Author Archives: betsyburch2013

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

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Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, The Westside

Of course I would be the one to be writing about ice cream and its deliciousness after the second wave of the polar vortex. I am not a seasonal eater of ice cream, I like to think of myself of as a true fan thus I indulge in ice cream year round. While Jeni’s ice cream is originally from Columbus, Ohio it is slowly expanding to more states. One of its most recent locations is in Atlanta and I couldn’t be more happy. I started eating Jeni’s while in college but once I left Ohio it was nowhere to be found. Distance definitely makes the heart grow fonder.

I went late on a week night as I didn’t want to be rushed in picking flavors, good decisions take time. My go to is The Buckeye State, which is peanut butter ice cream with pieces of dark chocolate. However, since this was my first time in a scoop shop I thought it was best to taste around. I tried the Egg Nog & Salted Caramel but I ended up getting  a scoop of the following three: Black Coffee, Brown Butter Almond Brittle, & Dark Chocolate. While I didn’t plan on all going together they complemented each other pretty well!

The store is small but it has excellent ice cream, coffee from Atlanta’s own Batdorf & Bronson, and wonderful service. The store is also open til 11pm so no need to have the early bird special if you want to go here for dessert.

Murphy’s

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Murphy’s, The Highlands

When you think of brunch in Atlanta one immediately thinks of Murphy’s. It’s on the corner of Virginia and Highland and people from all over who both live in Atlanta and weekend visitors come flocking on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s often the first place I think of when I have first timers to Atlanta, it’s comfortable without being too casual and has everything you crave on the weekends. The Pancakes never let you down and the Eggs Benedict, all four versions, are scrumptious. While I have had my share of brunch’s here I also like this spot for lunch and dinner. I don’t see a lot of changes in their menu but their specials are always seasonal and executed well. This is a place I like going when I’m not feeling overly adventurous and just want good food. Last fall I had the Meatloaf and Mac & Cheese and I couldn’t have been happier. Their desserts are also worth splurging on and they have a Cookie Jar, which is just the best idea! Out in front right when you walk in they fill a jar with their cookies and if you want one you just donate a dollar to the adjacent jar. Besides the cookies being big and delicious I like that they can trust who comes in. Just another reason to restore my faith in humanity.

Star Provisions

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Star Provisions, The Westside

The Market of all markets. This place is the Mecca if you like eating or cooking.

Prepared foods? check. Bakery? check. Cheese? check. Seafood and fish? check. Cured meats? check. Fancy oil olive and obscure salts? check. Random gifts and kitchen utensils? check.

The prepared food part has great sandwiches and desserts plus fresh salads and sides daily. My favorite sandwich is the baguette with butter, prosciutto and shaved Parmesan. The simplistic nature of this sandwich is pure genius. It was actually on a recent trip up to New York, while I was at another cheese shop, that I finally realized how highly regarded this place was. When I told them I lived in Atlanta they asked if I ever went to Star Provisions and when I said, “yes, all the time it’s an awesome store” they proceeded to tell me that the Cheese Monger, Tim Gaddis, is one of the best in the country.

You shouldn’t really need convincing to come here. Whether it’s for a quick lunch or you plan on spending an hour roaming around the store picking up food you didn’t know you NEEDED you’ll instantly be hooked.

Cakes & Ale

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Cakes & Ale, Decatur

I came here in the early Fall so the menu is not the same regardless I’m sure still as pleasing. The menu was thoughtfully put together and seriously focused on local ingredients. It’s no surprise that the chef/ owner, Billy Allin worked under Alice Waters at Chez Panisse. He was also a nominee for the Food & Wine’s Best New Chef in 2010. The menu changes frequently and is driven by the vegetables that are constantly changing seasons. One also must be up for different or odd pairings. If you want run of the mill brussels sprouts and pork chop this isn’t your place. The dishes are creative and push you to see food differently.

My friend, Morgan and I started with the Chicken Liver Pâté Plate, which included three various types all good but nothing too notable. For wine we got a bottle of Schug’s 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon the waiter was very knowledgeable and suggested this because it was a lighter Cabernet so it would pair well with both Pork and Lamb. I got the Gnocchi with Lamb & Pork Ragu and my friend got the Pork Loin with Potato Garlic Purée and Lima & Pole Beans. While my dish was mostly meat it was the exception in the vegetable heavy menu. I thought it was fantastic but I am a carnivore at heart and also melt over gnocchi especially when they are light and fluffy. Morgan’s dish was much lighter and a better portrayal of what the dishes are typically like. The portions are small so if you come super hungry I would almost suggest two. And for dessert we got their version of Mississippi Mud, which was flourless chocolate cake topped with chocolate mousse and stout cream. Luckily, Morgan is also a lover of chocolate.

The one thing that I could see as being a problem for some is that the dinning area is very dark. The restaurant has an ideal location since it is right on the Decatur Square and has definitely added to the Renaissance of Decatur dining.

Thai

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There are conveniently three awesome Thai restaurants all within 1 mile from me in the Highlands. Although the atmosphere differs greatly at each of them. My base for Thai restaurants is the Shrimp Pad Thai. This might sound boring but I feel you need a common denominator to really compare places.

 

Panita Thai Kitchen

This is the quirkiest of places, it’s in a yellow house with Tibetan flags hanging everywhere. If you didn’t know what to look for you could think this was an actual house and not a restaurant. The portions are large so one main dish between two people is best. The cocktail to order is called The Happiness Drink, it comes out in half a pineapple and packs some serious kick although you wouldn’t think so since it tastes like fruit punch.

Surin of Thailand 

I could consider this the most traditional of all three. Good food + solid service = enough said.

Mali

While most of its menu is dedicated to Thai food you can also order sushi. This is probably the nicest of all three.

 

All of the restaurants had comparable Pad Thai but Mali’s was the sweetest while the others were on the spicier side. I can’t honestly say which one I go to more because it depends on my mood and who I’m with but I will say if I were to get takeout I would go with Surin since it is the closest and therefore I fall into default mode. However, wherever you go the food will not let you down!

JTC Kitchen

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JTC Kitchen, The Westside

Whether you eat here or just drink here you won’t be disappointed! While it is “New American” like a lot of other restaurants in Atlanta a couple of their dishes are above the others. Their Angry Mussels are freakin’ awesome, I’ve never had mussels with quite this much spice before. And second their Fried Chicken, this was the place where I first realized that I actually did love fried chicken. But like most good items in Atlanta has a limited quantity every night so come early! If you come here to drink you’re in luck since their mixologists are experienced and creative, from gin to whiskey they have you covered! The restaurant is very open and has a hip vibe, which on a Friday night could be just the remedy you need from the week. Another good thing to note is their open roof top bar that looks over the city; on a summer evening few things could be better.

Parivar Foods

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Parivar Foods, Albany, NY

This is a fantastic market and cafe in Albany. My family frequents this place often but this was my first time eating here. We got five dishes and all shared, which is seriously the only way to order Indian. We started with the Samosas that were an appetizer special, they weren’t huge and I appreciated that because fried dough with no filling isn’t all that exciting. Up next was the Bhel Puri followed by the Spring Dosa and Onion Uttapam. All dishes were on par that day but they came out extremely hot so I had to wait a few minutes to enjoy– which was hard to do since I knew it would all be delicious! Last came the Gulab Jamun that rounded out the meal supremely. I frequently forget about rosewater syrup, which covered the fried milk balls, since it’s not all that common in western cuisine but it’s wonderful every time. Oh and I almost forgot to mention the Mango Lassis, if you like them this is not a drink to miss! While I didn’t get anything from the market side my sister stalked up and has had nothing but good things about the food she has tried.

Ammazza

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Ammazza, Old Fourth Ward

Ammazza is amazing. Well actually I wouldn’t go that far since I still think Antico’s has better pizza but after establishing that the comparisons end. Ammazza has good pizza plus a satisfying selection of wine and beer along with an assortment of hipsterrific cocktails. I would say it you don’t mind super dark restaurants, want to drink a lot, and still eat pizza Ammazza is your place. I went with four friends so we were able to get a variety including two pizzas and a calzone, which they call pizza fritta. We got the Ammazzare, topped with Italian sausage with roasted red peppers, vidalia onions, fresh basil and house mozzarella, the Margherita and the Carnosa, which was packed with Italian sausage, pepperoni, and homemade meatballs– a true carnivores dream. We ate, drank, and over all had the merriest of times! When you get right down to it what more do you need on a friends night out?

Brick Store Pub

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Brick Store Pub, Decatur

Their motto is “drink good beer” and if that is what you want to do go no place else. While eating and drinking here can be delightful if you have a large group or come here at prime time the wait can be long. Although if you happen to be patient or go early no need to worry. The first bar has too many taps to count but are from everywhere in the USA. The upstairs bar, the Belgian Bar, as you might have guessed is dedicated to beer that is from Belgium.

At my last visit I went strategically early so I could get one of their Chicken Pot Pies. It comes in a skillet with a dense buttery crust and once uncovered one will find only the savoriest peas, carrots, and chicken in a wonderfully thick and creamy gravy. It was a hardy dish but I became a member of the clean plate club as it was too good not to finish! My first ale was from Colorado, Great Divide Hibernation, which warmed you right up from the rain. My second was from Belgium, St. Bernardus Christmas, which cheerfully put me in a Christmas state of mind.

You can’t really have a crummy experience since all the beer and food is delicious. I could seriously go on about what else I have had the pleasure of consuming but I will refrain and instead just tell you to go to Brick Store and enjoy it for yourself.

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen

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Desta Ethiopian Kitchen, North Druids Hills

My first experience with Ethiopian food!! I was so pumped when my friend Marge suggested this place. It was the first time in a good while where I had a question about everything on the menu! I was most curious about the honey wine, which contrary to its name is not overly sweet. Marge was an old pro and taught me her ways so I basically copied what she ate. I ordered the Kitfo [very rare] and a side of Shiro, At first the waitress was stunned that I ordered my meat that rare, I actually had to convince her rare/ under-cooked/ raw meat doesn’t scare me! I was expecting something cold but it wasn’t. It was very spicy though! Thank goodness Injera, which is Ethiopian bread, was there to save me. And one disclaimer the shiro while made out of chick peas is nothing like hummus.  I was in no way disappointed by this but I was just once again reminded you can’t always assume! I think next I will want to try the tibs, which were raved about online. I can’t say this place would be for everyone but if you’re up for something different, like sharing, and using flat bread as a utensil I would highly recommend this place.