Atlanta food and restaurant blog | The Blissful Glutton » Marietta

Cheap Eats: Dough in a box

blissfulglutton — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:26:38 +0000

When Sublime Doughnuts opened back in 2008, Kamal Grant’s unorthodox gourmet doughnut creations reignited Atlanta’s fried dough lust and paved the way for places like Dutch Monkey Doughnuts in Cumming. What was still missing, however, was a solid doughnut place without the frills. A good old doughnut shop akin to the ones you find on any street in Los Angeles. Unbeknownst to many — thanks to regulars that purposely kept it a secret — such a place existed and was around well before Sublime or Dutch Monkey: Dough in a Box (3184 Austell Road, Marietta, 770-436-5155). And, just in case you’re wondering, no, the name is sadly not a parody of the Lonely Island “Saturday Night Live” skit featuring Justin Timberlake.

Jesus and Dannia Balestena bought Dough in a Box almost a year ago from the previous owners, a couple they befriended while they were regular customers. Along with the business came the recipe for the California-style doughnut, which, until now, has been an elusive find in these parts. A California-style doughnut is a very specific specimen, nowhere near the disappointing melt-in-your-mouth-in-two-bites version of a certain well-represented Southern doughnut chain. A true California doughnut will knock you out with its heady just-baked freshness the minute you open a boxful. It leaves little grease behind in the box or on your fingers. It’s yeasty, which means it stays intact after each bite and can be savored rather than mourned for having gone too quickly.

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Cheap Eats: Wienerz

blissfulglutton — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:29:29 +0000

Hamburgers and pizza have taken over our fair city during the past couple of years, and yet another all-American childhood food fave is just raring for its time in the sun: hot dogs. Yep. Good ol’ wieners. The centerpiece of gluttonous Fourth of July eating contests, the ultimate old-school street food and arguably one of the more perfect portable meals ever created by man. I refuse to believe that Atlantans don’t recognize the beauty of a well-made hot dog, but good ones are strangely hard to find.

Located on what feels like a former industrial stretch of road five minutes from the Windy Hill exit in Marietta is Wienerz Butcher Shop and Deli (1592 Atlanta Road, 770-426-8100, www.wienerz.com). I first discovered Wienerz at the Ponce de Leon Avenue Whole Foods, where its sausages were being showcased as a local product. After finding out that it was open to the public, I learned the place was closed for renovations, but would reopen shortly. I patiently waited until the doors had opened, gave them a month or so to get settled, and then made the longish drive in search of wiener nirvana. What awaited me was a carnivore’s dream.

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Bernhard’s German Bakery: Marietta

blissfulglutton — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:41:30 +0000

While at the newly renovated Weinerz Factory Store and Deli (look for my article in Creative Loafing in the next week or so), I spied Bernhard’s German Bakery next door.

Since Moon has a fetish for German pastries, I popped in on my way out of the parking lot. Bad move. Every single thing looked amazing. It took every ounce of self-control for me to not buy way too much stuff. I failed. Although, it was minor failure considering the sheer abundance of pastries, cookies, and breads. You name it. They have it. Here’s my loot:

I am a linzer cookie expert and believe me when I tell you this is the best one I have ever had. Flaky, crispy, just enough powdered sugar and a gooey preserve center. A must buy. Above that is a dense chocolate and vanilla cake soaked in rum and filled with raspberry preserves then covered in dark chocolate. To the right of that, a layered hazelnut cake filled with buttercream and topped with chocolate ganache. In front of that, a shortbread cookie thing topped with crushed hazelnut brittle and held together with chocolate. And, finally, the bakery’s version of a black and white cookie, which is really a jam-filled cookie covered in chocolate. Not pictured: the soft homemade pretzel I had as a snack later on.

Next time, I’m getting bread and some of their lunch items. Dying to sink my teeth into the bratwurst sandwich. Already love this place and in case you are wondering, yes, it is worth the drive.

Ethnic.City: Jerusalem Bakery

blissfulglutton — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:39:08 +0000

There was no going back to store-bought pita after my first visit to Jerusalem Bakery (585 Franklin Road, Marietta, 770-419-1666). The smell of freshly baked bread filled the shop with an intoxicating aroma; the pita was puffed and fluffy with just the right amount of chew, a far cry from the stiff and collapsed stuff found on supermarket shelves. When Jerusalem Bakery opened an Alpharetta outpost with a full-on restaurant (4150 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 770-777-0193), I became an immediate regular thanks in part to the addictive and crunchy falafel. More excitement followed when I learned the owners had added on a restaurant to the original Marietta retail location. A narrow dining room and an open kitchen now accompany the bakery with its endless shelves of just-out-of-the-oven Middle Eastern treats. And the goodies, such as soft pizza-esque pies (meat, feta, or za’atar) can be bought and devoured on the premises.When it comes to sandwiches, Marietta’s kitchen has a little less finesse than Alpharetta’s. Falafel the size of jawbreakers have feathery bits of crispy crunch outside, but the gray interior lacks any discernable seasoning; more parsley would add pop. Two ever-present spits of shawarma (beef and chicken) rotate all day, ready for sandwiches or platters. The chicken shawarma tastes on the tough side. Most of its meat is dark and could benefit from being shaved more finely so the chewiness of the beautifully spiced meat can shine. Rolled shawarma wraps are built with the house-made pillowy flatbread and tend to be a safer bet than the platters. In the wraps, the meat gets a boost from a long list of the traditional toppings, including spicy chili paste, pickled beets and tahini.

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In the news: Nibble and Noshfest (May 30-31)

blissfulglutton — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:28:34 +0000

Get all the details on the Noshfest website.

The Bliss List: 2009

blissfulglutton — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:33:00 +0000

Around this time of year, tons of “best of” lists pop up all over the web. They’re useful if you like to stay on top of what’s new, but I don’t like to do such lists for The Blissful Glutton. I don’t only eat at new restaurants.

My annual “Bliss List” is a compilation of all the old and new spots I went to the most in the past year. Is there no better testament to a place than multiple return visits? I think not.

So, without further ado, I present you with my favorite haunts of 2009 in no particular order.

How many have you been to?

Hot and numbing craziness at Tasty China, a San Gennaro pie and cannoli at Antico Pizza Napoletana, convivial dining and Japanese homestyle grub at Shoya Izakaya and Al’s quirky hospitality and gorgeous Turkish salads at Cafe Agora.

Gut-bomb madness at Fox Bros. BBQ, craveable comfort food at Carver’s Grocery, the massive menu of Mexican dishes at Taqueria Oaxaqueña and Korean milk toast from White Windmill (or any other bakery that makes it).

The unrivaled Tonkotsu ramen at Yakitori Jinbei, ooey gooey cheeseteaks at Roy’s Cheesesteaks, snappy dogs and sweet homemade onion rings at Barker’s and perfect petit fours from Rhodes Bakery.

Any meal at Holeman & Finch Public House that included the burger or carbonara, bbq noodles and rice at Ming’s BBQ, awesome burgers in a cool setting at Grindhouse Killer Burgers and thinly sliced brisket cooked over charcoal at Hanil Kwan.

Chef Bruce Logue’s Italian deliciousness at La Pietra Cucina, anything from Octane Coffee, a chopped vegetable salad and New York Strip from BLT Steak, and lemon pepper wings at Jamal’s Buffalo Wings.

David Sweeney’s vegetarian masterpieces at Dynamic Dish, the spaghetti and meatballs at Shaun’s pasta night, the farm egg appetizer and braised rabbit at Miller Union and a pristine bowl of Chirashi Don from Sushi House Hayakawa.

Kamal Grant’s sinfully Sublime doughnuts, pork belly and taro casserole at Wan Lai, the burger at Bocado and shopping, lunch and general food porn at Star Provisions.

The Bliss List: 2009 Map

Mouthful: Persian

blissfulglutton — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:41:00 +0000

A plate from the buffet at Shish Kabob

MIRAGE RESTAURANT: This white-tablecloth Persian mainstay is starting to look a little worn around the edges. The food, however, stands the test of time. Generous portions of juicy Kabob Koubideh (skewered and charbroiled ground beef and onion patties) are a carnivore’s dream. The Shirin Polo – a heaping mound of buttery rice – is fragrant with sautéed barberries, raisins and orange peels. Slivered almonds and pistachios add a slight crunch. The pieces of steamed chicken breast round out the dish to make it a satisfying meal. 6631 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. 404-843-8300. www.miragepersiancuisine.com.

RUMI’S KITCHEN: Sandy Springs is the epicenter of Persian cuisine. This relative newcomer to the scene is a favorite of diners looking for a bit of modern flair to their dining repertoire. Rumi’s freshly made bread is addictively crackly and soft. It’s served in a cone with a plate of briny white cheese, fresh herbs, walnuts, room-temperature butter and crunchy radishes. It’s hard not to make a meal of it. But save some room for the soul-soothing eggplant and veal stew and Cornish hen kabob. 6152 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. 404-477-2100. www.rumiskitchen.com.

Continue Reading “Mouthful: Persian food”

Ege Sushi and Japanese Cuisine: Marietta

blissfulglutton — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:42:00 +0000

Every few months, my sister and I inevitably find ourselves debating which three cuisines we could eat for the rest of our lives if we had to choose. Typing it aloud makes the whole thing sound ridiculous since I can’t fathom a scenario where we would need to do so. But the debate is always interesting because our choices evolve as we broaden our food horizons. Yeah, we are food-obsessed weirdos.

Although my sister and I tend to have wildly different tastes and appetites (I am always snacking while she is more regimented in her meal times), we both, without fail, rank Japanese in the highest position. Japanese food has everything you could want. Raw. Fried. Stewed. Steamed. Grilled. Sautéed. The list goes on and on. The ingredients are handled with reverence. Precision is of the utmost importance. And the flavors and presentation are simple, but stunning.

I don’t know how or when it happened, but Atlanta has accumulated quite the assortment of Japanese restaurants. People think San Francisco is rife with Japanese cuisine. But let me tell you something: I lived in San Francisco and it has nothing on Atlanta. My mind actually races with indecision when I have to choose a spot because there are so many options–Sushi House Hayakawa, Yakitori Jinbei, Shoya Izakaya, Taka, Tomo, Hashiguchi Junior and Nakato just to name a few of my favorites. We. Are. Lucky. And now, I found another Japanese spot to add to my rotation, Ege Sushi and Japanese Cuisine.

Moon and I were visiting with the Rabbi who will be marrying us this fall. On the way to the synagogue, I spotted Ege Sushi and Japanese Cuisine in the Kroger shopping center. So, we stopped by for a little dinner before heading home. And, boy, was I surprised. The menu had all the markings of an authentic Japanese restaurant. There was a two-sided specials menu (pictured above), which we ordered most of our meal from. I had a hard time choosing from that tantalizing monster, but we eventually settled on the following:

Uni over silken tofu with shreds of dried seaweed and a drizzle of ponzu sauce eaten with teeny tiny spoons. Creamy. Slippery. Tangy. Umami. Awesome.

The chef had some butterfish on hand so he made us this sashimi since the fish special was sold out. The fish is mild–think hirame/flounder–and it has a delicate texture, which means it practically melts on your tongue. Gorgeous.

Mirugai (giant clam) tempura. I wanted three more orders of these crunchy and briny fat pills. But Moon gave me that “you’re eating with your eyes” look so I didn’t order any more.

Ika-yaki: Grilled marinated squid topped with minced ginger, a popular street food in Japan. Insanely tender and the marinade was just salty and sweet enough.

We had to try a little more sushi and the sushi rice (an important indication of skill when it comes to sushi restaurants). I chose the Amaebi (sweet shrimp) nigiri. Some people detest the texture of raw shrimp, but I love it Japanese or Mexican-style. Ege’s shrimp were very fresh and they customarily fried the heads, which are always brilliant against the slippery shrimp.

The only disappointment of the meal was my tempura soba. It wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t something I can see myself craving like Yakitori Jinbei’s ramen. The broth has good depth, but the noodles were over-cooked and too thin for my taste. Moon had udon with duck, which also decent. But, again, nothing crave-worthy.

It turned out our incredibly friendly server—a Japanese-American woman in her mid-thirties—owns the restaurant (roar). That’s her with her back to the camera:

Verdict: We had an great experience that left us smiling and full. The service was extremely attentive and the food was excellent overall. Not perfect, but enjoyable all the same. And Moon loved the frosty mugs of draft Sapporo. He deemed them “dangerous.” I imagine we’ll be going back again and again. It’s located off the same exit as Tasty China so it is a nice alternative if you don’t feel like driving to Buford Highway.

INFORMATION: 2100 Roswell Rd. Marietta, 30062. 770-977-7690. www.ege-sushi.com

Mouthful: Fried chicken

blissfulglutton — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:30:00 +0000

CARVER’S COUNTRY KITCHEN & GROCERY: The facade of Robert and Sharon Carver’s Southern meat-and-two dive is deceivingly spartan. But the inside is cluttered with an eclectic mix of clippings and knick-knacks. Carver’s fried chicken has plenty of crunch and juicy meat. You can either get an order of leg and thigh or a breast so big the Carvers actually call it the “Dolly Parton.” Any of the sides (you get two vegetables and bread with your order) satisfy, but starchy items are the best on the menu — especially the hush puppies and mac-and-cheese creamy with Velveeta. 1118 W. Marietta St. 404-794-4410. www.carverscountrykitchen.com.

BUSY BEE CAFÉ: The bars on the front window of Busy Bee Café might intimidate first-time visitors. But there’s a reason for that crowd of people hovering near the door waiting for a table. The restaurant is full of life, warmth and loads of freshly made soul food. The “beelicious” fried chicken is marinated for 12 hours to ensure the flesh is moist and flavorful. The bird is then lightly breaded and fried in peanut oil until the skin is covered in crackly golden brown bubbles…..

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Hop City Craft Beer & Wine: Westside

blissfulglutton — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:41:00 +0000

Until a few months ago, those of us who live on the Westside were forced trek if we found ourselves in need of a bottle of wine or some beer that didn’t come from some seedy package store or gas station. So, color me excited when I heard Hop City had opened its doors across from Octane. Like most people, I thought this was a beer only operation, but the stores’ owners told me they try to stock a wide variety of “everyday wines.” And they have a nice selection of affordable options from all over the world. I picked up a Rose and some Cava the other day and spent around $15/bottle. Moon knows much more about wine than me and liked the store. His only complaint was that they don’t have “shelf talkers,” which would be a big help since the store is apparently understaffed.

A shot of the wine section

As expected, the beer section is huge and has pretty much anything you could ever want as a beer drinker. I was especially excited by the variety of Japanese beers, including a new type of Hitachino I’d never had before. They also have all the stuff you need to make your craft beer, which I know nothing about. But it’s there.

Beer.

Cold beer.

More beer.

All in all a good addition to the neighborhood and their pricing is just right. The owners claim they are cheaper than Green’s or Tower. And they are more than happy to order something for you. I suggest you join their free club so you get more tailored recommendations based on your past purchases and invites to special wine/beer dinners.

INFORMATION:
Address: 1000 Marietta Street, 30318
Phone: 404-350-9998
Website