Tag Archives: Wine

Terra Terroir

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Terra Terroir, Brookhaven

Have you ever been in the situation where you need to make a last-minute reservation for a 10 person group dinner on a Saturday night? No? Well props to you for having friends that plan! I wasn’t optimistic since it was already 4pm when I was looking for places but I stumbled upon Terra Terroir with an 8pm availability. It was almost serendipitous. When I drove up I was a tad concerned since it was in a strip mall but on the bright side there was ample parking. I walked in early and instantly forgot where I was. There was a covered patio and a long bar. The cocktail menu was great and the mussels were just what I was hankering. Now I ordered something that I’ve never seen on a menu except for my mother’s Christmas dinner menu. I’m not sure where Beef Wellington comes from but for the last 10 years it has graced our Christmas dinner table and I have zero complaints. I ordered it and was happy to say I tried a version slightly different from my mom’s but think it is best left up to Patty on December 25th. I didn’t get to try dessert but have no doubts that it wouldn’t be good.

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.

Alon’s Bakery & Market

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Alon’s Bakery & Market, Morningside

I heard about this bakery and market long before I came across it. In fact I was looking for the dry cleaners next to it and not a haven for desserts or prepared foods. I have a love/hate relationship with Alon’s, while I love all things it offers—fresh bread, pastries, cheese, wine, & prepared foods I don’t necessarily need everything I buy. I could say this is my target, I walk in to buy one thing and walk out with a bag full of deliciousness. There could be worse things but just because it’s Thursday and the week is almost over doesn’t mean I need to buy a piece of the Chocolate Truffle Cake or an individual Tiramisu cup  or an individual Chocolate Raspberry Mousse or a piece of the Opera Cake (chances are if it’s chocolate I have tried it) plus a bottle of some red wine I have inevitably never heard of. The cheese selection is standard for a specialty store, my notable picks have been the Point Reyes Blue, a couple Pecorinos, and an earthy Taleggio which I obviously needed a French Baguette to go with it but don’t worry Alon’s sell those too! And lastly the prepared food section, which is half of the store… It can be daunting but I’ve managed over the visits to have two preferences either the Calamari Salad or Risotto Cakes. This list could really go on though. The woman who mentioned this store to me in Nordstrom’s when I first moved here put it perfectly, “I  am now fifteen pounds heavier since living near Alon’s.” While I haven’t gained the ‘Alon’s Fifteen’ it certainly can be a dangerous place in which you’re either in an indulgence purgatory or a decadent nirvana.

Barcelona

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Barcelona, Old Fourth Ward

I went here for the second time last friday night and I think I should come here more often. We had a later reservation but still managed to arrive late and while we were waiting for a table we headed to the bar and enjoyed some of their house Sangria. Taylor and I enjoyed the red while Kiffy choose the white. It was lighter and had a lot of fruit! The restaurant was super crowded but we didn’t even have time to get a second round before we were escorted to our table outside, which I preferred since the restaurant was pretty loud. I’m positive when we showed up for our reservation late I apologized for being tardy and told them we understood if there was a wait but when we sat down the general manager found our table and apologized for the additional time it took for our table and offered us three small plates on the house. What great service! The wine menu is extensive and all from Spain. Taylor the resident wine expert at the table choose a great one, Los 800 Priorat. Along with the three tapas that were already on their way we decided to order just a few more. My favorite of the night was the meat and cheese plate which included the Drunken Goat, 6-mo. Manchego, and Jamon Serrano. the other two that I would probably get again were the Mushrooms + Herbed Goat Cheese and the Chorizo + Sweet-Sour Figs. Our server was great not rushing the dishes and was rather attentive for it being such a busy night. I wouldn’t suggest coming here with a big crowd but I would recommend coming here. The atmosphere is fun and the menu awesome.