Craftbar

My mom took me out to a surprise (very) early birthday dinner after a great day to Craftbar at the Mansion hotel and residences. I was so excited to try something new - I tend to resort to places where I know I will like my meal on special occasions. The atmosphere was perfect for one of the first cold nights in Atlanta. The warmth of the fire from the open grill makes an otherwise stiff bar and restaurant have a much more homey feel. We stopped at the bar for a drink and even with a crowd waiting for drinks the bartender was very attentive.

One downside - we were sat in a corner by the doors to the closed patio next to a couple with a young child (around 2) wearing the shoes that have built in squeakers....this is cute at home or Ryan's steakhouse, not so much at a nice meal at 8:30 at night! Once they left there a few odd hiccups with the service around us (building table for a large party looked like Jenga and sounded like nails on a chalkboard) but our server herself was great.

First course:

Deviled eggs with crispy prosciutto and Crispy Porkbelly. Yuuuuuummmmmmyyyy.

My mom is not an adventurous eater and ever since I tasted my first eel she has wondered if I was abducted by aliens. But she tried the pork belly and was very pleased with the southern staple of deviled eggs. I am not a huge d.e. fan being that I abhor mayonnaise, but they were so finely whipped and smooth I ate 3!

Second Course:

Beef short rib ravioli with charred onions and peppers.

So hearty and good, perfect portion.

That's about it. I had no complaints, but I wasn't head over heels.....

Mom's burger. I ate half. So juicy and the bun was to die for. Tillamook Cheddar, tomato jam, applewood bacon. And fries. Oh the fries. I love salt so much. when it's correctly applied. And homemade fries. My dear mother also likes to order her burger medium well or well done. They didn't listen thank God and it was pink and juicy and delicious. She claimed it was the best burger she'd ever had, but this was after 2 cocktails and a bottle of Torbreck Juveniles.

Then, dessert:

I do not love dessert. I would typically rather have a second helping of appetizers, never chocolate and I don't much care for ice cream unless it's a la mode. But I love apple/crumb/pastry stuff. SO this dessert made my night. Apple Almond tart with cream cheese ice cream and salty caramel sauce. Really. I was overheard saying "I think I just saw Jesus." It was such a perfect pairing and really really delicious. Kudos to their pastry chef!



All in all a great evening, used our scoutmob coupon which happened to expire that night and got out for way less than expected. Definitely will return!

Bounty Dinner

On a Monday night no less! The night began with a reception and I met up with my mom at the bar for a glass of wine. We watched the 5 chefs preparing our bountiful feast and the farmers were seated among us. Each farm and chef was given the mic to speak about who they are and what they do, so it was entertaining, educational AND delicious. I can't say enough about the warm atmosphere at M&T. If we could eat there nightly I think we would!

So here's how the 5 courses went down:

Apple radish salad

The cheddar made it for me - very salty and perfectly off-set the tanginess of the vinaigrette. I am not typically a radish lover but everything came together so well. I could have gone for smaller walnut pieces so I cold have engaged some into every bite, but that was the only complaint. We enjoyed watching the slice off of the apples during the reception:

I am not a big salad person, but this inspired me to make more - the key seems to be these amazing, but simple, homemade vinaigrettes though so we will see if I can master one.

This was served with the Frogtown Cellars Vineauz Blanc. Frogtown is the most awarded vineyard on the East Coast and they were a fun addition to the evening's festivities.

The Shrimp BLT salad.

This was actually our favorite course. The Gum Creek Farm bacon was cubed and perfectly crispy on the outside and chewy and salty delicious on the inside. The whole of Muss&Turner's smelled like it at one point which was divine. The arugula was perfectly fresh (Taylor Family Farms in Rabun county) and the tomatoes were perfect. I could have eaten this for an entree and left happy. The 3 shrimp were great for one of five courses, but so good I could have easily eaten 3 more.....

This was served with a 5 Seasons Brewery Hefeweizen, which had warm ginger flavors. I loved it, mom thought it tasted like Christmas and beer and wasn't such a fan.

Pork & Beans with corn cob smoked Bacon.

(corn muffin, bacon, friend cob/husky thing)

The Beans.

This was a fun dish. The beans were served in a hot iron pot and we spooned them onto the bacon, corn muffin and corn husk. They were the heaviest thing on the menu, but great if it was a little cooler out! I liked that you could make a big soup of it all or, as many people did, spoon the beans onto the bacon like a cracker. I mean what's better than a bacon cracker??

This was served with the Frogtown Sangiovese, which they make from a 90/10 Sangiovese/Cab blend. Went very well with the beans - super rich.

4th Course: Slow smoked brisket with braised greens and fried sweet potatoes.

First of all the brisket was from Riverview Farms, where the ground beef of the burger hails. They have some amazing pork too and are responsible for the Swifty's dream sandwich. Rock Star farms, which doubles as a recording studio, supplied the swiss chard, mizuna, and greens. This was, as I wrote on my menu, F-ing delish. I was worried about this course after the beans being so thick, but it tasted like a house smells when you're making pot roast and was so perfectly seasoned and light. The brisket was spoon tender and the potatoes were crispy. I don't know how they managed to perfectly time and execute over 75 plates at once and everything turn out so beautifully, but they succeeded beyond my expectations!

The Frogtown Cellars Touche was a big winner at several California competitions, but a little syrupy for my taste, especially with the more delicate dish. A brisket more heavy on sauce may have fared better with the wain, but I was too happy with the course to be concerned.

Butternut squash ice cream "sandwiches" (w/flour less chocolate cakes)

I seriously could have eaten a gallon of this ice cream. I want to attempt something like it. It was soooo creamy and fall-tasting and magically good. I am not a chocolate lover, so I was more into the ice cream than the housing for it.... but it was a perfect finish to the meal.

The farmers and chefs.

I know they did a summer harvest dinner, so here's hoping they continue the feasts throughout the seasons!

A preview of my next post...Farm Bounty dinner at M&T

I am so looking forward to this meal! 5 Chefs : 5 Farms : 5 Course Dinner
Tickets are still left if you want to join us - it will be wirth it!!!! I am so excited to be a customer of Muss and Turner's and soon Local Three. They make everyone feel like family and I am excited for the local wine and beer too.

FALL FARM BOUNTY DINNER MENU

Apple radish salad with walnuts, arugula, Fiscalini cheddar and herb vinaigrette
(Apples & radish= Riverview Farms) (arugula= Taylor Family Farms)
Frogtown Cellars Vineaux Blanc

Shrimp BLT salad
(shrimp= Tybee Island, Georgia) (bacon= Gum Creek Farm) (Lettuce= Taylor Family Farm) (tomatoes= Rockin S Farms)
Five Seasons (Prado) Hefeweizen

Pork & Beans with corn cob smoked bacon
(bacon= Gum creek farms)
Frogtown Cellars Sangiovese

Slow Smoked Brisket with braised greens and fried sweet potatoes
(brisket= Riverview Farms) (greens, swiss chard, mizuna, mustard greens= Rock Star Farms) (sweet pots= Rockin S Farms)
Frogtown Cellars Touche

Butternut Squash ice cream sandwiches
(butternuts= Riverview Farms)
Frogtown Cellars Cachet Vidal Dessert Wine

Featuring the Chefs in our kitchen and the Farmers who supply us with great Georgia-grown product alongside Georgia’s Frogtown Cellars and Five Seasons Brewing.
The farmers will be here together to share their story and connect with those of you who love what they do.

Each course will be paired with a great Georgia wine and/or beer. 
Reception- 6:30pm
Dinner-7:00pm
Dress: Always Casual
Ticket Cost: $63.00 (includes sales tax and gratuity)
Plus Service Fee: $1.99

Tickets available here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/133988

Buckhead Bottle Bar and St. Regis bar and patio

Patio dining. I love it this time of year. The Buckhead Bottle Bar has street side (though not aromatic, fun for people watching) dining just across the street from Capital Grill. The restaurant apparently becomes a nightclub with DJ Mike B later in the evening. I met some girlfriends for snacks and drinks, and we were pleasantly surprised. It was fun, easy and cheap. They also have a roof-top patio with a Miami vibe and decent views.

5-7 pm daily they have $1 mini pizzas and sliders. You can choose from the shrimp, sausage or beef slider. The cocktail list is plentiful and well-priced. Basically the perfect place for a girl's night for happy hour! We scarfed down the $1 sliders and pizza, but still wanted to indulge.....

Calamari, fries(homemade) and Goat-Cheese Gnocci. Carbo-loading? Yes.

Afterwards we headed to the cozy (and cougarlicious) bar at the St. Regis Hotel. Eric and I spent our 3rd wedding anniversary at the hotel and fell in love with the place. They passed the milkshake test and the entire evening was flawless. I like the (Five Star) service attitude where they let you get away with just about anything. We settled into a leather couch, ordered champagne and then hightailed it to the private fireside patio outside Paces 88 and continued our chat. No one minded and a group of older cigar-smoking (married) gentlemen even sent the cocktail waitress over with a free round! I ran into a friend at the bar (felt rather swanky) and enjoyed the French bubbly by-the-glass like only a five star hotel can offer.

All in all a very different night than what I used to experience in Buckhead. What a difference a decade and a recession can make. I like the new phase of my life and the city's and look forward to more nights out with the girls!



Pure Taqueria...but you don't have to take my word for it!

We went to a birthday dinner recently at Pure Taqueria in Inman Park. This cute little space used to be a location of the Grape franchise. I hadn't heard great things, and I don't love Mexican food, nor do I drink Tequila. That being said it was pretty bad. We were a big group and the wait staff was kind enough to break out our tabs and the service, while not outstanding, didn't lack. The food just wasn't worth the drive, the $$ or the calories.

We started with the queso fundido with chorizo and jalepenos. It was too hot to touch at delivery, and a hard rubbery glob shortly after.The chips and salsa were plentiful, but again, nothing special.

Fish tacos, looked pretty, tasted so-so.

I had the taquitos, which you can barely see under there....they were basically what you'd find at QuikTrip....though I should have ordered something less fried I love chipotle pork. But the teaspoon in each was hard to find.....

The best part was the dessert delivery with the Mexican Wrestler Masks. And the sangria was very good. I don't recommend the menu for much more though with so many amazing mexican restaurants around town.

If you're looking for atmosphere AND authentic food try Bonegarden Cantina for fresh and delicious - and even better Sangria;)



Hal's...."You'll come for the food, you'll come back for life."

I had the pleasure of being treated to a work dinner at Hal's Restaurant in Buckhead. The atmosphere is a little old boy's club for me, but the service and food were impeccable. http://www.hals.net/

At the urging of my waiter, I had the filet oscar with asparagus. I did NOT finish it, but I wish I had. The meat was cooked perfectly, the crab was fresh and the hollandaise was perfect.

We also had oysters, calamari and assorted appetizers and sides for the table. I wasn't able to snap pictures as I typically would due to the dining companions, but I would recommend this legendary meat-market meets neighborhood bistro for drinks, dinner or a romantic night out. The private rooms are great, the wine list is very good and the steaks are cooked perfectly. The valet took forever and the crowd at the bar was overwhelming, but you won't regret the food. They also have live music Thursdays-Sundays, though the crowd is a little older and smoking is allowed at the bar. And should the mood strike you, you can walk to Johnny's hideaway and finish off a legendary Atlanta night out with a spin on the dance floor....we did!

5 Seasons Brewery (Westside)

So on my final day as a westside workday resident, I enjoyed a happy hour at the organic-ish brewery and restaurant 5 Seasons at Howell Mill and Marietta Street. The weather was turning fall-like, we were off early on a Friday afternoon and the snacks were flowing. For some strange reason I ordered a mimosa at a Brewery. I just saw the brunch chalkboard and had a craving! E had the Venus brew which was delicious.

We also enjoyed fried okra, hot wings and some Kari Kari with Ponzu. Nothing was the best we'd ever had, but the service at the bar was great and the food was perfect for an after work indulgence; and though it's bar-food standards there are some good lighter options and a local take on everything that elevates the menu beyond standard pub fare. I definitely have things I would like to try still on the menu. Menu here.

The interesting thing is that they have beer tastings, gluten free nights, happy hour specials, local area events, etc. so there's always something going on and its a great atmosphere and location. With so many hip places in the area, it's a great casual option that could please foodies, beer lovers and everyone in between.

From the Top - Muss and Turner's

Spicy Schezwan Shrimp(s) and fresh delicious Lamb with classic Greek accoutrement.


 Last night we had a celebratory meal at Muss and Turner's. This is my favorite go-to restaurant and I will try not to obnoxiously post too often about it. But, it deserves to be first.

Muss and Turner's serves food from comfort to cordon-bleu complicated with a no nonsense atmosphere and a serious amount of effort. I can eat there in sweatpants (bonus points), the wine list is perfect and easy to comprehend, the beer list is even better, and the staff and owners are near perfection. But the FOOD. The fresh daily ingredients, the constantly changing never boring always in season menu, and the old standby sandwiches all equal a place where there's something for everyone. And the goat cheese cheesecake rocks.
If you go, ask for Bella. She is the best server because she treats you like a friend....unless you order everything adjusted and on the side (just kidding) and she makes us feel like family and royalty at the same time. In her absence ;) Eric is a fantastic sever as well and is just as passionate about what they serve.

I have been lucky enough to get to know one of the owners (and name sakes), Ryan Turner, having discovered the restaurant through he and his wife when I worked at a local salon where they are customers. He takes so much pride in the place and their new endeavor, Local 3, has me drooling from the eyes and mouth! From the beginning, this restaurant has served me well. I have NEVER had a bad meal. It's a great place for those with palate training wheels. You can taste, observe and enjoy things in a casual atmosphere and then be sent out into the world a better diner, but beware, you won't want to say goodbye.

Fresh local tomato and olive oil, charcuterie plate with parm and lemon, crackers. Perfect.

Almond crusted trout with bacon and scallion-marscapone cheese. And across the way... the Burger.

Muss and Turner's

They also offer live music, tastings and do some amazing special events for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and the like. And you can pick up a picnic to impress on the go.

Welcome to Holier Than Chow!

Thank you for reading the inaugural post of Holier than Chow...a blog about where to find food. Good food, cheap food, good service, great atmosphere. A blog where I will share my personal opinions and share about my passion for food, wine and the culture of cooking for others. There's alot of great food in Atlanta and alot of great poeple trying to do something other than just run a restaurant. My experience in the short time I have between when I am working and sleeping are what I earn money for. Looking forward to a good meal, anywhere from a seaside fried pickle stand to the best restaurants in New York City, is where I spend the money I haven't even earned yet. I am inspired by the food to cook for my own family and friends and inspired by good and bad service and experiences for my own work.

Feel free to comment on your experiences and give me feedback on where to try!

Thanks and happy eating,

Jennifer