Chow Down Atlanta

Tapas are chi-chi, tease food that are better consumed with a big group. Because sometimes, you just would rather have variety. Eclipse di Luna is a great spot for tapas in that it has an extensive menu of, well, just tapas. The atmosphere here is lively and loud, and the place is always packed so make sure you have reservations especially on the weekends.

Please excuse these awful pictures. It was unbelievably dark in there.

Although the food here definitely has some Spanish flair, I consider it more modern than what I grew up with. My grandmother is from Spain so all we ever ate growing up was traditional Spanish food. Paella has always been comfort food and making this elaborate dish took my mom (and grandma) hours to make. The version here is passable if you have never had the real thing. I found it less flavorful, the rice more mushy, and the overall dish a bit more wet than what is usual. It did contain the usual suspects of green peas, shrimp, squid, mussels, chicken, and chorizo. I like that they use Calasparra rice which is short grain rice because when it comes to paellas, the choice of rice is key. Nothing irks me more than to see Arborio rice in paella which absorbs more moisture.

The small plates we tried included:

Calamares Fritos: the tender squid pieces were lightly battered in spicy coating and fried golden. The side of slightly spicy salsa contained chunks of fresh tomatoes.

Peixinhos da Horta: though a bit on the oily side, these fresh greens were crisp and the sherry batter was so thin. A sprinkling of coarse sea salt is a nice touch.

Empanada de Langosta: the crust was flaky and buttery. It was filled with flavorful minced lobster and vegetables and was served atop a creamy lobster sauce that made for a wonderful dipping sauce.

Tortilla de Sobresada: a big omelet with Mallorcan sausage and Mahon cheese which is a sharp, lemony cheese. This is a great breakfast food.

Chuletas de Borrego: consisted of grilled lamb chops that were quite tasty but the sundried tomato and goat cheese cream sauce that topped it made the dish off-balance.

Esparrago: these grilled spears of crisp asparagus were doused with lemon and topped with shavings of Manchego cheese. They were very good and refreshing.

Pan Catalan: as much as I love bread, this just did not do it for me. The toasted ciabatta slices became soggy with the tomato-garlic-thyme purée they were topped with. Meh.

Costillas Españolas: this was my favorite dish growing up. It is made with fork-tender, braised pork ribs in balsamic vinegar then broiled (or grilled). The smoky flavor from the char mixes perfectly with the saltish braising liquid and the sweetish-tartish vinegar. Loved it.

Gambas al Ajillo: is another comfort food of mine. The head-on shrimp are sauteed in butter and garlic. Eat this with a crusty baguette (and make sure you sop up the butter-garlic sauce) and you will go to food heaven.

Overall a good place to try a variety of Spanish tapas. Prices are very reasonable.

Insider tip:
If you can’t book your desired time through Open Table, just give them a call and make your reservations by phone.
Located a few feet away from Cafe Intermezzo.

The scoop:
Eclipse di Luna
4505 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30346
(678) 205-5862

Technorati Tags: tapas, Perimeter mall, Dunwoody

Located downstairs on what used to be East Andrews Cafe and Bar, the place has been transformed to a quieter, more proper, wine bar offering 56 types of wine and small plates created by Chef Paul Agnelli (Capital Grill, Van Gogh’s) to complement the wines. The menu is divided into four sections: Garden, Land, Sea, and Sweet. I went with two friends to maximize the number of tapas plates I can taste. I’m glad I did because Jake is a good eater just like me and he’s willing to try everything.

Grilled Flat Iron, Chimichurri, Arugula: excellent, excellent steak grilled to a medium perfection; the chimichurri and arugula adding earthiness to the dishChipotle Pork, Corn Relish, Arbol Vinaigrette: saltish, cajuny pork with a good amount of heat

Green Chile/Prosciutto Mac & Cheese: spicy mac-n-cheese; what’s not to love?

Guinness Braised Short Rib, Natural Reduction: fall-off-the-bone short rib with the taste of the Guinness truly evident; one order is not enough (we had 3)

Grilled Flatbread, Duck Confit, Fig Jam, Point Reyes Blue: a rich and filling dish; very good, and well prepared though I would have loved to see more duck

Seared New Bedford Scallop, Sweet Corn, Nueske’s Applewood Bacon: the gigantic scallop tasted really fresh but the dish overall was a bit salty for my tastes; perhaps the addition of the bacon contributed more saltiness

Jumbo Lump Crabmeat, Avocado, Grapefruit Mojo: no skimping on the crabmeat here; I’ve never had these with avocado before but surprisingly, it works; the grapefruit mojo giving it a unique wonderful taste is an added bonus

Sweet Georgia White Shrimp, Tasso Gravy, Logan Turnpike Grits: the grits provided a good background for the large grilled shrimp; very good

Flash Fried Calamari, Peppadew Peppers, Red Chile Aoili: the calamari were great but were overpowered by the aoli; remember to order these with aoili on the side instead

Heirloom Tomatoes, Olive Oil, Sweet Grass Dairy Triple Cream: fantastic; the tomatoes were crunchy and sweet and the SGD cheese was an excellent choice

Saute of Wild Mushrooms, Locatelli Polenta: the mushrooms were really good but the polenta was on the dry side; this dish has potentials, though

Roasted Garlic Humus, Whole Peppadews: creamy, chunky, garlicky-good hummus

Grilled Corn, Spicy Aioli, Lime, Queso Cojita: loved this (but I love corn anyway); I really enjoyed the limey-spicy-cheesy topping (the only downside is that it’s a mess to eat)

Cornmeal Fried Green Tomatoes, Cilantro Buttermilk, Goat Cheese: perfect

Grilled Flatbread, Roma Tomatoes, Maplebrook Farms Mozzarella: an all-around good flatbread; you can’t go wrong with this

Caramelized Garlic Risotto, Aged Balsamic: a great accompaniment to the shortrib

Marinated Olives: a huge serving; marinated just right

Daily Cheeses: you can’t go wrong with a cheese plate; theirs came with medium cheddar, Gouda, Marcona almonds, honeycomb, and crackers

Oolong Tea Crème Brulee: I could really taste the oolong tea on this one; one of my friends didn’t like it but I loved it

Coconut Cream Pie: a must-try fo those who love coconut

Pot of Chocolate: just the perfect ending to a meal

Verdict: I like this place. Service is A-1 and prices are very reasonable (with tapas from $4, wine by the glass at $6 and half-glasses at $3, plus a good many wines by the bottle for $24). Great vibe and atmosphere.

The scoop:
Cellar 56
56 E Andrews Dr.
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 869-1132
Monday-Saturday from 5pm –11pm

Technorati Tags: Cellar 56, Scott Serpas, Buckhead, East Andrews, tapas, wine bar

I attended Eros‘ media event to find out what they’ve done to the old Pie Bar place and to find yet another reason to whine about tapas.  Tapas, a Spanish invention, have been giving restaurateurs yet another reason to offer small plates at exorbitant prices.  I once went to a Spanish-themed one on Peachtree Parkway (which has now closed and I don’t wonder why) where their (miniature) tapas’ prices ranged from $10 to $15.  I mean, for that price, I can get a full-sized entree somewhere else!

cool light fixtures

The media event was fun and I was immediately impressed. Simply put, the place is beautiful. I just love the the toile-covered hanging lamps. Very chic. And original. The three-sided bar, which is the focal point, is expansive yet welcoming. There’s a tented patio outside where you can dance to DJs showcasing their music after 10PM from Wednesday to Saturday.

Now for the tapas… the first time, I came to whine but was impressed instead. On my second, unannounced visit, I was still impressed. Priced from $2.50 with nothing over $8, most items are $4 and $5 (except for the Paella For Two which will set you back $20). Serving sizes are substantial — a good value in today’s economy. And the taste? Absolutely delicious. Chef Rafael Mendoza, who took helm at the Fishmonger Seafood Grill for over a decade before coming to Eros, offers a wide range of tastes influenced by Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian, African, Asian, and even Southern cuisines. As a result, the menu is a mish-mash of different flavors, yet blended together by a culinary round-the-world tour of sorts.

The Spanish Potatoes was a winner: greaseless, deep-fried potatoes lightly seasoned with salt and spicy paprika then served with a side of spicy remoulade. It’s crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s a more flavorful alternative to french fries.

The Chicken Kabob was another pleasant surprise. They came in these big chunks, skewered, then grilled. You can clearly taste the yogurt-curry marinade in the tender meat. It’s spicy and very appetizing.

Possibly the most lackluster on the menu, the Bang Bang Shrimp was another spicy item but still interesting, nonetheless. Similar to the sweet-and-sour-shrimp, their version is tempura-battered then fried to a golden crisp. I would’ve liked it to have a tad more of sweetness (perhaps a drizzle of honey) to balance the saltyish marinade. Anyway, points there for the texture.

The Chorizo Lollilop was really outstanding with its chorizo, dates, and bleu cheese all wrapped in bacon then skewered together. I thought it was gonna be just another pork overload but the salty-sweet combination of flavors were perfectly balanced. It was really good and unique.

I really like the vibe here. It’s another hip place to meet friends for drinks. And I was really impressed that they actually have good food — inexpensive yet high quality. Finally, a success in the tapas concept.

Insider tip:
Opens to the public on September 12.
Website should be up an running in a week.
Valet parking available.

The scoop:
Eros World Tapas Bar
2160 Monroe Dr. NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
404-549-2433
Open 7 days a week, serving dinner and late supper
Kitchen remains open until close
Sunday-Tuesday: 5pm-Midnight
Wednesday-Saturday: 5pm-2am

Technorati Tags: Eros World Tapas Bar, tapas, Pie Bar, Cheshire Bridge, Chef Rafael Mendoza, Fishmonger Seafood Grill

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

First things first: tapas literally mean appetizers which originated from Spain. Because they’re appetizers, you get cute little plates of dishes which are designed to be shared and are usually eaten while consuming alcoholic beverages. In any case, Blue Grotto attempts to bring the tapas experience to diners opting for a lighter, yet filling fare.

The inviting interior complete with comfy couches, netting, and subdued funky lighting is enough to make you feel at home and linger. Coupled with really great service, you’re bound to have a good experience. However, my girlfriends and I must have come (Sandy Springs location) on an off day as all the tapas we ordered weren’t nearly half as good as previous reviews have been.

The Fried Calamari was very disappointing. All I could taste was oil and breading. They should have just called this Fried Flour Rings. The Chicken Satay was just okay and I fault the chef for attempting to make a Thai dish that he’s probably not familiar with. Next, the Grilled Shrimp with grits was just so-so; nothing fantastic although the shrimp was fresh. I found the hummus to be more on the dry side; and the Spicy Spinach and Artichoke dip tasted store-brought. The Paella didn’t really make an impact either, as I found it bland and forgettable overall.My verdict: Blue Grotto is the type of place you’d go to with lots of friends because then, your mind will be occupied with interesting conversations rather than focusing on the mediocre food.

Insider tip:
Open for lunch Mondays to Fridays

The scoop:
Blue Grotto Tapas Bistro
Two locations:
Sandy Spring Location
220 Sandy Springs Circle Suite 205
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: 678.705.6688Johns Creek Location
3495 Peachtree Parkway
Suwanee, GA 30021
Phone: 770-888-9986

Technorati Tags: Blue Grotto, tapas, appetizers, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek