Chow Down Atlanta

Casa Vieja has been my long time go-to place for my pork-grease fixes. Like most places on Buford Hwy, it has a cult following of office lunch crowd; although their main business comes from fellow Colombians who tend to linger over a leisurely meal.

Case Vieja’s homey and colorful ambiance attempt to imitate its homeland. Scenes from everyday life are depicted in every corner with murals that resemble a studio backdrop. It’s enough to get you in the mood and think you’re eating in a far away place. Add to that a staff that is warm, efficient, and forgiving of a gringo’s lack of familiarity with the Spanish language and you’d really feel like you’ve been transported back.

If you want to get a taste of a typical Colombian cuisine, I highly recommend the Bandeja Paisa, a typical dish from the northwest region. I call it “everything including the kitchen sink“. A steal at $8.50, this one includes just about everything: a grilled skirt steak, fried pork rind, a fried egg, beans, rice, fried plantains, a slice of avocado, and an arepa. It’s an overwhelming sight. But delicious, nonetheless, as I have never found any problems finishing the entire order — of course, I’ve always been a big eater, despite my size. The flavorful steak is pounded flat then grilled. Its simplicity complemented by a good dousing of the fantastic cilantro-vinaigrette sauce (Colombia’s answer to ketchup). The fried pork belly (chicharron) with the rind included is my absolute favorite. It is perfectly cooked to a crisp golden brown. Think of it as a glorified fried pork chop. It’s finger-lickin’ good! The rice and beans are also notches above the usual. Theirs are house made. And tasty. The plantains are sweet and balances the entire dish. The arepa, sadly, is forgettable. It’s chalky and hard. I’ve been eating arepas forever, compliments of family friends who make arepas from scratch and literally hand-carry them on their flight to Atlanta everytime they return from a visit to Bogota. In fact, their cheese-filled arepas are to die for. But I digress.

The Pechuga De Pollo or grilled chicken plate is another solid choice. The flat chicken breast is flavorful and grilled perfectly. It comes with a side salad, rice, and fried sweet plantains.

For something lighter, the steak tacos are a perfect choice. An order gets you 3 corn tacos filled with thick chunks of steak topped with cilantro and onions. It’s the best value on the menu at $4.50 per order which has the same amount of steak as the plates. Not on the menu, the big bowl of steaming chicken rice soup is a great starter. Although be warned that this isn’t the chicken soup you’re probably accustomed to. Theirs has curry, which adds a big punch to an otherwise common fare. I’m not very fond of their empanada as I’ve always loved Cuban empanadas. Casa Vieja’s empanadas are filled with chicken curry stew which is good; just not my favorite type.

For great Colombian food, Casa Vieja is the answer. The food is good, the place is clean, and the service is efficient and friendly.

Insider tip:
Be warned, as servings are huge. Service is good but the kitchen can get slammed during peak lunch hours when a wait on food is normal. Try the fresh fruit shakes — they’re very good and refreshing.

The scoop:
3652 Shallowford Rd NE # D
Doraville, GA 30340
(770) 454-8557
I was told that they are closed on Thursdays. Open all other days from 11am to 9pm. Call ahead to be sure.
If you’re familiar with Asian Square on Buford Highway, Casa Vieja is directly behind it on Shallowford Rd.

Technorati Tags: Casa Vieja, Buford Hwy, Shallowford Rd, Colombian cuisine, Bandeja Paisa, arepa, chicharron, pandebono

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

Hungry for a hearty meal? Then you’ll have to try Mi Pilon on Buford Highway for some Latin-Caribbean food. This cafeteria-style joint offers home-cooked meals in a very casual, family-oriented atmosphere. Freshly-cooked entrees are showcased in a glass enclosed-bar and you basically just pick a dish or two (or even three as in my case). All selection comes with rice, beans, and plantains.

Staples such as roast pork (lechon) and roast chicken are solid choices. There’s also the stewed oxtail for those wanting to be more adventurous. The roast pork and chicken were tender and full of flavor. The oxtail was absolutely delicious and had that simmered-for-hours taste. The empanadas (baked flour pastry filled with ground pork) were also wonderful and were already a meal in itself.With daily special combos starting at $7.99, Mi Pilon offers great food at affordable prices.

Insider tip:
Combos come with either one or two dishes but you can request to have a 3rd one added (which is what I usually do).

The scoop:
Mi Pilon
5705 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
Norcross, GA 30071
770-797-2924

Technorati Tags: Mi Pilon, Buford Highway, Latin cuisine, Caribbean cuisine, Atlanta, restaurants

Royal China’s owners have been in the food business in Atlanta for over 25 years starting with Barbeque Corner inside the Din Ho food court and its sister BBQ Corner II on Buford Highway (I practically grew up eating their food). In the mid-80s, the owner wanted to bring authentic Cantonese cuisine especially dim-sum to Atlanta so he imported hand-picked one of the best Cantonese cooks in Hongkong and brought him to BBQ Corner II. Later on, he opened Royal China and moved the Hongkong chef to it.

I can understand why some people think Royal China isn’t as good as their favorite places and I can’t fault them because that can be attributed to the fact that authentic Cantonese cuisine takes some getting used to. In other words, it’s an acquired taste for the average Westerner’s palate. Most Chinese restaurants in America serve Mandarin, Hunan, and even Szechuan cuisine (or a combination) and these are what people are used to (read: heavy sauces). Dim sum is a Cantonese invention and as such, has Cantonese flavors and style of cooking (steaming, boiling).

Royal China has the best most authentic dim sum in Atlanta hands down. Not only that, the food is fresh, delicious and unique, and the prices are inexpensive. Dishes are served hot via steam carts (unlike other places) that roam around the restaurant. You point at what you like, the server places your selection on your table, then marks it on the food card which also serves as your bill. If you’re not familiar about what to order, my tip is to try everything you think looks good because I assure you, each and every dish is really good. On weekends, there are special items such as clams on bean sauce or steamed Chinese broccoli which are only available that day so do try those as well. I do have a few suggestions, however…

Don’t miss the siu mai or dumplings. They come in several varieties such as pork (a must try for its tastiness), shrimp, shark’s fin, and other combinations. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, go for the beef tripe — fork-tender slices in ginger broth — the clean taste of the broth balances the texture of the tripe. There are also items for the hard-core such as the chicken feet (tasty but bony). The fried minced shrimp wrapped in bacon served with spicy sweet and sour sauce is another must-try and goes well with the lotus-wrapped rice (sticky rice topped with chicken and pork sausage, hard-boiled egg, and spices wrapped in lotus leaves then steamed). Other dishes worth trying are the char siu bao (pork buns) which are steamed dough buns filled with barbecued pork simmered in vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce; fried eggplant with shrimp (slices of eggplant topped with steamed minced shrimp served with sweetish-salty sauce); steamed Manila clams in ginger-soy sauce; radish cakes (mashed radish mixed with shrimp or pork then steamed or fried); egg custard cups; steamed cake buns; and, better save room for the tofu dessert — silky smooth soft tofu in ginger-sugar sauce. A perfect way to end your wonderful dim sum experience.

Insider tip:
Dim sum is served daily with weekends having a more extensive selection. Plan to go before 11 am on weekends as it’s common to have an hour wait around noon. If you’d rather not wait, ask to share a big table. Not to worry, you won’t share the bill or the food. Just the space.

The scoop:
Royal China Restaurant
3295 Chamblee Dunwoody Road,
Atlanta, GA 30341
Phone: (770) 216-9933
Major Credit Cards accepted
Plenty of parking

Technorati Tags: Royal China, Cantonese cuisine, Chinese Cuisine, dim sum, Buford Highway, dumplings, tofu dessert

I grew up eating Korean food. The first Korean restaurant my family went to in Atlanta was back in the 80s at the only Korean restaurant in town located deep inside the downtown area. I could not remember exactly where it is or even what it’s called. I was very, very young then and at that age, you don’t really try to remember anything.

Since then, we’ve been to almost all the Korean restaurants in Atlanta. 88 Tofu House occupies a stand-alone building that used to be Arby’s back in the 80s just inside I-285 on Buford Read the rest of this entry »