Chow Down Atlanta

I like Aqua Blue. I continually place it in my Favorite Restaurants list for their consistently good food and great service. My friend and I came back Wednesday night to try out their Winter Harvest Wine Dinner. They have monthly wine dinners where you get a 4-course meal with fine wine pairings all for $45 per person. It’s a good deal.

Our first course was a Tropical maki made with red tuna, crab, avocado, masago, mango, kiwi, and mandarin orange. The accompanying Adami prosecco from Italy was really good. In fact, it was my favorite wine of the evening. It was crisp yet smooth.

The Muscovy Duck Breast salad was fantastic. Clearly, one of the best duck salads I’ve had. The duck was tender, fresh, and very flavorful. Hoisin is not my favorite seasoning but the chef made it so smooth tasting that there was only a slight hint of it. The salad also had sweet roasted pecans, pear slices, and goat cheese and slightly doused with cranberry vinaigrette. I loved it. It came with Bouchaine pinot noir that was a little too dry for my taste. I didn’t like drinking it by itself but paired with the salad, it was a good combination.

For the main entree, we had a Beef Roulade stuffed with sundried tomatoes, mushroom duxcell, spinach, butterklase cheese on a bed of lentils then finished off with a black truffle glaze. It was a heavy dish and needed a cabernet sauvignon (Edge - Napa Valley) to ease off the filling taste. A good choice of entree for the wine.

Dessert came in a Chambord-infused dark chocolate mousse bombe topped with toasted coconut and accompanied by fresh whipped cream, and berry coulis. It was paired with a zin from Michael Davis. It was another great combination and a perfect ending to a wonderful wine-paired meal.

This monthly wine dinner event is a steal at $45. I highly recommend it. Call the restaurant for next month’s schedule and menu.

The scoop:
1564 Holcomb Bridge Rd
Roswell, GA 30076
(770) 643-8886

Technorati Tags: Aqua Blue, fish, steaks, seafood, American cuisine, fusion, Roswell, Alpharetta

My mom and I had lunch at J. Alexander’s about two weeks ago and she was totally disappointed. I’ve been to this place a total of four times and I’ve been disappointed all those times except for my first visit which was maybe 3 years ago when I had their famous prime rib. This Nashville-based restaurant reminds me so much of Houston’s. They pretty much have the same look and feel. But it stops there. Food-wise, I prefer Houston’s where food is consistently good.

We started off with the seafood gumbo. It had a nice, bold broth, a good amount of seafood, and not a whole lot of rice. It also had just enough heat that you can feel it in your tongue but not enough to make you sweat. Overall a good soup.

I chose the Special Of The Day which was a grilled sea bass topped with a lime-pesto sauce and mango salsa. The fish, pesto sauce, and salsa all tasted fresh but I got tired of the taste of this dish after a few bites. It’s like when a dessert is so rich that you can’t eat it after a few bites. That’s how I felt about it. The couscous pasta provided to temper the dish and mellow it out, but on its own, it was saltish and dry. It must have been the very sweet, syrupy salsa that ruined this dish. Disappointing, nevertheless.

My mom had the Grilled Pork Loin with Bang Bang Sauce which is nothing but barbecue sauce. This dish was so bad we both couldn’t swallow the first bite and literally had to throw it out in a napkin. The pork tasted boiled and the sauce was a pathetic excuse for a Thai barbecue sauce. They really need to remove this from the menu.

For me, the execution of the dishes here just falls short. In an attempt at inventiveness, the combination of ingredients on a dish just doesn’t make sense — a combination of syrupy sweet with salty doesn’t always make a good combination. I’d rather spend my money on Houston’s any day.

Insider tip:
Right next door to The Forum Shops.

The scoop:
J. Alexander’s
5245 Peachtree Pkwy
Norcross, GA 30092
(770) 263-9755

Technorati Tags: J Alexander’s, American-Asian cuisine, fusion, steaks

I keep forgetting to write about Aqua Blue.  I remember when John Kessler gave it a mediocre review back in 2001. But Aqua Blue has come a long way and the one-star rating hardly represent it now. My last visit was about a month ago with 6 of my girl friends. I called in the reservation an hour before arriving and although they were booked solid that Saturday night, they gladly accommodated us and got us seated upon arrival. Of course, beggars can’t be choosers so we had to sit in the bar area up front. However, they’ve wonderfully re-arranged the place to make it look like a private seating area. I was impressed that they would even go through the trouble considering that people were lining up outside. (It is important to note that I used an assumed name when I called — I hardly ever make restaurant reservations under my name. In fact, aside from my friends and family — with the exception of Molly Spruill, Adam Murphy, and Chef Peter Golaszewski — nobody really knows how I look like.)

But back to AB. I’ve visited a few times and although I wouldn’t say everything on the menu is good, most everything I’ve eaten is. I find the Fire Cracker Chicken as the most disappointing choice on the menu. The honey-mustard sauce totally overpowered the tasteless chicken pieces which was fried in soggy batter. It reminded me of something from a fastfood Chinese place and the $9 price tag was so uncalled-for. Please, don’t order this ever.

The AB Calamari was a half-a-notch better but still a weak dish. The squid was chewy and the sauce was so ordinary. I mean, it was nothing but sweet and sour sauce with a bit of chili flakes in it.

I always have better luck on the mains, though. On this visit, I had the Hardwood Grilled Center-cut Pork Chop. It was delicious! It was cooked to the perfect medium temperature, was thick, juicy, tender, and very, very flavorful. The Jalapeño Grits that I chose for my side was amazing. The stone-ground grits had great texture, were creamy, cheesy, and had a nice hint of heat that went really well with my chops. This is my favorite dish here and I’ve ordered this on a couple of occasions.

My friends entrees were equally good. The Pecan Crusted Trout was clean tasting and the hash that came with it was superb — sweet potatoes, corn, tomatoes, and thin green beans in a peach-butter sauce. This is my other favorite here. The grilled North Atlantic Salmon was a little dry for my liking but the Pan Seared Jumbo Shrimp served with grilled veggies and blackberry coulis had a lot of character. I liked the saltish flavor of the grilled shrimp with the sweetness of the coulis. It was a creative combination.

You can’t go wrong with the steaks here. They are of great quality, perfectly cooked to your preferred temperature, juicy, tender, and very tasty. The Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass is another great choice. The sea bass is light tasting and comes with baby bok choy (Chinese cabbage), fresh spinach, and shitake mushrooms in a mushroom broth that provides the perfect saltiness to the otherwise bland fish. This is a very good light entree.

The verdict

I love Aqua Blue’s main entrees more than their weak appetizers. Service, ambiance, and decor are all impeccable. This is a true gem in this part of the suburbs.

Insider tip:
Located on the corner of Holcomb Bridge and Old Alabama Rd.

The scoop:
1564 Holcomb Bridge Rd
Roswell, GA 30076
(770) 643-8886

Technorati Tags: Aqua Blue, fish, steaks, seafood, American cuisine, fusion, Roswell, Alpharetta

A friend and I visited Straits a couple of days ago. It’s the new venture from rapper Ludacris who aims to bring a fresh, new vibe to the Atlanta food-slash-bar scene. I have been a fan of Luda for a while but I have been more impressed with his intention to help the youth and give back to the community — a very admirable side to his bad boy persona.

The scene

Contemporary Asian feel is what comes to mind. Lots of dark wood coupled with red walls and curtains. It’s a kind of place you dress up to go to yet it has a comfy feel. The noise level is high with people shoulder-to-shoulder in the bar area. The place was packed, to say the least. This is not the place to have a quiet dinner. Instead, it’s one where you kick off your shoes, enjoy a cocktail, hobnob with beautiful people, and have food as a bonus.

The meal

We tried a few things from the menu starting with the Roti Prata. Identical to the Malaysian roti canai, this one came with slices of grilled flour, yeastless flatbread and a bowl of yellow curry with chicken pieces and potatoes. I like my curry bold and hearty and this one, although flavorful and hearty, lacks the punch I require of curries: the simmered for hours taste. Still, I consider it a decent choice for a starter.

Next, we tried the Singapore Satay Sticks that came with skewers of chicken and steak on a bed of peanut sauce. These were pretty good. In fact, I consider this the winner of the night. The marinaded meat were succulent — tender, juicy, tasty. I absolutely loved the peanut sauce. This version is chunky. Sauteed in onions and tomatoes with chunks of peanuts, it was delicious. A different take on a rather boring sauce.

I found the Vegetable Egg Rolls and Samosas a bit underwhelming. The egg rolls were filled with the usual stir-fried veggies while the samosas were filled with bland potato puree. The only saving grace for these appetizers were the sweet and sour chili sauce.

Supposedly the dish that lured Chris to open Straits in Atlanta, the Kung Pao Lollilops were next on our plates. These were teriyaki-glazed chicken drummettes fried crispy on bed of the sweet-sour chili sauce. A fun and perfect bar food, I found the teriyaki-glaze a bit on the salty side. Still, I would order this dish again in hopes that it wouldn’t be as salty the next time.

For our mains, we had the Lobster Pad Thai, the Tamarind Beef, and the Seafood Green Curry. The Lobster Pad Thai was a sight to behold — a whole steamed lobster atop a bed of shrimp and chicken pad thai. Impressive looking, really. Although, I found it to be on the dry side, it has lots of potential. With loads of big fresh shrimp, tender chicken pieces, crunchy bean sprouts, and noodles, this may just be Strait’s signature dish in Atlanta.

The Tamarind Beef came with huge chunks of filet mignon on a bed of baby brussel sprouts with black pepper oyster sauce. individually skewered, the pieces of steak were very tender and juicy, albeit on the salty side. The brussel sprouts were refreshing and actually balanced the saltiness of the steak. This is another dish with a great potential and I’d like to see an improvement in future visits.

I give extra points for the Seafood Green Curry. It was inventive: with fresh, not-overcooked veggies that are not your run-of-the-mill curry vegetables. This one had napa cabbage, Thai eggplant, long beans, cabbage, carrots, and broccoli. It also had shrimp, chunks of filleted fish, clams, and mussels. The jalapeño curry was light and refreshing, though I would have liked it to be bolder. No matter, it’s a great choice for those who want a light but filling meal.

I’m not much of a dessert fan but we did try the French Kiss. The name alone warrants a try, don’t you think? This one came with a moist, velvety chocolate cake topped with strawberry ice cream with strawberry sauce. A good ending to a filling meal.

The service

Service is still spotty which I’m hoping will (and should) improve. I had a feeling our server was nervous more than anything else.

The verdict

I seriously hoped Luda would be in the house that night. Imagine the surprise when he walked by — no posse, no security, no scantily clad women hanging by his arms. Just him. Checking out the scene. I made a bee line, said hi, and had my date take a picture of us. Sorry, I’m still giddy up to now. He was very friendly and unbelievably nice. An added treat to a fun evening.

Overall, this is a hip place for Atlantans to chill out while sipping creative cocktails or munching on classy lounge food. The place is beautiful and inviting. Good vibe, good music. A great food concept this side of town and I imagine the kitchen making improvements and tweaking its dishes to suit the tame palates of the average American.

Insider tip:
The upstairs area is quieter and more cozy. Valet parking available. Adjacent parking lot with plenty of spaces ($3).

The scoop:
Straits
793 Juniper St. NE
(Corner of 5th and Juniper)
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-877-1283
Hours: M-W 5pm-12midnight, Th-Sat 5pm-1am, Sunday 5pm-11pm. Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm

Technorati Tags: Straits Restaurant Atlanta, Singaporean cuisine, Chris Bridges, Ludacris, Chris Yeo, Juniper St.

The first thing that caught my eye upon setting foot at this hip, trendy place was the “mile-long” bar with funky bar stools. I love the shiny metallic bar top with the contrasting copper-colored base (an effect obtained by using a blow torch). It serves as the focal point at this huge property. But as huge as the place is, there is no cold, impersonal feel. There are comfy couches grouped on one edge, tables in the middle, and cozy booths lining the sides. Saunter downstairs to Shangri-la and you’ll see yet another big area where private affairs or special events can be held. There’s a working fireplace, low tables and chairs, and more couches.

The newest sister of the Blue Grotto family, UTOPIA promises a memorable evening whether you want to hang out at the incredible bar, have a cozy time in a booth tucked quietly in the corner, mingle with friends on the couches or just have a lively evening complete with dance lessons. And let’s not forget about the food. And the martinis. Utopia offers something for everyone — including my vegetarian-for-the-day sister of mine.

We love the hummus that was smooth, creamy, and had a well-balanced flavor. It came with grilled pita wedges and a side of feta cheese and green olives. The Empanada was simply delicious — baked pastry filled with cheesy veggies then set atop fresh tomato salsa. The Shrimp and Scallops had a little zing but not enough to get you to gulp copious amounts of water. The shrimp and scallops were sauteed with mushrooms in a reduction sauce and came with creamy grits that tempered the bold flavor of the seafood.

For dessert, we went with a server’s recommendation: the Tiramisu. It was fluffy, light, and not too rich. You can clearly taste the Kahlua and the mascarpone cheese. We also had the Chocolate Fondue served with slices of fresh strawberries, apples, pineapples, bananas, and of course, marshmallows. Now if you feel that you need to work off everything you ate, go ahead and join the crowd for some free salsa lessons, or better yet, head on downstairs to another area where Ice is located (I told you this place is huge).

Ice is more like a dance club. It’s definitely got that clubby look and feel with a touch of cozy for good measure. I like the elevated VIP sections on each side of the room. But what I love the most is the covered water pool on the middle of the dance floor. It is so unique. And fun. To complete the look, there’s a bar on one side and couches on the other. Oh, did I mention there’s also a swing hanging from the ceiling? Although not yet officially open, you definitely have to check this place out once it does.All in all, Utopia gives Atlantans a nifty place to unwind and have fun. Owners Donny and La Mui have put a lot of thought into envisioning a total philosophy of bringing people from all walks of life together in one creative space.

Insider tip:
Wednesday nights is salsa night: free dance lessons!
$5 Tapas and Martinis Monday to Friday from 5-8PM
You have got to check out the bathrooms. I mean it — go see both the mens and ladies room. Now I don’t want to ruin it for everybody so let me just say this: the downstairs one has a television!

The scoop:
Utopia: Tapas, Sushi, Martinis
840 Marietta St. NW,
Atlanta, GA 30318
404.898.8788

Technorati Tags: Utopia, midtown, Atlanta, tapas, martinis, sushi, bar, Ice, Shangri-la, Blue Grotto, dance club, special events

The newest happening place in midtown, Top Flr wowed CDA with its great atmosphere, inventive food, and mind-blowing desserts. Opened barely three weeks, Top Flr has been attracting a steady clientele: families, GenXers, and your typical Midtown hip crowd. Located on Myrtle off Ponce, it’s right smack in the middle of a residential neighborhood. No matter, it fits right in.

The scene

True to its name, we sauntered upstairs to the top floor where the dining area is located (the bar sits appropriately on the main floor). The dining area is cozy with black walls on the far side, white on the other, and this amazing wall paper on another. The tables and chairs are nondescript, as well as the entire decor (which, in my opinion, is good as it’s always better to focus on food), save for one side of the room where comfy, decorative yet functional pillows rest on a long bench.

The food

For starters, I had the Mussels in Coconut Lime Soy Broth. First bite and I literally got swept off my feet. It was heavenly. Think succulent mussels steamed in a Thai broth of coconut milk with a hint of lime and soy. Utterly comforting. I would have loved to have a side of crusty French bread or pomme frites to sop up all the sauce but who cares, it was simply fantastic. My sister had the White Bean Hummus served with grilled flat bread, olives, and chili oil. The olives complemented the hummus’ smoothness which had a well-balanced flavor, devoid of the usual tartiness that comes with most hummus; while the chili oil gave it a nice kick.

There were two kinds of salads on the menu and we both decided to try them: Frisee, Watercress, Asian Pear, Walnut, Gorgonzola salad in Champagne Mint Vinaigrette dressing, and the Mixed Greens, Figs, Chevre, Pistachio in Honey Lavender Dressing. Both salad were superb. The sweetness of the grilled, paper-thin Asian pears on the watercress salad off-set the acidity of the Champagne dressing while the toasted walnuts and gorgonzola added texture. The mixed greens salad with figs and pistachio created an explosion of flavors and textures with the dressing bringing it all together.

For the main course, I had the Grilled Hangar Steak and my sister had the Roasted Ginger Crusted Tofu. Both were exceptional. My steak was substantial, maybe 8 ounces, in a bold-tasting shallot demi-glaze. The tofu was perfectly crunchy on the outside yet warm and soft on the inside. The pomegranate-miso dressing neutralized the steamed spinach but intensified the tofu. For the sides, the Jasmine Rice was to-die-for. Resembling risotto, it was steamed in a creamy coconut milk-base and peppered with edamame. The house-made gnocchi was equally good — with cherry tomatoes and greens then topped with grated cheese. The Beets, Chevre, and Arugula side was extraordinary: delicious and inventive. I loved the sweetness of the beets with the saltiness of the cheese, while the arugula provided crunch and punch. (Side note: with all the items we ordered — yes, we can eat our weight in food — there was a bit of confusion as the servers trying to deliver our food were looking for a table of four and was surprised to see little ‘ol us!)

With all the food we’ve eaten so far (unsurprisingly, we finished everything), one would think there would be no room for dessert. But, aah, the dessert was what we really came for — Chef de Patisserie Taria is nothing but a genius. Her chocolate creations are out-of-this-world: all organic and no sugar. Top Flr’s two-part dessert menu includes a listing of imaginative truffles and creative concoctions. All chocolate. Among the $3-apiece truffles we tried were the El Rey Milk Chocolate Caramel topped with Hawaiian black lava salt and the Callebaut Milk Chocolate infused with Genmaicha rolled in candied brown rice with Matcha green tea. Both were delectable; blended with well-thought of ingredients.As if the truffles were not enough to send you to pure chocolate ecstasy, Chef Taria does more by offering her Late Night Chocolate features. The Valrhona White Chocolate and Basil Pots de Creme served in a demitasse cup and topped with a sugared basil was so magnificent that the only thing keeping me from licking the cup clean was the watchful eye of our attentive server. My sister’s Raspberry Mud Cake with Bittersweet Sorbet and Peppered Strawberries was so unbelievably delectable with the cake so moist, the sorbet so light yet chocolaty, and with the peppered strawberries adding contrast.

The verdict

Service was still a little spotty at times though I foresee an improvement as soon as the nervousness dies down. Top Flr is not just another trendy hangout. It offers an innovative menu and skillfully-executed and delicious food at exceptional prices. This is one of my fave spots in Atlanta.

Insider tip
- **No longer open for lunch as of August 25. See new hours below.
- Plenty of street parking.
- Wine by the glass comes close to 9 ounces.
- Also, be warned as food portions are huge.
- Price average: appetizers $8, salads $8, sides $5, and mains $11

The scoop:
Top Flr
674 Myrtle St., Atlanta, GA 30345
Telephone: 404-685-3110
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday 4:30pm-1:30 am (kitchen closes at 1)
Friday-Sat 4:30pm-2:30 am (kitchen closes at 2)
Sun 4:30 pm-12:30 am (kitchen closes at 12)

Technorati Tags: Top Flr, Midtown, Asian cuisine, Bar, Dinner, Lunch, Chocolate Dessert