Chow Down Atlanta

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

This is so long overdue. And to think I’ve been waiting for this place to open. So it finally did one rainy day the first week of February. Vite Lavie is not your usual tea house. First of all, they don’t have dress-up tea parties. And they don’t have afternoon tea. But what they do offer is a comfy hang-out while you enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea.

Concocted by (handsome) college buddies from Ohio, the pair did a study and chose Atlanta for their new venture. After graduation, they packed their bags and moved here. Another study and they landed in Alpharetta.

Vite Lavie offers a great selection of loose tea leaves including those from China, Japan, India, and elsewhere. They have my favorite Silver Needle and the usual, green, black, Earl Grey, and English Breakfast to name a few, plus a handful of other exotic ones. Once you make your selection, the tea barista (aka owner guy) will brew you a perfect (big) cup of tea using the right temperature and the correct implements. The cup is monstrous and I would say, it’s all of 20 ounces.

If tea isn’t your thing, they do offer smoothies that are also tea-based. Sorry, but no sodas here. If you’re feeling a little famished and need something to go with your tea, then check-out the pastry case for goodies from Joli Kobe bakery. Plans for serving sandwiches are on its way and I can’t wait. Nightly live music is also on the horizon.

For now, Vite Lavie is a great hangout. The atmosphere is serene, while the comfy couches are so inviting. With wifi available and just about anything you need (see owner guys), people are not gonna want to leave.

Insider tip:
Teas average $4. Ask the owner guys for anything you need, chances are, they can get it for you.

The scoop:
Vite Lavie
9945 Jones Bridge Rd
Alpharetta, GA 30022
Phone: 770-442-5011

Technorati Tags: Vite Lavie, tea, loose tea, tea house, Alpharetta

Deep in the bowels of the BOA area between Cumming and Alpharetta lies a rustic-looking white house typical of old southern homes. Step inside and you’re bound to feast on real southern cooking. The Midway Meal House offers southern breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Raring to eat breakfast, I was sorely disappointed to find out we missed it by 5 minutes. No concessions. Breakfast is served til 11am daily. Moping and ready to leave, a basket of bread appeared and being the bread person that I am, couldn’t resist and grabbed one immediately. The freshly baked biscuits were fluffy and milky. Enough reason for me to stay.

So I had to order lunch — grilled chops and two sides while my eating buddy had Chicken Livers. The grilled chops were tasty and well seasoned, albeit a little on the thin side. With too many sides to choose from, I settled for the fried okra and broccoli casserole. The fried okra were fried to perfection. While the casserole looked better than it tasted (think baby food consistency). I would have liked to see more solid bite-sized bits of brocolli.

The Chicken Livers were outstanding:   lightly battered, well seasoned and perfectly fried.  The mac-n-cheese was creamy and cheesy.

 All in all, it was a good lunch.  I can’t say I was floored, but enough to make me come back the next time I’m craving for a decent southern meal.  Service is great and the kitchen is fast.  Expect to wait on weekend mornings.

Insider tip:
Breakfast daily until 11:00AM. Repeat, 11:00AM.
Daily specials available.

The scoop:
Midway Meal House
5150 Atlanta Hwy.
Alpharetta, GA 30004
770-442-3738

Technorati Tags: Midway Meal House, Alpharetta, Cumming, Highway 9, southern food, meat + two, chicken livers

Just to remind those folks who live and work around Johns Creek/Alpharetta that Super H Mart is now open. It’s a slightly smaller version than the one on Duluth but you probably won’t even notice. Don’t forget to stop by the bakery upstairs by the entrance.

Super H Mart
10820 Abbotts Bridge Rd.
Johns Creek, GA 30005
678-317-0240
Open daily 8:00AM - 11:00PM

Technorati Tags: Super H Mart, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Asian Grocery, North Fulton

I’ve meaning to write about PURE but like most restaurants that I visit frequently, I tend to drag my feet thinking I’d do it next time. But since my pictures are getting stale (from having been taken a looong time ago even though I eat there all the time), I decided to take some fresh photos just the same. PURE Taqueria is a popular joint among North Fulton residents who don’t mind waiting at least 20 minutes for a table during lunch. Of course, there’s also the out-to-lunch office workers whose clock-watching glances are a dead give away. Nevertheless, if you go to PURE, be prepared to wait. For a table. For your food. For a drink refill. For your bill.

But the wait is so worth it. Especially if you get the fish plate. During my visit they had Pescado Veracruz: a filet of crispy-fried snapper and freshly-steamed mussels in a tomato-based broth that was so wonderful I had to eat slow to savor every bite. Saying it was delicious was putting it mildly. The crunch of the fish complemented the tenderness of the mussels with a mild yet full-flavored broth that put them all together in one happy dish. It came with a side of not-your-typical Mexican rice (theirs is moist, plump, and very well-seasoned compared to the usual dry, orangy, bland kind you get elsewhere), and a cup of flavorful charros (beans in tasty broth) that only decorum is preventing you from slurping the entire serving in one breath.

PURE is well-known for its fish tacos made with fresh grouper, lightly battered, fried, then dressed with a poblano-cabbage slaw. But I much prefer the Cabeza tacos made with beef cheeks (yes, Virginia, Cabeza means head in Spanish) which are so tender and tasty. The Queso Fundido with peppers were a bit too oily for my taste but since I knew the wait for our mains could be long, I happily munched on it. No matter, the salsa will keep you occupied while waiting.

Insider tip:
Open from 11am. Located in a residential area (wonder how the next-door neighbor feels) and resembles an old PURE gas station. Additional seating available on the attached covered patio. Try the salsa sampler not on the menu. Free Queso Fundido coupon available on the website until June 30.

The scoop:
PURE taqueria
103 Roswell Street
Alpharetta, GA
(678) 240-0023

Technorati Tags: PURE Taqueria, Roswell St., Alpharetta, North Fulton, Mexican cuisine, tacos, fish, kids menu

There’s a lot of debate as to which sushi place is the best in Atlanta; and I must admit, there are only a handful. The top two are: Haru Ichiban and Sushi Yoko. I’ll post something about those later on and explain everything. I’ve lived in Asia and travel there twice a year all my life usually staying over 4 weeks at a time so I can call myself quite knowledgeable when it comes to sushi. For now, let me talk about Sushi Zutto. I am never a fan of all-you-can-eat sushi. First, because the quality of the sushi used is much to be desired; second, the selection is just awful; third, the serving sizes are microscopic; and fourth (which irks me to no end), most are made by inexperienced non-Japanese sushi chefs. But not at Sushi Zutto.

Opened a little over a year ago, Sushi Zutto continues to impress with the use of fresh, high-grade sushi, and a more than ample selection to choose from. Its all-you-can-eat concept is uncommom — instead of the usual buffet style where the sushi can be sitting out for goodness knows how long, you indicate your choices from a piece of paper listing all the available sushi for consumption. The sushi is then made-to-order. At $16.95 per person (no sharing and no left-overs please), choices include good-sized rolls, nigiris, makis, and gigantic temakis (hand rolls). Soup and salad are included.

You’ll be amazed at the freshness of sushi at Sushi Zutto. But do pace yourself as there are so many to taste and choose from. If you’re not feeling that ravenous, you can order off the menu where rolls start at $5 and combination lunches/dinner go for no more than $12. Still, the best deal is the all-you-can-eat.

Insider tip:
Pick up discount coupons good on your next dinner on your way out. Avoid the 12-1:30pm lunch crowd or you’ll be waiting for your sushi for a while.

The scoop:
Zutto Japanese Restaurant
4000 N Point Pkwy
Alpharetta, GA 30022
(678) 624-7555
Open daily from 11am-3pm 5pm-10pm

Technorati Tags: Sushi Zutto, sushi, all-you-can-eat sushi, Alpharetta restaurants, Japanese cuisine

This place on Haynes Bridge Rd in Alpharetta has been open for five years and is operated by an all-Thai staff. It has been consistently popular among office workers around the area wanting a quick, delicious, inexpensive lunch. I came in around noon and no tables were available. In fact, there was a wait of about 10 minutes and people were lining up all the way out the door.
The simple menu consists of mainstream Thai food — mainly stir-fry and curries. There are a few notable items such as the chicken wings and the salads (Larb and the Spicy Sausage salads) but I’d forgo the soups (which I think don’t justify the $3 price tag given the small bowl you get).

The main entrees are very tasty with the right amount of spices and made with fresh ingredients. Lunch specials come with a tiny eggroll (literally, it takes two bites to finish it), and steamed or fried rice. Overall, I’ve always found their dishes to be quite yummy.

Insider tip:
Don’t let the lunch crowd scare you — the kitchen and service are lightning fast. The service is courteous and very efficient.

The scoop:
Thai Thai
11525 Haynes Bridge Rd. Suite 150, Alpharetta, GA 30004
(770) 777-1306
Lunch: M-F 11am-3pm
Dinner: 5-10pm

Technorati Tags: Thai, Thai food, Thai Thai, Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Rd., lunch, dinner, lunch specials

Serving the Alpharetta area since 1920, Alpha Soda serves Southern fare with a Greek twist in a setting of black and white tiles, lots of dark wood and leather. It’s not your typical diner. More like an old country club.

I love Alpha Soda’s daily specials and their breakfast fare. I love it even more because they serve it all day long. Notable dishes include the Alpharetta Egg Sandwich (a kicked-up egg/blt sandwich), the Eggs Benedict (available only on weekends), and the Chicken & Brie Scramble (chicken and brie omelet).

Chef’s daily specials are worth a try especially the pot roast which makes an appearance every so often; as well as freshy made vegetables. Make sure you leave room for dessert (especially the Red Velvet Cake) and check-out the mouth-watering pies, cakes, cookies that are showcased in a huge deli case.

Insider tip:
Open daily beginning at 7am.
Service is unsually slow even in off-peak times so don’t expect to breeze in and out.

The scoop:
Alpha Soda
11760 Haynes Bridge Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004
Phone: (770) 442-3102

Technorati Tags: Alpha Soda, diner, Alpharetta, breakfast

Roaster’s has been consistently delivering good, inexpensive southern comfort food to metro Atlanta since 1990. Before that, we always wished a rotisserie place would open in Atlanta. There were only two places that had rotisserie chicken on the menu back then. I remember one of Roaster’s first locations near Gwinnett Place Mall that, unfortunately, closed down about 7 years ago. Four locations remain, each offering the same casual atmosphere, great service and tasty dishes.

The chicken fingers are really, really good — lightly battered and very tender. As well as the rotisserie chicken, the fall-off-the-bone ribs, the fresh veggies, and the salads. There are specials of the day offered daily that include a soup, a veggie, and an entree. The creamed corn is particularly good, unfortunately, it’s not a staple on the menu. Each table gets freshly-baked sweet corn muffins and yeasty rolls on the house.

Inside tip:
You can get a veggie plate with a choice of 3 or 4 veggies.
The chicken finger appetizer with one side is as filling as the regular order with two sides.

The scoop:
Roasters Rotisserie
http://www.roastersfresh.com/index.html
Locations: Lenox, Cumberland, and Roswell Road
Alpharetta Location not on website:
11585 Jones Bridge Rd, Alpharetta, 30022 - (770) 753-0055

Technorati Tags: Roasters Rotisserie, chicken fingers, rotisserie chicken, ribs, kids menu, Alpharetta, Lenox, Cumberland, Roswell Rd, Atlanta