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Aria. Dinner at Buckhead’s Finest.

01/24/2012 in Appetizers, Buckhead, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 2 comments

I ate too much over my birthday weekend.  FACT.

Also FACT: My most delicious meal was eaten at Aria. 

This Buckhead institution is known for its delicious food, excellent service, extensive wine list, and super-exclusive wine room table.  It’s a restaurant that I think of for celebrations.  Turning 30 was an appropriate one.  I was treated to this fantastic dinner by my fantastic friend, Gorms.  You are going to be so disgusted impressed by how much we ate!

We began our feast by polishing off Pastry Chef Kathryn King’s Warm Focaccia Bread and a glass of pinot gris.  If there was a such thing as a winter coat made out of bread – I’d want it to be this bread. 

Next up was Aria’s Creamless Celery Root Soup with black truffles and parmesan.

Potato and Goat Cheese Ravioli with lamb and mushroom bolognese and reggiano parmigiano followed.

Warm Lobster Cocktail with butter braised Maine lobster, broccoli, and black truffle potatoes were next.  This was incredibly delish!  Gorm’s favorite, in fact.

For entrees, we shared the Blue Ridge Mountain Trout with sweet potatoes, black trumpet mushrooms, Maine lobster, and white corn…

…and the Painted Hills Ranch Natural Beef Short Rib with celery root whipped potatoes, tender carrots, sugar snap peas, and celery hearts.

They were cooked to perfection.  So many lovely flavors!

Dessert began with a sensational Warm Apple Tart with caramel ice cream to share…

…and ended with a delightful birthday plate of chocolate surprises!  :)

The meal was OUT OF THIS WORLD (as predicted)!  If you have something to celebrate – celebrate here.  I would also tell you to order exactly like we did.  We had such a nice variety of savory and pastry, and I really feel like it was an excellent sampling of Aria’s menu.  I’ve never heard anything negative about this restaurant, and I only have very positive praise to add!  So well done! 

Enjoy, restaurant-goers!  And, thank you Gormsie, for such a delicious night!

xx, L

Aria
490 E. Paces Ferry Rd. NE
Atlanta, Georgia  30305
404.233.7673
www.aria-atl.com

Aria on Urbanspoon

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STK Opens in Midtown!

12/15/2011 in Appetizers, Cocktails, Events, Midtown, PSAs, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 4 comments

Last night, Lauren and I met up with some dolled-up girlfriends and hopped over to Jezebel’s Grand Opening Party for STK Atlanta!

We stepped + repeated, drank a few of STK’s signature martinis, watched very bendy dancers put on quite an interesting STK-inspired performance, and we hobnobbed with some big shot Atlantans, including Mr. Peter Thomas (satisfying my RHOA spotting for the month).  Thank you very much.  :)

Q+DD @ STK

It was an excellent way to toast the opening of this NYC-based restaurant (with locations in L.A., Miami + Vegas) that has positioned itself as a “steakhouse for women.” 

STK’s space on 12th and Peachtree is GORGEOUS.  Very modern + plush.  I was particularly impressed with the signature white horns grazing the bar wall.  So cool. 

And, we were really pleased with the small bites we sampled over the course of the evening.  STK’s sliders were seriously delish.

We’re super excited about STK!  This place is going to kill it.

xx, L

STK Atlanta
1075 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA  30309
404.793.0144
http://www.stkhouse.com/

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An Evening at Fifth Group’s Alma Cocina

12/14/2011 in Appetizers, Cocktails, Downtown, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 4 comments

As y’all know, Fifth Group’s restaurants are some of my favorites in Atlanta.  Sooooooo naturally, I’ve been closely watching the progress of their newest downtown hot spot, Alma Cocina.

Set to open this month, Lauren + I were recently able to take a sneak peak into the contemporary Mexican restaurant to try out some of their tasty bites!

When it officially opens, Alma Cocina will serve lunch + dinner and provide catering services to the downtown Atlanta area.  The restaurant accommodates about 200 guests for traditional dining room seating, accented by two distinct bar areas with large booths and communal tables which spill out into the beautiful One Ninety One Peachtree Tower atrium.

We sat at the bar, which was a spectacular choice, because we got to spend two full hours with the fabulous bartender Tony – who, get THIS, plays a zombie in AMC’s The Walking Dead seasons 1+2!  We love him.  MEET him.

I started off with a skinny girl margarita called “Just Wear Black”: Herradura silver tequila, agave syrup, and hand-squeezed lime juice.  It was goooooooood.  Made perfectly.

Lauren opted for some amazing-looking rum drink.  I missed the name of the cocktail, and admittedly, the ingredients - but I DO know this: Lauren liked it a lot.  And, it comes in a cool glass.  Witness, por favor:

Our man Tony ordered us some traditional Guacamole: tomato, lime, cilantro, red onion, and serrano.  It was good.  Although we didn’t try it, we thought the Guacamole & Butternut Squash on the menu sounded pretty cool.  It’s seasoned with chipotle and queso fresco.

Lauren and I decided to share everything – small plates and entrees.  We certainly brought our appetites.

One of my favorite dishes of the night was the Yellowtail Ceviche: pickled mango, cucumber-serrano water, coconut granita, Fresno chile, and micro cilantro.  So fresh – so light and unexpected at a Mexican restaurant. 

Next up, Braised Lamb Taquitos: cucumber-mint salsa, fire-roasted salsa, queso cotija, and pomegranate seeds.  We thought the pomegranate seeds were such a nice touch, and they added a unique flavor to this creative dish.

We moved on to the Huitlacoche Empanada: corn truffle, charred tomato, jalapeno, queso Oaxaca, epazote, and salsa ranchero.  It hit the spot.

Tony stopped us there and informed us that we needed a wee bit more to drink.  (Did I mention that we loved Tony?!)  He whipped up a blended pina colada with ginger for us to share.  It tasted like Christmas in Mexico!  And, you MUST know by now how we feel about umbrellas in our drinks.  We couldn’t have been happier if we tried.  :)

We made Tony take a picture of us with it…

hello!!

Eventually, it was dinner time.  We shared a Pork Pibil Tamale: banana leaf-braised with bacon-corn masa, green chile sauce, crema, and pico de gallo.

And, also a Roasted Chicken Mole Oaxaca: mashed plantains, grilled green beans, and sesame seeds.  I pretty much ate all of the plantain mash.  SO good.  Sorry, Lauren…

To finish off our grande meal, we shared a few bites of the refreshing Grapefruit-Mint Sorbet: rum-marinated pineapple, guajillo chile sauce. 

I’m fully aware that that was a lot of food for two lovely ladies, and I’m being completely honest when I say that we ate most of it and we weren’t in a food coma when we left the restaurant.  The plates were smallish – perfect for sharing – and many of them were lighter than you’d expect at a Mexican restaurant.  We LOVED Alma Cocina + we’re thrilled to add it to our Fifth Group favorites list!  Heck, we’ll even drive downtown to eat there…  Anytime.

Welcome, Alma Cocina!  Ay! Ay! Ay!  We’ll be back soon.

xx, L

Alma Cocina
191 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA  30303
http://www.alma-atlanta.com/

Alma Cocina on Urbanspoon

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The Best Steak Tartare in Atlanta….

12/08/2011 in Appetizers, Random Musings, Westside, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | No comments

…can be found at Abattoir.  (Oooooooooooooh, ahhhhhhhhhh!)

steak tartare w/ miso-soy glaze, sesame aioli + quail egg

It’s legit.  That’s all.

xx, L

Abattoir
1170 Howell Mill Road
Atlanta, GA  30318
404.892.3335
www.starprovisions.com

Abattoir on Urbanspoon

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Visit New York Butcher Shoppe!

12/01/2011 in Holidays, Midtown, What we're Cooking, Where we're Eating, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | No comments

An exciting new business recently opened in Midtown next door to my second home (Mint Salon).  It’s the New York Butcher Shoppe. 

I had seen it under-construction for a while, but didn’t realize that it opened until recently when Kev came home from a haircut at Mint.  He burst into our condo and raved about New York Butcher Shoppe for the following 20 minutes.  He was talking rapidly, but I caught that he walked into NYBS after his haircut and didn’t want to leave because it “smelled UNBELIEVEABLE in there.”  He was particularly impressed with their assortment of prepared dinners; “all you have to do is pop them in the oven, Linds!”  He made me promise that we could give them “a ton” of business.  (This coming from the guy who would eat a Lean Cuisine every night if I didn’t intervene.)  “Sure – absolutely we will,” I said.  Eh, it was fun seeing him so excited about a new business + the place sounded great.  So welcome, NYBS, to the neighborhood!  I hear that we’ll be signing over our paychecks to you very soon…  :)

Have you visited NYBS yet??

Here’s the Q+DD on New York Butcher Shoppe:

NYBS is a unique shopping experience for customers seeking top-quality products and exceptional customer service at great prices.  We’re a high quality market with an emphasis on personal customer care.  The prices are as good or better than supermarket prices, but at the New York Butcher Shoppe, customers enjoy personal service and expert advice on cooking, grilling and meal planning.

From certified Angus beef steaks and incredibly prepared chicken cordon bleu, to fresh seasonal vegetables, pastas, sauces, wines and more, NYBS is the perfect place to experience cooking bliss.  We are way more than just a butcher shop.  We take pride in the quality of what we serve and the care in how we serve it.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised when you walk in the door at the selection of products we have.

NYBS

The D’Elia family established the New York Butcher Shoppe in 1999 on Ben Sawyer Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.  Bill D’Elia is originally from Brooklyn, NY where he began learning the butcher trade at age eleven.  His career has been in the grocery industry since 1970, primarily in butcher and meat areas.  The store in Mount Pleasant quickly grew in popularity, and the concept began franchising in October of 2003.

The NYBS concept is founded on the principles of outstanding customer service and the highest quality product, in a clean and inviting atmosphere.  Our line of hand cut steaks using Premium Angus Beef, prepared entrées, side dishes, salads and dips are always fresh and fill a unique shopping niche for our customers.  We also offer fresh sausages, frozen pastas, vegetables, hard-to-find grocery items, and a top selection of fine wines and cheeses.

a peek inside NYBS

NYBS sounds AWESOME – it’s very clear why Kev is such a big fan!  I can’t wait to visit ASAP.  I bet they have a number of great items we could add to our holiday celebrations. 

In the meantime, here’s some more info about NYBS:

Take a NYBS store tour: Where’s the beef??
Check out their menu: What’s cooking, good lookin’?!
Oooh, they cater, too: NYSB on the move!

Welcome, welcome again!  I’m looking forward to meeting you soon, NYBS.  (I have a feeling that we’ll be your most enthusiastic customers…)

xx, L

New York Butcher Shoppe
985-C Monroe Drive
Atlanta, GA  30308
404.343.3614
www.nybutcher.com

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Ritz Carlton Lodge Weekend (1 of 2): Linger Longer Steakhouse

11/09/2011 in Guilty Pleasures, Holidays, Hotels, Out of Town, Vacation, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 1 comment

Kevin + I didn’t dress up this year for Halloween.  We didn’t go to the Florida vs. Georgia game, either.  This year, we spent the last weekend of October at the gorgeous Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation.

The Ritz Lodge is located in Northern Georgia, just 75 miles east of Atlanta on the shores of Lake Oconee – Georgia’s second largest lake.  A decidedly Southern retreat, the resort is situated in Reynolds Plantation, a 10,000-acre golf and lakefront community.

happy halloween weekend to us!

happy halloween weekend to us!

There are so many incredible things I want to tell you about the resort, but I could never fit them all into one post…  Soooooo, you’ll just have to wait for more! 

It was our very first time visiting the gorgeous property + we had the most amazing weekend!

the ritz carlton lodge

This post will focus on our f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s. dinner at the Ritz’s Linger Longer Steakhouse.

linger longer exterior

Kev + I had 9 p.m. reservations at Linger Longer, so we zipped from Atlanta to the Ritz, dropped off our car + bags at the hotel and hitched a ride to the restaurant from a super friendly Ritz Lodge driver who saved us from having to walk over in the brisk cold.  (Thanks, super friendly driver!)  When we arrived and walked into the door, I immediately felt warm.  Linger Longer’s interior is cozy-elegant and exceptionally welcoming.  It was pretty much like the warmest hug EVER.

linger longer bar

linger longer dining room

linger longer dining room

The newly rebuilt (it burned down a few years ago…) Linger Longer Steakhouse is located in the Oconee Golf Course Clubhouse adjacent to the Ritz Lodge.  Known for creating simple yet flavorful fare, Executive Chef David White has created a comforting contemporary menu of American steakhouse classics.  All seafood is overnighted directly from Boston, and meats are premium cut.  In addition, more than 20 herb varieties are grown in the resort’s on-site herb garden.  Linger Longer’s extensive wine list emphasizes reds from around the world, as well as varietals from Georgia’s own Persimmon Creek Vineyards, with more than 40 wines by the glass.  Visit Linger Longer’s menu here. 

We were impressed from the moment we walked in.  But, even more impressed with the exceptional service.  The food, oh the food!, simply sealed the deal!

It had been a long week for us both, so Kev + I started off the meal with a round of cocktails.  I’m not exaggerating when I say that it was the single most delicious Gimlet I’ve ever ordered!  I’m not going to tell you how many more I had over the course of the night.  I just won’t.

Shortly thereafter, we ordered up the Tuna Tartare to share.  Perfection.  Very similar to Steel’s famous Tuna Tower, Linger Longer’s tuna tartare was also best knocked over and mixed around on the plate.  The fresh tuna was accompanied by crushed avocado, soy-lime dressing and a crispy won ton.

We devoured it and quickly moved on to the Linger Longer Loaded Wedge Salad: bacon, tomato + maytag blue cheese.  It was also very tasty.

Entree time!  Kev and I both ordered 9 Ounce Filet Mignon Oscars.  The Oscar add-on tops off the filet with crab fondue, asparagus + bearnaise sauce.  I selected Potatoes Lyonnaise as my side.

Kev opted for the Garlic Steak Fries.  (Gotta love him!)  :)

Both of our filets were totally OUT OF THIS WORLD!  Kev said that his was “the best steak he’s had in Georgia,” and I kinda have to agree with him.  They were delicious!  And, the Oscar add-on is absolutely the way to go.

For dessert, we ordered the White Chocolate Souffle.  It was spectacular.  That’s all I can say.  I don’t care how full you are; you have got to order it! 

Everything was so fantastic – we really didn’t want the meal to end.  And, it didn’t!  Our server brought over Peach Cotton Candy on a Stick as a final special treat.  What a whimsical way to finish off such an exquisite dinner!  We really enjoyed that special touch.

We went into dinner knowing that the meal would be good – heck it’s the Ritz - but we had no idea HOW good.  Kev and I were floored – and we agreed that we would surely make the drive in from Atlanta to eat there again! 

Close to midnight, we had the friendly driver scoop us from the restaurant and bring us back to the hotel so that we could officially check in for the weekend.  When we finally made it into our room, we were greeted with a few thoughtful surprises from our beloved Gorms!  (Thanks, Gorms!)

By this point, we weren’t sure how the weekend could get much better than the incredible meal we just ate, but the truth is that dinner was merely the tip of the iceberg! 

More to come, more to come… 

xx, L

Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation
Linger Longer Steakhouse
1 Lake Oconee Trail
Greensboro, Georgia  30642
706.467.7196
http://ow.ly/7osh7

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Cabbagetown’s Chomp and Stomp (11/5)

11/03/2011 in Cabbagetown, Events, Festivals, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 2 comments

Hooray for fall!  Hooray for chili!  Hooray for Cabbagetown!  Hooray for Chomp and Stomp weekend!  (It’s really as simple as that.) 
 
One of Atlanta’s greatest festivals is this weekend, y’all!  :)
 
Here’s the Q+DD on Chomp and Stomp: 
Cabbagetown’s blue collar history is well-known in Atlanta.  Once an old mill workers’ neighborhood, the area now is more known for its trendy boutiques and bohemian lifestyle.  Chomp and Stomp combines Cabbagetown’s roots with traditional blue grass music and a chili cook off.  Enjoy the pleasant fall air and traditional music of the area while eating some competition-worthy chili.  If you are so inclined, there is also a 5k race that kicks off the festival. This event is just another reason why Atlanta is known as the hostess city of the South!
 
Timing: Saturday, November 5, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
$$$: Only $5 per Spoon for Chili!
Location Info: Cabbagetown is WHERE, exactly??
Music Scoop: Let’s get our stomp on, shall we?!
2010 Winners: Chili Masters 
 
This is such a fun event w/ so much personality that you WILL NOT want to miss!  (Sadly, I’ve been out of town for it over the past two years…  Tragic.) 
 
But, here are a few of our pics from Chomp and Stomp ’09:
 
It’s supposed to be gorgeous this weekend, too!  Be there or be square, Atlantans.  And FYI, get there early – sometimes the chili runs out. 
 
Happy Chomp and Stomp weekend! 
 
xx, L

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More on Burgers…

09/13/2011 in Midtown, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 3 comments

NYC’s 5 Napkin Burger recently opened in Nikimoto’s (R.I.P.) old spot on 10th and Piedmont in Midtown.  I must admit that my patience is once again wearing pretty thin with all of the fancy-pants burger joints opening all over town - enough already, I say – we have more than enough!  Just like cupcakes are no longer sexy to me ( well hellooooo french macaroons – you’re lookin’ good), my desire to eat a hamburger has pretty much been satifsied.  However, I tried 5 Napkin TWICE last week out of sheer convenience to my office and a little bit of curiosity about how it pulls off both burgers and sushi. 

I ordered wrong.

JenBen and I met at 5N for lunch and were seated almost immediately.  We had made a reservation, but the space seemed large enough to accommodate lunchtime drop-ins.  We inspected 5N’s menu, closely investigating the burger and sushi offerings, and we both ended up ordering the 5 Napkin Veggie Burger w/ Sweet Potato Fries.  5N’s VB comes with housemade 5N sauce, b&b pickles, lettuce, and a tomato on a multi-grain roll.

I will very honestly report that the veggie burger was not great.  It tasted and strongly smelled of beets and almost the entire burger fell apart as soon as I took a bite into it.  I was unsuccessful in trying to mash together the red veggie crumbles all over my plate, so I stabbed at the burger with my fork.  I did not enjoy it.  And, I’m pretty sure I used 40 napkins (not 5) since the burger disintegrated and there was food all over the table.

I did, however, really like the sweet potato fries!  They were the best of both fry-loving worlds: crispy AND soft at the same time.  Frankly, they were delicious enough to redeem the meal a bit.

While I was certainly underwhelmed by my first experience, I decided to give 5N one more chance.  I felt silly judging a restaurant specializing in meat burgers on their veggie burger alone.  So, Rosh and I lunched at 5N on Friday and decided to tackle its specialties.

It was a gorgeous day and we asked to sit on 5N’s patio.  Although I did not find the patio chairs to be particularly comfortable, I personally preferred sitting outside to dining inside of the restaurant.  10th and Piedmont is an excellent place to people watch and catch some rays.  :)

Rosh and I started off sharing the Southwestern Sushi Roll: spicy yellowtail, cilantro, chayote, scallion, soy wrapper, jalapeno + tobiko.  It was incredibly fresh and very, very tasty – perfect for sitting on a patio on a pretty day!  We were really pleased.

For our entree, we split the massive Burger for 2: 1 pound of custom ground beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, b&b pickles, and 5N sauce. 

Here it is in all its meaty glory:

I’m proud to report that we finished the entire burger!  Hooray for us!  Finishing the enormous burger led us into a fairly deep conversation about food displacement along the lines of “say – hypothetically, of course – that I just ate 1/2 a pound of beef…does that mean that I weigh 1/2 a pound more?”  Yikes…

We found room for 5N’s Sweet Potato Fries (which Rosh also loved) and a Tomato, Avocado, Cotija Salad. 

I am so happy that I went back to 5N to try their meat burger and sushi – what they are really all about!  I was surprisingly impressed with both.  Although, I do have to admit that I only used 3 napkins this time.

I will reiterate again that I’m over the fancy-pants burger craze, BUT I urge you to try 5 Napkin.  (Yes, I did that in the same sentence).  If you try 5N, make sure that you order the sushi and/or meat burgers – NOT the veggie.  And, let me know if you do, in fact, use 5 napkins.  I’m pretty literal over here, folks… 

xx, L

5 Napkin Burger
990 Piedmont Ave. NE
Atlanta, GA  30309
404.685.0777
www.5napkinburger.com/midtown-atlanta/

Five Napkin Burger on Urbanspoon

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Right at Home @ Big Tex Cantina.

08/15/2011 in Appetizers, Austin, Cocktails, Decatur, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 4 comments

I’ve said it once.  I’ll say it again.  I love Texas.  I haven’t lived in the Great State for almost seven years, but I frequently visit + I know for a fact that my affinity for anything Texas is one of the first things Slick will reference when he tells people who I haven’t met about me.  Big hair, big cars, big attitude – I’m a big, BIG fan!  I mean, “God (even) blessed it w/ his own hands…”  So, when Slick informed me that the Fox Bros. (Fox Bros. BBQ) were opening a Tex-Mex joint named Big Tex Cantina in Decatur, I was immediately game. 

big tex cantina – decatur

We planned to meet our fellow Fox Bros. BBQ-lovin’ friends, Scott + Elizabeth, to try out Big Tex last week, so I conducted some serious menu research throughout the days leading up to it.  I needed to know what I was getting into, y’all.  On the day of the dinner, Slick successfully talked me out of wearing my cowboy hat.  (So I was excited – sue me!)  Nevertheless, as soon as I stepped into the restaurant, I felt like I was home. 

Check it:

(currently trying to find this for my condo)

I’m pretty sure that the chandelier was my favorite Texas-inspired decoration, but it’s hard to say for sure…

After oogling the walls for about 15 minutes, we sat down and perused the extensive menu.

Without a second thought, I ordered up a Mexican Martini, which I am sure was inspired from my beloved Trudy’s in Austin.  It wasn’t nearly as good as Trudy’s world-famous MM, but it did the trick.

Elizabeth opted for the Texas Bloody Mary which arrived with an olive + a green bean.  She enjoyed it, but we both agreed that a Bloody Mary is an awkward dinner drink. 

My favorite item we ordered for dinner was a special we all saw on the chalkboard outside of the front door: the Bacon Taquitos.  They were absolutely mouthwateringly good!  No joke.  AMAZING.

Slick, Elizabeth + I all ordered tacos for dinner.  Each of our plates looked similar to Slick’s pictured below.  From left to right:

The Tex Taco: Chopped brisket with a spicy mustard sour cream, BBQ sauce, griddled jalapenos, diced onion + shredded lettuce.  (Very tasty + the house special.)

The Carinta Taco: Chopped pork, griddled jalapenos, diced onion + shredded lettuce.  (It was so incredibly salty, Slick + I couldn’t eat it.  I do not recommend.)

El Guapo Taco: A flour tortilla filled with refried beans, a crispy taco shell with house ground beef, lettuce, cheese + pico de gallo.  (My favorite!  It was like a fancy Cheesy Gordita Crunch from Taco Bell!  And, I’m pretty sure it weighed about three pounds.  Judge me.) 

Scott ordered the enormous Big Tex Chicken Chimichanga: a huge tortilla filled with pulled chicken, pinto beans, pico de gallo + cheese rolled and fried, topped with their signature Texas queso + pico de gallo.  Did I mention how enormous it was??!

It was a feast, to say the least.  (Rhyming!) 

scott + elizabeth

Are they a cute couple or what?!  :)

I can’t say that any of us actually finished our massive meals, but we truly put in some serious effort.  NO room for dessert, although the Red Velvet Cheesecake sounded tempting.  After we settled up with our server, we walked around the restaurant again and discovered a substantial party room in the very back complete with TVs, pool tables + skeeball!  This space is totally ideal for a birthday party or a fun night out with a group!

Big Tex Cantina was very enjoyable.  It’s priced well, the restaurant doesn’t accept reservations but it’s large enough that you wouldn’t have to wait forever, + they’ve done really well with the Texas-themed decor (at least in my book!).  The menu is extensive + I have faith that the restaurant will be successful.  Having the Fox Bros. name behind it, at the very least, means something.  If you are trying to satisfy a random Mexican food craving, I probably wouldn’t recommend making the trek to Decatur to test out Big Tex over heading to Taqueria del Sol.  BUT, if you are into trying out new spots, you love the Great State as much as I do, or you are seriously hungover (get the Chimichanga - trust me.), Big Tex will do the trick. 

YeeHAW, partner!

xx, L

Big Tex Cantina
308 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA  30030
404.377.3939
http://www.bigtexcantina.com/

Big Tex Cantina on Urbanspoon

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Taste & Tour of Cheshire Bridge Road: 7/20-21

06/29/2011 in Cheshire Bridge, Events, Festivals, L+L Report, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | No comments

A wide variety of Cheshire Bridge Road businesses are working together to bring the Third Annual Taste & Tour to Atlanta’s most eclectic street.  The two-day event, held July 20-21, will feature many of Atlanta’s best restaurants + high-end businesses offering food tastings, exhibits, product samples, discounts, raffle prizes + more.  

 
This year’s Taste & Tour is sponsored by the Lindbergh-LaVista Corridor Coalition (LLCC) + Public Broadcasting Atlanta.  The LLCC is a non-profit corporation comprised of residents, business owners + property owners in northeast Atlanta whose mission is to redefine and revitalize the community it serves.  Net proceeds from this year’s event will be used to fund a feasibility study for the establishment of a Community Improvement District (CID) in the area.  


“I’m thrilled to once again be participating in this year’s Taste & Tour,” said Kevin Gillespie, Executive Chef at Woodfire Grill.  “Cheshire Bridge Road has so many fantastic restaurants and unique businesses, and I’m happy to be part of an event that celebrates our street’s diversity,” continued Gillespie, a finalist voted “fan favorite” on the sixth season of Bravo’s Top Chef.  

KG

Taste & Tour hours are 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. each day.  The event is accessible via the MARTA Lindbergh Station + bus route 27, which stops at multiple locations on Cheshire Bridge.  Designated parking locations are at Antiques & Beyond (1853 Cheshire Bridge Rd.) + The Center for Spiritual Growth & Meditation (1893 Piedmont Road NE).  A trolley will transport attendees along Cheshire Bridge with stops at several locations + within walking distance of participating businesses. 

Tickets are available online: Taste & Tour of Cheshire Bridge Rd.    
 
Ticket prices are $15 each for a one-day pass or $25 each for a two-day pass until July 1.  Tickets sold after July 1 will be subject to higher pricing.  Children ages 12 and under are admitted free. 
 
Many of the participating businesses have called Cheshire Bridge their home for decades while others have recently joined the diverse mix.  Participating businesses include: Alfredo’s, Antiques and Beyond, Barking Hound Village, Caroline Budd Picture Framing, The Colonnade, Décor Professionals, Habersham Gardens, Johnny’s New York Pizza, Las Margaritas, Nakato Japanese Restaurant, Nino’s, Perla Taqueria, Photography Center of Atlanta, Region’s Bank, Rhodes Bakery, Roxx Tavern, Tailor’s Art Cleaners, Roxx Tavern, Ursula’s Cooking School + Woodfire Grill.  Click HERE for a full list of participants.

This may be the most exciting neighborhood culinary tour yet, folks…  :)

xx, L

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OTP Hangover Cure: Jim ‘n Nick’s Bar-B-Q

06/21/2011 in Suburbs, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 7 comments

Slick + I drove to Smyrna this weekend to go blackberry picking with some buddies of ours.  Check out my loot, y’all:

I know, right?  I was impressed, too!  :)

It was a fun morning, but we had one problem: Slick was seriously hungover from the night before.  Around noon, he began to really need something to cut up the alcohol aggressively overtaking his blood stream, so we searched the GPS for the closest non-fast food (yet still greasy/ heavy) restaurant in the area + up popped: Jim ‘n Nick’s Bar-B-Q.

We use this restaurant to cater work events from time to time, but I am rarely ever OTP + hadn’t visited its home base in Smyrna.  As soon as we got this close to the door, we were greeted with an overwhelmingly delicious aroma of BBQ.  Slick almost crumbled to the floor.  No joke. 

A friendly hostess sat us down + we ordered up large waters and Diet Cokes.  As we worked on Slick’s hydration, we perused the extensive menu.  I knew exactly what I wanted as soon as I opened the menu and read the item’s name: Pig in the Garden Salad.  It made me giggle, so I gave it a try.

Slick ordered a pulled pork sandwich + deep-fried onion rings.  While we impatiently waited for our food, the friendly hostess – who was now also our server – dropped over a basket of these tasty cheese muffins.  They were not fat free.  I can tell you that much.  That is pretty much all I can tell you, though, because they were gone almost immediately. 

Shortly thereafter, my salad arrived and it was enormo…and really satisfying.  I mean, how could you go wrong with pulled pork, smoked bacon + homemade croutons?  (I’m still convinced it was a healthy option, too, as there were numerous green + orange things on the plate.)

Slick’s pulled pork sandwich did the trick.  He ate it like a champ + started to feel better immediately. 

He described the onion rings* as ”a gift from God,” but he was slightly too ambitious with ordering them as we ended up taking the majority home with us. 

*Reader’s note:  Do not accidentally leave onion rings in your car for more than five hours.  Trust.

Seemed like the OTP BBQ did the trick.  Slick was pleased with his mostly clean plate + pork-stuffed stomach.

As we were heading out, we noticed a nice collection of pig paraphernalia and t-shirts with butt jokes.  (Oh, how I love a good butt joke.)

Do I recommend driving all the way out to Jim ‘n Nick’s for BBQ if you live in Midtown?  Probably not.  There are plenty of ITP options to explore.  However, if you are OTP + have a BBQ craving or need a quick hangover cure, Jim ‘n Nick’s is absolutely your place.  Prepare yourself for the butt jokes, friends + eat up!

xx, L

Jim ‘n Nick’s Bar-B-Q
4574 S. Cobb Dr. SE
Smyrna, GA  30080
678.556.0011
www.jimnnicks.com

Jim 'n Nick's Bar-B-Q (Smyrna) on Urbanspoon

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Burgers by Boat on Lake Lanier

06/03/2011 in Holidays, Out of Town, Random Musings, Suburbs, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | No comments

Slick + I spent a gorgeous day at Lake Lanier over Memorial Day weekend with our friends Seth + Loren (SeLo).

(seth: this is your big break!!)

Although I have been living in Atlanta for the past seven years + have done a pretty swell job – if I do say so myself – of exploring our great city, I somehow avoided ever spending time at Lake Lanier.  My lake trips have been confined to a work-related event I throw each year at Lake Burton – which is a calm + peaceful, relatively uncrowded lake that looks like THIS: 

lake burton

Lake Lanier, however, looks like THIS:

sunset cove - lake lanier

Eighteen boats tied up next to each other to form a massive party on the water!  How have I missed this awesomeness?!  Shame on me.  Shame on me!  The fact of the matter is that I HAVE been missing out.

Anyway, as I was saying…we spent a phenomenally beautiful day on Lake Lanier with SeLo.  About halfway into our Firefly + diet lemonade drinking, sunscreen-protected sunbathing afternoon, we were pretty hungry and wanted to stop to grab lunch.  SeLo highly recommended a restaurant located in Aqualand Marina (a little trivia: AM is the world’s largest inland marina) where they had recently eaten the “best burger they’ve ever had.”  Slick is kinda on a hamburger kick for some reason + I really needed to check out this “best burger” for myself, so we docked for lunch at Dockside Grill.

Behold its wooden quaintness:

And, freshly-laminated menus:

I started to believe the bold burger rumor a bit more as we sat down + glanced over the menu which proudly announced that Dockside Grill was voted “best burger” by Southern Living.  Not quite as skeptical, I ordered a huge burg and out came THIS guy: 

The picture doesn’t quite do it justice.  The burger was MASSIVE + super juicy.  I devoured it in every sense of the word.  It was, indeed, a great burger.  And best of all, it reminded me of the burgers my dad used to grill when I was a kid.  It tasted homemade + like home – which may sound silly, but really added to the dockside burger-eatin’ experience.  It was the perfect way to cut the alcohol, get us out of the sun for a bit + satisfy a burger craving without grease dripping everywhere and a mandatory post-lunch nap. 

I ate so much that I felt like I needed to wear my cover up on the boat for the rest of the afternoon, but I didn’t mind one bit.  That meal was worth it + it certainly didn’t stop Slick from enjoying the rest of the day on the lake…

Lake Lanier:  I’ll be back for you, new friend!  :)  

Dockside Grill:  Your burger is pretty darn amazing.  I can’t think of a place I’d rather eat at on the lake.  Keep up the excellent work!  I’ll be back for another burg soon!

xx, L

Dockside Grill – Aqualand Marina
Open Fridays, Saturdays + Sundays (Seasonal)
Call for Hours: 770.363.2318
Menu: BIG BURGERS
Map: FIND DOCKSIDE

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