Category Archives: Atlanta

Restaurants in Atlanta

Après Diem

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Après Diem, Midtown

Called me old-fashioned but I still like going to dinner & a movie. It should be no surprise that I have a preference to movie theaters (I like Phipps Midtown Arts Cinema in case you were wondering). I’ve passed Après Diem in the Midtown plaza countless times always wanting to try it out but never went until a few weeks ago. It’s perfect you can buy your movie tickets eat a little dinner or grab a drink then catch a flick. What’s not to love! It was a hot day so I ordered a glass of rosé rather promptly as I was in dire need of wine… but who isn’t at 6pm on a Friday? Tom & I started off with the pate plate, which also came with cornichons a lovely addition. Then we both ordered the special pasta now I typically don’t like ordering the same thing as the person I’m with but when you already know you won’t want to share what are you do? The pasta was homemade spinach & mushroom ravioli with tomato cream sauce. Both of us were members of the clean plate club that night. We didn’t have time for dessert but they did look good! Perhaps next time we’ll get a drink & dessert after the show!

Folk Art

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Folk Art, Inman Park

The line is nuts here every Saturday & Sunday but if you find yourself free as a bird on a weekday morning take the opportunity to eat here. It’s southern breakfast at its finest. Tom and I went one Friday morning before heading to the airport and ordered the Sweet Potato Pancakes of the banana nut foster variety and Folk Southern Fried with jumbo griddled biscuits. The pancakes were extremely sweet and the fried chicken with gravy on the savory side. It was nice to have both to balance you out but we both left feeling like we were going to explode. I remembered to take a picture of both plates before we dug in and as you can see the portions are huge each could have been split in half and neither of us would have gone hungry. I would say that is my only complaint. I appreciate leftovers but something about pancakes two days later just doesn’t sound right especially if they have already been “syruped”.

If you leave hungry you clearly ordered wrong.

If you leave hungry you clearly ordered wrong.

The Imperial

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The Imperial, Decatur

I don’t live in Decatur but if I did this would be my neighborhood spot. It’s casual with great food and a lengthy beer menu to keep your taste buds entertained week after week. Enough said. I could end this post here but I shall tell you what I ordered so you too are encouraged to go next time you’re in this hood. Started out with the Filipino-style Spring Rolls, which I highly recommend; fried vegetables– it’s almost healthy! I then ordered the Secret Phreak Philly Cheese Steak and I couldn’t tell what the “secret phreak ingredient” was but can’t say I mind. I would only really mind if they stop having this on their menu! Next time I go I want to try their wings, which really aren’t your regular ol’ small wings but rather whole chicken wing and yes I find this super intriguing.

Noni’s

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Noni’s, Edgewood

Italian deli turn night club? Only in Edgewood my friends. While I’ve been here late night I’ve never eaten at Noni’s until recently. Came here with a group of friends and split the Meat & Cheese Tasting and a bowl of Noni’s Fries (heavy on the garlic) to start. While waiting for a few others to trickle in I was able to ponder the menu. Do I go sandwich or pasta? It might have been my toughest decision all day (don’t worry this was a Saturday). I ordered The Noni with a side of homemade orzo pasta salad. The Noni consisted of genoa salami, soppressata, mortadella, provolone, tomato, roasted red pepper, pepperoncini, shredded romaine, house aioli, & house vinaigrette on ciabatta. Ciao Italia! Tom luckily ordered the Lasagna Bolognese and I was able to enjoy the wonderful leftovers!! The portions are HUGE so I’d prepare for leftovers. While the fries get a lot of mention the orzo pasta salad was where it was at. If I had it my way I’d come for dinner again rather than late night but you never know when I might feel like busting a move on the dance floor.

The Righteous Room

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The Righteous Room, Poncey- Highland

Ever feel like eating a chili dog but not going to a carnival? Well if you do I got the spot for you! I’m not sure if I just don’t notice chili dogs on menus or if they just aren’t on them but when I came to The Righteous Room and saw that they had them I got extremely excited. You can either order 1 or 2 and pick any wide variety of toppings. I opted for chili (duh), cheese, and onions on two dogs. I also ordered a side of potato wedges, which were good, but didn’t need them as I’m sure you can guess the dogs were filling! This place is not big so smaller groups are be ideal. They have indoor and outdoor seating but when it’s 92 degrees outside and humid I tend to prefer AC. The beer list is also solid but on the modest side. I came here on a Friday and was glad I didn’t have to make many difficult decisions except to enjoy the start of the weekend, the food, and the company I was with.

Proof Bakeshop

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Proof Bakeshop, Inman Park

Bakeries and I have always had a deep love affair. I don’t discriminate and tend to want to try WAY more than I can possibly eat in one sitting. I went last weekend and bought four things and planned to split all with Tom. Thought getting 2 sweet & 2 savory would be best. For the savory I went with the Ham & Cheese Croissant and Gruyere & Chive Scone. I really liked how they used slices of ham and wrap it up with the cheese length wise so you get everything in one bite. But the scone really stole the show. It was light and so flavorful, I don’t think chives and Gruyere are used enough together. As for the sweet items I ordered Kouign Amann and a Peach Danish with apricot glaze (tis the season to enjoy peaches!). The kouign amann practically melted in your mouth and the peach danish was loaded with peaches and the touch of apricot glaze made it devilishly sweet. While sharing is caring is a lesson you learn in Kindergarten you shouldn’t forget it when coming to Proof because you will want to try more than you can eat I can assure you. I carried out this time but next time I plan on going there and ordering off their breakfast menu!

Yalla

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Yalla, Inman Park (Krog Street Market)

HOLLA for YALLA! I’ve wanted to come here for a while but have been slightly intimidated with the line, however, on one Sunday night there was no line and thus a feast was ordered.

We had the Baba Ganoush, Layla’s Falafel on Pita, Todd’s Shawarma on Laffe, and Baklava. In case you were wondering there enough food for two very hungry people and then some! The baba ganoush was good but had I known it come on the Shawarma I probably would not have ordered it. The falafel pita was busting at the seams with hummus, homemade pickled cabbage, labne, bitter greens, fennel, and of course falafel fritters. If you’re not one to like getting overly messy while eating I would suggest the plate over the pita. The shawarma was the clear winner as it included everything you could possibly want: spit roasted chicken , hummus, baba ganoush, Israeli salad & pickles, fried eggplant, and tahini all in laffa which I have now decided I like better than pita.  It is super big (think west coast style burritos) so come hungry! There was a lot to pick & choose from and you can always create a bowl, plate, pita, laffa of your own so next time I’m feeling decisive I may go that route.

Two final notes about the meal; their homemade sodas are  killer and finishing the meal with the walnut baklava was the best decision I made all day.

Abattoir

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Abattoir, The Westside

I have described places as a carnivores nirvana before but I was wrong as Abattoir is truly the ideal carnivores dream, after all, it does mean Slaughterhouse in French. Abattoir is apart of the Star Provisions family so the decor and service are nothing short of wonderful. The Charcuterie Plate was lavish and Beef Tartare decadent. We didn’t choose to partake in any of the mains but rather the butcher’s menu since it offered more adventurous culinary pursuits. The stand out was the Bone Marrow. And to be sure we didn’t over do it on meat we opted for the cheese plate as well. The whole meal was entirely protein and we didn’t regret it. Perhaps if you’re looking to eat like Henry the VIII for a night look no further. I do however still wish we had room for dessert since I can’t say I like ending any meal without something sweet! The only promise I made when we left (besides having to come back) was order a tad more sensibly since rich foods are genuinely more filling.

Ah-Ma’s Taiwanese Kitchen

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Ah-Ma’s Taiwanese Kitchen, Midtown

In a humble corner of Midtown next to Richard’s Variety lies a very good Taiwanese place that specializes in street food. Happy to say that it’s also right off the Beltline! The restaurant is small but the service is super-fast. We didn’t have to wait for a table but a larger party did. They are known for their Bao, the pork belly is my favorite, but don’t be foolish and miss the small plates. The Beef Tendon Salad had a good balance of spice and is served cold. The Salt & Pepper Chicken did not have a sauce and while I thought that would be problem it wasn’t at all, I particularly liked the use of dark meat. The best dish was the Sticky Rice but I will always think this since no matter the place it brings joy to my heart. And finally we ended with the Sweet Potato Balls, which below me away! Street food in any culture is always fun and different so if you’re up for something you wouldn’t find anywhere else head on over.

Fred’s Meat & Bread

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Fred’s Meat & Bread, Inman Park (Krog Street Market)

The name of this place says it all while the long line will make you wonder what their secret is. For a little history the creator of this wonderful sandwich counter hails from The General Muir so one should not be surprised that this spot is quickly becoming an Inman Park favorite and Krog Street stand out. The Philly is huge so if you’re ravenous that would be a winner but if you’re only hungry the Stack Burger will certainly suffice and that it was I chose to have the first time I went along with the Garlic Fries, which came with homemade ranch dressing!! One order of fries were enough for my whole group so no need to double up unless you feel it necessary or prefer to over indulge in fried goodness. If you’ve eaten burgers around this city long enough you begin to see a pattern with ingredients and back stories but pay no attention or care that it really isn’t all that original since this burger was top-notch. And while I hate to compare its most similar to the illusive H&F burger but without the obnoxious Buckhead attitude. Although the wait will hinder some I’d highly recommend grabbing a beer at Hop City before choosing to stand in line!