Chow Down Atlanta

This is one of the best Korean BBQ deals in the city: $9.99 or $14.99 buys you all the bbq meat you care to eat. The $9.99 includes beef brisket and pork belly; while $14.99 adds boneless galbi to the repertoire (good quality saeng galbi). Definitely get the $14.99 deal. By the way, this isn’t your typical ghetto buffet style all-you-can-eat type of thing. There are no sushi or Chinese food included. Just great tasting banchan and your bbq meats delivered to your table upon request.

The tofu soups are good, too. I love the silky tofu they use. Possibly the silkiest tofu in the city hands down. So, go and eat here now!

Sodeulnyuk
2790 Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd.,
Suite 165 (next door to Umaido)
Suwanee, GA 30024
(678) 394-5190

Technorati Tags: Korean, Suwanee, bbq, ayce

It’s difficult to find a place when the only sign they have is in Korean characters. I passed by this place literally twice before I realized it was a restaurant. Opened four months ago, it’s a favorite among Koreans and the two times I’ve been, I have yet to see any non-Koreans except me.

This place specializes in soups although there are other Korean staples on the menu. I was floored by the Spicy Kimchi Galbi soup. It is the best in the city. If you’ve been a regular visitor on this site, you’ll realize I was meant to be Korean. That or I must have been one in my past life. I eat Korean more than any other cuisines at any given time. I’ve been to about 90% of all the Korean restaurants in the city and I seriously drive up and down Duluth, Suwanee, and Buford Highway looking for newly opened Korean restaurants. But back to my soup. The broth was so bold and sharp — flavorful, simmered for hours, with chunks of fork-tender boneless galbi, leeks, and pickled cabbage. It is very spicy but not so that only the heat is what you taste. Despite it, the tasy broth shines through. This is truly the best soup ever.

I’m not a fan of Sulungtang (bland milky beef soup) but it’s a yard stick when it comes to milky soups (and yes, they don’t come seasoned). Their version is quite fantastic, too. It has lots of tender beef slices and clear noodles. The broth has the right amount of milkiness, and with a few shakes of salt, becomes a wonderful first course.

Galbi-gi is another measuring stick when it comes to barbecued meats. Theirs has the perfect balance of sweet and salty, marinated for hours, has tender pieces of ribs that are grilled lightly yet perfectly. Quite delicious but on the expensive side. A few pieces will set you back $15.99.

Not very many Korean places serve fried rice (most only serve bibimbap which they also have). Here, there are three kinds of fried rice: beef, pork, and shrimp. I love it that they use dry cooked rice (as opposed to mushy and soggy). They add lots of slivered meat and chunks of egg. The smokiness of this rice dish is enough to whet your appetite. It’s a good filler and goes well with the galbi.

Incidentally, they have the freshest, housemade kimchi with its crunchy veggies and deep, red sauce. They give you 6 at most but if you’re like me, I’d rather go for quality than quantity. This is now one of my most favorite Korean places. Do not miss the spicy soup.

Insider tip:
Right next door to Umaido.
In the shopping complex where Super H Suwanee is located.

The scoop:
Kang Seo
2790 Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd.,
Suwanee, GA 30024
(770) 932-7753

You know, when you go enough to Asian places, you get wind of what’s hot, what’s not, who’s new, and who isn’t. On my weekly trip to Assi Plaza, I learned of a new ramen place just up the street. I’ve been back twice since it’s July 21 opening. Korean owned, this Japanese ramen house makes fresh noodles on site. You seriously need to watch how they make them especially the part where they cut them.

Just like any true ramen houses, Umaido offers only three kinds of ramen soups: regular, miso, and spicy. Soups are made in huge stainless vats and kept at boiling temperatures. Each bowl is topped with tender, flavorful slices of roasted pork, “hot-off-the-press” noodles, fresh bean sprouts, seaweed, black sesame oil, and a soft boiled egg. While the broth is a little under-salted to my liking on both visits, something a few shakes of salt easily cures, the overall effect is much like the ones they have everywhere in Japan. It is simply comforting. All three choices are excellent.

The Chasyu Rice Bowl is a great accompaniment to the soups and if you’re a big eater like me, you’ll find the soup-rice combo as quite satisfying. Served in a bowl no bigger than a regular rice bowl, the serving is small. Rice is topped with slices of the same pork used in the soups with a few dashes of mayo. I’m not into mayo at all so I just skip it.

On my first visit, the gyoza were over fried. They’ve since perfected this slight kink and they now come perfectly cooked. Incidentally, for a limited time, two soup orders come with a free order of gyoza. Eight pieces of steamed then fried pork gyozas are served with chili oil which you must mix with soy sauce to get the full effect. Pretty tasty.

I really like this place. I love the straight, uncurled ramen noodles they make. I like the contemporary space and über-cool bar tables. Best of all, I love the yelling when they greet you as you come in.

Insider tip:
Just like any good Korean places, cold barley tea is served instead of water which is available upon request.
Service is impeccable.

The scoop:
Umaido
2790 Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd
Suwanee, GA 30024
(678) 318-8568

Technorati Tags: ramen, Suwanee, Japanese ramen

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

Once in a while, I get a craving for clean Mexican food. You know, where you don’t have to eat off of plastic baskets, paper plates. In other words, “fake” Mexican food. As opposed to authentic. Here at Cinco, you pay for the ambiance, the neat decor, and the clean surroundings. It’s a place to take people from out of town or meet friends for drinks (they have this cool, long bar with neat bar stools).

Locally-owned and operated, Cinco’s big plates are guaranteed to fill you up. My favorite, the Enchilada plate, comes with 3 huge enchiladas filled with either white shrimp, chicken, or beef. The fillings are cooked in tasty spices and topped with tomatillo or lobster-chipotle sauce all wrapped in soft tortillas. Really, they are delicious. It comes with a bowl of house-made charro beans.

For a good sampling of what they offer, get the Cinco Plate — burrito, enchilada, taco. A great way to have a bit of everything. They also have a Dos and Tres plate. Clever.

The chips and salsa are excellent here. The salsa is made with grilled tomatoes and has that smoky smell and taste. The chips are thin and crispy. Not chuncky and jaw-breaking. This salsa is one of the best in the city.

The traditional cheese dip is a gooey goodness of cheddar and Mexican white cheese dotted with or without jalapeño bits. It’s cheesy with the perfect consistency. Great appetizer.

While Mexican places aren’t really known for their desserts, make sure you make room for theirs. their Flan Napoleon is an absolute must-try. It’s the goodness of vanilla bean custard with caramelized phyllo dough served with strawberry coulis. It is so good.

The rich, moist Morita and Chocolate Layer will absolute make you swoon: chocolate mousse layered between chocolate cake topped with pistachio brittle and served with pistachio ice cream. The cake is just so delectable. Not dry, and not too sweet.

Cinco is for those times you just crave for a more westernized version of Mexican cuisine. It doesn’t pretend to be authentic. Instead, it offers food that’s freshly made, tastes good, and made with fresh ingredients.

Insider tip:
Kid friendly with a menu for 12 and under.

The scoop:
Cinco Mexican Cantina
Now with 3 locations:
Vickery Village
Suwanee
Alpharetta

Technorati Tags: Cinco Mexican Cantina, Suwannee, Alpharetta, Mexican cuisine