Chow Down Atlanta

Got a chance to finally try this new late-night spot in East Atlanta after cancelling three times with my best buddy who’s been cajoling me to go for the last week. Open only beginning around 10PM at the bar section of So Ba, the menu is a collaboration between So Ba’s chef Nhan Le and ex-Miller Union chef Angus Brown. I can describe the food in one word: EXCELLENT. This is mind-blowing food for the location, space, price point, and meal time.

I’ll leave the long version to Foodie Buddha. My short and sweet: amazing food. It’s like eating Restaurant Eugene food in Buford Highway. Chef Angus is a genius.

What I ate:
Maine Lobster Roll — lots of meat with just a hint of dressing (just the way it should be and just the way I like it)
Curry Beef & Pork Trotter Pot Pie — oh the buttery crust and the curry stew
Salt & Pepper Shrimp — (with shells) so crispy, perfect taste (you don’t need to go to BuHi)
Uni Carbonara — OMG
Braised Rabbit — OMG
Banh Beo — chewy Asian rice cake topped with minced shrimp
Pork Belly Musubi — aka pork (sushi) maki rolls
Hazelnut Panna Cotta — OMG it tasted like tootsie rolls

GO NOW. I mean it!!!

Octopus Bar
(at So Ba)
561 Gresham Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30316
(404) 627-9911
M-S: 10PM – 3AM
Closed on Sundays

Technorati Tags: East Atlanta, Asian, American

The much awaited return (to cooking) of David Sweeney has finally come. Today was his first day taking helm during lunch hours at Cakes&Ale Bakery. The menu is small, typical of a bakery lunch, but each dish is well-thought of, in true David Sweeney fashion, that is. Chef David is brilliant with veggies and even the non-believer non-veggie eater that I am has become a big fan.

The roasted corn soup was delicious. It was creamy yet not milky. It went down smooth and warmed your entire body. I love the texture of the coarsely puréed soup that has nutty flavors from the pumpkin seeds.

The slivers of Appenzeller cheese on a grilled baguette was delightful. The butter and pepper jelly lending a tiny bit of heat and sweet to balance the flavor of the cheese.

I really liked the smoked trout on brioche. It was similar to a seafood salad except a thousand times better. There were a lot of flaked trout meat that were bound together by the tiniest amount of mayo, just enough to hold them together. The horseradish cream , watercress and cucumbers gave this sandwich a creamy, herby taste and the necessary crunch. The dense and buttery brioche was a perfect partner. Smallish (the size of a slightly bigger slider) at $5 but the quality and taste were all worth the price tag.

But the scene-stealer (as I was told) was the big salad plate. It was ordered for the table, I had two bites, and no, I didn’t take a picture. I have to admit that I really liked it. It had lettuce, fresh corn salad, potato salad, cucumber salad, tomato-basil salad, and avocado slices. It was so refreshing, believe it or not.

Overall, an amazing spot for lunch. Expect to spend a minimum of $10, a lot more if you’re a big eater like me. My total bill for soup, two sandwiches, and a soda was $18 before tip. A little pricey for lunch but really, really worth it. So what are you waiting for? Go!

Bakery at Cakes & Ale
151 Sycamore St
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 377-7960

Technorati Tags: Decatur, tidal, David Sweeney, lunch, bakery, bread

…because pictures are always way better than words…

Pork belly BLT

Fried Chicken Necks with (American) Kimchi

Soft Shell Crab with peas and mint

Cured Meats

Grilled Cheese

Gazpacho

One Eared Stag
1029 Edgewood Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30307
(404) 230-6177

[tags]Inman Park, gastropub['tags]

I like Abattoir’s food overall, but I’m not a fan of the burger. Why? The bread is too dense and not buttery enough to offset the texture of the meat. The meat has that sausagey taste and off-putting smell. I’m sure a lot of people like it but I prefer others over it. I did like the accompaniments: fries that were not greasy and remained crispy til the end, crunchy pickles, a dried tomato slice that was full of flavor, and a piece of sweetish butter lettuce.

Abattoir
1170 Howell Mill Rd NW # 100
Atlanta, GA 30318-8636
(404) 892-3335

Technorati Tags: American, chophouse, Atlanta

Murphy’s has been a family favorite since I was a teenager. Located in the hip neighborhood of Virginia Highland, Murphy’s has been consistently good with their food and service for over 25 years. Despite having eaten here countless of times, we never tire of the food. I’ve tried almost every item on the menu and though I have my favorites (and not-so-favorites), I can honestly say you can’t go wrong with any items. My top recommendations include: Grilled Pork Chop (thick, smoked, very juicy, very flavorful but only available in the summer), Braised Beef Brisket (fall-of-the-bone tender and delicious), Shrimp and Grits (light but packed with flavor), Flash-fried Calamari (fresh and perfectly battered), and the North Georgia Trout (clean, refined taste). For brunch, try the Corned Beef Hash (the mustard gives it a kick), the Cheesy Grits (also available as a side to entrées), and the Eggs Virginia Highland (a great veggie option).

The desserts are also all good but opt for the seasonal items. Once in a while, they have this amazing Carrot cake that is so moist and insanely good. The tiny portion of Vanilla Panna Cotta has the perfect sweetness and consistency. It is part of their Trio of desserts but can be ordered a la carte for $1.50. Murphy’s also has a bakery offering freshly baked cookies, cakes, and assorted breads.

Fall is a particularly exciting time here when the famed Crispy Pork Shank makes a special repeat appearance. A massive piece of meat, it looks intimidating, to say the least. The product of many hours of cooking — flavored and tenderized by boiling, dried, then fried — the result is a super crispy outside and extremely tender inside. Believe me, you will make a favorite out of it. Vegetables available in season are included; at this time, lightly sautéed napa cabbage are available as a side. If there is one thing on the menu that you must try this Fall, this one is it. Case in point: on a recent family dinner in early December, our table of 8 ordered 8 pork shanks. Yes, it’s that good.

Scoutmob offers a 50% discount to Murphy’s. But hurry, this offer expires in a few days.

Murphy’s
997 Virginia Avenue NE,
Atlanta GA 30306
404.872.0904

Technorati Tags: Murphy’s, Concentrics Restaurant, Virginia Highland, Altanta