Chow Down Atlanta

I’ve been trying to retire from blogging for many years. Of all the bloggers I started out with back in 2007, only two people remain active in blogging about food: Jimmy and Broderick. Technically. Since FoodieBuddha is semi-retired also. Anyways. You see, back in 2010, I had this awesome idea. About a new project. So I started with such excitement until, well, I just became plain lazy. Plus there were so many excuses that got in the way. So it went into the back burner. I’m gonna try to resurrect that project again. While I’m not going to be gone from blogging altogether, (besides, a good friend said, “You have a responsibility to tell people about more Korean restaurants.”) I will just be taking a different approach to blogging. I think blogging has run its course for me. I mean, really, how many more Korean restaurants can I talk about? They’re practically all just the same. Besides, you can only use so many adjectives to describe food. These days, it’s really more convenient (and fast) to post a picture on Instagram and have mini reviews. In case you hadn’t noticed, that’s what I’ve been doing for the last, oh, two years now?

So. Until my project is launched (it’s a slooow process), follow me: @chowdownatlanta on Instagram. Oh and I’m not abandoning this blog. Yet. In fact, there should be a new post in… ten, nine, eight…

Happy New Year! Happy New Year! That’s a double greeting. One for 2013 and one for the Year of the Snake. I hope all of you had wonderful celebrations for either one.

CDA will be 6 years old in a couple of weeks. While it has been fun all in all, it has become tedious sometimes. Life just gets in the way of writing. Most times, the motivation to write just isn’t there anymore. Don’t get me wrong — the restaurant scene in metro Atlanta continue to keep me excited and there are many, many places worth writing about. I applaud businesses that open and stay open despite our economic climate. But hobbies are supposed to be fun. Not feel like work. So please excuse the silence when I’m trying to psyche myself out and write a coherent post.

For those of you who keep coming back to check for new posts, thank you. For my loyal readers who have been part of my eating world, thank you. For everyone who gave me a chance to be a part of your eating world, thank you. I cannot thank all of you enough. I am here, I keep writing, because of all of you.

It’s another year. A new year. Here’s to more good food and good times with food!

~Chloe

You already know there are literally hundreds of Korean restaurants dotting Duluth. I’ve been to over 75 of them so far. This one’s on the far edge, on the corner of Pleasant Hill and Peachtree Industrial. It’s a true family operation: daughter is front of house, mom cooks, aunt serves. It sits in the plaza where Bank of America is, right before you hit Howell Ferry Road. I’m the worst with directions so just map it.

I’m so excited about this place because they have my favorite soup: yukgaejang. Not many places have this. In fact, I only know of maybe 6 of them. It’s a spicy beef soup with lots of shredded beef and decorations veggies such as bean sprouts, gosari, scallions, leeks, taro stems, and noodles. The bright red color comes from the hot chili oil sauce made with gochugaru (chili powder). It’s a hearty soup and the version here is pretty good.

I like this place. I’m hoping it really makes it. The location is a bit secluded and the only thing good about it is that there’s a White Windmill in the same plaza. If you’re new to Korean cuisine, give this place a chance and get their bibimbap (rice bowl), galbi (grilled short ribs) and soondubu (soft tofu soup) — all introductory food. You won’t be sorry.

Seoul Restaurant
3585 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.,
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 623-8100

Technorati Tags: Korean, Duluth, Gwinnett

I’ve had insomnia ever since I can remember. In high school, my grandma would give me cough syrup to get drowsy so I can fall sleep. I’ve tried everything, believe me. One of the remedies I’ve found to be effective is food. That and because it’s 2AM right now and I’m hungry. Here are the “slutty” food I’m thinking of eating right now…

Fried bread. I’m not a fan of their menu but I love Captain D’s fried bread. It’s almost as good as the Chinese version. Almost. They’re so yeasty, dense, yet airy. Slathered with lots of butter, this is the best fried “bread sticks” in America. Very cheap, too! Every time I see a Captain D’s while driving, I have to stop by and get an order of these bread (it comes with 3) and a big cup of diet coke. Perfect snack.

Fried plantains and chicken/beef empanadas. The plantains are naturally sweet. Dip them in Mexican crema and you’d think you’ve died and gone to snack heaven. $1.95 gets you 4 long strips and 2 tubs of crema. The empanadas have shells that are so crispy with just the right amount of flakiness and lots of good, tasty filling. Don’t forget to ask for their homemade spicy sauce/salsa for dipping. Both from the Buford Highway Farmers Market snack bar located right after you pass the cashiers on the way out.

Varsity cheeseburger and onion rings. Enough said.

A bagel sandwich and hashbrowns from Dunkin’ Donuts. Chewy bagel. Garlicky hash browns. Both hit the spot.

Did you know? My most favorite slutty BBQ is from Sonny’s. Nothing beats an all-you-can-eat portion of their sliced pork. There’s just something about these moist slices that are so comforting. Happy food.

Last but not least, oh how I wish I had some crispy Korean chicken wings right now.

Back to reality. Off to eat a bowl of cereal and praying I get sleepy afterwards…

Squealing along Edgewood Avenue past the bridge at 10PM isn’t exactly what people should be doing. It’s a very sketchy part of town. And street. So unless you can protect yourself properly, my advice is don’t do it. But these cookies, I was told, were worth the stroll as my good friend, Eli, who is a CFA expert, were holding them hostage in the trunk of his car. You already know I don’t have a sweet tooth. But this cookie. Oh my. This Chocolate Chunk cookie…

Run. Don’t walk. Go NOW.

Available at all Chick-fil-A locations around March. But you can preview them now at all three Dwarf Houses in town. You can thank me later.

Technorati Tags: CFA, Chick-fil-A, cookie