I have lots of eating to catch you up on. Since I am knocked up and super lazy, Moon and I have been eating out a lot – maybe *too* much. I was going through my phone today and had a “holy shit I need to write about these meals now” moment. Here are some nibbles for you in case you’re hungry for ideas or just in the mood for a little iPhone food porn.

While Moon’s brother was living here (he works on a popular television show that was filming here for six months), Miller Union became one of his favorite haunts. So, it was only fitting we take him there for his last meal in Atlanta. Chef Steven Satterfield and team did not disappoint.

Homemade charcuterie platter. Note the “duck jelly” at the bottom right.  It was a big win with the table.

My shrimp boil.

One of chef Pamela Moxley’s ridiculous new desserts. Specifically, the upside-down blueberry cake.

Tom Maicon of Food & Beer (formerly Atlanta Cuisine) recently wrote about Franco’s Italian Tavern and gave its pizza high marks. Since my search for New York style Pizza is never-ending in Atlanta, I went up one weekend and also used it as an excuse to get some BB’s bagels. The menu is quite large, but we focused on pizza-mainly a NY Style and a classic Italian pizza. The difference, from what we could tell, being the cheese.

NY-style

NY-style upskirt

Margherita

Margherita upskirt.

Verdict: Good crust texture and flavor. Sauce very bright on both pies. Biggest problem was both pies were not seasoned so none of the flavors popped. Not a bad pie if you live nearby, but Verra-Zanno still reigns supreme for NY-Style pizza. What else you got, Atlanta?

Smashburger is rapidly expanding all over Atlanta. A location recently opened near my house so I thought I’d give it a go one day for a quick lunch. I went super basic and got a cheeseburger and fries.

Before I assembled.

Afterwards.

Verdict: My expectations were low, but I was pleasantly surprised with the overall quality of the food. Good, soft bun. Well seasoned meat that tasted fresh. Even the fries were good. All in all, not a bad addition to the area although I would still choose Five Guys over it. I will, however, be returning.

A lot of my friends are crazy for One Eared Stag so I went by to see what the story is. In short, the menu is inventive with some fun things to try, but there is still a lot of room for improvement in the execution of the dishes (the squid in my fish stew was a bit undercooked) and service can be very very odd. I also found the vibe very strange. Maybe because little has changed since it was Shaun’s? There was, however, one dish that knocked.my.socks.off.

This was the best strawberry shortcake I have ever had. No joke. The biscuit was salty, not too sweet, and super flaky. The strawberries were also perfectly tart so the dish wasn’t a cloying sugar bomb as many are. Ditto for the whipped cream. I need to get back here for this dessert. Amazing.

I have been to No. 246 twice since it opened. Once for dinner and again for lunch.

My dinner was exceptional with the agnolotti with corn and mushrooms being the standout. My husband’s braised rabbit pasta was also very good. I really enjoyed the toasts (pictured above) that were fun even if they weren’t perfectly prepared. My lunch was just aight. My porchetta sandwich was a bit salty, the jus tasted super fatty, and the fries – while handcut and tasty – lukewarm. Still developing although I am really enjoying the menu and space. The noise level, however, had me hoarse at the end of dinner because my talkative self had to practically shout to be heard.

The funny thing about pregnancy is that you wake up in the morning with a craving and you MUST eat that NOW. Today, it is a cheesesteak from Roy’s in Marietta. The other day it was a Medio Dia from Super Pan. Still one of my favorite sammiches in Atlanta. Just look at this beauty.

Churrascarias get a bad rap among food snobs. Maybe it’s the guilt-inducing, all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of meats, salad bar, and gooey cheese rolls. Maybe it’s the bridge-and-tunnel clientele that frequents such establishments. Maybe it’s the lofty price. Well, this food snob is going on the record as a churrascaria fan. Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of paying $50-plus for the experience — even if the value is high. So I’ve been on a mission to find a lower-priced alternative. Many local Brazilian markets, such as Marietta’s Coisas do Brasil, sell inexpensive plates of thin steaks with beans and rice, but there’s little variety and satisfaction when you’re craving a more full-blown meat extravaganza.Porto Brasil (7887 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, 770-390-2280) is a happy alternative. The restaurant looks like a franchise with its bright yellows and greens reminiscent of the Brazilian flag. Appearances can be deceiving, though; it’s actually an independent restaurant tucked away in a small strip mall close to the border of Sandy Springs and Roswell. Porto’s concept is simple. It provides an all-you-can-eat assortment of traditional Brazilian cuts of meats, a cold bar, a hot bar, and some desserts for $9.99 during the week and $10.99 on the weekends.

Those expecting a fancy Fogo de Chao atmosphere will be disappointed. The décor, save a few posters, is relatively spartan. The staff’s warm hospitality, however, makes up for the sparse furnishings. They’re always smiling and extremely attentive despite the self-serve setup. Porto is all about instant gratification. The minute you walk in, you can make a beeline for the buffet, grab a plate, and get to eating. The containers of hot sides hold the treasures. Fork-tender braised oxtails. Breaded and fried bananas. Corn soufflé. Kidney beans mixed with bacon. Black beans. Dried and crumbled yucca with bacon, which you sprinkle over your beans. On the cold side, there’s crunchy romaine best eaten with the lip-puckering Italian dressing that doesn’t resemble anything you’d get out of a bottle.

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