Chow Down Atlanta

Now that warm weather is in the air, I’ve been stocking my fridge with my latest discovery: Snapple Antioxidant Water. With added vitamins such as Vitamin A, B, and E plus electrolytes, it’s literally like water on steroids! But the best thing is that it is so refreshing. Each flavor is so good that it’s difficult to just drink one bottle in a sitting.

This stuff is really great. The flavors are so light unlike regular juices.  My favorite flavors: Tropical Mango, Grape Pomegranate, Dragonfruit, and Agave Melon. I can’t wait to try the other flavors. The best part about these Snapple Waters: I can actually beat my soda addiction! Go try one now and let me know what you think~

Technorati Tags: Snapple Antioxidant Water, food finds

Just a reminder that the new McDonald’s chicken biscuits will be handed out next week for free on Wednesday, May 14th from 6-9am at 1404 Spring Street (parking lot of The Center for Puppetry Arts).  Rock 100.5 (my newest favorite station) will be on hand to make things lively.  This should be fun.

Incidentally, I’ve read good raves about this new comer.  Let me know what you think and see you there!

Technorati Tags: McDonald’s Chicken Biscuits, Midtown, free biscuits

I am starting a series here. Send me pictures of what’s inside your refrigerator and I’ll post the pictures here. Depending on how many pictures I receive, I’m planning on posting them regularly. Maybe once a month to start with. Don’t forget to include your name and email address. Send photos to Chloe@chowdownatlanta.com.

Now allow me to showcase the stuff in my fridge…

In the freezer side, there’s really no frozen stuff as I don’t eat frozen ready-made food. There’s a box of frozen tacos that was left by a friend during a recent potluck party and if she doesn’t claim it in a week, I’m tossing it out. There’s a box of Eggo waffles and pancakes which my 9 and 7-year old niece and nephew ate for snacks when they visited from Boston. I haven’t had the heart to throw them out yet. Sentimental reasons. There are different kinds of ice-cream, all of which are my sister’s, which I don’t touch since I’m not a big fan of sweets in general. There’s also a bunch of frozen edamame and tons of Japanese Yakult (which I’ve been drinking since I was 6 years old!).

In the fridge side, there are no take-out containers as you may notice since I absolutely hate left-overs. I have a big pot of home-made chicken broth (very handy and has lots of uses), and the usual fridge stuff (organic milk, sauces, dressing, condiments, flavored water, fresh veggies, etc) including three different kinds of soda which I’m addicted to. I also have a collection of cheeses and butter. The bottom drawer holds coffee beans from all over the world, as well as my photography supplies: 35mm and 120mm black & white film, and other chemicals that I use for processing my own film and developing my own prints.

So now it’s your turn. Show me what’s inside your fridge.

Technorati Tags: What’s in my fridge

A bunch of food events are happening around town. Check them out!

Taste of the Nation
May 1, 2008
Georgia Aquarium
Tickets at $250 and $350

Atlanta Taste for Life Wine Tasting
Maggiano’s Buckhead
May 1
7-10pm
$45

Taste of Sandy Springs
May 4
Heritage Sandy Springs Site
Admission Free ($20 for 10 food tickets)

The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show
Cobb Galleria Center
May 3-4
Tickets $20 or $25 at the door
Appearances by Paula Deen and sons
Cooking shows (additional fee) throughout the day

McDonald’s Chicken Biscuit Celebration
Center for Puppetry Arts
May 14
6-9am
Free Chicken Biscuit Breakfast
FREE BISCUITS!!!

Taste of Alpharetta
May 15
5-10pm
Free Admission (food tickets $1-$3)

HENRIOT CHAMPAGNE DINNER
SERENBE FARM TOUR AND KUDZU SUPPER
WITH MUSS & TURNERS
May 17, 2008
3-8 pm
$160 and $150

Technorati Tags: Taste of the Nation, Taste of Sandy Springs, Atlanta Taste for Life, Kudzu Supper, free McDonald’s biscuits, Paula Deen, Taste of Alpharetta

centerpiece of assorted cheeses, crudites, parma ham, etc courtesy of Wolfgang Puck catering

It was an awesome event! If you didn’t go then you missed out a lot. My sister and I arrived a little after 5pm and there were already a good number of people. Come 8pm, the place was packed! We left around 9pm and there were still people coming in.

I was totally impressed at how this event was so well organized: you show your ticket and you get ushered in to pick up your wine glass as well as a notebook and pen so that you can take down notes if you so desire. The notebook has great information in it which included the floorplan, vendors, their table number, vendor information, etc. Once inside, there are rows of tables to sample wine and food. I like that there are several garbage cans strategically but inconspicuously scattered all over as well as numerous servers who are roaming around to dispose of your trash. There are water stations offering bottles of still and sparkling water; and a coffee station just outside the main hall where there are several tables and chairs so you can sit for a bit, kick off your shoes and enjoy a cup of Pete’s coffee. Once you’ve had your fill, there is a table where you can pre-pay your parking before you leave. Really, this is one very organized event. And I like that you don’t have to purchase food tickets to sample food.

The evening was filled with foodies and wine enthusiasts chatting about, what else, food and wine. It was so nice that you can ask the vendors themselves about the wine and get their recommendations on what food goes with which wine. The top restaurants at hand had the most delectable food and desserts. Can you imagine — all these under one roof!

the ceiling lights changed colors all throughout the night

1. Over 100 wines and spirits vendors offering wines and spirits from all over the world
2. Food, Food, Food!! — from the top restaurants in Atlanta including the beautiful cheese centerpiece provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering
3. Wine experts to answer any questions you may have about wine
4. Georgia Aquarium — you get a private viewing of the Belugas, Whale Sharks and more from the very posh Ballroom
5. Very organized event — from checking in to paying your parking
6. The opportunity to learn more about different wines, spirits, and food
7. A fun evening to meet other foodies and wine enthusiasts
8. Lively music from an amazing band
9. Pete’s Coffee and Saratoga Water (still and sparkling)
10. Meeting the chefs and someliers

I’m not really a big drinker but this event was an opportunity for people, especially for me, to sample wines that some or I would not normally have access to or would not even think of trying. And the food — there were so many good food from so many great restaurants! What a fun evening for food and wine.

Now about the food, overall, there were some misses for me but a lot more hits. Notable ones include Seasons 52’s dessert offerings. I give them points for presentation alone, but more for the great taste of each of their mouth-watering dessert.

 

Chateu Elan’s Cucumber-Melon Soup with Crab was also a big winner. It was so refreshing and tasty: cubes of crunchy cucumbers and melons in sugar syrup that was slightly sweetish with lumps of crab that provided a little saltiness. It was really good.

 

I really had fun. This is something you should never miss. See you there next year!

See more pictures in my FlickR account: click here.

 

Technorati Tags: Toast of the Town, Georgia Aquarium Ballroom

I’ve liked 5SB’s burgers ever since I tasted it a couple of years back. Burgers to me is such a comfort food. When I was growing up, burgers were not part of our 3-square-meals diet — mom made home-cooked, elaborate meals — rather, they were considered snacks: a mid-afternoon fare to tide us over until dinner time. Our burger snacks were always of the restaurant variety so I was used to eating thick, juicy, fresh burgers. Now that I’m an adult, I eat all kinds of burgers. Even the fast-food variety. Sometimes.

For a good burger, I usually pop in to 5SB. I like that they use organic or grass-fed meat, though, honestly, it doesn’t matter to me. It sounds so healthy, in any case. I like 5SB’s perfectly-grilled burger. It’s thick and juicy and tasty. I like the golden crispy fries. It’s a perfect accompaniment to a perfect burger. With a soft bun, crisp lettuce, ripe tomato, and a slice of pickles, it makes for an amazing meal. Or snack.

Another favorite is the Fried French Chicken. It’s not your typical Southern crispy fried chicken. Theirs is baked then lightly fried just enough to make the skin brown. Served on a bed of thinly, grated steamed squash and some smashed potatoes, then drizzled with milky gravy, it is a fantastic meal. The chicken is well seasoned, tender, and juicy. The squash gives a sweetish complement to the saltiness of the gravy while the smashed potatoes just goes with the entire entree.

For beer enthusiasts, 5SB is the place for you; with a vast selection of world-class home brews, there’s surely one (or two) that will keep you coming back. 5SB is a good gathering place to have great food and great beer.

Insider tip:
Their caffeine-free rootbeer is delicious!
Third location near Howell Mill opening soon.

The scoop:
5 Seasons Brewing

The Prado:
5600 Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs
404-255-9511

Alpharetta:
3655 Old Milton Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30005
770.521.5551

Technorati Tags: 5 Seasons Brewing, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, The Prado, organic burger, french fried chicken, beer soup, beer on tap, home brew

Sorry for the absence.  I took my 7-year old nephew and 9-year old niece to Orlando.  They’re visiting from Boston and they’ve never been to Florida.  Five parks in five days straight.  From opening to park closing time.  Think how many park meals and snacks I’ve consumed.  It’s not even funny.  Allow me to cleanse my system for a day.  Or two.  I shall be back soon.

This is my life saver restaurant. Because if everything’s close, WF is open. Well, Buford Highway-slash-ChinaTown is open, too, but if you happen to be on a road trip and it’s midnight on Thanksgiving Day (and I can’t imagine myself on the road during this time, but anything can happen), you’d be rejoicing that it is. Open, I mean.

When I was still a poor college kid in undergrad, my friends and I would eat cheap so that we can spend our allowance on other frivolous things. I’m still a poor college kid lady (grad this time) and I still think WF’s return-on-investment can’t be beat. Waffle House epitomizes cheap eats. I mean, where else can you find made-to-order breakfast for less then 3 bucks? And you’ll be surprised because the food isn’t that bad.

So I came in one day just for kicks. I haven’t been in a long while. I wanted a snack but didn’t want to eat junk. I look at the menu and see waffles. Hmmm, as in Waffle House? So I get one and a one-egg breakfast. I have never been a waffle person. It’s probably the crunch that I dislike. Give me soft (and yeasty) anytime. But I wanted to try it. I mean, they’re not called what they are if they didn’t make it good, right? Besides, they’re around two dollars. With chocolate chips. Nothing to lose (but my $2).

I watched Mr. Cook as he poured the batter in the waffle maker. The makers look like scary implements. So different from the ones I see at Williams-Sonoma. Less than 5 minutes later, I was presented with this:

I slathered some butter, poured some syrup and took a bite. I was stunned! This was the most soft and chewy waffle I have ever had. It had just enough small chocolate chips inside so as not to render it too sweet and a few additions on top for good measure. Really, this is one good great waffle. I take back every bad thing I’ve said about waffles. This was fantastic. It was almost pancake-like with just a tiny, teeny hint of crunch. It was so good I finished it in two minutes flat! And I’m a very slow eater.

Next up, my one-egg breakfast. It was nothing special — just an egg, some toast, and the customary hashbrowns. For $2.40, this is the best bang for your buck. I’ve been to places where one egg costs $3 and I still reel when I think about it.

Did you know the first WF opened in Avondale Estates? They now have over 1500 locations. And they’re open 24 hours all year long. So if you get hungry and nothing is open, you know where to go.

Insider tip:
Most places now accept Visa and Mastercard.

The scoop:
Waffle House
1500 locations

Technorati Tags: Waffle House, open 24 hours, waffles, breakfast

This place has been around since 2005 and it’s been my go-to place for solid Vietnamese fare since its doors opened. Last year alone, my sister and I met there for lunch at least twice a week! Com, which means rice in Vietnamese, offers mostly grilled meats — served over rice, salad, or noodles. It is the unpretentious sister of the Dunwoody branch. The one tucked inside a nondescript Buford Highway plaza where, if you blink, you’ll miss it.

I like unpretentious places. You’re just sure that what they lack in ambiance and decor, they make it up on food — taste, quality, and price. Com is one such place. It’s always packed at lunch times and weekend nights where wait times of up to 30 minutes isn’t uncommon.

My favorite appetizer here is their signature Grape Leaves Rolls. You get a choice of grilled beef, lamb, duck, salmon, or tofu wrapped in grape leaves then served on a bed of salad made with shredded lettuce and, green mango, and green papaya, topped with thinly-sliced, sweet fried onion and chunks of roasted peanuts, then drizzled with spicy-sweetish fish sauce. For those not familiar, fish sauce is the Southeast Asian’s version of salt. It is made from fermented fish, and comes in this aromatic golden liquid color. It is the magic of all Southeast Asian cuisine. These Grape Leaves Rolls are fantastic. It’s totally different from Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) of Turkish cuisine where the leaves are slimy. These leaves have more texture. The salad is crunchy and the green papaya adds a nice contrast to the bland lettuce. The sauce is perfect: slightly spicy, a little sweet, with just enough saltiness. No vinaigrette compares.

My sister’s favorite appetizer which is equally good is the Fresh Spring Rolls. Their version has mint and basil and fried onion which give the rolls more character and taste.

Com’s entrees are all good. Sometimes it’s difficult to choose just one. Their vermicelli or Bun bowls are a cut above the rest with shredded green mango and green papaya plus mint and basil. Each adding flavor to the entire dish without overpowering any other. The Fragrance Rice plate with grilled meat is also a great choice. It comes with Jasmine rice, shredded salad, and sliced tomatoes. The curry is also an excellent choice which can be served over noodles or with a side of French bread. The Tilapia fillet plate tastes fresh and tasty. And the whole fried fish (pricey at $39.95) is a must try (my mom’s favorite). Whatever you order, you won’t be disappointed.

Insider tip:

Service can be slow during peak times. Servers are gracious to inform diners if a selection isn’t fresh or up to par that day.
Located inside Buford Plaza close to Clairmont Rd where Chevron gas station is located.

The scoop:

Com Vietnamese Grill
4005-E Buford Hwy.
Atlanta, GA 30345
404-320-0405

Open from 11am

Technorati Tags: Com Vietnamese Grill, Com, Buford Plaza, Vietnamese cuisine, Bun, grape leaves rolls

I am so excited to go to this one. Imagine the backdrop: the Georgia Aquarium! Back in January, I was lucky enough to attend an event that was held in the ballroom. It had something to do with the Today Show’s telecast inside the Aquarium. I got to go on this private viewing of the Belugas up in the ballroom who just love to show off. I even got to go where it’s off limits to the public and I got to see the whale sharks feed at the top of the water. I just love the Georgia Aquarium and I have been a yearly member since it opened. And now this. Good food, wine, music, and the Georgia Aquarium. Repeat. Food. Wine. Music. Georgia Aquarium. It can’t get better than this.

There will be over 500 wines available for tasting and the list of participating restaurants includes the best of the best: Seasons 52, Repast, City Grill, Canoe, Woodfire Grill, and many more.

This is the first year it’s going to be held in our beautiful city. Really, I can’t wait. Will I see you there?

More information available through their website.

*The VIP Tasting is a private pre-event tasting of reserve and estate wines. Includes a complimentary Wine Enthusiast Wine Master 2008 pocket electronic wine buying guide, tasting glass, tasting notes booklet and admission to Grand Tasting.

Atlanta Toast of the Town
Thursday • April 17, 2008
VIP Tasting* 5pm $185
Grand Tasting 7-10pm $95
Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker Street
Atlanta, GA 30313
Directions

Technorati Tags: Toast of the Town, Atlanta, food event, wine event, Georgia Aquarium, April 17