Chow Down Atlanta

I went to Buca when it first opened a couple of years ago just to satisfy my curiosity. I have never been back. Until two weeks ago. And only because I attended a get-together with close friends. There were 45 of us.

The organizer thought best to have a family-style dining which is an excellent idea given our number. To me, family-style is more intimate: everyone at the table gets to eat everything. It also simplifies discussions about food since you ate exactly the same thing as the next person.

After being ushered to a huge private room, our evening started with a Mixed Green Salad, Bruschetta, and Fried Calamari. Our organizer thought it best to pre-order a set menu for the group which was another excellent idea. Not only did it alert the kitchen in advance, our food was ready as soon as we finished our cocktails. I enjoyed the salad more than anything else. It had crisp greens and the vinaigrette dressing was really good. The bruschetta was a little too crunchy on the edges (think biscotti) but topped with an obscene amount of fresh, ripe roma tomatoes which I love. The calamari was also fresh but nothing to write home about.

The Spaghetti Meatballs was just that: ordinary-tasting meatballs on fresh yet mediocre marinara sauce. I like my sauce hearty and saucy. Not runny. Theirs can’t even coat the spaghetti properly. The Chicken Parmigiana was pretty good but still not fantastic. The breaded chicken breasts were topped with prosciutto, bruschetta, and provolone cheese. With all the strong-tasting toppings plus the fact that they were all swimming in marinara sauce, I couldn’t really taste the chicken at all.

We had Mashed Potatoes to go with the chicken but since we also had two pasta dishes, no one really wanted to touch it anymore. Mashed potatoes is mashed potatoes; theirs is chunky (which I like). The Fettuccine Supremo was the other pasta dish we had. It had slices of chicken breast, broccoli, and red peppers on fettuccine pasta with Alfedo sauce. I don’t know about you but I can differentiate fresh from dried pasta. I prefer fresh. Theirs is not.

Buca di Beppo, if anything else, is a fun place. I do have to commend our server. She was the most methodical, most efficient, funniest, friendliest (okay, she was way too friendly at times but it made for good laughs) server I have ever encountered. She gave each person/couple a number so that she can keep track of drink tabs. The per person cost for our meal was $39.95 (drinks, tax, and gratuity not included) — way to steep for the kind and taste of the food we got. For that price, there are other, much better places like this one. And although I was disappointed (again) with the food, the company made up for it, big time.

Insider tip:
There is a chef’s table in the kitchen that seats 4. I’ve never been one to enjoy eating (at a restaurant, no less) while watching tons of raw, salmonella-laden chicken butchered in front of me. Of course, I exaggerate but you get my point. Still, if that’s you’re thing, then make sure to call ahead and reserve it.

(P.S. I’m still away on a beach far away. Be back soon!)

The scoop:
Buca di Beppo
2335 Mansell Road
Alpharetta, GA 30022
770.643.9463
Monday – Thursday: 11–10
Friday: 11–11
Saturday: 11–11
Sunday: 11–9

Technorati Tags: Buca di Beppo, Alpharetta, Italian cuisine, family-style dining

There are so many good Italian places in Atlanta but my favorite is Ecco. I love it because of its food (both quality and taste), presentation, concept, consistency, ambiance, and service.

The scene

Casual yet elegant is what comes to mind upon entering the double doors. A lively, hip bar welcomes you while cozy booths and intimate, comfortable spaces beckon you on the other side. Its family-style dining makes you feel right at home.

The meal

On my visit, everything was spot on. Especially the food. We started out with a five-piece meat and cheese combo that included Finocchiona (a fenne-seasoned salami), Soppresata, Meyer Lemon Baked Ricotta, Bandaged Cheddar, and Fourme D’Ambert bleu cheese. We had a good combination overall, but I particularly enjoyed the UK cheddar: buttery and savory.

We then moved to the appetizers, choosing the fried goat cheese, the grilled squid, and the piquillo peppers. The fried goat cheese was superb — balls of goat cheese enveloped in a thin crust then doused with honey. The contrasting textures and tastes make it a very appetizing item. The grilled squid was very tender with the olives adding flavor to its mild taste. The mushroom-stuffed peppers were equally good as the woody taste of mushroom balances well with the spicy-sweetish peppers. We also had the grilled baby romaine salad sprinkled with pecorino and walnuts. I’m not much into wilted grilled salad greens but this one still had a lot of crunch. Paired with the grilled squid, this salad rocks.

Not wanting to order anything heavy after all the small plates, my sister settled on the Spanish tuna pizza while I opted for the ho-hum sounding tomato-basil-mozzarella pie. We were blown away by these wood-fired pizzas. The thin crisp, slightly chewy crusts were fantastic. The tuna pizza had chunks of tuna, white beans, and mustard greens, then topped with parmigiano cheese. It was one savory pizza. My ho-hum pizza was a total surprise. It was delicious: creamy, melted cheese with ripe tomatoes and fresh basil. It was great take on an otherwise boring pie.

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Sous Chef Scott Keifer, overseeing the kitchen that night, was a little disappointed that we didn’t try any of the pastas (all made in-house) so he sent out a sample of the chili-braised pork with garlic and pappardelle. This was actually my original choice but after all the small plates, I didn’t think I have the taste for anything heavy and saucy. I was totally floored by this dish. It had fork-tender pork with sheets of perfectly-cooked pappardelle in a sweetish, bold sauce with just a hint of heat. Absolutely heavenly. If there’s one dish you have to try, this is it.

To cap off another gastronomic evening, we ordered the panna cotta and the bread pudding. Both choices were excellent. I loved the smooth buttermilk-blueberry-cardamom panna cotta with fresh blueberries and chantilly cream. It was light with a sweetish blueberry taste that complements a savory meal. The bread pudding was simply incredible: uniquely prepared like French toast — I call it bread pudding with an attitude. You’ll love it.

The service

Andy was the perfect server you could possibly ever get. Every recommendation he gave was accurate. I love servers who share the same passion for food as you do. Not only that, he was very knowledgeable with both the food and wine. I give him the Best Server of the Year award for 2008.

The verdict

A great place to have a fantastic meal or to simply unwind. Ecco sets out to deliver authentic European-inspired cuisine and they do, in true form and fashion.

Insider tip:
Extensive wine list including exclusive wines only available at Ecco. We loved the Heger (Pinot Gris, Baden, Germany ‘04) and the Domaine Faillenc St. Maire (Syrah/Grenache, Corbieres, France ‘04). Guests’ wine selections are tracked via a small, wooden tablet (another neat concept).

The scoop:
Ecco
40 Seventh St NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: (404) 347-9555

Bar opens at 4pm daily; Dinner starts at 5:30pm until 11pm (M-Th), 12am (F-Sat), and 10pm (Sun)

Technorati Tags: Ecco, Midtown, wood-fired pizza, pasta, bar, Italian, European cuisine

Tuesday is my favorite pasta day. It’s because Tuesday is lasagna day at VZ. It’s the only day they ever make lasagna. But more on that later. VZ is this amazing pizzeria place on 141/Peachtree Parkway in the Johns Creek area. Believe me when I say this place rocks! Everything is made to order so although you’ll have to wait a few minutes for your pizza, pizza knots, and garlic bread, it is so worth the wait. The side salads are big and so fresh you’d think the greens came straight from the garden. The strombollis are huge enough for two people to eat and can be ordered with any combination of ingredients. The 10-inch heros are baked crispy on the outside. I mean it, everything on the menu is good.

First, the pizza dough is made in-house, fresh and really just amazing — it has the right amount of chewiness, crispiness, and doughiness. The homemade pizza sauce is bold and tasty. And the toppings, fresh and plenty! One bite and you’ll be hooked.

Then, of course, there’s the lasagna. Huge portions of home-made-from-scratch lasagna. It is THE best lasagna this side of Italy. Seriously, I’ve been to Italy countless times and although the version of pasta there cannot be duplicated, VZ sure makes a worthy contender. The layers of al dente pasta sheets, meat, and sauce then generously topped with their chuncky tomato sauce make this lasagna so addicting. Unfortunately, it is only available on Tuesdays. But now you know where to find me on Tuesdays!

If you’ve never been at Verra Zanno, you owe to yourself to go and be wowed. Start with some garlic bread which comes with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. Follow with a side of salad. The pizza is a must try for your first visit. After that, which I guarantee you’ll be back, try the pastas, then the rolls/strombollis, and the heros. Of course, you have got to be there on Tuesdays!

Insider tip:
Lunch specials daily. New specials available (click here). Whole pizzas cost a little more than what you’re used to but the taste and quality will definitely make up for the price.

The scoop:
Verra Zanno
(678) 473-0209

11600 Medlock Bridge Road (AKA 141) Suite 190
Duluth, GA 30097

Technorati Tags: Verra Zanno, pizzeria, pizza, pasta, Johns Creek, 141 Peachtree Parkway

I have guy friends who go to Little Azio’s weekly. It’s kinda like their ‘weird’ ritual — bike the Silver Comet then eat pizza/pasta afterwards. So I went one day and was slightly impressed. The pizza dough reminds me of flatbread but chewier. The topping held on nicely and didn’t make the dough soggy. All in all, good Margarita pizza.

I love Italian Wedding soup so I ordered a bowl. It was so hearty with lots of meatballs, orzo pasta, and veggies. The broth was so tasty. I would say it’s one of the better ones I’ve tasted.

I am a sucker for bread. I love bread. So much so that I am known to skip dessert in favor of bread. I love yeasty, doughy bread fresh out of the oven. Having said that, I ordered a basket of their fried bread and ate all of it. All. of. it. They were sooooo good. Yikes, I’m looking at the picture now and didn’t realize I finished 6 of them!

Then, the pasta came. The penne was perfectly al dente and the Telefono sauce made of spicy tomato sauce, mozarella, and basil was really good, although didn’t have enough zing for me. I had it topped with grilled chicken and ate everything off.

Everything I ate was pretty good. I wouldn’t say it’s stellar Italian but good enough. Twice, I had take-out from their new Suwanee location and was sorely disappointed. The first time, they forgot to put shrimp on my Shrimp Telefono pasta. Second time, the Sausage Pasta was bad (as in food poisoning kind of way) — the minute I opened the container, I could smell it was already past its expiration date. Called the restaurant back and told them and was told they were going to check it out. I just learned this newly-opened location is now closed. I feel sad when restaurants close.

Insider tip:

All pasta orders come with garlic bread.

The scoop:

Little Azio’s

Several metro-Atlanta locations. Check website for details.

Technorati Tags: Little Azio’s, pasta, pizza, Italian cuisine

I like going to Figo (and its sister Osteria del Figo) for its inexpensive yet good pasta dishes made with the freshest ingredients. I like it even more that they make everything from scratch, on site everyday. Including the pasta. And with the ability to mix and match items to suit your mood, what’s not to like?

The Caprese was deliciously fresh with red, ripe saladette tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella cheese and sprigs of basil. The pastas are all good — cooked al dente and drained well (read: not watery). My party of four had (left to right pictured above) Wild Mushrooms ravioli, Penne, Pappardelle, and Gemelli. The sauces we chose completed our selected pasta: Pollo on the ravioli, Siciliana on the Penne, Bolognese on both Pappardelle and Gemeli. While I found the Bolognese a little on the dry side (or maybe the Gemelli soaked it up before we were able to eat it), the other sauces were just perfect — hearty and really full of flavor.� The Crespelle we had for dessert was ordinary but how else can you jazz up crepes with nutella? I did like the home-made whipped cream.Expect long lines during peak hours and do try the daily Specials posted on the board. Make sure the pepper shaker they give you is visible as it serves as a table marker and helps with delivering the food to the right table.

Insider tip:
For ambiance, go to the Howell Mill location (Osteria del Figo) — it’s also bigger, too.

The scoop:
Figo Pasta
Four locations: Howell Mill, Decatur, L5P, Buckhead (with Virginia High coming soon)
Average cost of meal: $10

Technorati Tags: Figo Pasta, Osteria Del Figo, pasta, Italian food, daily Specials, Buckhead, Decatur, Howell Mill, Little Five Points