Chow Down Atlanta

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

After reading NYT’s Fat Pack article, I’m inclined to post something more on the healthy side. I’ve never worried about my weight and I feel sad that a lot of people here do. Call it good genes, but I attribute it to eating wise. I eat what I want when I’m hungry and I never snack on junk. Growing up, a snack was a sandwich, never chips. And a meal was eaten family-style with everyone at the table present. I’m also not big on sweets and I’m known to forgo dessert all together for a warm, yeasty, fresh-from-the oven bread instead. I went to Harry’s Whole Foods yesterday and before I could even get to the register, I’ve finished half (ok, more than half) of their freshly baked baguette. That was snack. No butter. No chips. No soda. I’m also big on Asian food. Okay, make that huge. The notion that there are hardly fat Asian people is actually quite true. And that’s because burgers and fries are not on their daily diet. But as a foodie, I eat all kinds of food. Burgers and fries are always included. But remember, I eat wisely. If I have that yummy 5Guys burger and fries for lunch, I’ll eat Korean for dinner. If I have that Tuesday Lasagna at Verra Zanno for dinner, it means I’ve had sashimi for lunch. Basically, it’s all about balance. I don’t think it’s right for anyone to restrict themselves when it comes to food. That would be sad. Really sad. Limit is more appropriate. Not restrict. Portion control and balance are key. If you really love those greasy tater chips while planted on the couch, then by all means go ahead and indulge. But don’t eat the whole bag. And skip dessert on the next meal. Now, let’s eat!

Doc Green’s has what I call guiltless food. I discovered this place when I was at the Ponce’s Atlanta City Hall a lot. They have fresh-made salads and amazing paninis. What impressed me the most was the roasted turkey breast carved on premises. You’re not getting those laden-with-nitrates-and-salt processed meats here. This is fresh roasted turkey. The real thing!

They have great salads, too. A favorite is the fried chicken salad. It’s this mountain of greens topped with crispy fried chicken cubes. It makes for a hearty lunch. And the hot entrees are worth trying as well (they have steak, salmon, turkey, ham, chicken). Two sides is the norm and they have a great selection. My favorite is the corn casserole made with real corn. And it’s not too sweet either. The mashed potatoes with real gravy is very good. Meals top at $12 so not only do they offer healthy food, they’re very affordable.

Insider tip:

No table service. Order, pay, then sit and wait for your food. By the way, the peach ice tea is amazing.

The scoop:

Doc Green’s

Locations by clicking here.

Technorati Tags: Doc Green’s, salads, soups, paninis, carved turkey, corn casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy

Souper Jenny has one of the best lunch deals in town: $10 gets you a humongous bowl of soup, a side (choose sandwich, pasta, or salad), a seeded roll, a cookie, a fruit, and a drink. While $10 may seem a bit much for some folks, consider this — you get tasty, freshly made food daily using the freshest, healthy ingredients and the portions are substantial.

There are six kinds of soups daily (hot and cold), as well as two types of sandwiches (one of which is made with homemade pita bread), pasta, and salads. The soups are hearty and flavorful while the sandwiches are creative (think chicken salad with arugula, basil, and dried cherries).

The line outside starts a good 15 minutes before the place actually opens but fear not for it moves rather quickly. The place is cozy but rather cramped. Parking can be a pain during peak times.

Insider tip:
Menu changes daily. Call ahead to get the day’s menu.
Cash only.

The scoop:
56 E Andrews Dr NW
Atlanta, GA
30305-1316
Phone: (404) 239-9023

Technorati Tags: Souper Jenny, lunch, lunch deals, brunch, fresh daily, Buckhead