Atlanta food and restaurant blog | The Blissful Glutton » The Westside

Nibbles and news

blissfulglutton — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:00:08 +0000

I have a little news that’s exiting for me: in case you haven’t heard, Moon and I are expecting a baby in December and I also accepted as position as the Editor of Eater Atlanta. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you heard the news a couple of weeks ago, but I did want to post something over here. You may be wondering what this means for this site. Well, since my work over at Eater Atlanta (follow Eater Atlanta on Twitter or Like us on Facebook) is a bit more involved, I’ll be cutting back on my work for Creative Loafing although I do aim to write 1-2 reviews for them a month and contribute to special food issues such as The Best of Atlanta, which I just turned in my picks/write-ups for this past week. My cutting back at Creative Loafing is good news for this blog. I hope to have more time to post original content. And you all thought I had abandoned you after six years together!

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.

The Local Farmstand gets a makeover

blissfulglutton — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:56:32 +0000

When I lived in Castleberry Hill, I regularly stopped at The Local Farmstand to pick up farm fresh vegetables and eggs every week. Since moving, my visits have become less frequent, but I was prompted to pay them a visit by Bill Addison, who told me they’d made some changes. The space has been completely redesigned and the woman manning the stand–which is attached to Star Provisions–informed me Star now runs the stand. You can definitely feel Annie Q.’s influence in the layout. The vegetables come from Woodland Gardens, Crystal Organics, and a couple of other farmers. While the place looks different, the vegetables are thankfully as pristine as always. Since most farmers’ markets have yet to open for the season (The Peachtree Road Farmers’ Market starts April 9th!), it’s always nice to have a year-round source for local stuff. Here are a few pictures to whet your appetite.

A wide variety of seeds from Seed Savers Exchange.

A small sample of the stand’s gardener-centric decor and tools.

A cooler full of vegetables, herbs, and eggs.

Baby carrots and turnips.

Eggs!

Hours.

A Harvest Dinner at Miller Union in photos

blissfulglutton — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:24:04 +0000

It’s been months since I attended this dinner, but I really wanted to share these photos with you because it was a lovely meal. Miller Union is still doing these dinners and actually hosting a special one in honor of its anniversary on November 10th. You can sign up or get more information on Miller Union’s Harvest Dinners by clicking HERE.
Chef Steven Satterfield getting the night started with an introduction.

Homemade celery soda, Campari and soda (my go to drink), and a soup starter.

Salad made with local greens.

Country Captain.

Toppings for the Country Captain.

Buttery scallion spoonbread.

Fried okra.

Blackberry cobbler.

Homemade vanilla ice cream.

Perrine’s in pictures

blissfulglutton — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:45:27 +0000

Despite having a father with an immense wine collection and an enophile for a husband, I am hopelessly clueless when it comes to wine (aside from the basic education I got in culinary school). Still, I love a quaint wine shop just as much as the next person and know when I’ve entered a special place. Perrine’s Wine Shop just opened and it is already getting a ton of buzz. The shop is owned by Burgundy native and former Joel sommelier, Perrine Prieur. The average price of a bottle is around $25-30 although she has some pricier options if you want to splurge. Moon and I stopped in to pick up some bottles on our way to dinner yesterday and I snapped a few pics I thought I’d share. Such an adorable place! I know it will be a regular stop for us.

Wine.

The table for future tastings.

Part of the wine selection.

More wine.

The cheese case. Bought an especially gorgeous Italian sheep’s milk cheese.

Pretty Perrine. Know you wine loving boys are going to get an instant crush on this super sweet shopkeep with sick wine skills.

Food Finds: Star Provisions’ pimento cheese

blissfulglutton — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:00:10 +0000

Star Provisions’ cheese monger, Tim Gaddis, has built a loyal Atlanta following, and for good reason: The man knows cheese. A graduate of New York’s French Culinary Institute, Gaddis has devoted himself to all things cheese. His passion is infectious. He listens to his customers and tweaks his assortment accordingly. His newest offering may be his most brilliant yet.

Gourmet pimento cheese may seem like an oxymoron, but if you’re going to get it anywhere, Star Provisions is the place. Gaddis’ method isn’t groundbreaking. He sticks to a basic recipe of cheese, pimentos, cayenne pepper and mayonnaise. The thing that makes his pimento cheese different, of course, is the cheese he uses

Click here to read the rest…

YEAH! Burger in pictures

blissfulglutton — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:50:42 +0000

I’ve visited YEAH! Burger twice. The restaurant is still too new to review, so I am going to let the photos do the talking for now.

The kids’ meal: includes a burger, side and a carton of organic milk (chocolate/regular).

My dinner: Onion rings and a beef burger with American cheese, bacon, griddled onions, and a fried egg.

A tighter shot.

Burger innards.

Get a three-course meal at Bocado for $25 until the 27th

blissfulglutton — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:53:52 +0000

Yeah, I am a little late to the Yelp! Eats party going on, but I just noticed Bocado is on the list. You can get the following menu at Bocado for just $25 until 6/27th:

1. Hearts of Romaine salad OR English Pea Arancine, lemon-truffle marscapone
2. BOCADO Burger stack with fries OR Blackened tuna “BLT”
3. Macerated Strawberries OR Chocolate Pudding

Seems a have a reason to visit them this weekend. And two of my favorites–the arrancine and burger (above)–are choices. You can get more information on Yelp’s website and/or check out the menu below.

Nom of the week: Dinner at Bocado

blissfulglutton — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:17:07 +0000

The English pea arancini with lemon and truffle oil aioli.

The interior:

Also loved the creamy chicken livers served on bacon toast.

And, I just had to get the burger…

Another lovely lunch at Miller Union

blissfulglutton — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:59:11 +0000

I met some of my favorite ladies for what is becoming a mini-tradition: lunch at Miller Union. I have never had anything but a spectacular meal at this newish restaurant. The service was excellent and the beautiful weather means the patio is in full effect. If you haven’t been, get there soon. I adore it and consider it a great addition to our dining scene. Here’s a handful of the dishes we ate:

Farm egg salad on H&F Bread Co. white bread with watercress and homemade pickle.

Homemade blueberry and ginger soda.

Veggie plate.

Mini chocolate and marshmallow ice cream sandwich.

Introducing…the Quattro Stagioni at Antico

blissfulglutton — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:37:18 +0000

Look what Giovanni and the Antico crew whipped up while we were at the restaurant for a friend’s birthday.

The Quattro Stagioni (The Four Seasons), a monster pie made up of Antico’s four best selling pizzas: the San Gennaro (my favorite), the Pomodorini, the Capricciosa and the Diavola (Moon’s favorite).

We saw another table get one and obviously couldn’t resist. It was awesome. We also got a little demonstration from Antico’s resident celebrity, Gian Luigi or Johnny, who was recently featured on CNN touting his skills.

That is one cute kid. People were asking him for his autograph. Funny stuff.

Moon and I were talking on the way home and while we love the pizza, the real beauty of Antico is the energy and how happy it makes you feel after you leave. Guess other people feel the same way because it was a MADHOUSE in there tonight and it was only Wednesday. Check it out:

We are lucky to have it in Atlanta.