Tag Archives: New American

American Food & Beverage

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American Food & Beverage, Buckhead

Creative Loafing has yet to steer me wrong. It reviewed American Food & Beverage back in the Spring and it has since been on my short list. Tom & I went one Saturday night with another couple that also loves food (what are the odds?). The décor is clean and bar the main attraction. The cocktails were delicious I had the gin gimlet and the old-fashioned coke-tale. The menu was not extensive but nothing sounded or looked bad. Our table ordered the burger, the turkey sandwich, braised pork shoulder with grits, and fried chicken with collards and a biscuit with apple butter. The burger was the clear winner. Holman & Finch can move over as there is a new burger in Buckhead. I can’t really put my finger on it but the burger was saltier all the while not killing you with sodium overload. The desserts were also surprising. They make their own ice cream and no I’m not just talking about strawberry or chocolate. The flavors that night were corn with chocolate ganache, Sauvignon blanc with citrus  marmalade, and watermelon with tomato compote and a basil base. We also ordered the peach profiteroles which were like the month on July in cloud form. The whole night was great until it took forty-five minutes to get the check and then walking up to my car to find not one but two boots on my car. Who did they think I was MacGyver? Two boots were really unnecessary. Before the night I was super excited about the prospects for a fun new restaurant in Buckhead but it may take a while for the sting of waiting for the check and two boots to wane.

Lusca

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Lusca, Buckhead

I don’t want to limit Lusca and say it is New American and while it is It’s so much more than that since I feel this restaurant has more appeal than the average dining establishment following a fad. Bon Appétit did name it one one of American’s Best New Restaurants of 2014!

They offer oysters and some nigiri to start but you should head straight for the killer charcuterie plate. The have some guy from Boston come down once a month and prepare all the meats. Unlike any other I’ve had in Atlanta.

Their menu does change daily so while I had the quail I have not seen it since when I’ve randomly checked and Tom got the wild mushroom risotto which I have seen on the menu again. This is probably because this risotto was everything a risotto should be and more.

The wine we had was one that we’ve never had before. The Marcel Lapiere Morgon and according to the Som sets the standard for other Gamay’s and on the plus side at a pretty good price point.

4th & Swift

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4th & Swift, Old Fourth Ward

New American + Farm to Table. This is a common theme in Atlanta and many are done well. I really wanted to like 4th & Swift it’s mentioned all the time on Atlanta Eats but I just wasn’t that enamored with it since nothing really brought it home for me. While the food and service were both good there wasn’t one thing truly special. I went with my friend Kiffy one evening and we were able to sit outside since it was still so nice out. We ordered the Farmstead Cheese Plate which had five selections. I will say it was presented very well but nothing I couldn’t get at Whole Foods. I ordered the Veal Chop that came with polenta, charred baby bulb Vidalias, rapini, and baby beets. Kiffy got the Hand Rolled Gnocchi with pearl onions, swiss chard, oyster mushrooms, asparagus, and tomato confit. Both dishes were decent and again beautifully plated but still nothing that had me wanting to come back. The wine we got went well with both plates and was satisfying so I would like to thank our waiter for suggesting it! I wouldn’t mind coming here again since I would like to see what they do in another season, there menu does change daily, but I think I have a few other spots that I many try first before I give this place a second shot.

 

Rathbun’s

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Rathbun’s, Inman Park

Alas, restaurant week in Inman Park meaning I can eat out during the week for no particular reason without the guilt! Sir Rathbun needs no introduction in the Atlanta Restaurant Community. He’s a frequent guest on Atlanta Eats, was on Iron Chef, and has countless awards for this restaurants. While I often choose to go to Rathbun’s Steak I thought I’d take a walk on the wild side on this particular Monday and head over to his namesake instead. I cozied up to the bar and got right to business. I had two menus to choose from and  although I was tempted by the beef carpaccio on the regular menu I decided to pick from the prefix instead. Warning I did not take this meal lightly and fully enjoyed every bite. I started out with the Crispy Calamari, then had the Hanger Steak with roasted garlic polenta and Asiago crust, and finished with the Salted Caramel Pot de Creme with pretzel crunch. I liked the calamari but it wasn’t particularly special. The Asiago crust gave the steak a good crunch and paired well with the creamy polenta. The dessert was the one that blew me away. I’m not a huge fan of caramel but for some reason I wanted to try it. I thought if I’m going to like it anywhere it’s going to be at a Rathbun establishment! Having never had a bad dish or experience I can fully endorse any restaurant Mr. Rathbun cultivates but I will say go when you can go all out or during the restaurant week since going on a budget just wouldn’t be as fun.

Seven Lamps

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Seven Lamps, Buckhead

This has been on my list for a while now and I’m glad I finally made it! My friend Kiffy and I went on a Monday so it wasn’t crowded but we still enjoyed a lovely dinner. This place is known for “craft food & drinks” as it says on their website and it didn’t disappoint. I’m only bummed that I couldn’t eat more!

Like all good meals Kiffy & I started with the cheese plate, we picked three: Delice de Bourgogne, Stilton, & Dancing Fern (all cow’s milk). The third was our favorite but I also enjoyed the delice de bourgogne because a triple creme is always music to my taste buds. Next I ordered the Steamed Lobster Bun and Kiffy the Cottage Fries, which came with a duke’s mayonnaise and were awesome. While we should have stopped there the feast was far from over. We ordered with our eyes and ate as much as we could. Kiffy was smart and ordered the Tortellini stuffed with butternut squash & paprika that was good left over but I was not so smart and ordered the Maine Mussels & Smoked Andouille. I do not think I miss  ordered as I throughly enjoyed the mussels I was just sad that I couldn’t take them with me. The food was fantastic but I would recommend coming with more people so you can try multiple things on the menu, trust me you will want to!

Next time I go I’ll check out the cocktails and stick to the small plates as those were the most exciting but who knows maybe next time I go the menu will be different and I’ll have to over indulge once again.