First ones here!

Came in here the first day they opened for lunch (I think my good friend George and I were literally the very first lunch patrons). We were hoping to eat pasta that day but was told there wouldn’t be any for lunch. Bummer. In any case, we knew we’d find something good to eat. Besides, with names like Brian Lewis (Bocado), Chef Josh Hopkins (Abattoir), sous chef Adam Waller (Sotto Sotto), and very recently Bruce Logue (La Pietra), there’s bound to be greatness, right? RIGHT!

Photo courtesy of @GJAtlUSA

Pizza. There’s really not much to eat here for lunch. Pizzas, sandwiches, and salads are just about it. We went with the tomato, mozzarella, cappicola, basil, chili pizza. Verdict? This is my favorite pizza in Atlanta. No joke. No comparison. No ifs, ands, or buts. The sourdough crust is chewy and crispy that borders between thick and thin. Just the way I like it. It had that slight acidity that wasn’t obstrusive but you know it’s there in every bite. Of course, the toppings are top-notch. The cappicola is mild and not as salty as its counterparts in the city. The pizza sauce that tasted of fresh tomatoes wasn’t soupy at all and didn’t make the crust soggy even to the last slice. And yes, I did not have to use a knife and fork to eat it. The toppings held up fine. A beautiful, delicious pie, to say the least. Seriously my favorite pizza period.

Sandwich. I want substance when I eat so I’m sure you all know by now I can never be a vegetarian. Sandwiches are almost always on the the bottom of my list. Unless I eat it with another dish. And salads? I don’t even really bother at all. I don’t want to waste stomach space if I had other yummy things I can fill mine with. But there wasn’t anything else on the menu so we had to get a sandwich to go with our pizza. And guess what — I actually really, really liked the prosciutto sandwich. The bread did it for me. Grilled, homemade baguette that doubles as a pizza crust. It wasn’t that hard, jaw-breaking baguette with crispy exterior that you need to chew fifty times before you can swallow. The crispiness of the bread was just enough to give you texture and crunch. The prosciutto, fresh, creamy mozzarella, and roasted peppers were enough to give substance to the amazing bread. It was really yummy.

More bread. One of my weaknesses is bread. I just can’t say no to it. That bread in the sandwich? I made it my dessert. I asked for some bread, grilled and with butter slathered in them. It was heavenly.

Can’t wait to try the pastas and more of their pizzas. I’ve heard so many good things so far. By the way, it’s a little tricky to find the entrance door but just know it’s at the very end of the building.

STG Trattoria
102 West Paces Ferry
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 844-2879

Technorati Tags: Josh Hopkins, pizza, Italian, Buckhead

There are so many new Korean places in Duluth I can’t keep up. This one opened a week ago and I’m so happy to see they’re already busy everyday. First, let me tell you how to get there. Although the address says Pleasant Hill, the storefront faces North Berkeley Lake (across from Super H). So, to get there, take North Berkeley Lake Rd away from Super H Mart (if you go the other way you’ll hit Super H). It’s the free standing building in the Walmart plaza next to the gasoline station.

Best deal for $3.50

Now the food. I liken the quality and taste of food here with the fast casual concept. If you want a quick, no-frills meal then this is your spot. They’ve got different kinds of kimbap (maki rolls) that cost $3.50 an order and comes with 12 big slices. Served with a bowl of spicy soup and daikon kimchi, they make for a good snack or appetizer. I suggest the bulgogi kimbap so you get a little protein but the fish cake one is also good (if chewy is your thing). There’s also a cheese kind that was actually okay.

$7.99 and it’s not even full

I’m a huge fan of yukgaejang because it’s my favorite Korean soup. I can proudly say I’ve had it at almost all the Korean places in the metro that serve it. The version here is ordinary — no depth of flavors, just flat beef broth. There are a good amount of beef pieces in the spicy soup although they needed a few more hours in the pot to tenderize. I do like that it didn’t come piled high with bean sprouts (a turn-off and a no-no) and that it came with lots of fernbrake (or fiddleheads, a black, noodle-like veggie that’s a major component of this soup). It’s a good deal for $7.99 if you’re not particular with your yukgaejangs. Unfortunately, I am and I’d rather spend that money next door in either direction of Pleasant Hill for amazing yukgaejang that even comes with handmade noodles. But that’s just me.

They have two kinds of ramen: one with veggies and egg and another one with cheese. (Really, cheese?) The menu says “instant noodles soup” so I wouldn’t even dare order that if I were you. Besides, you have better use for your $5.99. They have quite a selection of rice cake dishes — tteokbokki — chewy rice cakes resembling solid tubes of pasta in spicy tomato-based broth. I am an equal opportunity tteokbokki eater so the ones here are okay to me (although a bit pricier than most places).

There’s one thing, however, that you must get here. The Chicken Juk (rice porridge) is really pretty good. Flavorful minced chicken swim in delicious porridge. It has the perfect balance of sticky and soupy. Comfort food, yes!

Overall, a pricey place. Nothing spectacular overall but hits the spot when you’re in the immediate area and craving for something quick.

Pepper Garden
2605 Pleasant Hill Rd.
Suite 600-A
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 497-9010

Technorati Tags: Korean, Duluth

Did I have you at dumpling? Thought so. This is another of those new establishments in Duluth. It opened about two months ago. It occupies the space vacated by my ultra favorite EERecipe Rice Crepe House (if you never went then too bad for you). Managed, operated, and staffed by a Korean family, everything is made in-house. Handmade, homemade noodles? Check. Handmade dumplings? Check. Korean mommy cooking just about everything from scratch? Check.

Korean dumpling and noodle shops pride themselves with handmade dumplings and noodles. This place is no exception. There are a handful of these in our city, each unique in its own way. But what I really love about this place is the noodles. They are thinner yet just as chewy. And I like that they aren’t as starchy. The soup broth still gets a fair amount of starch but not as much as all the other places. The dak kalguksu, a chicken noodle soup, has flavorful broth, lots of slippery noodles, chunks of white meat chicken, zuchini, and radishes. Unlike other places, it comes with a side of soy-based sauce for dipping or for mixing with the soup. I do both. It adds another dimension of flavor that doesn’t take away from the original taste of the soup. Lovely.

I love the simple banchan here, too. The flavors are bright and really fresh. The cucumber kimchi is phenomenal. Best anywhere. It has loads of thick-sliced celery — a veggie I never got to like because the taste overpowers everything else in a dish but surprised myself by eating lots of them here. There’s a slight sweetness in the background that plays with the spiciness of the brine. The cucumbers and celery are super crunchy, making it like a refreshing salad, really.

This special isn’t on the menu but posted on the wall instead. I don’t know what it’s called. It’s a pork rib kimchi stew with a mandoo in it. At $7.45, this is a steal since the regular menu price is $24.95 for two people. The stew has a very bold flavor with tons of kimchi in it. You get a big pork rib with meat that’s literally falling off the bone. There’s a huge mandoo (dumpling) in there, too, that has a minced meat filling that includes scallions and eggs. The dumpling wrapper has the perfect thinness that allows the filling to stay put even after you stir the stew vigorously, yet it breaks when you bite down. I really liked this delicious, hearty soup.

There are a few more noodle dishes that I can’t wait to try such as the bibimguksu (one of my favorite cold noodle dishes) and a special dish written on the wall. The menu will be expanded in the few weeks to come to include the usual bibimbap and bulgogi dishes. So if you’re not too familiar with the type of Korean dishes they have on the menu, don’t fret, there’s gonna be something there for you soon. In the meantime, live a little, explore, and try one of the best noodle/dumpling shops in the city.

Dumpling House
2645 N Berkeley Lake Rd
Ste 129
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 232-9600

Technorati Tags: noodles, dumplings, Duluth, Korean

This noodle house opened about a month ago, one of the newest additions to Duluth, specifically Pleasant Hill Rd. It sits on the same spot vacated by my beloved Mr. Tea House. I know of only 3 or 4 Korean noodle places in Atlanta that make their own noodles in house by hand. This is one of them. They specialize in kalguksu, a popular Korean noodle soup dish.

What’s amazing about this place, aside from the handmade noodles, is the prices. Humongous bowls of soups are either $6.99 or $7.99. Only. If soup isn’t what you’re craving for, they have really good rice dishes. I haven’t had a chance to try their tonkatsu or rice cake stews or soups as I’ve only been here twice but I will do so next week and will let you know about it.

This Ox Bone Broth noodle soup is a hearty, filling, and comforting soup. You’ve got slices of zucchini, radish, and slivers of carrots. There are lots of big pieces of tender oxtail meat, too. The broth, which is very mild and light, is perfect for the summer months. The handmade noodles, prepared al dente, are thick and have the perfect chewiness. Stir constantly and eat fast so that the noodles don’t make your broth starchy and thick. And even if they do, the soup is still good.

Bulgogi and rice. A ubiquitous, introductory dish to Korean cuisine, their version is one of the best in the city. There isn’t that icky, soapy taste that’s quite common at other places. The meat here is marinated well and stir fried with onions. It has a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. When this place first opened, they had Kimchi fried rice. It was good. But they stopped serving it.

So there. You owe it to yourself to try Korean handmade noodles. There is no excuse.

Located next to Suno in the Super H plaza in Duluth. Open early enough to have a late breakfast.

Kal Guk Si
2570 Pleasant Hill Rd.
Duluth, GA 30096
678-691-7361
Closed on Tuesdays
Open all other days 10:30AM-9:30AM

Technorati Tags: Korean, noodles, soup, Duluth

In every mall food court, you’ll see a Japanese stall featuring hibachi dishes. Dishes stir-fried in a hibachi grill then doused with teriyaki sauce. I know you know what I’m talking about. I grew up eating those, too.

On the very end of Pleasant Hill Rd. in north Duluth, there’s one such hibachi joint. Except it’s not in a mall food court. It’s in a strip plaza. Opened just a couple of weeks ago, it’s just like those you see inside the mall. But nicer.

I’m also happy to report that the food is better. The teriyaki sauce, though a bit floury in taste, is mild and quite tasty. Not the thick syrupy, cloyingly sweet version you see at the mall. Chicken and beef teriyaki rule here. If you want tender. stewed-like meat, then get the beef. But if you, like me, enjoy stir-fried meats with crispy edges, then chicken is it for you. Both are equally good and comes with a medley of steamed veggies. Another good thing to note is that they use good quality Japanese rice!

Best of all, they have mall prices! Chicken will set you back a mere $4.99 with portions twice as much as the malls. Beef costs a few more for $6.29. You can mix and match any meat or get three kinds if you want. There are also sushi rolls on the menu and all sorts of teriyaki salads. Current special gets you a Chicken Teriyaki plate for $2.99 with a purchase of any teriyaki plate. Now that’s a deal.

A great addition to the neighborhood for quick, no fuss, cheap but flavorful eats.

*Note: The address says Peachtree Industrial Blvd but the physical location is facing Pleasant Hill Rd. (inside the Kroger plaza)

Extreme Teriyaki Grill Express
3455 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. (the actual store front faces Pleasant Hill Rd.)
Suite 230
Duluth, GA 30096
678-682-8888

Technorati Tags: Japanese, fast casual, Duluth