Author Archives: betsyburch2013

Moules à la Marinière

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Second Meal: Moules à la Marinière (Fresh Mussels Steamed Open in White Wine)

Not going to lie my new adventure has been off to a slow start. I started with a BANG then nothing… that is until now. I love mussels, have always loved mussels, and probably will always love mussels. Is it the small of the shallots? The taste of the mussels? Or using bread to soak up the extra wine broth? Who knows! But no matter what it is I would consider this dish as a comfort dish. First it’s pretty simple and second quick to make*. I followed the recipe exactly and throughly enjoyed it but I would suggest that I add more shallots as I am partial for stronger flavors.

I didn’t make anything for dinner that night. Yes you are reading that correctly I ate 2 pounds of mussels all in one sitting perhaps I missed my calling. I’m jumping around the cookbook but thinking I should choose a more defined path. Maybe do one recipe from each section until I rotate all the way through and then repeat?

 

* As long as you soak and wash the mussels before hand!

 

Spice to Table

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Spice to Table, Old Fourth Ward

I never made it to Cardamom Hill and was pretty bummed when it closed because I heard it was excellent Indian. And even though it took me over a year I was happy that Chef Gomez opened Spice to Table in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. It’s hours are pretty select; being open Tuesday- Saturday from 10am- 4pm could potentially limit when you can go but nevertheless you should make a stop. It’s an Indian Patisserie shop if I had to try and describe it. From what I understand the menu varies daily and depends on what Gomez feels like making.

On the day that I went I ordered the  Beef Potato Patty, which came with a side of cabbage salad and bread. I want to call this bread naan since I was eating at an indian inspired restaurant but I thought it closer related to roti. I also got a Chai and a Chicken Curry Puff Pastry to-go. Surprisingly the dish that I am remembering most is the cabbage salad, it included cilantro and the flavor of it really caught me off guard as I normally associate cabbage salad as bland. I will definitely think of Spice to Table not only when I want a flavorful place for lunch but also a quick place for lunch.

 

 

Boeuf Bourguignon & Chocolat Mousse

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First Meal: Boeuf Bourguignon with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Chocolat Mousse dessert.

For my first meal I chose to make something that I knew I would love as to not scare myself away. I’ll start with what I made first for the meal and that was the chocolat mousse the night before. By the end of it I already learned my first lesson! Read the recipe in it’s entirely all the way through. I was on the last step and I completely forgot that I was supposed to whip the egg whites before combining with the chocolate mixture. When I put the non whipped egg whites into the mixture I immediately realized it was wrong. And since I couldn’t start off on the wrong foot I started over….the second time I did it correctly and am so glad I did the chocolat mousse was to die for. It was also a very good idea to make enough for second helpings! I didn’t throw out the first batch as I was interested in seeing how it would turn out. The flavor was good but the texture was definitely not mousse like closer to a pudding I’d say. 

The boeuf bourguignon is something of a French legacy in my opinion. When you think about it it’s really just a wine stew but putting it on a stew level in America would just be wrong. This recipe does take a long time and has multiple steps. In all it took me four and a half to five hours. I treated it as a long therapy season; just me and the kitchen– no music or people to distract me. My kitchen is also small and I don’t have that many pot and pans so I did have to do rounds of dishes but in the end Tom said it was the best piece of meat I’ve cooked to date. The beef was so tender and the broth with the pearl onions went marvelously with the garlic mashed potatoes. 

I’m not sure what is up next but since it’s January and it’s cold it may just be another beef dish!

Something New

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I’ve blogged about 100+ restaurants and while I love eating out I’m going to challenge myself to cook more in 2016. Yes, I am corny and like to make New Years resolutions. Last year I challenged myself to become a proficient ping pong player and this year my challenge is to tackle the cook book: Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I’m not naive and think I will be able to make all 500+ recipes in a year nor do I think I am original in this idea, see Julie & Julia, nevertheless I think it will be a fun project! I will blog about restaurants from time to time but for the most part I really hope to share the meals I make and whether they are triumphant successes or utter failures.

 

Old Vinings Inn- Attic Bar

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Old Vinings Inn- Attic Bar, Vinings

I have often driven past the Old Vinings Inn and wondered if it’s an inn, restaurant, or bar but as soon as I’d turn the corner the thought turned into a fleeting one. That is until Tom & I needed a place for dinner in Vinings. We were meeting a friend and thought it best to make the effort and go up to their neck of the woods. So after almost four years of wondering I finally found out that the Old Vinings Inn is a restaurant with an attic bar, which has live music Wednesday- Saturday nights.

The attic bar has three menu’s: it’s own smaller menu, the full menu from downstairs, and if you want food after 10pm a every select menu. I opted for the sliders which were of the fried chicken persuasion , truffle fries, and candied bacon. All of which were on the attic menu. The candied bacon was unreal and truly suggest getting a glass for the table. The beer list is pretty limited but it had some good choices. The wine and cocktail menu looked to be more extensive. The full menu looked awesome with very traditional southern fare and when I return I plan to try their short ribs. Seating can be limited and music does start at 8:30 Friday and Saturday nights so best if eating to get there around 7/7:30. I’m not sure who all plays there but Kurt Thomas was playing the night we went and we heard everything from Zac Brown Band to Bruce Springsteen and just had the best time.

Revival

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Revival, Decatur

Two words. DO FAMILY STYLE. Yes I know that was three words but the two you should remember are family style. It’s really the only way you should do dinner at Revival and while I’m sure you could dine another way you would be missing out. Seriously. All you do is pick the entree you want (1 per person) and they do all the rest. And by “all the rest” I mean they pick the hors d’oeuvres, relishes, & trimmings. We picked the fried chicken and beef and pork meatloaf wrapped in bacon. The hors d’oeuvres that graced our table were the toasted deviled ham tea sandwiches and the kale salad with apples, cheese, & boiled dressing. I knew the sandwiches would be good but I was blown away by the kale salad. So blown a way in fact that I had to ask what they did to it. Turns out they massage it so it becomes tender. Doubt I’ll ever do this at home but at least I know what I would have to do just in case. The trimmings that blessed our table were the hickory-smoked local greens, granny’s pole beans, green cabbage with confit ham, and stone ground grits with caramelized onions. My favorite were the pole beans. And for dessert we had the lemon icebox pie and cinnamon baked apple with streusel and vanilla ice cream. I should warn you this is a lot of food but the idea is to take leftovers home just like you would any family dinner at Grandma’s house. And lastly I must declare we found the best old fashioned in Atlanta. Each of us ordered two it was that good. So run run run if you haven’t tried Revival yet. It will restore your faith in Sunday Dinners.

Alfredo’s Italian Restaurant

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Alfredo’s Italian Restaurant, Morningside

When was the last time you were in a truly old school Italian restaurant?I’m talking red walls, red carpet, red napkins, dark wood bar, and Sinatra playing. These places are a dying breed. New Italian cuisine paired with a bright airy dining area can be great but not always want you are looking for. I wanted to see a Marlon Brando type character as soon as I walked in but alas only saw a smattering of Buckhead Betty’s. We had a bit of a wait but were able to get a seat the at the bar after a few minutes. Instead of being difficult and demanding a wine menu I opted to go with a dirty martini, which consequently makes me more fun anyways! Once we got to a table I did see you can order wine by the glass, 1/2 carafe, and bottle. Since Tom & I were both hungry neither of us held back. Tom ordered 1/2 fettuccine verde, Casalinga & 1/2 manicotti, all Antonio. I got the Godfather, three different types of veal: Francese, Parmigiana, & Marsala with a side of penne bolognese because the veal alone clearly wouldn’t have been enough food… while most would have stopped there we just had to try the tiramisu and very glad we did. And although we both put on elastic when we got home neither of us regret eating and enjoying that much food.

Birmingham

Posted in Southeast Weekends by

Was able to explore a new city– while it was a few months ago it is still worth sharing! I also got to visit two good friends who had recently moved there.

Birmingham is two hours from Atlanta and in my mind that is the perfect distance when leaving after work Friday and returning Sunday.

We started the day on Saturday at the Pepper Place Farmers Market located downtown. Since we were starting our day didn’t have the opportunity to buy any produce but it certainly looked like you could buy your whole weeks worth and then some. I was able to enjoy some iced coffee & pick up some candles. I was going to get as gifts but they smelled too good to give away!

Next we headed lunch at Five Bar in Crestwood. I ordered the special for the day: blackened snapper with goats cheese grits & creole red pepper cream sauce. I recommend the smoked tuna dip as well as they smoke it right in house. Since we went on Saturday we missed the Sunday brunch when they have live Jazz.

In the afternoon we hiked around Pelham Oak Mountain State Park. Had it been a rainy summer/early fall the waterfall would have been more full but sadly it reminded me more of a trickle nevertheless it was still fun!

And while I love nature my natural habitat is probably closer to an institution that makes and serves beer so to Good People Brewery we went. And let me tell you they had the BEST coffee oatmeal stout. I was extremely distressed when I found out that they don’t sell into Georgia.

Went to Jisei for sushi and man was it swanky! I wish I could remember which rolls I had however I can’t but I can tell you I participated in the clean plate club that night and went on to enjoy the cake pops. They later inspired me to make my own but trust me when I say mine didn’t even compare.

Last stop for the day was to Avondale Brewery where I discovered the vanilliaphent porter, which I also enjoyed immensely. Very fun fact: you won’t be disappointed with the beers or breweries in Alabama.

On Sunday we hit up Brick & Tin in Mountain Brook for brunch. I had the meatloaf sandwich and indulged with another good beer a rye brown from Trim Tab Brewery.

This weekend was complete with good food, great company, and new places. Couldn’t have asked for a better inaugural trip to Alabama.

Thanks for hosting Kiffy & Justin!!

Wildflower Cafe

Posted in Cincinnati by

Wildflower Cafe, Mason

Work trips probably have more cons than pros but one solid pro is that I get to eat out and when traveling solo you are not only on your own schedule but your taste buds come first. I have been here now twice and was not let down either time. The cafe is in a house and while the tables (both upstairs and downstairs) are reservation only the bar for the most part is open. I have lucked out twice and was able to squeeze in; after talking to a few turns out that is not always the case. I suggest The truffled mushroom fonduta, which is served with “16 bricks” bread. Be sure to eat quickly as the cheese can harden and make a little more difficult to eat. On my most recent visit their ribeye steak for the night was smoked. I couldn’t recall if I’d ever eaten a smoked steak before so thought I’d throw in the wild card and order it. I’m not sure what I was expecting but it did in fact have a serious smoked flavor closer to pork or something you might barbecue. I’m not sure this is the steak I would eat everyday but savored the modification. The bread pudding is also worth mentioning but be careful as to not become too full with everything else offered. If you figure out how to do this please let me in on the secret.

The Rookwood

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The Rookwood, Cincinnati

Mount Adams is a fabulous neighborhood in Cincinnati. It is set on a hill that looks over the Ohio river and it also happens to be home to one of my oldest and best friends from college. Miraculously our schedules worked out so we could get dinner when I was in town. The weather also cooperated and we were able to sit outside. While catching up we ordered the bacon wrapped dates and a couple glasses of wine. Pretty good selection of wine by the glass, which were were thankful for. I wish it could have been a bottle sort of night but sadly it was only a Wednesday. While responsibilities held me back in one department they did not hold me back when I choose to order the pork shank. I would come back for this pork shank. It feel off the bone and braising it in apple cider was a fabulous decision. My only hesitation would be the service as it was not the best nor fastest but luckily neither of us minded as we weren’t trying to rush.