Atlanta food and restaurant blog | The Blissful Glutton » Midtown

Piola: Midtown

blissfulglutton — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:17:27 +0000

I first went to Piola’s new Atlanta location (it’s an Italy-based chain of restaurants) with some friends shortly after it opened. The place immediately reminded of the numerous such pizzerias that populate South Beach’s Lincoln Road; restaurants where well-heeled Eurotrash go to hang out while scoping out the local talent. Since I have spent my share of time at such restaurants when visiting my family (does that make me Eurotrash?), I found Piola endearingly familiar. It’s the kind of place you go for something specific: decent pizza, salads, pastas, and other Italian dishes. Moon and I normally end up going there before concerts at the Fox when we don’t want to deal with the crowds at places closer to the venue. It’s not pricey and the pizza menu is HUGE with many different styles.

I normally get a pizza and a salad. I’ve tried a lot of pizzas and they are pretty fun flavor combinations. This is a carbonara version we had recently:

Like I said, the pizza is nothing amazing, but the food is consistent. Another thing I like about the place is the bar culture.

They serve a great sangria (if you don’t mind yours a little sweet) and they serve unlimited free snacks for you to nibble on while you drink.

Free mini-pizzas

Verdict: As long as your keep your expectations in check, Piola won’t disappoint. Go for the pizza and European atmosphere. Pizza snobs need not apply.

Tip: Every 29th of the month is Lucky Gnocchi day at Piola where it’s all you can eat homemade gnocchi. A little background on the long-standing Italian tradition from Piola’s website: “The story begins with a missionary arriving in a small village in Italy on the 29th of an unknown month. He arrived upon a very poor house asking for food. He was welcomed to their house and was offered the only thing they had on the table, “Gnocchi”. The missionary was very thankful for their warm reception and wonderful food. Soon after the missionary left the house, the poor family found some gold coins right under their Gnocchi plate…  Since then the “Lucky Gnocchi Legend” has gained recognition all over the world. Families gather together every 29th of the month and enjoy Gnocchi in order to have luck and prosperity in their lives.”

Food Finds: Sublime Doughnuts’ birthday box

blissfulglutton — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:19:59 +0000

“How are you doing today, beautiful?” asks Kamal Grant, the baseball hat-clad owner and head mad scientist of Sublime Doughnuts. “Good, good,” I say, blushing a little at Grant’s sweet-talking, which he lays on as thick as his doughnuts’ chocolate frosting.

Grant greets all his female regulars similarly, but it’s not seedy or creepy. In fact, it’s kind of brilliant — it dispels any guilt one might feel when walking into Sublime on a mission for delectable fried dough. This particular trip isn’t for me, though. I’m picking up a Sublime birthday doughnut box for my friend, whose birthday I missed. Sublime’s doughnut box has become my go-to gift for doughnut-addicted friends. Yet most people don’t even know it exists.

The colorful birthday box was born out of necessity. Grant’s customers started asking for a doughnut cake. He tried stacking the doughnuts. Too messy. He tried piping borders. Not pretty and unique enough. Then he discovered some large alphabet cookie cutters, and inspiration struck. Why not just spell “happy birthday” — in doughnuts!

Click here to read the rest…

A Sublime birthday

blissfulglutton — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:45:18 +0000

I’d been dying to get one of these from Sublime Doughnuts since I discovered owner Kamal Grant was offering them. We finally had an excuse to get one yesterday for Junior Moon’s eleventh birthday. She squealed with delight when we presented it to her ablaze with candles.

All of the doughnuts were super fresh and the box contained my personal favorites–the dulce de leche and orange dream. The whole cake costs $20 and you need to give the bakery 48 hours notice. The only problem is we now have a box of temptation calling to us from the kitchen. There are worse problems to have…

Cheap Eats: Noon|Midtown

blissfulglutton — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:33:00 +0000

The culinary industry is full of career changers. But how often do you hear about someone going back into the kitchen after becoming an attorney? Meet Katie Birmingham, chef/owner of Noon Midtown (1080 Peachtree St., 404-496-4891, www.noonmidtown.com). After seven years in the kitchens of high-profile Atlanta restaurants such as Bacchanalia and Seeger’s, Birmingham started practicing law. But her passion to return to the industry was rekindled when she and her husband encountered restaurants selling simple sandwiches made with premium ingredients during their honeymoon in Italy. Birmingham recognized the lack of such spots in Midtown and set out to build a place of her own inspired by her trip. Two years later, Noon Midtown opened its doors. Click here to read the rest…

In the news: Noon|Midtown now open

blissfulglutton — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:57:00 +0000

Noon|Midtown, a gourmet sandwich shop, has finally opened its doors. A little bit about the restaurant from the website:

Before becoming an attorney, Chef/Owner Katie Birmingham enjoyed a successful
seven-year professional cooking career, working with Gunther Seeger and spending three years at the acclaimed Bacchanalia. After moving out of the kitchen and into an office, Katie spent many years hoping for better lunch options in Midtown. Midtown had some great sit-down restaurants and plenty of food court standbys, but there was no single restaurant that provided great food and great atmosphere, along with the promise of a quick lunch. While on their honeymoon in Italy, Katie and her husband Ross stumbled upon dozens of fabulous hole-in-the-wall sandwich places and wondered why it was impossible to get such simple, tasty food back home in Atlanta. After all, those sandwiches were not complicated–they simply relied upon great ingredients. It was then that the plan for Noon|Midtown was hatched. Two years of planning and one leap of faith later, Noon|Midtown found a home in 1010 Midtown, and we cannot wait to become part of the neighborhood.

The menu:

A note from the "Intoxicologist"

blissfulglutton — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:18:00 +0000

“The Trois Cocktail”

I just received an email from Darrell Autrey of TROIS who has replaced Eric Simpkins since he was hired by Drinkshop. The bar at TROIS has been one of my favorite places to have cocktails near downtown. Autrey signs his email–which included his debut menu–with his title; not mixologist, but “Intoxicologist.” I gotta say that is a pretty catchy term. Moon and I have experienced Autrey’s cocktail skills numerous times before and he is definitely on point. Clickity the image below for his Spring cocktail menu that includes some standards (The Bee’s Knees and Gin-Gin Mule are my faves):

La Pietra Cucina: Midtown

blissfulglutton — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:51:00 +0000

I joined the lovely Chloe from Chow Down Atlanta for an early lunch here today. I’d only been one time before for dinner and was anxious to see what lunch was like since Cliff Bostock has posted many raves on Omnivore about the lunchtime offerings–I actually ran into him when we were finishing up. We ate in the small dining room, which I’ve heard will remain the main dining area for the time being. I have to admit that is kind of odd given the massive space it is attached to, but I digress. Let’s get to the food.

We started with some homemade flat bread, topped with Parma ham and served with herbed ricotta and pineapple mostarda. A great dish with lots of textural contrasts and the flavor combinations were inspired. The bread was the only drawback as it tasted a tad bit undercooked–we still ate the whole thing.

Next was the marinated eggplant salad, which they thoughtfully split onto two plates. Gorgeous in every way. It bursted with intense earthiness and was a joy to eat all around.

Chloe had the seasonal risotto made with duck confit and beets. Such a great idea. I only had one bite and it was divine. However, Chloe said it got progressively saltier as she neared the bottom. I do have to say the consistency was perfect even if the seasoning was uneven.

I was craving meat and planned on making Jean-Georges’ Chinese noodles for dinner so I wanted to go light on the carbs. I opted for the hanger steak served with a pickled chanterelle mushrooms, radicchio, arugula and parmesan salad. The steak was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The salad was a breath of fresh air and played well against the steak. My one and only complaint was the intense bitterness–which Chloe also noted–in the reduction. It kind of overpowered the dish, but was avoidable. I would order again despite the one shortcoming.

Verdict: After two visits, I can confidently say this Italian newcomer has some serious potential for greatness. It has misfires–like any kitchen–but they are forgivable when you are looking at the restaurant as a whole. The prices are insanely reasonable and service is very professional. It is officially in the rotation.

INFORMATION

Address: 1 Peachtree Pointe Bldg., 30309

Phone: (404) 888-8709

Recession special at Trois

blissfulglutton — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:33:00 +0000

Just got this from Trois’ PR folks. Looks like there are some good deals and a nice opportunity to sample some of Eric’s stellar libations:

Dine at TROIS through Election Day as we strive to make a good time a fiscally sound investment for you.

Every night, receive complimentary wine from our special Recession Wine List with any entrée.

Enjoy Mixologist Eric Simpkins’ new cocktail menu featuring Prohibition style cocktails for just $7.

Monday Hospitality Industry Night

$4 Numbers Ale

$5 Fernet Branca and Grand Marnier shorties

$5 Prohibition Punch

Black Tuesdays

Black Tuesday began the Great Depression, but come lose your depression with tequila specials from $6 to $9.

Wednesday through Saturday Prohibition Cocktail Specials

TROIS keeps you just as curious with our changing cocktails, because who really knew what was in that speakeasy moonshine anyway? Ponder it as you listen to live jazz.

Spice Market: Midtown

blissfulglutton — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:24:00 +0000

RESTAURANT REVIEW
Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s food has never impressed me. My meals at the uber-pricey Jean Georges Restaurant were a total letdown and Vong left me feeling the same way. So, it was with great apprehension that I went to the newly opened Atlanta outpost of Spice Market. I do have to give the restaurant points for style. The dining room is beautiful and open without feeling cold.

I especially loved the large cages of bells (pictured above) hanging from the ceiling and the moat of bamboo and daisies surrounding our table.

Everything on the menu is served family style. There is a bento box option that promises you in and out in 20 minutes, but my party went with the regular menu.

Crunchy squid salad with cashews, ginger and papaya on top of frisee lettuce: More breading than squid and an odd combination of ingredients. The papaya weighed down the dish even more the doughy calamari and the mayo-like sauce was a big turn off. It reminded me of a fish sandwich I had at McDonald’s when I was a kid.

Charred chili rubbed beef skewers with thai basil dipping sauce: The texture of the skewers was so odd. They looked like they were made from ground meat, but I found myself contending with large chunks of beef. The sauce was nice, but there was no salt in this dish meaning all the flavors just got muddled and lost.

Black pepper shrimp with sun-dried pineapple: The shrimp were cooked well and very fresh. However, the black bean sauce overpowered the delicate nature of the seafood and it was way too salty. The pineapple was a nice touch, but there was no saving this dish.

Spicy Shanghai noodles with chilled silken tofu, garlic and pea shoots: I wanted to like this dish because I am such a noodle-fiend but it was bland. Another dish lacking seasoning and there was no spiciness anywhere. I love pea shoots but their strong flavor overpowered the noodles and tofu. The dish was untouched after we each served ourselves a bowl.

Steamed red snapper: Cold mushrooms. No salt. Nice gremolata-like topping. But, bland, bland, bland.

Crispy catfish with lime sauce: The only dish I really liked. The catfish was greaseless and well seasoned. The lime sauce was beautiful. It had been whipped into an airy concoction that delivered an unexpected lightness. A lovely contrast against the crispy chunks of fried fish.

Verdict: Yet another place with lots of style and food as an afterthought. Atlanta deserves more than watered down concepts from out of state. Out of 6 dishes, I can honestly say one (the catfish) was passable. All the food was lacking acid and salt. Is the chef tasting the food before it hits the dining room? Service was a bit annoying because our waitress proceeded to painstakingly explain every dish before putting it on the table. Is it so hard to put the dish down while it is still hot and then explain? I hear from reliable sources that the desserts are amazing, but I am not planning on going back any time soon. If I am craving Asian food in that area, I’d hit Nan instead. Just not worth the money.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION:
Address: 188 14th Street (inside the W Hotel Midtown)
Website

Midcity Cuisine: Midtown (CLOSED)

blissfulglutton — Fri, 12 May 2006 12:43:00 +0000

RESTAURANT REVIEW:
I took a friend to MidCity for brunch a couple of weekends ago. This was before Nicolas’ departure from the restaurant so I cannot speak to how the quality is holding up. However, I just had to share how great this breakfast sandwich was. Aged Vermont cheddar, serrano ham, scrambled eggs on a massive biscuit. It was as large as a hamburger. Really yummy…reproduced it at home shortly after. The french fries were also some of the best I have had in Atlanta. Check these super-crispy bad boys out:
RESTAURANT INFORMATION:
Address: 1545 Peachtree St
Phone: (404) 888-8700
Website: MidCity Cuisine
Map: MidCity Cuisine
Cuisine: American, New