Diners place an order along the left side of Farm Burger, then grab a seat at a communal table. The blue metal chairs along the right give the restaurant a grandma's kitchen kind of vibe. Photo by Sara Hanna.
Perhaps it’s a good thing we live kinda far from Decatur and there is no real way to sanely go east to west in this town. Because if we lived closer I’d be permanently parking a rapidly spreading behind on a bright blue metal chair at Farm Burger, rising only to put in another order for fried Georgia okra and beer-battered onion rings.
I loved everything about Farm Burger, from their juicy grassfed burgers to their plethora of toppings to their farm-inspired-but-not-cheesy decor and serving pieces. We’ve been talking about going back every since our first trip this summer.
Farm Burger is the kind of place we always mean to go but never quite get there, but a friend’s opening at an art gallery provided a perfect excuse to pile both kids and my son’s girlfriend in the car and make the trek to Decatur.
We happily discussed the menu while we waited in the fairly long, ever-present line. We got a kick out of the photos of the cows and read about how Farm Burger uses seasonal, local produce and sources its meats primarily from Moonshine Meats. Read the full post »
by admin on September 8, 2010
Buddies Tom Calk, Chris Schroder, Steve Massell and Tom Murphy prepare to consume their massive order of fried and grilled delights at the Varsity Jr.
Crowds packed into the Varsity Jr. on Lindbergh yesterday, patiently waiting to get their final F.Os, naked dogs and chili cheese steaks at one of Atlanta’s favorite fast food spots. The crowd was a mix of people who weren’t even born when the burger joint opened 45 years ago, along with many who had most likely been coming every decade since it first opened.
A beloved little sister of the multi-roomed and much larger Atlanta landmark The Varsity, which first started asking Atlantans and out-of-towners “What’ll ya have?” 82 years ago, the Varsity Jr. fell victim to its inability to meet the city’s zoning requirements. One of these mandates indoor bathrooms.
Like any of us cared about walking around the outside to use the facilities after downing a gallon-sized Varsity Orange or washing the grease off our fingers after an overflowing order of French fries? Read the full post »
by admin on August 23, 2010
Scoutmob has changed the way some people in Atlanta go out to eat. And shop.
“When we’re deciding where to eat, many times we will check out Scoutmob, hoping to find a new favorite place, and at a discount,” said Buckhead resident Deborah Gleeson. “And not just restaurants, stores too!”
At this point you’re either nodding your head in agreement or you’re slightly confused and panicked over your lack of knowledge about what this thing called Scoutmob is.
Simply put, it’s a website where you can download deals to get meals at restaurants, services at salons or merchandise at stores for 50% off. A new deal is introduced each day, but you can only get it for a limited time. Sign up for the daily email, and if you like the deal that day, send it to your phone. The deal is good for three months.
One of the things I love about Scoutmob is you don’t have to pay a thing up front – only when you use it. So there are no prepaid deals nagging at you to use them, or in some cases becoming worthless if a restaurant or store closes down. I also enjoy the copy that goes with the deals. You really learn more about the business and the owners – the faces behind the scenes. Read the full post »
by admin on July 30, 2010
It really doesn't matter what else is on the menu at BLT Steak as long as these popovers make an appearance. I have the recipe but haven't attempted them yet, partially out of the fear that I would break my own bread-eating record, which is an entirely unnecessary endeavor.
If I had unlimited money (and a faster metabolism) I’d go out every night of the Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week. My budget and my belly may not be able to afford that much, but I’m heading downtown for a least a few nights for these great deals.
Here’s how it works – from July 26 to August 8, close to 30 restaurants are offering three-course meals for $25 or $35. Generally it’s a set menu with a few choices for each course. It really is a fantastic way to affordably check out a new restaurant or revisit an old favorite.
I checked out the list and there are a few restaurants I’ve never heard of, including the ones in hotels. Sear is in the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and Terrace on Peachtree is in The Ellis Hotel and I know nothing about those. I imagine they are frequented primarily by out-of-town guests, as is one of the oldest, and quirkiest restaurants in Atlanta – Pittypat’s Porch. Read the full post »
by admin on July 23, 2010
At just $2.25 each, the tacos at Hankook are one of the best deals in town.
It’s nothing to look at, the location is out of the way and the décor is more blue plate special than Blue Ridge Grill. But the food? That and the amazing value are what make Hankook Taqueria one of the hottest new places in Atlanta.
Located in Westside Atlanta, on Collier Road, Hankook is the creation of Tomas Lee, formerly with Buckhead Diner and Corner Cafe so he knows his way around the kitchen.
The menu is blessedly short (for indecisive people like me) with your choice of five different types of Korean BBQ tacos: chicken, beef, pork, fish and tofu. They all come with lettuce, green onion, green cabbage tossed in soy sesame vinaigrette, yellow onion, cilantro and lime juice.
You can get your tacos from the Yumbii food truck too. Follow it on Twitter to find its next location.
At just $2.25 each you’ll be tempted to order several tacos, but I’ve found them so large that’s it’s pushing it for me to eat two. And you’ll want to save room for a few tastes of the Street Snacks, like the fried dumplings, tempura fried Korean sweet potatoes or sesame fries. Hankook also serves burritos and quesadillas and features a few specials each day.
No alcohol is available but you can take your own with you. You order at the counter from some very friendly ladies and take a seat wherever you like on the diner-style tables covered with kitchen-motif tablecloths that may look familiar to any “I Love Lucy” fans. Read the full post »
by admin on July 16, 2010
The paella at Eclipse di Luna
Sometimes it takes a nudge to revisit an old friend. Or an old restaurant.
That was the case with us when we visited Eclipse di Luna last week at the invitation of our friend Susan. It was her husband Tom’s birthday and several couples were gathering for a salsa lesson, followed by dinner at one of my old favorites.
We got in the mood with our lesson, where we all progressed as far at making one turn at about half the speed of the music, then found our way to the tucked-way-at-the-end of Miami Circle restaurant.
I’d kinda forgotten about this place, where the food is always good and the atmosphere lively. And as luck would have it, it was Monday night – all you can eat from the Chef’s Selection for $15.
Our friend Tom – who is in the restaurant business and orders liberally from any menu in the name of “R and D” – kept the dishes coming. Because they are tapas and served on small plates, it is very easy to justify trying some of everything. Which I did. I have to do a little research myself, right?
Just to name a few of the dishes – we had pan catalan, grilled asparagus with Manchego cheese, calamari, fried plaintains with black truffle honey and Spanish style ribs. Oh, and somewhere in there were dishes of delicious potatoes. Read the full post »
Swirlers at Pinkberry are trained in creating the perfect swirl so yours will look just as pretty. Until that first bite.
I’d been told that people are passionate about Pinkberry. But to stand in line for an hour and a half in the heat for a free scoop? Well that’s what they were doing for hours last night at the opening of Atlanta’s first Pinkberry location.
Less than five years ago, the folks at Pinkberry set out to sell their proprietary formula of premium frozen yogurt with fresh-fruit toppings. Now with locations across the country, the company has attracted legions of fans. Lots of celebrities have jumped on the Pinkberry bandwagon including Rob Lowe, Simon Crowell and Megan Fox who celebrated her birthday there.
I’ve been way in the loop with the whole Pinkberry explosion as my daughter got a job there for the summer. A recent graduate of Duke, she is heading to DC as a Star Fellow with Running Start in the fall. But faced with the double whammy news that the parental bank has now closed and that I need help around the house with such fun activities as refrigerator and attic cleaning, she immediately sought outside employment. Read the full post »
by admin on June 25, 2010
Lunch for me usually consists of leftovers, or on the days I work at Travelgirl, a hastily assembled sandwich eaten at my desk. So I’m always pretty happy to actually go out to lunch. Or at least have other hands than my own make me a sandwich.
Here are just a few spots to check out for lunch:
Brookhaven Bistro
Salmon quesadilla, signature dish at Brookhaven Bistro
It took me a few minutes to find this little gem of a place, tucked behind Nuts ‘N Berries on Peachtree Street. It also happens to be directly on my way to Travelgirl so is perfect for those days when I am in the mood to just pick something up. It bills itself as Brookhaven’s healthy restaurant, and serves fresh breakfast and lunch items. You’ll find black beans and rice, chicken salad and burritos made with fresh, organic ingredients. The most expensive lunch item is just $9.50, broiled wild Alaska salmon served over brown rice with seasonal vegetables, a meal that would set you back at least twice that at a fancy tablecloth restaurant. I really enjoyed my black bean soup and chicken salad sandwich (the 1/2 and 1/2 for just $6.95.) Check it out when you’ll looking for a convenient and healthy option for lunch. 4272 Peachtree Road, 404-846-2345. Read the full post »
by admin on June 13, 2010
The Nick is back! Yep, Nick Oltarsh, the opening executive chef of Lobby, has returned and is turning out plates of deliciousness again after a five-year absence.
Ever since his days at Murphy’s, Nick has been one of my favorite chefs. I was glad to see him back at Lobby where he wields his talent at taking simple food and adding his special touches to make it memorable.
Although it is located in Twelve at Atlantic Station not too far from my home, I somehow forget that Lobby is there. And it even has the added appeal of easy, free-if-it’s-under-two-hours parking. And perhaps a little shopping side trip if time and the budget allows.
But after having lunch there last week, it’s firmly back on my radar. And check out these specials: every Wednesday through Friday from 5-7, enjoy a martini for just $1! Just one per person, but that’s all I can handle anyway.
And how about this? Every Thursday night Lobby is sponsoring free outdoor movies, along with all-you-can-eat pizza for $10, add beer and wine for an additional $5. Get a schedule at www.atlanticstation.com.
As for the food? I’ll let the pictures tell the stories.
- I’m not sure who invented Chicken & Waffles, (Gladys Knight?) but I’m processing their application for sainthood. Nick heats this salty/sweet dish up with a touch of Tabasco.
- The pickled cucumbers, hearts of palm and sesame ginger vinaigrette add a touch of flavor and a lot of color to the seared tuna
- It took all of my willpower to not eat a second piece of this simple, but perfect vegetable pizza. We tried analyzing what made it so delicious between cheese-laden mouth fulls
- I loved the addition of capers and caraway seeds to the ever-popular shrimp and grits
- I wasn’t fast enough to snag a lemon meringue tart but did manage to grab a pistachio eclair for a small indulgence at the end of the meal
Haley Richardson with her food trike filled with homemade ice cream sandwiches
Sure, Atlanta is a great food city – you can get everything from a naked dog at the Varsity to a masterful four-course dinner at Bacchanalia. But there is one thing you can’t get that almost all other major cities have.
Street food.
Seems the city won’t allow people in Atlanta to enjoy the wonders of tacos, hot dogs, ice cream, Korean barbecue and plenty of other delicious, affordable food that people in Austin, Los Angeles, Portland and New York can enjoy every day.
But now we have a committed group of folks who are determined to change that. The Atlanta Street Food Coalition is campaigning to persuade lawmakers that we deserve to enjoy the opportunities for people to sell and buy food from trucks in Atlanta and surrounding areas. You can have a truck at a street festival or a catered event, and street carts are allowed more freedom, but locations are quite restricted. Read the full post »
