft and moist already.

As far as appetizers at Aqua Blue, the menu is very seafood heavy with a couple vegetable options like Edamame (soybeans), Tempura Green Beans and an Olive Tasting. I’d read good things prior to visiting and knew the Tempura Green Beans and Calamari were signature items, so we ordered those as well as the Crab Cake.

Elbie told us that while it isn’t listed on the menu you can do a half and half order of Calamari and Green Beans if you like. I would definitely go this route if there are only 2 of you, as the half portions are pretty substantial and quite filling. Aqua Blue also has a Riesling (Eroica Columbia Valley ’08) that pairs very well with the calamari. I am not normally a fan of Riesling, or white wine in general for that matter, but this tasted more like a Chardonnay sans the oak flavor.

The crab cake was superb with any bread or filler being undetectable. All I tasted was lump crab. It is almost a waste of the peppers and jicama mix that comes with it as I’m sure much of that goes uneaten. I sampled a bit and although it was tasty, I didn’t want to fill up on veggies. I have to mention that while I did love the crab cake, at $15, you’ll get more bang for your buck sticking with some of the other apps.

The calamari was quite delicious too, with a sweet and spicy sauce mixed in, although I feel it may have been a tad too sauce heavy. But most surprising to me were the Tempura Green Beans. The light batter and crunchiness of the tempura was a perfect match for the beans. And the sweet mustard sauce for dipping made for the perfect bite. And the salt portion was just right – not overkill like in so many restaurants.

I noticed two out of the four tables around us chowing down on huge lobsters. I assumed it was a special that evening as I didn’t see them on the menu. But when I inquired with Elbie, he told me it is a birthday special that Aqua Blue offers to those on their mailing list. Here’s the deal: sign up to be on their mailing list and you get a 2.5 lb lobster FOR FREE on your BirthMONTH. Ahuh, that’s right- Your whole BirthMONTH, not on your birthDAY. What a deal – Sign me Up!

So, I was jonesing for some Chilean Sea Bass as it had been far too long since I’ve had any. I knew that would be one of our entree selections and I couldn’t help but ask if by any chance they had one last lobster left for us. We were in luck, they did!

Aqua Blue has some of the best Sea Bass I’ve ever had. The slightly crunchy outside texture gives way to the sweet, buttery inside and it almost melts in your mouth. You gotta try this dish. As for the lobster, I would have never ordered it had I not known that they cut most of the shell for you, allowing for easy access to the lobster meat. And how plentiful the lobster meat was by the way. Why, oh why, didn’t I ask for a bibb? Of course I spilled some melted butter on my shirt. Oh well, it is a small price to pay for eating well, I suppose.

As we had made complete gluttons of ourselves, you would think we stopped there, wouldn’t you? Nope. We opted for dessert too. The coconut cake caught my eye and I looked no further. We also tried the sherry and fig ice cream but found the name to be more intriguing that the taste. The coconut cake more than made up for the ice cream though. It was moist and creamy – just perfect for two to share.

1564 Holcomb Bridge Rd
Roswell, GA 30076
770 643 8886
Website

Extras: Don’t forget to sign up for their mailing list for a free lobster on your BirthMONTH!

Source: http://www.advancedmediawatch.blogspot.com

Atlanta Mother’s Day Weekend Deals

Aqua Blue Roswell
Brunch buffet served from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for $29.95 per person. Children under the age of 14 are $9.95, and children under four eat free. Menu items include carved strip steak and turkey, roasted pork tenderloin, omelets made-to-order, and assorted pastries and desserts. Bottomless mimosas will be served for $15 per person.
Website

Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
Bouquets and Brunch, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This has got to be the best brunch offering in Atlanta. Not only is there a selection of chilled seafood, meats, cheeses, traditional breakfast favorites among tasty salads and divine desserts but the displays are a work of art. Mother’s Day Brunch includes a small flower bouquet for Mom and valet parking. The cost of Mother’s Brunch is $65 per adult, $40 per child (ages five to 12 years), exclusive of tax and gratuity.
Website

Ritz-Carlton, Downtown
Mom’s royal treatment begins with a complimentary glass of Champagne or a Diamond Tiara cocktail at Mother’s Day Brunch offered in the Grand Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Offerings include a selection of salads and appetizers, icy raw bar, caviar and sushi; traditional breakfast favorites; roasted meats and seafood; domestic and imported cheeses; an assortment of freshly baked breads, muffins and croissants; and a regal array of desserts. The cost of A Royal Mother’s Brunch is $59 per adult, $29 per child, exclusive of tax and gratuity. The price includes complimentary valet parking at the hotel.
Website

Chequers Seafood Grill Dunwoody
Mother’s Day brunch buffet all day from 9am-8pm. Adults $25.95, children 4-12 $12.95, under 4 free. Main buffet, chocolate fountain, omelets/ waffle/ and carving station.
Website

Ray’s Killer Creek and Ray’s in the City
Award winning brunch 10am-3pm, $29.95/adults.
Website

Old Vinings Inn Vinings
Mother’s Day Brunch – Three Course Menu – Adults $29.95 Children $14.95. Hours 10:30 til 5 – Dinner Menu 5 til 9.
Recommended for Mom: Shrimp and Grits
Website

Marlow’s Tavern
Looking to save a little green? Then give Marlow’s buffet a try. Priced at only $14.99 (plus tax and tip), Marlow’s buffet doesn’t skimp on offerings. On the buffet are crab cakes Benedict, and made-to-order omelettes plus lots of other goodies. And of course, there’s the bottomless Mimosa for $15. This is good at the Marlow’s in Kennesaw, Vinings, or Midtown.
Website

The Shed at Glenwood Downtown
Sunday Brunch with Mom – a full buffet of Brunch Favorites! $20/person or Sunday Supper & Enjoy a 3 Course Prix Fixe for $20!
Website

Mali Restaurant VA Highland
Looking for something a little different. What about thai food? Mali Restaurant in Virginia Highland is offering a $25/person 3-course prix fixe menu. Recommended for Mom: Seafood in the Clay Pot
Website

Fuengo Mundo Sandy Springs
Brunch de Mami from 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM. $14.99/pp, kids under 11 only $8.99.
Mimosas and Sangria will be flowing. Latin specialities include Arepas de Huevo (a Colombian Egg & Corn Tortilla specialty) and Arepas de Quesa (grilled Corn & Cheese Tortillas).

Cafe di Sol VA Highland
Mother’s Day brunch where Mom and Grandma get a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa.
Website

Pacci Ristorante Midtown
Executive Chef Keira Moritz whips up great offerings including deviled eggs, crab fondue, cheese grits, pesto squash casserole and an assortment of pastries. Pacci’s Mother’s Day brunch buffet is available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is priced at $22 for adults, $12 for kids ages 6 to 12 and free for children under the age of 6.
Website

I’ve visited Muss and Turner’s Restaurant in Vinings twice now. Muss and Turner’s is located in Vinings off of South Atlanta Road in the same shopping center as South City Kitchen, J. Christopher’s and Little Azio. Muss and Turner’s serves products sourced locally (read = lots of organics) and boasts that they make their own pasta, cut their own fries, and even make mayo in house.

The one good thing I like about dining OTP, is that you don’t have to worry about street parking or valeting. That being said, whomever planned this parking lot must not have been thinking at all. Although I went on a Sunday afternoon at 2 pm (not a particularly busy time) it was crazy ridiculous trying to find just one spot in Muss and Turner’s lot. Fortunately, I spotted someone leaving and nabbed their spot right away.

Ok, now that I’m done venting about Muss and Turner’s parking lot, on to the restaurant. Walking up to Muss and Turner’s you can’t help but notice the Big Green Egg they have situated just outside with aromas to beckon you inside. Muss and Turner’s interior, with its wooden tables and chairs and soft lighting make for a cozy feeling. Upon entering you’ll see the display cases of desserts, cheeses, etc in case you want to get something to go (it is also an upscale deli), but in my observation on both visits most diners were there to relax and enjoy a leisurely meal. The staff is very cheery and friendly and both times ushered me to my table right away.

On my first visit I had the Swifty’s Dream which is basically a BBQ Pork sandwich and my dining companion had the Tuscan Raider; chicken sandwich with pesto sauce. I found both to be very tasty, but also very pricey. Around 10 bucks for a regular sized sandwich which doesn’t even come with a side? Oh wait, my mistake, it comes with your choice of pickle. Cause everyone knows a pickle counts as a side dish, right?

So, after the initial visit, I thought a return trip was in order just to sample another sandwich and see if I hadn’t judged them too hastily. Again, we had had terrific, thoughtful service by everyone we encountered from the hostess to the two servers who helped us. This time I ordered the Dooley, a pastrami sandwich with melted swiss, horseradish slaw and Russian dressing on a Challah bun. My dining companion, a vegetarian, ordered the Hummer, a sandwich made with hummus and various veggies. We also ordered a small side of fries to share. Note that a small side seems adequate for two to share.

Still feel the same way about Muss and Turner’s Restaurant. The food is tasty and definitely high quality and service is exceptional. But the prices are just too darn high for me. The taste was good but not mind blowing and it wasn’t that big considering the price. I also thought my sandwich, The Dooley could have done without the slaw. My vegetarian friend was pleased with his sandwich and he knows organics really well but 9 bucks for a sandwich with no meat? The fries were somewhat of a disappointment. Unfortunately, I found them to be more soggy rather than crispy as I had hoped for.

We did split a piece of key lime pie which was divine. It had the perfect balance of tart and sweet. Definitely a huge step up from the previous visit’s dessert. That time I had a red velvet cupcake which as completely dried out and bland tasting.

Is it really that difficult to source locally and offer some organics and keep the price somewhat in range with what most would consider normal? For example, the Egg Salad Sandwich listed on the menu is $6.50. Add two slices of bacon and you are suddenly at $9. For a freakin Egg Salad Sandwich! With NO side.

Perhaps it is just me, as Muss and Turner’s was rather full on both visits. Eating healthy is important to me, I just don’t expect to drop $30 for two sandwiches, one small side, and a shared dessert.

Pros: Fresh, organic food, friendly service
Cons: Parking Lot, High Prices

1675 Cumberland Parkway
Smyrna, GA 30080
(770) 434-1114
Website