Chow Down Atlanta

The city of Duluth’s extensive downtown renovation created not only a live, work, play community, but a quaint yet modern Main street lined with locally-owned businesses. In the midst of this historic area is a row of commercial town houses, one of which is home to Chocolate Perks, a casually elegant coffee-slash-ice cream-slash-cupcake-slash-sandwich shop.

Owner Marsha Anderson Bomar, who also happens to occupy a seat in the City Council, offers a place to hang out, relax, and eat breakfast, lunch, or snack. While there are daily sandwich specials offered, the staples here are paninis: grilled cheese, beef and cheddar, Cuban, chicken salad, and ham and cheese. Each order comes with crunchy pickles and prices average at $6.

clearly, presentation is an issue here — the soup was sloppily served that way — drippings and all

I’ve had two of the soups (both very good) and three of their sandwiches here: the grilled cheese with turkey, ham and cheese, and beef and cheddar. I was a bit disappointed with the value of the Grilled Cheese because it came with two slices of regular white bread, 2 slices of cheese, and 2 thin slices of deli turkey. I thought the $6 price tag was a little steep for the simpleness (in taste and creativity) of the sandwich which I can very well get in another deli for a buck less.

The Black Forest Ham and Smoked Gouda panini was a much better value. The sourdough bread was sizable, the ham was tasty, and the cheese was fresh. Overall, a much better choice.

My Beef and Cheddar on my third visit yesterday was another simple sandwich. The brioche was buttery and sweetish as it should be but was clearly ruined by over-toasting (or over-pressing). I know some folks like their bread on the dark-toasted side but it should not be the default. Instead, people should be permitted to have the choice. I wonder why they even allowed this to be served — they probably thought I wouldn’t notice? That or they are just indifferent about the quality of the sandwiches that come out of their kitchenette. This disappointment plus chips set me back $7. Although, I have no qualms whatsoever paying good money on food, it has to have value — portion size, price, creativity, cooking method (was it cooked over heat or was it sourced elsewhere then assembled), and taste. Incidentally, a can of Diet Coke was an additional $1.75. Pretty steep for a canned drink, no?

Aside from coffee and sandwiches, Chocolate Perks also serves ice-cream and homemade cupcakes, muffins, desserts, and chocolate truffles. The red velvet and chocolate mini-cupcakes were good in a fresh kind of way. They are not too sweet and you can tell good ingredients were used. But the best part of these cupcakes were the icing. I don’t eat icing but their butter cream concoction is just so good. The chocolate muffin is by far, my favorite. It is moist, chocolaty, dense, and delicious. Pair that with a cup of coffee and you have a power breakfast (or snack) in your hands.

This is definitely a nice addition to the area for a quick breakfast or lunch or simply for whiling time away. But what would be nice is for them to offer a simple Sunday brunch. And a soda fountain machine.

Insider tip:
Join their mailing list or Facebook group page for info on their daily specials.
Free wi-fi.
They use Counter Culture coffee.

The scoop:
Chocolate Perks
3160 Main St.
Suite 200
Duluth, GA 30096
770-342-0037
Hours:
M-F: 7AM-9PM
Sat: 8AM-11PM
Sun: 11AM-6PM

Technorati Tags: Duluth, GA, sandwiches, coffee shop, ice cream, cupcakes, breakfast, lunch

Sometimes, a foot-long just won’t do. Many times, I want to sit down and enjoy a great sandwich made with house-made bread and top notch ingredients, all concocted by a top notch chef. And just like the saying goes, good things come to those who… travel. Yes, this place is far. Very far. Even for me. But it’s worth every gallon of gas.

Chef Christophe (Au Pied de Cochon), is a friendly man who knows his game. He concocts French comfort food using nothing but the best ingredients. In fact, most everything he uses is made in house. The bread, too, courtesy of Chef Baker Jenny who tends the front of the house.

On my first visit, I was literally floored by the Croque Madam — slices of delicious ham and emmental cheese were sandwiched between homemade honey French bread, grilled to perfection, and topped with a perfect sunny-side up egg. It was so good that the only thing keeping me from ordering another one was the plate of macarons calling my name. I chose fries for my side and although good, could have used another 30 seconds in the fryer. No matter, the red aioli sauce that came with the fries was very good. Price tag: $7.95.

But the piéce-de-résistance here at Cafe Gourmandises is the Kobe Burger. Resembling a thick slice of meatloaf, the meat is first-rate and so tender and juicy with just a hint of seasoning — just enough to bring out the natural flavors of the meat. It comes out perfectly cooked medium and garnished with field greens, thin slices of fresh tomatoes, caramelized onions, mushrooms, blue cheese, crispy bacon and the chef’s spicy-sweetish mayo all in a fresh-made baguette that’s almost a foot long. Really delicious. I thought all the garnishing will over-power the meat but it didn’t. In fact, it brought out the flavor of the meat even more. And once you see someone having it, you’re gonna want one for your self. Four more orders were brought out right after ours. It’s a steal at $13.95.

My lunch companion’s fries were superb this time. They were so crisp on the outside and soft on the outside with that real potato taste in every bite. My warm stuffed grape leaves were also fantastic and I loved the light drizzle of balsamic vinegar on it.

Aside from the usual hot and cold gourmet sandwiches, Cafe G also serves quiches, escargot, calamari, lamb skewers, salads, and crepes (both sweet and savory). And if you have a sweet tooth, then make sure to leave room for the assorted desserts they offer daily — mini cakes, tarts, brûlée, macarons. The macarons ($5.95 for 6) are so yummy with a chewy outside and creamy filling.

I really love this place; a French cafe without any pretensions. The place is welcoming, albeit sparsely furnished, and the the warm vibe and delicious food are addicting. Despite the distance, it’s my new favorite lunch hangout.

Insider tip:
Go north on Peachtree Industrial Blvd past McGinnis Ferry Rd. (from 285 to PIB: once you cross Pleasant Hill Rd, it’s about 6 miles).
There is a very nice patio for dining al fresco.
Fresh homemade bread available for sale. Call for availability.

The scoop:
Cafe Gourmandises
686 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
Ste 200
Suwanee, GA 30024
(770) 945-6554

Technorati Tags: French cafe, sandwiches, soups, salads, quiche, Suwanee, Peachtree Industrial Blvd, French pastries